Rebirth of America, this is my time

Half an hour later, Nolan Bushnell’s office was filled with the rich aroma of coffee.

Ethan Jones was leaning on the sofa with a smile. Opposite him, two people were sitting. One was Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, whom Ethan had known for a long time. The other was wearing a suit and hat. A middle-aged man wearing a bow tie and slicked back hair.

When he first saw the middle-aged man, Ethan narrowed his eyes.

Because he always felt that the other person looked very familiar.

After Nolan Bushnell’s introduction, Ethan almost jumped up while sitting on the sofa.

Because that guy's name is Don, his surname is Valentine, and his full name is Don Thomas Valentine.

He is an investor in Atari, the founder of Sequoia Capital, and the founder of American venture capital.

When a figure who could appear in financial textbooks in the future appeared, saying he was not surprised would be a lie. At that moment, Ethan could clearly feel his heart pounding.

But when the other party extended his right hand in a friendly manner, expressing that he was very happy to see Ethan, and played "Snake" on the spot, and was immediately stunned by the amazing display, Ethan discovered that his heart rate had recovered. returned to its usual state.

In Ethan's previous life, these guys might have been big guys.

Let’s not say that the name will remain in history, but there will still be people talking about it for fifty years.

But now?

When the wave of history first started, everyone was the same, an ordinary person.

At this moment, whoever seizes the opportunity will be able to ascend to the altar.

In this case...

‘I’m so excited for a cheater! ’

Ethan looked at the two of them with a smile, his excitement completely gone.

And his attitude was also clearly seen by the two people opposite him. After watching for a moment, Nolan Bushnell spoke first.

"Ethan, since you know the current situation of our Atari, I will tell you directly. Yes, our Atari will not be able to release the games we develop in the next year, that is, before May next year. , But this does not mean that we, Atari, will decline because of this, because other arcade companies on the market simply do not have the ability to challenge us."

Nolan Bushnell was very confident and said with a smile: "It's not that I despise them, but that I look down on them at all. Because according to our investigation, those traditional arcade manufacturers still want to do the spinach business. They Attempting to continue to combine video games with spinach, which they are best at, I think you have seen this with your own eyes today. And their plan is impossible to succeed, at least at this stage."

"Before arcades were turned into computers, normal photoelectric feedback could not control the game results. If the game results could not be controlled, spinach games could not be developed. Therefore, all electronic games can do now is entertainment."

"And speaking of entertainment..."

Speaking of this, Nolan Bushnell's smile became even brighter.

Spreading his hands, he said: "After we reached a settlement with Mi Luohua, Mi Luohua launched a lawsuit against all the companies that have produced table tennis games on the market. Before these lawsuits are concluded, I believe that those companies have no Focus on releasing games."

Yes! When Milohua found out that they couldn't do anything to Atari, they frantically took all the game companies on the market to court, hoping to seize the benefits that should belong to them from those infringers!

On the way to Atari, Steve Jobs had already told Ethan that Exidi and Sega, whom he had contacted before, had received summons from the court. For a period of time, executives of these companies will frequently appear in the dock of the court.

At this time, they were no longer as arrogant as before.

Because everyone knows that no matter how much Nolan Bushnell plagiarizes, he still has some real skills of his own. He has truly stepped out of conventional thinking and opened the door to a new era for all engineers. Therefore, Ralph ·It’s completely understandable that Bell admires him.

And what about these people?

They are really just simple plagiarists.

After hearing the news, Ethan was very glad that he did not reach cooperation with those guys.

And now...

"So?" Ethan laughed, "Mr. Bushnell, what are your conditions?"

"Our terms are simple."

Before Nolan Bushnell could speak, Don Valentine, the founder of Sequoia Capital, spoke up.

"Mr. Jones, we hope to reach a long-term cooperation agreement with you, for example... ninety-nine years? We will pay a fixed fee, which may be thousands or tens of thousands, and then In the next ninety-nine years, we will publish "Snake Game" for you. Of course, in this process, we will also pay you a certain share based on the game revenue of "Snake Game"."

A businessman is a businessman!

You can't expect him to take the initiative to give up profits!

When Atari was unable to release new games due to Milowa's criticism and could only pray for other companies to take over, after seeing "Snake Game", what they were thinking about was to use a long-term agreement to bypass Milowa's copyright restrictions. ?

Oh, this is really—

Driven by profit!

In this case...

"Okay, I can feel your sincerity, but I can't accept this result."

Ethan clapped his hands regretfully and said: "From the current point of view, our negotiations cannot continue. So, let's end it here. If there is a chance, we can cooperate again..."

With that said, Ethan wanted to get up and leave.

And his state surprised the two people present.

"Ethan? No more talking?" Nolan Bushnell asked.

"Mr. Jones, what's wrong with you?" Don Valentine deliberately pretended to be stupid and said, "We have only proposed a preliminary cooperation plan, and the specific cooperation details have not been formally discussed."

"I'm sorry, I don't think we need to discuss it anymore because it's a waste of time."

Ethan smiled and said bluntly: "Maybe it's because my vision is limited, but it's also possible that I haven't gone to college and don't have enough knowledge. After listening to Mr. Valentine's plan, I just feel that our Psychological expectations may be a pair of parallel lines. Seemingly on the same level, but never intersecting.”

"In this case, there is no point in continuing to talk. It will only make both parties unhappy. Therefore, we might as well say goodbye and leave a good impression on both parties."

Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine frowned when they heard the gun-and-stick words.

Although they knew in their hearts that their plan was indeed a bit outrageous, the key to negotiation was originally pulling and pulling.

You talk about your pain, I talk about my difficulties, every word of friction is a struggle for interests.

But now?

We haven’t started talking yet!

Is Ethan ready to run away?

what is this?

Thinking of this, Don Valentine suddenly looked unhappy.

Because he came here specially from other places after receiving the news.

Seeing that Ethan Jones was really about to leave, he immediately said: "Mr. Jones, I still say the same thing. If you have an idea, you can say it directly. If you have differences, you can sit down and talk slowly."

"But at the same time, I can also tell you frankly that if you feel that the conditions offered by Atari are not good, then I can only regretfully express to you that you may not be able to find anyone in this world who is more sincere than us. company."

"If you leave today, I believe you will regret it."

"Who cares? (Who cares?)" Ethan stopped.

‘? ’

These words made Don Valentine frown.

Under his gaze, Ethan Jones turned around, with a bright smile on Ben's calm face.

That smile made both people present a little uncomfortable.

Before they spoke, Ethan said: "Mr. Valentine, are you sure Atari is sincere? Are you sure Atari is my best choice?"

"Of course." Don Valentine answered with certainty.

"No." However, Ethan shook his head and denied directly: "This is just because you feel good about yourself. Atari is not my best choice, because for me, the best choice is HP. "

"What?" Don Valentine didn't understand and looked at Nolan Bushnell with a frown.

At this moment, the founder of Atari was also very confused. When asked by investors, he shook his head decisively.

The two men's exploration was fully visible to Ethan, who smiled directly and said: "It seems that the two gentlemen only know that I am a former employee of Mi Luohua and don't know anything else at all. If that is the case, then I may know how the idea of ​​that outrageous ninety-nine-year contract came about. Because you don’t know that “Snake Game” is not my work alone. Its other inventor is at Stanford.”

"I think you two gentlemen understand what I mean, right?"

Although it was a question, Ethan did not give them a chance to speak and continued——

"I came here with "Snake Game", not because I urgently need you Atari, but because you urgently need me!"

"I came with "Snake Game", not because I can only choose you Atari, but because you need interesting new games!"

"Just because I came with "Snake Game" doesn't mean that Atari is the number one in the industry! If Ralph Bell can cooperate with Milowa to make a home game console, I can also go to HP and ask them if they want to Make an arcade machine!”

‘! ! ! ’

Before he finished speaking, the pupils of the two people who looked at Ethan shrank.

Regarding the birth of "Snake Game", they really don't know.

However, if what Ethan said is true...

"Oh Ethan~ Don't be angry, don't get angry, Tang is just joking for you~"

Nolan Bushnell stood up instantly, a flower-like smile bursting out on his face.

"The longest period of copyright protection is fifty-six years! When Tang said ninety-nine years, he just wanted to liven up the atmosphere!"

"In his imagination, when you hear this number, you will definitely wow and express surprise, and then loudly ask if we understand copyright law. At this time, Don will shout Surprise! Then we will be active Let’s start formal discussions in a certain atmosphere, right, Don?”

"Yeah!" Don Valentine nodded and said affirmatively: "We are a game company! We are still making the latest trendy video games! Even if we have business cooperation, we should do it in a relaxed and happy atmosphere Go down!"

"Ethan, you completely misunderstood what I meant!"

"However, my words may also be ambiguous, and I would like to apologize here."

"Really?" Ethan looked 'accidental', "Did you do it on purpose?"

‘...’ This question made Nolan Bushnell pause for a moment, and then nodded vigorously.

"Of course!" Nolan Bushnell replied affirmatively, patted Ethan on the shoulder, pulled him to sit down, and said at the same time: "If you don't believe it, I can call Steve, Steve Jobs in , let him tell you about our working environment at Atari. Our working atmosphere here is very relaxed! Really! You have to believe me!"

hehe!

Ethan didn't believe their lies.

The so-called ease was nothing more than a compromise after he showed off his strength.

Don Valentine wants to use Atari's market share to negotiate with him?

What a joke!

What is the difference between Atari, which has no independent publishing rights, and the country where the boy is doing well?

Nolan Bushnell said that even if they didn't release games for a year, Atari would still be the industry king? Neither traditional arcade manufacturers nor new arcade manufacturers pose a threat to them? So we chose "Snake Game" as a kindness to you?

sure!

Are you afraid that the labor-capital special code turned around and hugged Stanford's thigh and asked HP to help issue it?

yes! HP does not make arcade games. It makes printers, counters, provides computer systems for large organizations, and sells high-performance workstations...

But that's not important, right?

As long as no one starts the history books and changes the fact that the founder of HP came from Stanford, then as disciples of Fred Terman, they will definitely continue to support Stanford's own projects!

Although HP's sales channels and video games cannot be said to be unrelated to each other, they can only be said to be polar opposites, but HP is a global company! The size of one branch alone can crush Atari to death!

Even if Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentine knew that it was still unknown whether HP would make an arcade machine, in San Francisco, they knew better that you can bet with everyone, but you can't bet with the guy next to you. Crazy college gambling!

Especially when they Atari can't release new games!

So, when Ethan got rid of HP, Nolan Bushnell pulled him to sit down with a smile on his face.

Don Valentine also took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket at the right time and gave it to Ethan.

After seeing that Ethan didn't smoke, he also took the initiative to get up. On the pretext of not disturbing the two of them, he said that he was going out to smoke one and asked Nolan and Ethan to wait.

About five minutes later, when Don Valentine came back, he sat down and rubbed his hands, nodding towards Nolan with a smile on his face.

The founder of Atari, who had been chatting with Ethan for a long time, understood and said: "Ethan, brother! To be honest, when I just saw you, I knew that it must be God's will for us to meet again! He must be the one who asked you to come to our Atari!"

"Since there is God's guidance, our cooperation will definitely be extremely holy! So, here, I am telling you very frankly that I want to cooperate with you. As for the specific content..." He paused and gritted his teeth. : "I think, under the witness of God, he will hope that this is a short-term! Sincere cooperation!"

Hearing this, Ethan smiled.

Not arrogant anymore?

Stop talking nonsense?

Sometimes people are just mean!

You have to give him two slaps before he will be honest!

============

There is a website short post coming in the background, and the recommendations will start tomorrow. Please give me a follow-up reading. This is very important for me as a newcomer, thank you.

Note: ① After Don Valentine founded Sequoia Capital, the first investment project was Atari. Although he is the most famous angel investor in the venture capital circle, he is also the most famous investor who likes to interfere in corporate operations. At Apple, he kicked Steve Jobs out, and at Cisco... it was a disaster. . ②Mirowa has a nickname in the gaming circle called the Suit Stick. Although Atari survived, Mirowa only relied on the copyright and patent rights authorized to them by Ralph Bell. From 1974 to 1994, through lawsuits It made more than 100 million in total. To be honest, when it comes to prosecution, Disney and Nintendo would both call him a teacher. What he did was outrageous.