Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

18 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

Buzzkill

Just going by what Tommy wants with this system. Backtracking isn't simple. Usually is more complex and takes trial error and remembering things out of place or that you couldn't get through earlier.

And bah-humbug! 😋

13 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Just going by what Tommy wants with this system.

No. You're taking a shit in the punchbowl. 

Even I, a non-game designer can imagine how this type of game can be translated to multi-player, just by imagining the template of the old Lost Vikings 16 bit game mechanics to a larger Metroid type adventure. And I'm sure that real game designers can imagine much more than that with a ton more creativity than I could imagine.

2 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

No. You're taking a shit in the punchbowl. 

Even I, a non-game designer can imagine how this type of game can be translated to multi-player, just by imagining the template of the old Lost Vikings 16 bit game mechanics to a larger Metroid type adventure. And I'm sure that real game designers can imagine much more than that with a ton more creativity than I could imagine.

That was the punchbowl? Maybe I did have too much eggnog last night.

Can someone pick up Metroid or Castlevania SotN and quickly understand what is going on without even ever hearing about the term 'Metroidvania'? Unfortunately, no. They are not simple and easy to pick up games. For those of us who habe played them since forever they might be.

That's great that your non-game designer brain can think of fun multiplayer ideas. Can that same brain also explain how to make Metroid or Castlevania SotN or similar simpler? To keep the Metroidvania style? That just doesn't go with back to basic platforming like older Castlevania games? 

The problem isn't multiplayer. Its the simplicity of the game itself. 

I'd avoid drinking the punch.

I can't think of any RPG/quest game that is as easy to get onto for a beginner than a Metroidvania. They all start off very simple, and the fun of discovery builds from there on to the end. The difficulty & challenges of this type of game only build upon the skills learned from earlier exploration. 

It is a brilliant and classic genre. To say few people would "get it" is absurd. If the 1986 Metroid wasn't simple to get into, then it and the genre it spawned would've died with it. 

Intellivision Football is more complicated than Metroid. Hell, even the game on my avatar, Vetron is more complicated than Metroid.

14 hours ago, MarioMan88 said:

Any chance we get some cool 2.5D games like Castlevania? Platformer/rpg elements that are simple yet challenging.

Yes!

2 hours ago, Blarneo said:

I love, love, love Metroidvania games! Ori and the Blind Forest is my favorite Xbox One game and it's 2.5 D. Just stunningly beautiful and brutally hard. I'd love a system that gave them the premium showcase instead of relegating it to stocking stuffer status.

Agreed 100%!!

2 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

I doubt we would see metroidvania type games. Maybe something more straighforward like the older castlevania games. Decent platformer beats a go here amd backtrack game anyday.

 

With how Tommy talks about this though I wouldn't get too high of hopes past Arcade type experiences. That's why at this point I'm more interested in seeing what else they have up their sleeve. EWJ and 'The Ecco looking game'.

Never underestimate me. 

Lots of in depth games on the way as well.  It's not just a machine for kids.

But if I say that publicly right now... then we get compared to other machines on the market.  So it's a no win situation for me at this point (until people start seeing and playing the games).

41 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

That was the punchbowl? Maybe I did have too much eggnog last night.

 

Can someone pick up Metroid or Castlevania SotN and quickly understand what is going on without even ever hearing about the term 'Metroidvania'? Unfortunately, no. They are not simple and easy to pick up games. For those of us who habe played them since forever they might be.

 

That's great that your non-game designer brain can think of fun multiplayer ideas. Can that same brain also explain how to make Metroid or Castlevania SotN or similar simpler? To keep the Metroidvania style? That just doesn't go with back to basic platforming like older Castlevania games? 

 

The problem isn't multiplayer. Its the simplicity of the game itself. 

 

I'd avoid drinking the punch.

Don't take the Commandments too literally.  As I've said in the past... it's just a general rule.  Not an end all be all.



 

8 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

I can't think of any RPG/quest game that is as easy to get onto for a beginner than a Metroidvania. They all start off very simple, and the fun of discovery builds from there on to the end. The difficulty & challenges of this type of game only build upon the skills learned from earlier exploration. 

 

It is a brilliant and classic genre. To say few people would "get it" is absurd. If the 1986 Metroid wasn't simple to get into, then it and the genre it spawned would've died with it. 

 

Intellivision Football is more complicated than Metroid. Hell, even the game on my avatar, Vetron is more complicated than Metroid.

Utopia is more complicated than all of them... yet that one is coming! 

Merry Christmas!!

Just now, Tommy Tallarico said:

Merry Christmas Tommy.  Thanks for being a "lurker" and bringing this whole idea to fruition.  From my family to yours, have a safe and peaceful Holiday season. 

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Don't take the Commandments too literally.  As I've said in the past... it's just a general rule.  Not an end all be all.

I'd still avoid the punch as there seems to be shit in it apparantly. 

So split screen games like Pac Man Vs are a possibility then?

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Got the family friendly kid vibe down pat 100%. Like it.

24 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

Intellivision Football is more complicated than Metroid.

That made me chuckle. Thanks!

Will there be any kind of joystick controller for this new Intellivision? I would buy the console if there was something other than a disc controller. Sorry if this has been addressed as I have not followed this really.

42 minutes ago, AtariBrian said:

Will there be any kind of joystick controller for this new Intellivision? I would buy the console if there was something other than a disc controller. Sorry if this has been addressed as I have not followed this really.

I'm interested in this as well (although i'm down with the disc controllers themselves).  Thinking it could be possible with the USB ports featured on the back of the console?

42 minutes ago, AtariBrian said:

Will there be any kind of joystick controller for this new Intellivision? I would buy the console if there was something other than a disc controller. Sorry if this has been addressed as I have not followed this really.

My guess is probably not unless it incorporates the touchscreen on the disc paddles. Those will aid in making the Amico games only possible on Amico. The legacy Intv games would need the touch screen too for the number pad.

Hope that isn't a make or break. The disc pad looks like it will work well. I know the original took a little getting use to but from looks this looks better.

47 minutes ago, AtariBrian said:

Will there be any kind of joystick controller for this new Intellivision? I would buy the console if there was something other than a disc controller. Sorry if this has been addressed as I have not followed this really.

We have both Bluetooth and WiFi connections for controllers.  So, in theory... you could use any of those types of joysticks if you'd like.  But for the most part... you wouldn't really be able to play the games as you need the touchscreen.  We may work on a joystick w/screen version... but not on launch.  Something to roll out in 2021 if the demand is high enough.

5 minutes ago, uglyclone said:

I'm interested in this as well (although i'm down with the disc controllers themselves).  Thinking it could be possible with the USB ports featured on the back of the console?

Yes... you could connect a USB controller like that as well.

20 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have both Bluetooth and WiFi connections for controllers.  So, in theory... you could use any of those types of joysticks if you'd like.  But for the most part... you wouldn't really be able to play the games as you need the touchscreen.  We may work on a joystick w/screen version... but not on launch.  Something to roll out in 2021 if the demand is high enough.

 

 

Just give those guys Sticklers.  

9 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yes!

Thanks, anticipation continues to build!!! I am hoping the Amico can satisfy my gaming needs and replace our family gaming machine(the Wii). Can’t wait to play some of the board games you have in store for us next Christmas!

10 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Lots of in depth games on the way as well. 

What type of depth are we talking? I know you can't say what the specific games are but can you give like an idea of a type of game you have in mind? I'm really curious because this statement is really a departure from everything you've pushed so far in terms of family friendly, easy to pick up, casual gaming and that type of gamer.

Games like Metroid or newer Castlevanias are not casual gaming. My wife is not a gamer and while I've got her to try a lot out she would never pick up those two games. The only reason I got her to play something like Star Wars Battlefront was because she is a nerd and likes Star Wars. She did think the Moon Patrol demo looked neat, took her a minute to get the controls down though.

So like I said this comment intrigues me, and I have a few examples I can think of off top my head of games with different degrees or types of depth...

Like is it a deep game as in a character collection game like Crossy Road? Where it's basically Frogger but you can unlock different characters to cross. So it is still arcade like in nature, but have to purchase (not with real money) the characters you unlock.

Deep game in terms of building/living/interacting like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing?

Deep as in amount to unlock and random generation, like something like Gungeon?

Deep as in crafting survival stuff like in Starbound?

Deep creation as a Intv game maker (something in the vein of Mario Maker)?

Depth as something like Star Ocean/Chrono Trigger in which there are multiple endings?

I know we touched a little on the depth of some board games. D&D vs Carcassonne vs Sorry etc.

Sorry about the load of examples. Just really curious and looking into why this might be a system that would appeal more to my brother who will delve into games with lots of playtime. He will play Metroid Prime and scan everything he can find but wouldn't care about Moon Patrol or other similar arcade games. Thanks for clarifying what you can!

42 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

What type of depth are we talking? I know you can't say what the specific games are but can you give like an idea of a type of game you have in mind? I'm really curious because this statement is really a departure from everything you've pushed so far in terms of family friendly, easy to pick up, casual gaming and that type of gamer.

 

Games like Metroid or newer Castlevanias are not casual gaming. My wife is not a gamer and while I've got her to try a lot out she would never pick up those two games. The only reason I got her to play something like Star Wars Battlefront was because she is a nerd and likes Star Wars. She did think the Moon Patrol demo looked neat, took her a minute to get the controls down though.

 

So like I said this comment intrigues me, and I have a few examples I can think of off top my head of games with different degrees or types of depth...

 

Like is it a deep game as in a character collection game like Crossy Road? Where it's basically Frogger but you can unlock different characters to cross. So it is still arcade like in nature, but have to purchase (not with real money) the characters you unlock.

 

Deep game in terms of building/living/interacting like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing?

 

Deep as in amount to unlock and random generation, like something like Gungeon?

 

Deep as in crafting survival stuff like in Starbound?

 

Deep creation as a Intv game maker (something in the vein of Mario Maker)?

 

Depth as something like Star Ocean/Chrono Trigger in which there are multiple endings?

 

I know we touched a little on the depth of some board games. D&D vs Carcassonne vs Sorry etc.

 

Sorry about the load of examples. Just really curious and looking into why this might be a system that would appeal more to my brother who will delve into games with lots of playtime. He will play Metroid Prime and scan everything he can find but wouldn't care about Moon Patrol or other similar arcade games. Thanks for clarifying what you can!

I don’t see games like castlevania being a problem on the system if they take an old school approach you know a jump button an attack button up and attack for special weapons like nes days 

5 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

What type of depth are we talking? I know you can't say what the specific games are but can you give like an idea of a type of game you have in mind? I'm really curious because this statement is really a departure from everything you've pushed so far in terms of family friendly, easy to pick up, casual gaming and that type of gamer.

From the amico website:

"... games designed for every type of gamer, including young, old, casual, and hardcore."