Commercialism and the Demo Scene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
September 3, 1995

COMMERCIALISM, (n)  Emphasis on ready mass saleability rather than on
quality, taste, etc.

Where is a good place to put this little text file?  Under the ROOT 
directory, under the demos/tp94 directory or under the /demos/asm95
directory?  I'm going to place it under the /demos/asm95 directory
because Assembly is where commercialism started.

WAY BACK WHEN

I've been involved in viewing/making demos since the late eighties when
I computed with my Commodore 128.  Demos are and have always been amazing
productions--never gaining much notoriety outside the so called "scene."
I have always felt demos should be pushed mainstream--to a point--so 
these amazing coders, artist, and musicians could become known on a larger
scale.  I sent out a few press releases in 1993, got a few magazines and
people interest but nothing much came of all the articles and what have
you.  Perhaps, I though, demos don't belong within the mainstream culture.
So long as demos kept to their "freeware" roots...

...AND THEN CAME ASSEMBLY 94

Bigger prizes, more money, more people, better parties, better 
organization...RIGHT?  Were moving on to bigger and better things...RIGHT?
Some are finally gaining the notoriety they deserve; but to what end.
There is always a price to pay for success.  Commercialism and the Party
CD's are hear to stay.  Well, at least this will keep the $$ in the
hands of a few.  Yes, what did happen to the freeware concept in the demo 
scene I once knew.

NO MORE

ESCAPE to FREEDOM then perhaps JAIL?  With violating others requests...the
Assembly '95 organizers will be after me (See E-mail below).  No, I don't
think anyone will be upset...except those who don't get a copy.  Do
however expect this to be the last CDROM I produce--at least for the demo
scene and dealing with demos.  

My thoughts are many on the issue of commercialism:

When ESCAPE started commercialism was almost non existent.  With the 
conclusion of this CD commercialism is omnipresent.  It is not necessarily
a bad thing but it does limit the already limited distribution of demos 
through "exclusive rights."  A lot of people within the "demo scene" have
the talent to become big time programmers/musicians/artists and the
commercialism is good for these people.  I highly applaud this as these
people deserve to be discovered--and publicity/commercialism does help. 
Taking the products of a "scene" that has been built on a "free" concept
and limiting distribution seems to contradict what the demo scene is about.
Of course there are deeper issues--like shareware companies using these
demos to make a quick buck--which one can argue.  All I can say is lets
keep it free...and if a few people make a couple bucks, so be it.  You
did the demo for fun right?  Well, maybe notoriety and a few bucks at a
demo compo motivated you as well.

KEEPING THE PEACE

Because the Assembly organizers own the "rights" to many of the demos
released at The Party'94 and Assembly'95 you will NOT find many of the
better demos/intros/gfx/etc from these competitions on this CD ROM.  
I wish it did not have to be this way (read E-mail below) but ASM organizers 
stand firm in their decision.  A few productions may have slipped in and 
for that do I apologize.

To those who worship the almighty dollar I dedicate the INSIDE FOLD of
this CD's insert.  The slightly visable dollar sign and jail corridor 
do go together quite nicly...don't you think?

No one,
dmw@gate.net

E-MAIL WITH AN ASSEMBLY ORGANIZER

I've only included a little bit of our E-mail conversation.  But here
is Markus's response to my letter and my response to his.  All spelling
errors, and mistakes have been left intact.

From: Markus Kantonen <moku@avalon.icon.fi>
Subject: Re: The path of...
To: dmw@gate.net
Date: Fri, 2 Jun 1995 00:39:33 +0300 (EET DST)

Hi,

This is Markus 'Moku' Kantonen of ASSEMBLY Organizing replying...

> 
> So I will do so and probably only this once so please do respond
> if you have any comments/complaints/suggestions regarding this subject.
> Okay?  Apathy...there is no room for it...
> 

Sorry, for not answering before, but we are very busy right now working on
ASSEMBLY '95. 

> Freedom CD is currently in the works and information on it is provided
> below.  I do my best without going to extreems and pulling allnighters
> to contact many demo groups and such about permissions to include
> their productions.  I did the same for ESCAPE.  I'm not out here
> to compete nor make money...just enough to pay for any unexpected
> problems and some of my time/effort.  My intentions is to not piss
> anyone off or create any bad feelings toward me or the CD's I 
> produce.  Thus the reason for this letter.
>

As it doesn't seem to be any competition situation between you and us, there
still is something as our price seems to very high compared to yours. (we
have quite a few people to pay for...)

> I noticed your "exclusive" policy on some demos--including the ASM95
> stuff to come out and TP94 among a few other recent parties.  So long
> as I get permission were applicable (request, i-net provided, and such)
> would it be okay to include some of these productions on the FREEDOM
> CD.  I do not expect or need a YES/NO black/white answer.  We can
> discuss aspects of this in further detail ifyou wish.  ANd I believe
> we should--especially if you give an ABSOLUTE NO...cause then you will
> need to work with me so I can make the proper demos are removed from
> the CD.  However, I hope this is not the case and we can work something
> out.  I am not here to "steal" just to provide a service to others--an
> archive if you will.  and limited at that.

About demo/intro/music/graphics exclusives, I have to say that we have
really a problem if we give out the rights just anyone to publish the demos
in CD ROMs even in small quantities and here are few explanations why:

	1. Who ever is the distributor of The Party 4 CD will not like the
	   idea that just anyone can have a similar or even better CD in
	   market, this makes our negotiating point very difficult.
	2. We give royalties for every CD pressed we have given permission
	   for, even then if we have given the permission only for you.
	3. Our CDs should also be mainly marketed to the scene. This is
	   something that our ASSEMBLY CD distributor forgot with their
	   pricing, so if you have similar kind of product, nobody in the
	   scene would be buying from us if you have the lower price.
	4. We use these CD productions to finance ASSEMBLY and what would
	   scene be without it...:)

We see also our own series of demo cd's as a collection and hopefully in the
future we will be able to cover all democompetitions. Also we try to kick
our distributors to understand that the price cannot be higher than 30-40
USD (even during this period of very cheap dollar and even with ASSEMBLY '95
double CD). 


> 
> Alas, here is the FREEDOM CD information.  Please read fully before
> coming to any conclusions.
> 
> thank you for your time....
> -dan wright-

I can provide you, however, any information you need that you won't produce
"illegal" CD ROM by accident, because after we have written down the
contract with the distributor, we won't be dealing at all with this legal
business. It is not in anyones interest that anyone from the scene gets
trouble.

Anyway, I'm very interested to continue with the conversation and we should
find a way to co-operate, not compete.

Regards,


Markus 'Moku' Kantonen
ASSEMBLY Organizing

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 1995 20:52:04 -0400
From: dmw@gate.net
To: moku@avalon.icon.fi
CC: dmw@gate.net
In-reply-to: <199506012139.AAA03411@avalon.icon.fi> (message from Markus Kantonen on Fri, 2 Jun 1995 00:39:33 +0300 (EET DST))
Subject: Re: The path of...


   This is Markus 'Moku' Kantonen of ASSEMBLY Organizing replying...

Hellow Markus...Thanks for taking the time to reply.  Wish I would
have gotten a reply when I produced the ESCAPE CD. :(  But that is 
water under the bridge and only a few remain.

I can understand about time.  I have a little help with Freedom (other
people doing art, helping with permission, MC3, etc) plus I work 40hrs
per week and drive 10hrs per week to get to work.

   As it doesn't seem to be any competition situation between you and us, there
   still is something as our price seems to very high compared to yours. (we
   have quite a few people to pay for...)

Remember that my price does not reflect profit, royalities, or etc and there
are limited people helping.  I do it as a hobby and just hope to recoop my
cost.  The worst thing I would want to happen is to be stuck with a bunch
of CD's.  I'm actually surprised ESCAPE sold as well as it did and hope
FREEDOM (at about 700-800 CD's) does as well.

   We see also our own series of demo cd's as a collection and hopefully in the
   future we will be able to cover all democompetitions. Also we try to kick
   our distributors to understand that the price cannot be higher than 30-40
   USD (even during this period of very cheap dollar and even with ASSEMBLY '95
   double CD). 

I'm curious.  You say "we also have our own series of demo CD's..."  Do you
or any of your members happen to have ESCAPE?  Anyone or anyone you know
for that matter?


   I can provide you, however, any information you need that you won't produce
   "illegal" CD ROM by accident, because after we have written down the
   contract with the distributor, we won't be dealing at all with this legal
   business. It is not in anyones interest that anyone from the scene gets
   trouble.

Yes, that would be very helpful.  I have already been reminded not to
include CYBOMAN2 and it would be quite helpful if you would informe me
of what NOT to include--i.e. anyone that signed an exclusive agreement
is what I consider something I ought NOT to include.

Remember, Freedom is a small demo CD (<100 megs will be demos) but I don't
mind knocking a few off--frees up more space for music :)  I also plan
on including some of the ASM95 demos/intros...but once again  I will
do my best not to include any Exclusive stuff.

Stay in touch and provide a list when you can.  The CD only contains
demos from OCT 94 - AUG 95 (a few older but thats less than 10).

out,
-dan
