The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 185 Game R&D Center
Seeing this, Li Mu stopped talking nonsense and directly picked up the chalk. While writing the topic on the blackboard behind him, he said:

"The test is very simple. Within three hours, I completed the programming of a video game. I called this simple game program "Tank Battle"."

"The tank is made up of black blocks. It can move and fire shells. After being attacked a certain number of times, it will be destroyed."

"Okay, once you get the paper you can start the test."

"Oh, by the way, let me first popularize the concept of video games to you. If you have any questions later, you can ask me and I will give you some hints."

It is quite difficult to ask a group of people who have no idea about video games to write "Tank War". He is not a devil, so of course he needs to give some help.

As expected, after hearing the question, the students all looked bewildered.

Video games, what are those?
Fortunately, knowing Li Mu's identity, they did not ask any questions.

Instead, he sat up straight like a primary school student who had just started school, waiting for Li Mu's explanation.

Li Mu didn't have the habit of keeping people in suspense, so he said directly:
"Your concept of computer language should still be limited to improving computer efficiency and changing its functions."

"But in fact, the role of computer language is far more than that. Through programming, coupled with powerful computer assistance, it can build a virtual world for us."

"It's like the world in novels and stories, but in novels and stories we can only passively accept them, but in video games we can immerse ourselves in the virtual world created by the game."

"For example, the Tank War game I just mentioned creates a battlefield world, where players are put into the perspective of a tank and experience war from a unique angle."

After he finished speaking, the students below fell into silence.

Even in later times, video games are still known as “mental compression films,” which is even more difficult for people to understand in this era.

You said I could experience tanks? Is it really not good for me to join the army and drive one?
"What is the value of this electronic game you are talking about?" a student raised his hand and asked in confusion.

They believed that as a developer of the J language, Li Mu would not be able to create a useless video game.

So there is only one answer: they didn’t see it.

Facing the doubts in everyone's eyes, Li Mu raised two fingers and said:

"Just two words - make money."

"The Semiconductor Research Institute is currently developing application equipment and an electronic game. If nothing unexpected happens, they can bring tens of millions of dollars in foreign exchange income to our country."

"But just one video game is not enough. It is far from enough for our country to occupy the huge world market."

"To put it simply, if we develop more and better video games, we can earn more foreign exchange, possibly hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. With enough foreign exchange, we can buy all kinds of equipment and materials that are in short supply in our country, quickly improve the national industrial level, and complete industrialization!"

After he finished speaking, the conference room fell into a long silence, and everyone's eyes were filled with shock.

Tens of millions of dollars, and hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars in the future!

How much is that?
The country’s current industrial total output value is not that much, right?

Qian Shuyan and Wang Ya, who were standing by, couldn't help but look surprised.

After a long time, the students gradually recovered from their shock and asked, "So, after we pass the selection test, we will develop video games?"

They didn't understand what video games were, but that didn't matter.

What’s important is that electronic games can create such huge value and contribution to the country, which is worth their efforts in research.

"Not really. Those who pass the selection will study more important things." Li Mu said with a smile.

These words made all the students look surprised.

Someone was about to ask further questions, but when he saw Li Mu smiling without saying anything, he immediately reacted.

Important research is subject to confidentiality regulations, and unless they pass the selection, they will not be able to know any information.

Instead of being disappointed, they became even more excited.

What research could be more important than video games?

Thinking of this, the students couldn't wait to ask: "Please explain the concept of video games to us!"

Seeing that everyone was full of fighting spirit, Li Mu immediately began to introduce:

“Electronic games are interactive games that run on electronic equipment platforms. They cover a wide range of types and can be divided into competitive and casual types according to the needs of players…

"Tank Wars is just one of them. My current idea is to focus on competition and design multiple difficult levels..."

……

Li Mu decided to use an electronic game program for the test after careful consideration.

Because of the supercomputing project, some less important research tasks of the Semiconductor Research Institute have been stopped for quite a long time.

The handheld game console development team, which has been slow to make any significant progress, is the first to be affected.

But now that distributed projection lithography machines have been successfully developed, there are no longer any technical difficulties in making lightweight and compact handheld game consoles.

It will be successfully developed and put into production without any problems.

However, the first generation of handheld game consoles can only have Tetris, but it cannot only have Tetris.

Electronic games have huge economic potential in the future, and Li Mu’s plan of cultural export is involved, which cannot be achieved by relying solely on the Semiconductor Research Institute.

Therefore, it is imperative to train more R&D personnel.

"This one is good, this one is also good..." Walking in the examination room, Li Mu followed this candidate for a while, then behind that candidate, silently selecting the right candidate in his heart.

Of course, research must still focus on supercomputing, and he will not move the selected people, and will send them all to the software group.

The three-hour exam ended quickly.

After looking at the answers one by one, he read out the names in front of the anxious eyes of the audience: "Shen Jianxin, Zhou Weiguo, Du Jianjun..."

No more, no less, exactly ten people.

An elimination rate of nearly eight to one may not sound high, but you have to know that these people are geniuses selected from hundreds of thousands in their respective schools!

……

At the end, the people whose names were called were all very happy, while those who didn't hear their names at the end all looked very disappointed.

They are afraid that they will never have the chance to enter the Semiconductor Research Institute and study with Master Li Mu, whom they have long admired.

Seeing that many people in the audience looked dejected, Li Mu thought for a moment and said:
“Students who were not selected should not give up.”

"Computers will surely flourish in the future, and there are many, many fields like video games that require a large number of talents to invest in research."

"Although you failed this time, as long as you are well prepared, there will always be opportunities to show your talents."

Although he has decided to recruit those who have not passed the exam to develop video games, there must be a rule.

The Semiconductor Research Institute is currently working around the clock on the supercomputing project and definitely cannot spare any time, so we can only wait and see.

"What do you mean?" After hearing what he said, the students who failed the exam immediately looked up in surprise.

They were not stupid people. They quickly realized that Li Mu used video games as test questions. Li Mu smiled and said:
"Anyway, just work hard!"

Although this was not stated explicitly, it was almost an implicit admission, causing the students who failed the selection to immediately regain their fighting spirit.

……

Afterwards, Li Mu stayed for a while longer and discussed some language issues with these students.

In fact, in terms of understanding of J language, he may not be much better than them.

But in terms of application, he was far ahead of the times and was decades ahead of the times.

Just a few words can benefit these students greatly, and some even want to take this as their future research direction and spend their entire lives studying it.

After the exchange, all the students respected Li Mu even more and completely ignored the issue of age.

It was not until the setting sun was hanging in the sky that they said goodbye and left with reluctance on their faces.

……

After most people have left,.

Li Mu looked at the ten students he had specially kept behind who had passed the selection test.

Noticing his gaze, several people straightened their backs immediately.

After thinking for a while, he said, "I'll give you one day to deal with your personal affairs, and then report to Beijing Institute of Technology."

"We want to start research now, there's no need to go home!" The ten students looked at each other and said in unison.

Li Mu looked at them and saw that they were eager to work hard immediately, and said helplessly:
"I know you are full of enthusiasm, but this research is a big project, which may take two to three months at the shortest and a year to a long time."

"During the research period, you must completely cut off communication with the outside world. You cannot go out even if you ask for leave. Even after the research is over, you will still be restricted."

"I have to talk to my family and let them feel at ease."

This news caught Shen Jianxin and others off guard.

Although they knew the confidentiality level of the research would be high, they did not expect it to be so high.

"Okay, go ahead and tell your families that what you are doing is contributing to the great rejuvenation of the country!" Li Mu said seriously when he saw that they were still hesitating.

Hearing this, the ten students were shocked. Without any hesitation, they said goodbye to Li Mu and left in a hurry.

……

After most people have left.

Qian Shuyan, who had been watching silently for a long time, came over and said happily:

"That's right. It's different after graduation. I grow up very quickly."

"The impromptu exchange meeting just now was also very good. Not only did they gain a lot, but I also gained a lot from it."

"With this ability, I think you are qualified to be a professor."

He was worried that something might go wrong as it was Li Mu's first time hosting this kind of selection test, so he stayed by his side.

Unexpectedly, there were almost no accidents throughout the whole process, which is very different from my personality when I was in school and only cared about studying and researching.

"Dean, you are too kind. I am just trying to force myself. I am still far from achieving my goal." Li Mu said with a smile.

Qian Shuyan shook his head slightly and said with emotion: "If you were not so young, you would have become a professor long ago with your achievements."

"Maybe." Li Mu did not continue the conversation on this topic.

Being a professor actually has no appeal to him. It's just an extra title that sounds nice.

I also have to give lectures to students, which is very troublesome.

He doesn't mind taking time to think of ways to train the future pillars of the motherland, but when he thinks about himself giving a lecture and people of his age calling him professor with serious looks on their faces, he would probably die of laughter.

After thinking for a while, he said, "By the way, Dean, there is something I want you to help me with."

"What's the matter? Just tell me directly. There's no need for us to be so polite to each other." Qian Shuyan said with a smile.

Hearing this, Li Mu said:

"It's about the video game development thing I just mentioned."

"The Semiconductor Research Institute is currently short of manpower and cannot spare any manpower for subsequent research and development."

“So I wondered if we could set up a dedicated game development center at Beijing Institute of Technology.”

"If it works, I can convince the higher-ups to allocate a few of the most advanced Type 01 computers to the school. Later, I can also invite people from the research institute to come and give lectures, and I will also serve as a consultant to provide guidance."

This idea just suddenly occurred to him.

In the past, games could only be developed in the Semiconductor Research Institute because only that institute had the Type 01 computer.

But now that the Type 01 computer has been mass-produced on a certain scale, it is not impossible to allocate a few units to the Beijing Institute of Technology to set up a game R&D center.

"After hearing this, Qian Shuyan's eyes widened. He was stunned for a long time before he said in disbelief: "Are you saying that you want to give our Beijing Institute of Technology a few Type 01 computers to set up a game R&D center?

The Type 01 computer is currently only available in domestic research institutes. The China Europe International Business School got one and showed it off in front of their deans for a long time.

Thinking of this, Qian Shuyan immediately said: "The game development center is fine, but the Type 01 computer is not necessary. It should go to a place where it is more needed."

No matter how tempted he was, he knew that he had to put the interests of the country first.

Li Mu saw that he looked serious and quickly understood what was going on. He smiled and said:

"Dean, don't worry. Although the Model 01 computer is the most advanced one now, it won't be long before a more advanced computer comes out."

"Moreover, the cost of the Type 01 computer will also be greatly reduced, perhaps from hundreds of thousands to less than a hundred thousand."

"Don't think I'm biased towards our school. It's impossible to develop video games without computers."

These words dispelled Qian Shuyan's doubts.

He thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll go find someone to prepare it."

"Wait a minute." Li Mu hurriedly called him. Seeing that Qian Shuyan hadn't reacted yet, he smiled and rubbed his hands and said, "Dean, many of the students who were not selected just now are also talented."

"I think if we can bring them to the research center, it will definitely be of great benefit to future research and development."

"What do you think?"

Hearing this, Qian Shuyan came to his senses and said in a helpless tone:

"So that's what you were thinking. I thought you weren't that enthusiastic towards people normally, but today you were so happy communicating with them."

Although he said this, he also had some thoughts in his mind.

(End of this chapter)