Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

13 minutes ago, mr_me said:

The sixth pack-in was revealed accidentally.  It's not a retro title.

When did this happen?  Was it revealed in an interview video?

Not directly Amico related but there was a question on the Amico All Access last night about the VCS vs Amico and I thought Non Mullis Mike's and Papa Not EOB Pete's (too damn many Mikes & Petes on there 🤪) comments were pretty spot on. Basically they aren't in the same market really at all. Especially with the VCS's bios password being leaked (Piano18482) the system is now pretty much wide open for replacement OS(s) and tweaking. You can stick with the Atari ecosystem (which is minimum but growing) but you can also just use the device as a desktop PC, emulation machine (it is a pretty good one, see ETA Prime's video below) or whatever else you might need a low power x86 box for. The Atari VCS (both on purpose and via some light weight hacking) is basically an open system (perhaps really a Rapsberry Pi for the living room as an Atari exec once described it) with little focus but a variety of potential applications. Totally opposite of the Amico, with it's unique hardware, highly tailored ecosystem, extensive curation and very specific market focus. Retro me would have liked a revival of the console war, but really this isn't one unless you consider a multitool in actual competition with a professional chef's knife.

The question was who would win between the new Atari VCS and Amico.  I think they both can win.  The Atari SA is really just marketing to their fan base and just need to fulfill their pre-orders of 10k+ units to achieve their goal.  For the Amico to be successful they have to penetrate a new market of young families and casuals.  Their sales target is much higher at 250k+ units (to start).

2 hours ago, mr_me said:

The sixth pack-in was revealed accidentally.  It's not a retro title.

Isn’t it the “ice cream” game that Tommy talked about months ago ?

1 minute ago, Cranker said:

Isn’t it the “ice cream” game that Tommy talked about months ago ?

That's what I was thinking.  The Back Talk Party game.

1 minute ago, Intellivision Master said:

That's what I was thinking.  The Back Talk Party game.

Yes !!! That’s what was said. 

1 hour ago, Intellivision Master said:

That's what I was thinking.  The Back Talk Party game.

That is what I thinking too. Pretty sure it was the original (and probably current) idea for the pack-in, being a nice party game. However with multiple months to go before launch there could be some change. It might get swapped out if something more suitable comes along or development hits a snag or something. Probably both unlikely, but I wouldn't quite consider it a done deal *yet*.

1 minute ago, GrudgeQ said:

That is what I thinking too. Pretty sure it was the original (and probably current) idea for the pack-in being a nice party game. However with multiple months to go before launch there could be some change. It might get swapped out if something more suitable comes along or development hits a snag or something. Probably both unlikely, but I wouldn't quite consider it a done deal *yet*.

I don't recall Tommy confirming Back Talk Party as being a pack in game.  I know Snafu was at one point but it was removed due to some issue.

4 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

I don't recall Tommy confirming Back Talk Party as being a pack in game.  I know Snafu was at one point but it was removed due to some issue.

I think it was hinted at a few times in interviews, but yes nothing definite. Wouldn't offend me to get Bomb Squad instead (another party game) but Tommy said Back Talk Party tested very well and should be wrapped up in development by now - so it is *likely* Back Talk Party.

4 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

I think it was hinted at a few times in interviews, but yes nothing definite. Wouldn't offend me to get Bomb Squad instead (another party game) but Tommy said Back Talk Party tested very well and should be well wrapped up in development so it is *likely* Back Talk Party.

I do remember him hinting at that game.  I was thinking what if the 6th pack in was Emoji Charades?  Or what about Telestrations.  Those are also party games.  Time will tell on which game ends up being the final pack in title.  Until then it's a mystery.  

3 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

I do remember him hinting at that game.  I was thinking what if the 6th pack in was Emoji Charades?  Or what about Telestrations.  Those are also party games.  Time will tell on which game ends up being the final pack in title.  Until then it's a mystery.  

Good point on Emoji Charades, I think that was also under consideration and mentioned a few times. I don't think Telestrations because of the licensing but that would be a good one too.

https://blog.google/products/stadia/focusing-on-stadias-future-as-a-platform-and-winding-down-sge/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FMKuf+(The+Keyword+|+Official+Google+Blog)

Looks like one less competitor INTV will have to worry about. Sure, Google today is saying that they're not just focusing on third-party but they're in it for the long haul. We all know that means Stadia is on its deathbed and will be closed up any day now.

Seriously though... has Phil Harrison EVER been at the head of a successful console launch? I remember him launching the PS3, and then the Xbox One, and now Stadia. 

7 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

https://blog.google/products/stadia/focusing-on-stadias-future-as-a-platform-and-winding-down-sge/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FMKuf+(The+Keyword+|+Official+Google+Blog)

 

Looks like one less competitor INTV will have to worry about. Sure, Google today is saying that they're not just focusing on third-party but they're in it for the long haul. We all know that means Stadia is on its deathbed and will be closed up any day now.

 

Seriously though... has Phil Harrison EVER been at the head of a successful console launch? I remember him launching the PS3, and then the Xbox One, and now Stadia. 

Wow we are really focusing on selling our cloud gaming services to others and won't be developing exclusive content anymore, but don't worry we will still be there for you Stadia members (yeah right).

10 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Good point on Emoji Charades, I think that was also under consideration and mentioned a few times. I don't think Telestrations because of the licensing but that would be a good one too.

I could be wrong, but Tommy has also publicly said that one of the reasons it hasn't been announced is because the game itself hasn't been announced. He has hinted that is going to be an original IP. Emoji Charades was included in the longer trailer and is also a game that is being licensed on an existing game, so licensing and non-original IP would apply here. I think it's a pretty open secret that it's Back Talk Party. It was one of the games loaded onto the Amico in the UI demo video.

6 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Wow we are really focusing on selling our cloud gaming services to others and won't be developing exclusive content anymore, but don't worry we will still be there for you Stadia members (yeah right).

 

Stadia just makes no logical sense. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's cloud gaming that focuses on hard-core games with hi-fidelity graphics. This means it requires a really good, really fast and consistent internet connection. It doesn't have a lower cost of entry and the audience it's courting is the same audience that is falling over itself to buy a PS5/XBSX/Nvidia graphic cards. Why would they choose this over the alternative which provides them with what they want with fewer hassles?

Now if Stadia took the INTV approach... I think they may have something. The games aren't as graphics intensive, so streaming them wouldn't take a ton of bandwidth. It could be used on various devices that people already own. All people would need to enter would be the price of a controller (maybe) and a monthly subscription of $8. People could sign up and just use their phones as controllers. It could offer a library of a family friendly games groups could play together. It could possibly make gaming easy and affordable to casual players. But that isn't the direction they went. 

Prepping for the Amico info flood with the worst Photoshop EVER! I'm no CurlyQ!

And it does prove you can put a square peg in a round hole.. Just have to figure out how to strap a TV to my back..

29 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

Stadia just makes no logical sense. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's cloud gaming that focuses on hard-core games with hi-fidelity graphics. This means it requires a really good, really fast and consistent internet connection. It doesn't have a lower cost of entry and the audience it's courting is the same audience that is falling over itself to buy a PS5/XBSX/Nvidia graphic cards. Why would they choose this over the alternative which provides them with what they want with fewer hassles?

 

Now if Stadia took the INTV approach... I think they may have something. The games aren't as graphics intensive, so streaming them wouldn't take a ton of bandwidth. It could be used on various devices that people already own. All people would need to enter would be the price of a controller (maybe) and a monthly subscription of $8. People could sign up and just use their phones as controllers. It could offer a library of a family friendly games groups could play together. It could possibly make gaming easy and affordable to casual players. But that isn't the direction they went. 

I think you are right - I can just imagine the ad: "Simple, affordable gaming for the whole family with Stadia! No console, low monthly fees, simple setup, no waiting - just pick up the Stadia controller or your cell phone and play anywhere you are. The perfect console experience without the console". Insert video of family having fun playing Among Us or You Don't Know Jack. They could even have offered advanced tiers like maybe a $25 a month advanced gamer pack with all of the $8 stuff and Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, Hitman 3, Borderland 3, etc. so people with a teenager would feel it could fit the entire family and if their internet wasn't up to snuff would just be optional. Instead of a $60 controller, get that price down to $30 or maybe $35 and make a lot of the games multiplayer so the cost is easy to break down into small purchase of just a few controllers. Everything a subscription with no purchase beyond the low cost controllers and even that is optional if you want to use a phone for the simple games. Seems perfect for stuck at home but broke Covid times.

New logo... new game... new audio... new artwork... new gameplay... new levels...

NEW GAMEPLAY TRAILER!!

COMING SOON!!

🥰🦊

2 hours ago, vongruetz said:

Now if Stadia took the INTV approach... I think they may have something. 

Who knows? Reviewtechusa did say Google will be offering their cloud gaming tech to other companies... So maybe it'll happen...

3 hours ago, vongruetz said:

Stadia just makes no logical sense. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It's cloud gaming that focuses on hard-core games with hi-fidelity graphics. This means it requires a really good, really fast and consistent internet connection. It doesn't have a lower cost of entry and the audience it's courting is the same audience that is falling over itself to buy a PS5/XBSX/Nvidia graphic cards. Why would they choose this over the alternative which provides them with what they want with fewer hassles?

I'm using Stadia, and it works very well. There are games I liked to try, but which require a super high-end PC, versus 10 EUR/m.
It's no hassle. It works in Chrome.
Really fast and consistent Internet? My basic 50mb/s ADSL works very well, but here in The Netherlands, 1Gb/s cable is popular.

They also just expanded availability massively in December 2020 - Stadia arrives in eight new European countries (blog.google)
Since the release of recent high-end games, subscriptions apparently increased significantly.
Dropping in-house development and supporting all the popular PC games and AAA titles makes a lot more sense to me, as well.

Despite this, I have ordered a black Amico, #4058. (I had not expected to be in the first 5000.)

4 hours ago, vongruetz said:

Now if Stadia took the INTV approach... I think they may have something. The games aren't as graphics intensive, so streaming them wouldn't take a ton of bandwidth.

Now, this take doesn't make sense to me. I doubt casual players would be as patient to deal with the hurdles of game streaming, and the intensity of graphics doesn't really play a factor in bandwidth, when what the player receives is a single video stream.

Plus, wouldn't simpler games be easier to run natively, on players' own devices?

5 hours ago, vongruetz said:

Stadia just makes no logical sense. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't exist

I have to disagree. I think it makes perfect sense and this will be the future of gaming as well as all computing in the future. Just like company business servers, 10 years ago every company etc had to have their own physical run client side servers, now, you would have to be nuts to run your own servers client side. Why would you when AWS etc does it better and at pennies on the dollar.  The same will be for consumer products soon ( in the next decade)  Why have a hodge podge of hardware being run client side when it can all be done in the cloud by the fastest servers on earth.  Yes, right now the only bottle neck is internet speed, but thats more of a US issue as we trail far behind most of the world with our internet speeds, so our networks will have to be upgraded anyway in order to keep up with the world. In the near future I think everyone will just have dumb monitor stations at home and work while the heavy lifting will all be done server side and everyone will just be required to have subscriptions to whatever they need.  There might be one more console gen, but possibly not.  Just like business servers everything is going to the cloud.

This looks like fun.  It could be on Amico.

2 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

This looks like fun.  It could be on Amico.

 

Looks awesome ! I loved ladybug on my colecovision !!!! I really want to get a high quality wireless  arcade type controller that lets me add my favourite MAME games to play on my TV. Any ideas 💡 ?