game trailblazer

Chapter 72 IBM's Second Attack

After the new year, the project team led by Zhan Jun started a new round of work, and the annual VisualSystem internal meeting was also held.In addition to discussing the company's annual business situation this year, the most important thing is to discuss a future-oriented development plan-the operating system code-named "Baiji".After several confrontations with IBM last year, the company's operations are on the right track again. In addition to continuing to consolidate the dominance of the PC operating system, it is also developing towards the PC server operating system.In order to overcome the orders of some special institutions, Yang Xinxin also launched a SOOS project (Open Source Operating System, signed an open source agreement for special institutions), and the development team was led by Linus from Finland.

The operating system code-named "Baiji" is VisualSystem's development plan for the emerging home computer market. In order to adapt to the characteristics of home users, it plans to make more efforts in humanized operation, multimedia features, beautiful interface, and game support. A system that is more suitable for family experience.Of course, for the commercial market, VisualSystem also has a new plan, an operating system code-named "Badger".In fact, the two operating systems will use the same underlying kernel, but the part above the underlying kernel feels different in use, and is optimized for different usage habits. This is also the future development direction of VisualSystem on the operating system. Through the mature underlying The kernel is built with a different sense of use, which is used to target different markets.

In mid-March, when Zhang Lexing was still working with Bill, Gary and others on the main functions and system framework of the future operating system, Sid Meier and Bruce Shelley's masterpiece "Civilization" was released on the market.Before going public, MicroProse was not optimistic about this game, and was even unwilling to spend money on the promotion of "Civilization". The market and public popularity of this game depended on the word-of-mouth of Sid Meier's fans and the daily discussions on the BBS.But gold always shines, and the irresistible fun of "Civilization" quickly found its perfect position among the game crowd.It didn't take long before the game media routinely rated Mel and Shelley's work as "the best strategy game of the year" in many popular computer magazines at the time, whether it was in Europe or the United States.As the game became famous, the sales of "Civilization" also rose sharply, which not only surprised MicroProse's management, but even the creators themselves were unexpected.

Also in March, "The Age of Voyage 3", which was completed by Scowell for Japanese culture, and "Three Kingdoms 1", a sequel based on Blue Dragon's experimental work "Three Kingdoms", were launched on RB at the same time. It's nothing to Zhang Lexing, but to a company in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, the release of "The Age of Great Voyage 2" was like a bolt from the blue, triggering bursts of cursing and anger in the company's office. The sound of a computer screen breaking.

Zhang Lexing didn't care about the news of "Three Kingdoms 2" at first, but after hearing Nangong Yun say that the game was made by those six people who went to RB for further study, Zhang Lexing couldn't help but want to go to RB to see how these people are doing.After going to RB, I just happened to be able to go back to China to see the situation.Since the domestic situation stabilized last year, Zhang Lexing has always wanted to go back, but unfortunately due to various affairs, he always failed to make the trip.We can only appoint other people to go to the country to inspect the operation of Rising Sun Software, Kingsoft, Tianzhiyuan and the rebuilt Le Yiyang. The situation is better this year. Go to the *K special line of the BJ Sunrise Software office building (where both Sunrise Software and Le Yiyang work), and the relationship between the two parties has become closer, and some projects that require collaboration have also been launched.Although Zhang Lexing can also learn about the domestic situation in time through the dedicated line, after all, it is not as comprehensive as going to know it in person, so this time I had the opportunity to go to RB Zhang Lexing and moved my mind to return to China.

It's a pity that someone always comes out to disrupt the situation at critical moments. First, there was no news for a long time that the anti-monopoly investigation was pushed again, but this time the protagonist was replaced by the Ministry of Justice, and a shackle began to slowly fall on VisualSystem.But this is not over, just three days later, IBM held another grand press conference, at which IBM's spokesman Jerry introduced the new operating system development strategy, and revealed some information about the new version of the operating system: " ...is responsible for the development of a huge team of nearly a thousand people...the new version of the operating system will be stable and fast...the code name of the new version of the operating system is 'Warp'..." Finally, Jerry also promised that the new version of the operating system will be It will be listed before the end of the year, and it is said that IBM's OS/2 will definitely defeat VisualSystem's KylinWindows system. The IBM behemoth once again opened its fangs, and VisualSystem, which had already sat firmly on the Diaoyutai platform, faced tremendous pressure again.

Of course, these two things were only heard when Zhang Lexing had already arrived at RB. When the Ministry of Justice showed up, Yang Xinxin only called Zhang Lexing once every two days to ask when Zhang Lexing would go back. Twelve times a day, even if Zhang Lexing has various plans, he can only take a plane back at such an urgent moment.

After getting off the plane, Zhang Lexing was dragged by the impatient Yang Xinxin to the headquarters of VisualSystem before he had time to catch his breath. An emergency meeting had already begun, and almost all the company's senior executives and technical directors came.

As soon as Zhang Lexing entered the venue, he felt a depressing atmosphere. Most of the people had solemn expressions, but Jones, a technical director of the operating system development team, was arguing with Ballmer in the face.Seeing Zhang Lexing and Yang Xinxin walk in, they glared at each other before forcing themselves to sit down.Zhang Lexing found an empty seat and sat down. Seeing the two ignoring each other like children, he couldn't help but feel a little funny.

"Jones, Steve, why were you arguing so fiercely just now?"

"Steve just asked us if we could launch a new operating system at the end of the year. How is this possible? The changes in this version are relatively large. According to the plan, it will not be completed until around June next year. If you hurry up, it will be a month earlier at most. This year It's absolutely impossible." Jones said bitterly.

"Actually, I was just asking, not really disrupting the development plan." Ballmer smiled wryly.

"Okay, I know both of you are kind. Don't think too much about Jones. Steve also wants to deal with IBM. They are under a lot of pressure now." Zhang Lexing tried to persuade them.

There were steps to go down, and the two who had no deep hatred at all immediately shook hands and made peace, and the agenda of the meeting quickly turned to how to deal with the current situation.

On the car back, Zhang Lexing and Yang Xinxin had already discussed a preliminary countermeasure, and now it is time to take it out and improve it together with everyone.

Zhang Lexing began to introduce his plan: "The current situation looks very dangerous, but in fact, it is not impossible to analyze it. Let's talk about the Ministry of Justice first. In fact, as long as we are prepared, this is the best way to deal with it. As long as there is no Let the Ministry of Justice seize the handle, and we will be safe and sound.

Now the key is that IBM is difficult to deal with. We can try to start with the media first. They develop conferences, and we can also hold media meetings. This matter is still in charge of Steve, which is your best field. "

Everyone burst into laughter...

Ballmer also smiled: "OK! I will spray IBM so hard that I can't find it."

"Of course we have to beat IBM in terms of strength. IBM claims to have built a development team of nearly a thousand people this time, and the investment in development is not small. But IBM is fully committed, and we can't stop other projects."

Everyone was a little sad when they heard this, Jones muttered in a low voice: "Could it be that we just gave up..."

Zhang Lexing continued: "Of course I will not give up, but the investment in expanding the development force here is too huge, and the time is too late, but the situation is different in China, where we have two close cooperation The company, and some peripheral cooperation units, these two companies currently have a development team of more than 300 people. According to my idea, all the modules that can be subcontracted in the new operating system will be transferred to China for development, because The dedicated line to BJ has been opened, so during the development process, we can also use this dedicated line to strengthen communication and maintain the progress of both parties reasonably. This can make up for our current shortage of manpower to a large extent, and can also speed up the entire project development progress."

Everyone's eyes brightened, as if they all saw the dawn of solving the problem. The experience of cooperation has given everyone a deep understanding of the technical strength of their Chinese counterparts. Of course, they will not worry that the collaborators will not be able to take on the important task this time, as long as they do well Coordinated communication will definitely greatly advance the launch date of the new version of the operating system, and the pressure from IBM will be much less.

Now that the direction of efforts has been determined, it is time for professionals to come forward. Everyone began to work hard to perfect the plan in terms of technology and marketing. The haze of the past seemed to be swept away, and smiles appeared on everyone's faces.After perfecting the plan, everyone started to get busy.

The first to appear was the development department, which not only got in touch with BJ through a special line, but also sent a technical team headed by Jones to BJ in person.Soon after, Rising Sun Software and Le Yiyang began large-scale recruitment, this time mainly for skilled developers. Soon, without affecting the normal work of the two companies, a team of 400 people The development team was established, and the main members were selected from the two companies. The vacancies left by them will be temporarily replaced by newly recruited personnel.Through the special line of *K, VisualSystem's development strength has been greatly enhanced, and the special line has been busy all day since then.

Immediately after Ballmer appeared, he first commented in newspapers and magazines: "IBM will never complete the OS/2 system they promised before the end of this year. If IBM can prove me wrong, I will put Eat a floppy disk.” Then he led the marketing department to start the best pre-publicity, competing for the attention of potential users.

A new round of confrontation between VisualSystem and IBM kicked off again...

(End of this chapter)