Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

33 minutes ago, mr_me said:

This is a good point.  First person perspective games will draw comparisons to the more expensive games on other systems which is what Intellivision Entertainment wants to avoid.

Yeah...  there are a number of reasons for us not to do 3D open world FPS's (or anything open world 3D).  The 3 biggest ones being...

1.  The games on our system/chip will NEVER look as good as what all the other systems are doing... not even close.  Especially with PS5 & Xbox Scarlett on the way.  2D & 2.D is very interpretive and very stylized (if you know how to do it right).  We can compete in that world.  But not full on open world 3D.  So why open ourselves up for criticism and consumer let down.  The chipset we chose is not meant to calculate massive amounts of real-time lighting, 5.1 audio, etc., etc.  To even remotely compete in that world the price of the machine would easily need to go up at least $30 - $50.  Not just the chip... but now you'll need a fan, more power, etc., etc., etc... total snowball effect.  It's just not our market and not what we're trying to do.

2.  Controls!  This is a big one.  Dual analog sticks, shoulder buttons for strafing, multiple "weapon" changing, ducking, jumping, reloading, wa;; hugging, special moves, etc.  None of those fit into what we are trying to accomplish and what all of our goals are based around.  You can't do an open world 3D FPS without most of those controls.  If there was a 3D style "rail shooter" type of thing... that's different.  But real-time open world sandbox?  I don't see it happening... but again... will always keep an open mind.

3.  Budgets!  The way we've set up the entire ecosystem is for games to be created in the $100K - $300K range.  When doing massive open world 3D games your budget will easily hit $1M before you even start to break a sweat.  Now we can't sell the game for under $10.  It's more important from a consumer and PR/marketing and go to market strategy to be able to say that all of our digital games are under $10... as opposed to saying... well, most of them are... but we have a few 3D First Person Shooters that look like they came from a PS2 or a PS3 with slow framerate.  Buy our machine mom!

Hope that helps to answer the question as to why I'm just not interested in "going there" at this point.

But feel free to ask me more questions or present alternative points to the discussion.

Thanks!

7 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

I also agree that 4 player split screen games based on paintball, water guns or tanks/robots would work fine in the Amico, at least as an available option. Several of us suggested this a few weeks ago in this other thread. But I'm afraid we won't see it, as Tommy believes split screen games are too complicated and can scare potential casual gamers (I remember he said that they make players feel disconnected from each other a few pages earlier in this thread).

 

For me, this is a bit contradictory, because a Wolfenstein 3D non-violent clone (without the ability to look up and down) would be more simple to play that some of the classic Intellivision games, such as AD&D: Cloudy Mountain.

I don't believe the controls would be easy though (besides, imagine trying to explain to grandma that she's the character in the top right corner). 

We would also need a higher cost chip to pull off split screen correctly.  Is it worth having to jack the price of the machine just in order to play a few split screen FPS's?  And what percentage of our audience who we are most targeting and most concerned with will be interested in playing that type of game?  So the machine would need to be more expensive, the games would need to be more expensive, the controls more complicated and a game category that our main audience isn't interested in playing.  Having split screen 3D goes against over half of our 10 Commandments.  Just not worth the effort.  We want to stay true to our vision... and along the way... certain ideas may suffer a bit... but it's for the overall good of the vision and machine which we feel will pay huge dividends in the long run.

I would respectfully disagree that AD&D: Cloudy Mountain would be more difficult controls than an open world 3D game (even if you can't look up and down).  AD&D is basically just the directional disc to move.  In open world 3D when you are stopped you need the ability to "spin" left or right.  You don't just go forward or backwards.  It's a control nightmare for a casual or non-gamer.

After just returning from India and learning a bit of their history and culture, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy Diwali! It is a 5 day festival of lights that is currently happening over there. Everyone decorates with incredible lights. Similar to what you would see during Christmas. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance". Sounds good to me! May Amico be lighting up your living rooms soon! 😄🎉  

#BringingCulturesTogether

😊 Their food will blow out your colon, but their ancient culture is insanely artistic and cool...

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I don't believe the controls would be easy though (besides, imagine trying to explain to grandma that she's the character in the top right corner). 

We would also need a higher cost chip to pull off split screen correctly.  Is it worth having to jack the price of the machine just in order to play a few split screen FPS's?  And what percentage of our audience who we are most targeting and most concerned with will be interested in playing that type of game?  So the machine would need to be more expensive, the games would need to be more expensive, the controls more complicated and a game category that our main audience isn't interested in playing.  Having split screen 3D goes against over half of our 10 Commandments.  Just not worth the effort.  We want to stay true to our vision... and along the way... certain ideas may suffer a bit... but it's for the overall good of the vision and machine which we feel will pay huge dividends in the long run.

I would respectfully disagree that AD&D: Cloudy Mountain would be more difficult controls than an open world 3D game (even if you can't look up and down).  AD&D is basically just the directional disc to move.  In open world 3D when you are stopped you need the ability to "spin" left or right.  You don't just go forward or backwards.  It's a control nightmare for a casual or non-gamer.

 

 

What about split screen for a PacMan vs or Lock n Chase vs type game? The split screen is what made PMvs fun and intense.

Now PMvs is not the same graphics intensive as a CoD.

2 hours ago, IMBerzerk said:

😊 Their food will blow out your colon, but their ancient culture is insanely artistic and cool...

 

Yeah... I wasn't a fan of the food.  My stomach is too much of a wimp!

1 hour ago, MrBeefy said:

What about split screen for a PacMan vs or Lock n Chase vs type game? The split screen is what made PMvs fun and intense.

 

Now PMvs is not the same graphics intensive as a CoD.

Works a lot better if the camera just pulls out.

 

I still hope there's room for some split screen action on the Amico... I think the only possibility would be to include some kind of minigame consisting of a simple, non-violent FPS where you cannot look up and down, therefore keeping costs low, a game that doesn't try to be realistic and perhaps is not based around this particular FPS minigame.

However, I think it's time to embrace the wonders of top-down 2D shooters with the camera zooming out. These could have tank controls when the players control vehicles and direct "D-disc" control when you control humans. Developers are probably working on a couple of these as we discuss this. It is a bit of an abandoned genre, but I believe it has a lot of potential and possibilities... It can bring some fun games for the system.

14 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

I still hope there's room for some split screen action on the Amico... I think the only possibility would be to include some kind of minigame consisting of a simple, non-violent FPS where you cannot look up and down, therefore keeping costs low, a game that doesn't try to be realistic and perhaps is not based around this particular FPS minigame.

 

However, I think it's time to embrace the wonders of top-down 2D shooters with the camera zooming out. These could have tank controls when the players control vehicles and direct "D-disc" control when you control humans. Developers are probably working on a couple of these as we discuss this. It is a bit of an abandoned genre, but I believe it has a lot of potential and possibilities... It can bring some fun games for the system.

I can confirm that we are working on a few games like this!  

Blarneo, you shouldn't be "Sad" about Tommy's message... He's talking about 2D shooters (my second paragraph), the ones you like!

Since Amico developers are reading this, here are a few more interesting ideas about split screen games that might be possible for the system:

- The adventures of Cookie and Cream (2007, PS2) is an interesting 2 player coop game that uses something we could call a "split screen", as each player has a separated way, but both players need to help each other.

- Other games, such as Bloodwych (1989, multiple computers), are Dungeon Master clones with split screen coop modes... Since one of the classic Amico games belongs to this genre, I'm just leaving this here.

- Crackdown (1987, arcade, ported to multiple systems) is a stealth 2D top down shooter with a 2 player split screen coop mode. This is another approach for the top-down shooter genre. Perhaps the Amico could have similar games replacing the split screen with a decent zoom out.

- Finally, I just discovered that Wikipedia has an awesome list of every single coop video game that has been released from the 70s. You can sort it by "Co-op type" and check the games with "Local". There are a lot! This could be a great inspiration too.

On 10/27/2019 at 10:28 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

I don't believe the controls would be easy though (besides, imagine trying to explain to grandma that she's the character in the top right corner). 

Since @jaybird3rd wanted Amico discussion to stay over here, I would really appreciate an answer to this question:

Who you calling grandma, you old fart? 😁

It's pretty dead here right now !

So I will try a question or two ...  🤔🤔😊

How many new games will be in the 40th anniverssary's trailer in december ?

And

How many t-shirts are on order at this moment ?

Thank you !

On 10/28/2019 at 3:13 PM, IntelliMission said:

Blarneo, you shouldn't be "Sad" about Tommy's message... He's talking about 2D shooters (my second paragraph), the ones you like!

I don't know that, because you also tried to shove more cliche, boring, obnoxious, fascist, genocidal, nuclear meltdown, gamma burst and unAmerican FP mini games into it & he didn't specify.😜

A couple of interviews came out today:

The Intellivisionaries Podcast Episode 37: Amico, Portland and Baum, Oh My!

Timecode: 0:52:40 – Get To Know Amico!

Lots of good talk about behind the scenes at E3, his favorite Amico games so far & such by Paul ‘Nurmix’ Nurminen - including getting Mrs Nurmix to play actually play a game console (she is not a gamer).

Ned-Rock 108 Interviews Tommy Tallarico on Intellivision Amico

It includes mention of being in Toys R Us Canada (the successful, non bankrupt version of TrU) and London Drug (a Canadian CVS/Walgreen like drug store chain that leans into electronics quite a bit by featuring both GoPros and ChromeBooks on their front webpage).

41 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

A couple of interviews came out today:

The Intellivisionaries Podcast Episode 37: Amico, Portland and Baum, Oh My!

Timecode: 0:52:40 – Get To Know Amico!

Lots of good talk about behind the scenes at E3, his favorite Amico games so far & such by Paul ‘Nurmix’ Nurminen - including getting Mrs Nurmix to play actually play a game console (she is not a gamer).

 

Ned-Rock 108 Interviews Tommy Tallarico on Intellivision Amico

It includes mention of being in Toys R Us Canada (the successful, non bankrupt version of TrU) and London Drug (a Canadian CVS/Walgreen like drug store chain that leans into electronics quite a bit by featuring both GoPros and ChromeBooks on their front webpage).

on the Intellivisionaries podcast is that the actual music and sounds on Moon Patrol and Night Stalker?? holy crap if it is it's amazing and i'm more excited than ever 

7 hours ago, ASalvaro said:

on the Intellivisionaries podcast is that the actual music and sounds on Moon Patrol and Night Stalker?? holy crap if it is it's amazing and i'm more excited than ever 

Yep. Paul played a bit of the tracks while we were recording and they both sound fantastic 

1 hour ago, cmart604 said:

Yep. Paul played a bit of the tracks while we were recording and they both sound fantastic 

man that's awesome! 

Happy Halloween from your Intellivision family!  
 

8 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Happy Halloween from your Intellivision family!  
 

 

Was there supposed to be sound?

On 10/29/2019 at 2:20 PM, PlaysWithWolves said:

 

 

Since @jaybird3rd wanted Amico discussion to stay over here, I would really appreciate an answer to this question:

 

Who you calling grandma, you old fart? 😁

 

 

Yo!,

I addressed a number of reasons why split screen doesn't work for us.  Controls, power, pricing, 10 Commandments, etc.  I believe it was a page or 2 back.  Please check it out and let me know if you have any questions/comments, etc.

In regards to steering... in the post you referenced I was specifically talking about open world 3D FPS games.  4 player split screen Mario Kart would be easy to control on Amico... but we currently aren't focusing on first/3rd person driving games.  One of the reasons being that EVERYONE does that.  2.5D top down couch co-op racing is way more fun IMO.  

But again... as I always say.  If something comes along that is an amazing and unique split screen 1st person racing game... I'd definitely want to take a look.

On 10/29/2019 at 3:23 PM, LePionnier said:

It's pretty dead here right now !

So I will try a question or two ...  🤔🤔😊

 

How many new games will be in the 40th anniverssary's trailer in december ?

 

And

 

How many t-shirts are on order at this moment ?

 

Thank you !

We sold over 500 t-shirts within the first 2 or 3 days of launching the website!  Not sure how many we're at now.

Only 1 game currently being focused on for the 40th anniversary.  Still not 100% sure what we're doing with it.  Could be a controller focused video... or... could be a real 3D AR game demo.  Still working through it and finalizing controller hardware.  If the controller hardware trailer doesn't happen by December... then it will be the very beginning of 2020.  We might just stick with an actual realtime AR game demo for our 40th!

17 hours ago, ASalvaro said:

on the Intellivisionaries podcast is that the actual music and sounds on Moon Patrol and Night Stalker?? holy crap if it is it's amazing and i'm more excited than ever 

Yes on both... except the Night Stalker you heard was VERY early (and for some reason the bass was non-existent).  Night Stalker actually sounds 100x's better than that now!  Like I've said before...  the one thing I can absolutely guarantee 100% about Amico is... the games will sound great! 



 

Yet another couple of press people played Amico yesterday.  Never met these people before yesterday.  They were in town for BlizzCon.  Their show and streams have 3M followers on Instagram & Twitch.

These are hardcore PC gamers.  One was a millennial and the other Gen X... and they both absolutely LOVED it.  We all played about 7 games together.

Anyone else starting to see a pattern here? 

Gamers, non-gamers, casuals, hardcore gamers, kids, young people, middle aged, seniors, single, married, family, no family, multiple continents & cultures... they all seem to be attracted to what we are offering.  Especially once they have played it for themselves. 

It's the cynical folks that are the vast minority. 

9 hours ago, ASalvaro said:

man that's awesome! 

I guess it’s Intellivisionaries Podcast time for me I haven’t listened to many episodes yet though I am enjoying it looks like I’ll be skipping ahead 

19 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yet another couple of press people played Amico yesterday.  Never met these people before yesterday.  They were in town for BlizzCon.  Their show and streams have 3M followers on Instagram & Twitch.

These are hardcore PC gamers.  One was a millennial and the other Gen X... and they both absolutely LOVED it.  We all played about 7 games together.

Anyone else starting to see a pattern here? 

Gamers, non-gamers, casuals, hardcore gamers, kids, young people, middle aged, seniors, single, married, family, no family, multiple continents & cultures... they all seem to be attracted to what we are offering.  Especially once they have played it for themselves. 

It's the cynical folks that are the vast minority. 

 

 

It’s seeing reactions like this they make me think this is going to be a very successful system