The world of retrocomputers and video games is a real treasure trove of fascinating stories, and one of the events that allows you to discover these hidden stories is Varese Retrocomputing. In edition 2023, we had the privilege of immersing ourselves in the Italian epic of video games, with particular attention paid to the history of Cabel Electronic, an Italian company that has left a mark in the sector. In addition, we will also talk about the Mesaton of the Mesa 2 company. We talk about it in the video interview with Andrea Contato of RetroEdicola Videoludica.
Cabel: Italian video game consoles
Cabel Electronic is a name that may not be familiar to everyone, but between 1977 and 1983, this Bergamo company has produced seven different consoles and has contributed to defining the video game industry in Italy. Among the consoles produced by the Cabel, there are the Lem 2000, the Universal Game Computer, Telegioca and Sirius.
Mesaton: an Italian prototype
Among the hidden gems at the Varese Retrocomputing 2023, there is Mesaton, a console prototype produced in Milan from Mesa 2. This fascinating example of Italian engineering has an even more intriguing history behind them. The product was made clandestinely, in the retrobottega, unbeknownst to the main lender of Mesa spa. Despite the artisan production, Mesaton has reached a production of 1400 pieces, a tangible sign of the appetite of Italians for video games.
Curiously, Mesaton and the Universal Game Computer, despite their apparent external differences, share the same Philips technology.
Books and Documentation: Cabel and more
Andrea Contato, an expert collector and author, brought with him a precious collection of books dedicated to the history of Italian video games. Among these, the book dedicated to the Cabel stands out, which traces the company's epic from the beginning to its closure in 2001. This reading offers a complete dive in the history of a company that has marked a gold era of video games in Italy.
C’è anche la biografia di Richard Garriott, l'ideatore della celebre serie di giochi "Ultima". Questo libro è disponibile in inglese e italiano.
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The Varese Retrocomputing 2023 was an extraordinary opportunity to discover the rich story of the retrocomputer and video games. If you want to continue to explore the world of retrocomputer and vintage electronics, subscribe to the YouTube channel @valosoit.