Rebirth of the Tech Madman

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Akio Morita, president of Sony, and Norio Oga, president of Sony, who restrained their edge and traveled in a low-key manner, came to the famous electric street Akihabara for a private visit. ??Need to read??Book?ww?w?·1·

Here, home appliance stores such as TVs, washing machines, and refrigerators are still thriving, and VCR, stereo, and music CD stores line up in batches. Among the best-selling products, there is no lack of Sony's top products.

However, neither Akio Morita nor Norio Oga showed any joy on their faces, because Akihabara still has a more popular hot-selling item, which is the second-generation Xiaobawang game console. Various related game stores are in the ascendant.

Men are all busy playing golf, don't women have their own entertainment besides housework?

This kind of provocative advert made Dancing Machine a popular video game among Japanese women. The slogan of fitness in entertainment made everyone see what it means to women earn the best money.

People's obsession with dancing machines has directly driven the sales of the second-generation Xiaobawang game consoles. As the market share of this platform continues to increase, it will naturally give consumers the opportunity to buy other types of games.

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This cassette is the one Akina Nakamori mentioned on the TV show.

Great, it's finally time to do business, please wrap it up for me.

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Such conversations between the salesman and the customer came to the ears of Akio Morita and Norio Oga from time to time, making them frown frequently.

The second-generation Xiaobawang game console is so expensive, and millions of units have been sold. We are only at the level of cooperating to develop CD-drives, and it is a pity that we are indifferent to this market. Norio Oga There was eagerness in his tone.

The competition in the home video game console market is too fierce. There are senior manufacturers such as Nintendo, Sega, etc. in Japan alone. Especially the home video game console market collapsed in North America last year, and I don't know how many companies went bankrupt. Akio Morita shook his head, The popularity of the second-generation Xiaobawang game console is due to the dancing machines, and the dancing machines are sweeping Japan. It is a phenomenon, and it is almost impossible to replicate.

But after the reshuffle, the number of game companies in the world has decreased sharply. One Kanshu·1?k?an?s?h?u?·c?c? The living space has become larger. Just like EA, now almost monopolizing the video game industry. And even though Nintendo's game console has suffered serious setbacks,

Can still be maintained. Norio Ohga is obviously more optimistic.

I am not opposed to Sony's entry into the field of home video game consoles, but before that, it is necessary to accumulate technology well. Compared with Atari's sudden collapse, the larger EA can survive this sudden The market disaster that is coming is really frightening.

Akio Morita said with a stern expression: We must admit that the technology of Tanghuan's companies is advanced enough, and their responsiveness is even slightly inferior to that of rivals. Just based on the dex rhythms of spring and autumn every year, new products are launched every six months. , will almost drag down all competitors.”

That's true. Norio Ohhe nodded, Let's take personal computers as an example. I thought that after obtaining the authorization of the second-generation Fangyuan personal computer compatible machine, I would be able to fully understand the technology of this industry, but I didn't expect The three generations of Fangyuan personal computers have added so many new tricks, and there is a sense of endlessness in the performance of the replacement. Fortunately, the personal computer business is profitable, and we have not suffered a loss.”

Tang Huan's ability to maintain a leading position in these highly competitive industries for a long time does not depend solely on technological advantages. Akio Morita pointed to a billboard in front of a game store and said: Look, the royalty system launched by EA and Taito , how well-organized the development of games on the second-generation Xiaobawang game console platform is. Each game is like a movie rating system, given various positions.

However, I heard that the implementation process of this royalty system was not smooth. Norio Ohga smiled. At the very beginning, in order to maintain their own share of game works, EA and Taito set up plans for four games per year for third-party game companies such as Hudson, Namco, Capcom, Jericho, and Konami. As a result, there was opposition, and the upper limit was raised from four games to six games, and the hard upper limit became the soft upper limit. As long as the quality and rating of the games meet the standards, they are not within the limit.”

But from the current point of view, I think EA and Taito are playing a game of retreat. Akio Morita also smiled, but there was a hint of playfulness in his smile.

The opposition from third-party game companies was born after the great success of the dance machine and the market share of the second-generation Xiaobawang game console platform has increased significantly, which just shows that they are extremely optimistic about the prospects of the second-generation Xiaobawang game console platform.

EA and Taidong are like the big bad wolf who coaxed Little Red Riding Hood to open the door. Although they agreed to relax the upper limit of the number of games for game developers, they made them further sign a major agreement in the royalty system, including game ratings and centralized production. He piled up detailed terms and left the outside world with an image of being willing to share benefits with his partners. He is really cunning and cunning. To read??Book·1Book k?a?nshu·”

Hearing Akio Morita's analysis clearly and logically, Norio Oga opened his mouth, but was still speechless in the end.

Obviously, EA is sorting out the order in the field of video games as an industry leader, trying to re-establish a set of market rules that can operate stably.

Akio Morita continued leisurely: Then let's sit back and enjoy the benefits. On the one hand, we can observe and learn from EA's experience, and on the other hand, we can wait for the recovery of the North American home video game console market.

Da Hedian nodded with great enthusiasm and convincing, Then the president thinks, how long will we have to wait before we are suitable to enter the home video game console market.

It mainly depends on two conditions. Akio Morita stretched out his fingers and counted. First, the North American home video game console market must show clear signs of recovery. I estimate that it will take at least two years. Second, we need industry rules. It is an opportunity for change, just like the opportunity for an 8-bit personal computer to upgrade to a 16-bit personal computer. Without this condition, latecomers will not be able to break through the monopoly advantage of EA, the overlord.”

It seems that we really have to try our best for a while. Dahe Dianxiong sighed softly, Tang Huan's methods are indeed brilliant, but some of his methods have always puzzled me. Take a personal computer Let's talk about video game consoles, which have been tirelessly promoting the development of CD-

Do you think that Tang Huan already has a considerable interest in the video recorder market, and if he raises the status of CD- in this way, is he fighting with each other and weakening the existing profitability for no reason? Akio Morita asked with great interest.

I really think so. Tang Huan quickly launched a new videotape format, s-vhs, after he got the authorization of video recorders and videotapes there. As a result, it has basically replaced the VHS format. Otherwise, our betamax format would not be in the same situation. It took a sharp turn, and had to make many concessions in the process of cooperation with China, in order to regain its disadvantage in the United States.

Norio Ohga observed Akio Morita, who was in charge of this matter, and saw that the other party's expression remained unchanged. But he still added: Tang Huan is currently catching up in this field, and even stepped on the original owner of VHS. Fortunately, he was not put into our betamax camp like CD-DA was.

After finishing the foreshadowing, Dahe Nianxiong continued to say with confidence: Tang Huan is using cd-a business whose business model has yet to be verified, and squeezing s-vhs video recorders, a business whose market value has matured. What's going on in your head? No wonder some people call them lunatics in addition to calling them nouveau riche.

People in the world often regard geniuses as lunatics, but in fact, they just don't understand the minds of geniuses. Akio Morita smiled faintly, I brought you to Akihabara this time, just to see if I can figure out Tang Tang's thoughts. Huan's plan. Sun Zhengyi's younger brother opened an electrical appliance store here. With his brother's close relationship with Tang Huan, he can even get some conceptual products and businesses. Maybe we can get a glimpse of it.

The two were chatting, and the subordinate in charge of leading the way said respectfully: The president, the president, is this electrical appliance store. Some of the latest products here need to be ordered, and even have to sign a confidentiality and feedback agreement.

Akio Morita waved his hand and strode into the electrical appliance store belonging to the Sun family. The first sales area that caught his eye was the hot video game area. The products sold are in addition to the second-generation Xiaobawang game console and game cartridges. There are also various peripherals, Xiaobawang handhelds, Xiaobawang arcade machines, and electronic games running on personal computer platforms.

A salesperson was demonstrating to a pair of young men and women that the second-generation Xiaobawang game console is connected to the TV through the A-V terminal, which is superior to connecting the TV through a tuner.

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Sure enough, I'm not afraid of interference. The picture is so delicate. When playing with the dancing machine, the effect is even better. The woman praised happily.

Then don't buy a Sony TV for our new house, buy a Sharp TV. In addition to supporting the a-v terminal, the infrared remote control is really very convenient. You can just press it when watching a program. You can also be lazy. The man laughed.

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Akio Morita's face darkened when he heard this.

He was about to lift his legs to walk in when the salesperson suggested to the young couple who were about to get married: You two, how can there be no video recorder in the home entertainment system? Why don't you go to the area over there and have a look? Go to the warehouse to get you the game console.

The young men and women walked in another direction like a stream of kindness, and happened to be on the same road with Akio Morita and Norio Oga.

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Looking at the s-vhs video recorders of Epson, Panasonic, Sharp, Kyocera and other brands on the shelf, Akio Morita felt dazzled.

Sony is also obsessed with controlling industry standards. As early as in the videotape format competition in the 1990s, it dominated everything with the u-format, which aroused the hatred of companies such as Panasonic, so in the new round of videotape format competition, it supported the vhs format and Sony's betamax format goes against it.

It is precisely because of Sony's single food style of work that Akio Morita is very uncomfortable with the appearance of so many brands of s-vhs video recorders.

When the salesman greeted him with a smile and asked which one he was interested in, Akio Morita subconsciously asked: Why don't you have a video recorder that supports betamax format?

The s-vhs format is one generation more advanced than the betamax format. The functions provided by betamax are available in s-vhs; but conversely, many functions of s-vhs are not available in betamax. Betamax is not as rich as s-vhs. So, we only sell the more popular s-vhs VCRs here.”

The salesman's tireless and detailed explanation not only failed to win Akio Morita's explanation, but made him fuming with anger, thinking in his heart, When will Sony, the king who controls the video industry standards, be reduced to being so skillfully belittled by a small salesman? Where?

Seeing Akio Morita's displeased expression, Norio Oga quickly took over the conversation and asked, You have so many types of s-vhs video recorders here, it's a bit confusing. Which one is the best, please recommend it.

That depends on your actual needs. Apparently, the salesperson often sees situations where customers are at a loss, and he is very familiar with dealing with them, For example, from the perspective of the most powerful functions, the Epson video recorder will be in the forefront. s-vhs videotapes can last up to 8 hours.

Akio Morita curled his lips in disdain, As long as Sony is willing, it can also sacrifice the image quality to make the length of the betamax video tape reach 8 hours.

The salesman went on to introduce: The s-vhs format is known as the most complete videotape analog recording standard, and it can even be connected to Fangyuan personal computer as a data backup device.

Hearing this, Akio Morita froze for a moment, and his face gradually became serious. There seemed to be a scene in front of his eyes that organically integrated home entertainment systems such as TV, video recorder, game console, and audio.

The salesman raised his finger, In addition, this Epson video recorder supports a brand-new videotape digital recording format - d-vhs, which has more powerful functions. However, customers need to become our members before purchasing.

D-vhs in digital recording format? Akio Morita murmured, and at the same time remembered the CD- that Tang Huan was actively promoting. He had a faint feeling that there seemed to be some connection in it.

After Oga Norio asked a few more questions, the two new guests said: We are going to buy another video surveillance system, and it would be best to install it today. Is your engineer here? (To be continued.)

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