Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Speaking of "someday, anyone can make an Amico game", you'd want some nice & easy creation software for that, right?

An independent developer has created "G.A.C.K", a cross-platform game creator for Android and PC. (Yes, the creator even runs on Android!) Might be worth contacting them to see if they might be interested in Amico.

http://gack.glbasic.com/

On 1/17/2021 at 1:24 PM, Tommy Tallarico said:

Got a new replacement screen in for one of my old Microvisions.  Had fun replacing it this morning.  Works like new!

 

Thanks to AtariAge for giving an outlet for things like this.  I found both the screen and a replacement DYI video from folks here.  Love this place!!

 

How did you make out?  Did you get it working?

7 hours ago, vongruetz said:

The one QT film I actually like is True Romance. I don't know if people consider it a true QT film, as Tony Scott took that mess of a screenplay and turned it into something worth watching. It does have a bit of the shock factor violence, but probably one of Tarrantino's better films.

I don't think we need to bring Sicilians into this.

1 hour ago, Battlefish said:

Speaking of "someday, anyone can make an Amico game", you'd want some nice & easy creation software for that, right?

 

An independent developer has created "G.A.C.K", a cross-platform game creator for Android and PC. (Yes, the creator even runs on Android!) Might be worth contacting them to see if they might be interested in Amico.

 

http://gack.glbasic.com/

That's 9 years old ...  There's probably something better and user friendly now ? 🤔

12 hours ago, JasperAK said:

I don't think we need to bring Sicilians into this.

it usually doesn't end well for many when they do... but 'eh... whadda I know.  

11 hours ago, LePionnier said:

That's 9 years old ...  There's probably something better and user friendly now ? 🤔

Something like Construct 3 perhaps.

Game Making Software - Construct 3

The free version is limited mind, but it's meant to be easy to use and it supports Android, among other things.

1 hour ago, GD Mof said:

Something like Construct 3 perhaps.

 

Game Making Software - Construct 3

 

The free version is limited mind, but it's meant to be easy to use and it supports Android, among other things.

The thing is, we want something that doesn't require a computer to actually create content, no? That's where my suggestion came from.

On 1/18/2021 at 6:47 AM, Silverbot said:

Tommy,

 

Have you thought about a hard plastic cover that fits over the controller tray, it would be good to keep the dust off the controllers, plus when your using the controllers it fills the void and takes away that empty look. 👍😀

I can foresee someone making a STL file and make it available on thingiverse. OR some intrepid person with a CNC machine cutting something out of actual wood. I can see that on Etsy in a heartbeat.

Scalpers still a big problem for next Gen game consoles it seems, Its one thing for scalpers to come in and buy and flip during the 6 to 8 weeks before xmas ( thats almost a given any year on any hot item) but now as we move on to the next full year, the more this goes on, IMHO, the more it hurts the gamers, the manufactures, and the game devs. Let me explain.

Effecting gamers is obvious, people simply are getting screwed over by bots jumping ahead of them when trying to simply buy a console online during a pandemic. Game manufactures it may not seem to be a problem, since a sale is a sale correct.  Well not really, 1) its one thing for demand to push limited supply, its another thing for artificial demand to push because after awhile, demand becomes frustration and the money walks away toward another type of entertainment option/product. 2) Manufacturers are getting screwed also by these middle man scalpers because they are taking 100's of millions of dollars ( yes that much) from customers, and the manufacturers dont see a dime of that extra money, worse yet that is money from customers that would of likely gone to accessories and or games for the new system, which now isnt, its going into scalpers pockets.  

Next game developers are getting screwed because again, the scalpers are taking $100's of millions of disposable income dollar from the gaming customer, this money should of been going toward buying games.  Plus the longer the system is in short supply, and the supply available is being tied up and ransomed for 3 or 4X times it cost, thats less players with consoles, thats means even less game sales for game devs.  Being a game dev. selling a game early in the consoles life is risky enough, often times manufactures have to even supplement the game makers so they can afford to make a game for a console without a large base of consumers.  Now with even less gamers in an already tight early console life cycle, early game devs without supplemental manufacturers income are totally screwed as there simply isnt enough gamers with consoles out their to buy their game to be profitable. The longer this whole scalper thing drags out, the more game devs are screwed, and I suspect the more you will see game devs pushing back release dates.

So yeah, its predictable that every christmas some scalping will happen with electronic goods, whats not good is that this scalping continues unabated into the new year. Scalping is not harmless, people who have DONE NOTHING to create, support and distribute the game are skimming mountains of cash away from the people who actually did.  This scalping is not helping anyone except the slimy scalper.

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/scalpers-continue-to-snatch-up-ps5-orders-retailer-investigating/1100-6486443/

I just discovered this interesting precursor to Evel Knievel. Kind of like Excitebike, but with a 2 player split screen mode:

Hey Tommy, 

I got a suggestion of an arcade stick (and yes it was called an arcade stick before it was called a fight stick).

I sent this design to Hori USA trying to get it on the more modern systems.  They love the design. they said it would sell great in America  but said there's no way that the Japanese main headquarters will allow it in America.

Luckily second thing is built in is a Skylanders-type model where you can buy a physical joystick and the PCB independently so that the same joystick shell could be used for multiple consoles likewise the same PCB for one system could be used for multiple shells so you don't have to keep buying that anymore.

By the way a joystick of this type has never been made that was authorized for system ever since it was made for a Sega three button Genesis controller by Beeshu

http://www.SinisterSticks.com

By the way my local best friend who later turned out to be a television video game champion in the 00s wooden door set by saying to be a champion  you have to beat champions, will probably admit he's been defeated on his own by five of his friends all because they used a right-handed fight stick in Street Fighter 2.  We never beat them when we were both on pads.  He never got a single win against one of the five of us playing a right-handed stick in Street Fighter 2 New Challengers for the Genesis.  And as a control we tried lifting it sticks only two of us improved slightly.

This one slogan probably says everything:. Right Makes Might.

For some strange reason I think I may have uncovered a Japanese joystick jingoistic conspiracy.

Our good friend Cyrus the Video Game Virus (he actually owns a real talking Intellivision sock puppet!) has recently tried out some new hairstyles. Apparently he is in search for a new look in 2021.

I'm partial to "The Stooge"

32 minutes ago, CurlyQ said:

Our good friend Cyrus the Video Game Virus (he actually owns a real talking Intellivision sock puppet!) has recently tried out some new hairstyles. Apparently he is in search for a new look in 2021.

 

 

I'm partial to "The Stooge"

Next do the @john alvardo stashe on him... do it... do it!   tj

2 hours ago, AtariSociety said:

Next do the @john alvardo stashe on him... do it... do it!   tj

I actually think he wears it quite well! lol

12 hours ago, Battlefish said:

The thing is, we want something that doesn't require a computer to actually create content, no? That's where my suggestion came from.

Tommy didn't specify that though did he? I could be wrong. I like your thinking though, maybe Construct 3 could be ported to the Amico! Or someone could make something like Project Spark/Dreams for the Amico.

PCs will always be best for making games though, mind you.

2 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

 

I actually think he wears it quite well! lol

 

He actually looks like a few people I know.  holy Toledo!  haha.

tj

3 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

 

I actually think he wears it quite well! lol

 

Now you know Cyrus is gonna grow one -- and maybe get some tattoos.

16 hours ago, Battlefish said:

The thing is, we want something that doesn't require a computer to actually create content, no? That's where my suggestion came from.

With that as an criteria I think we would end up closest with something like a Super Mario Maker type of creator but for the Amico platform. If we had a custom level creator for some titles like Earthworm Jim 4 or Evel Knievel I'm sure it would be a hit. Here's to hope!

14 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

I just discovered this interesting precursor to Evel Knievel. Kind of like Excitebike, but with a 2 player split screen mode:

 

 

Really popular game in it's time.  Came out on lots of formats and spawned a sequel as well.  Great value as a budget release, it was only £1.99
If memory serves right, it was programmed by Shaun Southern who went on to write the Lotus Turbo Challenge trilogy amongst other things.