Rebirth of America, this is my era

Chapter 294 Good news one after another
However, even though Michael Jackson's sudden popularity after leaving the group brought some unexpected surprises to Ethan, it did not have much impact on his life.

After all, their group's main business is video games.

The explosive growth of its subsidiaries is indeed worth celebrating, but compared with the success of the main business...

It will feel a little worse.

Therefore, after enjoying the surprise brought by Destiny Music, Ethan, who was free from worldly affairs, refocused on his core industry. The first thing he did was to go into his sister's office to check whether the handheld project was going smoothly...

In early August, while helping Apple to develop the graphical user interface, Ethan also obtained from Woz all of Wozniak's manuscripts from his time working for HP, which clearly recorded the methods of making scientific calculators and the portable music calculator he designed for HP.

After carefully reading Wozniak's design ideas and gradually disassembling Wozniak's design drawings, Evelyn restored a scientific calculator that could be sold directly in just one week. Two weeks later, she had dismantled all the "useless" parts in the scientific calculator.

“Your ideas can come true.”

Looking at Ethan who was staring anxiously, Evelyn pointed to the blueprint on the table and said, "HP's scientific calculator can indeed be transformed into a handheld game console, and there are only three problems we need to overcome."

“The first problem is the screen.”

"The display screen of the scientific calculator is too small to support the game you designed, Destiny Cube. If we want to play the game, we need at least a 2.6-inch screen."

"The second problem is the capacity of handheld game consoles."

"If a machine only supports one game, such as Destiny Cube, then the circuit diagram inside can be made at will. I only need to put five chips in it, the CPU, the working RAM, the display RAM, the ROM for storing the game, and a sound chip."

"But if you want to cram more games in, then I'll need time to make a layout. Due to cost issues, we can't use a ROM with a capacity larger than 16KB."

"Of course, I can also make the handheld game console into a card-insertion mode, but that way..."

"The cost is estimated to be more than thirty dollars, or even forty."

"Because we have to customize the chips and ask the manufacturers to make them smaller."

"The third question is how much battery life should be set."

"If you want the handheld game console to last long enough, I will use AA batteries, but this will increase the thickness of the machine. If you think that eight to ten hours of gaming time can meet the needs of players, then I will choose button batteries, so that the body will be slim."

Ethan was delighted by the clear and coherent words, but the questions raised by his sister...

"The screen must be replaced. Is the 2.6-inch screen you mentioned expensive?"

"This type of screen is very common and is widely used in the medical, military, aerospace and other fields. Because it does not contain much technical content, the market price is only 80 cents a piece."

"That's fine." Ethan nodded. "As for the number of games... Although I want to put enough games into the handheld game console, the cost of the hardware is too high, so... while ensuring that Destiny Cube can run normally, let's try to put Snake in. For now, let's not consider other things, such as the cartridge function."

"The battery is also very simple, just make sure players can play games for eight hours at a time."

"We don't need to extend the battery life of the machine because that would make people think we are intentionally leading them to become addicted. Therefore, we force players to replace the batteries based on the working hours, so that we can create a space for them to take a forced rest..."

In Ethan's memory, the Game Boy he played in his previous life did have the function of a cartridge, which meant that players could play different games by changing cartridges.

But now, Ethan doesn't want to make his handheld game console like that.

The core reason is also very simple, that is the issue of cost and pricing.

When Ethan guessed that Nintendo's reliance was most likely on handheld game consoles, launching fun games at low prices would be the best way to defeat Nintendo.

In this case, it is necessary to reduce the material cost of the handheld game console as much as possible. Although this seems to be disadvantageous to the players, because when Ethan releases the game again in the future, they must buy a new machine if they want to play it, but the low selling price after reducing the cost will definitely eliminate this injustice.

For example, if the cost of the central microprocessor is only two dollars and the package price of RAM, ROM, and sound chip is only ten dollars, as long as the material cost of the entire machine can be reduced to around twenty-two dollars, Ethan can mark the retail price of a machine at fifty-nine point ninety-nine dollars.

That’s equivalent to buying two games for thirty dollars.

This price is the same as the price of twenty-nine point ninety-nine per piece that Ethan envisioned for the console cartridge.

When this fact was laid out before the public, even if he didn't make cassettes, it wouldn't cause much controversy, not to mention that this method actually made him lose money.

Because in the case of making cassettes, selling cassettes allows him to save the cost of the machines.

Earn more.

"Oh my, I am really a conscientious capitalist!"

Thinking of this, Ethan was amused by his own thoughts.

After confirming the progress of the handheld, Ethan went into the R&D department to check on Damio Dean and his team. Under his inspection, the members of the R&D department showed their works one after another. The two games of the same name as The Empire Strikes Back were going smoothly and were expected to start testing by the end of this year.

Due to the single-player nature of the game, the porting of Pac-Man and Star Wars will be slower.

Because Sid Meier and his team had to find a way to cut down on the game content and streamline the game while also ensuring the game's original flavor, which was a very daunting challenge for them.

But even so, they are confident that they can complete all of this by next spring. After two to three months of intensive testing, these two ported games will be available on home consoles as early as next summer.

This fact made Ethan very satisfied.

After giving them a few words of encouragement, Ethan left humming a tune.

The stability of the base camp gave Ethan the confidence to face any difficulties. When he put his hands behind his back and enjoyed the short leisure in his busy life, Spielberg and Lucas suddenly visited him on September 15.

Ethan was a little surprised by their sudden visit, because they had already congratulated him when Michael Jackson became popular after the home consoles became popular, and now was not the time to settle the box office of "Alien", so Ethan really couldn't guess why they came.

But after the three of them chatted for a while, when Spielberg took out a script from his briefcase, Ethan saw the name on the cover and realized that they were here to seek cooperation.

"'Indiana Jones'? This name sounds interesting!"

Ethan opened the script with a smile.

Although the "Indiana Jones" IP has fallen into decay decades later, and Harrison Ford failed to resist the invasion of time, just like Tom Cruise saved "Mission Impossible" and gave his long-term meal ticket a second spring, but in this era, it is invincible.

As for Star Wars...

It is an enemy from heaven.

When such a god-level script appeared in front of Ethan, it would be a lie to say that he was not moved.

After Ethan simply flipped through the manuscript, the story that was highly similar to the final film in his memory made him see the possibility of filming this script...

"Steven, George, you guys are not here to ask me for investment, are you?"

"If that's the case then we don't have to talk about it."

"How much money do you want? Just tell Gary Kurtz!"

"Even if you want me to invest all the revenue from Alien in it, that's fine!"

"We are all brothers, don't talk about money! It hurts our feelings!"

Ethan's frankness made Spielberg and Lucas laugh a lot.

While nodding in agreement, Lucas also said, "Oh Ethan, we are indeed here to solicit investment. The budget of this movie is about 20 million, and we have a gap of 10 million. If you are willing to solve it, it will definitely be good news for us. But besides that, Steven has something else to ask you."

"Huh? What's the matter?" Ethan shifted his gaze and looked at Spielberg.

"Uh..." Perhaps because the topic changed too quickly, Spielberg was a little caught off guard, but it was also possible that what was said next was a little private and Spielberg found it difficult to talk about it, so after Ethan asked, Spielberg immediately showed hesitation.

Lucas had no psychological burden and said directly: "Steven doesn't want to stay in Universal. He wants to set up his own film company like me. "Indiana Jones" is the first project of this company, but you know, a film company is not that easy to establish. In addition to investment and filming, a movie also needs distribution and release. We can handle the former, and the latter..." At this point, Lucas lengthened his voice.

Ethan understood what he meant and continued, "The latter needs me?"

"Yes." Lucas nodded.

"Why didn't you choose Universal?" Ethan smiled at Spielberg and said, "Does Sidney Sheinberg know about this? I don't think he would let you go on his own initiative, right?"

If Ethan remembered correctly, in his previous life, Steven Spielberg's personal film company Amblin was established with the help of Universal Investments.

Although Spielberg's life trajectory has changed dramatically due to his intervention, skipping the huge failure in his career and achieving the huge success of "Alien", this change will not affect the relationship between him and Universal.

and so--

Spielberg is looking for him to distribute his movies at this moment?

This kind of thing seems a little strange no matter how you look at it, right?

Ethan's question finally prompted Spielberg to speak up, "It's simple. There are three reasons."

“First, I think working with Destiny Pictures will give me more freedom.”

"Ethan, before coming to Palo Alto, I did find Sidney and told him that I wanted to set up a film company, and his first reaction was to invest in my new company on behalf of Universal."

"Although he assured me that this investment would not harm my freedom in the film, and he also promised to give me the best distribution contract, I want to have my own company like George, and we are all my own people, so I am honest with you now, I want to have my own "Star Wars", and I think I can do it."

"But this is not what Universal wants to see. Sidney was also very straightforward. He said that the core purpose of investing in me is to ensure that my movies can stay in Universal forever. He did help me a lot, but this idea made me very sad because he didn't want to give me real freedom."

"The second point is that Destiny Pictures's superior position in Hollywood makes me feel very reassured."

"I don't need to say more about this, do I? What happened a few months ago will be unforgettable for me. And if I put the movie under the name of Destiny Pictures, I won't be subject to any censorship."

"The third reason is because I think you will agree to my request."

"Ethan, although you are an unreasonable demon in the eyes of many people, I know that your cruelty is only directed at your enemies. When dealing with friends, you always respect their choices."

"Steve Jobs, Ralph Baer, ​​Bill Mensch, Vinton Cerf... they can all prove this. So I believe that when I tell you that I need 10 million dollars for the Raiders of the Lost Ark project and will give you 65% of the box office, videotapes, TV broadcast revenue, and music album revenue, you should know that my biggest demand is to guarantee the complete copyright of this movie? And I think you should agree?"

"Of course. The theatrical distribution rights and TV sales rights of this movie belong to Destiny Pictures, the soundtrack belongs to Destiny Music, and the game production rights belong to Destiny Games. I can sign a licensing contract with you for at least 20 years. Or... I can also sign a long-term contract with you in the name of the new company."

Ethan's brows smiled as he heard the babble.

If Spielberg chose him to make his company the next Lucasfilm, then Ethan could understand what he did.

After all, a company like Lucasfilm is not that easy to build. If there was no traitor in Fox, how could George Lucas get all the copyrights of "Star Wars"?
And now, Spielberg wants him to be a mole?
This is really...

Somewhat outrageous.

When his past life memory told him that Spielberg was the most successful commercial director in history, asking him to control his own copyright was like being kicked in the head by a donkey.

but……

Considering that this guy had helped him solve the patent issues for electronic arcades and home consoles, and that this guy had helped him get "Star Wars", Ethan Jones reluctantly did it...

Just nod your head...

"Steven." Ethan looked at Spielberg helplessly and said, "You're right. I don't like forcing my friends to do something they don't want to do."

"Especially when my friend told me sincerely that he would pay the price for his choice."

"So I can agree to your request, invest in you without asking for the copyright of your film, and distribute your film. I can even hire you two as co-presidents of Destiny Pictures, and help me manage Destiny Pictures like Gary Kurtz, and let you manage the distribution of your own films."

"But, I also hope you can agree to one request of mine."

"From now on, for any film or TV drama project you participate in, their game production and distribution rights must be signed to me! At the same time, if your company encounters a financial crisis and needs financing, I have the priority to invest! Not only that, in the future, when I launch certain products and need your support for film or TV drama projects, you must support me unconditionally! Of course, I will give you a commission according to the market price."

"Can you do that?"

Ethan looked at Spielberg seriously.

And his words made the guy, who had just turned thirty, laugh.

"Of course - Ethan -" Spielberg stretched out his voice and said, "I know you are making digital discs, so I can write all this into the contract -"

"When your CD player comes on the market, all my works will only be released in CD versions of yours!"

"I'm not going to make any videos, even if they make me a lot of money!"

"Of course, I'm not crazy, because I know that as long as your disc format can win, you will definitely make me earn more! And I also believe that we will win! Because I am confident that I can make a "Star War" of my own! Similarly, George's "Star Wars" will only be released in your disc format!"

"Although no one in this world can be loved by everyone, it is equally impossible for anyone in this world to reject the three of us at the same time!"

"People who don't like me will definitely like Star Wars!"

“People who don’t like Star Wars will definitely like your game!”

"If you don't like your game, you can only watch my movie!"

"As long as the three of us unite, we will definitely be able to crush Philips and Sony!"

"I firmly believe it!"

Lucas was speechless after hearing these powerful words.

The bearded man had a headache at the moment.

He just didn't understand, he was clearly here with Spielberg to discuss business!

How come he was dragged into the deal after just a few words?
And when Ethan focused his eyes on him...

The bearded man also nodded humbly and uprightly.

"Star Wars will be exclusive to Destiny Pictures' digital disc players."

"Future works of Lucasfilm will only be available on Destiny Films' players."

"Don't ask me why. If you must ask, I would just like to say that at that time, there were only two people in the world who believed that my Star Wars would be a success..."

"I'm a businessman."

"But I will not betray the people who helped me succeed."

"Especially since they keep taking me to make money!"

Ethan laughed at the straightforward words. "Okay, okay, okay, since you have shown your sincerity, I can ask Steve Ballmer to come over..."

"He is now the chairman of Destiny Pictures. I asked him to get you hired."

"future……"

“You take care of your own works…”

(End of this chapter)