Introduction

Abstract

Collidoscope is a demo, which utilises contemporary 3D computer graphics to create a data driven multimedia experience. Collidoscope is inspired by a wide-array of different areas of design, from late-60s psychedelic art to the contemporary demoscene. Collidoscope was made in the Virtools 3D development environment, which allows the creation of rich 3D simulations.

Collidoscope answers the question of whether demos can be data driven and effectively represent data, its behaviour and context. Above all one of the main motivations behind Collidoscope is what every good demo should be, an enjoyable and eye opening experience.

Demo

The demoscene is an underground movement in computer software development. A demo is usually, but not exclusively, a non-interactive multimedia presentation. Demos are a means for programmers/designers to flex their programming, designing, composing and 3D graphic muscles. The motivation behind demos range from personal interest, demoscene kudos to even trying to impress future employers.

Demos originated in the 1980s as a way for software pirates, especially those who cracked games, to leave their personalised graffiti tag. As a game was loading the cracker’s demo would grace the screen and be a kind of digital trophy for their accomplishments. The demoscene is still alive and happening today, although the technology and motivation behind demos has changed somewhat.

As a result of the small storage space on mediums such as floppy disks which were used to store these games, demos were more often than not small in size. This fondness of small file size has been adopted by modern demosceners from the pioneers of demo making. Throughout the history of the demo one of the marks of a good demo was the small file size; the smaller the demo the better.