pouët.net

My 2 cents:

That kind of familiarity slowly emerged over time. By attending again and again. Saying "hello" with a contribution every now and then.

Like going to the same cafë every day. Sitting at the same table, drinking the same drink, blending in. Patiently becoming part of the scenery. Observing who orders which kind of drink, reads which kind of book. Without making a verbal fuzz about it.

Oh, wait—didn't I make a thread about it once?

When you visit a demoparty for the first time, you will find these archetypes:

1. The awkward introvert
Usually sits at a computer, stands in a corner staring at the big screen (even if nothing is on) or stays around groups of people in silence. They appreciate interaction, but only in small doses. They're generally coders.
How to make friends with them: Talk to them about tech stuff. They usually have some coding achievement they are proud of, but won't talk about it. They crave encouragement, and a little praise goes a long way. You don't even need to fake it because sometimes they do awesome stuff, just in an awkward way.
How to alienate them: Five minutes of unsolicited small talk ensures you will never be on their buddy list.

2. The hardcore party face
The exact opposite of the awkward introvert. You will notice them, and they will notice and remember you. These guys are the bedrock of the demoscene, the party alpha males (very rarely females). Outside of the scene they're known as "mentally stable people with proper social routines".
How to make friends with them: They will with you!
How to alienate them: Not really possible, unless you murder their family or something like that.

3. The party face, light version
You can see these people in a knot, usually boozing together, often with a hardcore party face among them. They're just as friendly as him, but it's less obvious at first sight. They are happy to see you and have a chat. Many were once the awkward introvert type, but found their spiritual home in the demoscene. They're often older guys.
How to make friends with them: By regular social interaction. Just approach the circle, and let it naturally pull you in. Do not force yourself in.
How to alienate them: Pretend to be a hardcore party face. Force yourself on them.

4. The advanced wallflower
An awkward introvert who never really grew into a true party face, but still adapted to the community, found their place and stopped being anxious. You usually find these people still doing awkward introvert things (sitting back, not really making noise) but they're happy to interact with anyone they knew for some time. They can be seen with party faces, usually attached to one of them, just being there. That's just enough for them. Most females represent this archetype.
How to make friends with them: Pretty much the same way as with the introverts, but it's a bit easier. Acknowledge them, and they will like you if you're interesting. Once you get along with a few party faces, they will recognize you too.
How to alienate them: Small talk won't scare them like the awkward ones, but don't push yourself on them. They rely on their circle as a social shield, and they will hide behind it if you're too direct.

5. The confused zoomer
As the "title" implies, this category usually includes newcomers in their 20s. Gen Z tends to be confused about great many things, and sometimes even about the demoscene. You can't blame them, they missed out on the best years. They act similarly to the awkward introverts, but the reason is different. They are a different generation, and they tend to stick together, instead of mingling with the "grandpas". (Can you imagine an 1990s demoscene party with 60 year olds?)
How to make friends with them: Be a zoomer. If you aren't, you may have to acknowledge a few concepts that may be totally alien from your understanding of either the demoscene or the world itself. Many of them are emotionally starved and will appreciate any connection. An insider joke from a Discord channel may go a long way.
How to alienate them: If you aren't their age, the generation gap may do the job already. If you are a zoomer, just don't talk to them, and they won't talk to you.

6. The retro purist
Not really a demoscener in the traditional sense, but since the demoscene is an inherent part of retro computer culture, here he is. Usually a guy over 40, and far past petty drama, so he's easy to make friends with. He's really here for the pixels, the wonders and to show off what he's been soldering for the last five years.
How to make friends with them: Go to their tables and admire their creations. It's usually a mini-museum of unexpected wonders. If you're also into retro or soldering, you're already friends. If you don't understand what's going on, just ask them: they love to explain it.
How to alienate them: Tell them you only watch demos on YouTube.

7. The organizer zombie
He hadn't slept for 48 hours. He's dragging himself around in slippers, with a bunch of cables in his hand, either heading to the coffee desk or coming back. The organizer zombie is off-limits for social interaction. Yeah, he's cool and everything, but let him do his job. You can talk to him at the next party, when he's just a visitor.

8. The white knight
The white knight archetype may appear in any archetype's disguise, but it's usually either the light party face or the advanced wallflower. They are judgmental and mistake their presence as a mandate to preserve "values" of whatever kind. Many of them use their undoubted talent as an excuse. You will find these people in similar circles as light party faces, but always without an alpha party face. If you get into their circles, you will notice their conversations are mostly about two topics: insanely intricate details of demoscene productions and their history, or the "problems" they see around them, both in and outside of the demoscene. Try any other subject and the conversation breaks down. These people are obsessed with controlling others, and art or demoscene activism is often merely a tool to success for them.
How to make friends with them: Why would you? Anyway, meet their expectations, and you will be appreciated, even idolized. If you do well, they will want you around, particularly if you're talented. They will never be your friends, but they will smile, praise you, and leave you alone.
How to alienate them: Ignore their expectations, and watch how the mask falls off.

The above archetypes are not exclusive to the demoscene, and may appear in every field of life.

Curious ramblings. I wonder which of those invented categories you think you fit into.



Never mind...

Committing homicide at your first party would be one heck of an entry.
"👍 Rulez!! Stunning prod, the blood effects were so realistic"

On the note of first parties, I got a fucking job, let's go!!! Money might go to attending one, whichever it is and if I actually have the time. I also got a travel discount for interrail global passes, it's a Spanish government subsidy thing where you get a cheap pass to travel around Europe by train if you're between 18 and 25 yo, so I'm thinking I should put that to good use.

So... you're a sex worker?

Anyway, there's a certain Spanish scener, Matt of Ozone who likely still holds the "travel to the most parties on the lowest budget" world record. All he had was a Ford Fiesta, which probably costed less than a single train ticket, but it worked. I sometimes wonder where is he these days.

@tomcat : with such a nice list of characters, you should totally write a story that takes place during a demoparty from start to finish...
With, of course, the most incredible shenanigans possible, totally unnecessary but super cool technical details, random Maali cameos, insane compos, funny orgas, inflatable t-rex cosplay, and shit !
That's a super cool setting for a (LONG, funny, ultra-wholesome, multi-episodes) story...

Is it a fucking job? Or is the job fucking? Should ask my boss.


Good luck finding a rusty old car that smells like cold tobacco tar and leaks oil faster than you can piss for less than 1k nowadays, at least in this area. The ticket I was talking about comes down to about 100€ with the discount. For a ticket that gives me 10 travel days to any EU destination for 2 months I’d say it’s not bad.

Do we have a short story compo somewhere?
Come to think of it, poetry was once an Olympic sport.

Yeah... that's about right.

@Tomcat: I know exactly which sceners you had in mind, when you made up the category 8. And I also know exactly in which group all those people would categorize you. ;-)

I'd love to have that shitbox for < 100€, if that's even possible anymore. It would prolly have a second hand value of 500€, +100€ for the improvised table and portable butane stove. Won't pass regulations but who cares about law when you have one heck of a trip right?

Btw, are those rubber cracks on the steering wheel or is it literally wrapped in insulation tape? looool

I remember when he drove from Spain (iirc) to Symmek - all in 2nd gear, because the gearbox was broken <3


Someone please dig out a picture of his "Amiga", that setup was crazy :D