WEBCORE
The aesthetic of the early Internet (1990s - early 2000s)
The aesthetic of the early Internet (1990s - early 2000s)
Webcore, also known as "Old Web," "Wild West" Era, or "Web 1.0", is an aesthetic expressing nostalgia for the early, less standardized era of the Internet. This period predates the widespread adoption of Flat Design, responsive design principles driven by smartphones, and the dominance of centralized social media platforms.
Webcore draws inspiration from the visual language of early websites, which often featured , vibrant and sometimes clashing colors, pixelated or glitter graphics, ASCII art, embossed buttons, neon backgrounds, and underlined blue links. Simple HTML layouts and the use of clip art were also common.
Thematically, it can overlap with the explorations of early technology seen in Vaporwave. Webcore also includes elements centered around early internet humor and memes. Webcore's philosophical heart yearns for the more decentralized and individualistic nature of the early Web, before the internet became heavily corporatized, algorithmically driven, and dominated by a few large social media platforms, and when web design was less constrained by strict accessibility guidelines and marketing imperatives.
Some potential activities and hobbies of the Webcore aesthetics include going to old webpages and using old avatar chat programs (like the infamous Worlds.com; an old chatting program that is largely abandoned these days save for a dedicated group of people who act like a Satanic cult to mess with newcomers who come in).
Another popular activity within the Webcore aesthetic is playing games that were popular at the time the Old Web aesthetics were prominence (such as The Sims™).
It is also somewhat popular to browse archives of Flash games and animations, such as the one hosted on the Internet Archive (in-browser), or Bluemaxima's Flashpoint (application; requires download). Alternatively, you could play all the original games on Newgrounds as all the Flash players on the site have a built-in Ruffle application that's completely functional.
Webcore, musically, relates itself audibly to Vaporwave, since usually the people who follow this aesthetic are in major part responsible for the Vaporwave movement.
Webcore music can also be music that first gained popularity in the golden days of YouTube.
Several "classic" songs, most notably classic ambient, early electronica, and even new age music could even be considered Webcore music.
Many Webcore screencaps and GIFs come from archived GeoCities websites made by amateur coders and animators. The limited nature of the internet contributed to old Web graphics being a bit rough around the edges. Harsh website design choices, clunky animations, and pixel art are all defining traits of the Webcore aesthetic.
Another main visual aesthetic that this category follows is the rounded blue edge windows that old software on Windows XP achieved, the sharp looking windows that appeared on software from Windows 95/98, or the glassy backgrounds that Windows Vista is much known for (in terms of looks).
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