Atari

Chapter 25 Atari

When Ethan Jones realized that Atari might be his best partner, he could no longer suppress the smile on his face. At the same time, he felt that he had guessed Steve Jobs' true intentions.

"Steve, your boss sent you here not just to show you the situation, right?"

Ethan Jones leaned back and chuckled, "Or perhaps you're just trying your luck? After all, there are plenty of game engineers out there these days."

"Hmm~" Steve Jobs smiled, a shrewd glint in his eyes. "Perhaps."

He shrugged and said, "As I just said, when I came here today, Nolan told me to work hard to identify the various products on the market and do my best to maintain Atari's market position."

Ethan nodded, understanding, and met his gaze with a smile without saying a word.

In this situation, Steve Jobs maintained his formulaic smile.

After a moment, Ethan softened his tense posture and said, "But I believe that if you bring an excellent game back to the company, your boss, Nolan Bushnell, will be very happy."

"Yeah~" Ethan's initiative prompted Steve Jobs to admit, "I think so too."

He then added, "So, we've reached an agreement? I found you at the exhibition, and you..."

Steve Jobs drew out his voice.

Ethan gave two thumbs up, "And I brought the game, and you, with your sincerity, to Atari."

"As for the rest, I don't know what you said, I only know that I already knew something."

"Hahaha~" Ethan's straightforwardness prompted Steve Jobs to extend his right hand. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."

"It's a pleasure to work with you." Ethan's face lit up with joy as he gave her a firm handshake.

Now that Ethan Jones and Steve Jobs have reached an agreement, their next step is to move the Snake Game machine from San Francisco to Atari.

As Ethan left, Mr. Forbes looked conflicted.

At first, Ethan thought the guy was worried that Steve Jobs was a bit of a scoundrel.

But when he said he had spoken with Steve Jobs and confirmed that the guy was fine, Mr. Forberle's response almost made Ethan faint.

"Huh? I was just thinking that after you leave, there will be no one to watch the booth for me."

"I just met a lovely baby girl, and I'd love to chat with her more!"

"goodbye!"

Ethan glared at him fiercely.

"No! Never again!"

Ethan slammed the car door shut.

He floored the gas pedal and followed Steve Jobs' motorcycle back to Los Gatos.

That's right, Atari's current office is located in Los Gatos.

It was only a few miles from Thomas Jensen's villa where Ethan lived.

This is precisely why there has been constant criticism of Ethan Jones within Milrova.

There's nothing we can do about it; it's just that it's located way too close to Atari.

The journey home always felt so welcoming. After Ethan Jones followed Steve Jobs through the gates of the Atari factory, the dozens of acres of land were a symbol of strength, and the bustling production team was a testament to the company's busy operations.

"The machines produced here are all from the past."

Steve Jobs briefly explained, "There aren't any arcade machines here... huh?"

"I know, I know, I know."

Ethan nodded, indicating that he understood; the machines here were not copyrighted.

Talking to smart people is easy. Under Steve Jobs's guidance, Ethan quickly toured the Atari factory. Although the haphazard, makeshift production methods felt a bit like a makeshift operation, but...

That's not important, right?

Ethan is here to discuss cooperation, not to acquire this company!

After a quick walk around, Ethan followed Steve Jobs into the office area.

Ethan thought he would have to wait a while before seeing Nolan Bushnell, after all, the man was a big star now. But he didn't expect that Steve Jobs, who was walking in front of him, would treat it like he was coming home. He went wherever he wanted as if he were in his own backyard, without saying hello or knocking, and simply pushed aside all the obstacles in his way.

Especially when he pushed open the door to the general manager's office, he shouted, "Hey! Nolan! What are you doing?"

Ethan was quite astonished by such a wild style.

Nolan Bushnell's response was even more unusual.

"Oh! Steve! You're back!"

The burly man with a thick beard stood up abruptly and gave Steve Jobs a big bear hug. "Judging by your excited look, you must have successfully completed the mission? Oh... and this is...?"

"You might need an answer." Steve Jobs winked at Nolan Bushnell.

The next second, Nolan Bushnell, who understood what he meant, enthusiastically extended his right hand to Ethan.

"Hello sir, I am Nolan Bushnell, and you are...."

According to social etiquette, Nolan Bushnell should be asking Ethan how to address him at this moment.

But when the middle-aged man focused his gaze on Ethan's face, countless ridges appeared on his forehead.

He squinted at Ethan, then asked in an incredulous tone, "Sir, forgive my rudeness, but haven't we met somewhere before? You look so familiar."

The question elicited a slight smile from Ethan Jones, who extended his right hand to shake hands with him, then nodded and said, "Yes, Mr. Bushnell, I was the one who received you three years ago in Burlingame."

"Oh my God!!!"

Ethan's reminder immediately brought Nolan Bushnell back to reality!

Because that's where the launch event for Milrova's Odyssey was held!

"Damn? What are you doing here?"

Despite his foul language, Nolan Bushnell wore a cheerful smile. "Although we haven't seen each other in a long time, but... to be honest, brother, I've always remembered your name, Ethan... Jones, right?"

Nolan Bushnell's tone was somewhat hesitant, but his face was full of anticipation.

"Yeah~" Ethan Jones nodded with a smile, saying, "Mr. Bushnell, it seems you have a very good memory!"

"Wow~ So you two know each other?"

Steve Jobs was somewhat surprised by their conversation. At the same time, he also noticed some clues from Ethan and Bushnell's dialogue. "Ethan Jones?... Could you be...?" Steve Jobs was somewhat incredulous.

"Haa~ you guessed right~"

Ethan didn't hide anything, shrugging, "I'm the guy who got fired by Milrova."

"Because I sent Mr. Bushnell an invitation to the Odyssey."

!!!

In that instant, Steve Jobs finally understood why Ethan Jones had looked at him with such shock when they met before!

As the "hero" who directly led to the birth of Atari, the fact that Atari cherished him after he was kicked out of Milova is truly astonishing!

Of course, Ethan Jones neither agreed nor disagreed with Steve Jobs's idea.

After all, he couldn't very well tell Steve Jobs, "I'm genuinely shocked by your appearance," could he?

That would be too gay!

Now that everyone "knew" each other, and the lawsuit between Mirova and Atari had come to an end, communication between the two sides became much simpler. When Nolan Bushnell learned that Ethan Jones had started making games on his own after leaving Mirova, he smiled and offered encouragement; and when he learned that Steve Jobs had taken a liking to Ethan's game at today's exhibition, he became even more curious about it.

So, he quickly left the office area and started testing the game "Snake" in his own factory.

With a crisp clinking sound, the coin fell into the box.

As the little snake on the screen grows larger and larger, yet can never escape its fate of death, Nolan Bushnell also gave the idea extremely high praise.

"This could absolutely be a groundbreaking game!"

"absolute!"

"This is way more fun than 'Pong'!"

"No! It's more fun than any other game on the market!"

"Ethan, are you selling?"

Nolan Bushnell gripped the joystick, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Ethan.

Looking at the panting figure, Ethan shook his head and said, "Mr. Bushnell, I think you didn't mean what you said, did you?"

'???'

These words startled Nolan Bushnell.

The next second, he instinctively looked at Steve Jobs.

Steve Jobs, however, decisively shook his head, indicating that this matter had nothing to do with him.

This attitude made Nolan Bushnell laugh, straighten up, and clap his hands.

"Okay, Ethan, now that you know the details, I'll go and call my partner."

"Please wait a moment, as we will sit down and have a proper discussion."

(End of this chapter)