A century-old wealthy family that rose from Shanghai

April, Tokyo.

Electronic Arts (EA) has achieved another success, with its first arcade game, Gun Fight, becoming a huge success in Japan, selling 1200 units in just three months.

The game is a duel between two cowboys wielding revolvers, and it is the world's first video game to depict combat between people.

Chen Wenying, who was about to graduate, attended Electronic Arts' "victory celebration" that day. The management and staff of Electronic Arts all knew that he would be the successor of the company. They also greatly admired Chen Wenying's hardware skills and software ideas, and considered him a "genius".

Taking this opportunity, Si Yezi addressed all the management and some core staff members in the office building, saying, "Everyone, thank you for your hard work during this time, which has enabled Electronic Arts to achieve success in arcade games again when laser shooter games were declining."

Hideo Kojima, Shinji Mikami, Genyo Takeda, and others applauded, expressing their deep respect for the female boss, who was truly a woman of great talent and ability.

Then, Si Yezi announced: "I hereby announce that my son will serve as the general manager of Electronic Arts Corporation, and he will lead the continued development of Electronic Arts Corporation."

Everyone was somewhat surprised, after all, wasn't Chen Wenying too young?

However, considering that this beautiful boss looks quite young, it wouldn't be surprising if she were Chen Wenying's older sister. As for who her husband is, that remains a mystery, and of course, no one is gossiping about it.

Si Yezi said seriously, "If anyone has any objections, please feel free to speak up!"

Hideo Kojima quickly stepped forward and declared, "I support him! Although Mr. Si Yunde is young, his skills are evident to all. Furthermore, his proposal to enter the arcade game market, the initiation of the Gun Fight project, and the cooperation with American company MilroVa have all demonstrated his capabilities."

Magnavox is a subsidiary of Philips, founded in 1917 by Peter L. Jensen and Edwin L. Priham. In April 1972, the company launched the world's first commercial home video game console, the Magnavox Odyssey.

Last year, at Chen Wenying's suggestion, Electronic Arts and Mirovics reached a cooperation agreement to distribute the Mirovics Odyssey game console in Japan.

Technical talents like Shinji Mikami and Genyo Takeda naturally admire each other and immediately expressed their support.

With the handover completed smoothly, Si Yezi felt a great sense of relief.

Following this, Chen Wenying said, "Thank you all for your support. When I was in college, I often came to Electronic Arts, and I have always firmly believed that Electronic Arts will become a great company. Now that Gun Fight has been a success, the next step is naturally to continue promoting Gun Fight while developing other arcade games. But what I want to say is that everyone should be prepared for new challenges, because the game console project is more worthy of our investment. In the second half of the year, we will establish our own console game project department to independently develop game consoles."

Everyone applauded.

The American video game console market has been developing for over two years, showcasing its potential. Electronic Arts (EA), with its success in laser tag systems and Gunfight arcade games, is one of Japan's top video game companies and naturally couldn't be absent from this project.

While Electronic Arts was basking in the joy of its victory, a gloomy atmosphere hung over Nintendo's headquarters in Kyoto.

As President Hiroshi Yamauchi walked into his office, his secretary rushed in, flustered: "President, Mr. Yoshida, the representative from Mitsui Bank, is here again, this time to collect a debt."

Hiroshi Yamauchi's brow furrowed instantly, and he slumped wearily into his chair. The past few years had been a complete mess for Nintendo: attempts to enter the food, taxi, and hotel industries had all ended in failure, leaving them with enormous debts; and even after finally shifting their focus to gaming and entertainment, they had repeatedly encountered setbacks.

Today, the Japanese video game industry has gradually developed under the leadership of companies such as Electronic Arts, while Nintendo can only "drink soup" on the sidelines and is even struggling to pay off its basic debts.

"Let him in."

Hiroshi Yamauchi took a deep breath, straightened his suit, and tried to hide his inner anxiety.

Mitsui Bank representative Yoshida walked into the office, sat down on the sofa without any politeness, and said with a sarcastic tone: "President Hiroshi Yamauchi, we meet again. To be honest, I really admire your mentality—none of your investments over the years, from food to taxis, have been successful. I don't know how long Nintendo can last, or whether it will become the next bankrupt listed company."

These words were like a sharp knife, piercing Yamauchi Hiroshi's sore spot. His face flushed instantly, but he could only suppress his anger and force a smile: "Representative Yoshida, please give us a little more time. We have already adjusted our direction and are focusing on arcade games. We will soon launch 'Lottery Arcade,' and this product will definitely open up the market. At that time, we will immediately pay off part of our debts."

Yoshida sneered: "Lottery arcade games? Everyone in Japan is playing EA's Gun Fight now. Who would buy your 'outdated products'? EA has only been around for a few years, and it's already made a fortune with its laser shooting system and Gun Fight. It even distributes MiloVar's consoles. And what about you, Nintendo? Besides 'Hanafuda,' what else do you have to offer?"

Hiroshi Yamauchi clenched his fists silently under the table, but he was powerless to refute them. He was well aware of EA's success—every time he passed by an arcade in Tokyo, he would see long lines in front of Gun Fight, and he had heard that EA's general manager was a woman, which made him even more anxious: why could Nintendo always miss its opportunities? The wave of video games was right in front of him, but he could only struggle in the quagmire of debt.

After much persuasion, Yoshida finally agreed to a three-month grace period, but his words before leaving kept Yamauchi Hiroshi awake all night: "President Yamauchi Hiroshi, this is the last chance. If you still can't pay back the money after three months, we will have no choice but to apply to the court for enforcement."

Hiroshi Yamauchi was the only one left in the office as darkness fell outside the window. He looked at the Nintendo "Hanafuda" playing cards on his desk, and recalled the phenomenal success of EA's Gunfight, feeling utterly bewildered—both companies ventured into the game industry, so why did EA have such smooth sailing while Nintendo struggled?
What he didn't know was that Electronic Arts' success was their success in a previous life, only it had been stolen by someone else.

Soon, Chen Wenhai, the youngest son of the second wife, arrived in Japan. Accompanied by Chen Wenying, he visited Electronic Arts Corporation.

The people at Art Electronics were puzzled; the two looked somewhat alike. Could it be that Miss Si Yezi had a twin son?

"Seventh Brother, what is the purpose of your visit this time?" Chen Wenying finally couldn't hold back any longer.

He knew that Seventh Brother hadn't received direct help from their father and was currently working at the American branch of a US-based entertainment company. Of course, Chen Wenying also understood that members of their family were unlikely to be ordinary. Seventh Brother was an American citizen, perhaps even born in the US, and a graduate of MIT; he couldn't possibly be ordinary.

Chen Wenhai immediately said, "Old Eight, I heard you say that EA's Gun Fight arcade machines are very popular in Japan, so I came up with this idea. Since the import tax on arcade machines exported from Japan to the United States is high, I want to set up a company to act as an agent for Gun Fight arcade machines and sell them in the United States."

Similar to how Milo Games in the US licensed the Odyssey console game to Electronic Arts in Japan.

Chen Wenying immediately said, "That's great! Seventh Brother is indeed Seventh Brother, thinking of starting his own business so early. Unlike us, we're all under our father's protection."

Chen Wenhai punched Chen Wenying and said, "You brat, you're making it sound like I'm not protected by my father."

"hey-hey"

The brothers have a very good relationship.

Later, Chen Wenhai said, "However, this time I'm not simply acting as a distributor for Gun Fight, but rather I want to change the integrated circuits it uses to microprocessors."

Chen Wenying immediately became excited and said, "The semiconductor industry in the United States is already so advanced? If Brother Qi really succeeds, wouldn't it be the world's first microprocessor arcade machine?"

Both men are tech-savvy, primarily in electronics hardware, with some software experience as well. Chen Wenhai smiled and said, "Intel can handle these difficulties; no problem. If all goes well, it should be available before Christmas."

"Then congratulations, Seventh Brother!"

Chen Wenhai happily left Japan and made a detour to Hong Kong to visit his father.

Upon hearing about Chen Wenhai's entrepreneurial endeavors, Chen Guangliang was delighted and said, "Since you have this idea, I naturally support you wholeheartedly. By the way, do you know Steve Jobs?"

Chen Wenhai said, "I know her. She's my colleague. She just joined Midea Electronic Entertainment Company in the United States this year and is doing arcade machine repair and other work."

As expected, Chen Guangliang's guess was accurate. Since Atari no longer existed in this life, the Ping Pong arcade game was developed by Midea Entertainment Games Company in Hong Kong.

Chen Guangliang nodded and immediately said, "Your company will be called Atari, and you'll immediately rename Gun Fight to a microprocessor arcade machine. However, I hope you can win over this Steve Jobs, including his friend Steve Wozniak, and get them to come with you to the new company."

Chen Wenhai had no suspicions. He guessed that his father knew about some personnel matters at Midea Electronic Entertainment's US branch and thought that Jobs was very insightful, so he chose capable subordinates for him.

"Okay, I've remembered what you said, Father. Thank you for thinking of so many things for me."

Chen Guangliang was speechless. His son had misunderstood; he was just testing him.

His original idea was that he hoped Chen Wenhai would start his own business and develop in console games or personal computers, and perhaps become a Chinese technology tycoon.

But now that Steve Jobs has emerged, Chen Guangliang hopes that after Chen Wenhai establishes Atari, he can later invest in Jobs' Apple Computer Company and become a partner.

"Besides turning Gun Fight into a microprocessor-based arcade game, you can also venture into console game development. I'll have your mother give you some money. Do both things simultaneously, and I believe you can handle it!"

Chen Wenhai was overjoyed; he could finally put his skills to good use.

After receiving his father's support, Chen Wenhai immediately went to investigate Midea Entertainment Games Company, accompanied by his fifth brother, Chen Wenkai.

"Fifth Brother, is this a new arcade game you guys are developing?"

Chen Wenkai nodded and said, "These are two games that we are developing ourselves, but I feel that neither of them is as fun as 'Ping Pong'. On the contrary, Wenying's Electronic Arts developed the great arcade game Gun Fight."

Chen Wenhai said, "Not necessarily. When your two games come out, you might as well let me handle the distribution. After all, it would be quite troublesome for you to export from Hong Kong to the United States. Didn't Father say that fun games are more important than excellent hardware, and that the technology of gaming equipment is more useful than its price?"

Chen Wenkai said, "Yes, I completely agree with my father's point of view. Although hardware technology is important, it is by no means as important as fun games. Since 1972, there have been many arcade games every year, and the success of them has all been due to software. Now that Wenying's Electronic Arts and you are about to establish Atari, our Midea Entertainment Games may focus on software in the future, with hardware as a supplement. After all, you have more advantages in hardware."

Chen Wenhai immediately replied, "That's right! Father means that we need to develop both arcade games and game consoles. If the United States, Japan, and Hong Kong form a triangular cooperative relationship in the future, we will definitely be able to monopolize the world's video game industry."

Looking at Lao Shi's confident face, Chen Wenkai thought to himself that as expected of an American citizen, his personality was indeed quite flamboyant and confident.

Of course, he believed that Lao Shi (Old Ten) could do it. He was a genius engineer, had access to American technological resources, and had massive financial backing. Perhaps, he could even surpass Lao Shi in the video game industry.

Okay, I look forward to that day.

Chen Wenkai was summoned by his father immediately after seeing Chen Wenhai off.

"Wen Kai, I think the two new games developed by Midea Entertainment Games may not be very successful. You should be prepared."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenkai said, "Well, but we shouldn't lose money. Besides, it's worth it to have cultivated a local electronics technology team in recent years."

Chen Guangliang looked at his son with appreciation and said, "That's not bad! In terms of technology in this field, we may not be inferior to Japan and the United States; it's just a limitation of the industrial chain. Moreover, 'fun games are more important than excellent hardware, and the technology of game equipment is more useful than its price'—these are the golden rules of the video game industry. Therefore, I want you to immediately set up a project team to develop a groundbreaking video game."

Chen Wenkai became excited; anything made by his father was bound to be a masterpiece.

Moreover, the 'fun game' was the key to its success.

"Yes, father"

Then, Chen Guangliang handed him a piece of paper and said, "This game is called Space Invaders. If it can be produced, it will help video games expand from monotony to novelty and develop into a global industry."

Chen Wenkai looked at the information carefully, as if he had opened a new door to video games: the game is set in space, where players control a spaceship to defend against alien invaders. As the levels progress, the enemies become faster and more numerous, and there will also be "BOSS" level enemies... The novel and interesting settings hide a strong degree of playability and challenge.

"I never imagined that video games could develop in this direction. They are becoming more and more interesting, and they are bound to become an important form of human entertainment."

Chan Kwong-leung said, "The gaming industry is a large industry, and it will be an important industry for Hong Kong in the future. Of course, it needs to be led by Midea Games and Entertainment. Therefore, Midea Games and Entertainment will focus on 'software' in the later stages, and there is no need to pursue 'hardware' too much. After all, Japan and the United States have more advantages, and Japan has a price advantage. So hardware may eventually make Electronic Arts a giant. Hong Kong will mainly develop software, and the profit margin is not as small as hardware."

Chen Wenkai immediately asked, "What about Atari in the United States?"

He cared about Lao Qi's career.

Chen Guangliang laughed and said, "The United States can only be a pioneer, but it will not become the ultimate hegemon of the industry. Of course, Atari may dominate the video game hardware market in the 1970s. In addition, Lao Qi has new industrial directions to invest in and develop independently."

Chen Wenkai was immediately relieved.

Later, Chen Guangliang gave a detailed explanation of the gameplay of "Space Invaders," which is actually a 'mosaic game'.

Of course, *Space Invaders* also involves very advanced electronic hardware technology, and soldering circuit diagrams and such require a long period of research and development. However, Hong Kong's current level is fully capable of independent research and development, not to mention that it is a true 'sister company' with EA and Atari, and can provide technical support when necessary. (End of Chapter)