Coming Soon: MindCandy, the DemoDVD

One of the most ambitious scene projects to date is finally near completion. Beginning life in 2000 as the "DemoDVD Project", it is now officially known as "MindCandy vol. 1: PC Demos". For the past two years, several members of the former Hornet demo/archive crew and Fusecon (publisher of the Audiophonik CD), with a huge outpouring of help, have compiled an anthology of demos from the past 12 years onto a double-sided DVD. Not only to preserve the classics for die-hard sceners, but to finally put you or your friend's expensive home theater system to good use. ;)

As you can tell from the title, this first (of hopefully several) volume focuses on our savoir faire, PC demos. The disc is split into two sides. The first side, "Transcendental Vistas", features the latest and greatest Windows demos from 1999-2001, providing ample entertainment for the masses. Enjoy the colorful world of "Tesla", trip out to "604", and get chills by the end with "Kasparov". The second side, aptly titled "Kickin' It Oldschool", is for the historians out there, showcasing DOS demos from 1990-1998. See how it all began on the PC in "Megademo", jam out to "Show", and see how demos like "Paimen" and "Megablast" pioneered modern demo design. Oh yeah, and "Second Reality". It's on there. :)

So what else can you expect on MindCandy vol. 1?

- Over 40 demos, lasting 4 hours - far longer than most other DVDs, but no visual artifacts! Go Trixter, go Trixter. :) Use chapter menus to select your demo of choice, or just let them all play while you chill.

- A 16-minute long featurette, entitled "DemoGraphics", produced by Jeremy Williams of Blue7 Media (he's also known for the "PC Demo Fan Club" website). Watch for some exclusive demoparty footage, interviews, and the ultimate behind-the-scenes look for oldschoolers (we won't spoil *all* the surprises!).

- A multi-page, full color booklet, with an introduction and listings for all demos.

- Intro and menu music from The Alpha Conspiracy, Virgill, Milan Kolarovic, and more.

- Mindblowing cover art by Fthr/TPOLM.

- Technical info, demo glossary, and hidden "easter eggs" (what would a DVD be without them?).

For the hungry, we created some promotional VideoCDs, not so much to show off quality (DVD quality is a vast improvement), as to simply get a few demos out there on your DVD player. The first was released at Coma3 in Montreal last November, the second at Assembly 2002 in Helsinki. Those few who actually got their hands on one are encouraged to make copies and spread them like wildfire!

The DVD is expected to be completed in late October and available in late November. So by the time you read this article, it might already be available. If not, be patient! We anticipate it will be worth the wait, and we're doing our best to ensure it will be in your hands by the holidays. :)

For more information, visit the project site at: www.demodvd.org. The official MindCandy DVD site will soon be online at: www.mindcandydvd.com. You can also email the crew at trixter@oldskool.org or phoenix@hornet.org.

To be informed by email when the DVD is available, sign up on the reservation list at www.demodvd.org/reservations. We'll give you all the ordering information you'll need.

Thanks to the whole demoscene (whatever platform you are on) for inspiring and encouraging us to make this project happen.

- Phoenix / DemoDVD team