game trailblazer

Chapter 183 Verified Integrated Motherboard

Relying on the high-efficiency work of the two teams, the relevant details were settled in less than two days. New World Computer has since been included under the banner of Oriental Electronic Entertainment Co., Ltd., and the future game publishing work will also be handled by Activision within a period of time. Gradually take over.After completing the negotiation, Bay Yares took his department back to Santa Monica, where Activision is located, while Hong Mingjie left a person to continue to deal with the unfinished matters on New World Computer, and then went to the office with the rest of the people. I left for Santa Monica, planning to set up an American branch of Oriental Electronic Entertainment as planned, responsible for coordinating and managing game development companies such as Blue Dragon, Blizzard, and New World Computer in the United States. One of the reasons why I chose Santa Monica is because The scenery in that place is good, of course, it is mainly for the purpose of better coordinating the game release related matters.

At the same time, Zhang Lexing packaged the source code and finished CD of "Heroes of Might and Magic 1" from New World Computer together with relevant materials, and sent them directly to BJ through the channel of VisualSystem Group.Then Zhang Lexing made a phone call to BJ in person and asked Chen Jingyi, the general manager of Fengyun Interactive, to immediately arrange a game localization department to prepare for future game agents. After the establishment of the game localization department, the first task was to Sinicize Heroes of the Gate 1".

The Sinicization of "Heroes of Might and Magic 1" can only be regarded as Fengyun Interactive's water testing work. As long as the final Sinicization product is of good quality, Zhang Lexing is also planning to arrange Fengyun Interactive to continue Sinicizing more excellent games. In the next few years, the computer speed At the stage of popularization, the domestic game market is also expanding rapidly. The introduction of some excellent foreign games will not have a great impact on domestic games, but will bring a certain promotion effect. After all, proper competition can bring greater Only under certain pressure can domestic game companies develop faster.

In addition, Zhang Lexing also hopes that Fengyun Interactive can grasp more game resources. Only when new games are continuously launched, those software stores in the channel can attract more players to buy, so as to maintain the channel. Continuous development.Zhang Lexing remembers that one of the important reasons why the domestic stand-alone game market continues to shrink is the lack of enough game works to support it. In the most glorious period, 350 games were launched in a year, and there were more than 50 game agents. Companies engaged in game development There are more than 30 games, but after a few years, the number of games on the market is less than one-tenth. As a result, the downstream software stores cannot get new games, so they have to refill the number with old games or fake copies, or even simply transform into a other businesses, so the channel will dry up.Zhang Lexing doesn't want his own channels to become like this, so from now on, he must plan ahead and hoard more good game resources in his hands. After all, it may not be easy for domestic game development companies to reach three or four hundred games a year. scale.

After arranging the task of Fengyun Interactive, Zhang Lexing came to James Cameron's set in the Gulf of Mexico, where he was filming "Titanic".When he arrived at the scene, Zhang Lexing found that it was different from what he had imagined. The set was still very simple, and it was just some preliminary indoor scenes.James Cameron traveled all over Hollywood, London, and Eastern Europe some time ago, but couldn’t find a place suitable for shooting "Titanic", so the set of "Titanic" was completely newly built on flat ground. James Cameron also plans to build what may be the world's largest mechanical cistern inside, designed to hold 1700 million gallons (6435.2 million liters) of seawater.In addition, there is a model of the Titanic built according to the scale of 1:1, but for the convenience of shooting and cost saving, this model is only planned to build the half of the right side.

Because the entire studio is still in its infancy, there are not many shooting tasks every day, but James Cameron is a person with a strong desire to control. Things were very tight, and he seemed extremely busy. As a result, Zhang Lexing came to the set for two full days, and the time spent talking to him did not exceed 10 minutes.However, Zhang Lexing's trip was not completely in vain. In this short period of 10 minutes, he heard a message from James Cameron that the "Blue Diving" expedition funded by James Cameron had found the Knowing the specific location of the wreckage of the Titanic, James Cameron plans to go there after a while to see the Titanic with his own eyes.According to James Cameron, the two submarines of the "Blue Diving" expedition are the best in the world, and there are no more than five submarines in the world that can dive to the same depth as them, so the opportunity to participate in this kind of diving is very good. It is very rare to say that, when James Cameron said so, even Zhang Lexing couldn't help being tempted.

Desire to be tempted, but it was a pity that the trip did not take place in the end. When James Cameron was ready to leave, Zhang Lexing had already arrived in Hong Kong, because there was good news from the research institute here that the research on integrating the motherboard had been achieved. breakthrough progress.It has been more than a year since the last time the research task of integrating the motherboard was assigned. During this period, Zhang Lexing's assistant, Zhao Zhu, would report the relevant situation regularly every month. Originally, he had been partially improving the integration level and researching out any alternative chips. There is not much progress in the integration of such things, but unexpectedly there will be a breakthrough, so Zhang Lexing is naturally very interested.However, the specific situation could not be clarified for a while during the overseas phone call, so Zhang Lexing took a plane and flew directly to Hong Kong.

It happened to be noon when the plane landed in Hong Kong. After a hasty lunch, Zhang Lexing drove to Dongfang Microelectronics Research Institute together with his assistants Yan Ruofei, Zhao Jai and others who came to pick up the plane.When the convoy stopped at the gate, Vice President Ye of the research institute was already standing at the gate to welcome them.

After a few words of politeness, the motorcade drove into the parking lot in the courtyard, and then, under the leadership of Vice President Ye, Zhang Lexing and his party came to the meeting room of the research institute.Walking into the meeting room, Zhang Lexing found that someone was already waiting inside. Looking carefully, it turned out to be the researcher Tang Wenyuan who was the first to support Zhang Lexing's proposal last time. Judging by his expression, it should be a good time.Tang Wenyuan was also very happy to see Zhang Lexing coming. He was originally just an ordinary researcher, but thanks to his continuous efforts in the integrated motherboard project, he has been promoted to the chief researcher of the integrated motherboard research group, responsible for the entire research project, although his personal Effort is very important, but he also knows that without this opportunity given by Zhang Lexing, at least he will not be as successful as he is now.

After everyone was seated, Tang Wenyuan looked at Zhang Lexing again with grateful eyes, and then began his introduction.First, Tang Wenyuan drew the curtains, and then used a computer and a projector to display a PPT describing the recent research situation on the screen, and then introduced while flipping: "Mr. Zhang, the current research on integrating the motherboard has been completed theoretically. In addition, several verification integrated motherboards have been produced in the laboratory, which are ready for further research, and the integrated motherboard technology has been introduced into the mature system for testing. You see, what is marked on this PPT is The progress of the work during this period, the theoretical verification was completed in July...the small-scale production in the laboratory began in August..."

Zhang Lexing looked up and took a closer look. The projected chart was basically the same as the one in the Zhao Ja newspaper, but it was written in more detail, specifically writing out the details of the work within each month.

After introducing the recent work situation, Tang Wenyuan opened the curtain again, and then took out what he called a "verification integration motherboard" from under the table.As expected of verification, this motherboard is twice the size of a common computer motherboard, and it is still a bit difficult for Tang Wenyuan to hold it by himself. For this reason, he specially hired someone to help him on the other side, so that he can have the energy to carry out introduce.

"Mr. Zhang, this is the verified integrated motherboard we produced in the laboratory. It has integrated the graphics card, sound card, and network card into the north-south bridge of the motherboard. This larger chip is the mainboard's The north bridge, the chip below is the south bridge, but the current integration level is not high, so the chip size of the north and south bridges is relatively large, and the corresponding PCB size and wiring spacing are also relatively large." Tang Wenyuan supported the motherboard with one hand, and then used another Holding an insulating rod in one hand, he pointed at the motherboard while introducing it.

Zhang Lexing leaned over to have a look, and couldn't help but said, "Your motherboard is too big, can you make it smaller?"

"Mr. Zhang, there is no problem with shrinking. This motherboard itself is used for testing. It is more convenient to determine the composition of each functional module, so the integration level is not high. It must be finalized, and the final product will definitely not compare to Now common computer motherboards are large, or even smaller." Tang Wenyuan explained.

"Oh, then can your motherboard work normally?" Zhang Lexing asked again.

"Yes, our motherboard is essentially the same function as the motherboard used by the Pentium processor that is now commonly used, except that it integrates expansion cards such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards. As long as the CPU is plugged into the processor socket , and then add memory and other accessories, it can be used normally. We have also built a computer with a verified integrated motherboard, and even the latest Kylin Windows95 operating system can also be used, but the driver needs to be customized by ourselves. Zhang Would you like to see our custom-made computer, sir?"

Zhang Lexing shook his head and said, "No hurry, you can continue to introduce the situation first."

"Okay, Mr. Zhang." Holding an insulating stick, Tang Wenyuan continued to introduce the composition and main performance indicators of the integrated motherboard: "...we use the 3DRage chip logic provided by ATI for the graphics card part of this motherboard, which has 2D, 3D processing capability, with 1 pixel pipeline and 1 vertex shader unit, capable of processing light sources, supporting MPEG-1 hardware acceleration... The sound card part adopts the improved SoundBlaster16 chip logic of Creative Company, with 16-bit sampling size and 44.1kHz Sampling rate to achieve CD-like playback effect, and support additional hard wave table daughter card. Well, the hard wave table daughter card can work when it is installed in this special mini expansion slot on the motherboard... the network card part The Hess-100 chip logic derived from the network switching technology of the San Jose Research Institute is used, with 10/100M self-adaptation, the dedicated ASIC chip optimizes the data transmission between the network interface and the PCI bus, and provides network The ability to manage..."

After introducing this verified integrated motherboard, Tang Wenyuan moved it down carefully, and then replaced it with a small and compact motherboard. The most obvious chip on it is the MIPSR-3000A that Zhang Lexing is very familiar with.

Seeing this strange motherboard, Zhang Lexing couldn't help asking: "What is this motherboard for?"

Tang Wenyuan pointed to the motherboard and introduced: "Mr. Zhang, this is the application of integrating motherboard technology into a mature system as mentioned just now. After adopting the integration technology, we can optimize the logic and PCB layout of the game. The area of ​​the PS game console motherboard provided by the research institute has been reduced by 40%, and if there are new technologies in the future, it may be further reduced..."

"Then you mean, if the PS game console adopts this technology, the cost can also be greatly reduced."

"Mr. Zhang, it is true. According to our estimation, the cost can be reduced by more than 20%."

After listening to Tang Wenyuan's introduction, Zhang Lexing couldn't help but think of the next-generation game console under development. Although it has not been seen yet, if some technologies in the development process of this integrated motherboard can be applied in the future, I believe it can also greatly reduce production. In this way, it will be in a strong position in the future battle for the mainframe market.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lexing couldn't help feeling proud, and said happily to Tang Wenyuan: "Very good, you have done a good job, but you will continue to work hard in the future, and if you have updated integration technology, I hope you can support the game console of the Game Research Institute project to help them improve product integration.”

"That's no problem, Mr. Zhang. Anyway, there is a technical exchange agreement between our two research institutes, and we have cooperated before. Now the distance between the two is a little farther, but after the completion of the research park next year, everyone We all moved there, and it will be much more convenient to communicate with each other when the time comes."

"I hope that your research institutes will strengthen horizontal exchanges in the future so as to form a joint force." Zhang Lexing turned around and explained to Vice President Ye.

"We will definitely pay attention." Vice President Ye nodded, then approached Zhang Lexing, and said in a low voice: "Mr. Zhang, this problem of communication will be easier when we move to the research park next year. We have already planned to build a computer network. system, coupled with the core composed of a high-performance computer, it will be much more convenient for data search and technical exchange.”

"Cough..." Tang Wenyuan coughed lightly, Zhang Lexing turned to look at him, only to find that there was a gray PS game machine in front of Tang Wenyuan who was so good at kung fu, and one end was connected to a projector, and the other end The mouse and keyboard are connected via an adapter.

Seeing the doubts on Zhang Lexing's face, Tang Wenyuan introduced: "Mr. Zhang, this is a mini computer we made with the motherboard just now."

"Mini computer?"

"Yes, strictly speaking, this mini computer is formed by using an improved version of the PS game console and a customized operating system. Wait a moment..." After Tang Wenyuan explained, he went to the side and closed the curtains Pull it up, then turn on the projector, and the Kylin Windows 95 interface that Zhang Lexing is very familiar with appears on the screen.

Zhang Lexing couldn't help but took the mouse and keyboard and tried it with his own hands. Not only the interface is similar, but even the content inside is similar, and the operation feeling is exactly the same. No wonder it is called a mini computer.

"By the way, how different is the improved version you made from the ordinary PS game console?"

"One reason is that Kylin Windows 95 is more complicated than the G1 operating system used by PS game consoles. In order to leave enough space for applications, the memory is increased. In addition, a hard disk is added, which is also the need of the operating system."

"From this point of view, this kind of improvement is of little value to ordinary PS game consoles, but it can be considered for use on the next generation of game consoles. At that time, we can also get a customized system, which is similar to the computer's operating system. That way You only need to recompile it, and a game can run on both the computer and the game console at the same time. Even if there are some places to modify, it is estimated that the difficulty will not be too great, just like the Xbox, that way... Haha!" Zhang Lexing Thinking about it, a smile appeared on his face involuntarily.

"Mr. Zhang...Mr. Zhang..."

Tang Wenyuan yelled a few times before Zhang Lexing came back to his senses. Seeing everyone's attention, he smiled embarrassedly: "It's okay, I just thought of something, and I was just happy for a while."

"Mr. Zhang, I have finished the introduction, do you have any comments?" Tang Wenyuan asked.

"Well, I think you are doing well, but the next step is to make the integrated motherboard practical as soon as possible, and reduce the production cost as much as possible while maintaining reasonable performance. After all, sooner or later other companies will get involved in this area, so We have to pay close attention. In addition, if allowed, the performance of the integrated graphics card should be better, at least the 2D performance should be equal to that of the mainstream graphics cards on the market, so that the integrated motherboard will have greater existence value..." Combined with my own opinion on the integrated motherboard After Impression made some comments, Zhang Lexing thought of something again: "By the way, give me that mini computer, I'll be useful."

"No problem. If Mr. Zhang doesn't mind, I can give you the one for demonstration." Tang Wenyuan took the minicomputer that had been put away, including the box, and pushed it in front of Zhang Lexing.

……

When leaving Dongfang Microelectronics Research Institute, Zhang Lexing and his team brought the mini computer to the Game Research Institute. After a brief exchange with Chen Zhipeng, they left behind the mini computer and Zhang Lexing's ideas for the next generation of game consoles (high performance processor, multi-processor collaboration, powerful 3D hardware acceleration, hard disk, DVD drive, and computer interaction, etc.), Zhang Lexing hopes that these things he has done can bring some benefits to the research and development of the next generation of game consoles. Help, I hope to see the perfect host of my dream sooner.

(End of this chapter)