demogroup · est. in the scene

HICKN&HACK

Realtime graphics · code · chip music · pixels

We are a demoscene group making demos — realtime audio-visual programs that push hardware to do beautiful, pointless, glorious things. The moving thing behind this page is a randomly chosen old-school effect (…). Reload the page for a different one.

Coordinates

Find us & learn the scene

Prod database Pouet.net Browse, download and thumb-up demoscene productions — the scene's home base. visit pouet → What is this? Demoscene on Wikipedia New here? Read what the demoscene is, where it came from and why it matters. read the wiki → Watch Demos on YouTube Captures of demos and party releases — see the effects running in motion. watch on youtube →

Competition

Demo compo rules — FAQ

A compo (competition) is where releases are shown on the big screen at a demoparty and the audience votes. Rules vary per party — always read the official rulebook — but these are the typical ones. Examples below are representative.

Q1 What competition categories exist?

Most parties split entries by platform and size. A typical line-up:

Compo	What it is	Typical limit
PC Demo	Freeform realtime demo on modern PC	no size limit
64k Intro	Demo that fits in a single executable	`65536 bytes`
4k Intro	Extreme size-coding, everything generated	`4096 bytes`
Oldschool Demo	C64 / Amiga / Atari etc. on real HW	platform-defined
Wild	Anything goes (fantasy console, hardware hacks)	varies
Graphics	Still image, hand-made	time-limited slot
Music / Chiptune	Original track, often streamed live	≈ 4–6 min

Q2 Is there a time limit for a demo?

Yes. Screen time is limited so the compo fits the schedule. A common rule:

Demos: max 8 minutes playtime.
Intros (4k/64k): max 5 minutes.
Graphics/music get a fixed presentation slot set by the organizers.

Going over the limit can mean disqualification, so keep it tight.

Q3 What are the size limits for intros?

The whole production — code, textures, music, everything — must fit inside a single executable of at most 4096 bytes (4k) or 65536 bytes (64k). Content is generated procedurally at runtime; you can't ship a huge asset file. Self-extracting/packed executables are allowed as long as the shipped file respects the byte limit.

Q4 What counts as "realtime"? Can I submit a rendered video?

A demo must run in realtime on the compo machine — it renders live, not a pre-baked movie. Pre-rendered videos usually only belong in the Wild compo and are marked as such. Organizers may capture your run to a video for the stream, but the entry itself is the executable.

Q5 Does the content have to be original / previously unreleased?

Generally yes. The prod must be unreleased before the party and premiere at the compo. Use only content you have the rights to: your own code, or music and graphics with permission/appropriate licensing. Stolen or clearly plagiarized work is grounds for disqualification.

Q6 Which hardware will it run on? (the "compo machine")

Parties publish the exact spec of the compo machine in advance (CPU, GPU, RAM, OS, drivers). Test against it. Oldschool compos specify the exact model (e.g. C64 PAL, Amiga 500 / OCS). If your entry needs anything special, tell the organizers early — "works on the compo machine" is your responsibility.

Q7 How and when do I submit?

Upload through the party's submission system (many use partymeister or a similar tool) before the deadline, which is usually a few hours before the compo starts. Include: the executable/disk image, a preview screenshot, and an nfo / info text with title, group, and requirements. Late entries may be refused.

Q8 How does voting work?

After all entries in a compo are shown, the audience votes — on paper or, more commonly today, via an online votekey tied to your ticket. Highest average wins the compo. You typically can't vote for your own entry, and results are revealed at the prizegiving ceremony.

Q9 Any conduct rules?

Keep it decent for a shared big-screen audience — most parties forbid illegal content and require a code of conduct. Greetings and friendly shout-outs to other groups are a tradition, not a rule. Respect the organizers and the compo machine. 🕹️