I''ve found out about new NeHe''s contest. I started to think that i can win it. But then i read rules and become glad because source code and music are optional. But then i''ve read short FAQ on the main page and i''ve found out that max demo size is 20 Megas. I wanna ask directly NeHe. Can i win with a small intro(~60 kb). My intro so small because i generate textures and meshes from my program. But my intro will not have music(i''ve failed to find musician). I think there will be very big monsters. Demos about 5 MB with newest features like pixel and vertex shaders, maybe verlett physic calculations? I (with my damned GF2 MX400 / 64 Mb) can''t programming under GF4 Ti4600. So can i have hope?

Take a look at the winning entry of the Fellowship Of The Ring contest (at NeHe Productions of course) : there are tons of effects in that demo, which obviously was one the most important points for winning the contest, but at this time the entrant only owned a TNT2 ! Well, since then he got a GeForce4 because it was the winning prize

Pixel and vertex shaders are not the only things that should be in the demo. There are lots of other effects that are amazing and don''t rely on high-end functionalities.

Don''t give up ! Imagine if DarkWing (the aforementioned winner) gave up for the LOTR:FOTR contest because of his hardware, he would certainly regret it

I''ve always maintained that it not what technology you use, but how you use it. Simply using the latest and greatest video card features will not make for a winning demo IMHO. My point is: If you have a 64k demo that makes me go "WOW!" when I see it, then you definitely have a good chance of winning over some 10MB+ monster that has tons of pixel shaders etc. but that is boring to watch.

So go on and enter - you might just win

I think you are right, guys! Thanks for supporting young intro maker. I hope this contest will be my first contest (I''ll dare to put my future super-ultra-cool intro) . Also I hope this contest will be first contest in which i''ll take place in the first three of winners.

Hey, it can happen - my LOTR: Two Towers demo was my first ever, and I managed to win a GF FX 5900 Even if you don''t win though, its really worth making an entry as its a fantasic learning experience and you get a LOT of satisfaction in actually completing something. The people in the NeHe forums are also a great lot who give constructive criticism that really helps too - its really cool to hear what others think of your work.

Several questions are still worrying me. What if my intro will be without any sound? This will spoil impression about my intro. With cool music you can make cool sync.

Haven''t you heard? I baggsed winning this one ages ago!
Anyway, I have a couple of things to say about this one: Only per pixel shaders won''t work under GF2 MX400, so that won''t worry you that much. If you really want to look at pixel shaders you can always try to impliment one and send it to someone who can run it. Lots of people on the forum would be glad to give feedback I''m sure.

Anyway you''ll find the minimum specs for any demo would have to be less than what you''ve got, preferably a GF 1. I''m trying to get pixel shading into my demo, but at the same time I have to have a backup otherwise alot of people won''t have any chance at seeing this demo!

With the sound, I''m sure it''s not ultra-important, but it still is better with sound. Try downloading a midi sequencer and make your own music. If it doesn''t sound good enough ask someone on the forum with a live or audigy (I''d be glad to do it for you with my live) to play it and reencode it as an mp3 file - that''d sound better.

Bad hardware isn''t the end of the world when doing a demo!

2 Strider44:
I have Creative SB Live so I can do this job by myself.
If my card doesn''t support pixel shaders - there is nothing to worry about because as you said before not much people''ll be able to watch my demo. I don''t need this. I know how shitty you can feel yourself when you have downloaded demo/intro and instead of a cool effects you get string: "No shaders - No demo"

hmm, so what''s the problem?