Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

One of the cool things about Amico boxes is that they are NOT just those plastic clam shell thingies that EVERYONE has been using over the past 30 years (with the cheap thin paper stuffed in them).

Sega's and SNK's were pretty awesome, though... Neo Geo AES hard case games are still the best packaging a game has ever come with, but when you're paying $250+ per game in the early 90s, they'd better be premium as hell in every aspect.

15 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

Looks who is going to E3 virtual:

 

Direct Link:

Razer, Intellivision, Indie Developers and More Join E3 2021 Virtual Event:

https://e3expo.com/news/e3-news/e3-2021-new-participants

Yep!  That was the big news that I was alluding to last week. 

Although the main core audience we are going for typically won't be watching an E3 broadcast, it was a great opportunity for us to potentially get in front of a lot of industry media and gamers who will be hearing about Amico for the first time.  It's also important for a retail standpoint to be there.

We wanted to keep it somewhat short so we deciding to have a 10 minute primetime segment and will approach the presentation in a somewhat different way considering who the main audience will be.

Looking forward to it!

Hey Tommy, as a hardcore Ferrari fan, would you write 10,467 words (not a random number, data from real-life, recent scenario) to Porsche's CEO to let him know how much you prefer Ferrari and why you would never buy a Porsche? Or would you rather just enjoy your Ferraris? I'm curious.

15 hours ago, woobman said:

I can see Tommy getting up on the virtual stage and doing a Video games Live type show.

E3 wanted me to put on a virtual Video Games Live performance as we have partnered many times in the past during E3's and they have even sponsored some of our past shows.  I've also done similar things with the Tokyo Game Show, Gamescom, Game Developers Conference, San Diego Comic Con, China Joy (the biggest video game convention in the world!), etc.

With everything else going on... I just didn't have the time to put into this year.  Doing a show is one thing (a monumental task to begin with)... but to film and edit it the right way is a whole different world and experience.  We spent months working on our PBS Special (and other broadcasts we've done).

Hopefully for next year though!  And you can bet there will be some Intellivision music sections added!  Night Stalker?  Astrosmash? 

43 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

You're actually kinda close!

But instead of the dark blue... you should use our "Amico" blue.

One of the cool things about Amico boxes is that they are NOT just those plastic clam shell thingies that EVERYONE has been using over the past 30 years (with the cheap thin paper stuffed in them).

We wanted to do something more reminiscent of the old days where art and print were actually put ON the box.  Not printed on paper and inserted into a clam shell.

 

 

 

Ah! This is intriguing! I'm now thinking that the Amico game cases may possibly have something like an embossed finish on the case; a slightly raised plastic surface with the coloured artwork? This sounds amazing but I don't know if it's possible at the price point? I can't wait until we can see actual examples!

For my mock-up, I thought the dark blue could represent the "Action Range", with other colours used for other types of game - similar to the original Intellivision box style back in the day (although I didn't own the system myself!). This approach could deliver a colourful but co-ordinated style; with the Amico logo remaining a constant colour on the top-right of the box to aid uniformity and recognition.

I have colour blindness though so I do sometimes struggle with identifying differing shades. Is there a reference available for the "Amico blue" colour? I'd thought that the blue/green colour I'd used was it but I could well be wrong :-).

Anyhow... yeah, I'm definitely excited for when we can see the real boxes!

14 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

E3 will be dicey though for the gang at IE without knowing until the following month whether they will make launch, do a soft launch, or have to push it again.  Im sure they will come up with some strategy and wordsmithing but this computer chip shortage really makes it hard for a lot of these manufacturers to talk with any kinda of assurances ( through no fault of their own) 

 

So I hope people cut them some slack, it wont just be IE that is in this predicament, shortages are everywhere.  I mean even sand is in short supply..freakin sand.. did you know there is a deadly sand mafia...  wtf..

 

Yeah... we don't even mention release dates, pricing, etc. as the whole idea of the segment is to introduce gamers to what we're doing and what makes us different and unique. We approach it very honestly and say...  we love what the rest of the industry is doing... and we're not trying to be like that.  We know that the folks watching aren't going to buy an Amico over a PS5 or XBox.  So we kinda take that approach from the beginning and mention the things we feel gamers might be interested in and that is very unique to what they are normally used to (docking your own controller at a friends house and being able to play all your games), etc.

We go into it fully understanding that a ton of viewers will be crapping on it.  But y'know what?  A lot of folks typically crap on Nintendo, Microsoft & Sony as well... so we're in good company.

56 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Hey Tommy, as a hardcore Ferrari fan, would you write 10,467 words (not a random number, data from real-life, recent scenario) to Porsche's CEO to let him know how much you prefer Ferrari and why you would never buy a Porsche? Or would you rather just enjoy your Ferraris? I'm curious.

No.  I wouldn't.

I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to (I'm assuming someone wrote a long and negative article about Amico?) but I'm just glad that we've become so interesting and exciting to a lot of people who spend a lot of time talking about it.

We're making impacts on people lives and people are spending a lot of time thinking about what we're doing.

No matter what side of the fence you're on... that is a very good sign of things to come!

p.s.  As a point of fact for your scenario... I have purchased Porsche's as well.  

16 minutes ago, totalamico said:

Ah! This is intriguing! I'm now thinking that the Amico game cases may possibly have something like an embossed finish on the case; a slightly raised plastic surface with the coloured artwork? This sounds amazing but I don't know if it's possible at the price point? I can't wait until we can see actual examples!

 

For my mock-up, I thought the dark blue could represent the "Action Range", with other colours used for other types of game - similar to the original Intellivision box style back in the day (although I didn't own the system myself!). This approach could deliver a colourful but co-ordinated style; with the Amico logo remaining a constant colour on the top-right of the box to aid uniformity and recognition.

 

I have colour blindness though so I do sometimes struggle with identifying differing shades. Is there a reference available for the "Amico blue" colour? I'd thought that the blue/green colour I'd used was it but I could well be wrong :-).

 

Anyhow... yeah, I'm definitely excited for when we can see the real boxes!

It's the blue from our logo.  But the printed CYMK version is a little different, but in that range.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

WOW!

In less than 24 hours it's already at $1,114!!

https://e.givesmart.com/events/lzg/i/_Auction/e2IN/

 

That's awesome.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

You're actually kinda close!

But instead of the dark blue... you should use our "Amico" blue.

One of the cool things about Amico boxes is that they are NOT just those plastic clam shell thingies that EVERYONE has been using over the past 30 years (with the cheap thin paper stuffed in them).

We wanted to do something more reminiscent of the old days where art and print were actually put ON the box.  Not printed on paper and inserted into a clam shell.

 

 

 

Glad to hear it.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

More on the way over the next few weeks for sure!!!

 

 

I can't wait.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Hopefully for next year though!  And you can bet there will be some Intellivision music sections added!  Night Stalker?  Astrosmash?

Yes please.  We need that epic music Tommy. 

1 hour ago, totalamico said:

Anyhow... yeah, I'm definitely excited for when we can see the real boxes!

You and me both.  

15 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

E3 will be dicey though for the gang at IE without knowing until the following month whether they will make launch, do a soft launch, or have to push it again.  Im sure they will come up with some strategy and wordsmithing but this computer chip shortage really makes it hard for a lot of these manufacturers to talk with any kinda of assurances ( through no fault of their own) 

 

So I hope people cut them some slack, it wont just be IE that is in this predicament, shortages are everywhere.  I mean even sand is in short supply..freakin sand.. did you know there is a deadly sand mafia...  wtf..

 

Have you seen the documentary Sand Wars on Amazon Video? I had no idea that the battle for sand was so intense, and that most of the world's sand is useless in the production of construction materials like concrete. The sand shortages have been around for years.

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Or as @cmart604 would say...

 

12...  13.... 14.... 15!   15 Amico's!  AH AH AH!!!

Here is the REAL story:

Tommy, checking eBay in late 2017:

"Dammit that $&*#%@ @cmart604 outbid me *again* on that rare Intellivision listing! I am going to get that guy!...

Wait, what if *I* was to launch my own Intellivision console and make a number of different colors so you would have to buy *all* of them to have a complete collection. Even better, sell some at exclusive retailers or for a limited time. Then I do physical media, but make the first batch special and also only at certain retailers... Hmm that would probably bankrupt someone who *had* to collect them all..." 😈

GrudgeQ Real Fake Journalist

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to (I'm assuming someone wrote a long and negative article about Amico?) but I'm just glad that we've become so interesting and exciting to a lot of people who spend a lot of time talking about it.

Hint: you have already read it and replied to it.

By the way, @Intellivision Master (not to be confused with @IntellivisionMaster, another user) just made a 5 post combo... This clearly means BitCoin is going to increase its value x10 over the following days, let's buy!! (not really).

23 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Here is the REAL story:

 

Tommy, checking eBay in late 2017:

"Dammit that $&*#%@ @cmart604 outbid me *again* on that rare Intellivision listing! I am going to get that guy!...

Wait, what if *I* was to launch my own Intellivision console and make a number of different colors so you would have to buy *all* of them to have a complete collection. Even better, sell some at exclusive retailers or for a limited time. Then I do physical media, but make the first batch special and also only at certain retailers... Hmm that would probably bankrupt someone who *had* to collect them all..." 😈

 

GrudgeQ Real Fake Journalist

We have a running joke in the office... whenever we need to do different versions of anything (i.e. UK vs. EU vs. US/Canada versions) I always say...

"Crap!  Cmart is gonna KILL ME!"

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Although the main core audience we are going for typically won't be watching an E3 broadcast, it was a great opportunity for us to potentially get in front of a lot of industry media and gamers who will be hearing about Amico for the first time.  It's also important for a retail standpoint to be there.

 

We wanted to keep it somewhat short so we deciding to have a 10 minute primetime segment and will approach the presentation in a somewhat different way considering who the main audience will be.

Sounds like we might be seeing more from some of the more 'gamer' titles like Rigid Force Redux Enhanced, maybe Dynablaster - who knows, maybe time to show a sports title like soccer? Let the speculation begin...

1 minute ago, GrudgeQ said:

Sounds like we might be seeing more of from some of the more 'gamer' titles like Rigid Force Redux Enhanced, maybe Dynablaster - who knows, maybe time to show a sports title like soccer? Let the speculation begin...

Wouldn't that be something?

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I'd love to start doing some more of those funny type videos, the issue with those type of videos though (the funny ones we put together with the controller, etc.) is that it takes a LOT of time, energy, editing, etc. to make them good. 

 

At this point we have so much more important things on our plate to do videos for.  A lot of corporate, retail and convention stuff we've been working on for the past month or so. 

But those type of funny videos will be coming... just not at a pace everyone would like (including myself!).

 

 

 

Not to speak for everyone, but I’m assuming most would agree - totally understand and do appreciate your sense of priorities; which also happens to be ours.  10/10/21 👍.
 

Even though you don’t believe in it, good luck to you and the team on what we are all hoping is the home stretch for launch; with the events over the past year, we could all use a little bit.

41 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Sounds like we might be seeing more from some of the more 'gamer' titles like Rigid Force Redux Enhanced, maybe Dynablaster - who knows, maybe time to show a sports title like soccer? Let the speculation begin...

40 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

Wouldn't that be something?

Indeed!

12 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

Not to speak for everyone, but I’m assuming most would agree - totally understand and do appreciate your sense of priorities; which also happens to be ours.  10/10/21 👍.
 

Even though you don’t believe in it, good luck to you and the team on what we are all hoping is the home stretch for launch; with the events over the past year, we could all use a little bit.

Appreciate your support and understanding!!

I can't wait for you to play soon!!!!!!!

4 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Or as @cmart604 would say...

 

 

12...  13.... 14.... 15!   15 Amico's!  AH AH AH!!!

 

 

It's funny cause it's true. 😂😂😂

1 hour ago, GrudgeQ said:

Here is the REAL story:

 

Tommy, checking eBay in late 2017:

"Dammit that $&*#%@ @cmart604 outbid me *again* on that rare Intellivision listing! I am going to get that guy!...

Wait, what if *I* was to launch my own Intellivision console and make a number of different colors so you would have to buy *all* of them to have a complete collection. Even better, sell some at exclusive retailers or for a limited time. Then I do physical media, but make the first batch special and also only at certain retailers... Hmm that would probably bankrupt someone who *had* to collect them all..." 😈

 

GrudgeQ Real Fake Journalist

Haha! Well played @Tommy Tallarico

53 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

We have a running joke in the office... whenever we need to do different versions of anything (i.e. UK vs. EU vs. US/Canada versions) I always say...

 

"Crap!  Cmart is gonna KILL ME!"

 

 

 

Lol. Stop the madness! The super collector struggle is real!