Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

9 hours ago, RREDDWARFF said:

When you die your grand kids or great grand kids are going to find these, have no idea what the heck they are used for, and wonder, "Why the frick does Gramps have so many old phones?"

Dude... I totally agree.  🤣😂

20 hours ago, MarioMan88 said:

I’ve always enjoy the whimsical style mini golf games over sim style. Really hoping Amico has some fun games just like this!

Zany Golf was a great one!

2 hours ago, Silverbot said:

How about Gyruss, this would work well with the disc controls. 👍😀

I think someone suggested it already, but I agree.  Gyruss was under-rated and a great arcade game.  It did really well on home systems and was ported to almost every platform of it's era.

I'm for this one!

35 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

I think someone suggested it already, but I agree.  Gyruss was under-rated and a great arcade game.  It did really well on home systems and was ported to almost every platform of it's era.

 

I'm for this one!

I love Gyruss !! I used to play that one a lot along with Galaga ! I never cared much for Galaxian but Galaga was awesome 😎 

1 hour ago, IMBerzerk said:

I think someone suggested it already, but I agree.  Gyruss was under-rated and a great arcade game.  It did really well on home systems and was ported to almost every platform of it's era.

 

I'm for this one!

It was probably me who suggested it.  Lol.  

27 minutes ago, Cranker said:

I love Gyruss !! I used to play that one a lot along with Galaga ! I never cared much for Galaxian but Galaga was awesome 😎 

Yes, Galaga is great.  Hopefully it comes to Amico.  Perhaps Gaplus as well.  I mentioned Gaplus a while back.

Just now, Intellivision Master said:

It was probably me who suggested it.  Lol.  

I'm sure it was too... Hahaha...

I will say this about all the games you post.  I'm adding a lot more to my "select" list on my portable Retropie units.  You've already posted some great old games that I totally forgot about, or never heard of.  "Timber" being one of them for sure!

Thanks!

33 minutes ago, Cranker said:

I love Gyruss !! I used to play that one a lot along with Galaga ! I never cared much for Galaxian but Galaga was awesome 😎 

Again, I agree!  And I'm not a yessman!  Hahaha.

I wasn't into Galaxian either.  It was ok, but I liked Moon Cresta and Galaga a lot more. 

But ultimate favorites were BerZerk (kinda obvious), Tempest, Asteroids Deluxe, Robotron....then Spy Hunter...loved that music!

38 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

I'm sure it was too... Hahaha...

 

I will say this about all the games you post.  I'm adding a lot more to my "select" list on my portable Retropie units.  You've already posted some great old games that I totally forgot about, or never heard of.  "Timber" being one of them for sure!

 

Thanks!

You're welcome.  Glad I could help.

On 12/11/2020 at 9:47 AM, Cranker said:

I am getting the feeling the April Launch date won’t happen. 

Thoughts ?

I am also preparing for this eventuality. 😪

23 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I totally respect and appreciate the concern.

I've been mentioning for a few months that everything would need to be finalized by the end of January at the latest, that way we could at least crank out the Founder's Editions before China shuts down for the Chinese New Year (February 12 - 26).  Takes a month to ship via boat and then time at customs.  Then shipping out to everyone individually.  So end of January to get in Founders hands by beginning of April.

...

...
I'm totally okay with giving as many updates as possible as they come in.  Right now we're working hard on getting everything completed over the next month via video.  Not very efficient when you need to test couch co-op games as well!  

 

 

Thanks!

 

Great, thank you Tommy.

Here in Quebec, we can't go see anyone for Christmas. It's hard for everyone on this planet, and I understand that it's something not in your control.

But I am really really happy and excited to see that you will try to ship the founders edition even if the launch date could potentially be postponed a few weeks or months later ! (if I understand well !)

That's awesome value for those who believe in you right from the start, and I think it will also be great for Intellivision because word of mouth will spread quickly and create anticipation before the product is released.

In my opinion, the worst of the pandemic will be behind us, and it will already be possible to give Amico a try to our friends and family.

Additionally, many YouTubers will post videos online, and talk about their experience.

A huge thank you for thinking of us !

P.S.  A question that maybe some people could also ask.

Let say the new launch date could be June 1st, would you also try to send the VIP Editions before the official released date ?

3 hours ago, IMBerzerk said:

Zany Golf was a great one!

Zany golf is great. I also like Neverputt on Linux. The music is great and it's just a fun and chill game experience. 

2 hours ago, IMBerzerk said:

Again, I agree!  And I'm not a yessman!  Hahaha.

 

I wasn't into Galaxian either.  It was ok, but I liked Moon Cresta and Galaga a lot more. 

 

But ultimate favorites were BerZerk (kinda obvious), Tempest, Asteroids Deluxe, Robotron....then Spy Hunter...loved that music!

Love all of those games !!!! Ahhh Moon Creata ! I forgot about that one ! There are so many others as well .....I really loved Phoenix as well.

7 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Here in Quebec, we can't go see anyone for Christmas. It's hard for everyone on this planet, and I understand that it's something not in your control

Sorry to hear that. I guess isolation was our saving grace. We here in Australia didnt cop it nearly as bad as others. Our borders are open to NZ. We only had 28000 cases and 908 deaths. 

10 hours ago, IMBerzerk said:

I think someone suggested it already, but I agree.  Gyruss was under-rated and a great arcade game.  It did really well on home systems and was ported to almost every platform of it's era.

 

I'm for this one!

I think it was done on Xbox live arcade on the Xbox 360, but I think a better version could be done on the Amico. 👍😀

On 12/11/2020 at 1:54 PM, bigdaddygamestudio said:

That's a nice article and Amico and Tommy do come off looking really good. Glad to see it!  My own personal issue with Loot boxes is that their very presence and their very real to ability to make money can and do change how games themselves are made. Not only are these games bad for people with potential gambling issues etc, its bad for gaming itself.

 

Example- if I were to look to make a game with DLC and loot boxes, then I would basically at the onset of the project decide what the loot boxes would be and basically build the game around them.  To me thats just sad, but it is likely the surest way to siphon off and extract as much revenue as possible if that was your only goal.  It would lead a designer to purposely build in unnecessary game grind with the only real goal of causing player anger, and thus selling a DLC in order for the player to avoid the aforementioned grind and anger.  Loot box content causes all sorts of fun game content to be held back, to dole it out instead for DLC cash. To me that doesnt sit right.

 

To me games are art, I would never paint a painting and then cover up a bunch of it, with the idea that I would only show the remaining parts in small pieces when a viewer slips me a few bucks. It just isnt healthy for anyone in the long run when greed over takes art.  Once again Kudos to Tommy and the team at IE.

Exactly!  We are very much on the same page.  It's funny you mention that it changes the way the game is made.  That was part of my quote that didn't make it in the story.  You also mentioned the "painting" example... I gave a similar example in my long quote, but used "music" in the same way you did.

Typically the journalist will want a paragraph or so and then they pick the one or two for the story.

Here was my entire quote for the L.A. Times story if anyone is interested.

"Intellivision and our brand new Amico console launching in 2021 is focused on the retro sensibilities and the way video games were made and played in the 70's & 80's when the original Intellivision system first came out.  We are taking a unique approach by not allowing violent games, toxic online situations or any kind of loot boxes, microtransactions or in-game advertising. Just pure, simple, affordable, family entertainment gaming that anyone can pick up and play (no matter what your skill level) without giving the choice of additional add-ons for sale.  Once you purchase a game for Intellivision Amico (all games are $9.99 or less), all of the content is right there and complete. Something that families can feel safe with.  Our two biggest goals with our consumers are TRUST and VALUE.  We personally feel that not having loot boxes stays within that "trust and value" proposition.  It's the only modern video game system where you won't need to set Parental Controls... because you won't need them.  I feel that most game designers want to create complete experiences for everyone.  If I'm writing a song I don't want some people to only be able to hear the guitar solo if they pay for it.  Intellivision has a lot of extremely talented and excited game development studios creating games for our platform because they dislike the idea of certain players having a potential advantage because of how much they've spent."

 

22 hours ago, IMBerzerk said:

No problem Tommy.  It was my pleasure.

 

No one should ever complain about the price of the Amico... I took a pic of the the Sears box I have that still has the original price tag on it from the Sears store it was purchased from... at a whopping $269!!  

 

Back in 1981/82 that would have been equivalent to the price of a PS5 + Oculus VR system, or roughly $850.

 

At $249, 5 games and 2 controllers.. in today's economy, you're practically giving it away!

 

 

Thanks!
 

Yeah, it's kinda funny when folks insist that no one... especially casual or non-gamers are going to buy the system because it's so expensive.  Yet the Wii was the same exact price with 1 controller and one tech demo 15 years ago. 

🙂

I fully understand that at $199 it will sell better.  I also understand that $249 for a video game console focused on family, casual, etc. may be too much for some people. 

But it's the folks who say IT'S GONNA FAIL and give the price as an example of why it is going to fail... that is naive and misinformed. Especially knowing all the data, research and focus testing we have with casuals, non-gamers and our retailers.  

13 hours ago, Silverbot said:

How about Gyruss, this would work well with the disc controls. 👍😀

Totally!

The disc would be great with this one.

7 hours ago, LePionnier said:

 

I am also preparing for this eventuality. 😪

 

Great, thank you Tommy.

Here in Quebec, we can't go see anyone for Christmas. It's hard for everyone on this planet, and I understand that it's something not in your control.

 

But I am really really happy and excited to see that you will try to ship the founders edition even if the launch date could potentially be postponed a few weeks or months later ! (if I understand well !)

That's awesome value for those who believe in you right from the start, and I think it will also be great for Intellivision because word of mouth will spread quickly and create anticipation before the product is released.

In my opinion, the worst of the pandemic will be behind us, and it will already be possible to give Amico a try to our friends and family.

Additionally, many YouTubers will post videos online, and talk about their experience.

A huge thank you for thinking of us !

 

P.S.  A question that maybe some people could also ask.

Let say the new launch date could be June 1st, would you also try to send the VIP Editions before the official released date ?

Hi!,

Thanks for the question.

The Founders Editions would come a few weeks (not months) before the rest.  The VIP Editions wouldn't be shipped out before the others.  Only the Founders will be shipped earlier. 

 

6 hours ago, Cranker said:

Love all of those games !!!! Ahhh Moon Creata ! I forgot about that one ! There are so many others as well .....I really loved Phoenix as well.

Moon Cresta was great!  That would be a fun one to reimagine!  Not doing a "Wouldn't That Be Something?" on that... but just saying... it would be cool.  It's on my "to do" list at some point.

Oh I just got word from the American division of Hori joysticks for loving my design of ambidextrous fight stick.  However they told me that there's no way in the world that the Japanese home office would allow the American Hori division to make these ambidextrous fight sticks that I published my first model of on sinistersticks.com

If Street Fighter is toned down to be rated e10, or some other kind of fight game where you need six or more buttons is used in addition to a fight stick, since I know the Amico controller can be either used like a wiimote or like a d-pad either left- or right-handed maybe my fight stick would be a good addition to that. 

While we're at it we might as well make it with add on kits for each of the American systems from the Atari 2600 to the Xbox Series and PS5.  It's kind of like the Skylanders model how toys can enhance the game.  You noticed the original Skylanders game was licensed by the three companies but the toys that a company are considered universal and are not licensed by any one of them but they don't plug directly into those systems the systems are silent about that issue.

Since a most of the systems have already been long been stopped being made, and Sony has games on Nintendo and Microsoft namely qbert and Wheel of Fortune and Microsoft has games on Nintendo and Sony namely Minecraft, a Nintendo originally had games on the Atari 7800, maybe that could be a dummy corporation for accessories that can make original Classic controllers that are both functional replacements for the originals and work as unique controllers only possible with those styles.

One thing I'd like to see is a classic paddle controller for the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4 because Warlords and Breakout don't play quite right with the thumbpad.  You're fighting the centering resistance of a self-centering thumb pad.  The paddles and the original Atari 5200 stick were designed assuming there was no self-centering resistance like on a digital joystick.

So classic controller company for true classic replacements as well as for New systems where modern controllers just don't cut it might be an idea.

i'm so late to this party, I'm just now realizing that Tommy Tallarico is the actual topic starter to this thread. I'm also a former Massachusetts resident.  I first learned your name playing the brilliant Cool Spot game on the Sega Genesis, but it was your work on Earthwork Jim that really turned me into a fan.  Music is just so important in a game and we have you to thank for smashing down that door.

Also, thanks for having such a passion for the Intellivision. Growing up, I came from a family that didn't have a lot of money so we never had any of the consoles. My best friend had the Intellivision and I have such fond memories of this system. Eventually, me and my brothers pooled our odd job money (paper routes, allowance, shovelling snow, etc) and we got a used Intellivision from the print version of the want ads. Never owned any of the Atari systems, never could afford the NES or Colecovision so we had to wear out that Intellivision.

What a great system ahead of it's time. So many interesting games, especially from Imagic. I know you've got some of them coming, but I hope you can eventually get the entire Image catalog.

The Amico sounds perfect for me. I love modern games but at my age I've been going retro lately, mostly thanks to emulation. I've rediscovered all the classic coin ops from the late 70's and 1980's (and some from the 90's) that were a huge part of my childhood. There is just an endless supply of these forgotten classics that would have a nice home on the Amico. Anything from Stern Electronics.  I've recently been playing Great Swordsman and Gladiator from Allumer. Another hidden gem is an old game called The Pit. I could go on and on be we've begged enough....haha.

I jumped right on the Amico when it was available.  I can't wait for it to come out, but am happy to do so. Take your time, finish the product, do it safely and we will be patient.

Tommy,

I think you mentioned Battlezone for Amico. What about Robot Tank?  It's similar but it's an Activision game.  So, I know it won't be on Amico unless the console is successful.  And Amico will be successful no doubt about it.

Ideas for holiday themed games:

1. A holiday RPG.

2. Easter game where you are the bunny looking for the hidden eggs.

3. Halloween game where you fight off skeletons and ghouls.

4. Thanksgiving game where you are the turkey.  It could be like the Untitled Goose game but call it Untitled Turkey game.  Lol.

5. A Christmas game where you play as a Nutcracker.  And you must rescue Santa from the evil elves.  There are also toy robots after you.  They can shoot lasers.  Luckily you have a sword and shield to defend yourself with.  The shield can block and deflect the lasers back at the robot.  Which in turn blows them up.  Lol.  Plus there are wind up toy mice that move about.  You must jump over them because if they hit you they blow up since they're bombs.

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Moon Cresta was great!  That would be a fun one to reimagine!  Not doing a "Wouldn't That Be Something?" on that... but just saying... it would be cool.  It's on my "to do" list at some point.

 

 

If you do a Moon Cresta re-imagne, I'm sure it would bring in a lot more "old Skool" gamers like us.  That title would be like saying to the public... "Yeah... we remember too... we didn't forget you!"  Lol! 

On 12/11/2020 at 6:44 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

We will be selling the Woodgrain direct from our website before launch.

That's good to hear!