Optron #36 16 июня 2000

Демопати

Opinion - Speaking of computer festivals ...

        Speaking of festivals ...


  {} T. Gaudens, Gendalf, 2000


  Raised in St. Petersburg newspaper "ZX-News"
| | 50, 51, the festival theme of interested
and us, and we are all edited together to decide
discuss what it is - computer
festival, is there and whether there should be here
some sort of hierarchy and that there demomeyking
in general: a simple demonstration of whether the authors
their capacity, or is it an example of true creativity. This 
article is just and is the result of this discussion.



  First of all, do not oppose
one festival to another, to assert that
some of them - "Chief" and the rest -
"Bullshit." As Comrade Mao wrote, "Let
a hundred flowers bloom, let one hundred thrive
opinions. "Each festival is good in its own way,
everyone that things can get better
than others.

  Some, for example, believe that the best
pursue a "multiplatform" festival
others defend the idea of ​​"odnoplatformennosti. Arguments of 
each side enough powerful. Well, you want "odnoplatformenny"

- To conduct, for God's sake! But only
If you have a real opportunity for him really well. In
Otherwise, "should shut up in a cloth, and not speak!" as likes 
to say Alex. 

  Nothing wrong there and to "alternative" festival. After all, 
if only one "master", you probably will

and "offended" - there can be no getting around it.
And with the "alternative" will, by
at least reduce the number of those. And, of course, we must 
also take into account not at all willing "to participate"

have the same opportunities to meet in
the same city at the same time. One convenient to Peter, the 
other - Minsk Kazan and Rostov-on-Don.


  A purely "regional" festivals are quite
may play a role as a "qualifying round". Therefore, it is a 
good idea is the idea of ​​permission to participate in several 
festivals at once. 

  Well, and that the various festivals are not
interfered with, and helped each other, how
the results of various festivals to identify
the best work we can always negotiate in advance. Would have 
the desire and the good will. In any case, as Random, organizer 
of the "Structural Chaos" and other organizers have already 
passed this year festivals such goodwill demonstrated.



  Now - about this painful topic, as
collection of entries. Perhaps the only (and then - not 100% 
reliable), assurance against the fact that some of the works 
will be lost, it's personal involvement in the festival. But it 
dramatically reduces the number of entries, is not it? So, 
maybe you should consider the introduction of a "representative 
institution? To the authors themselves agreed with the

people, which is certainly aware that
they will be at the festival, and they were
their work.

  If the submitted work will be assessed without exception, 
present at the festival, it could always be a suspicion of 
"incompetence" and "biased." Of course, the "universal" opinion 
must be taken into account. But in addition, it is necessary to 
judge and more narrow "composition. But whether it will be small

jury or "specially invited participants" - that's the case of 
the organizers. 

  It is high time to begin to evaluate the work is not
only on "the technique of execution, but also
"Artistic impression". And maybe
identify the winners would be worth "for individual categories? 
But here's exhibit estimates almost to the half-dozen indicators

- It is perhaps too much. 'There must be separate contests 
graphics, music, intro? Let the authors of "demos" and 
represent them individual sostavlyuschie their work - to the 
glory of his! 


  In connection with the festival's theme of "Newskah"
utverzhdayuet, and quite convincingly that
meaning of a "demos" - only in their participation in various 
competitions. What demomeyking should be only a means for the 
true Creativity on the Spectrum - the creation of the game and 
system software. Well, the sound idea. 

  Although this issue can be approached from
On the other hand. And not evaluate demomeyking
as a way to show our capabilities in coding, not as a way to 
practice and as an entirely separate art form. And this kind, 
which is already very by itself is not capable, but the goal.


  And the question "What kind of demo use and
What exactly the purpose of their creation? ", I think, not 
quite appropriate. For art can not be objective. Moreover, 
there is a belief that creativity is only then may be true, 
when it exists only for the sake of itself. And when in the case

come considerations of a material nature, the desire to turn 
his creation into bestseller, make it a business, ie

start creating for consumers,
everything in your child becomes contrived and unnatural.


  But certainly as soon as we were talking about "mass
Consumers ", then not to try to start
Identify at festivals, not only the best of
papers submitted to the contest, but the best of
novelties of the system and game software? But at the same time
- And the best year for Spectrum newspaper and
magazines?


  By the way, o ZX-press. Full coverage of the festival in it 
depends not only on editors, but also from the organizers. Can

would agree in advance about this, find out where an issue 
comes out - that information (not only formal but also Various 
reports) was published as possible and that materials of 
different publications do not duplicate each other.


  As concerns what is of critical reviews in
press, we must not be offended by them, not
ignored, and scrutinize, to
not attack each time on the same
rake. In this regard, I think even the priceless experience of 
FT'98 still not properly understood. 


  Of course, all that is here described,
Now include a few late. All
this can be realized only in a future year. But the training 
and to quality festival requires at least a year, is not it?