In this page you’ll find a bunch of background information about demos and demoscene. Since I realized I was too lazy to write this page, I asked Bing Chat and/or ChatGPT to write about them, and only rearranged the content a bit. I’ll rewrite this page, one day.
Demo
A demo is a non-interactive audio-visual presentation that showcases the capabilities of a computer system, written in the form of a computer program. Demos are usually self-contained, and sometimes extremely small, and are usually created for competitions by demogroups.
Scene
The demoscene is an international computer art subculture focused on producing demos. The purpose of a demo is to show off programming, visual art, and musical skills. Demos and other demoscene productions (graphics, music, videos, games) are shared at festivals known as demoparties. The demoscene is a worldwide non-commercial network of creative minds involved in the making of so-called “demos”. For more information on the demoscene you can check these pages on Wikipedia, Codedocs, and Technopedia.
The demoscene was accepted as UNESCO cultural heritage in Germany, Finland and Poland. For further references this topic, also visit the website Demoscene – The art of coding.
Scener
A demoscener is an individual who contributes to the demoscene. Demosceners sometimes form groups, or demogroups, in order to collaborate with one another in producing work. A typical showcase of this work is called a demo.
An extensive ontology of different kinds of demoscener can be found in the demoscene page of Geek Feminism Wiki on Fandom, together with a list of notable female demosceners.
Groups
Demogroups are teams of demosceners who make computer-based audio-visual works of art known as demos. Demogroups form a subculture collectively known as the demoscene. Groups frequently consist of students and young computer enthusiasts who spend days coding their demos.
Here are some of the most relevant demogroups (this list is an interpolation of Bing Chat and ChatGPT proposals).
- Fairlight
- Future Crew
- Haujobb
- Kewlers
- Andromeda Software Development
- Farbrausch
- The Black Lotus
- Equinox (Amiga)
- Equinox (Atari)
- Melon Dezign
- Conspiracy
Parties
A demoparty is an event that gathers demosceners and other computer enthusiasts to compete in competitions. A typical demoparty is a non-stop event lasting over a weekend, providing the visitors a lot of time to socialize. The competing works are usually shown at night, using a video projector and big loudspeakers.
Top 10 demoparties (according to Bing Chat and ChatGPT):
- Revision
- Assembly
- Evoke
- Outline
- Function –
- Buenzli (now Demodays)
- Nordlicht
- The Gathering
- Alternative Party
- Mekka & Symposium (No longer active)
Competitions
A democompo or demo competition is a key event in a demoparty where participants showcase their computer graphics, music, and programming skills by creating and presenting multimedia demos. In a democompo, participants create a demo, which is a real-time audio-visual presentation that typically features impressive graphics, animation, and sound effects. Democompos usually have specific rules and constraints that participants must follow, such as a maximum file size or time limit.
During the competition, all of the demos are played on a large screen, and the audience and a panel of judges vote on their favorite demo based on criteria such as creativity, technical skill, and overall impact. The winners of the democompo are typically awarded prizes and recognition for their achievement.
Democompos are a key part of the demoscene culture and are a great way for participants to showcase their skills, learn from others, and connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for computer graphics, programming, and music.
There are several types of demo competitions held at demoparties. Some of the popular ones include all-out technology-no-object demos, space-limited 256 byte and 128 byte. Other competitions include Demo, Oldskool demo (older machines), 64k intro, 4k intro, 1k intro, Tracked music, Stream music, Fast Music, Fast graphics, Short film, Real Wild demo, Photo, Video game developing compo.