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Compo (demoscene)
Encyclopedia
Compo is a slang word for competition commonly used by the demoscene
and related subculture
s when referring to their contests related to programming, computer graphics
and music
.
Compos are typically held at demoparties
. The usual format is to show the competing entries sequentially with a video projector, after which the winners are chosen by public vote. In addition to party-based contests, there have also been online compos on websites
and bulletin board systems
.
The main competition on most demoparties is the demo compo
. A typical party also includes an intro compo (for demos with a file size restriction), a music compo and a graphics compo. Other common contests include wild compo (for any kind of video material) and game development compo. Compos are often split into subcategories by technical and stylistic restrictions.
, to which the competitors must deliver their entries, either via traditional physical media
or through the party LAN. The purpose of the deadline is to allow the compo crew to prepare the assets of the competition: the crew makes sure that each entry runs correctly, perhaps records them to video in case of alternative platforms. The crew also performs preselection
on the entries to be able to fit in a given timeframe with the competition, and also to maintain a quality level for a given competition. (Preselection at larger parties has always been a controversial standpoint, given the versatile stylistic state of the demoscene productions.) It must be noted that while deadlines are usually explicitly stated at demoparties, most parties are rather flexible considering release handins, especially if they are aware of a release's high quality - demogroups who can't finish the production before the deadline often create "placeholder
" versions of demos, which serve the purpose of reserving the place for the production in the compo.
Compos show the production in a sequential order; some parties prefer to reorder competition entries in an ascending order quality-wise, so the best entries are left for the end of the competition. Each entry receives a unique "compo-slide", a generated screen which displays the entry's number in the competition, title, author, and sometimes, various specific things such as author comments or platform specific notes. At some parties, individual competitions (music and graphics) omit the display of the author name at this point, in order to avoid "namevoting".
The entry is then shown with a video projector
and PA system
; in case of music, through its specific replayer with the compo slide staying on screen (a few parties used to prefer showing the module patterns in case of tracked music
, but this competition has become rare in general); and in case of graphics, through an image viewer program (Breakpoint expanded this tradition by also zooming inside the picture to reveal technical details for the trained eye). Applause
is always awarded for an entry after it was shown, even if it was a below-average quality entry by someone who never created a production before; it is usually the actual effort behind the production that's awarded. It is not uncommon to hear applause during the display of a demo or intro when a remarkable effect is shown; this type of display of respect is generally considered a huge achievement and is highly regarded by the creators.
After the compo, visitors are given the opportunity to vote. Voting methods used to vary between parties: earlier parties preferrred the "oldskool" paper votesheets, but most of them only allow voting through the party-LAN now, using votekeys handed out to the audience. To avoid mass-votes by individuals, a votesheet or votekey is usually only handed out to a visitor in exchange of a mark on the ticket, such as tickmark or the removal of the wristband. Votes, usually done via either preferential voting
or range voting
, are calculated after the voting deadline, which is usually some hours after the last compo. (Assembly is a curiosity in this case; due to the amount of compos at the party, ASM traditionally holds two voting deadlines and two prizegivings.) After the votes have been counted, a prizegiving ceremony is issued where the prizes are awarded to the winners; prizes usually consist of hardware and software, sometimes cash and often some sort of memorabilia of the party, such as medals, trophies or printed diplomas.
Fastcompos are a common form of entertainment at demoparties. Unlike regular compos, fastcompos are announced at the party, usually only a few hours to a day before the deadline, and often have some design or theme limitations. Fastcompos may be held for music, graphics, demos and anything else regular compos are.
Demoscene
The demoscene is a computer art subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in real-time on a computer...
and related subculture
Subculture
In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong.- Definition :...
s when referring to their contests related to programming, computer graphics
Computer graphics
Computer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
and music
Computer music
Computer music is a term that was originally used within academia to describe a field of study relating to the applications of computing technology in music composition; particularly that stemming from the Western art music tradition...
.
Compos are typically held at demoparties
Demoparty
A demoparty is an event that gathers demosceners and other computer enthusiasts to compete in competitions. A typical demoparty is a non-stop event lasting over a weekend, providing the visitors a lot of time to socialize. The competing works, at least those in the most important competitions, are...
. The usual format is to show the competing entries sequentially with a video projector, after which the winners are chosen by public vote. In addition to party-based contests, there have also been online compos on websites
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
and bulletin board systems
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
.
The main competition on most demoparties is the demo compo
Demo (computer programming)
A demo is a non-interactive multimedia presentation made within the computer subculture known as the demoscene. Demogroups create demos to demonstrate their abilities in programming, music, drawing, and 3D modeling...
. A typical party also includes an intro compo (for demos with a file size restriction), a music compo and a graphics compo. Other common contests include wild compo (for any kind of video material) and game development compo. Compos are often split into subcategories by technical and stylistic restrictions.
Common properties
Compos at a demoparty are usually held during the afternoon and lasting after midnight, usually on the last whole day of the party. Each compo has its designated deadlineTime limit
A time limit or deadline is a narrow field of time, or particular point in time, by which an objective or task must be accomplished.In project management, deadlines are most often associated with milestone goals....
, to which the competitors must deliver their entries, either via traditional physical media
Data storage device
thumb|200px|right|A reel-to-reel tape recorder .The magnetic tape is a data storage medium. The recorder is data storage equipment using a portable medium to store the data....
or through the party LAN. The purpose of the deadline is to allow the compo crew to prepare the assets of the competition: the crew makes sure that each entry runs correctly, perhaps records them to video in case of alternative platforms. The crew also performs preselection
Preselection
Preselection is the process by which a candidate is selected, usually by a political party, to contest an election for political office. It is also referred to as candidate selection. It is a fundamental function of political parties...
on the entries to be able to fit in a given timeframe with the competition, and also to maintain a quality level for a given competition. (Preselection at larger parties has always been a controversial standpoint, given the versatile stylistic state of the demoscene productions.) It must be noted that while deadlines are usually explicitly stated at demoparties, most parties are rather flexible considering release handins, especially if they are aware of a release's high quality - demogroups who can't finish the production before the deadline often create "placeholder
Placeholder
Placeholder may refer to:In language:* Placeholder name, words that can refer to objects or people, whose names are unknown or irrelevant* Filler text, shares some characteristics of a real written text, but is random or otherwise generated...
" versions of demos, which serve the purpose of reserving the place for the production in the compo.
Compos show the production in a sequential order; some parties prefer to reorder competition entries in an ascending order quality-wise, so the best entries are left for the end of the competition. Each entry receives a unique "compo-slide", a generated screen which displays the entry's number in the competition, title, author, and sometimes, various specific things such as author comments or platform specific notes. At some parties, individual competitions (music and graphics) omit the display of the author name at this point, in order to avoid "namevoting".
Video projector
A video projector is an image projector that receives a video signal and projects the corresponding image on a projection screen using a lens system. All video projectors use a very bright light to project the image, and most modern ones can correct any curves, blurriness, and other...
and PA system
Public address
A public address system is an electronic amplification system with a mixer, amplifier and loudspeakers, used to reinforce a sound source, e.g., a person giving a speech, a DJ playing prerecorded music, and distributing the sound throughout a venue or building.Simple PA systems are often used in...
; in case of music, through its specific replayer with the compo slide staying on screen (a few parties used to prefer showing the module patterns in case of tracked music
Tracking
Tracking can refer to:*Tracking , separating children into different classes according to their academic ability*Tracking, in computer graphics, a vital part of match moving...
, but this competition has become rare in general); and in case of graphics, through an image viewer program (Breakpoint expanded this tradition by also zooming inside the picture to reveal technical details for the trained eye). Applause
Applause
Applause is primarily the expression of approval by the act of clapping, or striking the palms of the hands together, in order to create noise. Audiences are usually expected to applaud after a performance, such as a musical concert, speech, or play...
is always awarded for an entry after it was shown, even if it was a below-average quality entry by someone who never created a production before; it is usually the actual effort behind the production that's awarded. It is not uncommon to hear applause during the display of a demo or intro when a remarkable effect is shown; this type of display of respect is generally considered a huge achievement and is highly regarded by the creators.
After the compo, visitors are given the opportunity to vote. Voting methods used to vary between parties: earlier parties preferrred the "oldskool" paper votesheets, but most of them only allow voting through the party-LAN now, using votekeys handed out to the audience. To avoid mass-votes by individuals, a votesheet or votekey is usually only handed out to a visitor in exchange of a mark on the ticket, such as tickmark or the removal of the wristband. Votes, usually done via either preferential voting
Preferential voting
Preferential voting is a type of ballot structure used in several electoral systems in which voters rank candidates in order of relative preference. For example, the voter may select their first choice as '1', their second preference a '2', and so on...
or range voting
Range voting
Range voting is a voting system for one-seat elections under which voters score each candidate, the scores are added up, and the candidate with the highest score wins.A form of range voting was apparently used in...
, are calculated after the voting deadline, which is usually some hours after the last compo. (Assembly is a curiosity in this case; due to the amount of compos at the party, ASM traditionally holds two voting deadlines and two prizegivings.) After the votes have been counted, a prizegiving ceremony is issued where the prizes are awarded to the winners; prizes usually consist of hardware and software, sometimes cash and often some sort of memorabilia of the party, such as medals, trophies or printed diplomas.
Fastcompos are a common form of entertainment at demoparties. Unlike regular compos, fastcompos are announced at the party, usually only a few hours to a day before the deadline, and often have some design or theme limitations. Fastcompos may be held for music, graphics, demos and anything else regular compos are.