==
Frequenty Asked Questions ==
Isn’t this
a LAN party? How is it different?
Traditionally a "LAN party" is
more of a game playing fest where people rock up with their
"super cool" cases and compete for supremacy. (an
exaggeration, but the stereotype) A LAN party is usually focused
around gaming, competition & general showing off while
sticking to your own machine.
A Demoparty sees people bring whatever computer
they wish - oldskool or new. You are unlikely to see any casemods
or games, but you will see a bunch of geeks demoing OpenGL
3D code tests, showing content on oldskool computers from
80's or maybe just having some solo computer time to work
on an compertition entry. Likewise 2D & 3D graphics artists
can swap ideas.... chipmusic & oldskool-style musicians
can mingle and talk tracking / instrumentation / hardware...
and retro fans or newbies can ask questions about why we are
still making realtime material "using hardware"
and not just faking content in an animation or music sequencing
program.
People will often crowd around a monitor watching animations,
listening to tunes or just chilling out. A Demoparty is a
place to showcase your visual or musical work, experiments,
and be a proud computer geek at whatever level you feel fit.
Be it a graphics geek, a code cruncher, an electronic-music
nut, an extreme Flash addict, 3D guru or Photoshop nerd…
at a demoparty most other people are too!
At a LAN party, 90% of the people will
be playing games, copying data or showing off their benchmarks.
At a demo party, 90% of the people will be havin' a chat /
coding / photo-shopping / animating / tracking music / watching
demos / tinkering with hardware / showing off some obscure
program or oldskool hardware most people have ever heard of.
For more info about what the demo scene is, see
below.
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Q:
What is Syntax?
Syntax is focused around the creative use of computer
hardware to learn and develop audio/visual/programming
skills and push the boundaries of your ability. It
is:
-> an opportunity to enter your work into small competitions
for demos, music, graphics, ASCii and animations
-> a chance to chill out and watch demos; listen to demomusic
and to hang out / meet with other likeminded people
-> a place where you can get back to your computery roots;
to again enjoy that trusty old computer you grew up with
-> a place to find out more about realtime animation, tracked
music, and what this demoscene stuff is all about
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Q:
How much does Syntax cost? Can anyone come?
Syntax is free! Yes, anyone can come - but please register
or you may be stuck outside (potential door code).
Let's clarify what this event is though:
a) Syntax NOT a gaming event and you probably won't see anyone
playing any games unless it's on a machine pre 1990 or is
purely to demonstrate graphics. A Demoparty is for (any level
of) coders, musicians, graphicians, 3D people and general
hardware appreciators. If you love computers and do more than
just gaming then you will more than likley enjoy Syntax.
Attendants are encouraged to compete in shceduled competitions
(referred to as 'compos').
Spread across the duration of the event, these compos are
categorised in a way that allow the attendants to showcase
their artistic talents with the use of computers. You do not
have to bring a demo, tune or other artwork to attend Syntax
but if you are able to, it makes the event more fun for everyone.
Syntax crew are very welcoming but also very passionate about
coding or graphics or chipmusic so be prepared for maximum
geek factor.
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Q:
What is the demoscene?
The Demoscene considers itself as a loose connection of creative
minds with a shared passion of creating digital art. A 'demo'
is created by a group of people (called a demo crew or demo
group), or sometimes single individuals to "demo"
their skills. The traditional skill base of the demoscene
is considered to be coding, music, and design.
In the 80's, individuals traditionally used aliases instead
of their real names. This was because the demoscene started
as a subculture of the cracking / hacking scene where putting
a full name to your work was not a sensible idea! Having an
alias also helps avoid confusion. For instance, there maybe
multiple people called “Rob” at a party, but only
one person would have that name as an alias.
Of course, you can always consult the most reliable and quality
source of all information in the universe and see what Wikipedia
have to say about the demoscene.
Want to watch demos? Then visit Pouet.net
which is where almost all demos live after a party. If you
don't know where to start here are a few impressive international
releases of varying styles from 2000 - 2006:
FR-08 (64k Demo by Farbrausch. A classic - quite a few
years old but runs on practically everything)
Final
Audition (A chunky demo by Plastic. Needs a semi-decent
3D card to run)
We
Cell (Quality coding. Very smooth for something written
in 2004)
Gerbera (A typical Moppi Productions demo with a lot of
character and chill soundtrack. Years old now.)
Still
Sucking Nature (No 3D hardware used. Realtime Raytracing
in CPU and no Polys. Slow but technically wow)
Chaos
Theory (A demo by Conspiracy. Needs decent 3D hardware,
but for 64k, it's incredible!)
Rob
is Jarig (Joke demo created as a birthday present for
a scener. It has become surprisingly popular)
Note that the above are amoungst the most impressive demos
out there! Some more typical Aussie
demos are below.
Australian Demoscene : Demo downloads
Youtube channel (for Syntax) : www.youtube.com/syntaxparty
For executable versions visit Pouet.net
and search for "Party" then "Syntax" for
all previous Syntax demos.
Beach
Party - Another Melbourne demoparty. Yes, as the title
suggests. It's outdoor and it's near the beach.
Nullabor Demo Party - A demo party held in Perth. A lot
of emphasis on animation / game developement.
Australia
xmas compo - An online demo compertition held anually.
Now replaced with Beach Party
Coven
(1996 - 2001) - A demo party which was held in Adelaide
for 5 years running. Some great demos here.
Australian
Demo Compo (1988) - It's about the earliest we could find...
There are many more parties than the above which have occured
in Australia, especially in the Amiga/ c64 scene but are largely
undocumented. If you have any floppies containing old demos
or other works bring 'em along to Syntax.
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Q:
When will Syntax 2009 take place?
October 31st 2009.
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Q: Do I have to be there for the whole event?
If you are any form of computer programmer, coder, graphic
designer, mathematician, modeller, 3D or 2D artist, composer,
musician, animator, animation buff, computer enthusiast, or
collector of old computers then you should certainly come
for the whole event which will kick off at 1pm.
Syntax runs over a weekend. Most of the climactic, official
stuff happens on the Saturday night around 6pm
when the music and main demo compos are shown. The rest of
the party is allocated for people to hang out and meet each
other, competitors to get their stuff finished (typically
add greets then bugfix when it decides not to compile!), and
generally share in some good ol' computer appreciation time.
It is a relaxed & social atmosphere and a good chance
to meet to people behind the handles and hang out with other
like-minded, demoish people. Everyone who has ever come to
a Syntax event (for the whole day) has had a ball.
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Q: Should I bring my own
computer?
Yes. A computer is a personal thing and we cannot easily
provide computers for people to use.
If you are travelling from far, we have a few "guest"
machines for people to use. If you are emulating there are
people at the party who can write Amiga and C64 floppies for
you. 1541 Ultimate is also available.
A Laptop is a great idea as they are easy to carry around
and save you bringing your whole box. But feel free to bring
"the works" monster of a machine. Bring your own
CAT5 Cable (at least 2M - 10M recommended). Please register
and tell us what you plan on bringing so we know power &
space requirements.
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]
Do I have to enter
a compo?
A lot of people are often left thinking "my work won't
be good enough" but this is rarely the case. You do not
have to submit a long and epic demo at Syntax and many prods
(especially nuskool) are short and sweet.
The cool thing about a demo party is that everyone respects
everyone elses work. Regardless of the quality or what stage
you are at, getting work screened or released at a demo party
is a massive buzz. It is a fantastic way of getting inspired
to take things to the next level or just make something full
stop. For many people a demoparty is the only reason anything
is actually reaches "near completion" - be it music
or demo - Syntax is a great excuse to get something out there.
There are always one or two amazing groups who make technically
impressive productions but it is the result of all the productions
that makes the party fun. Without them - there is no party.
(Jimage's 2008 entry is proof of this!)
If you are able to make a tune,
new or oldskool demo, graphics or anything oldskool - have
a crack!
Don't know where to start? An introduction to tracking (music
for Amiga and C64) has been written by our very own cTrix.
cTrix' introduction to making oldskool tracked music.
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Q: Can I help you organise
the Party?
Yep. Send us an email to info[hat]syntaxparty.org
Cheers.
EOF
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