Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

I think Amico has Nintendo slightly worried judging by the newsletter that's just landed in my inbox: 

56 minutes ago, adam1977 said:

I think Amico has Nintendo slightly worried judging by the newsletter that's just landed in my inbox: 

 

I also thought about it but they send that kind of newsletter (games with multiplayer modes, games for the whole family, etc.) very often though, so I just think it's a funny coincidence; it's Christmas after all! Besides mainstream marketing for Amico hasn't really started yet, so I think Nintendo will get more aggressive next year - next holiday season will be interesting...

2 hours ago, adam1977 said:

I think Amico has Nintendo slightly worried judging by the newsletter that's just landed in my inbox: 

 

The picture is broken for me. I can't see it.

1 hour ago, Serguei2 said:

The picture is broken for me. I can't see it.

For me as well, but the Character Sequence   look pretty interesting...  lol 

6 hours ago, mr_me said:

From the amico website:

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

Thanks for the quote but that does nothing to answer my question. And EVERY system will have games that appeal to them. Its just the percentages vary.

There will be games that anyone can enjoy but he has made it clear he is not aiming for hardcore gamers. And hardcore gamers are not just those that play FPS. What about a Diablo type game  done in 2d that has multiple levels of dungeons/missions?

My brother also enjoyed playing Wii bowling with me but that doesn't mean the Wii was MADE for him in mind.

There is a difference between there will be games everyone can enjoy and this is a system made for everyone. It is like saying, "My wife is a non-gamer and she plays XboxOne. Therefore XboxOne is made for non-gamers."

Sorry guys 

On 12/24/2019 at 5:55 PM, Blarneo said:

Hey Tommy, I got a subject that isn't addressed my most corporate content providers that I recently found to be a serious dilemma. 

 

How to transfer user licenses to another user, due to relationship breakups. My Ex & I bought a bunch of Xbox games for use on my Xbox over the last 5 years. MS has no game use license transfer program in place, so he can't get those games he bought, even if I gave him the console, since they're all under my Microsoft account. If this were the old days, then I'd just pack up his cartridges and send them to him. Can't do that now.

 

It used to be that you glared at each other for an hour separating the record or movie collection and getting the Hell out of there. They even wrote songs about it.

Nowadays it's on digital files that usage rights can't be gifted or transferred. One party ends up keeps it all, while the other gets screwed with nothing. Forcing one of them to re-purchase the movies, music, games etc. they bought together. 

 

I'm sure it's about agreements between 3rd party publishers & MS, but there should be a way without a company double dipping themselves on past purchases because relationships end. Warner Bros doesn't need to sell that piece of crap Rampage movie a second time.

Since Intellivision is the sole publisher of Amico games, can Intellivision look into a way to do game license transfers?

We have spoken about this and are looking for a potential solution.  The issue is always copy protection.  Any potential backdoor will be hacked and the entire project and life of the product could be comprised because of piracy. 

Especially with the way we are being open about giving people the opportunity to share games with each other.  Transferring a digital product forever is a little more difficult.  Especially considering the price points we are talking about for our products and the way they get "married" to a specific machine and controllers.

But it is something we have been discussing and thinking about.  I just don't have an answer for you at this moment.

12 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.

 

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!

Deep as in D&D: Cloudy Mountain or Utopia.

 

6 hours ago, mr_me said:

From the amico website:

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

Yeah... we are really trying to create games for everyone.  But like I've said previously... if we say that now then people won't believe us, will get our messaging confused, will tell us we can't compete with the likes of the big 3, etc., etc., etc...  it just opens a huge can of worms at this point.  So we stay in our family friendly lane.  People understand and appreciate the difference of what we're doing.  But yes... there will be in depth games as well that will NOT be a casual experience.  Even a game like Night Stalker I wouldn't consider casual.  It's more of a hardcore gamer type experience... but with easy to understand controls and objectives. 

3 hours ago, roots.genoa said:

I also thought about it but they send that kind of newsletter (games with multiplayer modes, games for the whole family, etc.) very often though, so I just think it's a funny coincidence; it's Christmas after all! Besides mainstream marketing for Amico hasn't really started yet, so I think Nintendo will get more aggressive next year - next holiday season will be interesting...

Some of my friends at Nintendo US have told me that everyone there on every level is watching what we're doing and word has gotten to Japan.  So it wouldn't surprise me.

But it doesn't matter.  They are what they are... and we are what we are.  Both can exist and survive no problem.  Not many casual/non-gamers bought a Switch for themselves (like they did with the Wii)... Our audience is more like the Wii... not the Switch.  2 different audiences which is apparent from the 50 million sales differential between the Switch & Wii. 

29 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Thanks for the quote but that does nothing to answer my question. And EVERY system will have games that appeal to them. Its just the percentages vary.

 

There will be games that anyone can enjoy but he has made it clear he is not aiming for hardcore gamers. And hardcore gamers are not just those that play FPS. What about a Diablo type game  done in 2d that has multiple levels of dungeons/missions?

 

My brother also enjoyed playing Wii bowling with me but that doesn't mean the Wii was MADE for him in mind.

 

There is a difference between there will be games everyone can enjoy and this is a system made for everyone. It is like saying, "My wife is a non-gamer and she plays XboxOne. Therefore XboxOne is made for non-gamers."

I would describe it as the following...

There are games everyone can enjoy and it's a system that is made for everyone... especially non-gamers, casual gamers, groups of people in the same room and gamers who feel left behind with all the recent modern day complexity, violence and nonsense that gaming has become.

The non-gaming wife will play Amico because she wants to... not because she was forced. 

I would also argue that there is no such thing as a non-gamer who plays the Xbox One.  If you are playing Xbox... then you are at the very least... a casual gamer IMO.

From their "Play Together" video.

All you need is 8 Switches!  $2,500+  Woo-hoo!

12 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

From their "Play Together" video.

 

All you need is 8 Switches!  $2,500+  Woo-hoo!

 

 

 

 

Add Roughly 33% more for us Canadians...  What a great deal for Nintendo!!!  Yup casual coop gaming for the average working class family.  Sure ...

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

But it doesn't matter.  They are what they are... and we are what we are.  Both can exist and survive no problem. 

... And the curly haired one clutches the pearls.😂

46 minutes ago, m-crew said:

Add Roughly 33% more for us Canadians...  What a great deal for Nintendo!!!  Yup casual coop gaming for the average working class family.  Sure ...

Plus tax, plus games. 

3 hours ago, adam1977 said:

Sorry guys 

 

Is this Nintendo's answer to Amico? 

They are scared from a console not released yet.

Booooooooooo! 👿

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Plus tax, plus games. 

 

 

Probably true but games at $80 are more contents than $5-$10.

1 minute ago, BatmanVsCatwoman said:

Is this Nintendo's answer to Amico? 

 

They are scared from a console not released yet.

 

Booooooooooo! 👿

 

Probably true but games at $80 are more contents than $5-$10.

Agreed.

4 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have spoken about this and are looking for a potential solution.  The issue is always copy protection.  Any potential backdoor will be hacked and the entire project and life of the product could be comprised because of piracy. 

Especially with the way we are being open about giving people the opportunity to share games with each other.  Transferring a digital product forever is a little more difficult.  Especially considering the price points we are talking about for our products and the way they get "married" to a specific machine and controllers.

But it is something we have been discussing and thinking about.  I just don't have an answer for you at this moment.

 

 

Illegal hacks and pirating software will never be stopped, it just has to be monitored and controlled as best possible. From the first BBS's, Napster, Rom websites, Pirate Bay...etc . It unfortunately will always be there.  The thing that drives many hackers is incentive, meaning what do I get from this.  Just the fact that the games will be mostly less than $10 or in that range is a show stopper for many hackers.  It's like saying I'm going to hack Firefox over M$ Explorer or Google Chrome.  What the hell is the point.

The thing you guys need to watch, is what Nintendo did and did well... Shut down almost every ROM site with enormous legal fees regarding unlawful storage and distribution.  I get it, they have the resources to do so, but that's how it was done.   Are there other avenues to find ROMs, yes, but play that game at your own risk at this point.

As far as sharing the games...will be tough.  Back in the day we swapped cartridges and floppies like no one's business.  It was part of the fun of the consoles and C64 days.  But I think the price point alone will keep things honest for many.

Then of course there is your community that knows and sees and can help be your eyes and ears.  Reporting illegal internet pirating of your software needs no incentive.

31 minutes ago, BatmanVsCatwoman said:

Probably true but games at $80 are more contents than $5-$10.

For couch co-op though?   I've played $15 couch co-ops longer than my $100 version of Red Dead Redemption II.  

 

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have spoken about this and are looking for a potential solution.  The issue is always copy protection.  Any potential backdoor will be hacked and the entire project and life of the product could be comprised because of piracy. 

Especially with the way we are being open about giving people the opportunity to share games with each other.  Transferring a digital product forever is a little more difficult.  Especially considering the price points we are talking about for our products and the way they get "married" to a specific machine and controllers.

But it is something we have been discussing and thinking about.  I just don't have an answer for you at this moment.

 

 

Transferring a license has nothing to do with piracy, it's just a matter of policy.  It should be a simple administrative service should you want to do it.  You could charge a transfer fee but the games are already low cost.  Other companies don't allow transfers because it cuts into their profits; money for nothing.

1 hour ago, BatmanVsCatwoman said:

....

Probably true but games at $80 are more contents than $5-$10.

Hours and hours of content that you will never play again vs a simpler fun game that you can play forever.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

For couch co-op though?   I've played $15 couch co-ops longer than my $100 version of Red Dead Redemption II.  

 

That and I expect a lot more out of a $100 game than something buggy, incomplete, clipping issues...etc.  Patch after patch... we've all seen plenty of companies do that as well.

Now a $15 game that replays over and over...let's go again...I'll beat you this time... that's a bargain.  Look at the model of your ancient arcade games.  $.25... all day long if you were good.

" Transferring a license has nothing to do with piracy, it's just a matter of policy.  It should be a simple administrative service should you want to do it.  You could charge a transfer fee but the games are already low cost.  Other companies don't allow transfers because it cuts into their profits; money for nothing. "

I don't think they want the support overhead, if this is a manual intervention.  This should be a user task.

However, making "tools" available could open doors for pirates.

I expect the low cost games to help prevent  the issue.  Gee, I hope so anyway!

I plan on buying more than one system.  Game Room and Living Room. 

I am hoping a registered location will allow game sharing, even if the "key" is needed on a wired LAN.  Some combo of mac address and subnet etc.

OR can I bring a controller from room to room to grant access?

I truly HATE drm.  I understand why we have it.  But I think of movies obtained from Amazon that I cannot access any longer.  Anyone buy a DIVX player...Sorry, you cannot play any of your content...

Maybe that is why I like my carts/discs so much :)  Plus we collect them all  LOL.   

How does Netflix control their illegal account uses?  Maybe something like having to input the MAC address of your wireless router for security?  

On 12/25/2019 at 2:55 PM, Blarneo said:

Hey Tommy, I got a subject that isn't addressed my most corporate content providers that I recently found to be a serious dilemma. 

 

How to transfer user licenses to another user, due to relationship breakups. My Ex & I bought a bunch of Xbox games for use on my Xbox over the last 5 years. MS has no game use license transfer program in place, so he can't get those games he bought, even if I gave him the console, since they're all under my Microsoft account. If this were the old days, then I'd just pack up his cartridges and send them to him. Can't do that now.

 

It used to be that you glared at each other for an hour separating the record or movie collection and getting the Hell out of there. They even wrote songs about it.

Nowadays it's on digital files that usage rights can't be gifted or transferred. One party ends up keeps it all, while the other gets screwed with nothing. Forcing one of them to re-purchase the movies, music, games etc. they bought together. 

 

I'm sure it's about agreements between 3rd party publishers & MS, but there should be a way without a company double dipping themselves on past purchases because relationships end. Warner Bros doesn't need to sell that piece of crap Rampage movie a second time.

Since Intellivision is the sole publisher of Amico games, can Intellivision look into a way to do game license transfers?

I have a solution:

Scream "No! Mine! Buy your own f%&*ing Amico!" before you even buy a single game together. Bonus is the relationship might end there and you'll never have to worry about it