game trailblazer

Chapter 308 The Prelude to Summer Vacation
"...Eidos has completed the acquisition and signing of LookingGlassStudio...LookingGlassStudio was established in 1990. Its main works include the "System Shock" series and "The Thief" series. Before being acquired, it was developing four games at the same time, including "Thief 2 Gold Edition, Thief 3, Simple Strike Squadron, and DeepCover..."

"...Sony Computer Entertainment announced on June 6 that the new PS game console - PS-One has been confirmed to be officially launched on July 8. PS-One is said to be a PS game console designed to match the mobile network era. On the premise of maintaining the basic functions of the PS game console, the volume is reduced to one-third of the original. Through a dedicated connection line, PS-One can use the mobile phone to download the additional part of the game. The price is 7 yen...Next spring Sony Computer Entertainment will also launch a special LCD screen for PS-One, which will bring a more convenient and smart feeling of use, and can even be used outdoors when necessary... PS-One will be launched in Europe and America at the same time as PS7, also in autumn ...there is news that Sony Computer Entertainment is developing portable technology for the PS15000..."

"...According to investigations, Sega has recently been in close contact with the mobile phone giant Motorola. The two parties have reached an agreement to jointly develop a new type of mobile phone. This new type of mobile phone uses Sega's image processing technology and Motorola's network communication technology. The ability to quickly load games from the network... Motorola predicts that over 1000 million of these new phones will be sold in the US next year..."

"...As of June 6, Nintendo's GameBoy series of portable handhelds has sold an astonishing 16 million units worldwide"

……

Zhang Lexing moved the mouse and clicked the left button to close the last email on the screen. His work today is almost over. If there is no unexpected disturbance, he can cook a love meal for Chen Zishan up.Walking out of his work room, he came to the private kitchen on the same floor. Zhang Lexing went to the sink near the windowsill, turned on the faucet and washed his hands. At this moment, he saw Chen Zishan and her old man walking on the lawn downstairs through the window. Mother Chen Xinyu.

According to Chen Xinyu's thinking, it is best to stay indoors during the first three months of pregnancy, lying on the bed obediently and not moving. "...What if I have a miscarriage?" Chen Xinyu talked about her experience with deep understanding. She had suffered this kind of loss before, otherwise Chen Zishan might have a brother or sister.

After trying it for a day, Chen Zishan couldn't take it anymore and lay on the bed as if paralyzed, unable to even turn over. I'm afraid few people can bear it.In the end, I had to call in a doctor. After some professional guidance, Chen Zishan finally had a chance to relax. When the weather is good, she can walk on the lawn downstairs accompanied by a nurse or her own mother.As for work, Chen Zishan has basically left it to her subordinates to do it. Occasionally, documents will be sent to her for signature when necessary. Now the most she does every day is to listen to light music and lie down to rest.

Seeing Chen Zishan and her mother walking slowly on the green grass in the sun, Zhang Lexing took out a towel to wipe off the water on his hands, then opened the storage compartment, took out a small pumpkin, washed it and used it Cut it into thin slices with a knife, put it in a bowl, put it in a steamer, turn on the fire and start steaming.Then someone scooped some japonica rice from the rice bucket, washed it and put it in the stew pot.Zhang Lexing is going to make a simple rice porridge with pumpkin stalks this time. According to the doctor, this kind of porridge is very suitable for eating after pregnancy. It can not only promote the development of fetal brain cells, but also prevent pregnancy complications such as pregnancy edema and high blood pressure. All in all, it is very good That's it, and it's not too much trouble to do.

Zhang Lexing took out the steamed pumpkin, mashed it carefully, and then threw it into the boiling stew pot. While continuing to cook, he stirred slowly with a long-handled spoon. The fragrance of pumpkin mixed with japonica rice accompanied the steam. Gradually radiating out, gradually filling the whole kitchen...

RB Tokyo, inside the Sony Computer Entertainment office building...

Ken Kutaragi was sitting in his president's office, listening to Aoyama Akihiro's report on the preparations for the "PS-One" project: "President, all preparations are in place at present, and the factory is working hard to produce. Prepare enough goods... There are still some problems with the mobile phone adapter that can access the Internet through mobile phones. It is necessary to coordinate the data exchange with the network communication provider. In addition, the production line of the dedicated chip needs to be readjusted, so it can only be postponed until the fall... The research and development of the PS-One dedicated LCD screen is nearing completion, and it is expected to be available in the spring of next year, when coupled with the 'MobilePowerOne' mobile power supply, our PS-One can even be used as a portable game..."

Taking a deep breath, Ken Kutaragi still had a serious expression on his face. Originally, the "PS-One" project went smoothly, and he should be quite satisfied, but that damned DreamBox128 hangs like a big sword in Sony's The head of computer entertainment made him restless all the time, especially when he saw the other party's global sales figures soaring upwards.

But who made the PS2’s performance so weak? It’s been almost six months, but the weekly sales have never surpassed DreamBox128 except for the first day. PS2 will never be able to catch up with the opponent, it will only be pulled further and further away by the opponent.But who is to blame for this matter? Blame the RB government. Blame them for not treating the PS2 as a conventional weapon related to multi-purpose products. It's very sad that my company is like a second-class citizen.

In fact, if it weren't for the RB government's horizontal intervention, Sony Computer Entertainment would not have the ability to develop the European and American markets. There is no other reason, but it is its own fault. Although it has been adjusted and the core factory has been put into production, the production capacity of PS2 game consoles Insufficient problems cannot be resolved in a short while.Even if the RB government does not restrict the export of PS2 game consoles, Sony Computer Entertainment can at most advance the launch date in North America by a few months.

Cannot rely on the PS2 game console to directly resist the opponent, especially when the opponent has "Final Fantasy 9" to help out, Kutaragi Ken had to focus on the mature PS game console production line, knowing that PS-One is impossible in terms of performance Competing with the game consoles of the new century, he asked his researchers to find another way, focusing on size and volume, and adding fashionable network functions, so the PS-One, which gathered the latest scientific and technological achievements, made its debut.

In about half a month, PS-One will be officially launched. Thinking that he will face the pressure of "Final Fantasy 9" just after his appearance, Ken Kutaragi, who was still full of confidence, is a little bit lacking in confidence, but in front of his subordinates , he is still very good at controlling, and did not show his negative emotions.

"Mr. Qingshan, in order to gain more living space for PS2, you must do a good job in preparing for the sale of PS-One. The success or failure of the company depends on it!" Takeru Kutaragi commanded with a dignified face.

Aoyama Akihiro stood up and nodded sharply: "Yes, President, I will definitely do my best!"

……

Isao Okawa was sitting on the hospital bed, and beside him were his most trusted lawyer, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Tetsu Kayama, who was called the successor of the president in Sega.

"Mr. Okawa, it's all our fault that we didn't work hard enough." Xiang Shanzhe looked at Okawa Gong's thin cheeks, and said shamefully: "Actually, you don't have to do this!"

"Yes, Mr. Okawa, have you really thought it through? This is 500 billion yen, not a small amount." As an old relationship for many years, Kuchiki Byakuya didn't want to oppose Okawa Isao's decision, but the amount Too big, at least double check anyway.

Sitting on the hospital bed, Isao Okawa calmly shook his head, and said in a slightly weak voice: "It's okay, anyway, I don't need this money to live, Sega needs it more than me, otherwise the current situation will be difficult to survive." down."

When Shoichiro Nieko was still the president of Sega, Isao Okawa had great expectations for this person and the future of Sega. , He gradually understood that Sega's current predicament was more difficult than he had imagined before. The loss of more than 280 billion yen alone was already difficult to deal with, not to mention that there were DreamBox128 and PS2 outside.

The current Isao Okawa seems to understand the suggestion of Shoichiro Nizuko at the beginning. The withdrawal of the Dreamcast mainframe from the market may really be a solution, but he is not reconciled, and he has never been reconciled.Sega started fighting with Nintendo a long time ago, and then Sony came out. During this period, there were both short-term successes and endless failures, but Sega persisted.If the Dreamcast console is really withdrawn from the market, then with the current situation of Sega, I am afraid it will be difficult to return to the home game console market in the future, so he is so unwilling, which is why this scene happened today.Isao Okawa hopes that the money he donated can help Sega survive the most difficult period, and maybe things will turn around.

"But..." Xiangshan Zhe still couldn't accept it. The old man in front of him had already contributed a lot to Sega, and now he still gave away his personal property for free, which made them, the senior executives of Sega, feel very embarrassed.

"Don't persuade me anymore. I know that the North American company is planning to promote the music game "Space Fifth Channel". If you don't accept my donation, it may be difficult for you to mobilize enough funds to carry out the plan. As far as the host is concerned, it will only have a worse impact." Isao Okawa turned his head to look at Byakuya Kuchiki, and said wearily: "Okay, take out the contract for me, and sign it now!"

"Yes, Mr. Okawa." Byakuya Kuchiki dug out the property transfer agreement prepared in advance from the briefcase, and handed it to Isao Okawa on the hospital bed.

Xiang Shanzhe looked at Isao Okawa who was looking at the agreement on the hospital bed, and thought of the little things he had done for Sega over the years, especially when he saw that he was so haggard from the illness, he couldn't help feeling sour...

Compared with Sony Computer Entertainment and Sega's troubles, Nintendo's people are obviously in a much better mood. They even held a special event to celebrate the GameBoy's global sales exceeding [-] million units. There are also branch offices.

Minoru Arakawa, who has not been seen for a long time, also appeared at the celebration site of the North American branch, and told the media reporter: "Analyzed from a commercial perspective, the GameBoy handheld has a unique lightness, more than a thousand games, and a wide range of games suitable for all ages. The advantages in terms of user base and other aspects have achieved unexpected success. From a broader social perspective, the GameBoy handheld has successfully become a part of international popular culture..."

Minoru Arakawa's words were decent, but Hiroshi Yamauchi, who was in Kyoto, didn't know if he was dazzled by the unprecedented achievements of GameBoy. He actually announced the success of GameBoy's follow-up model, GameBoy Advanced, at the celebration event. Performance is comparable to Dreamcast hosting.As soon as this remark appeared, the reporters on the scene were in an uproar. Of course, they felt very happy. Anyway, no matter whether Hiroshi Yamauchi’s words are reliable or not, tomorrow’s page has something to write about. Some people have even started planning to interview Sega’s current president Isao Okawa , At that time, I will ask Hiroshi Yamauchi that "GameBoy Advanced's performance is comparable to that of Dreamcast hosts". No matter how Isao Okawa answers, or even does not answer, in short, there will be content to write.If Isao Okawa thinks what Hiroshi Yamauchi said is unreasonable, you can write "Isao Okawa angrily denounces Nintendo's irresponsible propaganda". That's right." Anyway, for some reporters, the same thing may not be understood even after the same thing has been written brilliantly.

China BJ, Capital International Airport...

The president of GamaSoft, Kim Jae-yeon, and his entourage walked out of the airport terminal. They were lucky to see the person who came to pick them up immediately. A huge sign read "Welcome to the president of GamaSoft" in Korean. Kim Jae-yeon and his party", there were a few Chinese standing under the sign, and it was obvious that this group was there to welcome them.

Kim Jae-yeon came to China this time to expand his company's overseas business. After all, China is a relatively close place, and the culture is in the same strain. It should be more acceptable in terms of games.The reason why someone came to pick up the plane was also introduced by a well-connected game development company. They began to try to sell the game to China last year, and they were represented by the company called "Shortcut Computer" who picked up the plane today.Kim Jae-yeon's trip was mainly to discuss with Shortcut Computer to represent their company's games, and also to inspect the game market in China by the way, and he even had more ideas.Kim Jae-yeon heard that many people said that it is very cheap to hire people in China. This time, he also has the idea of ​​​​dropping in to see if it is true. If this is the case, he also wants to invest some money to establish a game production team with lower development costs. .

It is already very hot in BJ in June, but it is more comfortable to sit in an air-conditioned car.When the car drove into the urban area, Jin Zaiyan couldn't help but often look out of the window because of the high-rise buildings along the way. Before he came, China should be a very backward place in his mind. Who knows what he saw when he arrived at BJ But he was very surprised, and even felt that it was more prosperous than Seoul, at least the city seemed to be much bigger than Seoul.Jin Jae-yeon couldn't help but worry a little, whether the rumors that the so-called Chinese people are cheap are true, but from a good place, there should be many people who are able to consume game software in such a prosperous place. Thinking of this, his mood slowly improved again...

Li Wenbo closed the game he was debugging, and yawned involuntarily. Now he is not using the original "Game DreamWorks", which was fine when he first started using it. It is relatively fast to develop a game or something, but If you really want to go deeper, you can’t do it if you want to make games with higher operating efficiency and larger scale. So with the help of a friend, he has now used the more professional XNAGameStudio Lite Edition, and the game under development is nearing completion. After a few days of debugging, they plan to put it out for others to try and play.

Yawning again, Li Wenbo clicked on the ISDN dial-up connection on the desktop. After connecting to the Internet, he opened "Lianzhong Game World" and prepared to play two games to relax.After entering the account password, he just entered the game hall when he saw a very eye-catching advertisement, which read: "Our club has opened exclusive membership service, only 120 yuan a year."This advertisement has appeared for several weeks. When I saw it for the first time, Li Wenbo clicked on it curiously. It said that Lianzhong will open a member-only area to provide paid members with a better environment and faster An online space with faster speed, more awards, more comprehensive services, and more fairness, with dedicated servers and full-time administrators.

However, Li Wenbo has no interest in this. Anyway, he only plays a couple of piggies occasionally, and spending 120 yuan a year for this seems a bit too extravagant.Looking away from the advertisement banner, the mouse pointer moves to "Gongzhu" in the game list, a standard quick click, after selecting a suitable room, Li Wenbo started to play "Gongzhu" while yawning...

(End of this chapter)