Overview
What began as signature screens on cracked software evolved into an art form. The demo scene brought together coders, graphicians, and musicians to create “demos”—real-time programs that pushed hardware to impossible limits. No pre-rendered video, no cheating—everything generated live, proving mastery over the machine.
Fast facts
- Origins: Crack intro evolution (early 1980s).
- Peak platforms: C64, Amiga, Atari ST.
- Modern: PC, retro platforms still active.
- Recognition: UNESCO cultural heritage (Finland).
Demo components
| Role | Contribution |
|---|
| Coder | Programming, effects |
| Graphician | Artwork, design |
| Musician | Soundtrack, sound effects |
| Designer | Direction, flow |
Demo types
| Type | Description |
|---|
| Megademo | Multi-part, disk-loading |
| 64K intro | Size-limited demo |
| 4K intro | Extreme size constraint |
| Dentro | Small intro |
| Musicdisk | Music collection |
Effects showcase
| Effect | Technique |
|---|
| Plasma | Colour cycling math |
| Copper bars | Hardware tricks |
| Vector balls | 3D rendering |
| Scroll text | Message delivery |
| Raster splits | Mid-screen changes |
Scene structure
| Element | Function |
|---|
| Groups | Organised teams |
| Handles | Pseudonyms |
| BBS/parties | Distribution, gathering |
| Charts | Rankings, reputation |
Demo parties
Major events:
- Assembly (Finland)
- The Party (Denmark)
- Revision (Germany)
- Breakpoint (Germany, ended)
Competitions:
- Demo compo
- Intro compo (size limited)
- Music compo
- Graphics compo
Famous groups
| Platform | Notable groups |
|---|
| C64 | Crest, Horizon, Fairlight |
| Amiga | Sanity, Kefrens, Spaceballs |
| PC | Future Crew, Farbrausch |
Legacy
| Impact | Area |
|---|
| Game industry | Talent pipeline |
| Techniques | Demo effects in games |
| Music | Tracker culture |
| Art | Digital art recognition |
See also