The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 437: Development of Type 04 Computer Started

Beijing Institute of Technology is not too big, and it is enough to visit the whole place in about an hour while walking and talking.

Although Rasul was still not satisfied, he also knew that too much is as bad as too little. After making an agreement to meet again next time, he followed Qian Shuyan away.

After Li Mu said goodbye to him, he looked at the time and turned back to the game development center.

As I was walking in, I suddenly saw Alexi standing at the door, along with the group of students from Nanyue and Beichao.

Seeing this, he stepped forward with a smile and said:
"Long time no see, Professor Alexei. Do you have any ideas for developing new games recently?"

"Not yet, Consultant Li. To be honest, the sales of "War" in China are not ideal. As you say in Xia country, it is 'well received but not popular.'" Alexei said bluntly.

Hear this.

Li Mu also realized the reason for the other party's previous "resentment".

Big Brother's investment in "War" is extremely high. In order to handle the huge size of the game, they even ordered special TV game console equipment from them.

The cost that can be paid is estimated to be completely disproportionate to the current benefits.

Thinking of this, he said:

"Professor Alexi, don't worry, this is actually a very normal thing."

"Think carefully, what do you need most to play games? Forget it, I'll tell you directly, it's gaming equipment."

“Warfare is a good game, but it’s really too expensive. If you have to spend nearly a year and a half’s salary on a game, I’m afraid few people would choose it.”

In fact, when Alexei first started developing the product, Li Mu had hinted at the price issue to him.

However, the latter was full of confidence and directly targeted the classic games they had produced, thinking that they would definitely sell well, so they didn't care at all.

"Well, what should I do? If I can't sell it, the higher-ups will hold me accountable." Alexei remembered Li Mu's advice and felt secretly annoyed.

But it's too late to regret.

Now the sales of "War" are not good. He has neither made any money nor obtained the key technology to bring back to China. Maybe one day he will be called back.

Of course, being held accountable is actually nothing. The main thing is that once I leave, I will never have the chance to discuss software engineering with Li Mu again.

Hearing this, Li Mu thought for a moment and said:

"I can give you a suggestion. Purchase gaming equipment from Xia Country, such as semiconductor TVs."

"We will soon launch a new color video game console. The price will be the same as the current black and white video game console, but the performance and capabilities will be several times better."

"All in all, the cost of playing War can be reduced by at least 4%. With its excellent quality, sales will definitely increase."

In the 60s, the price of a television in India was between 900 and 1200 rupees, which was equivalent to the annual salary of an ordinary Indian worker.

Add to that the specially made gaming console, and the price comes to at least around 2000 rupees.

But if you switch to a semiconductor TV made in China, even a black one, the price can be reduced by about 7%.

Of course, there is no need to tell Alexei so honestly. After all, if you want to do business, you have to make some money.

"Are semiconductor TVs in your country so cheap? I heard that in countries like OM, one costs at least 300M dollars?" Alexei said in surprise.

Of course, he had considered using a TV from Xia Country directly, but he couldn't get the price here, so he could only ask someone in China.

When I inquired about this, I was shocked to find out that the cheapest semiconductor color TV costs 300M dollars, which is simply unbelievable.

Li Mu explained: "That's the price we sold it to those suckers in OM country. Given the relationship between our two countries, it must be much cheaper."

"If that's the case, then maybe we can really save the sales of "War." Alexei said excitedly.

He really didn't want this game, which had cost him and countless others so much effort, to end up being aborted in obscurity.

Thinking of this, he quickly continued:
"Advisor Li, I will immediately find someone to pass this news back to China."

After saying that, he said goodbye and left in a hurry.

Seeing this scene, Li Mu smiled slightly and said nothing more.

It was just something he did on the spur of the moment, and he didn't really care about the result.

After all, compared with the market on OM's side, Big Brother's side is really insignificant, and a sales volume of 100 million is considered good.

……

Here, after Alexei left.

Shen Jianxin, Zhang Kai, and those from Nanyue and Beichao, who had been standing not far away, immediately stepped forward.

But before they could speak.

Li Mu smiled and said:
"I'm sorry, everyone. My schedule for today ends here. I can only come next time."

Hear what he said.

Shen Jianxin, Zhang Kai and other students from the game development center were stunned at first, secretly wondering: "In the past, Consultant Li always came whenever he wanted to. Why didn't they know about this additional schedule?"

Just when they were confused.

A pretty girl from South Vietnam walked out and pleaded:

"Counselor Li Mu, we are students majoring in mechanical manufacturing. We admire you very much and hope you can stay a little longer."

"Don't worry, it won't take up too much of your time."

"It would be a lifelong honor for us to receive your guidance, and it would also be of great help to our scientific research career."

After she finished speaking.

A female student from Beichao also stood up and said something similar.

The tone of their voices could not be described as insincere.

It’s a pity that Li Mu would never agree.

He pretended to be helpless and said:

"I'm sorry, I really have something else to do, so I'll just let it go this time. I'll definitely do it next time."

After saying that, he turned and left.

These students from Nanyue and Beichao did not want to give up, but when they saw the tall and strong General Zhao blocking the way in front of them, they could only watch Li Mu get in the car and leave.

……

15 minute later.

Li Mu put on glasses and changed his clothes and walked slowly from one end of the school corridor to the gate of the game development center.

I also said hello to the security guard.

The latter rubbed his eyes for a long time, looked again and again, before he realized that this was Li Mu who had just left with the excuse of "having other important matters to attend to".

The old man couldn't help laughing and asked, "What are you doing?"

"The meeting was cancelled at the last minute, so I came back." Li Mu lied without blushing, and then asked, "Have all the students from Nanyue and Beichao left?"

Anyway, he has the right to interpret, so whatever he says is reasonable.

"They've all left. They've been running around the building all day. If you were still here, you would definitely not want to leave. But now that you've 'left', they can't stay any longer." said the old man.

This group of students from North Vietnam arrived much earlier than their diplomatic commissars.

And as soon as I arrived, I wanted to visit the game development center.

The intention is obvious, they are just after the technical data.

However, since they came here in the name of visiting, Shen Jianxin and others couldn't just chase them away, so they could only entertain them politely for a whole day.

……

After chatting with the old man for a few minutes and briefly understanding the situation.

Li Mu went upstairs to the meeting room.

Inside the house, Shen Jianxin was talking to Zhang Kai and others about his sudden departure today.

His words may be used to fool those South Vietnamese and Northern Chao students who know nothing.

But they couldn't be fooled.

It’s not the first day we’ve known each other, and we all know his personality.

Since I can come to Beijing Institute of Technology, I can't stay here all day, but I have to at least communicate with them for a few hours.

Just leaving without saying anything - something is wrong.

Just when everyone was talking about it.

A light cough sounded at the door.

Li Mu pretended to be serious and said:
"You don't know until you see it. Once you see it, you will be shocked!"

"Luckily I pretended to leave, otherwise I wouldn't have known that you guys were hiding here chatting and lazing around whenever you had free time!"

"Let me ask you, have you finished writing the code, have you finished writing the plan, have you developed the new game? You can't slack off now!"

His voice startled everyone.

When I looked carefully, I couldn't recognize who it was for a moment.

It was not until Li Mu took off his glasses that they came forward happily and said:

"Advisor Li, we knew you couldn't just leave like this!"

"Yes, yes, you haven't come to see us for a while, we all miss you!"

"Don't worry, we have finished typing the code and writing the plan today, but it will take some time to get this new game out!"

……

Excited faces excitedly told Li Mu about their achievements over the past period of time.

The Semiconductor Research Institute came up with an 8-bit processor and developed a color TV game console with lower cost and better performance. They must have received the news.

For this reason, they postponed several games that were originally planned to be developed after the fighting game "The King of Fighters", and instead re-launched the project of a color game.

However, what exactly to do is still under discussion.

The emergence of color is a huge innovation for the development of games.

Richer expressiveness represents infinite possibilities.

Take a simple example.

Take "Adventure Road", which has sold 400 million copies so far, as an example. In order to solve the design problems of map elements such as forests, volcanoes, and glaciers, they racked their brains.

However, if it were a color game, the presentation of these scenes would undoubtedly require much less effort.

At the end, Shen Jianxin said very sincerely:
"Advisor Li, can you give us some advice? We haven't found a direction for the development of color games yet."

If it were someone else, such as the experts and professors from the semiconductor group, he would definitely not ask this question.

But there is no problem with Li Mu's words.

After all, most of the people in the game R&D center were taught by him personally.

"In fact, you can first consider colorizing games like "Puzzle Cube", "Tank War" and "Aircraft War" to accumulate experience. There is no need to directly develop new games." Li Mu pondered for a moment, then said.

It is time-consuming and laborious to directly develop color games, so it is better to upgrade the previous games.

Although it does seem like a rehash of old stuff.

But with the evolution from black and white to color, sales are still guaranteed.

"So this is how it can be done!" Shen Jianxin suddenly realized.

The other students nearby also quickly realized that instead of developing new games, it would be better to upgrade old games without worrying about sales issues.

……

Spent about an hour in the game development center.

It was 7 o'clock in the evening and everyone was starting to feel hungry.

Seeing this, Li Mu prepared to get up and leave.

But at this moment, some diligent classmate ran back from the cafeteria with a pile of lunch boxes, and breathlessly asked him to stay for dinner.

Of course, having a meal was fake, the real purpose was to keep him for a while longer.

……

After a simple meal.

This time, Li Mu really left.

He didn't let anyone see him off. He put on his glasses, walked out, got in the car and left.

But he didn't notice that.

Two figures who had been "camping" at the entrance of the game development center for a long time stared at his car as it left, gnashing their teeth secretly:
"I said it was him, I couldn't be wrong!"

"It is really... really unbelievable that such a famous scientist would lie!"

"Forget it. Even if we know, what can we do? Can you still go and question him? Don't be ridiculous."

The two of them first complained a few words, and both found it hard to accept Li Mu's coming back.

But they were still relatively rational and didn't curse.

After all, this is in Xia Country and Beijing Institute of Technology.

There are a large number of Li Mu's fans in the school. Although they usually bury their heads in study and act like nerds, they are extremely powerful when they roll up their sleeves and fight.

Neither of them dared to imagine what the consequences would be if they were heard.

……

This way, in the car.

General Zhao told Li Mu that two students from Nanyue and Beichao had discovered him.

The two thought they were hiding secretly.

But in fact, as soon as he arrived at the place, he was discovered by the surrounding security personnel and was under close surveillance.

That is, they didn't do anything.

Otherwise, if you move a little, you will be controlled immediately.

Guan Jianmin was driving while curiously asking:

"Why did you go to so much trouble to lie? They're just some students. I've never seen you treat Big Brother's students like this before."

After he finished speaking.

General Zhao couldn't help but reveal a curious look.

Anyone with a discerning eye can probably see that Li Mu's attitude towards Yue Nan and Bei Chao is almost completely different from his attitude towards Afuhan.

But Xia Kingdom obviously has better relations with the first two countries, and very average with Afuhan. Logically, it should be the other way around.

"I did have some ideas for research and development just now, but I suddenly lost them halfway through." Li Mu made up an excuse to explain.

After all, there's really no way to talk about this.

They told the two that the M Empire would go to war with South Vietnam in the future, and in order to support the latter, they gave away a lot of supplies and weapons and equipment for free. In the end, this bunch of ungrateful wolves still came to fight them. This was obviously impossible.

……

Return to the special building.

Li Mu walked to the door of his house and saw the light coming through the gap. He couldn't help but be surprised. He didn't expect Wang Ya to come back so early today.

He took out the key, opened the door, and said, "Xiao Ya, I'm back."

The voice just fell.

Two figures rushed into his arms like lightning, calling out sweetly, "Brother~"

"Xiao Lan and Xiao Yu, why are you here?" Li Mu picked up the two little guys with a smile, then looked into the house.

More than just two sisters.

There were also Wang Ya, Grandma Li, uncle Li Jun and aunt Wang Juanhong, all sitting in the room.

Hearing this, Wang Ya stood up and said, "Grandma and uncle..."

"Xiaolan and Xiaoyu said they missed you, so I brought them over to see you." Grandma Li said quickly.

After saying that, she seemed a little worried again and said, "Xiao Mu, we won't disturb you by coming here, right?"

"How could that be? I'm so happy that you came. You should have told me earlier so I could come back earlier." Li Mu said with a smile.

Except for the wedding day, this house is rarely as lively as this one.

Grandma Li breathed a sigh of relief and continued:

"That's good, that's good, but Xiao Mu, look at you, you've lost a lot of weight. No matter how important work is..."

She started to talk as usual.

Li Mu didn't show any impatience. He listened, smiled and pulled Grandma Li to sit aside.

……

The next day, early.

Wash up after exercise.

Li Mu then took a car to the Chinese Academy of Sciences and talked to Guo Mo about launching a new research project at the Institute of Semiconductors to improve the purity and area of ​​silicon wafers.

But this is a long-term project.

Neither the precision of industrial machine tools nor the level of automation can be improved directly in a short period of time.

So the time plan he gave was about 5 years.

Guo Mo certainly had no objection to this. He always trusted Li Mu in research and would not interfere.

However, if this happens, the Semiconductor Research Institute will have to expand further, otherwise the place will be too crowded.

After finishing the business.

He talked about the construction of the film industry that Li Mu proposed when he came over last time, and said:

"Leader Qiu from the Semiconductor Group is very supportive of your idea, but some people above him still have some doubts. I'm afraid it will be difficult to invest too many resources in the short term."

"It doesn't matter, it's enough to just get started for now." Li Mu nodded slightly, not caring.

The golden age of the film industry is in the future, not now.

Just develop slowly. If you invest too many resources at once and raise expectations too high, you may be disappointed.

Seeing this, Guo Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

If Li Mu insists, things will indeed be difficult.

Even if the higher-ups agree in the end, if something goes wrong, you won't be held accountable or criticized, but it will be difficult to get involved in the film industry in the future.

He couldn't bear to give up something that could make so much money.

After thinking for a while, Guo Mo continued:
"By the way, do you want to go to the Kyoto Film Studio and the Kyoto Science and Education Film Studio and get familiar with them first?"

"Sure, then please help me apply and I will go over to study when the time comes." Li Mu said.

Kyoto Film Studio, abbreviated as Beijing Film Studio, is one of the cradles of the country's film industry. It has produced a large number of classic films, such as "Blessings", "Little Soldier Zhang", "Camel Xiang", etc.

The Kyoto Science and Education Film Studio, also known as the Science and Education Film Studio, was established in 60. It is the largest science and education film and television program production base in my country. It has shot a large number of science and education films covering agriculture, science and technology, culture and education and other fields.

Although they are definitely still relatively backward in terms of filming equipment.

But when it comes to how to make a good movie, they are definitely better, and even Li Mu has to learn from them.

After all, the movies he is familiar with are all products of later generations, and it is inevitable that they will not be suitable for today's environment.

"Why apply? I'll let me know and you can come over anytime." Guo Mo said with a smile.

……

After finishing talking about things.

Li Mu did not stay long and soon left for the Semiconductor Research Institute.

After arriving at the place.

He first went to the fly-by-wire flight control research group headed by Zhou Xiling and Lei Ming to check on the situation. Seeing that their progress was stable, he did not rush to intervene.

He turned around and found Su Dongzhuang, who was leading people to optimize CAD, CAE and other software.

Although the latter has multiple roles, he manages each project team in an orderly manner.

Of course, this would not have been possible without the help of Wang Shoujue.

As one of the people who knows the most about software engineering in the institute besides Li Mu, his attainments in this area have gone beyond the semiconductors he originally studied.

Therefore, Li Mu planned to entrust him with the task of developing the Type 04 personal computer.

Hearing this, Wang Shoujue couldn't help but smile bitterly and said:

"Isn't this speed of upgrading a bit too fast? Our Type 03 personal computer hasn't even reached mass production yet!"

It took them less than two years to develop the Type 01 computer to the Type 03 personal computer that has now been successfully developed.

If we exclude the window period in the middle, the time taken will be even shorter, probably less than a year.

"The upgrading of computers has always been very fast. It's just that we didn't master the technology of integrated circuits before." Li Mu said with a smile.

Wang Shoujue felt that it was fast compared to the speed of computer development in Xia State before.

However, they had no technology at that time, so it was naturally extremely difficult to make any breakthroughs.

But once it gets on the right track, the speed of development will continue to rise.

"Okay, then I'll take on this task. This time I'll try to make it the size of a TV!" Wang Shoujue agreed immediately.

What he said just now was not a complaint, he just felt it was a little unbelievable.

Su Dongzhuang, who was standing by, heard this and was eager to try. He quickly asked, "Advisor Li, can I also join the development of the 04 personal computer?"

Yang Tianxing, Zhou Xiling and Lei Ming are all currently developing new projects, but he is the only one still "living off his old capital". It is impossible for him to say that he is not feeling bad.

"Of course." Li Mu nodded first, then said to Wang Shoujue:
"But there's no need to worry about size this time, because 8-bit processors will soon be obsolete."

"The main task this time is to develop a new 02 operating system and solve the problem of color display support."

"When 16-bit processors come out, we will try to shrink personal computers to the size of a TV in one fell swoop."

8-bit processors are indeed a huge improvement over 4-bit processors.

But historically, it has been used primarily for simple computing tasks and embedded systems, such as simple calculators and game consoles.

If you want to achieve some functions, you can only ignore the volume problem first.

"No problem, let's follow your idea. But what is this color display? Is it important?" Wang Shoujue asked curiously.

Li Mu explained:
"8-bit processors are already able to support higher color depths and can display approximately 1670 million colors, which can provide a lot of convenience for design work."

"Of course, the most direct benefit is that it facilitates operation."

"Take radar images as an example. Color images are more intuitive and contain more information..."

He briefly talked about the importance of color display.

After listening to him, Wang Shoujue and Su Dongzhuang had no doubts and immediately took him to the conference room to discuss the development of the Type 04 personal computer.

(End of this chapter)