Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

On 5/31/2021 at 1:36 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

But that takes all of the fun out of trying to keep it perfect over the years or trying to find a perfect one a few decades from now.

 

 

Your definition of fun is very different to mine

On 5/30/2021 at 3:39 AM, CurlyQ said:

Amico: Crime Scene Edition

First, if you haven't watched the latest Amico All Access, go check it out: https://youtu.be/tAkxcigVyY0

However I wanted to share just two screen shots from it. Here Tommy is showing the controller in front of live Finnigan Fox game play, but take a look at the Fox character on the controller. Yep he is jumping, and like Tommy said in the video, "guess what is the jump button". Also notice how big it is and where it is positioned (where your thumb would wrap around the controller). Although a young one might not be able to immediately get the full combat moves (there are like 6 total), moving with the disc, tapping the jumping fox to jump and clicking the shoulder buttons to fire let you get started in the game immediately. This is exactly the kind of thing I am looking forward to with the Amico, games for those 5 to 95 with easy & intuitive controls that leverage the screen to make playing simpler, not a memory exercise.

On 6/1/2021 at 9:40 AM, Urlu Berlu said:

oh man ... looks like I'm gonna have to get an Evercade after all

I ordered one. Their new VS console allows multiplayer, which is why I went with that one.

On 6/1/2021 at 11:28 AM, Battlefish said:

Had this idea after seeing an Amico press shot a few months back...I'm not too good at this image-editing thing, but I hope you folks like it.

 

Happy Pride Month!

Now if it would only play Saturday Night Fever's Stayin Alive along with the light show...

On 6/1/2021 at 6:00 PM, IMBerzerk said:

How did they do it? 

 

Night Stalker is only 4-way shooting.  AD&D is 8-way.  So it's not really the same. Dual button press?

They could do diagonals as combos, just like the nintendo switch dpad.  You might think it's a compromise but I don't think I've ever shot in a diagonal direction playing AD&D.  If they cross-map the controls it could be an advantage in AD&D as well as Night Stalker.

Frog Bog would be more of a compromise not being able to jump in half the directions.

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Check out this amazing hand drawn cover art for our physical version of Missile Command!

 

You'll notice the missiles are attacking and defending an energy refinery and not a city.

 

Way less scary.

 

 

Awesome! I reckon the missle control setup in this pic, one big circle with touchscreen to the left, kinda like a certain controller, is no accident

12 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

This Photoshop was so good that I literally had to do a double-take and check to see if I missed the end of the auction!  I totally thought this was 100% real!

Amazing!!

 

TJ would be so awesome in Amico commercials...he's a natural..he would be way more popular than the Where's The Beef Lady! 

On 6/1/2021 at 6:11 PM, CurlyQ said:

Look who won the auction. @AtariSociety Happy B-Day TJ.

 

 

Winner Winner Faux Chicken Dinner. 

Well real chicken once a week on cheat day... but I digress.

Thanks @CurlyQ for the fine birthday wishes!

TJ

25 minutes ago, ASalvaro said:

TJ would be so awesome in Amico commercials...he's a natural..he would be way more popular than the Where's The Beef Lady! 

Where's The Amico!!

Where's The Amico!!!!

hahaha

TJ

3 hours ago, mr_me said:

They could do diagonals as combos, just like the nintendo switch dpad.  You might think it's a compromise but I don't think I've ever shot in a diagonal direction playing AD&D.  If they cross-map the controls it could be an advantage in AD&D as well as Night Stalker.

 

Frog Bog would be more of a compromise not being able to jump in half the directions.

Nah, I agree.  You could do it that way, and looking at the button options I figured that would be the case but it's good to ask rather than assume.  At some point I'd like to get this system, but I've got too many other projects I'm working on that require the extra time and $$. 

Frog Bog needs 8 way, no way around it.  

>>> Breaking news! <<<

The new physical media versions of Amico games have been posted up by Amazon Germany! Each is shown with a pre-order price of €17.99 and a release date of 8 October.
 

The games are listed as "code in a box" - I suspect that Amazon may not have a category for RFID technology. Each game has some screenshots and with more in the main product description. I've posted the game logos and a few example shots on my Twitter feed - I don't *think* I can post Twitter here but I'll try an example link - I hope this is okay!

https://mobile.twitter.com/totalamico/status/1400346207629807624

2 hours ago, totalamico said:

>>> Breaking news! <<<

 

The new physical media versions of Amico games have been posted up by Amazon Germany! Each is shown with a pre-order price of €17.99 and a release date of 8 October.
 

The games are listed as "code in a box" - I suspect that Amazon may not have a category for RFID technology. Each game has some screenshots and with more in the main product description. I've posted the game logos and a few example shots on my Twitter feed - I don't *think* I can post Twitter here but I'll try an example link - I hope this is okay!

 

Very interesting! I think the Amico October launch is "getting real". 🙂 
I think this search link should work for most people. I added them to my wish list. 🙂
https://www.amazon.de/s?k=Intellivision%2C+Code%2CBox&ref=nb_sb_noss

16 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

HAHAHHAA!!  That was a funny one. 

The way those obsessed hater dudes twist information is reaching epic proportions. 
 

16 hours ago, woobman said:

I like it. Has the same vibes as the original with a bit of a twist. I'm almost certain that the soundtrack will be better than the record.

 

Yeah... we all really loved the original artwork a definitely wanted to pay homage to it.

15 hours ago, MantaNZ said:

Your definition of fun is very different to mine

Hahahaha! 

Touche.

15 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

First, if you haven't watched the latest Amico All Access, go check it out: https://youtu.be/tAkxcigVyY0

 

However I wanted to share just two screen shots from it. Here Tommy is showing the controller in front of live Finnigan Fox game play, but take a look at the Fox character on the controller. Yep he is jumping, and like Tommy said in the video, "guess what is the jump button". Also notice how big it is and where it is positioned (where your thumb would wrap around the controller). Although a young one might not be able to immediately get the full combat moves (there are like 6 total), moving with the disc, tapping the jumping fox to jump and clicking the shoulder buttons to fire let you get started in the game immediately. This is exactly the kind of thing I am looking forward to with the Amico, games for those 5 to 95 with easy & intuitive controls that leverage the screen to make playing simpler, not a memory exercise.

 

 

 

Yeah.  We redesigned some of the gameplay so that you don't really ever need to use the complicated moves to progress... but they will come in handy and get things done a little more quickly for more experienced gamers.

The other thing I mentioned during the live stream was that we add a little quick haptic feedback to the screen "jump" button.  I know it may sound a little weird at first, but just having that immediate vibrate does give you the feeling of it being somewhat of an "analog" or physical button feel.  It's one of those things I think most people will just have to try and experience for themselves. 

The screen as a jump button is also on Moon Patrol and again... works incredibly well. 

So many folks who have tried the controller are really amazed at how intuitive and unique and comfortable it is.  As SmashJT put it in his video... he really believes it's a "game changer" (pun intended I'm sure!) 

But again, I can talk about it til I'm blue in the face... it's for everyone to play and decide for themselves.  We are extremely happy with the way it turned out and we literally worked over 2 years and hundreds of designs to get it to where it is now.  I can't wait for people to play it!

12 hours ago, Pac in Blac said:

Awesome! I reckon the missle control setup in this pic, one big circle with touchscreen to the left, kinda like a certain controller, is no accident

Good eye!  It's subtle... but there.

4 hours ago, totalamico said:

>>> Breaking news! <<<

 

The new physical media versions of Amico games have been posted up by Amazon Germany! Each is shown with a pre-order price of €17.99 and a release date of 8 October.
 

The games are listed as "code in a box" - I suspect that Amazon may not have a category for RFID technology. Each game has some screenshots and with more in the main product description. I've posted the game logos and a few example shots on my Twitter feed - I don't *think* I can post Twitter here but I'll try an example link - I hope this is okay!

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/totalamico/status/1400346207629807624

 

Yeah, what we are doing didn't really have a category so I'm assuming they picked that one. 

One of the coolest bits of info I thought was in our Brain Duel description.  Here's the line...

"All 30 brain activation exercises were designed by Dr. Kawashima, a respected and well-known Japanese neuroscientist."

The same Dr. Kawashima that was behind the exercise designs for the biggest selling Brain Age game on the Nintendo DS (and now other Nintendo platforms).

The first 2 Brain Age games did a combined sales of 33 million copies!

As I mentioned on Amico All Access... one of the biggest selling physical media games for the time.  I mistakenly mentioned in the "90's", but should have said early 2000's.

Pretty amazing news though when one of the top brain exercise designers in the world who has incredible success with Nintendo will also be on an "Exclusive" game for Amico!

....aaaaand.... not just single player!  That's why I chose to call it Brain Duel. 

I always thought the brain games were pretty cool, but always wished more people could all play and compete at once in person.  I'm assuming that there are probably versions out there, but I never saw or played any.  This is going to be a fun one for a lot of folks.

AND... using the touchscreen on the controller with this is AMAZING!!  Especially with multiple people playing at the same time.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Yeah, what we are doing didn't really have a category so I'm assuming they picked that one. 

One of the coolest bits of info I thought was in our Brain Duel description.  Here's the line...

 

"All 30 brain activation exercises were designed by Dr. Kawashima, a respected and well-known Japanese neuroscientist."

 

The same Dr. Kawashima that was behind the exercise designs for the biggest selling Brain Age game on the Nintendo DS (and now other Nintendo platforms).

The first 2 Brain Age games did a combined sales of 33 million copies!

As I mentioned on Amico All Access... one of the biggest selling physical media games for the time.  I mistakenly mentioned in the "90's", but should have said early 2000's.

Pretty amazing news though when one of the top brain exercise designers in the world who has incredible success with Nintendo will also be on an "Exclusive" game for Amico!

 

....aaaaand.... not just single player!  That's why I chose to call it Brain Duel. 

 

I always thought the brain games were pretty cool, but always wished more people could all play and compete at once in person.  I'm assuming that there are probably versions out there, but I never saw or played any.  This is going to be a fun one for a lot of folks.

 

AND... using the touchscreen on the controller with this is AMAZING!!  Especially with multiple people playing at the same time.

 

 

Ahhhh .... I’m a brain age fan and multiplayer will make all the difference ! Very nice !

I’m wondering if they have been able to source those last 4 components needed to go into production and if they have all of the parts / components necessary to produce the FE/VIP units in hand. I’m concerned but hopeful and would be ok with a minor delay but really think it’s crucial to get some units out this year. 

2 minutes ago, Cranker said:

I’m wondering if they have been able to source those last 4 components needed to go into production and if they have all of the parts / components necessary to produce the FE/VIP units in hand. I’m concerned but hopeful and would be ok with a minor delay but really think it’s crucial to get some units out this year. 

Hopefully they get the last 4 parts needed in time.  Also, I hope the Amico releases this year.  If they have to delay again, then it's 3 strikes you're out at the old ball game.  Lol.

6 minutes ago, Cranker said:

I’m wondering if they have been able to source those last 4 components needed to go into production and if they have all of the parts / components necessary to produce the FE/VIP units in hand. I’m concerned but hopeful and would be ok with a minor delay but really think it’s crucial to get some units out this year. 

Update:   Nothing yet.

Getting new boards fabricated using alternate parts that will help... but would still need to go through testing, compliance, etc.

And even with those boards there are 2 parts that no one can seem to find.

We still have about 6 - 8 weeks to figure it out (to get units in peoples' hands by October).

7 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

Hopefully they get the last 4 parts needed in time.  Also, I hope the Amico releases this year.  If they have to delay again, then it's 3 strikes you're out at the old ball game.  Lol.

If folks want a deposit refund, we will of course honor them as we always have.