Chapter 26: A Diminished Arrogance?

Half an hour later, the rich aroma of coffee filled Nolan Bushnell's office.

Ethan Jones, smiling, reclined on the sofa. Opposite him sat two individuals: one was Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, whom Ethan had known for some time, and the other was a middle-aged man in a suit, bow tie, and slicked-back hairstyle.

Upon first seeing this middle-aged man, Ethan squinted slightly.

He had an uncanny sense of familiarity about him.

When Nolan Bushnell introduced him, Ethan nearly jumped from his seat.

The man's name was Tang, surname Valentine, and his full name was Tang Thomas Valentine.

He was not only an investor in Atari but also the founder of Sequoia Capital, a venerable figure in American venture capital.

It was impossible not to be astonished when confronted with a person destined to be immortalized in financial textbooks. At that moment, Ethan could distinctly feel his heart racing.

However, when the man extended a friendly hand, expressing pleasure at meeting Ethan, and demonstrated an impressive performance in "Snake Game," Ethan found his heart rate returning to normal.

In Ethan's previous life, these individuals might have been considered titans.

While they might not have been immortalized in history, they were certainly spoken of with admiration for fifty years.

But now?

At the dawn of history, everyone was the same—just ordinary people.

At this moment, those who seized the opportunity would ascend to greatness.

In this situation…

'I, with my cheat codes, shouldn't be the one getting excited!'

Ethan smiled benignly at the two men, his earlier excitement entirely dissipated.

His change in demeanor was noted by both men. After a moment of observation, Nolan Bushnell spoke first.

"Ethan, since you are aware of Atari's current situation, I will be direct. Yes, Atari will not be able to release its own developed games within the next year, that is, before May of next year. But this does not mean that Atari will decline, as the other arcade companies on the market are simply no match for us."

Nolan Bushnell spoke with great confidence, adding, "This is not due to my underestimation of them but rather because I hold them in contempt. According to our research, those traditional arcade manufacturers still wish to pursue gambling ventures, attempting to combine video games with their expertise in gambling. I'm sure you've witnessed this today. Their plans are bound to fail, at least at this stage."

"Before arcade games can be transformed into computers, normal optical feedback cannot control game outcomes. Without the ability to manipulate game results, gambling games cannot be developed. Thus, current video games are limited to entertainment."

"And speaking of entertainment…"

At this point, Nolan Bushnell's smile grew even broader.

He spread his hands and said, "After our settlement with Miroha, Miroha has initiated lawsuits against all companies that have produced ping pong games. I believe these companies will lack the time and energy to release new games until these lawsuits are resolved."

Indeed! When Miroha realized they could not challenge Atari, they furiously took all game companies to court, seeking to reclaim their rightful interests from those infringers! On the way to Atari, Steve Jobs had already informed Ethan that the companies Exidy and Sega had received court summonses. If nothing changed, the executives of these companies would frequently appear in court as defendants for a considerable time to come.

At this moment, they were far removed from their previous arrogance.

Everyone knew that despite Nolan Bushnell's mimicry, he still possessed genuine technical expertise and had truly broken free from conventional thinking, opening new doors for engineers. Thus, Ralph Baer's admiration for him was entirely understandable.

And what about them?

They were merely pure imitators.

Upon hearing this news, Ethan felt quite relieved, grateful that he had not reached a collaboration with those individuals.

And now…

"So?" Ethan smiled, "Mr. Bushnell, what are your terms?"

"Our terms are quite simple."

Before Nolan Bushnell could speak, Tang Valentine, the founder of Sequoia Capital, began, "Mr. Jones, we hope to establish a long-term collaboration agreement with you, say... for ninety-nine years? We will provide a fixed fee, which could range from thousands to tens of thousands, and over the next ninety-nine years, we will release 'Snake Game' for you. Of course, during this period, we will also pay you a share of the game's revenue."

A businessman is a businessman!

You can't expect him to offer concessions willingly!

With Atari unable to release new games due to Miroha's constraints, and hoping that other companies would falter, upon seeing 'Snake Game,' they thought of circumventing Miroha's copyright restrictions with a long-term agreement?

Oh, truly—

Driven by profit!

In such a case…

"Okay, I can sense your sincerity, but I cannot accept such an outcome."

Ethan clapped his hands regretfully and said, "From the current perspective, our negotiation cannot proceed. So, let's leave it at this. If there is an opportunity, we can collaborate again…"

Saying this, Ethan prepared to stand up and leave.

His demeanor took both men by surprise.

"Ethan? Not negotiating?" Nolan Bushnell asked.

"Mr. Jones, what's the matter?" Tang Valentine feigned ignorance and said, "We've merely proposed a preliminary collaboration plan; the specifics are yet to be formally discussed."

"Sorry, I believe there is no need to discuss further as it is a waste of time."

Ethan smiled and spoke candidly: "Perhaps it is due to my limited perspective or my lack of a university education, but after hearing Mr. Valentin's proposal, I feel as though our expectations are parallel lines. They seem to be on the same level, yet they never intersect."

"Given this, continuing the discussion would be pointless and only lead to mutual dissatisfaction. Therefore, it might be better for us to part ways now, leaving a positive impression on both sides."

The pointed words caused Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentin to frown deeply.

Although they knew their proposal was somewhat outlandish, negotiations are meant to be contentious.

You present your difficulties, I present mine; each point of friction represents a struggle for advantage.

But now?

Before the discussion had even begun, Ethan was ready to leave?

What was this?

Upon this realization, Don Valentin's displeasure became evident.

He had come from afar specifically after receiving news.

Seeing Ethan Jones truly preparing to leave, he said, "Mr. Jones, I reiterate, if you have concerns, please voice them directly. If we have differences, we can sit down and discuss them thoroughly."

"At the same time, I must honestly tell you that if you find the terms offered by Atari unsatisfactory, I regret to inform you that you may not find a company with more sincerity than ours in this world."

"If you leave today, I believe you will regret it."

"Who cares?" Ethan stopped in his tracks.

"?"

This response made Don Valentin furrow his brow.

Under his gaze, Ethan Jones turned around, a radiant smile on his face.

The smile made the two present feel uneasy.

Before they could speak, Ethan said, "Mr. Valentin, are you certain that Atari is truly sincere? Are you certain that Atari is my best choice?"

"Of course," Don Valentin replied with certainty.

"No," Ethan shook his head, directly countering, "This is merely your self-delusion. Atari is not my best choice because, for me, the best choice is Hewlett-Packard."

"What?" Don Valentin did not understand, frowning at Nolan Bushnell.

At that moment, the founder of Atari was equally puzzled, and he shook his head decisively in response to the investor's inquiry.

The scrutiny from both men did not escape Ethan's notice, and he smiled as he said, "It seems that you gentlemen are only aware that I am a former employee of Miroha and know nothing else. If that is the case, then I might understand how that outrageous ninety-nine-year contract idea came to be. Because you do not know that 'Snake Game' is not solely my work. Its other inventor is at Stanford."

"I believe you understand my point now?"

Though it was a question, Ethan did not give them a chance to respond, continuing—

"I brought 'Snake Game' here not because I desperately need Atari, but because you desperately need me!"

"I brought 'Snake Game' here not because I have no other option but Atari, but because you need engaging new games!"

"I brought 'Snake Game' here not because Atari is the industry leader! Ralph Baer can collaborate with Miroha on home consoles, and I can approach Hewlett-Packard to see if they want to develop arcade games!"

"!!!"

Before the words had even settled, both men's pupils contracted at Ethan's gaze.

Regarding the origins of 'Snake Game,' they truly had no knowledge.

However, if Ethan was telling the truth…

"Oh Ethan, please do not be angry or upset. Don was just making a joke," Nolan Bushnell said with a broad, flowery smile as he stood up.

"The longest copyright protection is fifty-six years! Don mentioned ninety-nine years just to lighten the mood!"

"In his imagination, you would have reacted with surprise upon hearing that number, then loudly questioned our understanding of copyright law, at which point Don would exclaim 'Surprise!' and we would begin formal negotiations in a more lively atmosphere, right, Don?"

"Yeah!" Don Valentin nodded affirmatively. "We are a game company! We deal with the latest, trendiest video games! Even if we have a business partnership, it should proceed in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere!"

"Ethan, you completely misunderstood my intentions!"

"However, my words might have been ambiguous, so I apologize for that."

"Really?" Ethan's face showed 'surprise'. "Was this intentional?"

'...' The question made Nolan Bushnell pause, then he nodded vigorously.

"Of course!" Nolan Bushnell confirmed, patting Ethan on the shoulder and guiding him to sit down, "If you don't believe me, I can call Steve—Steve Jobs—to tell you about our work environment at Atari. It is very relaxed here! Truly! You must trust me!"

Haha!

Ethan was not buying their words.

The so-called relaxed atmosphere was just a concession after he had revealed his trump card.

Don Valentin wanted to negotiate with Atari's market share?

What a joke!

Atari, lacking self-publishing rights, is no different from other countries that are doing well with small fry.

Nolan Bushnell said that even if they didn't release games for a year, Atari would still be the industry leader? That traditional and new arcade game manufacturers pose no threat to them? So, choosing 'Snake Game' is an act of mercy?

Fine!

I'll just turn around and seek out Stanford's support, asking Hewlett-Packard to help with the release. Are you scared now?

Yes! Hewlett-Packard indeed does not make arcade games; they focus on printers, counters, computer systems for large organizations, and high-performance workstations…

But does that matter?

As long as no one alters the historical record and changes the fact that Hewlett-Packard's founders came from Stanford, they, as disciples of Fred Terman, will continue to support Stanford's own projects!

Although Hewlett-Packard's sales channels and video games are not directly related, they are a global company! Just the scale of one of their branches could crush Atari!

Even if Nolan Bushnell and Don Valentin are aware that Hewlett-Packard's involvement in arcade games is still uncertain, they know in San Francisco that you can bet on anyone but not on a university that has gone mad!

Especially when Atari cannot release new games!

Thus, when Ethan mentioned Hewlett-Packard, Nolan Bushnell put on a conciliatory smile and guided him to sit.

Don Valentin, at the right moment, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered one to Ethan.

Seeing Ethan refuse to smoke, he also got up, using the excuse of needing a smoke break to avoid disturbing the two, and asked Nolan and Ethan to wait.

After about five minutes, when Don Valentin returned, rubbing his hands and smiling, he nodded towards Nolan.

Nolan Bushnell, who had been discussing extensively with Ethan, understood and said, "Ethan, my friend! Honestly, when I first saw you, I knew our reunion must be divine intervention! It must be that God led you to Atari!"

"Since there is divine guidance, our collaboration will undoubtedly be sacred! Therefore, I candidly tell you that I wish to work with you, and as for the specifics…" He paused, gritting his teeth, and added, "I believe that under God's witness, it should be a short-term, sincere collaboration!"

Upon hearing this, Ethan smiled.

No more arrogance?

No more nonsense?

Sometimes people are indeed stubborn!

You have to give them a couple of slaps before they behave!