Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

6 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

I know, maybe the elusive Red will go with Amazon. Red matches the Target corporate colors and some think it will go to Walmart (the biggest) but in reality exclusives go to whomever gives you the best deal of cross promotion, guaranteed order quantities and so forth. Of course I wouldn't doubt there is an unannounced color Intellivision is holding back, mostly to irritate @cmart604 and force him to buy yet another Amico

Lol. There's no arm twisting involved. I willingly have spent way too much on this console already, no point in making common sense decisions at this point. I sure hope it's blue though. 

11 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

 

 

On the good news front it sounds like Intellivision & Amazon are preparing for something much larger than just 'yet another place to buy the standard Amicos'. They probably both want to wait and make a big splash about it.

Amico has been available to order for at least 4 months on Amazon here in the UK, so I don’t know why you can’t order it in the USA/Canada yet.

2 hours ago, Silverbot said:

Amico has been available to order for at least 4 months on Amazon here in the UK, so I don’t know why you can’t order it in the USA/Canada yet.

I just got my Amazon UK pre-order update a couple of days ago with the October launch info.  Now I'm hoping they might do an Amazon special edition though

9 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

I didn't see this.  But that's insane.  That would take forever to download and install.  Lol.  Thanks for sharing the article.

All the reason consoles should still require physical media.  I'm so glad I don't have to deal with these kinds of consoles! 🙄

5 hours ago, Silverbot said:

Amico has been available to order for at least 4 months on Amazon here in the UK, so I don’t know why you can’t order it in the USA/Canada yet.

That is another reason why I question it.  Maybe there will be a special exclusive in the US, which may be the reason for the delay.

6 hours ago, Silverbot said:

Amico has been available to order for at least 4 months on Amazon here in the UK, so I don’t know why you can’t order it in the USA/Canada yet.

Your right - I should have been more specific and said Amazon US & Canada. It seems in its main Europe distribution Intellivision is keeping it simpler for launch with fewer models at retailers (probably due to import complications and logistics). Although that will probably change and there could even be European exclusives later on (there already kinda was with having your name put in game credits,  some bonus items, etc. not console colors though).
 

Like @atarifan88 said above, sounds like something special is going for Amazon North America.

2 hours ago, atarifan88 said:

All the reason consoles should still require physical media.  I'm so glad I don't have to deal with these kinds of consoles! 🙄

Right.  But even physical media requires you to install it on the console. Then there are the updates to download and install like with the current consoles.  Sometimes the updates take a long time.  Unless you have a really good internet connection.  I had a physical copy of a Call of Duty game on PS4 Pro that almost took a whole day to download & install.  That was for the game plus the update too.  The file size was between 150GB & 200GB.  On the Amico, however, that won't be an issue.  With the digital/physical games on Amico, they'll download/install very fast because the file sizes are a lot smaller.

3 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

Right.  But even physical media requires you to install it on the console. Then there are the updates to download and install like with the current consoles.  Sometimes the updates take a long time.  Unless you have a really good internet connection.  I had a physical copy of a Call of Duty game on PS4 Pro that almost took a whole day to download & install.  That was for the game plus the update too.  The file size was between 150GB & 200GB.  On the Amico, however, that won't be an issue.  With the digital/physical games on Amico, they'll download/install very fast because the file sizes are a lot smaller.

Just to put some numbers behind this, the US government estimates:  https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports/eighth-broadband-progress-report

"..approximately 19 million Americans—6 percent of the population—still lack access to fixed broadband service at threshold speeds.  In rural areas, nearly one-fourth of the population —14.5 million people—lack access to this service.  In tribal areas, nearly one-third of the population lacks access. Even in areas where broadband is available, approximately 100 million Americans still do not subscribe."

EDIT: Newer data places this at 21.3 M Americans (govt estimate) and 42 million (independent research): https://broadbandnow.com/research/fcc-underestimates-unserved-by-50-percent

Beyond base availability a LOT of Americans are on data caps, some quite draconian, you can check out who has data caps (nearly every provider) and how small they can be in this list: https://broadbandnow.com/internet-providers-with-data-caps

Data caps hits rural and Native American populations the most (as does access) with people often facing no availability, low caps and/or incredibly high prices.  Here are some sample prices from a rural CA town where a family member lives. In town isn't too bad but the data caps are in place. Outside of town prices skyrocket and service tanks (at least no data caps though):

In Town:

Speed up to: ↓60 Mbps and ↑5 Mbps

Connection: Cable

Setup: $10.00 (Includes activation. Installation is free when you order online.)

Modem: $12/mo

Data Caps: 200 GB/mo

Price: $19.99/mo

Speed up to: ↓100 Mbps and ↑10 Mbps

Connection: Cable

Setup: $10.00 (Includes activation. Installation is free when you order online.)

Modem: $12/mo

Data Caps: 1000 GB/mo

Price: $49.99/mo

Outside of town:

$81.95/mo for 10 Mbps

    10 Mbps ↓ and 3.0 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    Setup: $45.00 (Includes installation.)

$250.00/mo for 25 Mbps

    25 Mbps ↓ and 3.0 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    Setup: $45.00 (Includes installation.)

I have high speed internet.  Just recently my cable provider increased the speed with a new modem up to 60.  That's the most they do.  I was at 15 for a long time lol.  To be honest I don't see much of a difference between what I had and what it is now.  Maybe if I had FIOS, then it would be a lot better.  But I think it also depends on how good your router is.  Such as signal strength, etc.  Unless you update the console via an ethernet connection.  I prefer Wi-Fi.  Ethernet is probably better since it's wired.

On 2/24/2021 at 6:50 AM, Cranker said:

I agree 100% ! People just like to complain and most of those whiners are not even interested in the system I suspect. 

You kidding me?  They'll be the first ones in line to buy one so they can bitch about it.

I win.

On 2/24/2021 at 7:49 AM, Cranker said:

There are a few card games coming including Spades and I’m hoping to see one of my favorite card games on the Amico ! Please consider Hearts.  Super fun card game !

Count on it!

❤️

I think I just read FCC is working on getting more people on in rural and lower income areas etc.   This country has a long way to go catch up with the rest of the world with regards to internet speed and pricing etc.    I have 1gB/sec speeds downloading and it amazes me people out there in the US still have speeds I had 20 years ago. 

https://gizmodo.com/the-fcc-just-authorized-a-3-2-billion-dollar-program-m-1846363366

On 2/24/2021 at 8:23 AM, IntelliMission said:

The AirConsole looks cool, but I don't really like the subscription model. Also, the Amico offers games such as Cornhole, Bomb Squad, Back Talk, Warlords, all the reimagined classics, all the board and card games... And the controller, the lights, the cool music and sounds, the educational games...

 

Still, the Amico is 7 months away and most of us don't need the educational stuff, so maybe the best approach would be to subscribe for the AirConsole just to play those games with your friends and family on a rare occasion and then unsubscribe immediately until the next party.

 

Some of the games look decent (I think they have 168 in total):

 

 

I tried it for 2 months last year. 

My personal thoughts and experience...

1. Didn't like many of the games. 
2.  Lots of shovelware.

3.  Just using a mobile device for the action games was pretty frustrating. 

4.  I had lag issues from my smart TV. 

5.  Getting tired of subscription based services.

I love the concept!  I just wish the games were better and more curated and there was a way to hook up a more tactile controller.

I wish them great success though!  Having different options is always a good thing for our industry.

The great thing about Amico is we don't have those particular issues I had with AirConsole.  And although you can hook up mobile controllers to our system as well... the mobile controllers are great for party, card, dice, hypercasual, etc., but nowhere near as good for the more action titles.  Having the Amico controller is the best for action games.  And I would say that for some games like cards & dice... having mobile/tablet is better because your mobile screen is higher quality and the processor is more powerful and the screen size bigger.  

On 2/24/2021 at 12:25 PM, squirrelgotdead said:

Congrats! I have to ask if any retailers are planning Amico "Flash" sales? 🤣

Hahahhaha!!   I see what you did there!

Flashtastic!

On 2/24/2021 at 10:38 AM, IntelliMission said:

I did some more research and my impressions are:

 

- Some games look definitely bad (but maybe they can be fun in a so-bad-it's-good way in multiplayer): The soccer game, the racing game.

 

- Some games are clones of famous games and look pretty decent (but controls in 3D games are probably terrible): A split screen FPS, A Smash Bros clone, a Propeller Arena clone (split screen air combat!), a Bomberman clone...

 

- Some games seem quite unique: some kind of multiplayer Lemmings clone, some overhead 2D multiplayer shooter that happens inside train wagons...

 

- There is also a cool looking golf game and several trivia and Pictionary games.

 

In this review, they say it's a good experience, but the controls are bad in complex games.

 

Since subscription is only $5 a month, I guess you can always subscribe for only one month and then cancel the service if you, like me, only want to use it a few times a year with your family.

 

That was my impression as well.  A cool concept... they would probably be better served to go after every single board game, trivia game, card, dice, party game, etc. and make that their main thing!

Ditch all the hard to play and crappy games and only go with high quality and games where a mobile controller works GREAT.

On 2/24/2021 at 12:29 PM, Zee said:

Who knew the banana pi board could get so real? 😉

Shhh!!  Don't tell anyone... you'll blow the scam!

On 2/25/2021 at 6:22 AM, atarifan88 said:

Still haven't found pre-orders on Amazon.  Any idea when those will begin to show up?  Thanks for keeping us in the loop Tommy!

We have some special and cool things planned here in the U.S.  More info coming over the summer. 

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Shhh!!  Don't tell anyone... you'll blow the scam!

 

Right.  Gotta keep it a secret.  Lol.

Just now, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

We have some special and cool things planned here in the U.S.  More info coming over the summer. 

 

 

Awesome.  Can't wait to learn more.

22 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

I’m totally game when the feature hits. You’ll all be able to see just how casual of a gammer I really am.  
 

Will just need to keep my wife (Amico Club Moon Patrol contest winner) off the list as to not advertise how much she schools me on Amico. 🎓🎮 😁

So I shouldn't video her kicking your butt in Astrosmash when you guys come down?

14 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

That should have read "Oof!" not "Oops".

I've been trying to keep up on all the updates in this thread especially around the announcement of launch being pushed back. I'm okay with it, I put money in for a VIP a long time ago and I am just going to continue to hold tight. I've been really busy lately with work and family life (virtual schooling until end of year for my kiddo 😕) so I guess I missed all the drama from that? I am tempted to get a purple Amico though in addition to the VIP. 

At least with the new launch date I can add games to my Christmas wish list. My son has just started to get into playing different games on our Switch so I am interested to see what he thinks of the Amico. I know he is all about any Hot Wheels related games, especially since he got those new ID cars for Christmas. 

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

So I shouldn't video her kicking your butt in Astrosmash when you guys come down?

 

 

Let’s just say I’ll have my own NDA to be signed. 🙂