Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

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).

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want it so badly I’m almost afraid to ask these questions but I know everything is being done to try to get it out and avoid further delays. It’s been years since I have been so excited for a console launch  🙏🙏🙏

Here's what a normal non-biased factual article looks like.

https://www.hiddenwires.co.uk/products/article/intellivision-to-launch-family-gaming-console

I’m also wondering about pre-ordering all of the physical games directly from IE if that’s even something that will be offered. They will have to be packaged carefully for us collectors ! (Im obsessed with boxes being in perfect condition) I’m afraid they will be tough to track down in Canada 🇨🇦 

9 minutes ago, Cranker said:

I want it so badly I’m almost afraid to ask these questions but I know everything is being done to try to get it out and avoid further delays. 🙏🙏🙏

That's for sure.  And I'm always honest and transparent as possible every step of the way. 

I can tell you that our retailers and distributors very much understand the situation because they are seeing it with almost all of the electronic products they carry.  So their expectations are low across the board and they are completely understanding of the situation everyone is in.  Especially smaller companies like ours with a product they really love.

Our sales team has weekly meetings with all of our retailers and they are super excited to see all of the things we're doing and they all feel that it's going to be a huge success when it arrives.

So all good news on that front.

Our goal over the summer is to continue getting as many people to try out Amico as we can. 
 

1 minute ago, Cranker said:

I’m also wondering about pre-ordering all of the physical games directly from IE if that’s even something that will be offered. They will have to be packaged carefully for us collectors ! (Im obsessed with boxes being in perfect condition) I’m afraid they will be tough to track down in Canada 🇨🇦 

Yep!  Absolutely! 

It's no secret that ordering direct from us gives us the highest profit margin and is greatly encouraged by our finance/money/accounting folks at Intellivision.

19 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.

 

 

I absolutely love how Intellivision is doing the artwork with a retro theme to it.  I hope this continues!  Maybe there will be enough to do an Art of Amico (or Intellivision) book?!

This is getting more real all the time

The artwork for the game covers looks amazing.   Missile Command is giving me strong classic Atari vibes, love it.
The physical releases look like a good start as well.  Although I intend to buy mostly digital releases, I think now I will certainly pick up a few physical releases.  Plus, they will make ideal gifts.

I was also really suprised by the quality of the screen on the controller after seeing it on All Access.  I think it will really add something new and unique to the games.

Roll on release date, whenever that may be!

9 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

Maybe there will be enough to do an Art of Amico (or Intellivision) book?!

Wouldn't that be something? 

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

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.

Yes, it's a genre where a lot of rivals came along, but mostly they were terrible in comparison.
Dr. Kawashima, on the left DS screen, and saying "Glasses Glasses" to him, was always fun, too.

It IS impressive that he's involved! More gameplay footage for this one please! 🙂

The real Nintendo multi-player game on DS, and then on Wii, was called "Big Brain Academy", but
it never reached the same market penetration, perhaps because it seemed more of a game, I think.
Brain-Age on the Wii-U gamepad is also nice - but only one Gamepad CAN be connected to a Wii-U.

48 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yep!  Absolutely! 

It's no secret that ordering direct from us gives us the highest profit margin and is greatly encouraged by our finance/money/accounting folks at Intellivision.

 

 

 

Yes, I suppose that will be possible to buy physical games on Italian/European stores, I would buy them directly from IE but I'm worried about the various import fees.

Hey Tommy, I think I finally found my own "gotcha" moment. In the previous page, you said you decided to call the game Brain Duel because it's like a multiplayer Brain Training, but it looks like the game exists since 2014 with that name.

OMG IT'S A SCAM! THESE CEOS ARE ALWAYS THE SAME!!!11ONEONE

I really don't mind and it's just a stupid thing, but can you clarify that? 🕷️👉👈🕷️

2 hours 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.

 

 

Reading all the descriptions was very interesting, the official Dr. Kawashima collaboration is awesome. Which game studio is behind this game?

Can you share more details about the 4 player mode in Finnigan Fox?

What are the amico exclusive features of dynablaster?

BTW: Just a friendly hint- the german text could need some polish by a native speaker. Would induce more quality feel...

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yep!  Absolutely! 

It's no secret that ordering direct from us gives us the highest profit margin and is greatly encouraged by our finance/money/accounting folks at Intellivision.

 

 

 

I will pre order all 8 physical games and my extra controllers direct even if it’s a bit more expensive due to shipping and possible import charges but please package the games carefully to avoid damage in shipping 😀

i can just imagine getting my FE , 8 games , 2 or 4 extra controllers and the carrying case in one box 📦 I’ll open every box !! Lol

https://youtu.be/TJag8O5rGOE

This is the Tommy interview today at 3pm ET.

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

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

 

 

But thankfully you strategically avoided the guy with that specially shaped helmet ...  

2 hours 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.

But you're Intellivision Master so there's no quitting!  It ain't over...

😆😂🤣

9 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

But you're Intellivision Master so there's no quitting!  It ain't over...

True, but I wasn't always.  I used to be Atari Master.  The dark side is strong.  Lol.  I was only teasing about the 3 strikes you're out.  But I really hope there are no more delays for the Amico. 

3 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

True, but I wasn't always.  I used to be Atari Master.  The dark side is strong.  Lol.  I was only teasing about the 3 strikes you're out.  But I really hope there are no more delays for the Amico. 

Me too.  If there is another delay, I would hope it would still make it out by Christmas.  If not, it would make a great birthday present for me if it came out in early 2022!

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

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!) 

 

And from a gamer standpoint, that is exactly what I am most excited about with the Amico - its ability to change games. Sometimes it is just adding a bit of whimsical to an old game, like pouring the dice out of controller screen onto the television in Farkle. Sometimes it is more integral like the motion controls in Corn Hole, using the controller touch screen to hide your drawing in Telestrations, or (I am guessing here a bit) the built in speaker & mic in Back Talk Party. However I think the defining game for the Amico controller will be EarthWorm Jim. As Tommy has said, EWJ is actually a comedy routine turned into a game (as opposed to a game with some comedy added) and I suspect it will leverage the controller in the most diverse & wacky ways possible. I think this is going to be a defining factor for the game and the Amico.

Having all games based on dual analog sticks, a D Pad, 4 buttons and 4 shoulders is literally like saying all music must be produced with a standard set of orchestral instruments. I am looking forward to seeing what swapping out some of the woodwinds and adding some brass and maybe an electric guitar sparks creativity-wise in gaming.

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here's what a normal non-biased factual article looks like.

 

https://www.hiddenwires.co.uk/products/article/intellivision-to-launch-family-gaming-console

 

Wait it’s an article that states the information but gives no opinions on the writer’s thoughts?  Why it’s almost like he’s a journalist writing an article that isn’t an opinion piece so hard to find these days 

3 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Hey Tommy, I think I finally found my own "gotcha" moment. In the previous page, you said you decided to call the game Brain Duel because it's like a multiplayer Brain Training, but it looks like the game exists since 2014 with that name.

 

OMG IT'S A SCAM! THESE CEOS ARE ALWAYS THE SAME!!!11ONEONE

 

 

I really don't mind and it's just a stupid thing, but can you clarify that? 🕷️👉👈🕷️

That is a different game by the same developer. 

They originally wanted to do a version of their Einstein Brain Academy game but of course we wanted multiplayer/co-op.  They mentioned that they owned the trademark for Brain Duel from another game, so I picked that name and said lets go with that!! 

Intellivision is internally doing all of the art & audio for this particular game and BBG (the developer) is doing the programming.  All of the character designs were done by me & Mike Dietz (Mike's art) and all of the 3D modeling and rigging.  Background art, etc. all done in house at Intellivision. 

3 hours ago, Talerian said:

Reading all the descriptions was very interesting, the official Dr. Kawashima collaboration is awesome. Which game studio is behind this game?

BBG Entertainment.  Same folks who are doing Dynablaster for us!

3 hours ago, Talerian said:

 

Can you share more details about the 4 player mode in Finnigan Fox?

Forced scrolling SHMUP type levels to see who can collect the most coins.

3 hours ago, Talerian said:

 

What are the amico exclusive features of dynablaster?

Co-Op mode, art, audio, design, levels, etc.

3 hours ago, Talerian said:

 

BTW: Just a friendly hint- the german text could need some polish by a native speaker. Would induce more quality feel...

The German text was done by our European president Hans who was a journalist for 30+ years and the CEO for 12 years of the biggest magazine publisher in Germany.

3 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

https://youtu.be/TJag8O5rGOE

 

This is the Tommy interview today at 3pm ET.

Gonna be a great one!!

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Gonna be a great one!!

 

 

Glad to hear it.  Can't wait.