Introduction to the Demoscene

INTRODUCTION TO THE DEMOSCENE

Reza Esmaili - Tastatur und Maus e.V.

INTRODUCTION

• Reza Esmaili!• Freelance Software Developer and Project Manager!• Chairman of the “Tastatur und Maus e.V.” association!• Non-profit association to promote Computer Arts

COMPUTER ARTS?

• All forms of digitally produced content!• Music, graphics, illustrations!• Video, animation, real-time art

REAL-TIME… WAT?

• No video file!• Interactive or non interactive animations which are calculated

by the computer during runtime!• Comparable with computer games or algorithmic music

visualization

COMPUTER ART SUBCULTURE!DEMOSCENE

• New art form, first appeared in the early 80s!• Production of computer animated movies in “real-time”

COMPUTER ART SUBCULTURE!DEMOSCENE

• Formation of groups from different countries!• International community of more than 3.000 actives

DEFINITION „DEMO“

• Demonstration of your own skills in friendly competitions!• Non-interactive, real-time animation which is calculated during

runtime - mostly accompanied by synchronized music

PC Demo!„Stargazer“!

Orb & Andromeda at NVScene 2008!!

http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=51438


DEMOPARTIES

HISTORY OF DEMOPARTIES

• Small meetings to show off your newest creations!• Many young computer enthusiasts


• Organization of bigger events with prized competitions in many disciplines!

• Social aspects and international exchange getting more important


• ca. 60-80 non-profit events every year in Europe; between 50 and 1.000 visitors!

• World’s biggest event „Revision“ since 2011 in Saarbrücken, Germany

TECHNOLOGY AND ART

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

• In the 80s and 90s, technology was more important than content!

• Fun at competing led to somehow absurd „records“

TECHNICAL ASPECTS

• Development of size-coding disciplines (4k/8k/64k)!• Best effects and content within the smallest possible file size

PC 4k Intro!„wishful twisting“!

loonies & tbc at Evoke 2013!!



PC 64k Intro!“Gaia Machina”!

Approximate at Revision 2012!!



COMPUTER ART

• Since 2000: shift to more high-quality graphical and artistic content!

• Cutting edge technology is still very important

PC Demo!„spacecut“!

Carillon & Cyberiad at Assembly 2012!!



OLDSKOOL VS. NEWSKOOL

• Coexistence of old and new platforms - even after 20 years!• C64, ZX Spectrum, Atari, Amiga, Gameboy, etc.

C64 Demo!„Edge of Disgrace“!

booze design at X 2008!!



KNOW HOW TO FAKE

• Pre calculated effects and trickery to achieve your goal - more so on old or low-spec platforms!

• e.g. use of animations; lower resolution

Amiga Demo!„Starstruck“!

The Black Lotus at Assembly 2006!!



OTHER AREAS

• Highly active music- and graphic scene!• 2D/3D animation, short movies, game development

OTHER AREAS

• Demos on consoles or self made hardware!• Do weird stuff with all kinds of programmable technology

(Calculators, ATMs, Printers, etc.)

Sega Megadrive!„Overdrive“!

titan at Evoke 2013!!



GAME DEVELOPMENT

• Growing interest in the past; decreasing since the existence of game jams!

• Sometimes also with a size limit (96k)

Game!„Sumotori Dreams“!

Archee at Breakpoint 2007!!



ANIMATION

• Part of Demoscene competitions for many years!• 3d rendered, stop-motion, short films, etc.

Animation!„The Lacquerer“!

Higher Lyrics at Revision 2011!!



WANT TO BE A PART OF IT?

BE A PART OF IT

• Visit demoparties (demoparty.net)!• Download and watch demos (pouet.net)!• #revision on IRCNET!• Demoscene-Webradio (scenesat.com)!• Youtube-Channel of Annikras (youtube.com/user/Annikras)

UPCOMING DEMOPARTIES• “Solskogen” Oslo, Norway 11th to 13th of July!• “Evoke” Cologne, Germany 8th to 10th of August!• “Demodays” Olten, Switzerland 22nd to 24th of August!• “Riverwash” Racibórz, Poland 19th to 21st of September!• “Function” Budapest, Hungary 3rd to 5th of October!• “TRSAC” Aarhus, Denmark 17th to 19th of October

…and many more at www.demoparty.net

Easter 2015 - E Werk Saarbrücken!

Four days of non-stop Demoscene activities Competitions - Seminars - Concerts - International Socializing

Fun!

www.revision-party.net

ORGANIZATION

• Tastatur und Maus e.V.!• 60 volunteers from all over Europe (none from SK, yet!)!• Support from renowned Businesses!• Private supporters

GO MAKE A DEMO ABOUT IT! AND SEE YOU AT A DEMOPARTY

Q&A

Technology

Introduction to the Demoscene