Breakpoint (demo party)

The breakpoint (BP ) was between 2003 and 2010 the largest gathering of the demo scene in Germany ( and sometimes even the world ) and took place every year over Easter in Bingen am Rhein. The focus of the event, the competitions are to nominate the best demo in different categories. These are digital works, the different groups have for months, sometimes programmed on different computer platforms for years in advance. Among other things, the Scene.org awards will be presented at Breakpoint, one of the most famous awards in the scene.

History

The breakpoint is since 2003 the successor to Mekka & Symposium, which took place the last time in 2002; by disagreements within the organizer the Mekka & Symposium was then no longer aligned. Many of them, however, are staying with the organization of the breakpoint, which was first held in 2003 and can be considered as the successor party. Although the breakpoint was the former attendance of over 1300 have not yet surpass, but is with almost 1100 visitors now well on the way there.

In addition to the founder and main organizer Simon " scamp " Kissel the organization of some 60 volunteers from the demo scene is organized. Receives additional support the organizing team by the club for Digital Culture Association, which organizes also the second largest German Demo Party: The annual in August Evoke. Since 2005, originally developed for the CMS was tUM Party champion for the organization of the party used.

Since 2004, the breakpoint financed mainly by the well-known sponsors ATI (until 2006) and Intel, in 2007, came to Commodore Gaming. ATI's place as the sponsor has taken since 2008 Nvidia. Make besides technical equipment and prizes for the winners of the competitions. On the Breakpoint 2004, the sponsors have the first time organizes workshops, for example, pixel shaders on ATI graphics cards. But even icons from the demo scene itself betrayed there in three-quarter to one-hour seminars their tricks.

Especially alternative platforms such as the Amiga or Commodore 64 here yet serious competitions and represent a not inconsiderable proportion of brought computer. As a well-known demo, which was released at Breakpoint, fr- 025 applies: the.popular.demo the group color noise from the year 2003, which on the Limits of the Demo Scene addition also gained wide notoriety.

2009: Brokepoint

In 2009, the breakpoint was struggling with major financial problems. Due to the cancellation of the principal sponsors of the financial crisis was missing more than half of the required budget. The event has therefore been renamed for a short time in Brokepoint ironic. Shortly before the event, the organizers were finally able to the lack of money through donations from members of the demoscene and by the jump in by 20th Century Fox with the film X -Men Origins: Wolverine as a main sponsor still apply. In this framework, an additional " Wolverine " contest was for demos, videos, graphics and music proclaimed was provided to the material and artwork of the film. The breakpoint set despite the bad omen on Easter weekend in 2009 set a new attendance record. The organizers, who originally wanted only seven years to align the breakpoint, announced at the end of the event, to also want to organize again the Breakpoint 2010.

2010: like there's no tomorrow

On the official website, it was announced that 2010 will be the last breakpoint. The reasons, among others, the " aging " of the scene were called, because in spite of great number of visitors, there were almost no new entries among the participants, but also that there are now many alternative offerings, which bring together programmers and graphic designers.

Successor

On the tUM Party 2010 Revision Party was invited to a new environment, one also of "Association keyboard and mouse " organized successor party, to replace the breakpoint as the world's largest demoscene party.