This article was such a cool trip down memory lane, and as an old-timer that hasn’t looked at this stuff since the early 90s (mode13h anyone?) I am so happy to see how strong the scene is today.
Just to clarify for readers who didn't read the interview, not a live set, it’s a 64kb demo that looks and feels like a recording of a livecoding competition. So “live set demo” is technically correct because it’s a “live set” themed demo. But it’s not actually a live set :-)
genezeta · 1h ago
I don't know why the sibling comment is dead (edit: was). I mean, it is a valid concern, if one doesn't know.
So, for slickytail and anyone who has the same question:
The code is actually compressed into a binary blob. You can see it if you just look at the source of https://0b5vr.com/0mix/0mix.html
A small script loads the blob and uncompresses it before running it through eval:
This is a common approach in browser demos and what is counted as "less than 64Kb" is that final html. A similar technique compresses it into a PNG.
slickytail · 2h ago
In what sense is this 64KB? Clearly there's more than 64KB of code in the repo. And since it's typescript it's not like there's a binary that could be 64KB.
skrebbel · 1h ago
The html file with all assets and js bundled in is under 64kb.
carra · 5h ago
Mode 13H was pretty nice. But mode 13X, hacked to have square pixels, was the coolest!
thibaut_barrere · 4h ago
Mode X allowed pretty cool stuff, like fake true color with interlaced lines (R,G,B), double buffering etc!
I really enjoyed the interview, and I definitely resonate with the art being free from so called “value” as an asset, truly a pure from of artistic creation and expression. I am curious to know more about the scene and it sounds like they would be welcoming to n00bs, you guys recommend any upcoming live events to keep track of?
The biggest pure demoscene event is Revision in Saarbrücken, Germany. The 2026 edition has yet to be announced, but it is always during the Easter week-end. They have a dedicated newbie corner if you are interested https://2025.revision-party.net/about/newcomers/
velo_aprx · 4h ago
Nice to see Setsukos blog here on hackernews! She has done a lot of great interviews with sceners over the years you should check out.
I met her once at Tokyo Demofest, and I still feel bad about making her try the Swedish licorice I had brought... :)
ChrisArchitect · 6h ago
Warms my heart when they mention his 'discography' and it's a link to pouet.net, one of the various scene.org sites been around forever and still going. Having any kind of documentation/archives of a subculture's history, especially from around that time when digital things just disappear, is great to see.
fnord77 · 3h ago
I always found Demoscene to be a curious phenomena. A combination of fascination and not understanding the point.
Seems to be mostly a European thing, too.
badpun · 3h ago
They're talented hobbyists who are not interested in monetizing their passion. Such people exist in US too, although perhaps are more rare.
squigz · 1h ago
I think the point is to create fracking cool art - and show off your skills
https://youtu.be/3lOptjAeA2w
Repo: https://github.com/0b5vr/0mix
So, for slickytail and anyone who has the same question:
The code is actually compressed into a binary blob. You can see it if you just look at the source of https://0b5vr.com/0mix/0mix.html
A small script loads the blob and uncompresses it before running it through eval:
This is a common approach in browser demos and what is counted as "less than 64Kb" is that final html. A similar technique compresses it into a PNG.Fond memories.
Here is a YouTube rendition of a demo I implemented in 96, showing those techniques https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t8o-uuq73UU&pp=ygUQTmlra2kgaml...
The biggest pure demoscene event is Revision in Saarbrücken, Germany. The 2026 edition has yet to be announced, but it is always during the Easter week-end. They have a dedicated newbie corner if you are interested https://2025.revision-party.net/about/newcomers/
I met her once at Tokyo Demofest, and I still feel bad about making her try the Swedish licorice I had brought... :)
Seems to be mostly a European thing, too.