Party Review for Mekka Symposium 1998
found in | Type | Author | Year |
Diskmagazine AGA Chipset required | Endzeit Alvin - Antibyte - Cougar - ... | a6/98 added 7/98 |
MS 98 RokDaZone MS'98 - I've Been There! by RokDaZone/Endzeit Some things are bigger than life and you recognise them if they are able to bring back motivation to people who seemed to be lost for the Scene already. Mekka & Symposium 1998 seems to have been one of those things as not less than four Sceners decided for a comeback, underneath them Brainwasher, coder of Rage!. Some things then again don't seem to make sense when looked at them closely. Latest since the event in 1996, the Mekka & Symposium is said to be good for only deeply-dark red losses for the organisers. 1998 might be not exception because as Rawstyle tells us they needed 650 visitors to carry their own expenses. They expected 1200 and that's what the pricecalculations were based on according to Steeler. 900 came. Let's hope they don't look too closely at it. The Technical Aspects Much like last year, the Heidmarkhalle in Fallingbostel/Lower Saxony/Germany has been the partyplace. When the announcement of the decision for this location were officially spread, reactions were far from enthusiast. In fact although the MS'97 has been quite a good party when it comes to mood and athmosphere, the possibilities of the old sportshall were roughly limited. The hall was too light, the foodsupply almost and the cleaning service absolutely not worth to be mentioned. There was no space for sleep, only the internet cafe found widely positive recognition. In 1998 the internet cafe was missing. "It was by far much too expensive last year. This time we have an access via T-Online which saves us a lot of money, but its not stable afterall." Steeler again told us. Oh yes, it was indeed only a few times over the four days the network was accessable from the partyplace. Moreover: There were no computers supplied like in the year before so without the needed hardware no way for INetting. A severe drawback here again? Surely not. First of all the extra space won from not installing an area for the cafe was needed badly as the hall really is not the hugest. Although INet for all and free is something splendid, the MS still is economically too small to feature a decent access yet. Most of all: People weren't hanging and playing around in the net all the time. Instead they gained some time to participate activly in the party. Here we come to something really interesting: Where were all our Quakers? Had they all packed their bags and headed for The Gathering? It was almost scaring to see that most of the people were doing something with their equipment that could only be described as creative processes! More or less again as some certain people from e.g. Birdhouse Projects once again proved that their type of amusement is neither creative nor amusing. Well, but somehow we got used to it afterall and to keep fair: This time they were only loud while especially in 1997 there have been by far more real nuisances around. The technical supply has been slightly improved this year it seemed. Especially the lighting was by far better than in 1997. Apart from a few short powerfailures on the first day there were no real disturbances. The more it seems strange that already the first competitions have been delayed for more than one hour. The Competitions When judging a party one always has to keep one eye on the releases in the competition and sadly like stated before in this magazine. In this category MS'98 wasn't a success. While in previous years Artwork and Oxyron (Arsenic) guaranteed for Class-A releases, both groups dropped back this time. Artwork presented its much discussed final demo, which has been put together in literally one week completely. This release surely features some highly interesting effect combinations but in its eccentric presentation it had no chance and ended at the eigth rank. Also Oxyron released something but incognito. As Graham told us: "Axis asked me for an idea what he could do here at the place and I just said: 'Code a demo!'" According to the German C64 coder, who programmed the realtime universe in Artworks 'Exit Planet Dust', the ex-Arsenic coder Axis just sat down and started to hack on his keyboard. The result is said to be that strange Big-Rat Demo that ended at the second last place. The best productions came from Abyss who gave us a flood of releases. 'A-Type', 'Rise of the Rabbits 2', 'Family Business', 'Tribute' and 'Extralife' plus the winning picture from Cyclone and other individual participations made "The Deepest Experience" the uncrowned victors of the event. Uncrowned as for not known reasons they failled in winning the Democompetition where Haujobb won with a good but not very original (apart from the BOBS) 'Aphrodisae'. Also in the 40k Competition they were unlucky where 'Super Autodrome 2' surely not undeserved took away the first place, although surely the big name played a not minor role in the audiences decision. Complete desasters the 4k- and Wild Competitions. Maybe we take the Scene too seriously, but if you have watched four years in a row always the same nerdish 'Slay-a-PC' videos, you get completely spoiled by the 35th upwash. The 4k-Competition was barely non-existant as only one intro even deserved this name. Other A-Do's What would MS be without its special events? Not MS so much is sure. Tassle features the most spectacular of them in the following article so in case of interest you know where to find further info. When it comes to sleeping and sanitarian and other hygienic conditions one can only say that they improved services to a highly acknowledgable degree. Also the foodsupply with a professional grill outside and sandwiches plus sweets at the information desk was by far better then in previous years although the prices were of centralstation-kiosk level. Summing Up No doubt when it comes to parties, the MS-staff is the leading team. The organising works out so smooth that one really can say they brought it near to perfection. As usual the mood within the attenders was absolutely stunning. A friendly and relaxed athmosphere, celebrations in and outside and organisers who despite all horror, work and hectic did not forget about their own partyfeeling made it my second favourite party so far with MS'96 still slightely in the lead, directly followed by the Summer Party'96 and MS'97. When seeing that in 10 years Scene I already visited a quite respectable amount of parties so far (20?), three MS'ses in the top four gives a good impact on my biasednes towards this series. Maybe you have been at The Gathering. Maybe you will visit The Assembly. Me, I have been at Mekka & Symposium - I really pitty you.