It was night at Steve Wozniak's house.
The bright moonlight streamed through the window, blending with the warm glow of incandescent lights, resembling thin gauze and ethereal smoke.
Ethan sat at the desk beside the bed. Though he held a pen, he wasn't vigorously writing. The papers in front of him were covered with scribbles representing chaotic thoughts, yet circled among them were specific terms, reflections of his aspirations.
And what did he write?
In fact, only three words.
Electronic Games, Apple Inc., 6502.
After discovering his time-travelling adventure, Ethan made a simple plan for his future. Initially, he aimed to accumulate wealth quickly through the electronic gaming industry, intending to use the earnings for strategic investments, ultimately achieving the coveted financial freedom.
Later, during the promotion of "Snake Game," he encountered Steve Jobs. Faced with this fact, Ethan admitted that in his mind, there were apples everywhere.
Well, blame it on the fact that in this era, Apple was the fastest route to success.
As a pioneer in the personal computer era, Apple was the first company to reap the benefits of the era. Despite Microsoft being established earlier, they couldn't catch up with Apple.
Since its birth in 1976, Steve Jobs propelled Apple to NASDAQ in just four years, creating four billionaires at an unprecedented speed. Ethan acknowledged that he had considered entering the computer industry himself. Still, when faced with the tide of history, he couldn't resist investing in Jobs.
Honestly, Ethan had pondered if his investment was a bit foolish. If he persuaded Evelyn to pursue a career in computers, he would be competing with Jobs.
But when Woz, the chubby guy, declared, "My dad bled for the U.S.! My dad endured wounds for the U.S.! My dad has suffered all the hardships this lifetime!" Ethan felt his investment was absolutely worthwhile!
In American society, a strong and powerful ally was more valuable than anything else!
Build his own computer and compete with Woz?
That would be crazy!
Even though he had Evelyn apply for Stanford's entrepreneurial fund, in this era, Lockheed's reputation was clearly more influential! Ethan was a pragmatic person. If he could gain maximum and secure benefits with minimal investment, he would throw himself into it. Now, Apple was within reach, but at the same time, the golden opportunity of the counter-era appeared too.
Wow~
What kind of luck was this?
Perhaps because of remembering too much from his past life, when planning his life, Ethan hadn't thought of MOS 6502, hidden behind media hype but embedded in the lives of many.
But now, when it appeared, how could he not seize the opportunity given his identity as a time-traveller?
Investing in MOS was not something Ethan considered, as he had already researched MOS in the past few days. This company, established in 1969, dealt with semiconductors for electronic calculators. Thanks to business dealings with HP, Woz, an HP employee, could directly obtain their contact information.
The current market value of this company was $12 million. Even if Ethan copied ten electronic games, he couldn't afford it for a while. However, what about licensing? Production licensing? Modification licensing?
Shouldn't these be less expensive?
He had over two hundred thousand at his disposal. If that wasn't enough, he could use Snake Game and Atari's agency contract as collateral for a loan. If that still fell short, he could turn to Uncle Thomas, the uncle who loved him, for sponsorship.
As for MOS refusing licensing?
That was impossible!
Because in Ethan's memory from his past life, the old professor mentioned the longevity of MOS 6502.
"Because their developers truly fulfilled their promise, licensing the 6502 chip to multiple companies, even if it would harm their own interests. Often, greatness and fame are just a thought away."
Ethan didn't aspire to be a great person. If he could live happily, he'd be content.
And now...
If he could secure MOS 6502 before it became famous, that would be the happiest thing for Ethan!
"Damn it!"
Ethan pounded the table with his fist.
"Since this thing can be used for computers and game consoles, we can't let it slip away, no matter what!"
"Even if we can't produce it now, we must secure it! Because this thing can be useful in any way!"
With this thought dominating Ethan Jones' mind, the next morning, he inquired about the contact information for MOS from Woz at the breakfast table, leaving Woz curious.
"Ethan, why do you need MOS's contact information?"
The chubby guy blinked his eyes, asking in confusion, "Are you also planning to make a personal computer?"
This inquiry made Jobs raise his head, saying, "Ethan, if you want a personal computer, just let Stephen help you make one, right?" Turning his head, he looked at Woz, "No problem, right?"
"Of course, no problem! We're friends!"
Woz nodded and said, "Ethan, if you want, I'll start another circuit board tonight."
"Maybe three to five days, and I'll have one ready for you."
"Oh, thank you." Ethan Jones smiled at the kindness of the two.
"If possible, I would be very happy." He gracefully accepted the gift from both of them.
However, at the same time, he stated the reason he had long prepared.
"But, I want the contact information for MOS Corporation because I'm interested in their chip, MOS 6502."
"I think you all know that electronic games were born on electronic computers. The reason electronic arcade games appeared was because the price of computers was high. So, Nolan Bushnell imitated the game effects on computers using the most basic physical reactions, thus introducing electronic games to the market."
"Under his operation, the cost of a circuit board for an electronic arcade machine was around $150, much cheaper compared to the Intel 8080 and Motorola 6800, priced at $360. It's this price difference that made the electronic arcade industry profitable."
"But now?"
"The MOS 6502 is priced at only $42?"
"This price will deal a devastating blow to Nolan Bushnell's circuit board electronic arcade!"
"When the price of a central microprocessor is only one-third of the game component circuit board..."
"The entire electronic arcade industry will undergo a huge transformation!"
"So, I want to take advantage of the favourable situation before the change comes."
"I need the MOS 6502 chip, get the authorization for it."
"Because I believe this chip will definitely change the world."
Ethan was straightforward.
When Woz and Jobs could confidently place APPLE's design drawings in front of him, Ethan was not prepared to hide anything about seeking the chip, especially since if he didn't mention it, wouldn't others figure it out?
Woz had said multiple times that the 6502 would be a good product.
If this second-generation scientist was willing to help...
Ethan believed many things could be resolved.
His words also drew a sigh of amazement from Woz. "Oh, Ethan, your perspective is quite unique!"
"The MOS 6502 will have a huge impact on the electronic gaming industry?"
"Hmm... that's a point I didn't consider!"
"I was just thinking before, if computers become popular, people can play games on computers!"
"But hearing you say this..."
In just a dozen seconds, Steve Wozniak understood Ethan's idea.
At the same time, he expressed agreement with Ethan's concerns. "Well, Ethan, I think what you're saying makes sense."
"If the production of MOS 6502 can really meet market demand, it will definitely impact various industries."
"Oh, thank you for understanding." Ethan nodded with a smile and said, "So..."
"Okay, okay, I understand."
Before Ethan could finish speaking, Woz had already stood up.
After rummaging through the room for a while, he emerged with a business card in just a few minutes.
"Here."
"You call him, just mention my name."
"You have two months to negotiate the contract because they will officially release this product in mid-September, and they will come to San Francisco for the electronic exhibition."
At this point, Woz suddenly paused, thought for two seconds, and the chubby guy added, "But I think you might not need that long. When you call, just be sincere. I think... as long as you're sincere enough, they will grant you the authorization at a very low price."
"As for the reason..."
"Brother, you'll know after talking to them."
TL Note:
MOS licensed the 6502 chip to many companies, including Rockwell, Ricoh, UMC in Taiwan, WDC owned by the inventor of 6502, and a small company Synertek formed by former Fairchild employees. They were allowed to modify it freely.
Sharing is not unique to the internet age; every time there's a world change, these people voluntarily give up their interests, whether it's alternating current or computers. Patent holders just feel they can benefit humanity. Of course, in the end, it fattens the capitalists.