b1a0tLeading ArticletRokDaZonetfpf2s1c02 Leading Article f1c04 by RokDaZone c03Little can be said about the three months that have passed since the last issue of Generation. Things seemingly have moved into usual directions as far as this classification might appear adequate in this context. Not only vaguely interested, however, I watch how the demos of recent parties influence the making of new demos. After more and more Sceners pointed out that it is more than thoughtless to still use the Player6.1 as it tends to partially or even completely crash demos of higher equipped Amigas (68060 and repordetly 68040 aswell), fewer and fewer demos are being released using it. That is of course only a small change but to me as user of a 68060 it is essential. c01 Multilayer A-Go-Go c03The more important and interesting influence came from CNCD's "Killer" with its multilayer effects. Especially recent demos from Poland show that - despite the little recognition at the start of 1998 - the possibilities for the visual output and impact of this to us new technique have not yet been entirely understood. We have faced some real advanced demonstrations of what can be done with a 68030/50, provided enough RAM is available. And the later point really can't be hampering regarding the (how often shall I repeat this) low prices of PS/2 modules. One look at Embassy's "dELTA" says it all, you can read a review of it later in this issue. Still not too few people dared so far to investigate into this field and at this moment I just am waiting impatiently for the releases of the Assembly and the Intel Outside. Two major parties without any doubt which will set new standards. It comes easy to understand that at the moment that I write these lines, those parties have not yet been held and maybe it might be interesting to describe now what I do expect and to comment what actually happened in a later paragraph. As far as I can see we will see a row of demos that will use the multilayer option and which to high degrees will be optimised to a 68060. We will once again face Big Beat soundtracks and extreme plays of morphing, motion blurr, lightsources tunnels and Lightwave converted scenes, maybe even more extreme than in recent months. Nothing new under the sun so-to-say but excellent design shall be featured. I doubt if we will receive another demo from MC/TRSI as their last hitter has been released only four months ago, but Scoopex will provide at least an intro which will book the first place at the Assembly and I expect demos from Smoke and Kengooroo. c01 And the Facts? c03Well, I was not right. Not at all to be exact. Bugger all. Indeed Nerve Axis took to my utter surprise away the first place, a group from that I'd never expected a release at all. Embassy delivered with 'dELTA' a stunning piece of code, only short after their success with 'Bangcock'. Frankly: Embassy are from my sight the winners of 1998 so far. Also respect to Network who definately underlined that the exots have turned into a stable upper-middlefield factor. Before I forget it: Partly I am disappointed about Nerve Axis' winning demo. Great show so far, but except for the magnificient sandeffect we got Lightwave scenes in 2X2 and nothing else. For me the stunning optic the scenes gave do not entirely outweigh the missing storyboard and ingenius effects like we got one year earlier from NVX. For me the moralic winner of the Assembly are Embassy. Haujobb managed - again to my surprise - to hamper Antibyte from finishing his "Scene Grandflash" which would be to win The Party, Gathering/Symposium and Assembly in one category in one year. Speedo surely delievered a fine release, but whatever can be said: The Assembly did not provide the overwhelming quality in 40k/64k competitions that we faced in 1998 so far. c01 Smaller Parties, Please! c03The once again small amount (six) of Amiga Demos being released at the Assembly deliver some kind of insight to a trend which so far has not found too much regard: The Amiga Scene steps back from the major events and seemingly prefers smaller local events. I see this with one tear in my eye as real international challenges like we had it at The Party V for the last time will never ever happen again. On the other hand local parties with 100 to 1000 visitors really are by far more fun than monster events with 2000 or more attenders. Can one have fun at parties with only 30 people? Darkhawk says yes, I doubt it to be honest - at least if we talk about "real" parties and not group events with guests. Matter of taste. Or so.