Competitions

  • General rules
  • Music compos
  • Graphics compos
  • Animation / Video
  • Demo / Intro
  • Game compo
  • Invitation compo
  • Realtime compos

    • General rules

    Prizes and diplomas are awarded only to the participants present at the festival or their representatives (it is necessary to specify the data in the .nfo/.diz file attached to the work).

    The festival organisers carry out a pre-selection of works (preselection). As a rule, the vast majority of works pass it, but in some situations the organising committee may refuse to show them.

    In particular, all works must be original - not borrowed, and must not have been published before (except for Game compo).

    Works containing personal or public insults, pornography or in any way violating Russian law will be disqualified.

    The author agrees that his/her work, which passed the pre-selection and participated in the competition show, will be published on the Festival website and scene.org.

    Works that have not been pre-selected will not be shown at the festival and will not be made publicly available, so that you can show your work at another festival.

    The author has the right to postpone the mandatory publication of the work for a period not exceeding 3 months to finalise the work and prepare the final release. In case the work is not completed by the author in time, the organisers will make available to the public the version they have.

    Acceptance and display of works submitted after the deadline is not guaranteed.

    If you have any doubts, please ask questions at [email protected]

    Works are accepted through our automated system [to be launched later]. There you can also add information that will be shown before the work itself and see when the work passes the preselection.

    A maximum of 2 works from one author, 3 works from a group will be accepted per competition.

    The organisers reserve the right to interrupt the display of a work earlier than specified, without waiting for its completion, if they do not notice a significant development or if (in the case of an executable file) the work has looped.

    For the rules of combining contests (in case of insufficient number) see further in the contest rules.

    Music compos

    General rules for the Music compos category

    Using AI tools are allowed only for AI Music compo!

    Works must be original, i.e. completely invented and created by the contestants themselves (except for AI Music compo).

    Remixes/remakes/covers are forbidden. It is also forbidden to use easily recognisable melodic turns from well-known musical compositions.

    It is not allowed to use the same song or its fragments in different categories (for example, a fragment from Chiptune music for .mp3 contests).

    Try to normalise at 0dB to avoid volume scatter during the show.

    Borrowed vocals longer than 1 second are not allowed, as they exceed the limit of copyright citations in the Russian Federation.

    The participant must provide the organisers with 4 intermediate stages of composition creation or the original project file in editor format as proof of authorship (except for AI Music compo).

    The file bitrate for .mp3 is 320 Kbps (CBR).

    ID_TAG and/or other author fields must be filled in.

    The maximum number of works in each category is 20;

    Dance Music

    The contest accepts music compositions in any audio format - .mp3/.ogg/.xm/.s3m - not more than 3 minutes long, made in the genre of rhythmic dance music (EDM).

    If there are enough works, the compositions will be combined into a continuous DJ-Set.

    It will be possible not only to listen to the music, but also to dance to it. The number of your work will be shown on the big screen while your song is playing for voting.

    Listening Music

    The competition accepts music compositions in any audio format - .mp3/.ogg/.xm/.s3m - not exceeding 3 minutes in length, performed in a free style suitable for mass listening by the audience in the hall.

    Tracked Music

    The contest accepts music compositions in audio formats .xm/.s3m/.mod/.it/XRNS/Sunvox - not more than 3 minutes long.

    Max file size 4 Mb.

    External plugins are not allowed.

    Internal effects (Impulse Tracker DMO, Renoise, Sunvox) are allowed.

    Please provide an .mp3 (.ogg) version, in order to play the composition correctly during the show.

    If there are not enough entries for a particular contest, related contests may be merged.

    Chiptune Music

    The contest accepts either music written specifically for programmable audio generator chips (AY, SID, GBS, OPL) or music in .mod format, without digitised sounds, containing only elementary samples in the form of simple waveforms close to the sounds synthesised by the chips: (meander, saw, triangle, sine wave, white noise), without the use of additional filters and other digital samples.

    Works are accepted in the form of a source of the corresponding music editor (.pt3, .lsdj, .mod) with exact indication of the name and version number of the editor or in the form of an executable file playing the given composition.

    The duration of the song should not exceed 3 minutes.

    Maximum number of channels for tracker mod music is 4.

    The size of the file is not more than 64 kb.

    The composition must not be looped.

    Please provide an .mp3 (.ogg) version, in order to play the composition correctly during the show.

    Default channel allocation for playing music for ZX Spectrum platform: ABC.

    AI Music

    The contest accepts any music made using AI tools (artifical neural networks, GAN etc.)

    Author must list all tools used to create this music (software, web services etc).

    It is recommended to provide several phases.

    The duration of the song should not exceed 3 minutes.

    One work from author.

    Graphics compos

    General rules for graphic competitions

    Using AI tools are allowed only for AI Graphics compo!

    Images with erotic/pornographic content will be screened out during pre-selection, as they may have an unfair advantage over other works in the voting process.

    Please refrain from insults to specific companies and personalities, as well as foul language. Remember that your work will be publicly displayed and distributed.

    The author must provide 4 intermediate phases of creation of the work (including the stages of drawing on paper, if it was taken as a basis) to confirm the authorship and adherence to the rules (except for AI Music compo).

    When showing the work, the organisers have the right to change the resolution of the image based on the limitations of the projection equipment.

    HandDrawn Graphics

    This competition assesses your drawing skills without the help of ready-made images, including 3D models (vector graphics are allowed).

    Maximum image resolution: 1920×1080, format: JPG or PNG.

    Modern Graphics

    Modern Graphics Contest is a contest where a participant demonstrates his/her design skills by drawing, processing and combining computer graphics with the help of various graphic editors.

    The contest accepts works made in free style without restrictions: 3D renders, collages, composite photos;

    Maximum image resolution: 1920×1080, format: JPG or PNG.

    You can use any graphic editors to create graphics, such as: Krita, GIMP, Blender, Photoshop or any other of your choice.

    Pixel Art Graphics

    A contemporary pixel art competition is a competition for original artwork, using a small number of colours and low resolution images, where each pixel is hand-painted by the artist.

    The maximum number of colours used is no more than 64.

    The image size is no larger than 320×256 pixels.

    Conversion and/or borrowing of OTHER images or fragments thereof is prohibited

    Do not forget to specify the number of colours used, image size and tools used in the .nfo file (this information will be displayed on the screen before the work is shown).

    The work will be shown on a 16:9 screen, but in proportional scaling. You can use any graphics editor to create pixel art graphics, for example: Aseprite, GraFX2, Pixlr, PiskelApp or any other of your choice.

    ZX Spectrum Graphics

    Graphics for ZX Spectrum 256x192 computer in scr format (6912 bytes),

    All works must be original, no copies.

    The time of displaying the work is not more than 1 minute.

    Oldskool Graphics

    The contest accepts graphic works adapted for display on retro computers, using their hardware features and limitations of graphic modes, such as: colour palette, number of colours per line or space (clashing), screen proportions, etc.

    Copying, converting fragments or tracing images is allowed, provided that at least 60% of the image is changed. Simply converting images without further refinement is not allowed.

    ALL images used in the creation of the work must be submitted to determine the degree of processing and adaptation of the image to the chosen video mode.

    Submit an executable file if you are using non-standard hardware or software video modes such as: multicolor, gigascreen, tricolor, etc.

    List of available platforms: Atari 2600, Atari XL/XE, ZX Spectrum, Timex Computer 2048, Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64, BK-0010/11M, MSX, PC CGA (320×200/4 colours or 640×200/2 colours), NES, Mattel Intellivision, Sharp MZ-700, Game Boy (1989), Game Boy Color. If your platform is not on the list, please contact the organisers to make arrangements.

    Recommended resources for learning: ZX Spectrum Graphics FAQ.

    Oldskool Textmode Graphics

    The contest accepts graphic images created with symbols in one of the text modes: ANSI, ASCII, PETSCII, SPECSCII, ATASCII, Teletext graphics.

    Maximum size: 80×1000.

    Please provide a final (rendered) image in .png format for the voting system and verification of the correct display.

    Acid View 6.0 in 80×26 VGA mode will be used to display graphics;

    Animation is not allowed.

    Only the standard colour palette provided by the selected default mode is allowed.

    ANSI/ASCII: 80 characters wide, no height limit.

    PETSCII works width: 40 characters, height not limited.

    SPECSCII works width: 32 characters, height not limited.

    Width of ATASCII works: 40 characters, height not limited.

    Teletext: Teletext level 1 is allowed: 40 characters wide.

    AI Graphics

    The contest accepts graphic images created using AI tools (artifical neural networks, GAN etc)

    You must list all tools used to create image (software, web services etc)

    It is recommended to provide several phases.

    Animation / Video

    Any video materials are allowed for the contest: 3D/2D animation, video clips, skits, short films, etc.

    The work must be in line with the spirit of the festival (at the discretion of the organisers).

    Recommended resolutions: 1280×720 and 1920×1080 (16:9) 60Hz. AVI, MPG or MP4 format, MPEG1, MPEG2 or MPEG4 (XVid/DivX/H.264) video codecs, MP3 or AAC audio codecs.

    Maximum show time: 10 minutes.

    Demo / Intro contests

    General rules for Demo / Intro contests

    If there are not enough entries for a particular contest, related contests may be merged. The sequence of merging is as follows:

    - First, contests with different platforms are merged (e.g. Oldskool 256b intro is shown together with HighEnd 256b intro).

    - If combining platforms is not enough, contests with different maximum file sizes are combined (e.g. all entries for all 256b intro platforms will be shown together with all entries for all 4kb intro platforms in a single contest).

    When moving between parts of the programme it is not allowed to wait for a key to be pressed (although it is possible to react to a pressed key to speed up the transition to the next part).

    The end of the work must be clearly marked: the end of the melody playing, a static picture. Exception: part of the credits that can be looped, 256b intro.

    The work must not be a continuous animation.

    Maximum show time includes pre-calculus.

    If unusual equipment is required, please bring it with you for proper display at the festival, and be sure to contact the organisers. A video recording of the work is highly desirable - both to check that it is shown correctly on our equipment, and to show in case of technical problems.

    A link to YouTube/Vimeo is welcome. The video must not be publicly available until the end of the competition. Use the link distribution mode, but the link itself should not be publicly distributed.

    HighEnd 256b intro

    Works for any modern computers (PC, Mac, Linux, Amiga with accelerator) and consoles older than 5th generation (inclusive).

    Maximum file size - 256 bytes

    Maximum display time - 3 minutes.

    HighEnd 4kb intro

    Works for any modern computers (PC, Mac, Linux, Amiga with accelerator) and consoles older than 5th generation (inclusive).

    Maximum file size - 4096 bytes

    Maximum display time - 3 minutes.

    HighEnd 64kb intro

    Works for any modern computers (PC, Mac, Linux, Amiga with accelerator) and consoles older than 5th generation (inclusive).

    Maximum file size - 64kb

    Maximum display time - 10 minutes.

    HighEnd demo

    Works for any modern computers (PC, Mac, Linux, Amiga with accelerator) and consoles older than 5th generation (inclusive).

    Maximum file size - unlimited

    Maximum display time - 10 minutes.

    Oldskool 256b intro

    Works for retrocomputers and consoles with 8/16-bit CPUs: C64, VIC20, BC, ZX Spectrum, Vectrex, Atari XL, MSX, NES, SNES, Gameboy, ZX Enhanced, TS-Conf, Amiga (without accelerator), and others in their basic configuration.

    Maximum file size - 256 bytes

    Maximum display time - 3 minutes.

    Oldskool 4kb intro

    Works for retrocomputers and consoles with 8/16-bit CPUs: C64, VIC20, BC, ZX Spectrum, Vectrex, Atari XL, MSX, NES, SNES, Gameboy, ZX Enhanced, TS-Conf, Amiga (without accelerator), and others in their basic configuration.

    Maximum file size - 4096 bytes

    Maximum display time - 10 minutes.

    Oldskool demo

    Works for retrocomputers and consoles with 8/16-bit CPUs: C64, VIC20, BC, ZX Spectrum, Vectrex, Atari XL, MSX, NES, SNES, Gameboy, ZX Enhanced, TS-Conf, Amiga (without accelerator), and others in their basic configuration.

    Maximum file size - unlimited

    Maximum display time - 10 minutes.

    ZX Spectrum 640kb demo

    Works for ZX Spectrum 128/+2/+2a/+3 or Pentagon.

    Maximum file size - 640kb

    Maximum display time - 10 minutes.

    One Scene demo compo

    We accept works with only one scene, i.e. one effect with small variations.

    Any platforms.

    Demonstrated effect must be original and not a fragment or a copy of previously published work.

    Maximum file size - no restrictions.

    Maximum display time - 1 minute.

    1kb procedural graphics

    Graphics created by a programme in the process of work with the help of various algorithms.

    Any platforms except virtual (see Virtual / Fantasy demo)

    The result of your programme must be a picture. Any hardware and software video modes are allowed (gigascreen, multicolour, etc.).

    The picture should be static, except for hardware flickering (for example, FLASH on ZX Spectrum).

    Maximum file size - 1kb

    Maximum precalculus time - 1 minute.

    Virtual / Fantasy demo

    The contest accepts works for non-existent in reality and virtual computers, platforms or emulators like: PICO-8, TIC-80, Pixel Vision 8, HomeGirl, MicroW8, etc., as well as works on Javascript/HTML5, Flash, bat/cmd, etc.

    A configured emulator must be provided. Uploading data from the Internet is not allowed.

    No size restrictions

    Maximum display time: 10 minutes.

    Wild demo

    Any demo working on non-standard equipment, which the author should bring with him to the festival and provide to the organisers to show the work, will be accepted for the contest.

    In case of technical difficulties with such demonstration, the author can provide a video recording that leaves no doubts about the demo working on this equipment.

    There are no size restrictions

    Maximum display time: 10 minutes.

    Game compo

    This contest accepts entries for desktop, retro or mobile platforms.

    In case there are more than 3 entries for a particular platform, they can be moved to their own separate category.

    Only games published last year or unpublished are allowed

    To demonstrate the game on the big screen, you are required to submit a video clip with pre-recorded gameplay no longer than 5 minutes;

    The author can also get up on stage during the video show and talk about his game in person.

    Invitation compo

    This contest accepts any work, the essence of which is an invitation to Chaos Constructions'2024. This is primarily an invitation intro, but it can also be a wild demo, images or anything else - the format is not limited.

    Unlike other contests, we encourage the earliest possible publication of Invitations, as their purpose is to attract participants and visitors to our festival.

    If you already have such a work ready, please tell us about it at [email protected] - we will help to distribute it.

    Works registered for this competition will also be shown at the festival.

    These images and festival logos can be used as supporting materials: Images и Logos.

    Realtime compos

    Realtime competitions are held directly at the festival. You can sign up for the contest at [email protected].

    Shader showdown

    A competition to program real-time effects on a pixel shader, similar to the effects from shaderstoy.com.

    Two programmers go on stage and fight against each other for 25 minutes, programming some visual effects on the screen to the music of a DJ.

    The winner is determined by the audience immediately after the competition, to the noise of the crowd cheering.

    Pixel shader programming is done in GLSL/DX11/DX9 languages (optional) in Bonzomatic environment.

    It is forbidden to use any other programming tools, as well as mobile phones, pens, notebooks and other cheat sheets.

    It is allowed to connect your own keyboard and change the key combinations responsible for copy, cut, paste and changing the keyboard layout.

    The competition is conducted according to the Olympic system.

    The draw is closed - at the discretion of the organisers.

    Realtime Music

    Participants are not restricted by anything except the theme and time of the contest.

    The contest is held on participants' computers. It is recommended to bring your own software.

    Music is written by authors on any computers in any music programmes.

    Realtime Graphics

    Directly at the festival it is necessary to draw an image on a given theme.

    You will need a computer or tablet and an input tool (mouse, graphics tablet, etc.) that you are comfortable with.
    It is forbidden to use homemade materials or materials from the Internet during the assignment.
    The picture is accepted with intermediate stages (at least six).

    The theme will be announced at the festival.

    Realtime ZX 53с Graphics

    Directly at the festival, you must draw an image on the given theme.

    Attribute ZX Spectrum graphics - 32 x 24, 53 colours. Online editor: https://53c.retroscene.org/

    The theme will be announced at the festival.