Storylined Demos

[benny!]

Hi,

referring to this topic I would like to know what you guys think about
demos with a storyline in general and versus pure technical demos.

I really tend to more and more like demos with a cool story line
 especially when they include somekind of message and create
a certain atmosphere.

I would say that 90% of modern demos are just of sequel of
different effects and this somehow becomes boring unless the
fx are outstanding and brandnew.

Don't get me wrong ... there a lot of cool fx-only demos/intros
out there ... but in my eyes some more "storylined" demos
would be cool (even if some ppl tend to say that storylined demos
have just a storyline because the fx arent that good...)

In the end some url's to demos with a storyline/message :

halla

Toys
(definately more than a sequel of fx)

Heaven 7
(not a real storyline .. but really atmospheric)

[rdc]

Those make my attempt look quite pititful.

[cirux]

I think they are different to just fx based demos, not easily comparable. I enjoyed Toys, haven't seen halla. To me what usually makes the biggest difference is syncing of the music and effects properly. I've quit demos that have good effects or good music but to me I like demos that combine the two as most don't in anyway.. or don't seem to.

[taj]

Great question!

I think there are at least 3 levels for me. First is a series of effects which when done well is very satisfying. Each scene can be a @wow@. Then there is a well transiitioned demo, one where each effects makes sense in context of the next one and preferably, you dont even notice the quence. Its like you move from one part of a 3d world to another. For example a doorway in a room can become a tunnel which emerges into a scrolling starfield etc. I dont tend to think of these as having a story line, just really smooth transitions. Lastly is a storyline. The demo says something or takes you on a journey. Normally though I'd say these demos have a "theme" more than anything else. They dont really tell a story in the traditional sense. Thats why I like rdcs idea which really really tells a story. Its level 4 of my 3 level system :-)

 

[Shockwave]

I'm stuck in the past but I appreciate a well planned demo.. Not sure about storylines in demos, but most (good) newschool stuff seems to be well storyboarded.

I think that demos with a real story to tell are quite few and far between and need a different kind of skill to make than effects demos, probably more stuff with proper story lines will be released in the future, computers have the power these days to cope with it.

[benny!]

@taj:

Your categories make sense ... I agree with you ..


@invert(shockwave)

In the deepth of my heart I am also an oldschooler .. however I think storylined demos
belong to the scene as well. It shouldn't be a whole movie or so ... a statement or
slogan supported by neat fx are also fine in my eyes ...


@all:
well if you can suggest any more links to productions please let me know ...

[taj]

Story intros I know of:
http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=281
http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=351
http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=709 (sort of a story)
http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=1199

And a story themed couple:
http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=1268
http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=235

One inspired by a movie (Daywatch, Nightwatch)
http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=728

[benny!]

@taj:

cool ... thanx for those links. I will check them as soon as I am home ... Most of them
I do not know ... so I am really looking forward running them ...

thx a lot mate ( I know that it take some minutes to post such a list ) - I really appreciate
that !

[DrewPee]

Does anybody remember . . . Odyssey (by Alcatraz) or Desert Dreams (by Kefrens) on the Amiga?

Storylines or what? Odyssey blew me away when i first saw it and I love a lot of the stuff the Kefrens did!
. . . might try and capture them both to video using WinUAE!?

Drew

[benny!]

@DrewPee:

I wonder why I forgot to mention those milestones in amiga megademos. Thanks for
naming them. They are truley amazing productions !!!

[Shockwave]

How about Hardwired by TSL? You couldn't call the demo story based, except for the intro which was really nicely drawn and showed a short ish story.

Something else that I just remembered were the games by Psygnosis, most of them had fantastic animated demo style intros that told a story.. Another good one was the intro to Powermonger by Bullfrog.. Ok, it's not a demo but it set out the atmosphere for the game perfectly.

[benny!]

How about Hardwired by TSL? You couldn't call the demo story based, except for the intro which was really nicely drawn and showed a short ish story
...

Hardwired was definately a hottie. You are right ... not a true storyline - but it creates a real cool atmosphere and was outstanding
at the time it was released. !!!

[taj]

http://www.intro-inferno.com/production.php?id=294

One more to check out - ballsy bunny, a storylined demo in 4k...