Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

43 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... there are a few different "worlds" for SNAFOO (notice new family friendly spelling). 

I picked the circuit board one for the trailer because....  TRON! 

p.s. BigDummy is our Art Director Mike Dietz.  Hahaha!  He chose the name!

John is our Sr. Software Tech Director and Jeff is one of our Hardware Engineers.

 

 

Yes I hesitated between Tron and Snafoo!

Can you give us an example from this game that will equilibrate the level between an expert player and a novice one ?

The speed of each snake ? ( Are they snakes ? lol ) Maybe a vehicle coming directly from Tron!

Now I have to ask my girlfriend if she wants something from the store while we can save 25% on all items ! THANKS !

I will take the mug with the special ability ... I wonder what will appear with a hot liquid inside ... Maybe a screenshot from Horse Racing !! lol

Thank you.

Looks like a power switch, but is a spring loaded latch that flings the controllers to you so you don't have to get off of the couch.

12 minutes ago, Swami said:

Looks like a power switch, but is a spring loaded latch that flings the controllers to you so you don't have to get off of the couch.

Thanks !

That is the next thing I wanted to show. Looks like a reset button, but I think it's not.

Under it's something we can connect, but what !?

5 hours ago, LePionnier said:

 

So that's probably Snafu ! It was one of 10 games that I was enjoying a lot 37 years ago !

 

 

 

I really like the design. And as I see, we will have new challenges, like obstacles and holes !!

Really cool to see this level on a sort of motherboard ! Probably with different levels, that's a nice surprise and really appreciate !

It reminds me of games like micro machine, so levels can take place with different scenery.

 

319 Days to go ...

 

Can we have a picture of horse racing please for Christmas !

Have a nice day everyone.

I just noticed the running man inspired chip on the board in the Snafu screenshot 

One of the two things must be the "button". It probably has more functions than we imagine and this is why even Paul had to ask Tommy.

The other thing must be something similar. The microphone, speaker and camera on the controllers were already confirmed, right?

Maybe the button is for locating missing controllers. With all this talk of couch play, only natural they might get lost between cushions.  🤣

1 hour ago, Swami said:

 

I think it's the button that will activate the foot massage! (put feet in place of joysticks) lol 🤣

I think I've guessed one of the Amico's secret features.  It's also a defibrillator for when us aging gamers over exert ourselves on the more physical games.  Just slap those controllers on the chest, shout "clear", press the running man button and fingers crossed, life saved.😁

15 minutes ago, save2600 said:

With all this talk of couch play, only natural they might get lost between cushions.  🤣

Wait a minute!!!...

20 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

I think it's the button that will activate the foot massage! (put feet in place of joysticks) lol 🤣

Don't be ridiculous! That is where you *plug in* the foot massager. It's a two for one bundle at Bed Bath. 😂

2 hours ago, Swami said:

Looks like a power switch, but is a spring loaded latch that flings the controllers to you so you don't have to get off of the couch.

 

42 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

I think it's the button that will activate the foot massage! (put feet in place of joysticks) lol 🤣

41 minutes ago, insertclevernamehere said:

I think I've guessed one of the Amico's secret features.  It's also a defibrillator for when us aging gamers over exert ourselves on the more physical games.  Just slap those controllers on the chest, shout "clear", press the running man button and fingers crossed, life saved.😁

You know your old when none of these sound like bad features

On 11/26/2019 at 7:21 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

...

 

Thanks for your support and please feel free to ask any questions you'd like and I'll try to answer them best I can (given the restrictions I have because of patents and PR/Marketing release schedules.  Thank you for recognizing the passion and hard work... everyone in the Intellivision office is the same way and it's really going to show in the final product.  Can't wait to share more info with you!!



 

Hey mate, thanks for the reply. Haha, weird you said you prefer the North Island - most visitors say the South Island because of the scenery etc. I'm a proud Aucklander (the most hated people in New Zealand, lol).

I just visited the Intellivision website and the games running in the vid definitley look fun! What's the top down racer? It's only shown for a split second but I want to play it already (racers are my jam) - and the one with the cars on the figure 8 track!

It's funny - the other day I watched Elon Musk's reveal of the Cybertruck and I was thinking "what the hell is that god awful thing? This must be a joke!" but the more I look at it, the more I realise it's about the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life and I want (but can't afford) one! It was the same with the Amico - I think that's the thing with products that break away from 'the norm'. I now absolutely love the design of the Amico (even though I'm guilty of making the odd footbath joke initially)  - so much so that I'm honestly torn as to which colour scheme I'll go for - and as I said, I'm super intrigued about the controllers.

Anyway, good to talk to you. I've been a big fan ever since reading an interview with you in a gaming mag back in the Genesis days. I actually used to buy games if I saw they had your name attached as I was (and still am) really into the music side of things and you'd become what Rob Hubbard was to me in the '80s - which reminds me, I recently added Wild 9 to my collection and I've yet to play it! Not trying to kiss your butt or anything, it's just true, haha. BIG fan of Dave Perry, too. People who create what they want to create rather than what they think will be commercially successful will always get my vote - RC Stunt Copter was genius (and I still suck at it)! I take the same approach to my game dev (after years of taking the opposite approach with mobile games and failing miserably and generally feeling crap about myself), which is why I'm now making a Mega Drive game - because it's fun. If it sells, it sells. If it doesn't, I had a heap of fun making it and I'm learning all the time. I honestly believe that eventually the success comes as a biproduct of the passion. I mean, it worked for Elon!

Anyway, I reckon you'll have a huge hit on your hands with Amico.

On 11/26/2019 at 9:33 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

Nope... way more hidden.  Yet right in front of everyone.  

 

 

Camera on the controller?

EDIT: NVM, someone asked that. lol.

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... there are a few different "worlds" for SNAFOO (notice new family friendly spelling). 

Considering what the F stands for in SNAFU, to make it family friendly shouldn't it have been changed to SNAPHU? 

9 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Yes I hesitated between Tron and Snafoo!

 

 

Can you give us an example from this game that will equilibrate the level between an expert player and a novice one ?

The speed of each snake ? ( Are they snakes ? lol ) Maybe a vehicle coming directly from Tron!

 

Now I have to ask my girlfriend if she wants something from the store while we can save 25% on all items ! THANKS !

I will take the mug with the special ability ... I wonder what will appear with a hot liquid inside ... Maybe a screenshot from Horse Racing !! lol

Thank you.

 

For SNAFOO we have added "power-ups".  Speed-up, Slow-down, etc.  The person in last place will likely get more power-ups around them... and ones that will be useful for their given situation.

9 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Thanks !

That is the next thing I wanted to show. Looks like a reset button, but I think it's not.

Under it's something we can connect, but what !?

Nah... it's the ON button.  On our prototypes it is non-functional.

8 hours ago, Alpha82 said:

I just noticed the running man inspired chip on the board in the Snafu screenshot 

Great eye!

We have so many Easter Eggs in every single game!!  A real Intellivision fan is going to have field day!

8 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

One of the two things must be the "button". It probably has more functions than we imagine and this is why even Paul had to ask Tommy.

 

The other thing must be something similar. The microphone, speaker and camera on the controllers were already confirmed, right?

Kinda something to do with buttons... but not what you are expecting. 

7 hours ago, insertclevernamehere said:

I think I've guessed one of the Amico's secret features.  It's also a defibrillator for when us aging gamers over exert ourselves on the more physical games.  Just slap those controllers on the chest, shout "clear", press the running man button and fingers crossed, life saved.😁

HAHAHHAA!!   That was a good one. 

5 hours ago, MantaNZ said:

Hey mate, thanks for the reply. Haha, weird you said you prefer the North Island - most visitors say the South Island because of the scenery etc. I'm a proud Aucklander (the most hated people in New Zealand, lol).

 

I just visited the Intellivision website and the games running in the vid definitley look fun! What's the top down racer? It's only shown for a split second but I want to play it already (racers are my jam) - and the one with the cars on the figure 8 track!

 

It's funny - the other day I watched Elon Musk's reveal of the Cybertruck and I was thinking "what the hell is that god awful thing? This must be a joke!" but the more I look at it, the more I realise it's about the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life and I want (but can't afford) one! It was the same with the Amico - I think that's the thing with products that break away from 'the norm'. I now absolutely love the design of the Amico (even though I'm guilty of making the odd footbath joke initially)  - so much so that I'm honestly torn as to which colour scheme I'll go for - and as I said, I'm super intrigued about the controllers.

 

Anyway, good to talk to you. I've been a big fan ever since reading an interview with you in a gaming mag back in the Genesis days. I actually used to buy games if I saw they had your name attached as I was (and still am) really into the music side of things and you'd become what Rob Hubbard was to me in the '80s - which reminds me, I recently added Wild 9 to my collection and I've yet to play it! Not trying to kiss your butt or anything, it's just true, haha. BIG fan of Dave Perry, too. People who create what they want to create rather than what they think will be commercially successful will always get my vote - RC Stunt Copter was genius (and I still suck at it)! I take the same approach to my game dev (after years of taking the opposite approach with mobile games and failing miserably and generally feeling crap about myself), which is why I'm now making a Mega Drive game - because it's fun. If it sells, it sells. If it doesn't, I had a heap of fun making it and I'm learning all the time. I honestly believe that eventually the success comes as a biproduct of the passion. I mean, it worked for Elon!

 

Anyway, I reckon you'll have a huge hit on your hands with Amico.

Thanks for the kind words.  Crazy to me that someone halfway around the world knows and listens to my music.  Such a cool honor to have.  Thank-you for your years of support!!

The top down racer is the new version of Auto Racing.  I can't say what the other is right now... but it is SUPER FUN and uses the screens on the controller like no other game has ever done!  People REALLY love it!  And you don't need to be a gamer to pick it up, play it and become addicted quickly.

Yeah... Dave Perry has been my best friend for 30 years.  I was the best man at his wedding... and he was the best man at mine. 

Dave is also one of the co-founders of the new Intellivision as well!  Dave has given a lot of great ideas and focus to Amico.  Definitely couldn't do this without him.

Looking forward to speaking with you more.

4 hours ago, Lathe26 said:

 

Considering what the F stands for in SNAFU, to make it family friendly shouldn't it have been changed to SNAPHU? 

Then it would be pronounced...   "SNAP  WHO?"

T.T.

#1 - I got in my tshirt and gold ticket!  thanks again, great quality on the shirt

#2 - secret surrounding that button:  What none of us knew is that Amico is actually a clam shell design, so that button can lift up the top part (that charges the controllers) so that you can fit the physical media inside.  The controllers don't fall out cause they are magnetized.  I'm brilliant

Yeah, no. LOL

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

And you don't need to be a gamer to pick it up, play it and become addicted quickly.

This is EXACTLY why I want an Amico. I'm a massive gamer - I play them, make them and have a room dedicated to them (we only live in a humble three bedroom home and one of them is ALL MINE). Problem is my girlfriend isn't into them at all. And when she does try she gets frustrated by the controls. And retro games don't help because they tend to be too hard. I also have a 9 month old and I want to be able to create some damned cool couch co-op family memories!

That reminds me - I hate the term couch co-op. In my day it was just multiplayer. Haha. 

More ideas for potential Amico games:

- Tommy Tallarico Simulator: The Music or Video Games Live: The Game: In this musical game, up to 4 players could use their controllers to replicate the famous video game songs that Tommy's orchestra plays in each concert. Both cooperative and competitive modes could be included, and the players could choose which of the instruments to play, with the possibility of controlling Tommy himself and direct the orchestra. The controls would be similar to Beatmania on the PS1, using the D-Disc and all the triggers and buttons available (by the way, I just realized that Beatmania special controllers look quite similar to Intellivision controllers due to the disc!).

- Tommy Tallarico Simulator: The Finances or Console Wars 2020: In this strategy game, you'd control the CEO of a company that is about to release a console intro a crowded market. Your goal would be to design the console to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers and to gain visibility. The menus would be simple and polished but the game wouldn't be easy to win. One of the options in the main menu would be a "Research" button where you could use a fake Google system to search the websites that mention your console in the last 24 hours.

Yeah, yeah, I know... the second one is too complicated for this system. The musical game, on the other hand... 🧐

4 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

More ideas for potential Amico games:

 

- Tommy Tallarico Simulator: The Music or Video Games Live: The Game: In this musical game, up to 4 players could use their controllers to replicate the famous video game songs that Tommy's orchestra plays in each concert. Both cooperative and competitive modes could be included, and the players could choose which of the instruments to play, with the possibility of controlling Tommy himself and direct the orchestra. The controls would be similar to Beatmania on the PS1, using the D-Disc and all the triggers and buttons available (by the way, I just realized that Beatmania special controllers look quite similar to Intellivision controllers due to the disc!).

 

- Tommy Tallarico Simulator: The Finances or Console Wars 2020: In this strategy game, you'd control the CEO of a company that is about to release a console intro a crowded market. Your goal would be to design the console to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers and to gain visibility. The menus would be simple and polished but the game wouldn't be easy to win. One of the options in the main menu would be a "Research" button where you could use a fake Google system to search the websites that mention your console in the last 24 hours.

 

Yeah, yeah, I know... the second one is too complicated for this system. The musical game, on the other hand... 🧐

Conductor Hero.