ABYSS RUNNER
Only Way Is Up.
An extreme platformer that drove every playtester to despair
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💰 More posts = bigger bounty pool!
Help grow the bounty pool — the prize money unlocks progressively as more challengers post clear videos, scaling up to ¥2,500,000. Every share you make directly raises the prize money.
About This Game
The mightiest (yet incredibly ditzy) Demon Lord 'Lili' stumbled across a 'monster-infested vertical shaft' on her walk — and fell right into her own trap. With a weakening arm binder strapped on, she must escape from the abyss.
While out on a leisurely walk, the mightiest-yet-ditzy Demon Lord 'Lili' discovers a perfectly good 'monster-infested vertical shaft.' She was just about to use her special 'Cursed Ultra-Weakening Arm Binder' to chuck some nearby adventurers down it for fun when...
"Huh?"
The dimwit Demon Lord Lili falls into her own trap and plunges into the Abyss...
Can Demon Lord Lili escape from the shaft?!
"Only Way Is Up"
One goal: escape the shaft. Countless monsters and traps stand in your way. Can you make it all the way to the top — ?
Extreme Difficulty Action
A difficulty that drove every playtester to despair. Even the developer took two days to clear it the first time. All 4 areas of the shaft deliver maximum frustration and hopelessness.
A Japanese Doujin Hit Goes Global
The original Japanese title that surpassed 30,000+ copies sold on Japanese platforms arrives on Steam as the all-ages 'Abyss Runner.' Supports Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
ABYSS RUNNER CHALLENGE
Abyss Runner Challenge
More posts = bigger prize pool. A crowdfunding-style viral bounty scaling up to ¥2,500,000. Pure Run (50%) / Wings Run (40%) / Lottery Division (10%) — a three-division design open to everyone.
Fri, May 15, 2026 – Fri, May 29, 2026 23:59 JST
Perfectly aligned with the Publisher Sale period
#AbyssChallenge
Current Total Prize
¥250,000
Current Progress
18 posts
32 more posts to the next goal!
BASE
¥250,000
Stretch 1
Achievable NEXT50 posts
Let's reach it together
¥280,000
+¥30,000
Stretch 2
Achievable150 posts
Let's reach it together
¥350,000
+¥70,000
Divisions
🏃 Pure Run
50% of poolNo tools, no mods, no 'Demon Wings'. Pure runs only.
🪽 Wings Run
40% of poolClears with the in-game 'Demon Wings' support feature enabled (external tools prohibited). Open to everyone.
🎰 Lottery Division
10% of poolMultiple winners drawn by lottery from all tagged submissions. Open to non-RTA participants too.
Prize Breakdown
🏃 Pure Run (50% of pool)
No tools, no mods, no 'Demon Wings' — pure speedrun records only. The classic competitive category for core players. Fastest clear time during the campaign earns a major prize.
🪽 Wings Run (40% of pool)
Clears made with the in-game 'Demon Wings' support feature enabled (external tools prohibited). An inclusive category open to everyone.
🎰 Lottery Division (10% of pool)
Multiple winners drawn by lottery from all tagged submissions. Open to non-RTA participants too. No time requirement, no difficulty requirement — everyone has a chance.
8-Tier Progressive Unlock Pool
Prize pool unlocks in 8 tiers based on submission count: 50 / 150 / 500 / 1,500 / 3,000 / 8,000 / 20,000 posts. Scales from ¥250,000 up to ¥2,500,000 maximum.
Lottery & Special Awards
Multiple winners drawn by lottery from all tagged submissions. Special awards for no-damage clears, hidden element discoveries, and other criteria at organizer's discretion.
Prize Payouts
Prize amounts are determined in JPY. Payouts are made via Steam gift cards in the winner's preferred currency (USD/EUR/JPY/CNY/TWD/etc.), selected at submission.
How to Enter
Post with #AbyssChallenge
Post on X / Weibo / Bilibili / Xiaohongshu — no purchase required, any post counts! The more posts, the bigger the prize pool unlocks.
Post on X now →Want to compete? Post your gameplay video (Time-attack divisions)
Play Abyss Runner on Steam → upload your clear video with the hashtag.
Time-attack participants: register via the entry form (optional)
Pure Run / Wings Run divisions submit video URLs. Lottery Division entries are automatic from Step 1. Form registration only needed if you want email notification of winning.
🎮 Creator / Streamer Recruitment 特典あり ▾
CREATOR SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM
We are looking for creators to stream or post videos covering Abyss Runner around its release.
[What We Offer]
- ▸ Pre-release Steam key (from 5/9)
- ▸ Reward: Steam gift card $35+ (varies by reach & format)
- ▸ Access to the Speedrun Bounty (prize pool ¥250,000+)
- ▸ Media kit, UTM tracking, and creative freedom
[Who We're Looking For]
- ▸ 1,000+ followers (Twitch / YouTube / other)
- ▸ Fans of indie, hard-core, Foddian, or speedrun genres
- ▸ Able to stream or publish a video during 5/9–5/29
We will contact you within 48 hours of your application.
[Application Form]
* Streams / videos must be 5 minutes or longer
✓ Submitted
Thank you for applying. We will contact you within 48 hours.
* Reward amount varies by reach, format, and duration. Details will be provided after your application.
Streamer Highlights
Play Videos & Stream Schedule
Streamers worldwide are taking on the Abyss. You could be the next one to post a clear video.
💰 More posts = bigger bounty pool!
UPDATES
Updates
- INFO
All submissions have been verified, and the final leaderboard is now live. Final rankings for both the Wings Run and Pure Run divisions are now displayed. Winners will be contacted separately. Thank you to everyone who participated!
- INFO
We had originally planned to finalize the leaderboard during today's (June 1) business hours, but the volume of last-minute submissions exceeded our expectations, and our team is still working through the verification process. We appreciate your patience — we'll post here as soon as the final results are ready. Thanks for being part of Abyss Runner.
- INFO
The Abyss Runner Challenge campaign period officially ended at midnight JST on May 30, 2026. A huge thank you to everyone who participated and supported the event. We received a significant number of last-minute submissions, and our team is currently working through the verification process. The final leaderboard update is scheduled to land during Japan business hours on Monday, June 1, 2026. We'll post an update on this page as soon as it's done. Thank you again for being part of Abyss Runner.
- RULE
Rule clarification: Fresh New Game only. For both Wings Run and Pure Run, NG+ runs starting with Wings pre-unlocked are invalid. Pre-5/18 NG+ submissions are invalidated; resubmissions accepted until 5/29.
See Rules Summary → - INFO
We've outlined how leaderboard times are reflected and how our team verifies each submission. Please read before entering.
Read details → - RELEASE
Abyss Runner is now available on Steam! The bounty campaign starts today.
- STREAM
Xiaoheihe gameplay video by 俺为人民服务 is now live
- STREAM
YouTube gameplay video by Pobre Gamer (@PobreGamer2019) is now live
- STREAM
Bilibili gameplay video by 正经的HIM is now live
- LAUNCH
Campaign teaser page is now live
Leaderboard
Global Rankings
Last updated: 6/1 18:00
Updated with data every 6 hours
🪽 Wings Run
Devil's Wings assist allowed ※ For identical times, rankings are determined by verifying times down to the hundredths of a second.| Rank | X Handle | Clear Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | @KeremOR9 | 00:01:20 ✓ |
| 🥈 | @morumoruja1 | 00:01:23 ✓ |
| 🥉 | @Vanisshh_ | 00:01:23 ✓ |
| 4 | @joypurple11 | 00:01:24 ✓ |
| 5 | @mincedkatu | 00:01:24 ✓ |
🏃 Pure Run
No assist features| Rank | X Handle | Clear Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | @KeremOR9 | 00:03:03 ✓ |
| 🥈 | @abcabcabccbacb | 00:03:10 ✓ |
| 🥉 | @Vanisshh_ | 00:03:12 ✓ |
| 4 | @mincedkatu | 00:03:28 ✓ |
FAQ
What kind of game is Abyss Runner?
Abyss Runner is the all-ages Steam version of a doujin game that sold 30,000+ copies on Japanese platforms. It's an extremely difficult 2D platformer with an 'only way is up' style. The protagonist, Demon Lord Lili, falls into her own trap and must escape from the shaft.
Is the Steam version all-ages?
Yes. Abyss Runner on Steam is a fully all-ages release.
What languages are supported?
The game supports 4 languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese — including both interface and subtitles.
How difficult is it?
It's an extreme platformer that took even the developer two full days to clear on their first attempt. That said, there are some 'tricks' to discover, so keep challenging yourself. All 4 areas of the shaft are designed to deliver maximum despair and frustration.
Is the Steam version required to enter the challenge?
Yes. Only clear videos of the Steam version 'Abyss Runner' are eligible for entry.
Can I freely stream or post videos?
Absolutely — streaming and video posting are very welcome. In fact, if you want to enter the challenge, posting a video is required. Monetization is also permitted (subject to the platform's own terms of service).
Does the prize pool really grow?
Yes. The organizer will reliably add to the prize pool based on the number of tagged submissions. Progress is published in real time on this site, and official announcements will be made when stretch goals are reached.