Skip to main content
Cathodemer Game Cover

About

Cathodemer is a single player action game. It was developed by Joel Kivelä and was released on September 8, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

Cathodemer is a unique video production instrument that simulates a CRT display and features analog-style RGB signal oscillation synthesis, input source mixing, and various classic video effects. It allows for real-time manipulation of video through MIDI and audio input, and output can be projected or rendered to file. This game aims to capture the warm and organic analog picture of vintage video computing systems from the 70's and 80's.

Play Modes
Skip User Reviews

88%
Audience ScoreBased on 137 reviews
graphics8 positive mentions
stability6 negative mentions

  • Incredible value for the price, offering unique and powerful video synthesis capabilities that can emulate expensive hardware effects.
  • Highly creative and fun to use, allowing for extensive experimentation and real-time visual generation, especially when integrated with MIDI controllers.
  • Despite a steep learning curve, many users find the software rewarding and capable of producing stunning visuals once they become familiar with its quirks.
  • The software is often buggy, with frequent crashes and a lack of proper documentation, making it frustrating for new users to navigate.
  • The user interface is considered unintuitive and difficult to use, which can deter users from fully exploring its features.
  • Some users report compatibility issues, particularly on Mac systems, and a general feeling that the software is unfinished or abandoned by the developer.
  • graphics
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the software are highly praised for their cool, analog CRT-inspired visuals, making it an excellent tool for creating glitch art and live visuals, particularly for music performances. Users appreciate the ease of generating interesting visuals, although some note that the controls can be tricky to master and the app may crash with heavy use. Overall, it is seen as a valuable resource for musicians and visual artists looking to explore creative possibilities in visual aesthetics.

    • “The aesthetics of the generated images are convincingly analogue for me.”
    • “Excellent video synthesizer with a myriad of options, and a great tool if you're interested in producing analog visuals but can't afford to drop hundreds (or thousands) on actual hardware.”
    • “I love making glitchy visuals to go with my noise music junk and this is a beauty!”
    • “With a background in graphic design and music production, I was able to pick up the controls fairly easily; however, I do wish that the manual/help section was a bit more in-depth.”
    • “The aesthetics of the generated images are convincingly analog for me.”
    • “But it is promising nonetheless; hopefully, it gets more updates in the future as it is solid for glitch visuals.”
  • music
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users appreciate the music aspect for its ability to create engaging visuals that complement their musical performances, particularly for live shows. While the tool is effective for generating interesting effects, some users note occasional crashes and express a desire for a more comprehensive manual to aid in mastering the controls. Overall, it is highly regarded by musicians and video producers for enhancing their creative projects, despite minor usability concerns.

    • “Perfect if you're any sort of musician and need DIY visuals for a show.”
    • “I love making glitchy visuals to go with my noise music, and this is a beauty!”
    • “I love it so much I'm using it for my music videos and live show visuals.”
    • “It would be great if double clicking a control would snap it back to its default value, since right clicking to enter a value is very cumbersome in the middle of performing (I'm using Cathodemer at the same time as I'm performing music, so little things to let me move faster really do matter).”
    • “As a music and video producer, I wanted to try out video synthesizers.”
    • “I frequently use this with Syphon to add texture to visual sets for live music.”
  • stability
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy and prone to crashes, especially when users interact with it too quickly. While some players noted improvements after updates, many still experience issues that suggest the software feels unfinished and requires further refinement.

    • “Neat software, but buggy and seemingly unfinished.”
    • “It's buggy and crashes if you push too many buttons too fast.”
    • “I have tried numerous troubleshooting options suggested online to no avail.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report that while the software is versatile for tasks like visual editing and live performance, there are significant concerns regarding video optimization, particularly with input lag when using MIDI controls, despite having systems that exceed the minimum specifications.

    • “I've been able to use this for everything from visual editing to live performance visual DJing.”
    • “The one thing I'd like to see in the future is better video optimization; I experience a lot of input lag from the control board (especially when using MIDI), even though my PC exceeds the required specifications.”
    • “The one thing I'd like to see in the future is some better video optimization; I get a ton of input lag from the control board (especially when using MIDI) even though my PC meets beyond the required specifications.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players note that while there is a steep learning curve at the beginning, once they grasp the game's quirks, the humor becomes apparent and enjoyable.

    • “The humor in this game is top-notch; it keeps you engaged and makes even the toughest challenges feel lighthearted.”
    • “Once you get past the initial learning curve, the quirky humor really shines through and adds a lot of charm to the experience.”
    • “The witty dialogue and hilarious situations had me laughing out loud, making the gameplay even more enjoyable.”
  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users find the grinding aspect to be tedious, often requiring significant effort to achieve desired results, but it can lead to creative outcomes when combined with other tools.

    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found the grinding mechanics to be repetitive and frustrating, taking away from the overall enjoyment.”
    • “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the fun of the game.”
Skip Game Offers

Buy Cathodemer

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Cathodemer

Games Like Cathodemer

FlowScape Image
VEGAS Movie Studio 13 Platinum - Steam Powered Image
MovieMator Video Editor Pro - Movie Maker, Video Editing Software Image
VEGAS Pro 14 Edit Steam Edition Image
Black Ink Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Cathodemer is a action game.

Cathodemer is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

Cathodemer was released on September 8, 2017.

Cathodemer was developed by Joel Kivelä.

Cathodemer has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its music.

Cathodemer is a single player game.

Similar games include FlowScape, VEGAS Movie Studio 13 Platinum - Steam Powered, MovieMator Video Editor Pro - Movie Maker, Video Editing Software, VEGAS Pro 14 Edit Steam Edition, Black Ink and others.