What are Demos? What is a Demo?
More information on the demoscene is available in our flyer 'The Demoscene'
or on demoscene.info, the portal on the demoscene.
programs which produce,
in real time, engaging computer graphics
and music. Programming, Art, and music Composition skills are stressed. Demos are
similar in some ways (but are not equivalent) to music videos or short films.
Where
Demos are created at, and submitted to, competitions calledDemo Parties mostly in western Europe.
Leading countries are Finland, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, and Germany. There
have been a handful of 'Demo Parties' in North America at Berkeley, UC San Diego,
and Canada.
When
Demos appeared in the `80s. Intros were the first form of Demos. They became more popular in the early `90s. People continuously argue about demos 'fading away' -- however this has yet to happen.How
Initially, demos were coded exclusively inassembly, for the emerging home computers. Gradually
demos started using C, and finally
C++ as well as running in Windows and using
hardware accelerated graphics cards. The music for demos uses special formats similar
in concept to MIDI files (but containing their
own instrument and vocal audio samples)
Why
Demos are about passion. They are about getting a computer to do the coolest thing you've ever seen a computer do. They are about great music, great art, and great programming (All biased to what the 'scene' has grown to respect).Text based on "Demos Explained; What are Demos? What is a Demo?" by Vincent Scheib.
With kind permission.