Vault Entry
[🎥 suggested: clip of a classic C64 demo with raster bars and scrollers]
Overview
The demo scene began when crackers added boastful intros to pirated games. Those intros evolved into standalone productions—scrolling text, sprite showers, and music—that existed purely to impress other coders. By the mid-80s, dedicated demo parties were thriving across Europe.
Fast facts
- Roots: C64 cracks and Spectrum “intros,” quickly followed by Amiga competition.
- Culture: handles, ASCII art logos, and friendly rivalries between groups like Fairlight, Crest, and The Judges.
- Competitions: events like Assembly and The Party showcased new techniques annually.
Lesson connections
- BASIC Block 6’s speed optimizations nod to demo tricks like precalculated tables.
- Assembly Acts II–IV dive into raster interrupts and cycle counting, the demo scene’s bread and butter.
- Vault references encourage learners to explore modern demos for inspiration and historical context.