Crack Intros
Piracy's unexpected art form
Crack intros—screens added to pirated software announcing the cracking group—evolved from simple text into elaborate technical showcases that birthed the demo scene.
Overview
When crackers removed copy protection from games, they added their signatures: intro screens with scrolling text, music, and graphics. Competition between groups transformed these signatures into art. The technical one-upmanship of crack intros directly spawned the demo scene—the piracy origin story the scene acknowledges but has long since transcended.
Evolution
Early intros (1980-1983)
- Simple text screens
- Group name and greetings
- Basic colour cycling
- Minimal size (fit before game)
Competition era (1984-1987)
- Scrolling messages
- SID music
- Animated graphics
- Technical tricks to impress
Demo split (1987+)
- Intros became too elaborate for game cracks
- Standalone demos emerged
- Legal competitions began
- Scene identity separated from piracy
Typical elements
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Logo | Group identity |
| Scroller | Greetings, news, boasts |
| Music | Show off musician skill |
| Effects | Technical prowess |
| Greets | Community connections |
Competition
Groups competed on:
- First release (“0-day”)
- Quality of crack (trainer options, no bugs)
- Intro impressiveness
- Speed and reliability
Notable groups
| Group | Platform | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Fairlight | C64/PC | Longevity, quality |
| Triad | C64 | Technical excellence |
| Razor 1911 | Amiga/PC | Professional operations |
| Paradox | Multiple | Cross-platform presence |
Technical constraints
Intros had to be:
- Small (loaded before game)
- Fast (didn’t annoy user)
- Impressive (represented group quality)
- Reliable (didn’t crash)
Cultural elements
Greetings
Messages to allied groups:
- Sign of respect and networking
- Political statements within scene
- Sometimes warnings to enemies
Scrollers
Long scrolling text containing:
- Release information
- Scene news and gossip
- Recruitment messages
- Personal messages
Legal transition
The demo scene emerged when:
- Coders wanted to showcase skills legally
- Competitions offered legitimate prestige
- Commercial opportunities appeared
- Scene grew beyond piracy origins
Legacy
Crack intros established:
- Demo scene culture and aesthetics
- Competition-driven improvement
- Technical showcasing traditions
- European demo party culture