Compo rules

Traditionally we'll have a graphic, music, demo, intro and wild compos for the Atari XL/XE, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC.

Entries can be sent to vasco@atari8.info, the deadline is the 10th of July, 2021, at 12:00 PM but it'd be easier for us if you could send it earlier. You'll get an e-mail to confirm we got your entry.

We accept remote entries.

Visitors and people with supporter tickets can vote.

We expect prizes for the winners!

  • General rules:
    • entries may not have been released or made public before,
    • at least three entries from at least two authors are required for the compo to go ahead,
    • if that's not the case, we reserve the right to merge the compos (however we'll let people know what compo particular entry was originally submitted to),
    • only original entries can be submitted to the music and graphic compos, no covers, no remixes, no mash-ups,
    • music and graphics entries should be submitted in one of the popular formats (or as an executable file, but only if you really need to!), more details below,
    • whenever it's possible, the compos will be anonymized, so should be your graphic/music entry,
    • playback time: up to 3 minutes,
    • entries should come with a .txt file including at least a name of the entry, compo this entry is submitted to and the author(s),
    • entries that don't meet the above-mentioned criteria may end up in a wild compo,
    • by submitting your entry you declare its freeware status.
  • Not so general rules:
    • Atari XL/XE:
      • entries using the extended memory should allow to choose the bank - it can be done by using a bank selector, additional config file or even by an extra block containing bank numbers (this block wont count against the file size in any size limited compos),
      • illegal 6502 instructions are... illegal,
      • Atari has a brilliant architecture that allows all sort of different expansions and extensions - submitting entries that won't work with them is against the rule.
      • Demo Compo:
        • memory limit: 1056 KB (64+992, 62 PortB banks).
      • VBXE Demo Compo:
        • memory limit: 1056 KB (64+992, 62 PortB banks).
      • 16 KB Intro Compo:
        • filesize limit: 16 KB,
        • memory limit: 320 KB.
      • 256 B Intro Compo:
        • filesize limit: yes, you guessed it! 256 B,
        • memory limit: 320 KB.
      • Music Compo
      • Covox Compo
        • .MOD files either supported by Protracker 1.5 from MadTeam or supported by Neotracker, max 62 samples,
        • .NEO files, max 62 samples.
      • Graphics Compo
      • VBXE Graphics Compo:
        • resolution up to 336x240 px, 256 colours,
        • we'll use the FX 1.26 core (if your entry requires a different one, it needs to be submit along with your entry as an .XBF file)
    • Commodore 64:
      • original config, unmodified C-64, 1541-II, Action Replay, new/old SID,
      • if your entry needs non-standard config, let the orgas know before the 3rd of July 2021,
      • all entries should be submitted as the .prg.
      • Demo Compo
        • .d64 files are allowed.
      • 16 KB Intro Compo:
        • you got it right, 16 KB!
      • Music Compo:
        • old/new SID.
      • Multi SID Music Compo:
        • up to three new SIDs - 8580 (additional SIDs should be addressed at $D420 i $D440).
      • Graphics Compo
        • an author needs to submit at least 3 different stages on the entry on top of the final one.
    • ZX Spectrum:
      • config: ZX Spectrum 48 + AY, ZX Spectrum 128, DivIDE,
      • entries need to be provided as .tap files,
      • intros and demos need to start automatically; they can use both AY and the speaker,
      • size limit DOES NOT include Basic loader: 10 CLEAR stack: LOAD ""CODE: RANDOMIZE USR address,
      • size limit only includes the actual binary block.
      • Demo Compo
      • 16 KB Intro Compo:
        • filesize limit: 16 KB.
      • 1 KB Intro Compo:
        • filesize limit: 1 KB.
      • 256 B Intro Compo:
        • filesize limit: 256 B.
      • AY Music Compo
      • Beeper Music Compo
      • Graphics Compo
        • .scr files (6912 B) or executable files.
    • Amstrad CPC:
      • Config: Amstrad CPC 6128, Gotek, Parados 1.1,
      • submit entries as disk images (.DSK or .HFC).
    • Game compo - will include entries from all platforms:
      • For a platform specific requirements you can refer to that platform's demo compo rules. All rules apply except the size - there's no size limit in compo,
      • Games for other platforms - just stick to the most common specs, we trust your common sense,
      • limit pamięci: taki sam jak limit dla dem na daną platformę,
      • limit wielkości plików: brak,
      • If it's on a cart, make sure to provide a file that can be used to program that cart, as well as a file that can be used in an emulator,
      • Before showing the game, we'll provide the audience with all the specs (the platform, memory, other requirements etc),
      • Authors (or people assigned by them) will have five minutes to show the gameplay and talk about the game. If the author is not present and can't delegate anyone, we reserve the right to get the worse player ever to show your game. Or the best player, you never know,
      • You can get the visitors to play and test the game for you but only during the day we hold the compo (more than likely Saturday). The game in compo version can't be released before.
      • Wild Compo - will include entries from all platforms:
        • surprise us! :)