Why did Atari pay Tod Frye so much money for Pac-Man?

[BydoEmpire]

Thanks, Bydo! Actually, I just started watching "Once Upon Atari" after learning about it in my Google investigation into the matter. They address the incentive program at 11:02 where Bushnell discusses the market value of programmers right before the documentary transitions into a new chapter discussing Atari's response to prevent any more "gold egg laying gooses" from flying the coop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz_ySXvvz3Q

Cool. I love "Once Upon Atari." I must have watched every episode 100 times. It never gets old (just like the games!).