CH89 - Connection

This kind of thing might be a dark history for ordinary people, but for celebrities, it's a thirst for knowledge!

No choice, once a person becomes famous, even a fart becomes right!

"Oh, is that so?" Ethan nodded with a smile, saying, "No wonder the security didn't stop us when Steve brought me in just now. It's because they know Steve often comes to Universal to see you, right?"

"Yes. 'Snake Game' is the one I sent over."

Jobs nodded, "On the afternoon of the day we launched the new product, I disappeared, right? That was when I delivered the arcade machine to him."

"Is that so?"

Ethan suddenly remembered.

On the afternoon of the 'Snake Game' launch, only Nolan Bushnell and those people were left at Atari.

At that time, he thought Jobs and the others had gone together to deliver the goods.

But it turns out it was delivered separately to Spielberg?

'It seems their relationship is really good.'

After sighing in his heart, Ethan chatted with them.

Talked about games, talked about movies, talked about Hollywood.

And when he found out that Spielberg knew Barbara Streisand, he made a request.

"Oh, Steven, can I trouble you with something?"

"You say." Spielberg smiled, "As long as I can do it, I will definitely help you."

"Can you get me a signed album from Barbara Streisand? Because my sister really likes her."

"This is too simple, forget about one, I can get you a whole set." Spielberg waved his hand, "Whether it's a music album or a movie videotape, I can get it for you. I'll tell my assistant later, and she'll take care of it."

"Don't worry, although it will take some time, you will definitely get it before you leave."

"Of course... you're not telling me you're leaving now, are you?"

Spielberg tapped the table and jokingly said, "After all, I'm not Superman."

"Hahaha~ No, no~" Ethan laughed, "Oh Steven, I really appreciate it... troubling you right after we met, this is... I don't know what to do..."

"Don't know what to do? That's simple." Spielberg said, "I want to know one thing now. If you can give me a straightforward answer, I can guarantee that you won't feel any distance between us."

'?'

'There's a magical question like this?'

"What question?" Ethan asked curiously.

As soon as this was said, Spielberg first put on a mysterious face, looked at Ethan with a serious expression, and when Ethan frowned in surprise, he chuckled, rubbed his hands, and said, "It's simple!"

"When are you releasing a new game?"

"I can't wait!"

"While I believe 'Snake Game' can keep me entertained for a long time, I still want to play something new!"

'...'

'Okay!'

Spielberg's question made Ethan laugh and cry.

What kind of situation is this?

Isn't today a happy fan meeting?

How did it turn into an offline solo face-to-face urging for updates?

Although Ethan didn't understand Spielberg's thought process, he could still answer this question.

Taking a deep breath, he shook his head and said, "Oh Steven, I don't want to lie to you. I do have inspiration in my mind, but it's temporarily impractical."

"What?" Spielberg was surprised, "Why is it impractical?"

"Is it because of technical reasons?"

Ethan shrugged regretfully, not knowing how to answer.

In this situation, Jobs spoke up in a timely manner.

He explained the specific situation.

And when Spielberg learned that all the problems were in the patent for the gaming console and training device, he was suddenly a bit surprised. "Oh Ethan, can't you get the authorization for this?"

"If I really want to get it, I should be able to, but the price may not be quite right."

Ethan said sincerely, "You make movies, you should know, that inspiration also has value."

"If this value is taken away by the theatres that provide venues, then I have nothing to say."

"But if most of the benefits are taken by Edison..."

Before Ethan could finish speaking, Spielberg smiled and said, "No need to 'if,' Edison's actions have already been recognized as a monopoly."

"But Magnavox's situation... can't really be considered a monopoly, right?" Ethan smiled and said, "After all, Professor Baer is different from Edison. Professor Bell never buys patents. The patents under his name are either developed by him or his team. In various fields such as aerospace, deep-sea exploration, and medical care, where he has a presence, many projects no longer charge patent fees. The courts or, let's say, the country, won't bother with the corresponding dominance in the video game industry."

This fact made Spielberg nod slightly and ask, "So, this problem can't be resolved?"

He then continued, "Oh, what I mean is, I'm really looking forward to your game."

"I understand, I understand, you mean no harm." Ethan nodded with a smile and said, "Actually, I have a solution now, but it may not be achievable in the short term because I need to meet with Professor Ralph H. Baer, but I don't know him. I've already asked my sister's teacher to contact Professor Ralph H. Baer, but the news from their side is, at the earliest, by the end of the year."

"So, you might have to wait a while."

Because Spielberg knew the situation, Ethan didn't intend to hide anything. But after he explained the truth, Spielberg, sitting across from him, was a little stunned.

Then, this guy scratched his head, frowned, and asked, "Are you saying Professor Ralph H. Baer can help you solve the patent issue?"

"If he's willing to collaborate with me." Ethan nodded, "As long as he's willing to work with me, I have a way to bypass the patent barrier, and it's a legal bypass. Steve can testify to that."

Ethan pointed to Jobs, who was already using the MOS 6502. "Yes, we have the method; we just need to find the person."

However, just when Ethan thought the conversation had died down, Spielberg said, "Is it that simple? Then you guys can just make the game! And I have to be the first player!"

'?'

Spielberg's words left Ethan stunned. He said, "Steven, I don't understand what you mean."

"Don't understand? It's simple!" Spielberg blinked and said, "Because my father knows Professor Baer."

"In various senses."

"After Magnavox's Odyssey was released, my father mentioned Professor Baer to me. He said Professor Baer's technology in the field of electronic engineering is much more powerful than his."

"If you want to find Professor Baer, I can have my dad make a call for you."

"Although I don't know what you want to collaborate with Professor Baer on, or what you definitely want from him, I can assure you that even in an absurd collaboration, Professor Baer will listen to my dad's face."

"WTF???" Ethan was shocked!

He asked in disbelief, "Oh Steven, are you serious?"

"Of course! Why would I lie to you about this?" Spielberg was quite strange, saying, "Are you surprised?"

"Why? Why wouldn't I be surprised?"

"Do you think it's abnormal for my dad and Professor Baer to know each other?"

"Huh?"

Spielberg furrowed his brow, unable to understand.

And even more bewildered were Ethan, who looked dumbfounded, and Jobs, who was equally stunned.

Because, in reality, this was really not normal!

TL Note:

"Gran Trak" is a racing game produced by Atari. Well... to say it's produced is actually copying because its style and production method are basically the same as the racing game introduced by Professor Ralph H. Baer in Magnavox's Odyssey.

The information about Spielberg becoming a director comes from an interview BBC did with him, which he said himself. It's still on the official BBC website.