Reborn in 1977

Waking up in the morning, she didn't wash her face, brush her teeth, or even comb her hair.

Zhou Yali, with her unkempt appearance, played the block game for over a dozen rounds.

Only after being defeated countless times did she suddenly remember a question, "Hey, what's the name of this game?"

Chen Fan narrowed his eyes. This time, it definitely wasn't Tetris. Should it be called 'Qia Yi La Blocks'?

It wasn't impossible. Even without revealing him as the developer, with Zhou Yali's Chinese heritage, calling it that name wouldn't be out of the question.

However, Chen Fan felt that it was still lacking something to reflect the game's characteristics.

He pondered for a few seconds and said, "What do you think about calling it 'Kung Fu Blocks'?"

"Kung Fu Blocks?"

Zhou Yali turned around, looked up at him, and said, "That's interesting."

The word 'Kung Fu' indicated the inventor's identity, similar to 'Qia Yi La,' while also encompassing the game's gameplay features.

It had to be like Kung Fu, precisely controlling the blocks and hitting every gap accurately to pass each level.

Moreover, Kung Fu was popular. Whether black, white, or yellow, everyone knew Kung Fu.

Zhou Yali thought carefully, and the more she thought about it, the better she felt about the name. It was catchy and could be distinguished from other games. If released to the market, it would definitely be a hit.

Just as she was about to speak, she saw Chen Fan looking at her with a strange expression. Before she could ask, he silently walked out.

He placed the basin on the corner of the table and said expressionlessly, "Wash your face."

Zhou Yali's expression instantly froze, and her face turned as red as a ripe crab. However, she stubbornly retorted, "I came to call you as soon as I woke up. I didn't have time."

Her hands didn't slow down, though. She first tested the water temperature, which was just right.

Then, she stood up, wrung out the towel, and wiped her face a couple of times. When she took it away, … hmm, she was a little flushed.

Well, now her whole body was burning up.

She quickly finished washing up and ran out with the basin.

She returned before long, completely refreshed.

Wearing slippers and walking with cat-like steps, she walked to Chen Fan's side, leaned against the table, struck a pose, and flicked her combed hair, "Hey, did I redeem my image a little bit?"

Chen Fan turned his head and looked at her, his face full of doubt, "You? Have an image to begin with?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yali instantly burst into flames, raising her iron fist threateningly, "What did you say?"

Chen Fan immediately pointed to the computer, "Have you played this kind of game before?"

Zhou Yali glared at him fiercely before turning her head to look at the screen. The next second, her brows furrowed slightly again, "What is this?"

Chen Fan smiled, "Minesweeper."

Then, he explained the gameplay to her.

The cursor could be controlled with the arrow keys, but using the mouse was more convenient.

Chen Fan smiled and said, "Minesweeper isn't as playable as Kung Fu Blocks, but Minesweeper has one great advantage."

Zhou Yali had already snatched the mouse, clicked a few times in the game box, and then got blown up.

She casually put the mouse back in place, folded her arms, and smiled, "It can promote the mouse?!"

Chen Fan raised his thumb, "Smart."

Then, he opened another game, "This is Solitaire, sorting from A to K in order of size; this is Patience, arranging the cards by suit and sequence into four foundation piles, which is a bit more difficult than Solitaire; this is Hearts, where players use card-playing strategies to avoid getting heart cards and the Queen of Spades, and the player with the lowest score wins…"

He introduced several games in a row, including Spider Solitaire and Pinball.

Zhou Yali's eyes lit up. So many fun games!

No, she quickly adjusted her thinking and smiled, "These games all require the use of a mouse. Our company has bought the mouse patent and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Apple Computer. If these games become a hit, the mouse will definitely be quickly accepted by the market. This is a hen that only lays golden eggs!"

Chen Fan leaned back in his chair, smiling and nodding slightly.

These games were not as good as Tetris. Unfortunately, the only one that could be compared to Tetris was Snake, but this game had already appeared in a Sega arcade game released in 1976, and then Atari released an improved version in 1978.

Although it was only somewhat similar, the patent was obtained by Allen Cooper in 1979, which later brought him hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. Chen Fan still didn't want to get involved in copyright disputes, so he gave up on this game.

Anyway, there were many built-in games in the later Windows system, and he didn't have to worry about causing copyright problems, so he took them over.

At this time, Zhou Yali continued, "Hey, are you planning for us to release these games ourselves, or sell them to other game companies?"

Chen Fan turned his chair to face her and said, looking at her, "I want Wanmuchun Technology Company to lead the development of a brand-new learning computer, and these games are one of the additional products."

Zhou Yali raised her eyebrows slightly, "Learning computer? What's that?"

Chen Fan pointed to the computer on the table and said seriously, "Undeniably, the functions of personal computers are becoming more and more practical, and as the performance of computer chips increases, future computers, in addition to working, can also increase entertainment functions.

For example, you don't need a game console to play games directly on the computer. From the function and principle of electronic products, it can be realized."

Zhou Yali nodded lightly, looking at him intently, but without saying a word.

Chen Fan continued, "However, computers are very expensive. A standard version of the Apple II computer costs as much as $1200, and a high-end version costs as much as $1599. Ordinary families can hardly afford such a price."

Zhou Yali's eyes rolled slightly, and she thought for a moment and said, "Actually, not all computers are so expensive. There are also cheaper ones. Hmm, I forgot the cheapest brand, but it seems to only cost $399."

Chen Fan shook his head, "That kind of computer can only be said to be a game console. It can hardly run even the simplest word processing. It's just a big toy for computer enthusiasts and can't be considered a real computer at all."

He gestured to Zhou Yali and smiled, "As a personal computer, it must have several basic functions, that is, it can edit software, run programs, and operate. In addition, it must also be able to help with work or be conducive to entertainment.

And now electronic products can basically be divided into three categories: real computers that can be programmed and assist in office work, big toys for computer enthusiasts, and game consoles that can only be used for entertainment, right?"

Zhou Yali nodded, thought of what he had just said, and asked, "So, which type does the learning computer you mentioned belong to?"

Chen Fan raised his index finger and gently swayed it from side to side, "It's none of those, but the fourth type."

He pulled the chair closer to the table, brought up a new document, and typed on it in English, "A computer costs from $1200 to $1600, a big toy costs $300 to $500, and an Atari game console even costs $199.

People who need to work can hardly afford the high price of a computer. Buying a big toy has no practical significance. A game console is good, but it has no other use besides entertainment.

"So, my idea is, can we borrow the concept of a game console and add the functions of a computer to create something new?"

While listening to his explanation, Zhou Yali looked at the product plan gradually taking shape on the screen, her eyes growing brighter and brighter. "Use a game console as a carrier to carry the functions of a computer? Then we need a host similar to a game console and make different functional modules into something similar to game cards, which are function expansion cards."

In addition to the original game console's external gamepad, we can add a computer keyboard external function and a mouse interface at the same time.

Then, in addition to the functions that come with the computer, those who want to learn computers can use the learning machine... Did you come up with this name? Learning machine? This name is good."

Chen Fan chuckled softly, "One end connects to the TV as the information output end, and the other end connects to the keyboard as the input end. People who want to learn office software can learn how to operate document typing and use spreadsheets on the learning machine. However, this machine doesn't have a floppy disk interface or storage function, so it can't be used directly as a computer.

After learning how to use a computer, this machine won't be wasted. Remove the keyboard and replace it with a gamepad, and it's a game console that can be played for many years."

At this time, many friends can definitely see that what Chen Fan wants to do is not the Famicom that helps Nintendo win the world's number one game company throne, but to go directly to the learning machine that was rampant in the 90s, invincible, and still selling well online in later generations!

The manufacturing cost of a learning machine is much lower than that of a computer, but for beginners, the functions are basically sufficient, and they can also face their parents with confidence and buy a game console in the name of learning!

In fact, as early as July 15, 1983, when Nintendo launched the Famicom, the official name of the little book official version was "Family Computer."

Compared with the learning machine, the Famicom is a younger brother. In comparison, the technical level of the two is not much different.

With the current technical conditions, since Nintendo can develop the Famicom in a few years, it is very likely to develop a learning machine by slightly changing the function.

Now Chen Fan wants to use the classic games of later generations as bait, and then use this learning machine that is compatible with game consoles and some computer functions to see if he can replicate the sales miracle of the Famicom.

The cumulative sales of 62 million units, a selling price of no more than $299, that's $18.5 billion!

Not to mention the game cards with a minimum of $20 a box.

Damn it, the game business really makes money!

Look at the time, or look at the strength of Dr. Engelbart's research team, and see if they can develop this learning machine in a short time.

If possible, Chen Fan will give them another game idea, which is the classic game that has been selling well for many years, "Kungfu Kid" (Super Mario).

Internally, Chen Fan adheres to the principle of not plagiarizing if he can, even if he is telling the same story, he will change the background and create a new story with his own ideas.

Ahem, "Young Friends Come to Meet" is an exception, after all, this is a song, not a novel, so it's not easy to adapt.

But for the outside world, Comrade Chen Fan said that copying this kind of problem is simply effortless.

For example, Chairman Fumio Niwa of Little Book Company, doesn't he want him to create several different types of stories?

No problem.

Saint Seiya, Ronin Warriors, Dragon Ball, Arale, Fist of the North Star, ... all arranged for him.

Write whatever is popular, and ensure that the quantity is large and full, so that the readers of Little Book Company are satisfied and feel the cultural crushing from the thousand-year-old big brother.

His thoughts had already flown to the horizon, and Zhou Yali became more and more clear about the concept of the learning machine.

After he finished writing the product plan, she immediately jumped up and down excitedly like a rabbit, clapping her hands and shouting, "This is good, this is good. When I get back to the company, I will make this the next key research project of the company and strive to develop it as soon as possible."

Chen Fan pulled out the chair again, turned around and faced her, and said solemnly, "Originally, we invited Dr. Engelbart to develop multi-protocol routers to prepare for the future era of computer networking.

But now, there are communication projects related to program-controlled switches, and today we have decided to develop learning machines and are ready to enter the electronic game industry at any time. This business is somewhat deviated from the direction of the doctor's research, ..."

Understanding what he meant, before he finished speaking, Zhou Yali waved her hand and said, "I know what you want to say. When my dad and I were running abroad before, we also discussed this issue.

In a word, we will form a new team, invite experts in communication equipment, and set up a communication research institute. On the one hand, we want to undertake the maintenance work of the domestic agency business. On the other hand, we also plan to develop our own program-controlled switches. We can't always be agents for others."

Chen Fan raised his hand and applauded gently, "Not bad, not bad, ambitious."

He looked at Zhou Yali, who was proudly raising her head, and smiled, "However, research work is not something that can be accomplished overnight, especially high-precision equipment such as program-controlled switches. It cannot be successfully developed in a short time. You must be prepared for a protracted war."

Zhou Yali snorted twice, looked at him and smiled, "What's so great about this? Not to mention a short time, even five or eight years, I can wait."

Chen Fan smiled, "If all goes well, it won't take that long, but no matter what, it will still take three to five years."

In 1991, Zhengzhou Communication Institute, an unknown institution in my country, developed the first large-scale digital program-controlled switch with completely independent intellectual property rights in my country—HJD04, which later gave birth to Julong Communication.

At that time, it cost only 6 million and took three years to develop this equipment.

Believing that as long as they are willing to invest and persevere, Chen Fan believes that Wanmuchun Company should be able to complete the research and development earlier.

Thinking of this, he said again, "By the way, Yali, there is something you should pay attention to."

Zhou Yali was stunned and asked, "What's the matter?"

Chen Fan said while thinking, "Soon my country will have the first batch of students studying abroad, leaving for the United States. In the future, there will be more and more students studying abroad.

For scientific research, the way of thinking is very important, and changing the way of thinking is even more important. Students in our country are different from elites abroad. The education methods they receive are completely different types. Therefore, in terms of talent, you should pay more attention to them."

Hearing this, Zhou Yali nodded thoughtfully, "Understood."

After a few seconds of pause, she raised her head and smiled, "Then, in the future, there will be a research team for routers, one for switches, and finally another team for learning machines, right?"

Chen Fan nodded, "That's what I mean."

Zhou Yali exhaled a long breath, looked at him and said, "Then, old brother, you have to work hard to write! Without the best-selling income from your works, where would we get so much money to support research and development!"

Chen Fan's old face twitched slightly, and he silently opened the drawer and took out a stack of floppy disks, "What you want is all here!"