America: The Godfather of Game Development

Chapter 234 Swift Handheld

MicroNova now has the initial production capacity for 2.6-inch LCD panels.

This alone was enough to bring NovaPocket, a handheld console with an astonishingly high market share but a continuous loss of money, back on track.

However, Lin Lixin's expectations for this brand-new LCD production line go far beyond this.

"Well, according to your requirements, the R&D department has managed to produce a sample."

Vivian, with dark circles under her eyes, handed a small LCD screen to Lin Lixin.

This is a 4-inch LCD panel.

With its classic 6:8 aspect ratio, it feels a bit like a playing card when you hold it in your hand.

Don't be fooled by its small size; this LCD screen is a unique piece of cutting-edge technology on a global scale.

Historically, Atari's AtariLyn handheld console, released in 89, only had a 3.5-inch screen.

"Let's improve the yield rate as soon as possible; it's time for a generational upgrade."

Lin Lixin nodded in satisfaction.

-

This thing is the most crucial part of Project Swift, which Gerald is currently in charge of.

This is the core component of the next-generation handheld console, NovaSwift.

An LCD screen with specifications close to those of a smartphone screen.

"The yield rate can be significantly improved with Lam Research's equipment, but—"

Vivian hesitated before speaking.

There is a fatal problem with using this thing on a handheld console.

"Its power consumption is too high. Test results show that its power consumption is close to 3.5W."

"7

This level of energy consumption can drain four AA batteries in just a few hours.

A game console that requires a battery change after only a few hours of playtime is just too frustrating.

"Oh, I've already designed a solution for that."

Lin Lixin pulled out a document and handed it to Vivian while she was still in a daze.

He had considered this problem from the very beginning.

After all, the AtariLyn, which seemed to completely outclass the Game Boy in every way, lost so badly, largely due to its battery life.

At $149, the price is honestly not unacceptable.

But Atari's AtariLyn made almost every mistake a handheld console shouldn't make.

With an absurdly short battery life of only 2 hours and an extremely bulky body, the handheld console's portability is simply out of the question.

Without the support of a strong game lineup like Nintendo, its most important feature—games—is almost a joke.

Compared to the Game Boy's sales of over 100 million units, this seemingly high-spec super handheld console ultimately only sold 500,000 units.

With someone like Lin Lixin, a master of avoiding pitfalls, already having stepped into every possible trap for him, Lin Lixin naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to make the same mistakes again.

His current solution, which optimizes the energy consumption of LCD screens by improving backlighting, is his first step.

Vivian took the document and glanced through it briefly.

"Field-sequential color technology replaces filters, improving backlight efficiency —"

Local dimming zones — dividing the screen into 6 zones to control the backlight separately —

"Modify pixel layout, optimize voltage, and reduce leakage current —"

The more Vivian read, the more confused she became.

this----

This is already a fully commercialized and mature solution.

A simple estimate reveals that this method can reduce the power consumption of an LCD by more than half.

It's practically alien technology.

"No way—when was this—?"

This doesn't make sense, does it?

Isn't this kind of business handled by myself or Mr. Gerald?

Wasn't it said that Lin Lixin was mainly responsible for game development?

How come this person, who has only just started learning LCD technology, is already more advanced than her, who has been studying with Westinghouse's technical team for several days?

"Just a few days ago. Alright, just push this plan forward. NovaSwift is still a long way from being truly implemented."

"good----"

Who cares? Lin Lixin has been this awesome for a long time.

To be honest, Vivian is already a bit numb.

Even if Lin Lixin suddenly pulled out some next-generation new panel technology, something like "LED," she wouldn't be too surprised.

Just believe it and that's all.

With the LCD screen, the biggest hurdle facing handheld consoles, finally overcome, Project Swift was launched in earnest.

Swift means something like a swift or a fast bird.

Gerald was well aware of the meaning behind Lin Lixin's choice of this name for it.

Just like NovaPocket uses the imagery of a pocket.

This device will be just like its name suggests: portable and lightweight—while also being fast enough!

"A 16-bit processor and a 16-bit graphics chip are a must. This generation of handheld consoles must be able to run basic physics simulations and rendering, rather than the visual tricks of 8-bit."

Lin Lixin reiterated the importance of this point.

He has already prepared three interesting launch titles for the next generation of handheld consoles.

-

"But there's no rush. It'll be enough if this machine can be completed before next year's President's Day release date."

77

"What about this year's Christmas movie season?"

Gerald nodded. This gave the hardware department several more months to develop the hardware, allowing ample time to fine-tune the performance.

However, if it's in February next year, then this year's Christmas season seems to be empty.

He had thought this next-generation device would be key to taking over this year's Christmas season.

"I have a new project ready."

"6

Lin Lixin smiled. He had plenty of games here.

Judging by the timeline, it's about time to start developing the next NovaXeno first-party exclusive.

Back on the second floor in the development department, Sid and Will, who had gone to support the Command & Conquer project, had already returned.

The island and Carmack don't have any particularly important missions in the near future.

Since everyone was finally together, Lin Lixin decided not to delay any longer.

"It's time to start the new project, Guys."

"7

Shanghai has won over office workers, while Command & Conquer and Civilization have firmly captured the hearts of hardcore gamers who love strategy games.

Street Fighter, The King of Fighters, Contra —

Looking at GAMENOVA's first-party titles throughout its history, their style always seems very distinct.

They only released this kind of light and refreshing style of work during the era of "The Legend of Zelda", "Story of Seasons" and "Pokémon".

This means that GAMENOVA's popularity among girls and housewives is not necessarily much stronger than Nintendo's or other brands.

This prejudice has been further amplified by the recent releases of the graphicly violent games Quake and Doom.

Now, Lin Lixin has a work that is just right.

The Sims

However, it's not the world-class IP developed by Mais.

It is a lesser-known branch of The Sims series.

The Sims: Pure Accident

Although it's not a mainline title, it has learned the essence of The Sims series very well, creating a sufficiently interesting experience within its limited capabilities.

Of course, the main reason for choosing it is that it is not a true open-world sandbox game.

With the capabilities of the NovaXeno, it's barely manageable.