Rebirth of America, this is my time

Borrowing an auditorium from Stanford is actually very simple, because the support plan of the company Destiny Games was personally approved by President Fred Terman. When this relationship appears, let alone borrowing an auditorium to hold a new product launch conference Well, even if the observation tower commemorating the former commander-in-chief of the United States was raised, that would be... well, this really doesn't work.

But this is not important, after all, Ethan is not a bad person, and after his declaration, Stanford directly took out the oldest memorial church in the school for him to use. In the words of the school, the memorial church and destiny The two names for the game go well together.

When Ethan got this plan, he was a little confused, because the Stanford Memorial Church was built by Mrs. Stanford in memory of her deceased husband. Although this place is usually open to the public, there are very few real commercial uses. At most, it is used to hold weddings and funerals for teachers and students within the school, or to give awards and promotion speeches to people who have made outstanding contributions in certain fields. use.

And now...

A game company's new product launch conference is held in a place like this?

Why does this sound funny?

But Evelin thought there was no problem. In the early morning of April 11, while tying Ethan's tie, Evelin said: I have reported the copy of the game to Teacher Vinton and Principal Fred. The AI ​​performance of the game is very surprising, and I prefer the use of the concept of AI in the game, so using the memorial church for the press conference was their intention.

So that's it? Ethan was relieved immediately.

At the same time, he also turned his gaze to the mirror. The figure in a black suit and red tie looked more handsome than Tom Cruise, but even so, he was still a little uncomfortable, I can change Plaid shirt and jeans?”

I always feel that wearing formal clothes today is a bit awkward.

Ethan couldn't figure it out. As a game developer, why would he wear formal clothes during a press conference?

Aren’t those who engage in technology just do whatever they want?

Especially with a red tie around his neck!

If I were to go to New York, wouldn't a real estate agent think I was gay?

However, his suggestion was met with a rebuttal, No!

Evelin clutched his tie and said, I don't have a problem with you usually joking around with a smile, but today you have to be more serious!

Because in addition to our own people who are invited to come, there are many outsiders who will come to watch today.

Evelin was not lying, because after she submitted the completed game, the invitation list for the Pac-Man press conference was like the list of gods in myths and legends, with names popping up one after another.

At first, Ethan just wanted to invite some people around him, such as Steven Spielberg and his father Arnold Spielberg, who had helped him, to let them witness the creation of Pac-Man with their own eyes. was born to tell them that their help was not in vain, that Ethan Jones could really produce an epoch-making work, and then invite some media to be a live witness, and the entire conference would be over.

As for the actual sale?

Of course it depends on the press releases purchased from the media!

After the media releases the news, curious businessmen will naturally come to inquire. At the same time, he will also organize people to conduct local promotions. When they report sales with widely advertised media, the efficiency will be much higher than Obscurity is sold separately for much more.

And that time is the real time for negotiation.

But now?

When Ethan drove his favorite Dino 246 GTS, carrying Evelyn, to the Memorial Church in Stanford, as soon as he entered the backstage to prepare, company administrator Damio Dean immediately stuffed a copy The latest attendee list is here.

After a simple sweep, Ethan felt like his head was exploding.

Steven Spielberg's father brought an extra person here today? Ethan asked.

Yeah~ Damio Dean nodded: That was his friend when he was working at General Electric, and he was also the director of invention of General Electric's first computer. His name was Homer Oldfield. So he came because he had a good relationship with Mr. Spielberg, and he was also a friend of President Fred Terman. He had worked at the Stanford Research Institute before, and that was twenty years ago, although It was a long distance away, but after hearing that his good friend had saved an era-changing game, he decided to come and see what his friend had discovered...

‘I understand…he’s a big boss…’ Ethan muttered to himself.

And Professor Ralph Bell also brought more people today? he asked again.

Yes, after Professor Ralph Bell listened to our game narration, he decided to bring his friends to witness history. They are all the inventors of the brown box of the original version of Mirova Odyssey... Da Mio Dean answered quickly.

‘I understand…this is a group of thighs…’ Ethan marked it in his mind.

Then, Steve Wozniak's father came too? Looking further down, he found a new note.

Damio Dean immediately reported, Yes! Mr. Watts' father also came. Not only that, after arriving, he also greeted Principal Fred Terman. I heard that Mr. Watts's father My father originally participated in research on missile propulsion systems at the Stanford Research Institute.

'Okay... you all have a good father...' Ethan said with emotion.

Then, his eyes glanced down again, and then he discovered - William Hewlett? David Packard? Are they here too?

These two are the founders of Hewlett-Packard.

Yes, teachers Hewlett and Packard were in California recently. They donated the Terman Engineering Center that our school is building. They came back to check last year's engineering audit report.

Damio Dean explained: Because the time happened to be good, they decided to come and take a look. At the same time, they also wanted to know what Principal Fred Terman was interested in after decades. A business…”

‘…’ Ethan is really speechless right now.

‘What are these things? ’

'Ah, bah, bah, bah...'

‘What kind of big guys are these? Why do these people appear at a game conference? ’

Ethan couldn't laugh or cry.

But at the same time, he also knew that most of these people wanted to see what kind of AI could be created with current civilian technology.

Although the concept of AI is not unfamiliar to them, Ethan even believes that if these people really want to write AI code, they will definitely be better than Evelyn and Woz, but the era is a cruel meat grinding machine. .

In the same era, there are countless people who understand technology. At the same moment, the same inspiration will appear on the huge earth. But only when inspiration and technology truly collide, can it create the most brilliant fireworks!

And whoever can be the first to combine technology and inspiration will be able to stand on the top of the wave!

'Oh...it seems that I was right not to choose Space Invaders...'

When the gears of fate turn here, don't I deserve to show off...

Ethan pursed his lips to suppress a smile, trying hard to control his happiness.

However, just when he felt that everything that followed was very easy and he only needed to introduce the game to the big bosses present, he had just arrived at the entrance to the venue and was about to take the stage in time, but the comments from the outside world made him Somewhat dry mouth.

Even in two lifetimes, he seemed to have never experienced these things.

He has never spoken in public, let alone in front of a bunch of big shots.

This strangeness made him a little nervous.

‘Special code… How could Steve Jobs’ mental quality be so good? ’

Ethan suddenly remembered the hippie.

Because he clearly remembered that last time this guy promoted Snake in front of hundreds of people.

Not only was he not afraid, but he was flying while interacting with the people below.

That kind of freedom really made him feel a little...

hei! hei! hei!

Suddenly, a call interrupted his thoughts.

Ethan turned around and took a look. Good guy, this usually energetic guy looked really bad in his special size today.

Wow~Ethan~you look so handsome today~ Jobs, who was wearing a suit and with long hair hanging over his shoulders, spoke first.

Why are you here? Ethan was very surprised.

Let me come and take a look! Jobs replied very naturally, You will be on stage soon, so I came to see you.

WTF? You're not here to see my joke, are you? Ethan immediately felt something was wrong.

...

Oh! Sxxt! Am I that bad? I thought you might be nervous, so I came here! Jobs rolled his eyes, then put his hand on Ethan's shoulder and said, Don't be nervous, brother, the speech is actually A very simple art...

When you stand on the stage, you are the center of attention. At that time, you may be afraid of saying something wrong, saying some words wrong, and being embarrassed in front of the people below, because you want to be the most perfect. You show yourself to everyone, and that’s where a lot of people get nervous.”

To overcome this, it's actually very simple. I won't tell you to calm down and speak slowly. I will tell you that it doesn't matter if you are nervous, because you only need to speak short sentences. You don't have to be like those speeches at large gatherings. , speak long words, even if the people sitting below are all elites, you only need to use the simplest words to describe what you want to express.

For example, if you design the welcome message to be 'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the new product launch of Destiny Game', then you can completely change it and say 'Good morning, gentlemen and ladies' ...', divide one sentence into three sentences, or even break up short sentences, will it make you less nervous when speaking this way?

‘? ? ? ’

Ethan gave it a try briefly, and then he discovered that it seemed to make sense!

However, when he asked Jobs how he knew this wording and sentence fragmentation, Jobs suddenly spread his hands and said -

I made it up...

Because I've never been nervous about this kind of scene...

Oh! Sxxt! Get out of here! Ethan's eyes darkened, and he almost raised his foot to kick Jobs.

‘What the hell! ’

‘Lie to me! ’

However, after Jobs made such a fuss, Ethan suddenly felt much more relaxed.

And before Jobs left, the guy actually said something useful.

Ethan! The so-called speech is to let the people below listen to what they like to hear!

“If you don’t know what to say, then show off your product. When your product is powerful enough, it can cover up all the flaws in your speech!”

Finally, one more thing...

Although today is a new product launch for your game, it is also a commendation meeting for them to accept the results, Okay?

Ethan was startled by these words, and then said with a smile: Okay.

He admitted that Jobs was right about that last point.

When the time came to ten o'clock in the morning, Ethan also walked into the auditorium at the signal of Julis Noble, another employee of the company.

When the relief carving full of seventeenth-century Spanish style appeared in front of him, the forty-plus dark figures below were actually all friends, right?

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the new product launch conference of Destiny Game...

Ethan raised the microphone and at the same time put down the anxiety in his heart. Although he had written a manuscript, now he felt that he could do it without writing it.

As Steve Jobs said, a speech is nothing more than a few points.

First of all thank you——

Thank you to Stanford University for your support and to President Fred Terman for your help. It is precisely because of your goodwill that our company can obtain this excellent R\u0026D environment...

The old principal of Stanford, who had never met Ethan, nodded slightly after hearing these words, with a slightly appreciative smile on his fat cheeks. Although Ethan did not understand what he meant, he also knew that the old principal was not surprised.

Thank you to Professor Ralph Bell for his generosity and Mr. Arnold Spielberg for his selflessness. Without you, our company simply would not be able to continue making games...

The two old men whose names were called smiled and raised their hands, briefly signaling to Ethan. After that, they also looked around, accepting the kind smiles from the people around them. That happy look seemed to come from the heart.

Thank you to Mr. Chuck Paido and the MOS 6502 team for their persistence and efforts. Without the CPU you provided, we would not have been able to complete this game...

Chuck Paido was the person who gave him the most face at the moment. He stood up directly, clasped his hands, and shouted to Ethan: I want to thank you too! Ethan! Thank you for your help! Thank you for using my chip. !”

As soon as these words came out, there was a lot of applause at the scene.

Because everyone present knew exactly what this sentence meant.

Although the shipments of personal microcomputers still have not experienced explosive growth, after half a year of dissemination, the entire scientific community already knows that MOS 6502 is the cheapest and most useful chip on the market today.

The person who made chips truly affordable is Ethan Jones.

Smiling and nodding in response to the compliment, Ethan added: Thank you Professor Vinton Cerf. Under your teaching, my sister has learned a lot of computer skills. Without your teaching, we would definitely have lost the ability to make games. You will encounter countless difficult problems...

Thanks to Steve Wozniak, without your help, the development of this game will definitely take more time, and also to his colleague Steve Jobs, because the two of them developed APPLE Computers are our important research and development tools...

When Ethan read the names of these people, he could clearly feel that the people below him were constantly smiling at him and showing appreciation to the professors who were named, although many of them were not the same as Ethan. We know each other, but that's not important, right? Because most of the people who can come here are brought by their friends, and in front of friends, the name is indeed more important than Billy.

As for why?

Very simple!

Who can sit here who has not achieved financial freedom?

Oh yes...

Steve Jobs.

It's a special code. I was careless and didn't flash it.

After thanking you, it is natural to introduce new products.

Although today's environment is not as noisy as at Atari, and unless the people below are really shocked, it is impossible to cooperate with him in some interactions, but this is not important, because Ethan has confidence in his products——

The product we launched today is called Pac-Man, and its inspiration came from Snake.

When Snake was launched, we received feedback from some players. Some players felt that a snake was eating alone on a flat surface, and the empty screen looked very lonely.

So, I improved it a bit, turning snakes into people, and turning the empty map into a maze.

And what he has to do is eat the food in the maze.

When the little person eats all the food in a maze, it can move on to the next level.

Then it keeps eating.

If I use the words of the Los Angeles Times, I still retain the greed of human nature in this game.

But there is no way, who makes me greedy?

I want all my work to be a hit.

Oh, by the way, there was another person at the scene who was even more greedy. That person's name was Steven Spielberg. When I called him that day, he told me that his next movie would definitely be a hit because he I will use my works to educate those who look down on him and tell them what a real movie is!

Speaking of this, Ethan paused.

Hahaha……

As he expected, the scene suddenly erupted in matching laughter.

Crash...

At the same time, applause of approval also followed.

Fred Terman, who was sitting in the front row, also spoke at the right time, asked for a microphone, and said: Oh Ethan, I think there is something wrong with what you said, because those who can sit here are all greedy...

I have lived here for seventy years. I have seen Stanford grow from scratch, but I still hope that this place can become better. Isn't my idea greedy?

Although David and Bill no longer manage HP's daily affairs, they still hope that HP can become a century-old company. Isn't this greed?

I have heard about Professor Chuck Paido. He hopes that computers can be used by the public. Isn't this greed?

And Professor Ralph Bell, who is here today, would rather let you make games without charging royalties. He wants to bring more happiness to the public. Isn't this even more greedy?

At this point, the old principal's voice suddenly rose.

The audience burst into laughter and applause of approval.

More matching jokes——

Ethan, Fred is right, only greedy people can succeed! Homer Oldfield, the computer director of General Electric, who was sitting next to Arnold Spielberg, said loudly.

Who doesn't want to leave a name in history? The MOS developers next to Chuck Paido laughed loudly.

If the pursuit of better is greed, then we at HP are willing to be greedy to death. David Packard, founder of HP, said loudly.

After these responding voices passed, Fred Terman continued: So, Ethan, I have always felt that your Snake Game is very good. From a starting point, it is in line with human characteristics. And in today’s game, I don’t think you will let us down…”

At this point, the seventy-six-year-old man stopped.

And Ethan didn't hesitate and continued the topic directly, As Principal Fred and everyone said, today's game is actually more greedy, because I hope its name can be heard all over the world. .”

He pulled the curtain off the Pac-Man machine.

Following his movements, an arcade machine with four ghosts chasing Pac-Man appeared in front of everyone.

The concept of our game is simple...

The player controls the villain, trying to find his own way of survival by eating all the beans in the maze.

At the same time, there are four guardians in the maze, and they are working hard to protect their home.

This red ghost has a bad temper. I call it persistence, because after discovering the player, it will keep chasing the player, trying to drive the player out of his home.

This pink ghost is a naughty girl. I call it precognition because it can come to the destination in front of the player and ambush it.

This blue ghost is a smart ghost. I call it containment because it will cooperate with its red companions to double-team players.

And this orange ghost is the most neutral embodiment of human nature. I call it undisciplined, because it will not attack the player unless the player really provokes it.

Ethan pointed to the patterns on the arcade machine and introduced them to everyone.

And every time he introduced a ghost, the faces of everyone present would become more serious.

Because everyone knows that this is the AI ​​display they most want to see.

After Ethan finished his introduction, the big guys who knew technology all narrowed their eyes.

When this scene appeared, Ethan also knew that the time had come.

He opened the electronic arcade machine directly.

For the convenience of display, this arcade machine still uses an external connected controller.

Following his actions, the game quickly reached the first level.

Under his control, the yellow Pac-Man ran out of the middle room and kept eating along the bean tracks on the map.

After eating about ten beans, the red ghost suddenly started to chase after the yellow Pac-Man.

No matter how the yellow Pac-Man runs away, the red grumpy guy won't give up and keeps chasing him.

Not only that, the speed of the red ghost will also become faster and faster as the number of beans on the field decreases...

When one-fifth of the Doudou on the scene was eaten, the surging pursuit really felt like a reckless man!

Although this algorithm is very simple to write, the inspiration is very powerful.

A comment popped up from the guest table below.

And just when people wanted to agree, the pink ghost suddenly appeared.

As soon as she appeared, she ran wildly in the direction of the player, but unlike the red ghost, she did not intend to pursue him. Instead, she came to the player and wanted to ambush him.

Not only that, but the pink ghost reacts every time the yellow Pac-Man changes direction.

She will change her position to ambush players in a better position.

The most amazing thing is——

This pink ghost actually takes a detour???

That's right! When a wall on the map blocked the location of Pac-Man and the pink ghost, the pink ghost directly followed Pac-Man's direction and chose to take a detour to ambush him!

At first, people didn't see anything strange.

But when the red ghost drove Pac-Man to the pink ghost's location, the foresight and foresight of the ambush immediately amazed everyone at the scene——

Oh!!! There is something about this algorithm!!!

This is not a literal match! The algorithms of the red ghost and the pink ghost are overlapping!!!

And just when the guests thought that Pink Ghost's algorithm was already very impressive, because the dynamic computing power was completely a reflection of the power of the CPU.

The next second, the yellow Pac-Man has eaten two-fifths of the beans on the map.

Then--

The blue ghost that triggered the condition jumped out of the haunted house!

then--

It became the most beautiful cub in the whole room!

Because it uses vector calculation to flank the player from the other side of the red ghost!

When the real outflank appeared, everyone present frowned!

If it's just these, it's not true intelligence!

When the blue ghost abandons the path where the pink ghost is and goes to other forks to intercept Pac-Man...

The anthropomorphic operation of the three people surprised the big guys who had been engaged in scientific research for many years——

Oh! My! God! - How long have you been writing this algorithm?

Oh - when we have been emphasizing the learning ability of artificial intelligence, why has no one thought that games are the best display?

Although this is a game, you can definitely publish a paper! And your game can be used for teaching in engineering schools of major universities! What is machine logical thinking? What is artificial intelligence? Although we can't yet Turn the machine into a brain, but the logical judgment of this kind of pursuit is the best embodiment of the actual machine!

Although it was discussed below, Ethan did not stop.

Because the Orange Ghost is the guy who truly understands human nature.

When Xiao Cheng entered the map, everyone present realized how much like a human this AI was!

Once the player enters its hunting range, it will be like being watched by a boss at work, so work hard!

And if the player gets out of his hunting range, it will start fishing just like a worker who discovers that his boss has disappeared!

Once the player enters his hunting range too many times in a short period of time, it will also work like countless PTSD patients who have been frightened by the boss's DeBuff, and perform a period of high efficiency in revenge!

After waiting for the player to escape his pursuit for a long time, it starts fishing again!

When this vivid and vibrant display appears on the arcade screen...

Even though the more than 40 people present were mentally prepared, they were still surprised!

This is indeed a real application of AI technology in games!

Although we all have the ability to write this algorithm,... we really don't have this inspiration...

Principal Fred Terman, who had already seen the effect, made the final decision with a smile.

At the same time, he stood up and tremblingly came to the arcade, wanting to appreciate the performance of the AI ​​in the game up close.

The first one to step forward will naturally be followed by the second one.

Ralph Bell jumped directly to the arcade. When he observed Ethan's movements on the controller and the chasing method of the four ghosts in the game, the smooth pursuit made him laugh directly.

“Oh Ethan—is this special number your gift to me?”

Your game is really great!

It makes me feel that the most right thing I have done in my life is to serve as a consultant for your company!

There is already a second one, so naturally there will be a third, fourth, and fifth...

Although there were many big guys at the scene, Steven Spielberg was not afraid and came directly to Ethan's side.

Oh! Fxxk! I've never seen a game like this in my life! This looks so fun!

At the same time, he also wanted to experience the latest game, Oh Ethan...my good brother...let me play it quickly...

The next second, he suddenly remembered something, That's right! Did you promise to give me a game arcade machine before?

Is this one mine?

Can I take it away later?

Before Ethan could answer, a roar came, Oh Steven - calm down!

That's Arnold Spielberg's voice.

How can I calm down? This game is really special and interesting! Spielberg didn't listen to his father at all.

He nudged Ethan with his body, trying to take the external controller from his hand.

This situation made Ethan feel dumbfounded.

Since the game had already been displayed, he didn't insist anymore and gave away the controller directly.

And when he faced the guest seats again...

The figure that was almost leaning towards him, with eyes full of longing, startled him!

But the next second, he became happy again.

Because he knew that this press conference was a success!

Do you like it? Ethan patted Chuck Paido's shoulder and said with a smile, Made with your chip.

Oh - this is simply our honor! Chuck Paido hugged Ethan and laughed: Ethan! Thank you! You proved that MOS 6502 is useful for us!

After hugging him back, Ethan came to Ralph Bell's side again and hugged him directly with his arm.

How about it, Professor Bell, are you satisfied with this game? Ethan smiled and patted his shoulder.

Arnold is right, you young people's brains are more flexible than ours. Ralph Bell also opened his arms and hugged Ethan, Thank you, you provided me with a new idea, the circuit board Times may have really passed...

Such words made Ethan laugh and nod.

Being able to show off in front of these big guys is really...

Thai pants are hot!

Of course, there is a cooler thing waiting for him than pretending to beep.

When Ethan looked around, he discovered that two people were still sitting in the guest seats and had not moved.

Not only that, at this moment they were dumbfounded, staring blankly ahead.

Such a situation made Ethan take a slight detour and jump behind them.

Then, he opened his arms and hugged the two people directly.

Then, he smiled and said: Nolan, I haven't seen you for half a year, how are you doing?

Come here today and see my game. What do you think?

Yes, one of the people Ethan hugged was Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari!

After hearing Ethan's words, the guy's eyes suddenly widened and he turned his head with difficulty.

The bloodshot eyes were filled with shock.

great……

He spoke out his evaluation with difficulty.

Oh, thank you. Ethan smiled and nodded his thanks.

Then, he turned his attention to another person, This gentleman from Mi Luohua, what do you think?

As soon as these words came out, the old man in the white suit suddenly gasped.

After a long while, he said: Very... very good... very good...

Thank you. Ethan smiled and narrowed his eyes.

He patted their arms with both hands and said happily: You two like me, that is really my greatest honor.

He bowed slightly and then left.

That dashing figure made the two of them clenched their fists.

But after a moment, the sudden weakness caused them to arch their backs.

Because they know that this is Stanford!

They know better...

I can’t afford to offend any of the special guest codes on site!