Byterapers

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Byterapers, abbreviated (B), is a Finland-based demoscene group formed in 1986. It is one of the oldest demogroups still in existence. Although the most famous Byterapers productions are for the Commodore 64, the group has also produced some material for the Amiga, the PC and mobile platforms. In the 1980s, Byterapers was also active in software cracking, as there was no clear distinction between the demoscene and the pirate scene. The total number of Byterapers' releases, both legal and illegal, exceeds one thousand.

For several years, Byterapers actively organized demoparties that used to be among the major events of the era. The first ever demo compo in Finland was arranged at the first Byterapers copyparty in August 1988. This contest also happens to be the world's earliest democompo with documented evidence still intact. Byterapers was also one of the groups responsible for the organization of the first Assembly demo party in 1992.

Since the late 1990s, the productive activity of Byterapers has greatly diminished, and the group has been more concentrated on the documentation of the history of the Finnish demoscene. Yet the group is still in existence and managed to release a demo now or then. Byterapers members are active in the demoscene and can be seen in various Finnish and foreign demoparties. The group is thinking to get more active in demomaking during 2006/2007.

On 10 to 13 August 2006, Byterapers celebrated their 20th birthday, with an invitation only party. About 40 Byterapers members and guests traveled to the Byterapers birth home, the town of Iisalmi in middle Finland.