#Z80 #04 21 ноября 1998

Funtop     Демопати

FunTop'98 - Dr.Codex demopati of the past.

                 FunTop'98 report



(C) Dr.Codex / Light Future Group
Glazov


   The promising and long-awaited event in the world
Speccy Yet, as can be unexpectedly
surprise the enemies, and they seem strange,
place. I will not go into the statistics
voted and the winners, and try to illuminate
some memorable moments to me this action.

   In fact, he began FT for me back then,
when I received a personal invitation of Vladimir
Bulchukeya, the organizer of this event in
First of all, and of course coordinator
Moscow network ZX Net; come to gather, gathering, or
if you want - shodnyak, arrow, etc.
spektrumistov from around the world. Go to the original and
on the basic idea was to me as
spectator rather than participant, was conceived
originally agreed. However, that
called in before the actual departure time pressure in
golden-domed and krasnokamennuyu capital, I have prepared
necessary releases for the gfx compo, to be more precise
one image. Strong assistance in creating it to me
had our Glazovsky artist on a Speccy
pseudonym Fantazy Lord. So, gathering diplomat
Things I went on some way addresses.

   I must say that to my great surprise,
me about to go on FunTop, if you can
so to speak - people are not any side
Related to ZX-stage, aka (that is) avid, but
his sight from his Duke Nukem PiTsyuchniki. I have them
utolkal above a roof of information not only about
Spectrum prosperity, but rather nehily
information on the Amiga. And so impressed
kassetkoy Amiga demos from Dr.Dismal 'and are ready
had to go to the end of the world, only to see
that (y) "non-PC" as a last resort, the best case and
buy, since enough ... wood.

   But, as always happens, they go,
explaining all the usual excuse - "no money". I have already
foresaw this turn of events and does not
offended - I'm not dragging them back and was deeply
do not care about their opinion.

   At the station, 5 minutes before the train suddenly on
platform rode a bicycle Tolia - Cutset, more
a Glazovsky spektrumist. We are done with him Life.
Without stopping, but waved it passed,
asked me a puzzle about the purpose of his appearance at the 
station. 

   On the train I'm currently trying to imagine how to
This time will look FunTop, ie how it will
generally organized in comparison with Enlight.
The only thought was - if only to take place.
Arriving early in the morning at 5:00 the next day on
Kazan Railway Station, and it was Friday, I first
trying to adjust to new surroundings. I have not been
Moscow, 9 years old. Nothing but difficult in
moving around the capital was not there. And without losing
time, I went to the specified in the booklet FunTop
route - to school N91.

   And get nothing complex was not. In the metro
go to the station Arbatskaya. But Hochma for me was
that in the Moscow subway two (!) station
"Arbat". I went to first on the line.
Arriving at six o'clock, I was surprised that it
the center of Moscow. School was unremarkable in
tree building. Indeed, it appears to
sign is related to the experimental
school. Building as a building: 5 floors, close
basketball court at the castle (!) and not as
any playground in the style of "I'm runnig,
you're judge ". But it's not important. The main thing is that 
the building already here and I'm standing on the porch. In 
fact, I was at this long-awaited steps August 21

the very first of all spektrumistov. It was cold,
I remember, and go nowhere except the metro was. I
sat on the porch - thought the watchman to open, and his
whether there was, whether he was asleep.

   I turned around and went for a walk through Moscow.
Returning to 10 hours for school, her door was
open. Went in there in the cave. There also were
Some people - the watchman and the director. I saw another
two peers, and asked: "Fantop be?".
The Director obviously not entered the question, but I
responded to the guys from the bench: "We ourselves there
arrived. "I went out with them on the porch,
conversation. It appears this is the guys from Die Krupps!
That kicks! They're aware of Light Future Group, and
and now me. To send his greetings and Dismal'y
all LFG. They turn came up at 4 am!
But in the air that something was wrong - some
anxiety. Director immediately began to say that
no Fantopa will not. The reason is banal -
there is no light. The light turned off for nonpayment of front
party. In my heart I thought - "that's sux", but she had
do something.

   After sitting on a bench in the hallway to an hour of the day
found out that published "Citadel", but more specific to know
about it did not happen. Klim was taken to the army, and
Jocker dumped on PyTsy. Criminal and L. Archy steel
nazvanivat spektrumistam Moscow, but none
really could not say "will Fantop or not."
The only answer was a calming of the
Rom from Progress'a: "FT takes place, the organizers
course and almost all agreed. "Finally, after lunch
appeared Vladimir Bulchukey. He commented
situation of the bulb so Illich: "Electricity
disconnected due to non-payment of school bills, but
cancel all the last minute has been
impossible, as many have already left and most of
work has already been sent. "At the same time came another
a manager with more than 100 meters
electric cable. It remains only to
lend to good people. After talking with Vladimir,
was still possible to work in any dosdat
nomination, but it's against the rules. I
surrendered his schedule. Vladimir added that we (meaning
because of me, and DKG), will not last to surrender
work today and in the morning ought to have time before lunch
to work, and that party may be delayed and
quickly get bored with all these brake. It was necessary to
find a place to sleep, but I would suit
version of the night at school, but nobody wanted to
follow that path. At 14:00 I left the
school until tomorrow morning. On the street it anyway
It was cold ...

   Morning of Aug. 22 began with a sunrise.
Day portended to be sunny. Leaving the subway,
that under the Defense Ministry building, I sure step
headed toward the school. Her walls have been
quite a number of representatives of Spectrum
scene. They all had badges and I also hung
homemade card "FunTop. Dr.Codex / Light
Future Group. ". On the way to school, I was almost
caught up with Eternity Industry, which is in full force
was on the other side of the street New Arbat. Y
gates have already talked with the guys from DKG Global
Corp., With which I met:
Alex Kerman, Doctor Max, etc., Hi! Check with the
Criminal'a, they hooked up yesterday, electricity
and FT 99% takes place, we headed to the
the main entrance, which has already been to 9 pm
impressive of all. It was immediately noticeable
recovery. All acquainted with each other,
discussed the upcoming event. At the entrance stood
Alk, Unbeliver (ex-MMA) from Speed ​​Co. / XTM and more
a bunch of other people. On the door hung a hefty
declaration stating that FunTop still take place.
The guys from the magazine Deja Vu immediately began to borrow 
from all interviews, to get acquainted. Soon near this

Crowds of people came Eugene Buder - President
Welcome Corp., Also known as the "Granddaddy"
(Sm.Oberon # 4). Along with him was Kay-Nemo.
After standing for a moment, Eugene became acquainted with
team arrived and handed out business cards and
catalogs of his firm. Wasting no time I came
to have seen me Eternity Industry.
Introduced who I am actually, and
recovery in their series showed that they were willing to
I personally get to know, especially Paracels. I
said that he had brought ReTrick, but for technical
reasons I could give him until this prog and
promised to send a release after the FT. Also asked
do not be offended by my devious hacks his sistemok,
he received an affirmative answer. Time was
about 10 hours, and people all come and
arrived. That appeared coders from CPU, Excess
Team. Quite an impressive delegation looked
Virtual Vision Group. They both Excess Team, Antares
and someone else were in their branded T-shirts
inscription "VVG" and badges. They arrived over the
composition except KDL'a. Without thinking, I went to
These, after all his compliments had
attest. They, like EI are pleased to have me
see. This is understandable, because I have long been with them
collaborate.

   Unnoticed, as it seemed, was the event
characterize themselves as: VVG brought from
Voronezh will Nick'a / Golden Disk Corp.
Expanding the document was read out to the masses about
following: "After its way to Speccy, and as if
did not want, but leave it very hard
Nick / GDC gives source demos Rainbow Beer
coders VVG, and also released the latest version
his landmark editor ProTracker 3.31, with
sad to announce its demise as
spektrumista and regrets very much that is dumped on
PiSi. "He also wished prosperity
Speccy-scene and good luck. At the end was the signature
Nick / GDC, the plug name and number. I have had this document
photographed, but the picture quality leaves
desired. It (will) be seen and heard
only people who stood on the porch, ie not all.

   At this time, Rom Corp'u came M.M.A. very
actively began to talk to the encoder. He told that
voshischayaetsya its program to remove points from
konverchennoy with other platforms, graphics, and he
respects the program EXCESS SAMPLE EDITOR by
Excess Team.

   Gradually the number of people was as high as
critical mass and at 9:55 opened the cherished
door where yesterday I have already visited, DKG
and C.I.C. The whole crowd on the principle - "who
did not, that was late, "rushed into the door on floor 4.
To the third floor all the stairs were occupied by
participants. Here it was confirmed yesterday
words of Vladimir Bulchukeya. Upon entering the 4 th floor was
put a table where the selection committee received
denyuzhku and gave ksivu throughput as a form
for voting and personal membership card. Here
there was some confusion and no one could really
understand - what's what and how. I even confess
did not see who opened the door and who spektrumistam
of the officials met the guests at the door. Until
this happened and people who stood, rose MMA and
left on the stairwell bytylku ... with
mineral water with the words: "then do not say that
M.M.A. debris Fantope. Immediately hubbub
became more impressive, and many, again,
knocked out. While I was down to me to meet
caught vnushitlenyh size person, I thought
initially, it's pop or clerk - exterior
fairly consistent, but it turned out to
was one of the creators of computer Sprinter,
Mr. Peters. " He was carrying two hefty boxes.
I thought that now would cover the event, but
boxes were inscribed with the type of "iBM PC", "keyboard"
etc.

   Filling the membership card, I entered the room. In
It has already been placed 5 monitorov one - black and white
for the organizers. As long as people gathered, twisted
As always different best'ovye demos, the people
took place, smoking in the right place, took
interviews, drew autographs at a special
tablet, buy T-shirts. I must say that
sold quite a strange T-shirts-shirts: the
They had a sign FunTop, but an indication that
this case refers to the Speccy - there was no
witticism. Cost of 30 tons aka rubles.

   Primary organization which was felt, was to
higher level: hanging pointers where to go
smoking, where to go to the WC. Not felt
atmofery "tupizny and pretentiousness, which prevails
usually when you are next to the crowd
PiTsyshnikov. People rather culturally embodied in
profit above mentioned labels. The street was even
posed a special box-urn filling
empty beer and other bottles, jars,
torn paper and just spit. And then
spektrumisty showed their best. Here
what it means to culture. But it was prolonged until
morning.

   The hall were rumors that we already know who
win - PGS, but I also knew two different positions
this rumor. First: Progress will not be
show, this time on the demo FunTop. Second:
Progress made their demo for the FT after
E'97, and already some who saw her in the assembled state
and compete with the product will not be easy.
Others predicted the victory of Digital Reality, but until this
group leader Arty was not yet in sight.
Treti hoped for his forces. Soon the room is almost
filled.

   In the meantime, stop showing retro and in hand
took the microphone organizer FT - Wlodek Black. He
delivered the opening address, thanked all
the audience for coming, said the party could and
not take place for obvious reasons, noted the special
assistance in connecting electricity some family
and their neighbors, to which they are stretched over a hundred
meters of cable and opened solemnly FunTop'98.
Alex Research added that the winners will be
awarded cash prizes and all-in-principle
must be satisfied. However party did not immediately
began as intended, ie, compo still had
wait a little longer. Organizers komponavali drives
with demos, pictures, music and other things, but people
thirst for something new and watch old demos
already fed up with it all. Out of the situation quickly
find a representative from Uncle Peters. He
raspokaval box "ibm pc" and pulled out
minitower. Some thought it was a machine on
to be emulated compo work, but as
it was ready computer Sprinter,
The official presentation of which took place in
walls of the school N91 Moscow. People immediately
crowded around the monitor, on which is shown by
machine, who was poshustree climbed to the very
machine. The audience stood and held his breath. The first
the impression was really enjoyable:
full screen, awesome color palette. Well
immediately began a story creator. I will cite some
Abstracts: RAM - 4 Mb / 7 MHz; processor Z84C15 - 21
MHz; video RAM - 256/512 kbps - 42 MHz; 6
viderezhimov, organizing several on-screen
pages accelerator operations RAM; IDE - controller
for HDD and CD-ROM (!) well etc. People in general
mass certainly liked it, well, myself included.
However, the sound of cries that it is 386 PyTsy,
dropped to Spectrum limits. In step
were shown some utility: play
muses from the CD, graphics editor, a transparent
Commander-type NC, tolerably seeing MSDOS and TRDOS
disc image. This miracle of the palette 16 and mln.tsvetov
ability to specify 256 colors per pixel.
The apotheosis of this long-running show has become
demonstration video, the downloaded, according to
authors directly from Vydac. Video
lasting about 4-5 minutes produced
rather pleasant at all impressed. There was no
observed no brakes and glitches. However, when
learned that it takes to screw around 150 Mb, on
hall swept unsatisfactory sigh setuyuschy
for squandering prostrannstva because spektrumisty
love all the packing! The sound was for the animation,
truth is not in the best quality - 8 bit, but looked
cool.

   Also made by Mr. Nemo. He spoke about his
new development - KAY-1024 and advertised it
as the most comfortable car for demomeykerstva because
is not wait'ovoy. He showed the board the machine and
spoke on the development of his company. In short,
creator passed shove their wares.
Shown the car, he gave the prize fund
winner in the category demo compo and descended into
Hall. There was again some sort of pause, and people again
came to discuss some problems in the corridor.
Someone has photographed groups. Mic / VVG
caught some spektrumista and forced to shoot
on the film 5 times a battalion of Global Corp,
Dr.Codex / Light Future Group 'Virtual Vision Group.
Remembering himself to history and still waiting
something we went into the hall.

   At the scene up again one of the organizers and
clearly asked not to smoke or drink in
Hall. Vladimir Bulchukey again took the microphone and
asked to take their places, because already beginning to gfx
compo. He said that he counted for about 60
work, which is 2.5 times less than
Last Enlight'97. This is understandable. After
needed only one work from the creator. As
just started compo, immediately began to show
deficiencies in the technique - normally skip work
can monitor only 2 out of 5. Anyway, I
so appreciated. Especially bad on them look black and white
work, bestowing some greyness and it was impossible
discern where bright. From afar, it was hard to see -
that's for sure. Shown to work with the ad rates.
Someone slapped himself, who is generally
"Sux", but I waited for my job. Well remembered
push-style iNTEL iNSIDE, colorful racing
machine Paracels'ovskaya Voodoo and something else. Tut
also have inadvertently opened the organizers: to
compo were allowed not only konverchennye (sux)
work, but also rework the old, even those who
were E'97! It was strange, and everybody understands that.
During a work Vladimir Bulchukey said
that one job someone has bothered to send even
from Sweden. And one job in general gave a brutal
porn! Commentary on the work of Vladimir
not followed. Then my turn came up to my
kartinochki, but something I initially did not recognize her! 
She was the number 39. Then there was some kind of pain before

izvestanaya picture! ... Ba-a! Yes this is also mine!
It was recorded at the the same floppy disk, but I'm her
do not plan to expose! And organizers
felt that it is possible to expose ... There was
ant drawn on half the screen and therefore I
it immediately recognized. I have it ready for my demo, but
Now, apparently, need to be replaced. Thus,
I wanted to see one work, and saw two that I
very surprised. Then I saw another well-known
my screen - I have already seen before in a demo FunTop'a
Rave. There's a rhino with a textured
monkeys, which bears on the savannah. Roughly
perceived mass of the picture Ash'a, where Alf with
cat sandwich asked the question "to eat or not
to eat? ". At the compo was exhibited 60 works
after which it was dopokazano a dozen more. Their
passed mostly Muscovites, or those who have recently
approached. But among these works and was a cruel
porn. Apparently the author for a long time did not dare to 
expose to show his work, or would like to

picture of the most memorable.

   Adjournment speech marked something which
programmers privezzhih on their presentation
work. Launched a new issue and Adventurer
Deja Vu. Long swirled intra some of Miami's Esme, in the
during which the already famous Mr. Peters
demostriroval capabilities of your computer.
Later, at the monitors appeared a picture of some
sistemki and the author of this microphone is advertised
product of sleepless nights as a new graphical
editor. If my memory serves me, they
demonstrated only by drawing graphics
primitives. The author is very often pointed out that now
is a demonstration of just the demo version and full
The program of will have a fundamental, essential
changes. The question is only one: "Which
party will be held on these changes? ". Soon
screens beamed the long-awaited Walker. M.M.A. In very
wanted her to present to the masses and mass
curiosity is observed. Here are a few words about
game: "The game will be
maximum-konverchennym release, which
ever and, in general, was made for the Spectrum.
Even the plates flying projectiles will be taken to
Amiga. Well, the schedule and say no. "In
Overall Walker, as I saw it, gave me the
good impression. The only thing that somehow
I was disappointed, because this is a very long period
time between the announcement of the start of work on
the game itself and the emergence of a demo version. The yield
Game still is open to question. But let's not speculate, but
wait for the game itself. In main compo computer'a
appeared RCL / VVG and began to demonstrate its
development - Empire. That's his game, made in
style strategy. By type is very similar
Stalingrad. Actually, this is not a game -
programmer was represented only one third
demo program. But according to the same RCL,
this demo is the latest, and her
followed by a full version or not
be anything - it all depends on the number of responses
the demo version. RCL has asked everyone to
suitable for a demo CD, and I took advantage of this
opportunity.

   Then there was some sort of regular sistemka
inserts effects. Arty 'Kano, standing next to a
monitor did not understand what their cargo - clearly
talked through the laughter and wonder: "Is that
translator on the Spectrum? ". But the author was not
Heard ...

   In the corridor people are still kuchkovalsya and
hung. At the Cabinet Wlodek'a, if I may so
name, stood Magic Soft headed MagiC'om. Here
stood a table on which lay books Inforkoma
and lay the Amiga, sold at a bargain price. After
pereryvchika small, and it was about an hour
day, began to show 4k compo. Especially people
dragged from the intro VAV'a, Global Corp. Through
Laughter did not like the intro, made Excess Team.
Someone let the room a rumor that it was written in
BASIC and then compiled TOBOS'om ... In
During the muzak compo majority of participants in general
and left the room, but there are some who do remain.
Absolutely no one does not vote on normal,
but simply instructed to card rooms and everything.
The result - defeated EA-Soft. In fact, the authors
music during the compo, no one called ..., and Mouzon
broken off after due 3 minutes playing time.
Had lost about 40 Mouzon. By the end of
amizhnikov went into the center of the hall and arranged a 
number initiative of the techno-dance by AY -

nostalgia is probably tortured. After the compo Wlodek
asked the audience: "Do you think that in this
perspective muzak compo itself has become obsolete? ". Well, of 
course the audience replied in the affirmative. In the course 
of the next pereryvchika all ran added: Who beer

who took home buderbrody who fueled
a spiritual food. I Rom Corp'om discussed
details of the future joint project
photographed Criminal'a, met with the CPU,
Dude 'Dr.Dash / Diogen and went to the place - promised
start demo-compo.

   The first demo was - BOOM by ETC GROUP. Nothing
sensational she has not demonstrated. Then -
TV-X by Die Krupps Group. This deme very
contrasted with the previous one and got a lot
Plus RomCorp'a in notepad. Still remembered
among 15 demos work Global Corp. All pinned
their effect on the emulation Reset-key. Some bugs
were with demos of Digital Reality, but Arty
could still start it and everything was OK. She also
was well done, but everyone was waiting for something else.
One deme made "explode" the hall when she became
skip mockery deBillom Gates, in
including throwing cake. This thunder in the hall should be
to hear. But most of all the noise in the hall
done deme of Exploder'a / XTM. I can not even
convey what he saw in words. As a result, she and
won. Ending demo compo was lubricated
out-of-competition showing demos of Antares. It still
vdobavok ran out Alasm'a, a in the end, the
the second part, it hung. People were asked to donate
voting card and wait for results ... When
all passed the card, started realtime drinking
compo ... And the results FunTop'a known to all.

   Korotko they sound like - Speccy Never Die!