pouët.net

Assembly Summer 2021 Fall Edition Competition Rules

It is time to compete in excellence using creativity as a weapon. This year we have added more variety in Oldskool and new battle-fields in Fantasy Console and 3D Graphics. It is your time to write history, as all competitions contribute to UNESCO cultural heritage! Combat will be fierce and prizes for the best will be given!

Follow the Assembly-website ( www.assembly.org ) for more information!

DEADLINE FOR ALL COMPETITIONS IS 15TH OF OCTOBER!

This time, we will compete in:


Demo competition rules

• Demo may not last longer than 8 minutes.
  
• Entry must run on a Desktop platform.
  
• The user has to be able to exit at any time by pressing a key. On PC this key must be ESC.
  
• While there is no specified size limit, we still expect it to be reasonable (i.e. something that fits on an average USB stick). As long as you can deliver it to us either by uploading through the party system or on a physical medium.
  
• Remote entries are ALLOWED!
  

1K Intro competition rules

• Maximum size in executable form is 1024 bytes.
  
• The file size of the intro will be shown on the screen before the entry is shown.
  
• Intro may not last longer than 3 minutes.
  
• The production must be a single file. Additional info files are fine but they will be deleted prior running the intro.
  
• Entry must run on a Desktop or Oldskool platform.
  
• The user has to be able to exit at any time by pressing a key. On PC this key must be ESC.
  
• For oldskool entries, check out the submitting instructions from the oldskool compos rules.
  
• Remote entries are ALLOWED!
  

4K Intro competition rules

• Maximum size in executable form is 4096 bytes.
  
• Intro may not last longer than 8 minutes.
  
• The production must be a single file. Additional info files are fine but they will be deleted prior running the intro.
  
• Entry must run on a Desktop or an Oldskool platform.
  
• The user has to be able to exit at any time by pressing a key. On PC this key must be ESC.
  
• For oldskool entries, check out the submitting instructions from the oldskool compos rules.
  
• Remote entries are ALLOWED!
  

Oldskool Demo 8bit & 16bit competition rules

• Demo may not last longer than 8 minutes.
  
• Demo must run on Oldskool 8-bit & 16-bit platform.
  
• Demo must be launchable using the standard procedure for that platform. If in doubt then please ask us.
  
• While there is no specified size limit, we still expect it to be reasonable in the context of the platform you're releasing on.
  

When submitting:
You must specify the applicable exact hardware configuration the entry is made for, e.g. type of machine, PAL/NTSC, memory requirements, possible required add-ons, SID model, etc.
You must provide Internet distributable version of the entry, e.g. disk image, CD-ROM image, ZIP containing executable and data files, etc.
If your machine isn't listed in the supported compo machines then you must provide video capture from (preferably) real hardware. You can also request if we could accommodate you on the real hardware capture.
Oldskool compos might be combined if there are less than three entries per compo.

Oldskool 8-bit & 16-bit platform

• Any oldskool home computer, home console or handheld console which has at most 16-bit data bus.
  
• including and up to 4th generation of video game consoles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_video_game_consoles_(fourth_generation)
  
• including and up to 5th generation of handhelds: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_video_game_consoles_(fifth_generation)
  
• examples: C64, Atari 2600, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum, Amiga 500, Atari ST(e), NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Game Boy Color, etc.
  
• Modern mass storage devices are allowed however, but the production must run equally well when loaded from a period correct tape/disk drive if applicable to the platform.
  
• Vintage add-on devices which expand the standard configuration are allowed but must be clearly stated. E.g. turbo cards with vintage CPUs.
  
• FPGA based reimplementations of computers, FPGA CPUs and devices which are considerably newer than the ones listed here are not allowed. These can be submitted to Real Wild compo.
  
• Note that FPGA solutions for peripherals are OK (such as the Ultimate1541 cartridge) - we're talking full computers here, not multi-cart or storage add-ons.
  

We will provide captures from at least the following hardware:

• Amiga 500
  
• ECS
  
• 68000 / 7MHz
  
• 512k Chip RAM / 512k Fast RAM
  
• Kickstart 1.3
  
• Commodore 64
  
• SID 6581 and 8580 are available, please specify which SID you want to hear
  
• Action Replay 6
  
• 1541-II
  

Capturing the entry
If your intended hardware isn't listed in the capture hardware list then please ask beforehand if we could provide the video capture from the hardware anyways. So we can check if the hardware is working, bring the hardware to the compo base and make sure capturing actually works.
Or depending the Corona situation bring the hardware yourself to us for recording. We can accommodate most kinds of video signal but if yours is really special, don't hesitate to contact us in advance.
Or make your own real hardware capture.
Or make your own emulator or FPGA capture but this is discouraged and should be the last resort.
In any case you should make sure the entry works with the real oldskool hardware and not only with emulators or FPGA reimplementations.
If you have questions about the oldskool compos, available hardware or you are unsure if your BYOD hardware is eligible to participate, please send an email to: oldskool-contact@assembly.org or if you're on IRCnet, please contact codise.
Remote entries are ALLOWED!

Oldskool Demo 32bit & 64bit competition rules

• Demo may not last longer than 8 minutes.
  
• Demo must run on Oldskool 32-bit & 64-bit platform.
  
• Demo must be launchable using the standard procedure for that platform. If in doubt then please ask us.
  
• While there is no specified size limit, we still expect it to be reasonable in the context of the platform you're releasing on.
  

When submitting:

• You must specify the applicable exact hardware configuration the entry is made for, e.g. type of machine, PAL/NTSC, memory requirements, possible required add-ons, SID model, etc.
  
• You must provide Internet distributable version of the entry, e.g. disk image, CD-ROM image, ZIP containing executable and data files, etc.
  
• If your machine isn't listed in the supported compo machines then you must provide video capture from (preferably) real hardware. You can also request if we could accommodate you on the real hardware capture.
  

Oldskool compos might be combined if there are less than three entries per compo.

Oldskool 32-bit & 64-bit platform
Any oldskool home computer, home console or handheld console which has 32-bit or 64-bit CPU and with the following limits:

• On Amiga & PC platform it should run on the provided compo machines or machine you provide which do not exceed the compo machine capabilities.
  
• On home consoles it should be part of fifth generation of game consoles: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_of_video_game_consoles)
  
• On handhelds the platform should be about similarly specced as the other machines in this compo. e.g. Virtual Boy, Gameboy Advance, N-Gage or Nintendo DS. Please ask for verification if in doubt for other platforms.
  
• On other type of vintage home computers it should be about similarly specced as the other machines listed here. Please ask for verification if in doubt.
  
• examples: Pentium 133 MHz, Amiga AGA/060, Atari Falcon, Playstation 1, Sega Saturn, 3DO, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS, etc.
  
• Modern mass storage devices are allowed however, but the production must run equally well when loaded from a period correct storage media.
  
• Vintage add-on devices which expand the standard configuration are allowed but must be clearly stated. E.g. turbo cards with vintage CPUs.
  
• On PC platform 3D accelerator cards are not allowed as they would exceed the compo machine specification.
  
• FPGA based reimplementations of computers, FPGA CPUs and devices which are considerably newer than the ones listed here are not allowed. These can be submitted to Real Wild compo.
  
• Note that FPGA solutions for peripherals are OK (such as the PSIO flash cartridge) - we're talking full computers here, not multi-cart or storage add-ons.
  

We will provide captures from at least the following hardware:

• Pentium 133MHz
  
• S3 86C775 graphics card
  
• Gravis Ultrasound Extreme (SB Pro compatible)
  
• 32MB RAM
  
• DOS
  
• Amiga AGA
  
• 68060 / 50MHz
  
• 2MB Chip RAM / 32MB Fast RAM
  
• no RTG or AHI
  
• Kickstart 3.1
  

Capturing the entry
If your intended hardware isn't listed in the capture hardware list then please ask beforehand if we could provide the video capture from the hardware anyways. So we can check if the hardware is working, bring the hardware to the compo base and make sure capturing actually works.
Or depending the Corona situation bring the hardware yourself to us for recording. We can accommodate most kinds of video signal but if yours is really special, don't hesitate to contact us in advance.
Or make your own real hardware capture.
Or make your own emulator or FPGA capture but this is discouraged and should be the last resort.
In any case you should make sure the entry works with the real oldskool hardware and not only with emulators or FPGA reimplementations.
If you have questions about the oldskool compos, available hardware or you are unsure if your BYOD hardware is eligible to participate, please send an email to: oldskool-contact@assembly.org or if you're on IRCnet, please contact codise.
Remote entries are ALLOWED!

Fantasy Console competition rules

• Allowed platforms: TIC-80, PICO-8, quadplay, Voxatron & IBNIZ
  
• Entry can run on any number of cartridges (please specify the size in the entry form notes)
  
• Production may not last longer than 3 minutes.
  
• Remote entries are ALLOWED!
  

Game Development competition rules

• All entries must be previously unreleased (This also means no previous Game Jams, Steam page, App Store page, youtube trailer etc.).
  
• Entry must run on a Desktop, Oldskool, or Mobile platform.
  

Presentation:

• Showing time is maximum 3 minutes per entry – the game itself can naturally be longer.
  
• Game presentation video options: A recommended way of presenting the game to the audience is to submit a presentation video of the game in the short film delivery format.
  
• The entry must be playable!
  
• The user has to be able to exit at any time. This may be executed by pressing ESC or other applicable method (e.g. game menu).
  
• The game can save high scores and user settings on the hard drive or in the system registry.
  
• The game may utilize a network connection.
  
• The PC desktop version must be playable with 1080p resolution.
  
• A screenshot must be submitted along the entry.
  
• The game may support multiple platforms: you can make your game to work on Windows, Java, Linux, Mac, 3DS, Android, iPhone/iPad, etc. at the same time.
  
• For oldskool entries, check out the submitting instructions from the oldskool compos rules.
  

Real Wild competition rules
Platform can be anything that can run real-time graphics! You can have here any hardware (including iPods, oscilloscopes, LCD displays, basically anything that can produce real-time moving images) or software platforms/interpreters/emulators running on modern hardware.

• If your demo can be run on both real hardware and on an emulator on PC, of course it is preferred to run it in a real hardware. For avoidance of doubt, all real-time rendered graphics demos that don't fit in the demo competition or the oldskool demo competition will fit here in terms of the platform.
  
• The demo must be delivered in both executable (if possible) and a video file
  
• If you don't have the necessary hardware to record the video on your own, contact the organizers to set up a recording session. Do this one week prior to the party. We will be glad to help!
  
• If you bring your entry to be recorded at the party place and the device/platform doesn't have an external audio output, the soundtrack of the entry must be delivered separately.
  
• Demo may not last longer than 5 minutes.
  
• The device/components/platform have to be publicly available (or have been available in the past) for anyone to purchase.
  
• You must provide specific instructions to build, configure, install, and run the entry on the platform. If the platform/device is your own specific hack, the instructions to do such a hardware hack must be included.
  
• To prove your entry really runs on the platform, you must either:
  
• bring the hardware to the party place and show your demo to the organizers / the jury, or
  
• in case of remote entries, record a proof video if the actual competition video does not provide enough proof. Organizers/jury judge the proof. If in doubt, contact the organizers.
  
• Pure animation files are not allowed in real-time competitions. Also executables only including an animation and an animation player will not be accepted.
  
• The demo must show in a similar manner every time executed
  
• Remote entries are allowed!
  

Freestyle Graphics competition rules

• The image resolution must be 1920x1080 and must be submitted in supported file formats, see Graphics formats above.
  
• You must submit clear evidence of the process of creating the fast graphics competition picture in the form of at least SIX versions of the unfinished picture that show the creation process.
  
• This means that the different steps of the process (e.g. outline, coloring, retouching) are shown in different files from different points in time when the picture is being created
  
• If you are using a modeler, it is not sufficient to submit six pictures of the final picture from different view points! If you are using a photograph, take few extra shots and include them as a proof.
  
• The resolution of the unfinished pictures must be at least the same as the resolution of the final picture, but you can submit also higher resolution pictures.
  
• Order the unfinished stages of the picture by renaming the files with appropriate prefixes (f.i. “stage1.png”, “stage2.png”) and put them into a subdirectory called “unfinished” in the ZIP archive.
  
• You can use any technique you want to produce the picture: you can draw on paper and scan that picture, take a photograph and retouch it, use a 3D modeller tool, draw pixel by pixel or do what ever you want
  
• Write the techniques used in the PartyMan while submitting the image, maximum of 5 words (i.e. “Scanned photo + editing”, “3DS Max + light photoshopping”, “completely vector based”, “Composition of multiple methods”)
  
• You may also include the image in source or vector format in the submission package, if the size of the package does not exceed 10 MB
  
• While you are allowed to use stock photos in your entry, clearly the major part of the entry must be result of your own creativity. Use only stock photos you have the rights to.
  
• See also must-follow guidelines on Graphics formats.
  

Pixel Graphics competition rules
This is an oldschool pixeled graphics competition. It means that we’re expecting to see entries that have been drawn pixel by pixel, by using old fashioned techniques and not for example overpainting renders, repainting or using photos as parts of the picture. If something in the picture seems to be out of place, it might not make it to be presented on the big screen.

• The image resolution must be 320x240 with 256 colors and the format must be GIF.
  
• Entries will be shown (proportionally scaled) on a 16:9 screen.
  
• GIF animation is not allowed.
  
• Picture must have not been released before.
  
• Using of stock photos, paintover, etc techniques is NOT ALLOWED in this competition.
  
• Submit one version of the final image with signature, one without signature and five (5) intermediate steps to show the process of pixeling the image. Name the files clearly.
  
• These rules override generic graphics competition rules. Entries without an unsigned final picture will be disqualified.
  

If you have questions or wish to have a clarification on the rules, please contact your friendly scene lounge organizers well before the competition! Happy pixeling <3

Photo competitions rules
The photo competition is themed. The theme for 2021 is: "CYBER". The photo entry must have the theme represented in it as the dominant feature and clearly seen on the picture. Theme can also be interpreted as a more abstract concept.

• The image resolution must be 1920x1080 and must be submitted in supported file formats, see Graphics formats above.
  
• Only minor retouching and adjustments are allowed like
  
• crop, straighten, lens corrections
  
• scale
  
• color temperature
  
• exposure adjustment
  
• desaturate
  
• Do not add or remove elements from the picture.
  
• Composite photos are not allowed, meaning that the photo should be taken with single exposure. This rules out photos taken using internal photo stacking and HDR, for example.
  
• Submit the photo without watermarks or signatures. If you make adjustments, submit the original version as a JPG or PNG (1920x1080 minimum if applicable). Original version and possible behind the scenes -material will not be distributed. If you have submitted a scan of a photograph or a slide, prepare to present the original media to the jury as well. In such case the original media will be returned through the Infodesk.
  
• Picture must be previously unreleased.
  
• Since this is a photo competition, make art!
  
• See also must-follow guidelines on Graphics formats. Please.
  
• Ignoring any of these rules leads very easily to a disqualification.
  

Fast Graphics competition rules

• The image resolution must be 1920x1080 and must be submitted in supported file formats.
  
• You have 1.5 hours time to complete your picture. Submit the finished picture by the competition deadline.
  
• Your picture must adhere to theme and contain a specific graphical element which will be published on the Assembly web site at the beginning of the competition
  
• Submit one version of the image without your signature (follow the link on supported image formats for details). No intermediate stages are required.
  
• See also must-follow guidelines on Graphics formats.
  

3D Graphics competition rules
3D Graphics compertition is based on 3D-viewer tool FOXOTRON. Create your scene in your favourite tool and export it to FBX-format. More information about tool can be found from https://github.com/Gargaj/Foxotron/wiki It is recommended to test your entry with FOXOTRON before uploading final version.

• Filesize limit 50MB
  
• Texture resolution limit is 4096x4096
  
• All content in scene has to be original
  
• Mesh has to be unpublished before competition deadline
  
• Remote entries are ALLOWED!
  

8CH Tracked Music competition rules
The tracked music compo has different file formats than general music competitions. The compo will be held in the Scene Lounge with more oldskool rules:

• Maximum size: 1 MB (1048576 bytes)
  
• Maximum length: 3 minutes, if your song is longer the song will be faded out after 3min.
  
• Maximum amount of channels you can use is eight (8).
  
• If your song loops, the song will be faded out after the first loop
  
• Allowed formats: MOD, S3M, XM and IT
  
• Please provide a recording of your entry in MP3 (256kbps or higher), OGG (256kbps or higher) or WAV format.
  
• Entries will be played in XMPlay with following settings:
  
• MOD: No Interpolation, No Ramping, 50% Stereo Separation, normal MOD playback mode.
  
• S3M/XM/IT: Sinc Interpolation, Sensitive Ramping, 50% Stereo Separation.
  
• All entries must be 100% original and unreleased.
  
• No remixes, no copyrighted material.
  
• If you are using Creative Commons or Public Domain material, state so in your entry form and cite the source! Do not forget to give credit where credit is due!!
  
• Remote entries are ALLOWED!
  

Listening Music competition rules
No restrictions! Make the track you have always wanted to do with the platform of your choice.

• Listening Music is considered to be music that is not suited to the Dance Music competition.
  
• NEW: entry must be no longer than 3 minutes 30 seconds. Substantially exceeding this limit will result in disqualification (not fade-out)!
  
• Dance Music competition rules
  
• Turn the main hall into a party arena!
  


• Your tune must have a danceable beat and character, no restrictions otherwise.
  
• NEW: entry must be no longer than 3 minutes 30 seconds. Substantially exceeding this limit will result in disqualification (not fade-out)!
  
• NEW: the competition may be presented as a DJ mix. Parts of your track may be crossfaded or mixed in with other compo tunes. The full track will still be released on for example scene.org.
  

Fast Music competition rules
Fast music started off when trackers were the tool to use and originally were a set of samples that the module was to be created with a strict time limit (generally 1 hour online, 1.5 hours at parties for that extra 30 min. for all the hassle). Since then we've spiced things up by removing the use of samples, forcing specific chord changes, limiting the genre to italo and making people sing "Assembly 25 years" into their headphones. What's in store for this year will be revealed at the party!

• Fast Music is created at the party with additional rules and restrictions that will be revealed 1.5 hours before the deadline.
  
• Entry must be no longer than 3 minutes 30 seconds (3:30).
  
• No software restrictions (usually).
  
• Submit the finished tune into the compo system before the competition deadline.
  

Tuplain competition rules
Tuplain is a YouTube player where you mash up two youtube videos by taking audio from one video and visuals from another. Tuplain is made by fellow scener cce.

In order to participate in Tuplain competition you need to do mind blowing, fabulous, and absolutely hilarious remix from YouTube videos using Tuplain. Using material from demos is preferable. The nature of the competition is relaxed and fun so don't take this too seriously!

• The entry must be submitted to the party system by the deadline.
  
• The submit format is a text file containing the link to your entry.
  
• Finnish laws and common sense apply for this competition.
  
• Maximum length: 1 min (use len parameter to get the length as desired)
  
• Short-film competition rules
  
• The production must be submitted in a supported video format.
  
• The film may not last longer than 5 minutes
  
• Computer generated pieces of art (e.g. animations, machinima, ...) are preferred over plain home video types of entries. From now on, you can submit any videos of real-time generated graphics on odd devices to the Real Wild demo competition.
  
• Remote entries are allowed!
  

Shader Showdown competition rules
Have you ever wanted to challenge your shader coding skills or code live visuals on stage and be like a rock star? In the showdown two coders battle each other in live coding. You’ve got 25 minutes to impress the audience with your mad coding skills, while a DJ spins records for your inspiration. Audience gets to see both shaders coming together live, parallel and then choose the winner.

Both competitors have same computer setup to use that is provided by the organizers. The live coding tool used in Shader Showdown is BONZOMATIC (https://github.com/Gargaj/Bonzomatic/releases) (discussion here https://www.pouet.net/topic.php?which=9881). You can pick either GLSL or HLSL (DX9 or DX11) to compete with. Bringing your own keybord is more than welcome (just make sure it doesn't have memory function). No additional tools – such as paper, memory stick, radio, mobile phone, tablets, what so ever – are allowed.


Are you up for the challenge? Contact compo-contact@assembly.org with topic Shader Showdown Assembly Summer 2021. In the email tell who you are and express your willingness to compete.



DEADLINE FOR ALL COMPETITIONS IS 15TH OF OCTOBER!

From the rules of tracker music compo:


Rules seem to presuppose that Creative Commons and copyright exclude each other but like Wikipedia says, "Creative Commons licenses do not replace copyright, but are based upon it."

Creative Commons (as well as software licenses such as GPL, BSD, MIT etc.) is about setting a license on a material for which you have copyrights. If you don't have copyrights, then you cannot impose a license.

Perhaps by "copyrighted material" you actually mean material which cannot be legally used (published without a CC license or similar and non-PD) whereas you think it's OK to use material which is legally allowed to be used (like CC licensed material or PD).

I'm not also sure if it's good to speak about "recording" if we are actually dealing with conversions (I suppose you don't mean that songs should be actually recorded like people of Kohina radio demanded of Amiga MODs).

Sorry to be so stupid but I also don't get what does it mean that CC & PD material is allowed but remixes are not. So is it OK to participate with an arrangement of Mozart's song (which is PD) or not?

--

Continuing the previous post, I'm not actually sure where does the line between legal and illegal go (is it necessarily illegal to use non-CC copyrighted stuff), but in any case it seems you accept the use material which is CC (copyrighted) or PD (not copyrighted) and not anything else.

Thanks la_mettrie for noting this out, we will check these and fix if we find there is contradicting issues.

And yes, we are actually recording entries that are not provided as specified format. In tracked music competitions we record everything to ensure that songs are played as described in rules. No direct conversions are used. LUFS-type normalization is used.

Deadline one week before the party? But isn't that the most productive time to work on the production ;)

Interesting (and good!) to split the oldskool compo. I hope there will be lots of entries.

What you mean? Party is two months later than usual, so a LOT more time to fin(n)ish entry..

Update deadlines will be more gentle also.

Any news about ticket sales?

Replying to myself here.. Ticket sales opened today.

Just noticed that the oldschool compo will be split in two, interesting idea!
Keeping fingers crossed for two good compos with many releases!

GPU on the Modern PC Compo?

Unfortunate news:

We have been closely monitoring the corona situation in Finland and the event restrictions that are in effect. Due to the nature of the Assembly events (LAN, many people staying in the closed quarters for days, even sleeping there) we have decided to cancel the Summer 2021 event in October. We feel that this is the responsible way to go, to wait for the people to get vaccinated and the virus situation to ease in Finland. Also the demographic of our event - young people - does not support the decision to organize such an event, since the vaccinations have just begun on that age group.

Therefore we feel that it is not yet time for a physical event, the safety of our visitors and volunteers must come first. We don’t want to create a covid-19 melting pot when things are finally starting to look better.

We are looking for alternate ways to organize the demoscene competitions will get back to this later on. So stay tuned!

Pehu / Main Organizer
Assembly

PS Assembly will turn 30 years of age next year, so 2022 summer event in August will be THE party :) I really hope the world is in better shape by then.

wow ! sorry to see this. Good luck preparing for next year !

Even if it sucks, I wholeheartedly understand and support your decision.

Reach out to us (TRSAC Lite) if you have any ideas, that we might be able to figure out.
That said we're running on way lower capacity this year too, but hey, exchanging ideas is always an option

Seriously though, just cancelling is the responsible thing to do in the current situation, as much as it sucks.

It's understandable that the esports party of 5,000 was cancelled. Hopefully demo compo venue for few hundred (??) can be somehow arranged. People are willing to pay for it.

I asked several people about the fate of Asm'21 and everybody had lost their hope but now it seems that the request to "stay tuned" wasn't just hype.

https://assembly.org/articles/assembly-creative-tech-2021

Yesterday this URL worked better for ticket purchases:
https://party.assembly.org/