Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 455 The third generation of game consoles

"Sit wherever you want." Tang Huan greeted Jay Miner, and introduced casually: "This is the second-generation Xiaobawang game console. It was developed together with the second-generation Fangyuan Computer MC68000 model, but due to cost, heat generation, radiation, The mature generation of Xiaobawang game consoles are gaining popularity in the market and other factors, so there is no rush to launch them, but repeated adjustments and optimizations for a long time, let’s see how they perform.”

Jay Miner is an expert-level technical master. He immediately judged that the second-generation Subtitle game console in front of him was not just an upgrade.

Moreover, the design of this running "Major League Baseball" game is also eye-catching. It is almost certain that the screen uses 64-bit color and the sound supports a stereo system. Just by watching, you will be shown. The effect is tickling.

"This is a game console that can divide product eras." Jay Miner took a deep breath and commented solemnly.

"That's how I positioned the second-generation Xiaobawang game console. It will lead home video game consoles into the 16-bit era, or the third generation." Tang Huan smiled slightly and put down the handle.

"Although Mattel's Intellivision also uses a 16-bit CPU, it can't compare with the second-generation Xiaobawang game console." Jay Miner, who picked up the controller and tried it for a while, nodded in agreement.

"There are many factors that determine the performance of a home video game console, and it is not determined by a 16-bit microprocessor alone."

Tang Huan looked at Jay Miner appreciatively, "Among the second-generation home video game consoles, the hardware configuration of the Atari 2600 can be said to be the weakest. The video module you designed is only equipped with 128 bytes of memory, but it still performed very well in games and was a market success."

"There is no way. At that time, the price of memory was too expensive. If we could have expected the current affordable price, we would not have spent so much effort to pursue the ultimate."

Jay Miner smiled bitterly and asked tentatively, "Now that the development of the second-generation Subtitle game console has been completed, the existence of the Amiga project is not necessary, right?"

"Of course not. You don't have to worry about the future of the Amiga project. I'm still very sure of its value."

Tang Huan waved his hand and reassured Jay Miner, "It's just that my technical positioning of the Amiga project is a multimedia personal computer, not just a home video game console. And you should also know that now in North America, The market situation for home video game consoles is very pessimistic, and if the Amiga project is still obsessed with this goal, it will be tantamount to seeking a dead end."

Seeing Tang Huan unintentionally chop off his hard work, Jay Miner suddenly felt relieved, so he had some free time and asked casually, "Then the second-generation Xiaobawang game console..."

"The second-generation Subtitle game console will not be released in the North American market for the first time." After Tang Huan answered confidently, he picked up the remote control on the coffee table and clicked it. Under Jay Miner's surprised eyes, another A TV connected to a video recorder flickered, and a Japanese advertisement began to play.

Although Jay Miner couldn't understand the whole content, he also understood the seven sevens and eighty-eight, nothing more than exaggerating the superior characteristics of the second-generation Xiaobawang game console.To be honest, he, an industry expert, is tempted to buy one.

"According to reliable sources, several video game machine factories in Silicon Valley are planning to lay off workers on a large scale."

Tang Huan slowly explained: "It can be seen from this that this market depression is bound to severely damage the home video game industry in North America, and the global video game center will inevitably be transferred to Japan in Asia. You must know , The economic environment there is in a golden age, which is just enough to support the worldwide entertainment industry. Therefore, the second-generation Xiaobawang game console chose Japan for global release.”

"So, this industry is about to start to reshuffle again." Jay Miner nodded clearly and said with emotion, "It's finally the Atari 2600's turn to step down from the stage of history, or the entire 8-bit home video game. The machine is about to say goodbye to the market."

"That's not necessarily the case. In addition to the treasure trove of the North American market, there are still places for 8-bit home video game consoles in other parts of the world. At least the first-generation Subtitle game console will exist for a long time."

Tang Huan raised his finger and pointed, "The release price of the second-generation Subordinate game console is US$399, while the current market price of the first-generation Subordinate game console is US$199. This price layout is quite complementary."

Jay Miner pondered and said: "The first generation of the Overlord game console, like the Atari 2600, has a very difficult technical problem, that is, it cannot control unauthorized use. If it cannot be effectively solved, then North American home TV games will now The chaos in the aircraft market may happen again."

"You have really seen the key point." Tang Huan felt as if he had met a confidant. "The second-generation Little Overlord game will solve this problem from both software and hardware aspects."

Tang Huan raised a finger and continued: "EA will create a royalty system to conduct registration management and product review for game developers. Any game works with quality problems will not be able to board the second-generation Xiaobawang game console. platform. In the early stages of the implementation of this plan, EA will also encourage industry personnel to establish some satellite companies and cooperative companies to develop excellent games according to a model similar to that of Hollywood film companies and independent producers. Now that the market is so bad, I believe a lot of people don’t have a lot of options.”

"These non-technical strategic layouts and market operations require mobilizing a lot of resources, which are much more complicated than just adding an authentication chip to the hardware." Jay Miner sighed with emotion, "It is estimated that the electronic The era of small workshops in the game console industry is coming to an end, and the best way out for practitioners is to rely on influential hardware platforms for game software development.”

"It seems that you have thought deeply about the Amiga project. The second-generation Xiaobawang game console will indeed add an authentication chip to control developers and users at the hardware level." Tang Huan laughed loudly.

"It's a pity that my Amiga project didn't happen at the right time." Jay Miner secretly lamented.

In order to get rid of this untimely negative emotion, he quickly asked: "What about that generation of Xiaobawang game consoles? If such mandatory hardware chip certification is also carried out, a huge number of game cartridges on the market and in the hands of users will be scrapped. .”

"You can't be so greedy, otherwise, you will just push customers into other people's arms, which is too stupid."

Tang Huan shook his head, "The first generation of Xiaobawang game opportunity will launch a 1983 or 1984 version to carry out certification management for new games and new game cartridges. As for the previous products, we can only let them go. I believe that as the market advances, they will be replaced. Replace slowly."

"Since the second-generation Xiaobawang game console is so mature, there is really no need for the Amiga project to continue to flutter in the field of video games."

Convinced, Jay Miner shrugged his shoulders and looked very open, "I don't know whether the Amiga project can meet the company's multimedia personal computer strategy."

(End of this chapter)