Half an hour later, the aroma of rich coffee filled Nolan Bushnell's office.
Ethan sat on the sofa with a smile. Across from him were two individuals - one was Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari whom Ethan had known for a long time, and the other was a middle-aged man in a suit, sporting a large pompadour.
The moment Ethan laid eyes on the middle-aged man, he squinted because he felt a sense of familiarity.
After Nolan Bushnell's introduction, Ethan nearly jumped up.
The guy's name was Tang, and his last name was Valentin, full name Tang Thomas Valentin.
He was Atari's investor and the founder of Sequoia Capital, a guru in the American venture capital field.
When figures destined for future financial textbooks appeared, Ethan couldn't help but feel his heart pounding. But when the guy extended a friendly handshake, expressing joy at meeting Ethan and playing a round of "Snake" on the spot, Ethan found that his heart rate returned to normal.
In Ethan's past life, these people might have been big shots, leaving their mark in history or being topics of conversation for fifty years. But now?
In the tide of history that had just begun, everyone was just an ordinary person.
At this moment, whoever seized the opportunity could ascend to greatness.
In this situation...
'What's there for me to be excited about, being a cheat user?'
Ethan looked at the two with a smiling face, feeling no excitement in his heart.
His attitude did not escape the eyes of the two opposite him. After a moment of observation, Nolan Bushnell spoke first.
"Ethan, since you're aware of Atari's current situation, let me be direct. Yes, Atari won't be able to release its own developed games for the next year, until May of next year. But this doesn't mean Atari will decline because other arcade companies in the market don't even challenge our strength."
Nolan Bushnell was confident, smiling, "It's not that I underestimate them, but I simply don't see them as a threat. According to our investigation, those traditional arcade manufacturers still want to do the business of computer games. I think you've witnessed this today. And their plan is impossible to succeed, at least not at this stage."
"Because before turning the arcade into a computer, normal optoelectronic feedback cannot manipulate the game's outcome. Without control over the game result, computer games cannot be developed. Therefore, electronic games at this moment can only be for entertainment."
"When it comes to entertainment..."
With that, Nolan Bushnell's smile became even more pronounced.
Spreading his hands, he said, "After settling with Magnavox, Magnavox has initiated lawsuits against all the companies that have produced Ping Pong games in the market. Until these lawsuits are settled, I believe those companies won't have the energy to release games."
Yes! When Magnavox found out they couldn't do anything to Atari, they went crazy suing all the game companies in the market, trying to seize the benefits that rightfully belonged to them from these infringing parties!
On the way to Atari, Steve Jobs had already told Ethan that the companies he had previously contacted - Exidy, Sega - all received subpoenas from the court. If things went as expected, the executives of these companies would frequently appear in the defendant's seat in court for a long time in the future.
At this point, they no longer had their previous arrogance.
Because everyone knew that, no matter how much Nolan Bushnell copied, he still had some genuine technology. He truly broke away from conventional thinking and opened the door to a new era for all engineers. So, Ralph Baer appreciated him entirely, which was understandable.
As for these people?
They were just pure imitators.
Upon hearing this news, Ethan felt extremely fortunate that he hadn't collaborated with those guys.
And now...
"So?" Ethan smiled, "Mr. Bushnell, what are your conditions?"
"Our conditions are simple."
Before Nolan Bushnell could speak, Tang Valentin, the founder of Sequoia Capital, spoke.
"Mr. Jones, we hope to reach a long-term cooperation agreement with you, say... for ninety-nine years? We will provide a fixed fee, which could be a few thousand or even tens of thousands. Then, in the next ninety-nine years, we will release 'Snake Game' for you. Of course, during this process, we will also pay you a certain percentage based on the revenue of 'Snake Game.'"
A businessman is a businessman!
You can't expect them to willingly give up profits!
When Atari could no longer release new games due to Magnavox's pressure, and they could only hope that other companies would slack off, what they thought of after seeing 'Snake Game' was actually using a long-term agreement to bypass Magnavox's licensing restrictions?
Oh, this is really—
Profit-driven!
In this situation...
"Okay, I can feel your sincerity, but I cannot accept such a result."
Ethan regretfully clapped his hands and said, "From what I see now, our negotiations cannot continue. So, let's leave it here. If there's a chance, we can cooperate again..."
Saying that Ethan thought of getting up to leave.
His current state surprised the two present.
"Ethan? Are we not continuing?" Nolan Bushnell asked.
"Mr. Jones, what's going on?" Tang Valentin pretended to be innocent and said, "We've only proposed a preliminary cooperation plan. The specific details have not been formally discussed yet."
"Sorry, I don't think there's any need to discuss it further because it's a waste of time."
Ethan smiled and spoke bluntly, "Maybe it's because my vision is limited, or it might be because I haven't attended college, and my knowledge is insufficient. After hearing Mr. Valentin's proposal, I just feel that our mental expectations might be parallel lines. Seemingly on the same plane, but they will never intersect."
"If that's the case, continuing the discussion is meaningless. It will only make both sides unhappy. So, let's say our goodbyes here, leaving a good impression for both parties."
His pointed words made Nolan Bushnell and Tang Valentin frowned.
Although they understood that their proposal was a bit outrageous, the key to negotiations was the tug of war.
You talk about your pain, and I talk about my difficulties. Friction in every sentence is a struggle for interests.
But now?
We haven't even started talking!
Ethan is ready to run?
What's going on?
Thinking about this, Tang Valentin suddenly looked displeased.
Because he rushed over specifically after receiving the news.
Seeing Ethan about to leave, he said, "Mr. Jones, I'll say it again. If you have any ideas, you can directly express them. If there are differences, we can sit down and discuss slowly."
"But at the same time, I can honestly tell you, if you think the conditions we offered aren't good, then I regret to say that you might not find a more sincere company in this world than ours."
"If you leave today, I believe you will regret it."
"Who cares?" Ethan stopped his steps.
'?'
This sentence made Tang Valentin frown.
Under his gaze, Ethan turned around, his normally calm face adorned with a brilliant smile.
The smile made both individuals in the room feel a bit uneasy.
Before they could speak, Ethan spoke first, "Mr. Valentine, are you sure Atari is sincere? Are you sure Atari is my best choice?"
"Of course," replied Don Valentine confidently.
"No." However, Ethan shook his head, denying directly, "It's just your self-perceived confidence. Atari is not my best choice because, for me, the best choice is Hewlett-Packard."
"What?" Don Valentine didn't understand, frowning and looking at Nolan Bushnell.
Even the founder of Atari at this moment was puzzled. Faced with the investor's inquiry, he decisively shook his head.
Ethan observed their probing, smiling directly, "It seems both of you only know me as a former Magnavox employee, not aware of other things. If that's the case, maybe I know why the absurd 99-year contract idea was conceived. Because you don't know, Snake Game is not my sole creation. Its other inventor is at Stanford."
"I think you two gentlemen should understand what I mean?"
Though phrased as a question, Ethan didn't give them a chance to speak, continuing:
"I brought Snake Game not because I urgently need Atari, but because you urgently need me!"
"I brought Snake Game not because I can only choose Atari, but because you need interesting new games!"
"I brought Snake Game not meaning Atari is the industry leader! If Ralph Baer can collaborate with Magnavox for home game consoles, I can also approach Hewlett-Packard and ask if they want to make arcade games!"
"!!!"
Before the words fell, the pupils of the two men facing Ethan contracted.
They were indeed unaware of the birth of Snake Game.
"Oh Ethan~ Don't be angry. Don is just joking with you," Nolan Bushnell instantly stood up, a flowery smile bursting on his face.
"The longest duration of copyright protection is fifty-six years! Don's mention of ninety-nine years is just to liven up the atmosphere!"
"In his imagination, as soon as you hear that number, you would express surprise, loudly ask if we understand copyright law, and at this point, Don would shout 'Surprise!' Then, we would start the formal negotiations in a more lively atmosphere, right, Don?"
"Yeah!" Don Valentine nodded, affirming, "We are a game company! We are still doing the latest and trendiest electronic games! Even if we have business cooperation, it should be carried out in a relaxed and happy atmosphere!"
"Ethan, you completely misunderstood me!"
"However, my words may have been ambiguous, and for that, I apologize."
"Is that so?" Ethan looked 'surprised,' "Was it intentional?"
This question made Nolan Bushnell hesitate for a moment, then nodded vigorously.
"Of course!" Nolan Bushnell affirmed, patting Ethan's shoulder, pulling him to sit down, and at the same time, said, "If you don't believe it, I can bring in Steve, Steve Jobs, to tell you about Atari's working environment. The atmosphere here is very relaxed! Really! You have to believe me!"
Hehe!
Ethan didn't believe their nonsense.
The so-called relaxation was just their compromise after revealing their trump card.
Did Don Valentine think he could negotiate with Atari using their market share?
What a joke!
What's the difference between Atari, which cannot independently release new games, and a country doing well in a place where they are unable to release new games?
Nolan Bushnell said even if they didn't release games for a year, Atari would still be the industry leader. Traditional arcade manufacturers and emerging ones couldn't threaten them? So, they chose Snake Game, showing kindness to him?
Sure!
When Ethan mentioned Hewlett-Packard, Nolan Bushnell immediately put on a smiling face, pulling him to sit down.
Don Valentine also timely took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed them to Ethan.
Seeing Ethan not smoke, he also took the initiative to stand up, using not disturbing the two as an excuse, stating he would go outside for a smoke, and asking Nolan and Ethan to wait.
After about five minutes, when Don Valentine returned, sitting down while rubbing his hands, he smiled at Nolan Bushnell.
Nolan Bushnell, who had been talking with Ethan for a long time, understood, saying, "Ethan~ brother! To be honest, when I saw you just now, I knew our reunion must be God's will! It must be him who led you to Atari!"
"Since there is God's guidance, our cooperation will definitely be extremely sacred! Therefore, here, I sincerely tell you, that I want to cooperate with you. As for the specific details...," he paused, gritted his teeth, "I think, under God's witness, he would hope this is a short-term! A sincere cooperation!"
Hearing this, Ethan smiled.
No more arrogance?
No more nonsense?
Sometimes people are just cheap!
You have to give them two slaps, and then they will be honest!
TL Note:
After Don Valentine established Redwood Capital, the first project he invested in was Atari. Despite being the most famous angel investor in the venture capital circle, he is equally known for intervening in corporate operations. For instance, he ousted Steve Jobs at Apple and caused chaos at Cisco.
In the gaming industry, Magnavox is nicknamed "Lawsuit Stick." Although Atari survived, Magnavox earned over a hundred million solely through lawsuits by leveraging the copyrights and patents authorized by Ralph Baer from 1974 to 1994. Frankly, in terms of lawsuits, Disney and Nintendo would call Magnavox their teacher; they engaged in outrageous activities.