After too many years without contributing anything to the demoscene, in 2021 I reconnected with demogroup MFX’s Uncle-X (with whom I had already worked on fan favorite 1995) and somehow 20 minutes later we were already working on a new demo to be shown at the Outline demoparty online event.

This webGL demo is an homage to classic 80s/90s Detroit/Berlin techno music. Based on a cube that spins showing an array of effects, it serves as kind of a three dimensional collection of “animated” vinyl recordings. We had three weeks to make it, which seems kind of enough... until you realize that oh yeah, you also have a day job and a family and a life!

My work consisted on creating 19 “sleeves” and 3D models for 4 scenes. The design was informed by minimalistic, rational German design and the vinyl sleeves from that era (Tresor Berlin recordings etc). It was harder than expected, but a whole lot of fun!

We also got help from Pandur (cables.gl developer, the tool used to create the demo) in the tech/effects department, and one of my favorite demoscene musicians, Ronny Pries of Farbrausch fame, providing the music.

...in the end, “Square One” got first place on the democompo!

Watch the demo online in realtime (recommended, you’ll need a somehow modern graphics card), or check it out on youtube.