The brilliance created by the blue giant, as well as the "lifelong work" it advertises, will naturally make IBM people feel a sense of pride and belonging, and at the same time, it will also form a group psychology of "decent people should pay attention to things".

In such a situation, Don Estlic's suggestion inevitably seems rebellious and unusual.

Could it be that just because Fangyuan Computer's delusional action to promote its own product standards seems to be violent, IBM-PC will be scared to obediently disclose its technical achievements to confront?

IBM has never seen any kind of wind and waves, in the mainframe era of that year, it staged the drama of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", and faced the challenges of the other seven competitors alone, and did not fall behind, what a high-spirited situation.

Nowadays, in the emerging market of personal computers, it is natural that it can also rely on its profound heritage to crush all competitors head-on.

And what Don Estlic did was, by any measure, a cowardly act of scrambling.

So, when Don Estlic openly admitted that he was going to let the IBM-PC flip the table, he was greeted with contempt.

However, Don Estlic insisted on continuing to elaborate on his ideas, "There are all kinds of signs that the current pattern of the personal computer market is developing in the direction that Fangyuan Computer wants." Only by breaking the process by flipping the table and allowing more third-party vendors to lean towards the IBM-PC platform can we gain space for IBM-PC, a latecomer. ”

Don Estlic looked at him with a lot of mockery, and said in an accentuated tone: "You know, until now. None of the Apple computers have succeeded in launching the successor to the Apple II. This is a sign of the lack of stamina of the new company. The strong and continuous technical research and development strength is IBM's strength, using Intel's next-generation microprocessor 80286 new model IBM-PCAT, you can directly get rid of the entanglement of AppleII, and compete with Fangyuan computer face-to-face. ”

"I found out from your words that you think that the current IBM-PC is not the opponent of Apple Computer and Fangyuan Computer, as the head of the personal computer department, your approach of increasing the prestige of others and destroying your own spirit is very problematic. "Don Estlic's sense of distress. It has attracted unceremonious criticism from some executives.

Don Estlic, who is also a man of great character, immediately slapped his desk in annoyance, "Everyone just sits in the office and argues based on abstract report data, which is out of touch with reality." At present, COMDEX is the most influential business exhibition in the IT field, and it is about to be held, so I suggest that you may wish to visit the site to learn about the latest developments in the development of the personal computer industry. ”

Seeing that everyone was arguing, CEO John Opel waved his hand to let Don Estlic sit back in his place.

This meeting was not specifically about personal computers. There are other more important matters to be taken care of, and we can't go on like this.

After the meeting. Bill Lowo pulled Don Estlici into a secluded place and bluntly criticized: "I can't comment on whether your proposal to disclose IBM-PC technology is justified or not, but I think there is something wrong with your lobbying methods, otherwise you wouldn't have bled three times in a row." ”

"What's the problem?" said Don Estlic, confused.

"There is an obvious implication in your current lobbying method, that is, under the strong pressure of Apple and Fangyuan Computer, you have to passively adopt this method of flipping the table. ”

Bill Lowo patted Don Estlic on the shoulder meaningfully, "The higher-ups at the headquarters naturally hate this argument. You can do it another way, for example, in order to support more third-party vendors to develop hardware and software for IBM-PC, we take the initiative to disclose IBM-PC technology. In this way, there should be less resistance, after all, the PC sector is a new sector, and it has always been relatively free to operate, and it may not be impossible to take an unconventional approach. ”

Don Estlic, who had a bolt of lightning in his mind, suddenly realized that he cursed in annoyance, "Damn bureaucracy." ”

However, Don Estlic admired Bill Lowo more and more, and it was no wonder that his position was promoted so quickly, as if he was a new star of IBM, and he saw the trick of corporate politics and governance too clearly!

"I want the top management of the headquarters to attend this COMDEX to get a positive understanding of the current personal computer industry in full swing, and it is indeed imperative to disclose IBM-PC technology, can you help me lobby for help?" Don Estlic, who had repeatedly hit a wall, began to ask Bill Lowo for help.

"I'll give it a try. Bill Lowo nodded, "I'm curious about the PC market anyway." ”

……

EA Japan and Taito are one of the back roads that Tang Huan has prepared for EA America, and their performance is also worthy of this expectation, including Nintendo, Namco, Sega, and other peers, have been trampled under their feet.

There is no doubt that Nintendo is the biggest sufferer, Shigeru Miyamoto and the red and white machine, as well as Donkey Kong, Mario and other classic games, have been ruthlessly poached in advance, and there is news that it is developing its own home game console.

Namco can be said to be the second biggest sufferer, and the degree of success of "Pac-Man" in the original time and space has even become its company logo, but now, hundreds of thousands of sales, hundreds of millions of dollars, have been spent on his family.

Now that the Japanese economic situation is so good, Tang Huan certainly hopes that Taidong can be like Epson, go public and make money, and Akio Nakanishi, who has been promoted to president, is promoting this matter.

Looking at the documents, Tang Huan pondered in his heart, in this way, he will have two Japanese listed companies in his hands next year, and the funding channels are bound to be more diversified, and even so complicated that it is difficult for others to figure out the details.

After meeting core figures such as Akio Nakanishi, Minoru Matsushita, and Shigeru Miyamoto, Tang Huan left Japan and returned to San Francisco.

……

As soon as he got off the plane, he got the good news that he was in a good mood. Always like a mad dog. The San Francisco Observer, waiting for an opportunity to bite himself. Awarded a court conviction of defamation. The procedures of public apology, loss of money and confession have come down, and the Hearst Group behind it has made a fuss.

However, Tang Huan's idea of bankrupting the San Francisco Observer through a claim was not supported.

After all, this is the United States, and in addition to the deep roots of the Hearst Group itself, the status of the media with the sword of "freedom of speech" is always more transcendent.

Tang Huan didn't pay much attention to this. There are many ways to clean up the San Francisco Observer, and a blunt knife hurts even more.

What's more, it can also be seen from the two things that Tang Wenmao said as a joke that the "San Francisco Observer" is in a very embarrassing situation now.

Due to the serious damage to its own credibility, the sales of the San Francisco Observer plummeted and its business was dismal, and as a result, Fang's newspaper also appeared as a savior, and put forward a proposal to buy it, "Since you are so miserable now, you might as well mix with me." After all, you are also a newspaper with a history of nearly 100 years, and it is a pity that it has closed down. ”

The San Francisco Observer is at a loss for itself. sternly refused, "We are backed by the Hearst Group, and this small setback in front of us is not enough to worry about, and it will soon pass." ”

Although it has resisted the risk of being acquired in a large way, the San Francisco Observer is still plagued by small troubles, such as window glass stubble after stubble, the culprit is some trouble-making teenagers who are afraid that the world will not be chaotic, even if they are caught, it will not help, and it is even more depressing to hear those excuses of "smashing it for fun".

The San Francisco Observer is looking for a new office, and it is clear that it will be at the top level.

"This face, the Hearst Group must hold on. Tang Huan smiled disdainfully, "Then let's bleed it slowly, anyway, this operation is also being done on the Xiangjiang side, so it's easy to get started." ”

……

This time, Tang Huan returned to San Francisco, and he didn't have to be lonely, empty and cold, because Lin Qingfang, who was following the crew of "E.T. Alien", deliberately took time out to accompany him.

The ostensible reason is naturally to thank Tang Huan for his help and find his long-lost sister in the mainland, so that Lin's father and Lin's mother's wish can be fulfilled.

And the harvest of this trip to the mainland far exceeded the expectations of Lin's father and mother, in addition to the eldest daughter, relatives like my younger brother also saw it, and went back to my hometown.

If it weren't for the eldest daughter getting married and having children early, the two old men would have wanted to take her abroad.

Lin Qingbian chattered trivially, "After my sister returned to her original unit this time, she immediately entered the list of 38 Red Flag Bearers and Representatives, and her social status has been significantly improved. ”

Tang Huan laughed, "If you have overseas relations, you just want to eat it." ”

"Thanks to your heart, after the two old men came back from the mainland, they seemed to be ten years younger all of a sudden. Lin Qingbian gratefully offered a fragrant kiss.

Tang Huan smiled and quipped, "Just like this, sincerity is not enough." ”

"Just know you're a greedy guy. Lin Qing glanced at the man coquettishly, and climbed onto the other party's body with a red face.

Tang Huan narrowed his eyes comfortably, and the smile on the corner of his mouth loomed, Lin Meiren rarely took the initiative so much, and she was blessed.

……

The next day, Tang Huan came to Cupertino and first asked about EA's affairs.

Recently, EA has been making a lot of moves, constantly raising its style to prove its contribution and positive impact on society.

For example, according to third-party research, EA's Dingding game, Tetris, has certain therapeutic effects and helps prevent the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder.

In addition, Tetris can also help people with alcohol addiction to quit drinking.

These conclusions are not accepted by the West because they are not supported by scientific methods, as in traditional Chinese medicine, but they are based on reliable samples.

In addition to putting gold on their faces, EA has also increased its investment in the early education function of the Xiaobawang game console.

It's also a counter-effort to cheap computers from companies like Commodore and Texas Instruments, whose prices have dropped again and again, to the $200 price range, which was originally a home video game console.

Coupled with the advertisement - "Instead of buying a game console that can only play games, it is better to buy a computer that can play games and learn at the same time", which really disgusted the original game console manufacturers.

Products like the Atari 2600, whose design is becoming more and more congenitally insufficient, can only follow the price war, and the release price of $199 has long been yesterday's yellow flower.

The $249 launch price of the 1980 version of the Xiaobawang console and the $299 release price of the 1981 version of the Xiaobawang console were also inevitably hit.

However, the Xiaobawang game console is not like the Atari 2600 in addition to price reduction, it was originally a branch of the personal computer design roadmap, the platform's programming ability is very strong, through the game into the field of early education, there is no difficulty, but the unique input method of the game console, a little difficult for children.

In order to establish a good image in the field of early education, EA has discussed several public relations plans, and Tang Huan once happened to encounter a brainstorming, so he casually quipped, "Soeasy, where will not be ordered, my mother no longer has to worry about my study." ”

The idea was adopted, and Hawkinster showed him a commercial.

Looking at the young actor from the crew of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial", Drew Barrymore, who is not yet seven years old this year, said cutely, "Mom doesn't have to worry about my studies anymore", Tang Huan couldn't help but get goosebumps all over his body and felt a kind of chill.

"You don't need to give me face like that. Tang Huan smiled bitterly.

"Our work is serious, and we do feel like it's a good idea, not to please the boss. Hawkins explained seriously, "The effect of this commercial is very good. ”

It seems that the people of China and the United States still have a lot in common.

Since the creativity is excellent, there is no need to be too pretentious, just looking at Drew Barrymore on TV, Tang Huan muttered a little, "In the original time and space, this child took a detour at a young age because of his fame, and the future of this advertisement is worrying." ”

After a little bit of worry, Tang Huan quickly turned his attention to EA's annual financial report from 1980 to 1981, which was EA's first annual report after going public, and its significance is self-evident.

It seems that in order to compete, Warner also released its annual report.

As a result, the data of the top two in the video game industry, EA and Atari, has caused a frenzy inside and outside the industry.

EA's main revenue reached $2.8 billion, with the home video game business contributing $1.7 billion, up 70 percent year-over-year, and the newly launched arcade business contributing $800 million. (To be continued......)