Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

We also don't like the "openess" and "bullying" that happens via online gaming. Online gaming in general is not very family friendly. Think about all those casual and non-gamer folks who purchased a Wii... none of them cared about online gaming. When we do online multiplayer, it will be set up more like a Facebook account... meaning... you will need to ACCEPT a friend request in order to play that person. It won't just be an open system where a bunch of strangers play together (unless it's a tournament situation which we will control).

 

Hope that all makes sense. Thanks for the question.

 

Thanks for the clarification. I wish it was planned to have anonymous/chat disabled open play but that comes with a cost of servers and such. Totally understandable it being shelved to make the launch date.

The console will not have online multiplayer on launch. There are a number of reasons for this decision.

 

1. It's very expensive and complicated and takes a long time to get it right. Just ask Nintendo. Doing what we're doing already takes a lot of time and resources. We felt we would be trying to do too much by incorporation online multiplayer on launch. Consoles in the past (Nintendo for example) have added multiplayer after launch. If there is enough want/need for it... we can address it after launch.

 

2. It takes away from our message of "people in a room playing together".

 

We will have Leaderboards, Achievements, etc. on launch... but designing games for online multiplayer is an extremely daunting and expensive task (literally almost doubles the budgets of some games). We could easily fall into the trap of trying to do too much... and we don't want that.

 

We also don't like the "openess" and "bullying" that happens via online gaming. Online gaming in general is not very family friendly. Think about all those casual and non-gamer folks who purchased a Wii... none of them cared about online gaming. When we do online multiplayer, it will be set up more like a Facebook account... meaning... you will need to ACCEPT a friend request in order to play that person. It won't just be an open system where a bunch of strangers play together (unless it's a tournament situation which we will control).

 

Hope that all makes sense. Thanks for the question.

 

You are absolutely right ! One step at a time.

It's really cool to see how you are keeping focus, with your objectives right in front.

Let's make Intellivision Amico a reality !

 

E3 floor plan for Intellivision Entertainement

OFMR 8700 (Concourse Hall)

Is it only on appointment ?

 

I know I said earlier "one step at a time" (lol), but next year at E3 do you plan to have a bigger stand in the West hall maybe ?

I am asking because I want to have everyone hearing that Amico will be great with a lot of fun games !

 

You can be sure that if it look as fun as I imagine, beginning October 10th in 2020, I will do party with neighbors and my family, and let them try the Amico.

I want to spread the news ! I want to let everyone try it, and then they can buy it if they like the fun it creates !

 

Thank you Intellivision Entertainement !

Edited May 16, 2019 by LePionnier

Hi everyone who enjoy video games.

 

Just to let you know that Sony and Microsoft just announced partnership for cloud based gaming ... WoW.

So Sony made their move ! I tought they could be with Amazon, but they chose Microsoft.

We are living right now the beginning of a revolution in video gaming with all these Giants coming in ! (Apple,Google, etc)

 

Good decision Tommy to not competed against them on their playground ! lol

And good choice to concentrate for now on multiplayer at home !

These are astronomical costs for online games. Maybe someday we will find our partner too !

Edited May 16, 2019 by LePionnier

Will there be any way to publish games developed in GameMaker Studio 2 to Amico? (Using the word "publish" in terms of creating an executable directly from GameMaker Studio 2 via one of their built-in exporter modules, not in terms of being a publisher of a retail or download title. For example, with the Developer license of GameMaker, you can publish to Windows/MacOS; with the Console license, you can publish to Xbox One, PS4, Switch, etc.)

 

Potentially. I don't see why not. Currently most of the games are being done in Unity.

 

You are absolutely right ! One step at a time.

It's really cool to see how you are keeping focus, with your objectives right in front.

Let's make Intellivision Amico a reality !

 

E3 floor plan for Intellivision Entertainement

OFMR 8700 (Concourse Hall)

Is it only on appointment ?

 

I know earlier I said ont step at a time (lol), but next year at E3 do you plan to have a bigger stand in the West hall maybe ?

I am asking because I want to have everyone hearing that Amico will be great with a lot of fun games !

 

You can be sure that if it look as fun as I imagine, beginning October 10th in 2020, I will do party with neighbors and my family, and let them try the Amico.

I want to spread the news ! I want to let everyone try it, and then they can buy it if they like the fun it creates !

 

Thank you Intellivision Entertainement !

 

This year it is strictly by appointment only. Folks like Wal-Mart, Amazon, certain press/media, developers/publishers, etc.

 

Next year... YES! ABSOLUTELY! Big presence and booth open to EVERYONE!

Hi everyone who enjoy video games.

 

Just to let you know that Sony and Microsoft just announced partnership for cloud based gaming ... WoW.

So Sony made their move ! I tought they could be with Amazon, but they choose Microsoft.

We are living right now the beginning of a revolution in video gaming with all these Giants coming in ! (Apple,Google, etc)

 

Good decision Tommy to not competed against them on their playground ! lol

And good choice to concentrate for now on multiplayer at home !

These are astronomical costs for online games. Maybe someday we will find our partner too !

Let them all fight for the 200 million hardcore gamers while they all try to build the "Netflix" of gaming.

 

We'll just stay in our lane and create something simple for the other 3 billion casual gamers out there who just want to play TOGETHER in the same room. Like board games.

Let them all fight for the 200 million hardcore gamers while they all try to build the "Netflix" of gaming.

 

We'll just stay in our lane and create something simple for the other 3 billion casual gamers out there who just want to play TOGETHER in the same room. Like board games.

Luv this and make great memories once again with family and friends... Really looking forward to this release and the more I read what you are sharing with us here my excitement is building....

 

Saluti

Greetings all super excited about the news that's been coming out about the Amico I haven't been this excited about a console in years. I'm all caught up on the board now so first let me say I like the idea of not jumping into online gaming right away I'm hoping the system sells well enough that it will eventurlly be added because my family is all over the country and I'm hoping to talk my family into buying Amicos so we can meet up and play together online especially since I'm disabled and its hard for me to travel, so stick me in the vote for yes for eventual online play camp lol. Having said that I also don't want them to rush to make it, the longer they have to set up the online ecosystem the better off the consumer will be. I feel like especially in the age of internet things are too rushed which leads to all kinds of bugs and issues so I'm all for the slow and steady pace lol.

 

Anyway as for questions I do have a couple but you may not be able to answer them yet which is fine if that's the case. I'm trying to buy things I will need to go along with my Intellivision when it does come out bit by bit as I'm on a fixed income and yes I've already started lol like I said I'm very excited. so to that end I was wondering a few things with regards to ways to save the downloaded games on physical media. I know it was stated you would be able to save them to SD cards, is there a type of SD card you would recommend for that not necessarily a brand but I know they have different types and I want to make sure if there is a recommended type I get the right one.

 

The other question is in the same area since SD cards can go bad sometimes quickly if you are unlucky enough to buy one that just doesn't hold up well. Will it be possible to use the USB connections on the Amico to connect a external hard drive for the purpose of backing up those games, or would it be possible to copy the files from the SD card to a hard drive as a back up system so that if the card itself ends up damaged the game files can be reloaded on a new card?

Welcome aboard Alpha82.

Greetings all super excited about the news that's been coming out about the Amico I haven't been this excited about a console in years. I'm all caught up on the board now so first let me say I like the idea of not jumping into online gaming right away I'm hoping the system sells well enough that it will eventurlly be added because my family is all over the country and I'm hoping to talk my family into buying Amicos so we can meet up and play together online especially since I'm disabled and its hard for me to travel, so stick me in the vote for yes for eventual online play camp lol. Having said that I also don't want them to rush to make it, the longer they have to set up the online ecosystem the better off the consumer will be. I feel like especially in the age of internet things are too rushed which leads to all kinds of bugs and issues so I'm all for the slow and steady pace lol.

 

Anyway as for questions I do have a couple but you may not be able to answer them yet which is fine if that's the case. I'm trying to buy things I will need to go along with my Intellivision when it does come out bit by bit as I'm on a fixed income and yes I've already started lol like I said I'm very excited. so to that end I was wondering a few things with regards to ways to save the downloaded games on physical media. I know it was stated you would be able to save them to SD cards, is there a type of SD card you would recommend for that not necessarily a brand but I know they have different types and I want to make sure if there is a recommended type I get the right one.

 

The other question is in the same area since SD cards can go bad sometimes quickly if you are unlucky enough to buy one that just doesn't hold up well. Will it be possible to use the USB connections on the Amico to connect a external hard drive for the purpose of backing up those games, or would it be possible to copy the files from the SD card to a hard drive as a back up system so that if the card itself ends up damaged the game files can be reloaded on a new card?

 

Hi Alpha82!,

 

I recognize your handle from many YouTube comments you have made since our launch last year. I have seen you defend the console and give PROPER information when people were spreading misinformation or had a question about something or were just curious in general. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for your effort! It really means a lot and I'm hoping I will have the chance someday to thank you in person!

 

In regards to your questions... we aren't 100% sure yet and probably won't know until the end of the summer. There are many different things being talked about and it all has to do with copy protection. By having an external source be a means of "back-up" we could potentially open ourselves up to easy piracy. We do know that when the games are purchased the "key" for that game will be imprinted on to only that machine and the controllers for that machine. But we have some very exciting things we are working on in regards to the way people can "share" games and how it will benefit everyone. I can't say now as we are still filing patents.

 

This kind of final information probably won't be released until a year from now at E3 2020. So hang in there!

 

Thank-you again for your passion! I look forward to playing the Intellivision Amico with you in 2020!!

 

Hi Alpha82!,

 

I recognize your handle from many YouTube comments you have made since our launch last year. I have seen you defend the console and give PROPER information when people were spreading misinformation or had a question about something or were just curious in general. So THANK YOU SO MUCH for your effort! It really means a lot and I'm hoping I will have the chance someday to thank you in person!

 

In regards to your questions... we aren't 100% sure yet and probably won't know until the end of the summer. There are many different things being talked about and it all has to do with copy protection. By having an external source be a means of "back-up" we could potentially open ourselves up to easy piracy. We do know that when the games are purchased the "key" for that game will be imprinted on to only that machine and the controllers for that machine. But we have some very exciting things we are working on in regards to the way people can "share" games and how it will benefit everyone. I can't say now as we are still filing patents.

 

This kind of final information probably won't be released until a year from now at E3 2020. So hang in there!

 

Thank-you again for your passion! I look forward to playing the Intellivision Amico with you in 2020!!

Makes total sense I hadn't thought about it from a piracy angle but that does make sense. It is absolutely my pleasure to give out correct information when I can after all what else is family for if not to help the family in any way they can. I'm proud to be part of the Intellivision family basically my entire life I'm always on the look out for new intellivision videos to pop up so I can do my part in answering questions as best I can I know you guys are very busy getting everything ready I can't imagine how much work it must take to bring a new system to market the right way. Thanks to Intellivision Entertainment I'll have a chance to create new memories with family and friends and remember people who are no longer in my life and for that I remain eternally grateful keep up the amazing work.

Tommy you know what would be cool? When we get closer to the release date If you put out a catalog of the new Intellivision games like Mattel used to do..there was nothing cooler than getting that catalog to see what Intellivision games were out or coming soon even if it's just one screen shot and a brief description

I just have a small question, will there be at least one or two games with themes and gameplay made specifically to appeal to young girls (8 years old) at launch?

I just have a small question, will there be at least one or two games with themes and gameplay made specifically to appeal to young girls (8 years old) at launch?

Maybe some bowling or sports game?

 

If you own an original Intellivision console you can pick up Unlucky Pony Adventures hopefully by the end of the year. 😎.

 

 

(Shameless plug)

(Shameless plug)

 

LOL! Unfortunately, I only have a Flashback.

 

As for sports games, I don't think they will work. She doesn't like competition at all. So I was thinking about something either cooperative or where the reward is emotional, like seeing a cute character being happy, rather than score based.

 

LOL! Unfortunately, I only have a Flashback.

 

As for sports games, I don't think they will work. She doesn't like competition at all. So I was thinking about something either cooperative or where the reward is emotional, like seeing a cute character being happy, rather than score based.

If you continuously compete with others you become bitter. If you continuously compete with yourself you become better. If you continuously cooperate with others you become buddies.

Tommy you know what would be cool? When we get closer to the release date If you put out a catalog of the new Intellivision games like Mattel used to do..there was nothing cooler than getting that catalog to see what Intellivision games were out or coming soon even if it's just one screen shot and a brief description

Love this idea!

 

The art of the "catalogue" has been lost for sure. Anyone remember getting the SEARS catalogue's? And then going through and looking at all the toys coming out for Christmas!! And of course... they always had the SEARS version of Intellivision in there.

I just have a small question, will there be at least one or two games with themes and gameplay made specifically to appeal to young girls (8 years old) at launch?

 

 

ABSOLUTELY!!! And definitely more than just one or two on launch!! It's one demographic that the rest of the video game consoles (including Nintendo!) has been ignoring over the past 10 years. We intend on changing that!! Lots of amazing announcements coming over the next year. Wait til you see some of the licenses we've been getting.

 

LOL! Unfortunately, I only have a Flashback.

 

As for sports games, I don't think they will work. She doesn't like competition at all. So I was thinking about something either cooperative or where the reward is emotional, like seeing a cute character being happy, rather than score based.

 

 

You and your daughter (or grand daughter?) are going to be in for a big surprise!! Lots of great stuff we're doing in that genre. You can ask anyone in our office... I'm always talking about getting 8 year girls to play the machine. A lot of folks at the office have girls between the ages of 6 - 12. We're always talking about it!

If you continuously compete with others you become bitter. If you continuously compete with yourself you become better. If you continuously cooperate with others you become buddies.

 

 

And THAT is what Amico is all about!! And exactly WHY I ended up choosing the name Amico for the console! The Italian word for "friend" or "buddy"!!

Edited May 19, 2019 by Tommy Tallarico

I am very happy to hear that Tommy is not going online gaming for this console, or at least its not its focus. Couch, family gameplay is where its at.. Honestly my friends and I love the Nintendo Switch because of the couch play, that is really the biggest reason we play that system.

 

If Tommy is going to be making tons of family couch games then this is the biggest thing for many people like me!

I am very happy to hear that Tommy is not going online gaming for this console, or at least its not its focus. Couch, family gameplay is where its at.. Honestly my friends and I love the Nintendo Switch because of the couch play, that is really the biggest reason we play that system.

 

If Tommy is going to be making tons of family couch games then this is the biggest thing for many people like me!

 

We agree 100%!! It's actually a requirement of EVERY game on the console! It MUST have a local multiplayer / couch co-op mode! Wait til you see what we've done with games like Astrosmash, Missle Command, Moon Patrol and others that you typically wouldn't think of as couch co-op games. Don't fret... the single player stuff is in there as well... but playing with friends makes it even more fun! We got ya covered!!

 

We agree 100%!! It's actually a requirement of EVERY game on the console! It MUST have a local multiplayer / couch co-op mode! Wait til you see what we've done with games like Astrosmash, Missle Command, Moon Patrol and others that you typically wouldn't think of as couch co-op games. Don't fret... the single player stuff is in there as well... but playing with friends makes it even more fun! We got ya covered!!

If all of this is true,my family will love the Amico.

Hopefully lots of one person steers and the other person fires kind of games.

Those are great!

Tommy that point you just made is, in my opinion, your biggest seller!

 

My friends and I use Steam to access multiplayer couch games, but most are either tacked on or such an undeveloped concept that they lack the thought and polish that makes a switch couch game so compelling.

 

I am sure once I mention that to my friends they are going to be quite excited to see what kind of new experiences we all can play against each other! What was the goal for the max amount of players on one console (four, eight)?

 

If however the Amico requires every game be couch multiplayer, then I know a lot of people would love to call that home for their friends and family couch play!

 

Just the thought of all of those classic Intellivision and Arcade games getting a respectful remake with couch modes sounds amazing, and really should be one, if not the top thing to advertise on your system.

 

The idea of competitive / cooperative classics like Moon Patrol, asteroids, space invaders (let some of us be the invaders!), etc, has my mind buzzing with possibilities, sooo looking forward to hearing more about this!

 

Couch multi play is often that lofty goal with companies that only seem to hit it right about 20% of the time..

 

I love Wolfy62's idea of multiple people controlling one vehicle in teams where we all have different "jobs"...

 

One more thing.. don't forget games like the amazing Jackbox games like Drawful and others where you can have a small army of people playing with their phones! Amico would be amazing for trivia, silly drawing or other group party type games too!

Edited May 19, 2019 by imstarryeyed

Tommy that point you just made is, in my opinion, your biggest seller!

 

My friends and I use Steam to access multiplayer couch games, but most are either tacked on or such an undeveloped concept that they lack the thought and polish that makes a switch couch game so compelling.

 

I am sure once I mention that to my friends they are going to be quite excited to see what kind of new experiences we all can play against each other! What was the goal for the max amount of players on one console (four, eight)?

 

If however the Amico requires every game be couch multiplayer, then I know a lot of people would love to call that home for their friends and family couch play!

 

Just the thought of all of those classic Intellivision and Arcade games getting a respectful remake with couch modes sounds amazing, and really should be one, if not the top thing to advertise on your system.

 

The idea of competitive / cooperative classics like Moon Patrol, asteroids, space invaders (let some of us be the invaders!), etc, has my mind buzzing with possibilities, sooo looking forward to hearing more about this!

 

Couch multi play is often that lofty goal with companies that only seem to hit it right about 20% of the time..

 

I love Wolfy62's idea of multiple people controlling one vehicle in teams where we all have different "jobs"...

 

One more thing.. don't forget games like the amazing Jackbox games like Drawful and others where you can have a small army of people playing with their phones! Amico would be amazing for trivia, silly drawing or other group party type games too!

 

 

Hi!,

 

Almost EVERYTHING you said is already being discussed and/or worked on. Even Jackbox! Shhhhh!!