ZX Format #07: Overview of the ENLiGHT'97 Demo-Party

ENLiGHT'97

music by MIDISOFT

So, on August 24, the third demo-party ENLiGHT'97 took place in St. Petersburg. Traditionally, platforms such as Spectrum, Amiga, and PC were represented. This time, an immeasurably larger number of delegates gathered for the "festival of computer art" than in all previous occasions (approximately 1100 people). Many participants were already familiar from past parties, many - virtually, through networks. However, naturally, most met in person for the first time. So the morning of the first day, as always, was a time for introductions.

This time the event was held in the premises of "voenmekh," an institute located near the "Technological Institute" metro station, which was undoubtedly more convenient in terms of transportation. Upon entry, guests were given "accreditation" papers along with voting sheets, which, according to the organizers' idea, served as passes to the building. (Although everyone who had their own identification tags indicating their pseudonym, group, etc., passed without passes.) The space allocated for the show turned out to be a bit cramped for all those gathered. As a result, the stairs, corridors, and nearby part of the street were filled with people socializing, smoking, and just hanging out.

Now let's provide a brief overview of what emerged during conversations with participants.

KANO

KANO reported that his company is no longer engaged in commercial activities on Spectrum. Only FFC Computers remains among the traders in the Moscow market. He (KANO) together with MAGIC SOFT is trading Amigas in Moscow. (see advertising block)

(C) Cracked Masters

The well-known St. Petersburg group Cracked Masters revealed that they urgently need an artist to complete their global project "10" (thousand).

Representatives of the Samara group Speed Co. talked about the emergence of the magazine Oberon and their plans to create a Spectrum network in Samara based on XTR modems, similar to ZX-Net. (see Interview)

The interregional group Flash inc, represented by their Novosibirsk and St. Petersburg members, shared their plans. (see Interview)

Michel

Caught and cornered by the question "how is the land of dragons," main organiser VIRT group Michel reported that "The Land of Dragons" is doing well and is even nearing completion.

Representatives of the company "Peters" conducted a demonstration of the "graphic capabilities" of their offspring. The company's director, Noskov, delivered a speech from the stage and called for cooperation with all progressive humanity.

The Moscow group "Progress" reported that in Moscow, Spectrum mainly lives in the network (ZX-Net), and also shared some of their plans, particularly expanding their activities on Amiga. (see Interview)

Max Iwamoto

Max Iwamoto revealed that Code Busters is no longer undertaking any global commercial projects on any platform and is engaged in distributing programs from local authors (MK, Technodrome). The group's plans still include demomaking on Amiga, Spectrum, MSX. It is possible that the game Fantastic Dizzy for Spectrum will be completed.

Nemo

Captain Nemo presented a new board KAY-256/3SL/TURBO and declared his intention to start exporting KAY technology. In his opinion, a significant advantage of his machine is its high liquidity (recoupment occurs with the sale of 3 assembled boards per month).

RST-7

RST-7 lamented that he received only $50 from Inforcom for TASM. (Although, according to him, the authors of Alasm received only $20.) He expressed his strong discontent with the XLD group for their (i.e., our ;) version of TASM 4.

Magic Soft introduced a new group formed on the basis of MagicSoft, Beermans, Megacode, SpeedCo. (see Interview)

The Novgorod group Digital Reality shared information about the status of their projects (see Interview).

Felix talked about how he has significantly changed his opinion about Amiga over the past year and about his plans to finish Winnie the Pooh - II. (see Interview)

Not everything was rosy this time. The organizers made numerous technical miscalculations: The venue was not large enough. There were too few monitors, so there was a crowd during the compo viewing. The monitors turned out to be unsuitable for both Spectrum and Amiga - i.e., some effects in the demos were simply not visible due to missing frames at the 100 Hz refresh rate. Security was clearly insufficient. The crowd, apparently not wanting to be left out, exhibited all the "public disorder" they could. The ban on alcohol consumption was forgotten immediately and forever. Under the "No Smoking" poster, a spontaneous smoking area formed. After the party ended, a huge pile (or rather, a mountain) of trash was gathered in the hall. Some particularly talented individuals decorated the bathroom walls with graffiti in the style of "X-Rulez." (as exemplified by our background image) In short, in a crowd of over 10 people, there were enough miscreants to cause more disorder than occurs at the weekly disco held in the same location as ENLiGHT.

In light of all this, the second day was canceled. This particularly pleased the participants (and there were guests from "distant" foreign countries) who never found out the results of the compo.

The next day, a spontaneous gathering was organized in a nearby park (naturally, with drinking and a visit from the police), but overall, everything ended well.

Overall, one could have a rather pleasant time at E'97. Despite the cancellation of the second day and the absence of results, attending this event was not a waste of time.

It is currently unknown whether ENLiGHT'98 will take place, but let's hope for the best.

Contents of the publication: ZX Format #07

• From the Authors
  Update on SMUC, distribution issues, and plans for future ZX Format issues. Authors address outdated SMUC info and distribution problems of ZF-6. Upcoming content includes game descriptions and new projects.
• Аторы журнала
  Contact information and editorial team details for ZX-Format No.7. Provides mailing and electronic addresses, as well as contact phone numbers. Information on the availability of their website and specific contact instructions.
• Содержание номера
  The article provides an overview of notable software releases on the St. Petersburg market for autumn. It also includes detailed descriptions of games, programming tips, and hardware projects. Interviews, philosophical tales, and reader letters enrich the issue.
• Игрушки - Welcome
  An overview of software novelties for ZX Spectrum, including games like 'Los Angeles Drugs Bust' and 'Jungle Warfare'. Each game description provides insights into graphics, gameplay, and features. A variety of genres from action to strategy are covered, showcasing the diversity of software offerings.
• Игрушки - Алешкин А.В.
  The article describes the game 'TAI-PAN' as an arcade-economic game set in the 19th-century East, focusing on trading and survival amidst pirates and danger. It details the gameplay mechanics, such as trading goods, managing finances, and navigating seas with different ships. Despite its engaging plot and interface, the game didn't achieve much popularity in Russia.
• Игрушки - Soft
  A whimsical narrative in a fantastical world where colors converse with the Last, a character recounting tales of ancient humans, coders, and a mysterious past. The story explores themes of language, translation, and the creation of 'the Last' amidst fantastical beings like flying hippos and sea giraffes. It serves as a fictional narrative with humorous elements, blending science fiction with satire.
• Игрушки - Alex ASP
  A parody on Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' named 'Bored of the Rings' by Delta 4 is explored. The text references adaptations, humorous adventures of characters like Fordo and Bimbo, and differing versions from Delta 4 over the years. Anticipated prequels and correspondence excerpts with Delta 4's Fergus McNeill are mentioned.
• Игрушки - Гил-Гелад
  The article provides a detailed guide on navigating the 3D Construction Kit interface for ZX Spectrum. It explains menu options for file management, game setup, and in-game conditions. Additionally, it covers object creation, editing, and logic implementation within the program.
• Программистам - Дмитрий Рудовский
  The article concludes the description of BB commands and provides tips on their usage. It details the usage of the CLOCK command for time and alarm management on ZX Spectrum. Additionally, it explains the SORT command for array sorting and introduces new logical and mathematical functions.
• Программистам - Angel
  Introduction to assembly programming for beginners, covering basic concepts and commands. Detailed explanation of processor registers and flags, with examples. Offers practical advice on transitioning from Basic to assembly language.
• Программистам - GreenFort
  Discussion on fast calculations in assembler for tasks like vector graphics and astronomy. Describes procedures for binary division and multiplication, with examples for different byte sizes. Highlights the adaptability of these methods for increased precision.
• Программистам - TP, Stinger
  Detailed technical description of the Mod file format for music composition on ZX Spectrum, focusing on structure and data offsets for title, instruments, and patterns.
• Программистам - Research
  The article describes the capabilities and limitations of the Convert program, focusing on its use for converting images to the BMC format. It includes technical details about the program's functions, such as dithering methods, sprite and screen format output, and the removal of extraneous dots. Additionally, the article briefly discusses the source code of X-Color and its potential applications.
• Обзор
  The article discusses the ENLiGHT'97 demo-party held in St. Petersburg on August 24, 1997, featuring platforms like Spectrum, Amiga, and PC. The event attracted around 1100 delegates, leading to overcrowding and technical issues, which caused the cancellation of the second day. Despite these issues, the event was generally enjoyable, and there is hope for another event in 1998.
• Обзор
  Review of VideoFAIR exhibition in Manezh with highlights on video and audio equipment. Amiga-service and various companies showcased their technological advancements in video editing and broadcast systems. Notable innovations include 3D laser-scanned displays and professional audio solutions.
• Железо - Nemo
  Discussion of KAY technology export to decentralize Spectrum production. Highlights potential benefits and challenges of local manufacturing. Emphasizes quality assurance and support systems.
• Железо
  The article describes the development of a new Scorpion motherboard, focusing on enhancing graphics, speed, and compatibility with modern peripherals like IBM keyboards and mice. It introduces the GMX (Graphic Memory Extension) board, designed to upgrade existing Scorpion models to match the capabilities of the new motherboard. The GMX board offers significant improvements in memory, graphics, and processing speed, while maintaining compatibility with ZX Spectrum and Pentagon standards.
• Железо
  The article provides a detailed overview of two popular audio amplifiers for ZX Spectrum users in St. Petersburg. It highlights the advantages and specifications of the 2 X 2W low-voltage amplifier and the 2 X 22W car amplifier. The article also includes a price list and ordering instructions through the 'Nemo' company.
• Примьера
  The article describes the improvements and features of the Turbo Assembler version 1.1 for ZX Spectrum. It highlights the differences from version 1.0, such as bug fixes, screen size changes, and added features like line editor and syntax checking. It also details the memory allocation and provides a guide on using the editor and compiler functions.
• Примьера - STS
  Description of the Riff Tracker MOD-editor for General Sound, its features, and functionalities. Provides detailed instructions on using editing and sample management. Notes on the current version limitations and expected improvements.
• Примьера - Paul Atrides, Alex Noman
  Presentation of Oberon Creative Pack, consisting of ZX-WinWord and Sprite Cutter. ZX-WinWord is a text editor combining text and graphics with advanced features. Sprite Cutter allows sprite creation and manipulation in various formats.
• Примьера
  Presentation of the second demo version of the game Headball by ZX-Masters, discussing its features and improvements since the first demo. The game offers two-player mode, four levels, three types of projectiles, various options, and computer difficulty settings. Availability of Turbo mode and enhanced synchronization and animation make it unique among other Spectrum games.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with Digital Reality about ongoing projects like DOOM and Paradise Lost. Discussion of challenges and progress in game development. Preview of their submissions for the ENLiGHT event.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with members of the newly formed group EXTREME. They work on demos for Spectrum and Amiga platforms and discuss their team members and activities. The interview also touches upon the state of the Amiga scene in Moscow.
• Интервью - Борис Прытков
  Interview with Samara-based Spectrum enthusiasts discussing their achievements and challenges. Emphasis on community building and publication of Oberon magazine. Efforts to establish a Spectrum network and convert the game WALKER.
• Интервью - Борис Прытков
  The article is an interview with members of the group Flash inc. discussing their projects for ZX Spectrum and PC, including a music editor with an innovative interface and a new multicolor graphic editor.
• Интервью - Михаил Акимов
  Interview with Moscow-based group Progress discussing their current work on Spectrum demos, plans for future projects on Amiga, and opinions on the Russian demoscene.
• Интервью - Михаил Акимов
  Interview with Felix about changes in the tech landscape, the enduring appeal of Amiga despite PC dominance, and his work on 'Winnie the Pooh - 2' for Spectrum.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with Slash about the ENLiGHT event, including sponsorship issues, attendee behavior, and the quality of music and demos. Discussion of the current state of the Spectrum and Amiga markets. Commentary on music trackers and the future of hardware development.
• Интервью - Ruster
  Interview with V. Mednonogov after ENLiGHT'97 discussing impressions of the event, future of Spectrum, and his current project 'Black Raven'. Mednonogov shares his views on new hardware and software development and the importance of copyright. He also discusses his plans for upcoming projects and the challenges faced in game development.
• Здесь был ты
  A satirical guide to gaining power and invisibility using magical rituals and Orbit gum.
• Здесь был ты - Saggitarius
  A contemplative novella about a man's existential journey after encountering a mysterious individual offering a device called the Stop Crane. Through flashbacks, the protagonist reflects on his life, uniqueness, and his desire to break free from societal constraints. Ultimately, he faces the moral dilemma of using the Stop Crane to transcend time and existence.
• Почта
  Critique of ZX-Spectrum software, highlighting the limitations of current programs and recommending the removal of outdated tools. Discussion on the limitations of assembly programs and the need for more efficient assemblers like M80. Evaluation of current music and graphic editors, with a focus on the redundancy of certain applications.
• Почта
  Discussion of reader inquiries on ZX Format distribution and content. Responses include details on acquiring issues and technical insights on the KAY-256 computer. The magazine also addresses criticism of its market outlook article.
• Почта
  This advertisement highlights XL Design Inc.'s software distribution campaign, offering games like 'Plutonia' and upcoming releases such as 'Mortal Kombat'. Mouse controllers are promoted with humorous selling points and pricing details. Studio LOGROS provides a wide range of software and peripherals, with options for local and remote purchases.
• Разное - Александр Сысоев
  The article discusses the creation of an RPG game by the OBERON GROUP, inspired by 'Eye of Beholder'. It describes the game's humorous plot set in a distant galaxy and the battle against invaders on a planet named Agima. The team invites musicians, artists, coders, and scriptwriters for collaboration.
• Разное - Viator
  The article describes the development of a new graphics editor called STATE OF THE ART for ZX Spectrum, aiming to improve upon existing editors like ART-STUDIO and ARTIST-2. The team AVALON, inspired by feedback from the SPECCY artist community, incorporates features from editors on Amiga and PC, while also addressing specific user requests. Key features include a user-friendly interface, enhanced magnify mode, advanced shape and window manipulation, and optimized performance.
• Разное
  Discussion on enhancing consumer quality of Spectrum computers without altering their technical specifications. Suggestions include improving existing support, developing platform ideology, and structural changes. The article also touches on the potential of electronic books and their commercial viability.
• Amiga Club - Максим Петров
  The article describes the author's admiration for the Amiga computer, emphasizing its aesthetic and technical merits compared to other platforms. It explores the author's programming experiences on Amiga, highlighting its efficiency and the impressive capabilities of its new hardware upgrades. The article concludes by reflecting on the unique community and passion of Amiga enthusiasts.