Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

55 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

Good news/bad news.  Good news - Amico’s will be ready for 10/10; bad news, you'll have to pick them up in China, address forthcoming. 
 

Speaking for myself, I’d likely be willing to pay airfreight to get it earlier.  Even if only a few people bit on this potential option, IE would still get to claim console “release”.  Not the best option, but an option none the less. 

I agree & although of course I want the Amico to ship tons of units yesterday, there are some pluses to a limited launch. This would give Intellivision time to work out any kinks in the store, work on the leader boards, identify any software, production or transportation issues, etc. This means when they do go into wider production the product that those people get (much more likely a mom in Walmart) is going to be much more polished out of the box. Basically it would allow them to test launch the product while still checking off that 'launched' check box (and if anyone thinks that is terrible or disingenuous, I can name a number of products in the last couple of years that 'launched' but most people still can't get - i.e. successfully buy a decent CPU and graphics card before casting the first stone).

On 6/5/2021 at 1:06 AM, RREDDWARFF said:

I agree with you and I could understand where Sony and Microsoft would have an easier time getting parts, but what surprised me was the "other" little guys. How are they getting their parts then? For the Evercade, mini arcades and even the larger Arcade1up machines?

 

I genuinely don't understand, that's why I wanted to have this conversation; because I'm pretty sure I'm not alone.

I think it is pretty probable they wont have the 100 000 units ready at launch (oct 10th), but I feel there is a lot of signs that points to IE making a limited launch with possibly founders editions and maybe some of the other pre orders (12-13000 units), and regardless of what happens I’m keeping the 100$ deposit since that would secure I’m one of those first ones to get a system whenever it comes out, if you give up your preorder now, you will probably have to wait at least 6 additional months to get one.

20 hours ago, Alpha82 said:

What are your top 5 most anticipated games for Amico? They don’t have to be part of the first wave  of games. 
 

1. Horse Racing my dad and I played this game together a ton and I’m excited to have a chance to play it again, plus my grandma played a few races of Horse Racing on Intellivision with me and she is excited to try the new one.  I kind of hope that the horses are colored like the ones in The Emerald City in Oz because I think having red, purple, and pink horses available would be a lot of fun.

 

2. Night Stalker I’m a huge horror fan been watching scary movies since I was 5 and am excited for this game for that creepy atmosphere.

 

3. Snafoo my step brother and I played this game together a lot so I’m very excited to have a chance to play a new version.

 

4. Burgertime I was never great at this game but I’m looking forward to playing an updated version because it was so fun and the best version I ever got to play was the Intellivision one.

 

5. Earthworm Jim I’ve never gotten very far in the original games but love the humor of them.

Mine is:

1.Cloudy mountain 

2.Dolphin quest

3.Utopia

4.Texas Hold’em poker 

5.EWJ4

For those wondering how true it is about small manufacturers and getting products out the door. On time. Here are a few articles to read about another system:

After many glowing articles including the cover of Edge Magazine, it was pretty much radio silence.

https://play.date/edge/

Here is the October 2020 announcement that the Playdate handheld was delayed until March of 2021.(After missing it's original window).

https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/30/21542841/playdate-games-handheld-panic-delay-2021

Now a few months after the release date passed and no real news... We get the info that it's delayed again.   

https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/4/22466184/panic-playdate-handheld-price-double-season-one-games-update-preorder

But don't worry. You get 4GB of storage. Up from 2GB! 24 games... And an almost 20% price hike... I have not found any negative info or YouTube videos. No one saying, wait.. For $20.00 more  you can get a switch Lite. Better screen. More games. Better than (original) Gameboy graphics. COLOR!!!! ETC. No multiple videos stating that there are inherent flaws in the yet to be released system. No one going on reddit with multiple fake accounts to post negative things. In fact.. Pretty much nothing. Except for some demos here and there. I couldn't find any. If you can, let us know.

If I sound negative. I'm not. I am intrigued by this little yellow thing. From what little I've seen of it, I want to see more. There could be some fun in those 24 games.  How much? I don't know. I'm holding off judgement until I have it in my hand to try out. Or a review from a source that I trust. I also want to see what games will be available as it's got an odd business model for software. You seem to have to buy "seasons" of games.  Depending on the cost of the seasons, and what the games are like to actually play I may pick one up. The group behind the device has been making software for 20+ years, so they kinda know what they are doing.. Plus I like some of the stuff that they produced. Is there a chance that this may be good? Yes.  Is there a chance that it will not be? Yes.   I'm keeping an open mind about it.

This just reminds me of some other system that has been delayed and has an experienced team of people behind. The difference in coverage, is that for some reason, there is a group of people that seem hell bent on bashing it, without ever laying their paws on it. EVEN AFTER BEING INVITED TO. Multiple times. I can't think of it's name.. Hmmm @Tommy Tallarico you have every system out there... Maybe  you can

Are both of the systems mentioned above for EVERYONE. No. But. Do they both have the potential of being a lot of fun? YES. 

5 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

I agree & although of course I want the Amico to ship tons of units yesterday, there are some pluses to a limited launch. This would give Intellivision time to work out any kinks in the store, work on the leader boards, identify any software, production or transportation issues, etc.

See the thing I see flawed about that logic is that this was supposed to launch last 10/10/2020.  All of the things you mentioned should have already been ready to go for the original launch date.  More than likely when COVID shut downs hit in early 2020 that meant work on those items wasn’t able to be done since they weren’t able to work as a team on site.  That along with the supply issues was probably the cause of the first delay. I would think that by now most of that should be buttoned up and they should be in the polishing up phase.
 

But here is the thing,  there seems to be a lot of whining about missing another launch date and being disappointed again.  Come on people, what are we, teenagers here?  Most of us are in our late 40’s to mid 50’s,  this is a toy we are talking about!  Yes, we all have a passion for video games, but holy hell, it comes out when it comes out!  We all know the significance of the 10/10 date for Tommy and his family.  If it is at all possible the IE team will make that date happen.  If not we will just need to wait and continue reading this great forum and pass the time.  Oh, and there are hundreds of other threads to read on this fantastic site that is Atari Age to take your mind off of Amico if you need to.

Sorry folks, just my little rant!
 

4 minutes ago, Saldo said:

See the thing I see flawed about that logic is that this was supposed to launch last 10/10/2020.  All of the things you mentioned should have already been ready to go for the original launch date.  More than likely when COVID shut downs hit in early 2020 that meant work on those items wasn’t able to be done since they weren’t able to work as a team on site.  That along with the supply issues was probably the cause of the first delay. I would think that by now most of that should be buttoned up and they should be in the polishing up phase.

 

 

Like I said, what is the Analogue Pocket's problem then? Why has it been delayed a year?

4 hours ago, Saldo said:

See the thing I see flawed about that logic is that this was supposed to launch last 10/10/2020.  All of the things you mentioned should have already been ready to go for the original launch date.  More than likely when COVID shut downs hit in early 2020 that meant work on those items wasn’t able to be done since they weren’t able to work as a team on site.  That along with the supply issues was probably the cause of the first delay. I would think that by now most of that should be buttoned up and they should be in the polishing up phase.
 

I just have been around enough software launches to know that systems rarely work 100% intended when deployed. It seems that no amount of planning, testing and simulation can fix this 100% (but they can help).

This precisely why software but even other things like Starlink satellite Internet service are often deployed in limited betas first. Even beta tests, though, only reduce the number of bugs found in full deployment.
 

There is an old military saying “no plan survives contact with the enemy” and the same seems to be true in deploying any complex device, software or service.

I do not have an order for a founders edition or a pre-order (yet).  I am still in the wait and see mode.  Truth be told, I've been a die hard Intellivision fan since the 80's. I've not been as excited for a console like the Amico since the 1980's.  However, I do have understanding for the delays.  I am willing to wait for as long as it takes and not having any money invested makes it even easier.  I plan on waiting to see when the Amico is finally offered up on Amazon US.  If there are some good exclusives, I may pre-order one.  At least this way, I don't pay anything until a physical product ships.  At the end of the day I have hope the Amico will be released, if not this October, definitely by April 2022.  Complaining about the wait is not going to get it here any quicker.  Until then, I'll keep enjoying the videos Tommy and the various YouTubers are putting out.  It only adds to the excitement until that day comes!

1 hour ago, atarifan88 said:

Complaining about the wait is not going to get it here any quicker.  Until then, I'll keep enjoying the videos Tommy and the various YouTubers are putting out.  It only adds to the excitement until that day comes!

Exactly my point. Be excited, but have some patience.  We are all adults here, not some adolescents who can’t wait for Santa to show on Christmas!

6 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

I just have been around enough software launches to know that systems rarely work 100% intended when deployed. It seems that no amount of planning, testing and simulation can fix this 100% (but they can help).

100% agree with you on this.  Bugs will always pop up even with the most thorough amount of testing.  The extra time has given them the opportunity to go the extra mile to make sure everything is as smooth as it can be for launch, whenever that is.

45 minutes ago, Saldo said:

Be excited, but have some patience.

Don't forget Amico All Access is starting in about 10 mins at it's new earlier time:

With the physical media, what if certain stores get different cover art for the games?  Such as a steel book edition at Best Buy.  Then the same game at Walmart would have another edition.  I don't know, it could happen that way.  They do it with DVDs, where a special edition is exclusive to one particular store.  So, who knows if IE will do the same thing?  If not, it's okay.  But it would be interesting.  I recall Tommy saying that the physical media will have exclusives for different stores.  For example; Finnigan Fox at one store might come with a poster but another store selling that same game might include a keychain or something.  I'm not sure about this, but I'm just saying it's possible.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to the physical media.  I'm definitely getting all the Imagic physical games that come to Amico.

OEB Pete said in today's podcast that the Amico All Access will be Monday 6/14.  No time was given yet.

I'm staying with the same opinion I've had since day 1.  Looking forward to it, it gets here when it gets here. I've seen this so many times with many things other than a console system.  Super hype cycles, high expectations, over extended opinions.... Product gets released and it's a shit show of why's and how's... dissapointments, on and on...  And that has happened to products that were really good as well (HD Buell and the new water cooled motors).  Too many opinions...

There is no business school on this planet that could ever have prepared a small business owner like Tommy for what happened to this now massive global economy during "The Great Pandemic".  Toss in a ship going sideways in the Suez, Government issues, demand for electric everything all at once... And you are presented with a situation that you have no ability to control, other than tread water and wait to be pulled from the soup... hopefully intact enough to keep your business alive and functional.

No one ever expect this to happen , so I give the Amico and anything electronic that is trying to get out on the market strapped with chip delays and shortages a huge mulligan.   

It gets here when it gets here.  Maybe Tommy will release a few units at a time to some of us that can evaluate and give development  ideas...  It's not up to us, it's up to them.  But for now... Sit tight and keep the faith.  Eventually things have to get better.

This is off topic but I’m wondering what you guys think if the upcoming Playdate portable. I am a sucker for new, quirky and different. I’m tempted but afraid that this might be overly gimmicky. I also love the idea getting 24 surprise games too !  It just looks pretty cool. Thoughts ? I would have gone for the Analogue pocket but I don’t want to have to re-buy all my favorite gameboy games. They are crazy expensive now ! 

5 minutes ago, Cranker said:

This is off topic but I’m wondering what you guys think if the upcoming Playdate portable. I am a sucker for new, quirky and different. I’m tempted but afraid that this might be overly gimmicky. I love getting 24 surprise games too !  It just looks pretty cool. Thoughts ? I would have gone for the Analogue pocket but I don’t want to have to buy all my favorite gameboy games. They are crazy expensive now ! 

I think it's an interesting and unique handheld.  I'm looking forward to it.  I wish the price stayed where it was.  But it is what it is.  I'm glad they added double the games and increased the storage.  I'm wondering how many games will utilize the crank?  I figure most will.  By the way the company is doing a live event on their YT channel Tuesday 6/8 at 12pm ET.  I can't wait to see it.

5 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

I think it's an interesting and unique handheld.  I'm looking forward to it.  I wish the price stayed where it was.  But it is what it is.  I'm glad they added double the games and increased the storage.  The company is doing a live event on their YT channel Tuesday 6/8 at 12pm ET.  I can't wait to see it.

Me too ! I’m excited to see that 15 minute presentation. I will probably pre-order it just for fun ! At 179$ For the Playdate It’s hard to complain about 249$ for the Amico. I’m not really price sensitive though. I would pay probably pay 500$ for the Amico if I had too ! Lol 

5 minutes ago, Cranker said:

I’m excited to see that 15 minute presentation. I will probably pre-order it just for fun!

I wish the presentation was a bit longer but I'll take what I can get.  Hopefully pre-orders start sometime this week.  The company said they'll let us know when pre-orders go live.  I assume it'll be by email.  I'm on their email list.  I hope the handheld gets released this year.  Maybe by late summer or early fall.

14 hours ago, Saldo said:

See the thing I see flawed about that logic is that this was supposed to launch last 10/10/2020.  All of the things you mentioned should have already been ready to go for the original launch date.  More than likely when COVID shut downs hit in early 2020 that meant work on those items wasn’t able to be done since they weren’t able to work as a team on site.  That along with the supply issues was probably the cause of the first delay. I would think that by now most of that should be buttoned up and they should be in the polishing up phase.
 

...

People that have played it say they felt the system and games were ready to go.  That doesn't mean they won't stop improving it.  Just like everything else they will continue to improve the firmware after release as well.

3 hours ago, Saldo said:

Exactly my point. Be excited, but have some patience.  We are all adults here, not some adolescents who can’t wait for Santa to show on Christmas!

On 6/4/2021 at 11:13 PM, Alpha82 said:

What are your top 5 most anticipated games for Amico? They don’t have to be part of the first wave  of games. 
 

1. Horse Racing my dad and I played this game together a ton and I’m excited to have a chance to play it again, plus my grandma played a few races of Horse Racing on Intellivision with me and she is excited to try the new one.  I kind of hope that the horses are colored like the ones in The Emerald City in Oz because I think having red, purple, and pink horses available would be a lot of fun.

 

2. Night Stalker I’m a huge horror fan been watching scary movies since I was 5 and am excited for this game for that creepy atmosphere.

 

3. Snafoo my step brother and I played this game together a lot so I’m very excited to have a chance to play a new version.

 

4. Burgertime I was never great at this game but I’m looking forward to playing an updated version because it was so fun and the best version I ever got to play was the Intellivision one.

 

5. Earthworm Jim I’ve never gotten very far in the original games but love the humor of them.

To throw my two cents in:

1. Moon Patrol
2. MLB Baseball
3. Brain Duel
4. Cornhole
5. Bump n Jump/Burning Rubber

Honorable mentions for Frogger and Pac-Man because I love them so and pray Konami/Namco will hop on board post-release.

Top 5 anticipated games me:

1. Skiing

2. Cloudy Mountain

3. Baseball

4. Microsurgeon

5. Tron Deadly Discs