Festival "demos" - the masterpieces of art hacking
CNews.ru: Analysis
16.09.2005
In St. Petersburg, the fifth time in a festival of computer
Art Chaos Constructions (SS05). Throughout the world, such
activities are referred to as Demo-Party, as the main place for
them occupy the so-called 'demos' - small programs,
sole purpose - to demonstrate creativity
potential programmers, artists and composers. Despite
significant history of 'demo-scene' in Russia is located in the
early in their development.
Within CC05 showed a lot of graphics
work (including performance at the legendary computer ZX
Spectrum), electronic music (from alternative to classic
tracks). Viewers were invited to a lot of video clips
either directly participated in the contest, and
proclaiming already at other Russian and foreign
Festivals. All participants, as is customary in computer
circles, performed under their nicknames - is unique
identification number, which "master" sign their
work.
Revived the program performance groups ChipCult, DJ Dimitry
Ghost, McLighter, Zaubertote, playing electronic music
different directions. Was very interesting and Exhibition
devoted to the history of computers, as well as a seminar
company Kenjitsu, which is known for creating content for games
a new generation.
Where it all went
In the mid 80-x's, when America and Europe appeared
the first compact personal computers, their capabilities have
been small by modern standards. A small amount operational
memory, weak processors and primitive displays limited
opportunities for developers of software and games. Y
Many computers do not even have been so familiar to us now
hard disk drives and disk drives - all information is stored
only in memory, data and programs downloaded from the tapes.
But even then enthusiasts have tried to create something
extraordinary, capable of impressing. Using
technical capabilities of computers, they wrote different
program capable of generating impressive at the time
visual effects, and even the sounds and music.
According to the creators of the documentary "What Is Demo?",
Organizers large Demo-Party Assembly, held in
Finland, the birth of "demo scene" closely associated with the
development software piracy. Magnetic media (tape, and later -
floppy disk), it was easy to replicate at home, manufacturing
thus an illegal copy of software. In
mainly engaged in piracy ordinary students, rewriting
tapes from friends and acquaintances. It is obvious that it
causes damage software developers, and they devised various
systems of protection copy.
However, the stop in this way could be a few -
some of the finds and removes protection modules in the
programs, and all still copy them. To give some point cracked
copy attacker inserts a so-called "Intro" -
small savers, which was the name of the pirate group and
thanks to all who participated in the burglary. Processed
Such saver with complex effects, designed to produce
experience for users and members of other groups -
result, apart from the competition hackers (crackers),
started a competition of artists and coders effects of different
commands. Each pirate crew trying to do something
special format "Intro", and gradually the program,
generate different effects, separated from the rest of the
software. So there are "demo", whose sole purpose was
demonstrate the ability of programmers, artists and
composers.
Format "64k Demo" (the layout of the program
of not more than 64 kilobytes) survived and is still, though
technical capabilities of modern computers allow
create a much more extensive "demo", with the help of
Archiving in the modern "64k Demo" can fit 100-150
megabytes of data (textures, models, sounds, speech and music).
In modern format - "16mb Demo" - focuses on
visual part, and archiving of fades into the background. Often
videos contain conceptual text, the true meaning of which
clear, obviously, only the author himself. However, traditional
titles with a list of thanks to the authors 'demos' and their
companions, as well as other teams continue to remain, and
processed fairly ingenious. In the past, "demos" of foreign
commands the image quality is impressive - programmers use
opportunities and the processor and advanced graphics. As a
result, in real time (at a rate of 25-60 frames per second)
computer generates an image that is comparable in quality to
prerenderom (previously calculated in one or more computer
image on the drawing which leaves considerable time - sometimes
up to several days). The most impressive work demonstrate the
quality of the effects of "cinematic" level, but go with low
speed on a PC - for digitization (Translation into ordinary
videos. Avi) uses powerful workstations. At various Demo-Party
show it digitized version of the demos, to avoid technical
problems.
Demo - Russia
Unfortunately, local leaders and gaming software
companies have not yet realized the potential demo-makers and
not hurry support activities such as Chaos Constructions. All
on the commitment of the organizers - in 1995 held
the first Demo-Party Enlight, and from 2000 festival
Chaos Constructions. All costs of organizing the organizers
pay out of pocket, money from ticket sales
cover a small portion of the costs. The team of organizers,
consisting of professionals working in studios and computer
companies trying to attract attention to young talent and give
them to express themselves. This year, organizers of Chaos
Constructions was able to negotiate with the team and the
Assembly cooperation between Russian and foreign Demo-Party,
on the Assembly demonstrated infomercial CC05, inviting
St. Petersburg foreign guests. This event will help to attract
CC05 foreign participants, who presented their work.
In parallel with CC05 was a seminar company Kenjitsu,
dedicated various aspects of the design of game characters for
NextGen projects (a new generation of games). Kenjitsu itself
cooperates with the large foreign companies such as EA, and
produces game content. Kenjitsu interested in finding young
specialists, and so company executives decided to
organize the workshop in which they are responsible for most
various issues beginning modelers. Perhaps in the next
year, CC will also be held seminars on and other
aspects of game development (coding, game design and other
things). For Russian teams Demo-Party are not the main
motivation for creativity, but in general the level of domestic
demo-makers below than foreign ones.
What is a "demo" and "demo-scene"?
Development of the "demos" - the process is very time
consuming, and only Few in Russia are able to create really
high-quality products. Unfortunately, Chaos Constructions 2005
in major categories - "64k Demo" and "16mb Demo" was presented
only three works, and among them was as prizes.
A large number of fairly high quality of work was in other
nominations, Graphics and Music, and, obviously, these contests
will attract new participants to the next CC. Interesting
RealTime competitions (during the festival, participants were
asked perform the task for several hours) in the nominations
and Music Coding quite pleased with quality and original
works, it is hoped that next year will be introduced
well as nomination and Graphics in RealTime. It turns out that
competitions attended by people who do not have direct
relating to the "demo scene" - designers, artists, composers,
never engaged in the development of "demos". However, it is
impossible call this negative trend - after all, at an
appropriate level works, the festival of CC allows beginners to
get a fame and give a good account of oneself. For the victory
is given only a diploma, but in this case is valuable not a
prize, and recognition audience (in the voting for each was
attended by all viewers).
Absence of serious sponsors for the event raises
threaten its very existence. Due to lack of funding
raised a number of organizational and technical problems.
Problems with equipment led to delays during the show works and
low-quality images, showing some work was
difficult because of problems with one of the demo computers.
Even the ceremony turned out pretty crumpled - because of
disruption of schedule, some teams from other towns were late
for train. Needless ceremony takes place in a big hurry, the
diploma for first place winners had to serve out of turn, but
well, some were unable to obtain a well-deserved awards.
Who needs all this necessary?
What is so remarkable for these, at first sight, useless
program? Firstly, the development of a "demo" - a very laborious
process that requires serious knowledge and skills of all team
members - Programmer, artist, composer. The people creating
"demos" able to solve complex technical challenges and
the computer's capabilities to the maximum. Recently, in
connection technological development, the role of the coder to
create a "demo" a little decreased, the bulk of the work
shifted to the artist or designer. Good "demo" can be performed
without use of complex effects, but if they produce
impression on the viewer - hence the work done is not wasted.
Music also very important, synchronization of video and audio
series - laborious process that takes a lot of time. By
komandepobeditelnitse any major Demo-Party eyeing various game
studios and companies involved in manufacturing special
effects. The young professionals a real chance get a paid job.
But many do not throw favorite things and still make "demos"
for themselves.
It is hoped that next year's organizing team
solve some problems and attract even more attention CC06 Press
and computer companies.
Anton "TONIC" Kuleshov / CNews
Article address:
http://www.cnews.ru/newcom/index.shtml?2005/09/16/187219
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