Will skimmed through the proposal titled " Minesweeper," his eyes showing a strange expression.
"This reminds me of Gamenova's debut game, Tetris, which is so cool!"
A simple, exquisite game with no superfluous design elements, it's an extremely pure game.
It has completely reversed GAMENOVA's previous strategy of piling on features and returned to its original form.
Use the purest gameplay to impress players.
"This is a PC game, right?"
Will looked at the concept art above; this design was completely out of step with NovaBo's style.
It's more like a logic game that bookworms like them who like to study DOS would play.
"Based on its design, it requires very little performance overhead; it's even more than capable of running on NovaPocket."
Putting it on the flagship NovaBo would be a complete waste of its capabilities.
"Hmm? That's true. Minesweeper could be ported to a handheld console."
Lin Lixin nodded. Although the controls certainly couldn't compare to a PC, it was a great addition to the handheld game lineup. "So? Are you confident? This is your first game with GAMENOVA."
"I will not fail in my mission!"
In this era, PCs are undoubtedly the exclusive productivity tools for white-collar workers and geeks.
But white-collar workers also need entertainment and relaxation.
Logitech, which had just built a new production center in Hsinchu Taiwan Island, suddenly received a large OEM order.
GAMENOVA approached them with their patent for a mouse with a stunningly symmetrical, fully curved design.
The first batch alone had an order for 1 million units.
Even PC retail giant Hewlett-Packard's orders don't reach such a staggering number.
It's important to know that mice are not cheap. Even though they have now controlled the cost of optical mice, the production cost of a single mouse is still nearly $30.
What puzzled them even more was why a game company would order so many mice.
Texas, Round Rock.
Dell picked up the phone and dialed a number from the phone book.
This is the phone number of a medical company in Texas.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Robert. This is PC's Limited. I have prepared the PC procurement proposal you inquired about yesterday, based on your requirements."
Dell fiddled with a newly manufactured NMD mouse in his hand, reciting the configuration list without even looking at the documents. "I called today to ask what your input device requirements are? An IBM mechanical keyboard? Or..." "Anything is fine, as long as it's convenient for office work."
"Oh, sir, if that's the case, you can try adding a mouse; it only costs $69."
On the other end of the phone, Robert, who was recording patient data in his notebook, frowned slightly.
"That sounds expensive, and I probably don't need it."
They're not just buying one retail machine; the entire company needs dozens or even hundreds of them.
The reason we approached Dell to handle this matter was because we heard they were cheaper, which would save us the unnecessary premiums that would have been incurred when purchasing from large companies like IBM.
"I completely understand, sir. However, that's the external price. If you confirm the order today, we can offer it for 42..."
The internal price in US dollars will be included in the package.
Dell's gaze fell on the screen, and as he dragged the mouse, a small white arrow moved in sync with the Minesweeper screen. "Sir," he said, "We recently partnered with GAMENOVA, a top global game developer, to pre-install Minesweeper, a game designed to help users learn how to use a mouse."
"Games?" Robert's voice was hesitant. "We need a business PC, sir."
"Yes, sir, it's a game, but it's also a productivity tool."
Are you kidding me?
"Mr. Robert, please allow me to explain."
Dell, savoring the unique feel of the NMD, patiently explained, "Your company purchases PCs for data manipulation and spreadsheet filling, right? A mouse will greatly improve efficiency for non-professionals in these areas."
"However, using a mouse requires a certain learning curve, which is why I commissioned GAMENOVA to package it as a game."
"And----"
"Opening a program is much faster than going to the lounge to make a cup of coffee, don't you think?"
A long silence followed on the other end of the phone.
Robert seemed to be contemplating whether it was necessary to spend so much money on something so inexplicable.
Then came the sound of a door closing, as if someone was moving around.
"----Add the mouse to your order."
"Okay, we'll arrange shipment by the end of this week at the latest, and it will be delivered directly to your office!"
This scenario has happened countless times today.
It seems like overnight, buying a computer without a mouse is considered outdated.
Not only are almost all of Dell's new machines equipped with mice, but even SGI's graphics stations are equipped with the same NMD.
Of course, there's also a matching mouse training tool called " Minesweeper ".
Robert stood in his somewhat old office, holding a stack of reports that were long overdue.
"This is really troublesome----"
When the truck Dell arranged delivered the goods last week, he thought the company was about to undergo a comprehensive IT upgrade.
Financial statements are all digitized; with just a couple of keystrokes on the keyboard, that thing will magically process everything.
A high-end, modern office requires only a cup of coffee, a PC, and the magic of digitalization.
But reality slapped him hard in the face.
His self-illumination shone on a woman in another office.
That was their company's senior accountant, a seasoned veteran in the business world, an absolute expert.
But she was like a complete novice when it came to the PC, and it took her half an hour to figure out how to copy the data to another location.
These guys, used to paper-based office environments, simply can't understand the concept of using PCs.
"Efficiency has decreased instead of increased; this money has been wasted."
Robert rubbed his aching temples; this matter had kept him up at night for days.
He was absolutely certain that information technology was the future trend.
He visited those rapidly growing new companies to learn what companies of the future would look like.
All the company's PCs are connected through a network structure, so any data can be transferred to another person with just a couple of keystrokes.
But he couldn't find the right approach.
These people resisted this new thing from the bottom of their hearts, and even forced internal training had little effect.
Robert looked at the PC on his desk.
To be honest, even he himself hadn't quite figured it out.
Robert suddenly remembered what Dell had said back then.
"Games—training tools—heh."
What else can we do? We might as well try anything, even if it seems hopeless.