Rebirth 1973 - Chapter 27 Atari

10 minutes later, Steve Jobs finishes his work and ready to go. Henry then takes him to a coffee shop nearby. They then ordered a cup of cappuccino and begin to wait. As they waited for the cappuccino, Henry then starts the conversation.

“So Jobs, you doing well at Atari ?” Henry asked this as he can see Steve Jobs is very dissatisfied with his job now.

“Well, I doing fine now even though the job is hard, the pay is minimum but this is better than nothing.” Steve Jobs answered truthfully as this is nothing to hide.

When Henry heard Steve Jobs answer, he knows the opportunity is coming. So he quickly talk again,

“Well, it’s indeed true great to have a job now as many people unemployed. But, if there is a better job waiting for you, will you take it?” Henry begins to throw his bait.

“What better job out there for me? I don’t have any special skill or anything remarkable, even I accepted into the Atari because the boss pities me.” Steve Job feels depressed about himself as he not yet caught Henry meaning.

Henry just laughing when he heard Steve Jobs self-depreciation. Henry knows Steve Jobs true talent is his creativity and strong management ability. But apparently, Steve Jobs himself not yet find his talent, so he can be like this.

Even Steve Jobs himself not yet find it, how can other people find it. Only the like of Henry would know Steve Jobs talent or other people as he is from the future. Henry glad he came to this era as many people not yet excavated, this is a great opportunity.

Now he already knows Steve Jobs true situation, it’s the time for the fish get caught.

“Hey Jobs, If I say someone would like you to be a company CEO, how would you react ?” If Steve Jobs can’t still catch his meaning, then it not worthy of his name.

Steve Jobs, of course, understand what Henry mean to him, but he surprised as he don’t expect this so he asked, “Why me ?”

Henry already thought a great answer for this, “From the moment I seeing you in that restaurant, I know you would be someone of great talent. Even though you seem don’t possess anything special now, but I believe it only buried temporarily.”

Even if Steve Jobs feels this is like nonsense, but he still moved as someone finally acknowledged himself. Now Steve Jobs not yet mature, so when he heard Henry remark he is very excited, so he excitingly replies, “Really ?”

“Of course it’s true, you must not know I even searching you with a bounty on a newspaper. Why would I lied to you ?”

Steve Jobs, of course, understand Henry would not lie to him as now he is just an insignificant person with nothing to lie. But he just makes sure as this feels too unbelievable.

“What company we are talking about ?” Now after finally get Henry confirmation and calmed himself, Steve Jobs asked with great care as this is his future job.

“It will be a computer company, the name of the company is Apple. With my insight into the future of computer, I feel the computer industry are very promising and……” Henry then explained everything Steve Jobs need to know about Apple and the future of it.

When Steve Jobs heard various Henry comment and insight into the industry, he was very shocked. If what Henry says is just 10% achieved, he will be one of the great men. He himself will be famous and successful too.

Henry then chatting with Jobs for 3 hours straight with the 12th cup of cappuccino emptied. Steve Jobs very satisfied with Henry offer as he was given 10% shares of Apple. With various Henry plan that he reveals, Apple basically will be successful if nothing goes wrong. Now that he accepted Henry offer, it’s the time for him to settle his job at Atari.

So after they take a lunch, they quickly go back to Atari HQ. When Henry and Steve Jobs enter the building, they saw a man waiting at the front desk. When Steve Jobs saw that man, he quickly knows who he is, so he whispers it to Henry.

Henry then quickly go forward and take initiative, “Hello Mr. Nolan, my name is Henry William.”

This man was Nolan Bushnell, boss of Steve Jobs and one of the founders of Atari. Atari was the future giant of the game industry from 1979-1983. Atari was so successful in the 1979-1983 period as they valued at $4.3 Billion at its peak. It’s a pity Atari collapsed in 1983 due to a fatal mistake they made.

Atari failed to capitalize on its success due to many reasons. First and foremost, they couldn’t endure the gaming crash of 19831985. Second, many believe Atari never gave due credit to its developers. It seemed like that Atari failed to realize that it’s not that hardware sells software but its the other way around.

This caused a game empire fallen apart just because of a mistake, if not because of that mistake, they would continue to grow. But it precisely because of that mistake Japanese game companies manage to rise like Nintendo, SEGA, Bandai, especially Nintendo. After Atari collapsed, it’s throne was replaced by Nintendo.

Nintendo learns from Atari mistake so they manage to keep their company success until 2016 where Henry came from. Even though in 2016 Nintendo not so powerful compared to 1990s, but it still an industry giant.

Atari in 1974 is faintly showed its potential due to the PONG they developed in 1972. After PONG was developed, it’s quickly become popular within many bars. The sound of a PONG machine can be heard basically in many bars now.

Henry knows the game industry is very big and it’s profit simply outrageous. Even though Atari manages to gain some success due to PONG, but it still far from their peak. Now that Atari has not yet grown up, Henry feels he should take action on it.

As far as Henry knows about Atari, they now should develop a home version of PONG. If that successfully developed, it will be hard to insert a hand on Atari. Now it’s the best time for him to insert hand to Atari, so Henry took initiative.

Nolan Bushnell saw his new employees Jobs with some stranger walking toward him. Then he saw the stranger walk toward him and introduces himself. Although he surprised, out of politeness he still replies the stranger named Henry William.

“Hello Mr. Henry, what are you doing here ?” Nolan asked

“Nothing, I just offer a job to my friend here which is Steve Jobs. I know Atari took him due to pities and cheap labor, so I asked Jobs just to work in my place.” Henry explained as he came here to dig their employees.

When Nolan Bushnell heard that, he did not care as Steve Jobs is not important to Atari.

“Well, do whatever you want then.” Nolan wants to continue to watch the newspaper as now is rest time.

“Wait Mr. Nolan, I want to discuss something with you, do you have time now ?” Henry quickly talk as he can see Nolan Bushnell is free now. It’s better to discuss the Atari now as the sooner Henry can get it, the better.