I’ve already written that Ren’e likes to “go on the road” and make his objects accessible to anyone with a heart for retro games. The Berggut Leipzig-Holzhausen, located in the picturesque Rietzschke district, opened its doors last Sunday for a fascinating exhibition celebrating the history of video games. This exhibition, entitled “50 Years of Video Games”, runs from December 3, 2023 to January 14, 2024 and offers insights into the world of retro gaming culture. Reason enough for me to grab my family and enjoy a retro Sunday. Including a visit to René’s, of course, which I mentioned here.
It is interesting to note that this exhibition was not the first time that René Meyer had presented his unique collection at Berggut Leipzig-Holzhausen. There was already a similar exhibition in 2018, which was also very well received. These events emphasize the importance of Berggut as a cultural meeting place that offers space for such historical and cultural insights. Otherwise, it is more of a local museum, but is well frequented.
The Commodore 64 – the youthful rebel of the computer world of the 80s, a device that had more personality than many a Hollywood star. This little gray box was not just a computer – no, it was the best friend of every technology enthusiast, a true magician in a world full of monotonous office machines. This marvel of technology was like a Swiss army knife for digital entertainment. Whether you were a budding programmer who knew BASIC like a second language or a gamer lost in pixelated adventures, the C64 was a faithful companion.
The games, colorful, inventive and with soundtracks that got stuck in your head like earworms. Some of these games were so challenging that they tested your patience and skill – all with just a few kilobytes of memory. Nowadays you need more memory to send an e-mail! But the Commodore 64 was more than just a games console. It was a gateway to new worlds. You could use it to compose music, create graphics and even do your homework – at least in theory. In practice, however, it was usually the reason why homework was put off until the last minute.
And then there was the manual. A book so thick and informative that it could almost have been used as a substitute for a concrete foundation. It was not just an instruction manual, but also an introduction to the wonderful world of computer science. The Commodore 64 was no ordinary computer. It was (and still is) an icon, a piece of technological history that captured the hearts of millions. In a world where computers were increasingly becoming unremarkable tools, the C64 brought color and fun into the home. It was the cool uncle among computers who always had a surprise up his sleeve. Thanks for that!
The Robotron KC85/4 – a computer as unique as its name and even rarer to buy. This is how one imagines a computer that looks as if it had sprung directly from an alternative reality of the 1980s, when the GDR was the state-run Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe. This chunky charmer from East Germany was more than just a machine; it was a window into a world where technology and Eastern Bloc chic came together in a wonderful way. The KC85/4, with its robust design reminiscent of a mixture of retro-futurism and socialist pragmatism, wasn’t just a computer – no – it was an adventure playground for the tinkering and tech-savvy. With its unique, almost iconic appearance, it could easily have served as a prop in a GDR sci-fi film.
Programming on the KC85/4 was like a journey into another dimension. Instead of user-friendly interfaces, you were greeted by a world of BASIC commands that were more like secret codes than a programming language. Here you could test your coding skills – and your patience. Every line of code was a little adventure, every successfully executed instruction a triumph. And then there were the games. Pixelated graphics that were so charming you couldn’t help but love them. These games required not only skill, but also a fertile imagination to transform the colorful blocks into epic space battles or profound adventures. You just had to believe in it.
But the KC85/4 was not just a toy. It was a symbol of ingenuity and engineering in a time and place where resources were scarce. This computer was proof that creativity and innovation knew no boundaries, neither geographical nor political. The Robotron KC85/4 was not just a piece of hardware. It was an icon, a piece of technological history that shows how far you can go with a little ingenuity and a lot of enthusiasm. In a world dominated by Western computers, the KC85/4 stood proud – a shining example of East German creativity and perseverance. If you could get hold of one.
- 1 - Record-breaking CV
- 2 - Office, office and even more incoming things
- 3 - Cellar paradise and monitor heaven
- 4 - A different kind of home theater
- 5 - When and where the man becomes a basement dweller
- 6 - The great collecting - When the floor becomes a shelf
- 7 - René On Tour - Nostalgia on wheels
- 8 - All hands on deck: the little marvels
- 9 - Collecting mania and real rarities
- 10 - We play a round...
- 11 - We play another round...
- 12 - Played out, conclusion and a cool event idea
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