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Alive 4
                   M E K K A   S Y M P O S I U M   2 0 0 2

                        I N V I T A T I O N   T E X T


                     v e r s i o n   [ 12 - feb - 2002 ]



             .-----------------^[secretly!]^------------------.
             :                                                :
             :      .    .__     __!     ___    ____          :
     ___ _ _ : _    l_   |  )   (__j    (__/_   _X__   :    _ : _ _ ___
     )_)\ _  :                                                :  _ /(_(
     \_\/_ _ : _  <-------------------------------------->  _ : _ _\/_/
       Y     :                                                :     Yª
       !           o1. Welcome ..........................           !
       :           o2. General Info about MS2002 ........           :
       :               Features .........................          ú
       .           o3. Travel Info ......................          .
                   Travel Info - Bus/Fight Trips ....
                   o4. Rulez ................ ...........
                   o5. TimeTable ........................
                   o6. Organizers - Contact Info ........
                   o7. Competitions ........ ............
                       Atari Platform Compos ............
                       Amiga Platform Compos ............
                       C64 Platform Compos ..............
                       IBM/PC Platform Compos ...........
                   o8. Music Compos .....................
                   o9. Graphic Compos ...................
                   1o. Miscellaneous Compos .............   /
                                   _ _                    //
             `---------------------^\Y/^----------^[mv°s]^----'



                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    1.   W e l c o m e                  :.                        |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ - -'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

The mekka  & symposium  is a  demo-scene party that  is organized  annually at
Easter.  Roughly  1400 young Multimedia artists  gather here for  four days in
order to meet similarly-minded people, to exchange ideas and to participate in
the competitions, in which individuals and  groups show off their talents in a
certain form of electronic art called Demos.

ms2002  is the eighth event in a traditional party series that started back in
1995,  when  300  mostly German visitors attended the BlackBox Symposium.  For
this year's party, we expect 1400 visitors from all over Europe, and beyond --
"sceners"  come  to  celebrate  with  us  from countries as remote as Estonia,
Israel and the USA!

This  is  no  LAN  or  gaming party.  People playing Qu*ke or Half-Life on our
events  would  be  considered non-creative by our "serious" visitors, and as a
matter  of  fact,  the  participation of gamers on our parties has always been
exceptionally low, which makes the MS one of the last big enjoyable events for
real  sceners.   Nevertheless,  everybody  is  invited  to join, provided they
respect  the  underlying  principles  of this scene -- in other words:  if you
want  to  play  games,  look  out  for  alternative  parties,  for example our
successful Planet Insomnia party series! [www.planet-insomnia.de]

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    2.   G e n e r a l   I n f o   a b o u t   M S 2 0 0 2    :.  |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

The  party  place  is  located in Fallingbostel.  Situated between Hamburg and
Hannover,  this  is  the  only  town  in  Northern  Germany that offers a hall
suitable for both the expected amount of visitors and for our budget.  At this
place,  the  MS  parties  have  been  taking  place since 1997, so we know its
infrastructure and limits quite well.

The  party  starts  on  Good  Friday (March 29, 2002) at 12:00 CET and ends on
Easter  Monday  (April  1, 2002) at 12:00 CET.  The address of the party place
is:

                Heidmarkhalle
                An der Heidmarkhalle 1
                D-29683 Fallingbostel
                GERMANY


The  entrance  fee  amounts to 40 Euro.  We don't accept currencies other than
Euro.   We don't have single-day visitor tickets.  Mat/Ozone gets in for free.
Girls do not get in for free, sorry.

There  is  no  table reservation, and no possibility of paying in advance.  If
you  want  to  have a better opportunity to choose your seats, we suggest that
you arrive early.

Money  which  is  left  is  spent  on the repair of damages to the hall and on
competition prizes (in this very order, so please behave).

If  you  bring  your  own computer equipment (you don't pay extra for this, of
course),  please bring your own power connectors.  We might have some in stock
for sale, but you better don't rely on this.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    F e a t u r e s                     :.                        |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

Lots   of   competitions   for   Atari,   Amiga,   PC   and  C64  -  and  some
platform-independent  ones  such  as  a Graphics competition and various music
competitions.   Atari  support  has  been  added  in  this  version of mekka &
symposium for the first time since 1996!

Competitions presented on  a big screen (8 x 6 sqm,  NEC XT5000 projector with
5000 ANSI lumens), including powerful sound equipment - yes, the sound will be
loud if  you are sitting  in the first  table row.  No,  we will not  turn the
volume down.  Choose your seat at the  front side of the hall if you want loud
sound (note that you  don't need your own stereo to make  even more noise), or
at the remote side of the hall if  you are in need of a quiet place (note that
some guy next to you will be pissed  if you turn up your own stereo too much).
Also, some wax to  put into your ears when you want  to sleep will really come
in handy.

Place for about 1400 visitors plus equipment; enough power for everyone - but:
please do not bring equipment you don't really need.  This has two advantages:
You can't lose it, and it can't bring the power down (see here for more on the
subject of electricity)

A  warm  sleeping hall - Just like on ms2000 and ms2001, comfortably small and
warm.   Of course you can sleep in the main hall as well.  If you want to, you
can  also  stay  at  the  local  youth  hostel,  which is located about half a
kilometer from the party place (note that you need a membership!):


                Jugendherberge Fallingbostel
                DJH Landesverband Hannover e.V.
                Liethweg 1
                29683 Fallingbostel
                Germany

                Phone: +49 5162 2274


If  you  really  can  afford  it:   A  listing  of  hotels is available on the
Fallingbostel homepage. [www.fallingbostel.de]

A  party network will be available in a somewhat rudimentary fashion.  We have
a  complete GBit backbone with 100MBit TP cabling to all the tables, but we're
lacking  the switches or hubs for the tables themselves.  If you want to be on
the safe side, bring your own hub or switch (100MBit TP uplink at the tables).

Food  supply  -  there's  a  city  nearby,  with  shops  and bars; and we have
inexpensive  drinks  and  snacks  available  on  the party 24 hours a day.  Of
course  you  may and should also bring your own food and drinks, as it will be
less  expensive  this  way.  A nice snack-bar providing fries, hamburgers etc.
will be situated next to the main hall, operating during daytime.

Clean toilets.  Yes, the Heidmarkhalle has reconstructed part of the building,
and  integrated  a  larger  number  of new, fresh toilets.  Let's keep'em like
this!  :-)

Several  music  live acts, about which we won't tell more about at this point.
No, we won't have Welle:Erdball another time...

Traditional  entertainment  provided  by Steeler, cool party t-shirts ...  and
the unique Mekka & Symposium party feeling!

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    3.   T r a v e l   I n f o r m a t i o n               :.     |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

by Car :.
==========
If you intend to come by car, you can reach Fallingbostel via highway A7.  The
correct exit is announced as "Fallingbostel", number 47.  We have a map on our
home page which guides you from the highway exit to the party place.


by Plane :.
============
As  Fallingbostel  is situated between Hamburg (in the north) and Hannover (in
the  south),  you  have  the choice between those two airports.  Fallingbostel
lies  more  or  less  directly  between those two cities, so it doesn't really
matter  where  you  arrive.   In  the following, I'll describe how to get from
these airports to the party place.


From Hannover airport :.
=========================
There's a  "S-Bahn" line S5 that  connects the airport with  the central train
station ("Hannover Hbf").  The S5 departs every 30 minutes, costs about 3 Euro
and takes 12 minutes to the train station.  An alternative is taking a Taxi to
the central station, which costs about 20 Euro and takes about 20 minutes.  At
Hannover Hbf,  there's a  train going directly  to Fallingbostel,  which costs
about  12 Euro.   You might  want to  check out  exact time  schedules  at the
Deutsche Bahn TravelService  [reiseauskunft.bahn.de]: Enter "From" = "Hannover
Hbf"  and "To"  =  "Fallingbostel".   More info  available  from the  Hannover
airport page. [www.hannover-airport.de/english/start.htm]


From Hamburg airport :.
========================
This  is a  little  bit more  complicated.   Use the  bus  line 110  ("Airport
Express") to the  "S-Bahn" station "Ohlsdorf".  In the bus, pay  for a ride to
"Hamburg-Harburg" (about  3 Euro).   At Ohlsdorf, use  the train  S1 direction
"Wedel", and get  out at "Hauptbahnhof" (central station).   There, change for
the train S3 direction "Neugraben" or "Harburg", and get out at "Harburg" (not
"Harburg Rathaus", that's  too late).  Now, leave the "S-Bahn"  area and go to
the "Deutsche Bahn" area, where the  big trains depart.  From there, there's a
train going to Fallingbostel, costing about  12 Euro, but during the ride, you
have  to change trains  at Soltau.   You might  want to  check out  exact time
schedules and  details for  these trains at  the Deutsche  Bahn TravelService:
[reiseauskunft.bahn.de]   Enter    "From"   =   "Hamburg-Harburg",    "To"   =
"Fallingbostel").    More   info   avail-   able  at   the   Hamburg   airport
page. [www.ham.airport.de/english/index/index_f.htm]


by Train :.
============
When  coming  by  train, you have to use some major train to either Hamburg or
Hannover (whichever is nearer to you), and change for Fallingbostel there.

In  Hamburg,  you  can  arrive at three possible locations:  "Hamburg-Harburg"
(the  train to Fallingbostel goes from there), "Hamburg Hauptbahnhof" (central
station, use the S3 as described above to get to Harburg), or "Hamburg-Altona"
(also use the S3 as described above to get to Harburg).


...and once you're in Fallingbostel :.
=======================================
Once you've  arrived in Fallingbostel,  you can make  use of the free  24h bus
shuttle service we will  set up just like last year.  But  you must contact us
in advance [mailto:rawstyle@ms.demo.org],  so that we will really  pick you up
(please include  number of  people and expected  time of arrival).   If you're
coming without equipment,  you can also take the walk  (roughly half an hour);
watch out for the "Bahnhof" / "Railroad Station" in the center of our map.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    T r a v e l   I n f o  -  B u s / F l i g h t T r i p s    :. |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

A  very  comfortable  way  of  getting to the party place is to use one of the
various  bus  trips  organized by sceners from all around Europe.  Not only is
this  way  of  travelling  safer  than driving back on your own without having
slept  for  days,  you'll  also  be  in  the right party mood when arriving in
Fallingbostel :-)

Thank you guys for organizing these group trips!  Please notify us if your bus
trip is missing in this list [mailto:rawstyle@ms.demo.org]


   From.....:  Denmark
   Organizer:  Depth - webmaster@depth.org
   More Info:  http://www.depth.org/symbus/

   From.....:  Estonia
   Organizer:  Kiste - kiste@scene.ee
   More Info:  http://www.scene.ee/mekka/

   From.....:  Finland (flight trip)
   Organizer:  MFX - linja@welho.com
   More Info:  http://www.themfx.cjb.net/

   From.....:  Poland
   Organizer:  Payda - payda@scene.pl
   More Info:  http://www.mekka.vdb.pl/

   From.....:  Sweden
   Organizer:  Rebels - gemini@booze.de
   More Info:  http://buss.dhs.org/

   From.....:  Switzerland
   Organizer:  Unlock - unlock@profzone.ch
   More Info:  http://bustrip.vantage.ch/

   From.....:  Hungary
   Organizer:  Tomcat - corporal@freemail.hu
   More Info:  http://freax.hu/mekka/

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    4.   R u l e z                      :.                        |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

We are not responsible for stolen or damaged computer equipment or other items
you bring with you.  We aren't responsible for personal injuries either.  Take
care of yourself, your friends and your luggage.  We've never had much trouble
with  theft on our parties, but it might be better to think twice about taking
a certain valuable thing with you onto the party.

The  use  of alcohol is explicitly forbidden.  After facing severe damages and
personal  attacks  on  previous parties due to heavily drunken individuals, we
chose  to  put  up  this rule from 1998 on.  Drunken guys won't be let inside,
disturbing  guys  will  be  put  outside.  Don't consume Vodka in front of the
stage.  Don't vomit onto the floor.

We  will  throw  out Gamers in order to make more space available for arriving
sceners.   Don't  play games.  We strongly advise you to follow this rule, for
your own safety.

In  case  we  discover  that  you  are  destroying things, either intellectual
property  (hacking the network system), or physically damaging the building or
people, you can be sure that we will take very special care of you.

This year we  will again supply you with enough electric  power.  To make this
event as  pleasurable as last year,  please don't bring  stuff like: toasters,
fridges, any kitchen  equipment, heaters or cheap extension  sockets with you.
These  things are  responsible for  power failures,  because they  trigger the
power line FI protection,  which is required by law and is  there for your own
safety.   So please  leave those  kind  of things  at home.   We won't  refund
half-written  CD-Rs after  a power  failure.  Extension  sockets that  are not
conforming to  the VDE  norms (which essencially  means defect ones  and those
without earth contact) will be confiscated and destroyed.

Please  respect  German  law.   Illegal actions, especially regarding software
piracy,  can  not  be approved of.  Dutch visitors should be aware of the fact
that weed consumption is illegal over here.

Last  but  not least, have fun!  And if you have ideas of what might be fun on
the  party,  don't  hesitate to contact us, even on the party.  You're part of
the party.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    5.   T i m e   T a b l e            :.                        |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

The MS2002 Time Table...
   ... is not yet available.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    6.   O r g a n i z e r s / C o n t a c t   I n f o       :.   |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

Main Organization :.
=====================

   Handle..:  Hardball/Amable
   Contact.:  hardball@ms.demo.org
   Function:  General Organizing

   Handle..:  Chaotic/Farbrausch^Padua
   Contact.:  chaotic@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Staff, Beam, Misc

   Handle..:  Raw Style/Farbrausch^Lego
   Contact.:  rawstyle@ms.demo.org
   Function:  WWW, Scene PR, Compos

   Handle..:  Gandalf/Phantasm
   Contact.:  gandalf@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Press, Sponsors, Power

   Handle..:  Decca/Lego
   Contact.:  decca@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Voting, Misc

   Handle..:  Acryd/Farbrausch
   Contact.:  acryd@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Power, Network


More Organization :.
=====================

   Handle..:  Steeler/Phantasm
   Contact.:  steeler@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Entertainment, Fun Compos

   Handle..:  Sierra/Destiny
   Contact.:  sierra@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Music Competitions

   Handle..:  Gizmo/Farbrausch^Icebird
   Contact.:  gizmo@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Graphics Competitions

   Handle..:  Ryg/Farbrausch
   Contact.:  ryg@ms.demo.org
   Function:  IBM PC Competitions

   Handle..:  Hoogo/Padua
   Contact.:  hoogo@ms.demo.org
   Function:  C-64 Competitions

   Handle..:  Gott/Elitegroup
   Contact.:  gott@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Console Competition

   Handle..:  Raw Style/Farbrausch^Lego
   Contact.:  rawstyle@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Amiga Competitions

   Handle..:  MC Laser/TSCC
   Contact.:  lotekstyle@lotekstyle.de
   Function:  Atari Competitions

   Handle..:  Gandalf/Phantasm
   Contact.:  gandalf@ms.demo.org
   Function:  Wild Competition

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    7.   C o m p e t i t i o n s        :.                        |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

Competitions  are  the  core  feature of any decent scene party.  They are the
ultimate  medium  to  present one's work to a large audience and compare one's
creativity directly to that of others.  Consequently, in competitions on major
parties,  new  milestones  are  set  for  demo  technology because people keep
constantly improving their skills in their quest for fame in the scene.

Each  year  again it's hard to determine which competitions to hold.  You hold
too  many,  people  get bored (and the time table gets overflowed) -- you hold
too  few or make the rules too restrictive, some people get upset because they
feel  that  they  can't unfold their whole creativity.  Also, there has always
been the aspect of tradition.  Many people (including us, the organizers) have
been in the scene business for over ten years; sometimes it's not easy to make
major changes to rules which had been established for a long time.

We hope that this year's selection of competitions again suits your taste.  If
not,  you  may of course contact the coordinator of the respective competition
by mail for further discussion.

Some  fun competitions will be organized by Steeler; if you have an idea about
something funny, feel free to contact him!


Some more notes :.
===================
Everyone intending to participate in one of our competitions has to be present
at  the party.  We don't accept contributions via mail.  The sole exception to
this rule are the Demo competitions; here we welcome external entries as well.
Contact Raw Style for further information. [mailto:rawstyle@ms.demo.org]

All entries will be spread during and after the party, without exception.  For
demos  running  on  exotic  hardware,  we'll  try  to  provide  you  with DivX
recordings.

Please  try  to  keep  your  entries  short  and  interesting.   This  applies
especially  to  the  Demo  competitions,  where  you  should  be  prepared for
multi-hour  shows!   Thus, by reducing your Demos to the interesting core, you
might as well help keeping the show interesting.

It  is  not  possible  for  an individual to take part with two entries in one
competiton.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    A t a r i - P l a t f o r m   C o m p o s      :.             |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

For  the  first  time  since  1996, we try to hold some Atari competitions, in
order to support a sub-scene that has been neglected during the last couple of
years  by  almost every scene party.  By adding these competitions, we hope to
raise the general awareness for the Atari and its importance in the pioneering
days of the scene.


Demo Competition :.
====================
A unified competition for both the classic Atari ST and the Falcon.

   - Falcon  030,  Maximum  size  is 8 MB. If you  use any extensions and
     add-ons you have to supply the machine for presentation.
   - ST: Maximum size is 2DD disks. Config: 8MHz, 1MB RAM.


96K Intro Competition :.
=========================
   - Maximum size is 98304 bytes (ST or Falcon).


4K Intro Competition :.
========================
   - Maximum size is 4096 bytes (ST or Falcon).


The Atari competition rules are maintained by MC Laser / TSCC, please mail him
for further information or discussion.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    A m i g a   P l a t f o r m   C o m p o s     :.              |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

The  competition  machine,  kindly  provided  by Infinity / Creative Minds, is
equipped as follows:

   - A4000, MC68060 @50MHz
   - PPC 604e @233MHz
   - 128MB RAM
   - Cybervision PPC
   - WarpOS & PowerUP


Assigns  and installation scripts are forbidden (this means that unpacking the
archive  and  running one program is all that is necessary to start the demo).
Custom  libraries  may  be used, but not installed outside of the contribution
directory.


Demo Competition :.
====================
   - Maximum archive size is 10 MB.
   - Please  hand  in  the latest versions of any libraries you think are
     needed together with your contribution.


64K Intro Competition :.
=========================
   - The intro is a single executable file,  with a maximum size of 65536
     bytes.
   - The  use  of  libraries not delivered with OS3.5 and PPC OS's is not
     allowed.


4K Intro Competition :.
========================
   - The intro is  a single executable file,  with a maximum size of 4096
     bytes.
   - Booting  AmigaOS without startup-sequence, running SetPatch and then
     simply  running the 4K executable from a standard PAL screen must be
     everything that's necessary to start the intro.
   - Only 68K entries are allowed.


The  Amiga  competition rules are maintained by Raw Style, please mail him for
further information or discussion.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    C 6 4   P l a t f o r m   C o m p o s         :.              |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

You  may  choose  between  a  C64  with  a new or with an old SID-chip with or
without a cartdridge.  It's connected to a 1541-II floppy drive.  All releases
must  be  handed  in  on  5.25"  disks.   As  of  this  year,  any  entry that
participates in a competiton will be released, -- no exceptions.

Please  hand  in  your  entries as early as possible.  This helps us to better
plan  and  stick to our timetable, since some entries often need more time and
care than expected.  This will ensure your entry to be shown properly.


Demo Competition :.
====================
   - Maximum size is a standard 5.25" DD disk (both sides).
   - The demos may require user (keyboard/joystick) interaction.


4K Intro Competition :.
========================
   - Maximum size is 4096 ($1000) bytes (=16.12 blocks).
   - Every  4k  entry  should  preferably  be  executable  using  the RUN
     command.

If you have a long pre-calculation time, please try to also include a (bigger)
version without any precalculation delay.


C-64 Graphics Competition :.
=============================
All  formats/modes  are allowed.  The entry must be handed in as an executable
file or as Koala/Amica.  Any sounds or extra info-screens included in the file
will  not be shown/played.  It would be nice of you to forget about additional
music or effects and give us something serious for the show.  The inclusion of
working stages of your picture is appreciated and will be mentioned during the
competition.


SID Music Competition :.
=========================
All  formats  allowed.  The entry must be an executable file.  The C-64 screen
will  not be shown during the competition.  We will play up to 3:30 minutes of
each tune.  You may choose between a C-64 with a new or with an old SID-chip.

About 10 to 15 songs will be selected by a Jury to be played for the audience.
All  entries  will  be made available for listening and voting via the network
and disks, which will be available at the info-counter.

The  C-64  competition  rules  are maintained by Anonym and Hoogo, please mail
them for further information or discussion.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    I B M / P C   P l a t f o r m   C o m p o s              :.   |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

The competition machine is equipped as follows:

   - CPU: about 1400MHz, probably an Athlon.
   - 192MB RAM
   - GeForce 2 GTS.

   - Windows98SE  with  lastest  Detonator  Drivers  und  latest  DirectX
          (probably DX8.1)
   - Linux  2.4.x  with  XFree86 4.1.x and latest NVidia Drivers and SDL.
     Be  sure  to  link  any  other  libs  either  statically  into  your
     executable  or  supply  a  dynamic  lib with your demo.  Please have
     sources  of  all  required  libs  and  your demo with you, so we can
     recompile everything on the compo PC, if somethings fails.
   - MS-DOS demos are likely to fail, because of modern ages hardware.


Demo Competition :.
====================
   - Maximum file size of all files (zipped): 10MB.


Intro 64K :.
=============
   - Maximum file size of all files: 65536 bytes.


Intro 4K :.
============
   - Maximum file size of all files: 4096 bytes.


Notes  to  Win  Coders:   No  exotic  libraries  will be installed.  The given
configuration  is  a  fresh  installed  Win98SE with latest Microsoft Updates,
drivers  etc.   If you need special libraries, provide them yourself, but keep
in mind, that they will count into the file size limit.

Notes  to  DOS Coders:  All productions will be started under Windows!  Please
consider  making  a native Win32 Demo, as this is more portable today, and you
benefit from enhanced graphics and sound compatibility.  If your demo does not
run under Win98 you're out of luck.

Notes  to  Linux Coders:  You can assume a fairly new Linux distribution, with
custom  made  kernel, X and important libs.  XFree 4.x with accelerated OpenGL
drivers  will  be available.  If you plan to make a Linux demo, please contact
the competition organizer in advance, and tell him about your requirements.

For  any  complaints,  comments  or whatever contact the competition
organizer:  ryg@ms.demo.org.


Some comments on this year's rules :.
======================================
There  have  been quite some questions concerning those, so we decided to list
the reasons for our decisions as well as the opinions that stand behind them.

First off, the size limit, which is 10MB (zipped) this year.  This is 2MB more
than  last year, since we understand that with hardware that can render insane
amounts  of  polygons  per second and MP3 soundtracks, demos will get large if
you  want  to use that potential.  However, 10MB is really quite much, and the
demoscene  has always been about achieving something within more-or-less tight
limits.   If  your  demo  is  too  big,  you  might  either try something that
compresses  better  than  ZIP  (like  the  excellent  URARFileLib by UniquE of
Vantage) or make your demo somewhat shorter, which will both decrease the size
of  MP3  soundtracks  and required content, AND make the demo competition more
interesting  to  watch  --  remember,  we  usually  have  quite some amount of
releases,  and  it  surely is in no one's interest if the watchers fall asleep
during your demo :)

Then,  about  the  graphics  card:  We decided to stuff a GeForce2GTS into the
compo  machine,  which  is  still  a  bit  above the average scener's graphics
hardware.   Some people have asked why we don't use a GeForce3 instead - which
has two primary reasons:  First, GF3 is not really widespread hardware, and we
think  that  releasing demos in a competition which nearly no-one can watch on
his  own PC is nonsense.  Second, both Vertex and Pixel Shaders (which are the
primary  new features of the GeForce 3) can either be approximated or emulated
to  a  significant degree by current hardware.  Vertex Shaders can be software
emulated, which, though not nearly as fast as Hardware TnL, still offers quite
decent  performance; Pixel Shaders actually don't really exist on GF3, instead
they are mapped to register combiner states, which you can modify using OpenGL
extensions  on  *any*  NVidia  card  from  TNT1 up, and with nearly all of the
interesting  features  offered  by  Pixel  Shaders  (like  Per-Pixel Lighting)
accessible from Geforce 1 and up.

Last  point,  the  machine  will have 192 megabytes of RAM; not much to say on
this  one,  it  should be enough for any current demo if you take care of your
memory usage.

If  either  of those limitations seem to harsh to you, please consider putting
your  demo into the Wild competition instead, which will have neither of those
limits.   You  can  execute  the  Demo on any hardware configuration you like,
which  we'll try to do in realtime for realtime productions.  This year, we'll
note  what  type  of  Wild  production it is (i.e.  whether it's an Animation,
Realtime, etc.) and on what Hardware it's running on on the Bigscreen.  Please
don't   whine   about  your  production  having  no  chance  against  rendered
Animations, past years have shown that our voters do care whether something is
realtime  or  not  and  running  on limited hardware or not and take that into
account (look at Hitmen's "Bitte 8 Bit", for example).

I hope this clears up the reasons for our decisions.

- ryg/farbrausch, January 2002, for the whole MS organizing team.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    8.   M u s i c - C o m p o s                 :.               |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

We  have  three  music  competitions  (in  addition  to  the  C-64  SID  music
competition).


MP3 / OGG Music Competition :.
===============================
   - Submit your tracks in either of these formats:
       - MP3 128kbit/s or higher
       - OGG 128kbit/s or higher
   - Audio CD
   - Maximum playing time 3:30
   - Only one entry per competitor allowed

In  this  competition,  about  10 to 15 songs will be selected by a Jury to be
played for the audience.  Nevertheless, all entries will be made available for
listening and voting via the network!


Tracked Music Competition :.
=============================
   - MT2, IT, XM, S3M, DBM and MOD formats allowed
   - No compressed files
   - Maximum file size: 1024 KB
   - Maximum playing time 3:30
   - Only one entry per competitor allowed

In  this  competition,  about  10 to 15 songs will be selected by a Jury to be
played for the audience.  Nevertheless, all entries will be made available for
listening and voting via the network!


15 Seconds Music Competition (Intro/Jingle Competition) :.
===========================================================
   - MP3, OGG, MT2, IT, XM, S3M, DBM and MOD formats allowed
   - Maximum playing time: 15 seconds!
   - Only one entry per competitor allowed

In this competition, we intend not to do a preselection.

Responsible organizer for the music competitions is Sierra.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    9.   G r a p h i c - C o m p o s              :.              |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

We   have  two  graphics  competitions  (in  addition  to  the  C-64  graphics
competition).  The following rules apply to both of them:

   - Maximum resolution is 800x600 in 24 Bits TrueColor.
   - The entries must be handed in in IFF, PNG or TGA format.
   - A quality preselection will be done.


All selected entries will be shown at least twice, at different daytimes.

The  inclusion  of  several  working  stages  of  your  picture  is absolutely
required!   Entries without working stages have a zero percent chance of being
shown  and  will  be disqualified immediately.  The working stages will not be
spread.

There  are  no  restrictions  whatsoever  as to the tools being used.  You can
pixel,  scan,  raytrace  --  whatever you want, as long as you provide working
stages.

You  must supply a listing of the tools and software you've used to create the
picture!   These  data  will  be  shown on the big screen directly before your
entry.


Freestyle Graphics Competition :.
=================================
This  is an unrestricted graphics competition where you can hand in everything
you like -- as long as you're following the rules stated above, of course.


"Robots vs. Knights" Graphics Competition :.
=============================================
Entries  for  this competition should deal with the theme that is obvious from
the  title:   "Robots  vs.   Knights" -- it's your choice how to interpret it!
Use  the  standard  graphics competition if you don't want to be restricted in
your creativity.

Responsible organizer for the graphics competitions is Gizmo.

                           _   _  __ ___  __
   _))_  ::.              -   -  -- ---  /\_\
- /____\ - .: - - -----------------------\/_/--------^\ //^---------<<<<úú---.
  \(Oo)/  ::                                           \/                    |
  /\../===+    1o.   M i s c   C o m p e t i t i o n s        :.             |
_/__\/__\_                                    __                             |
\/!!\/!!\/   .--úú>>>>-----^\\ /^------------/\_\----------------^[mv°s]^----'
 \__/\__/ ---'               \/              \/_/  --- --  -   -
                                                  »»» »»  »   »

32K Game Competition - (for Atari, Amiga, PC and C-64) :.
==========================================================
   - Size of all files: 32K
   - Competition  machines  are  the  same  as  in  the platform-specific
     competitions
   - The  game  will  be  played  on the bigscreen by the coder (not live
     though,  this competition will be pre-recorded some hours before the
     show).
   - If you are planning networked games, contact us in advance.
   - We will do a quality preselection on this competition.
   - For PC only:  Game  must be playable with keyboard only.  However if
     you  have  support for some special device (joystick or whatever) be
     sure to bring it along.


Console Competition :.
=======================
And  another time we offer you the chance to take part with your crazy console
demos  in  the  MS  console  competition.   You  can participate with any game
console  you  like, for example Atari 2600, Megadrive, SNES, Vectrex, Game Boy
(Standard, Colour or Advanced), PlayStation (One or PS2), N64, Dreamcast, XBox
or Gamecube.  Of course you are allowed to bring every other console you like,
but please make sure that you're following these rules:

There  is  no size limit; get the full POWER out of your machine and kick some
ass.

You  must  deliver  your  demo  already  recorded on video tape, in PAL VHS or
S-VHS.   And  bring  your game console with you so that you can prove that the
video tape is not faked!  (otherwise you will be disqualified!).

If you have problems recording your demo, please get in contact with us before
the party (Thank you.).  Else we can't guarantee that we are able to show your
crazy console demo at the MS.

If  you could provide a DivX version of your entry in addition, you would save
us some work, thank you.

- Of course you must be present at the party.
- Lame demos will be disqualified :))

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to contact Gott.


Wild Competition :.
====================
Here  you can deliver anything that doesn't fit into the other categories.  We
will  not have separate Wild ("classic") and Video competitions, as the number
of  entries  in  the  former  would be too low.  The most welcome contribution
medium  is  a  VHS or S-VHS tape recorded in PAL; you can optionally hand in a
graphics  file  containing  some information about the hardware used to create
your  entry.   If  you  can't tape the thing yourself (if you are using really
Wild hardware...) please contact us in advance.

There  aren't  many  restrictions  on  this competition.  Your entry should be
related  to  computers,  though.   People  are  not interested in watching yet
another skateboard video.  Please help keeping this competition interesting!

There is a maximum time limit of 8 minutes, and a quality preselection will be
done.  Stuff that is absolutely irrelevant will be thrown out in order to make
the competition more interesting.

If  you  have  any  further  questions,  don't  hesitate  to  contact Gandalf.


          More infos are available at:  http://ms.demo.org


  - -------------------------------------------------------------------- -
   stuff collected, formated 'n designed by:  Mr.Vain / Secretly!  ©'2002
    last content touch-up by raw style / farbrausch 12-feb-2002
                 We hope to see you all at the partyplace! ;)
  - -------------------------------------------------------------------- -



Alive 4