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Demoscene DreamHack 2025: A Creative Coding Hackathon

Get ready to hack the scene! This Saturday, January 4th, we're hosting an incredibly exciting hackathon in Sonoma focused on the demoscene - that vibrant community of artists, programmers, and musicians who create stunning real-time graphics demos and digital art.

🎯 Event Details

Date
Saturday, Jan 4
Time
10:00am – 10:00pm
Location
Sonoma, CA
Theme
Demo Scene
Demoscene DreamHack 2025 hackathon setup
The hackathon setup ready for a day of creative coding and demoscene magic

What is the Demoscene?

The demoscene is a computer art subculture focused on creating demos - self-contained, executable programs that showcase programming, visual effects, and music. It's where technical skill meets artistic expression, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with code.

Demoscene productions are known for their:

  • Real-time graphics: Stunning visual effects generated in real-time
  • Procedural content: Art and music created algorithmically
  • Size constraints: Amazing results in incredibly small file sizes
  • Technical innovation: Creative use of hardware and software limitations

What's in Store?

Whether you're a seasoned demoscene veteran or completely new to the scene, this hackathon is designed to be welcoming and inspiring. Here's what you can expect:

🎨 Creative Focus

Come have fun and make cool graphics and music projects! The emphasis is on creativity, experimentation, and pushing the boundaries of digital art.

🤝 Collaboration

A full day of hacking, brainstorming, and collaboration with fellow demoscene enthusiasts. Mix with coders, artists, musicians, and digital creators.

🍕 Fuel for Creativity

Tasty meals, snacks, and drinks throughout the day to keep your creative energy flowing.

🏆 Showcase & Competition

A chance to showcase your project and compete for bragging rights - plus the biggest slice of birthday cake!

Schedule

Here's how the day will unfold:

  • 10:00 AM: Kickoff and introductions
  • All day: Hacking, brainstorming, and good vibes
  • 7:00 PM: Project showcase and winner announcement
  • 7:30 PM: Cake time! 🧁 (It's also Mia's birthday!)
  • 8:00 PM: Dance...possibly pool/jacuzzi 🏊‍♀️

Why Attend?

This hackathon offers a unique opportunity to:

  • Dive deep into creative coding and procedural art
  • Learn from experienced demoscene artists and programmers
  • Experiment with real-time graphics, shaders, and generative music
  • Network with like-minded creators and technical artists
  • Challenge yourself to create something amazing in just one day
  • Experience the joy of combining technical skill with artistic vision

Getting Started

New to the demoscene? No problem! Here are some ways to prepare:

  • Check out classic demos on Pouet.net
  • Experiment with shader programming tools like Shadertoy
  • Try creative coding frameworks like p5.js, Processing, or openFrameworks
  • Listen to some chiptune and electronic music for inspiration
  • Bring your laptop, headphones, and most importantly, your creativity!

Join Us!

Ready to hack the scene? RSVP at the Partiful event page to secure your spot!

This is going to be an incredible day of creativity, technical exploration, and community. Whether you're interested in graphics programming, procedural art, generative music, or just want to experience the magic of the demoscene, this hackathon is for you.

See you Saturday for a day of code, creativity, and celebration! 🎉