Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

3 hours ago, GD Mof said:

That all sounds great, Unity is my engine of choice! It definitely sounds like something I'd like to be a part of. I don't want to leave anything to chance though, so feel like I should have all my ducks in a row before I get in touch. I've been working on a violent game that uses/supports raytracing, volumetrics etc that obviously wouldn't be the right fit for the Amico. That game is likely to take a while since I'm trying to target AAA level graphics etc, so I'd definitely be interested in making one or more games that are more simple and less graphically intense in the mean time.

 

I haven't released a game yet though since I only want to make great games that I can be proud of, so I'm concerned that this would count against me since I can't point to any finished games to show what I can do, plus I don't feel quite ready to start showing off the game I've been working on. So I was thinking I'd prototype something suitable for the Amico and then pitch a vertical slice of that to your production team. Or maybe I'm over thinking things and should just reach out to them! What do you think?

Yeah... if you haven't released a game before I would highly recommend doing a demo in Unity and showing it running on an Android.  Would make a big difference.

2 hours ago, atarifan88 said:

Hey Tommy, when will the Amico be available on Amazon for pre-order in the U.S. now that it's up on Amazon for the UK?

After the holidays.

Just now, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

After the holidays.

 

 

Good, my daughter wants one...and she's pissed at me that I ordered a Founders Edition for just me... You saved me!!  😂🤣

34 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

The Tandy is the better looking 2609.  I don't think it's as nice as the Sears unit, but that's my personal opinion.  

 

Best way to get one is to look for one that's "not working", but clean.  Then swap the guys with a good working 2609.  The color is the same, the controllers are the same... It's all there.  Same board as well.  Will save you a lot of $$$ because for whatever reason, people jack the price of this one because they claim it's rare.  It is, but not worth over $200 in that condition. 

 

Same for the Sylvania/GTE.  

 

You can't do this with the Sears because of the chip differences... I'm singing to the Priest now aren't I... Lol. 

 

Anyway .. pass on it for $200...that's nuts 

Thanks for additional info!!

I'm not too familiar with the current after/open market price stuff.

Your idea about buying the shell and switching everything out is brilliant though!

Great idea!

@Tommy Tallarico when will we see an Ugly Amico Christmas Sweater for purchase?

We all need to rock those every holiday season.

TJ

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Oh trust me... we understand your frustration too!  It's just the reality of manufacturing electronics during the pandemic.  We already have so many pre-orders and purchase orders that it's already challenging to manufacture the first 100,000 that we have orders for.  We could easily get over 200,000, but needed to put a lot of places and retail on hold while we figure out exact manufacturing numbers. We've had to cut back on taking purchase orders from retailers for now.  A GREAT problem to have btw!!  But the last thing you want to do is promise a retailer a certain number of units... and then not deliver.  Especially when you're the new kids on the block.  Better to over deliver and still have them all sell out.

Consider this... if Sony & Microsoft can't manufacture enough (and they have the money, power, infrastructure, experience & influence), imagine the challenges we face from week to week.  Some component companies are still backed up 20 - 30 weeks!

The little guys (i.e. lesser quantities) will always get pushed down the line in regards to component manufacturing... which is something totally out of our control and the control of our manufacturer.  We started putting in our long lead time component orders over a month ago.  Literally millions and millions of dollars already spent.

When it's tough for the biggest companies out there still... you can imagine the challenges that the smaller folks are having as well.  We literally have over 1,000 separate parts and hundreds of components.  If just one of those components isn't available or backed up... it throws everything off.  And at this stage, it's not like you can just pick a different component to replace things as then you would need to restart all of the compliance testing as well.

 

These are just a few of the things our incredible internal team have been working on and focusing on for over 2 years.  When creating an electronic driven machine such as ours, it becomes so important to use certain components that you think are the best quality for the best price AND that will be available for the next 7 - 10 years by more than one plant (and that the plant and company is reliable).  Imagine the thousands upon thousands of hours that our team has done in research to ensure we have the best possible chance of success.  And now with COVID... a lot of initial plans at the beginning of 2020 started to change and adjust due to factories going out of business or being backed way up.  We didn't know until the end of summer whether or not the components would be available in time for an October release.  There are still things in flux for 2021 in regards to component lead time, but the good news is that we still have another month to get the news we're all hoping to hear (i.e. ALL components have been secured and ready to send to the factory).

 

Interesting, fun and exciting stuff... but also a little stressful when you're the little guy and under timelines and budgets.

 

 

Quality, trust and value will always be our most important things.  One of the reasons Ouya failed was not only because of the software and messaging, but also because it was a $99 product... and it looked and felt that way.  Controllers were breaking down and paint rubbing off after only a few weeks.  With Amico, the quality of everything you do is immediately felt the second you put the controller in your hand.  It makes a big difference!  I can't wait for everyone to experience it for themselves.  Hard to do when you can only see it on video though.  Time will tell... but knowing what we know... and seeing what we're seeing...  we absolutely love our chances for success!

 

💗
 

Hi Tommy,

thanks for getting back to me, I will definitely order a white one, to be certain I get one , then order the black if it becomes available. Even my wife is looking forward to playing it, and she is a real casual gamer, she thinks the controller looks quite easy to use, she really struggles with a conventional controller.  Cheers. 👍😀

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yes!  I would highly recommend getting one of the older style Intellivisions.  I personally like the Tandy models the best.  @cmart604 or @nurmix or @Lathe26 may have more data, but I've always found the Tandy's to work better and last longer for some reason (although maybe it's just me).  I also like the all woodgrain look to them!

 

 

There is currently one on Ebay for around $200 including shipping... but that seems a little high to me (it does come with 10 games though).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Radioshack-Tandyvision-One-Intellivision-Bundle-with-10-Games-TESTED-WORKING/203013855357?hash=item2f4491987d:g:XhUAAOSwdTRe2oqx

 

But there are a lot of the original ones that are working and are a lot cheaper:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=intellivision+console&_sacat=0

 

 

 

That's interesting.  The tandyvisions were among the last intellivisions, of that form, manufactured by Mattel.  They basically dumped them on Radio Shack to make way for the intellivision ii. Radio Shack kept selling them in 1983. Components may have changed over the years but I suspect tandyvisions were typically not worn out as much as intellivisions from 1980-82.

The styling is odd for 1982, everyone was getting rid of the wood grain e.g. atari 2600 vader, intellivision ii, atari 5200, colecovision, televisions, stereo components, etc..  Tandyvisions are rare, not as rare as a gte sylvania intellivision but more than the sears model.  I'd go for a sears intellivision, less woodgrain/gold and the straight controller cords are handy.

Tommy,

I know there is a black Amico.  But what about having another black Amico console?  Such as a Vader edition like the Atari 2600 had?  It could be a tribute to the actor who recently passed.  The LED around the console would always be red like his lightsaber.  The black controllers would also have red LED's.  Also, Vader's face/helmet image would be on the console.  This console would be a special limited edition.  

Tommy,

Here's another game request.  LOL.

2 hours ago, AtariSociety said:

when will we see an Ugly Amico Christmas Sweater for purchase?

We all need to rock those every holiday season.

TJ

Great idea. perhaps like this but rocking Astro Smash instead and maybe throw in some 8/16bit santas and/or snowballs/snowflakes for good measure?

5 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

Great idea. perhaps like this but rocking Astro Smash instead and maybe through in some 8/16bit santas for good measure?

 

I want that sweater !!!!! 😂 

2 hours ago, AtariSociety said:

@Tommy Tallarico when will we see an Ugly Amico Christmas Sweater for purchase?

We all need to rock those every holiday season.

TJ

I know right?!?!?!?  

@OEB_Pete has been bugging me for one as well. 

Tried to get it together for this Christmas... but didn't happen.  2021 for sure!

1 hour ago, Silverbot said:

Even my wife is looking forward to playing it, and she is a real casual gamer, she thinks the controller looks quite easy to use, she really struggles with a conventional controller.  Cheers. 👍😀

Very cool!  I can't wait for her to play it and give her thoughts.

Imagine... this simple concept of casual gamers finding our controller inviting and simple is so difficult for "certain" people to understand.


 

For those not on social media..

The Moon Patrol prize is all signed and ready to ship to the winner Susan Segers! BUT WAIT!! Susan lives in Southern California so we decided to invite her and her family down to our offices to pick it up in person, take a tour of new offices and of course... play Amico! (Covid precautions enforced of course.) The amazing person in the picture is none other than Scott Tsumura, the producer of the original Moon Patrol arcade game (1982) and former president of Nintendo of America's in house production team (Nintendo Software Technology) responsible for games like Wave Race 64! Aside from being an important advisor to Intellivision, his company Tozai Games also owns great titles such as Lode Runner and was responsible for publishing the incredible R-Type Dimensions remake!
 

And for those not in the know... Atari Age contributor @Starpaddler's wife was the winner and will be visiting Intellivision!

Tommy,

Do you recall when I told you about doing a group photo once COVID was over?  You might have forgot.  But it would be neat if all of us here in the Q&A could meet up with you & do that.  Then take a field trip to the Intellivision HQ for a tour.  Lastly, we can take a tour of your mansion.  Hopefully this can happen if life ever returns to normal.  And how could I forget, we each get a ride in your Ferrari.  

47 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

Tommy,

 

Do you recall when I told you about doing a group photo once COVID was over?  You might have forgot.  But it would be neat if all of us here in the Q&A could meet up with you & do that.  Then take a field trip to the Intellivision HQ for a tour.  Lastly, we can take a tour of your mansion.  Hopefully this can happen if life ever returns to normal.  And how could I forget, we each get a ride in your Ferrari.  

And pay for my flight and hotel from the UK! 🤣🤣🤣👍😉

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

And for those not in the know... Atari Age contributor @Starpaddler's wife was the winner and will be visiting Intellivision!

Looks like someone going to have to sign a NDA. 👍😀 enjoy!

4 hours ago, mr_me said:

That's interesting.  The tandyvisions were among the last intellivisions, of that form, manufactured by Mattel.  They basically dumped them on Radio Shack to make way for the intellivision ii. Radio Shack kept selling them in 1983. Components may have changed over the years but I suspect tandyvisions were typically not worn out as much as intellivisions from 1980-82.

 

The styling is odd for 1982, everyone was getting rid of the wood grain e.g. atari 2600 vader, intellivision ii, atari 5200, colecovision, televisions, stereo components, etc..  Tandyvisions are rare, not as rare as a gte sylvania intellivision but more than the sears model.  I'd go for a sears intellivision, less woodgrain/gold and the straight controller cords are handy.

Cool info on the Tandyvision.  I didn't know that.  I remember reading something of the sort back when the console crash happened, but never knew it was true.

I agree with that on the GTE unit.  It's very rare.  You never see them, and when you do, they're usually beat up. I got lucky with mine.  I had bought it on eBay a few years back from a seller that didn't know what it was.  It was listed as an Colecovision clone, and I got it for around $10 as they gave it the usual "not working".  It worked fine and it's in very nice condition.  No box, I almost never buy the boxes because I have no where to display or store them.  All of my units are neatly stacked in a tote, wrapped with plastic and stuff with desiccant.  

Maybe this Xmas I'll pull them out and give them all a run.

These things are like owning/building old cars... one for show, the other to keep for one-year only parts that you can't get anywhere.

7 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

Great idea. perhaps like this but rocking Astro Smash instead and maybe through in some 8/16bit santas for good measure?

 

I want that sweater !!!!! 😂 

https://arcade1up.com/products/atari-mini-pong-jr
 

i wanted this but $129USD, And I’m in Canada ! Ugggggg . That would be about 200$ for me. Too bad . Too expensive for me to justify ! And people say 250 is alot for the Amico ? Sheesh 

16 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yes!  I would highly recommend getting one of the older style Intellivisions.  I personally like the Tandy models the best.  @cmart604 or @nurmix or @Lathe26 may have more data, but I've always found the Tandy's to work better and last longer for some reason (although maybe it's just me).  I also like the all woodgrain look to them!

 

 

There is currently one on Ebay for around $200 including shipping... but that seems a little high to me (it does come with 10 games though).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Radioshack-Tandyvision-One-Intellivision-Bundle-with-10-Games-TESTED-WORKING/203013855357?hash=item2f4491987d:g:XhUAAOSwdTRe2oqx

 

But there are a lot of the original ones that are working and are a lot cheaper:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=intellivision+console&_sacat=0

 

 

 

Agreed! The Tandy is my favourite as well. 

10 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

And for those not in the know... Atari Age contributor @Starpaddler's wife was the winner and will be visiting Intellivision!

Thanks Tommy!  We are really looking forward to it; but for all my “contributing” here, seems the best I could garner was to be my wife's +1 😂

9 hours ago, Silverbot said:

Looks like someone going to have to sign a NDA. 👍😀 enjoy!

We’re more than good with that.  Where do we sign?

I had the original intv.  I remember the day we bought it, where we got it (WBS, and its the only thing I ever bought there - its weird what we remember), driving home and hooking it up for the first time. That system brought me a ton of joy throughout my youth. 
 

Looking forward to Amico bringing more good times going forward. 
 

Can’t wait!

3 hours ago, Cranker said:

https://arcade1up.com/products/atari-mini-pong-jr
 

i wanted this but $129USD, And I’m in Canada ! Ugggggg . That would be about 200$ for me. Too bad . Too expensive for me to justify ! And people say 250 is alot for the Amico ? Sheesh 

Yeah, that looks really cool, but I agree about the price compared to the Amico.😳