MSX Italia at RetroFutura Vigevano with a conference on Chrono Runner hosted by Lorenzo Mancini

da | April 19, 2026 | Events

There's something special about retrocomputing events: they're not just trade shows, but true meeting points for stories, people, and passions that endure. The MSX Italia Association's participation in Retro Futura, held in the charming Cavallerizza del Castello di Vigevano, was exactly that: a concentration of enthusiasm, expertise, and friendship.


Chrono Runner conquers the public

The heart of the day was the conference:

🎀 β€œChrono Runner: The 8-bit Mosaic of the MSX Italia Association”
Speaker: Lorenzo Mancini

An intervention that was able to combine technique and passion, telling in an engaging way the birth and development of Chrono Runner, a collective project that became reality on the MSX platform.

During the conference, the audience was able to discover:

  • the genesis of the idea and the teamwork behind the project
  • the technical challenges of the MSX1
  • using the MSXgl framework and C programming
  • the value of collaboration in the Italian MSX scene

Not just a simple presentation, but a journey behind the scenes of development, capable of enthralling both nostalgics and those approaching the 8-bit world today.

πŸŽ₯ The full video of the conference will soon be available on our YouTube channel.


An event full of protagonists

Retro Futura once again confirms itself as a point of reference for Italian retrocomputing, thanks also to the presence of key players in the sector:

  • Retrocampus
  • The Video Game Newsstand
  • Arcade Italy
  • the historic magazine Zzap!

All this was made possible by the Airons Association, with the contribution of leading figures such as Paolo Besser and Pierangelo Di Palma.


The MSX Italia team present in Vigevano

Representing the association during the event and conference were:

  • Alfio Corsaro
  • Lorenzo Mancini
  • Stefano Roperto
  • Ivan Michelucci

We also have a very welcome guest from the retro scene:

  • Giuseppe Negro aka Giusimo89
  • Paolo Besser of ZZAP

A presence that made the event even more special, helping to create a unique atmosphere of sharing, discussion, and genuine passion.


The greatest value: finding yourself again

Beyond the technical and cultural component, what really makes Retro Futura special is the human side.

Reuniting with old friends, making new acquaintances, sharing memories and projects: this is the true driving force of the MSX community. Every booth, every conversation, every demo loaded onto a real machine becomes a moment of authentic connection between people who speak the same language of bits, sprites, and passion.


MSX isn't just nostalgia

Events like Retro Futura demonstrate that MSX is not just a thing of the past, but a vibrant platform, capable of generating new projects, new ideas, and new collaborations.

Chrono Runner It is concrete proof of this: a mosaic built by many hands, which perfectly represents the spirit of the MSX Italia Association.


πŸ’™πŸ’› Thanks to everyone who came to visit us, to those who participated in the conference and to those who continue to believe in the Italian MSX scene.

See you next time… always 8-bit! πŸ•ΉοΈ

In the closing credits, a little curiosity, there were also some board games inspired by the great video games of the 80s on display.

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