Future of the ZX Spectrum poll by ps - Part II
ellvis (15/04/2021):
To me, talking about the future mean talking about people. Someone have to write all those things we waste so much time watching and listening. And we need someone to talk to about the releases, to think out loud how to take over the scene with next (mega)demo or to check the reactions before releasing something to make sure it's just perfect. But that is valid for all the scenes, so to be more exact, the future of Speccy scene is BRIGHT 1! But because things have been quiet last year, I am expecting a few "new old stock" of releases. People tend to wait for the parties to compete and some parties were cancelled so it's obvious (or is it? come on, don't make look like a broken washing-machine!). Even if not having much news myself, I know about few things boiling in the demo-kitchens around the humble Speccy scene (including our own one).
And if I am allowed to dream? Well, I would like to see a bit more of abstract demos, those look always so alien on the Speccy because just very few people are brave enough to go that way.
Also, a bit of releases without competing in the compos would be nice, those are usually the nicest surprises. And people to stop being asses all around the internet forums would be the best thing to happen (next time talk to your doctor first before you start to use words like stolen, propaganda, lie, proof... and and and lollipop)!
Average age of today's scener is close to retirement and I feel that we think a bit more about overall concepts and polishing of stuff then before. It's not about hitting bigscreens 4 times per year anymore, it is about being still talked about positively 6 months after a release. Calming down and focusing (finally) on improving my own skills, I use pink glasses for some time already to ignore the idiots.
n1k-o (16/04/2021):
It seems to me that our generation will live for a while, without letting this wave fade away, ZX Spectrum will continue to develop, people will make demos, games and create new pieces of iron for it :)
I'm happier today than 20 years ago. I don't plan to ever quit doing this and together, as we know, is more fun!
g0blinish (16/04/2021):
I don't think ZX has a future because the hype community created by introspec has split the demoscene. I would like to see a demo without animation made from gifs. I am very interested in the small intros created by bfox and serhzsoft.
superogue (16/04/2021):
I am a relative newcomer to the zxspectrum scene but i hope that any kind of split between russian and european zxspectrum enthusiasts that still exists today will disappear in the future and we can all share our love for this awesome platform. Also much respect to skrju, gasman, serhzsoft, g0blinish and bfox!
Aki (16/04/2021):
I dont see the future of the ZX Spectrum scene badly. The Spectrum has gained respect on the scene over the last twenty years, and many new things have emerged. The Spectrum was definitely at the beginning of 1K intros, and one just wonders what all can be conjured from attribute graphics. The AY is definitely not a doorbell, as confirmed by great pieces by musicians. The future is not given, but it can be assumed that as long as there are enough creative people, it has a chance to be something thats respected and supported.
What Id expect to see? Im modest, but I'm always pleasantly surprised by new pieces that contain some killer effect. I wish to see cool size-coded intros, quality demos with catchy music, stunning graphics and of course meeting people alive. That makes the scene so great. Im against elitism and abusing the scene in favor of dirty political views.
lordcoxis (17/04/2021):
Despite the fact that nowadays the Speccy scene isn't as big and as active as it once was, I think that it still has a great deal of untapped potential. The big "east-west divide" of old is getting narrower each day and I feel that this is very healthy for the Speccy scene (more and more releases offer both classic and pentagon versions, so kudos to everyone who does it).
I also expect to see more productions from "outsiders", such as the amazing "Delightful Attributes" by Darklite/Offence. I think coders from other platforms approach the Speccy in ways that we - the ones who've been tinkering with it for many years - just don't remember or imagine as possible anymore.
All things considered, I'd say that the Speccy scene's future is very bright and I hope we keep getting quality releases until the end of times.
Omega^Invaders (19/04/2021):
I am expecting rise of demos for FPGA clones. There is living ZX Spectrum Next community (including N-Go, Mist, Mister). Next brought back some former spectrum game and demo coders. I am expecting that demoscene will squeeze some juice from this platform. Nevertheless, it might take some time to learn how to utilize full HW potential.
Speaking about humble Speccy, it is completely different story.
We've seen demos that used every Z80 trick or HW glitch to deliver the fastest, the biggest or the smoothest effect. I think demos in the future will have perfectly synced visuals and music. The whole demo experience will be about sync and flow rather than about breaking technical records.
It is natural for humans to tell stories. From parents to kids, from friend to friend. Stories are what is connecting us. It is a tool to entertain or spread wisdom. ZX demoscene did not use this communication tool enough. Id like to see more demos with storyline, demos that will make you eager to see what comes next and even more eager to tell about it to your friend. Story would define visual and sound technology and not vice versa.
Tygrys/speccy.pl (19/04/2021):
Future of ZX scene is the same like for other platforms. If there still are people who are interested in doing something for this hardware, it will be good. If not, then our generation will be the last doing demos. I expect good quality with brilliant ideas for new effects, polished transitions and perfect synchro.
Not too much? Time will tell!
SerzhSoft (20/04/2021):
Hey! The future is hazy! Great cataclysms are coming, watch Megademica 4K and 2033 (256b intro). This is the maximum that can be said about this openly now!
Be sure to take the ZX Spectrum with you to the bunker, when all pc's are burned out by the electromagnetic component, we will restore civilization. But Stop! I was told to cover my mitt, otherwise there will be sanctions again!
Okay, without going into the X-files, the scene - will be. People who have calmed down from the rat race and have completed social programs will retire and engage in their favorite hobby.
Remembering the good old days of joyful discoveries of youth.
More games will be written. More directions, other stuff to appear.
Yes, I would like to see the return of legends. And also transition, acquaintance, participation of guys with a number of upcoming platforms: C64, Atari, Amstrad, Amiga, etc. Together we are strong! Oldskool rulez!
Greets, be healthy!
Yerzmyey / HOOY-PROGRAM ^ AY-RIDERS (21/04/2021):
Well, I'm "retired" for years now and don't actually catch up with the newest productions from several last years, but I wasn't really very much into the 'design only' productions, without any "hard coded" effects.
Actually, being a dude from 80s and remembering mostly demos with a picture and a scroll (haha) I was always impressed by Amiga or PC effect ported into ZX Spectrum (even if a bit slower). And btw, those late 90s/early 2000s demos had mostly a really good design anyway. So, it would be nice to see more of those in following years.
As for the music, I do appreciate the new sound-cards, still the AY chip is the most "spectrumish" chip so I reckon other music in demos/games should be optional (progs with AY and GS soundtracks for example).
Also, I do love the ZX Spectrum game scene: tens of new interesting productions - I do hope it will continue in future.
mike/zeroteam (26/04/2021):
If we are talking about demoscene, I think there's a freeze of creativity. This is not an issue on ZX scene, but on 8bits in general. People are recycling old efects in new style, but repeat of plasma or twister effects is getting boring. The new wind is demo Void from Omega & Lamer Pinky and I hope the next demo from ZeroTeam will be fresh experience too. But there are still a lot of potential in ZX demoscene and I have no concerns for the future. And if we are talking about games or hardware scene, there's so much to experience, that I have problems to follow all the news.
raver/PHT (29/04/2021):
I think speccy is now stagnantly safe pretty much until the freaks die out unless they start seeing the bigger picture and groom the young guns to follow their keystrokes.
There is a solid base of them freaks who have stood the test of time perhaps some of them left, got married, made career, whatever but they have since returned to stay; while the others who stayed all the way through have only proven their incapability to leave. These are by now mature freaks who know what they want and what they need and what is spectrum and they are reinforced by the crossplatform tourism freaks, who are keen to explore the neighbouring lands.
Among this conglomeration of freaks, there are demosceners, retro gamers, microcomputer collectors, computing history buffs, and niche hardware designers. I wish the hardware faction stayed strong and more demosceners would resort to returning to it's magic, ditching the convenience of emulators. One way or another, it is a fetish after all, so why not go all the way?
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