Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

8 hours ago, Blarneo said:

Don't be surprised, that if Amico is wildly successful

IF? 

1 hour ago, IntelliMission said:

The question is, will the same parents understand that the Amico is a great product for them instead of the much more famous Nintendo? Most people are not aware of the new Nintendo policies that allow gore and nudity and will eternally associate the brand to a safe environment for children.

There's your problem which I've alluded to earlier. If they ALREADY have an Xbox or whatever, you are not probably going to be able to get it from that kid.

If you have a problem with the gorey games a kid is playing the bigger issue is YOU not the console. It doesn't matter if its an Xbox, Switch, PS, or Amico, YOU (the parent) should always be involved with what your kid is doing. 

This will probably do better with younger families or just starting families. Most gamer teens I know would laugh at the idea of this console. There are going to be some OBSTACLES for this thing for sure. I'm hoping it does well.

Which makes me think of the whole phone thing. If kids are casual gamers playing on their phone they are already exposed to crap as bad or worse than those pictures Tommy posted earlier.

Here's an interesting French article about all the consoles that will be released in 2020: Xbox Series X, PS5, Playdate, PC Engine Mini, Atari VCS... : voici les nouvelles consoles de jeux de 2020

(Google translation: Xbox Series X, PS5, Playdate, PC Engine Mini, Atari VCS...: here are the new game consoles of 2020)

They treat the VCS with way too much respect ("Atari is alive and doing well") and totally ignore the couch co-op approach of the Amico. A bit weird that the PCEngine Mini appears before Amico and Playdate, too. But it's nice to see some journalist realize that 2020 is going to be the biggest year in history when it comes to console releases.

Don't forget gang ...  First rule before the 10 commandments, you have to call it Amico instead of the Amico !

2 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Here's an interesting French article about all the consoles that will be released in 2020: Xbox Series X, PS5, Playdate, PC Engine Mini, Atari VCS... : voici les nouvelles consoles de jeux de 2020

 

(Google translation: Xbox Series X, PS5, Playdate, PC Engine Mini, Atari VCS...: here are the new game consoles of 2020)

 

They treat the VCS with way too much respect ("Atari is alive and doing well") and totally ignore the couch co-op approach of the Amico.

CNEWS is a very mainstream medium (it's a TV channel first and foremost) and there is no real point of view here, just basic 'facts' from press releases - even if they forgot a few ones, yes. When they write "Atari is alive and doing well", they just remind that Atari still exists while most people probably think it disappeared long ago.

3 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

There's your problem which I've alluded to earlier. If they ALREADY have an Xbox or whatever, you are not probably going to be able to get it from that kid.

 

If you have a problem with the gorey games a kid is playing the bigger issue is YOU not the console. It doesn't matter if its an Xbox, Switch, PS, or Amico, YOU (the parent) should always be involved with what your kid is doing. 

 

This will probably do better with younger families or just starting families. Most gamer teens I know would laugh at the idea of this console. There are going to be some OBSTACLES for this thing for sure. I'm hoping it does well.

 

Which makes me think of the whole phone thing. If kids are casual gamers playing on their phone they are already exposed to crap as bad or worse than those pictures Tommy posted earlier.

 

Yes there will be obstacles but there are a few things that in my mind show the one you bring up about Xbox owners has been considered and planned for I’d be willing to bet. 1. Intellivision said early on that the buyers of Xbox/PS won’t be the first to buy Amico, but due to pricing and word of mouth it could still find its way into a Xbox/PS household. For example maybe they go to a friends house who has one and they have a great time playing games together so they ask for one for a holiday.

2. Price point is huge because it’s so much more affordable than other systems that it will be easier to get into without breaking the bank.

3. Experience of the Marketing Department having been involved in the launch of Nintendo consoles from SNES to Wii/DS I’m fairly confident they know how to market a console. 
Yes I realize Intellivision doesn’t have the brand recognition of Nintendo but since they are going after a casual gaming market that’s ok their marketing just has to be on point and given the experience of marketing and Intellivision’s clear message I think that is very doable.  
 

4. Overall experience of the team involved and the obvious passion everyone has shown. I realize experience and passion won’t equal success on its own it does in my mind at least give it a much better chance for success than other recent releases on the market because they have been at every level of the gaming industry and have learned what works and what doesn’t and bring that knowledge to this project.
 

Only time will tell if this will be a success but with the team in place that Intellivision has it seems to me odds should be good for success marketing and games will be key Tommy has said this since day 1 with that being a focus I am just looking forward to watching the marketing plan unfold.  That to me is one of the most amazing things about this thread and how open Tommy has been we will get to see this marketing pan unfold before our eyes knowing so much before it starts we will be able to see if it hits home like they think it will and hopefully look forward to a bright future with Intellivision 

5 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Here's an interesting French article about all the consoles that will be released in 2020: Xbox Series X, PS5, Playdate, PC Engine Mini, Atari VCS... : voici les nouvelles consoles de jeux de 2020

 

(Google translation: Xbox Series X, PS5, Playdate, PC Engine Mini, Atari VCS...: here are the new game consoles of 2020)

 

They treat the VCS with way too much respect ("Atari is alive and doing well") and totally ignore the couch co-op approach of the Amico. A bit weird that the PCEngine Mini appears before Amico and Playdate, too. But it's nice to see some journalist realize that 2020 is going to be the biggest year in history when it comes to console releases.

This list really isn't anything spectacular other than the Turbo-graphix and Amico.  The usual updated consoles from Sony and M$ at an astounding pricetag for each of them...locking many more gamers into expensive pay to play, digital downloads and into the depths of their basements to play new versions of the same old FPS titles. 

There is a strange looking handheld that looks like a cross between a DS and a manually charging flashlight.  Not sure what kind of games will come out for that...but that handle looks very breakable in the hands of an average 8 year old.

The Atari VCS has yet to provide ANY real proof that it will actually become physical in nature, how well-built it is or what we can expect in games...quality or playability, library size... Nothing...Zippo...maybe should be renamed to the Atari "Nessie" instead of the VCS.  

The Turbo-graphix 16 was a hit in Japan, and had some success here in the States, but by then, many gamers moved on to the Commodore 64, Atari 400/800, and ZX Spectrums and further on to Sega, and Nintendo systems.  So who knows how good the release of that will be.  I can't even name one game on that system off the top of my head, no one I knew even had one.

Lastly, the Amico.  A fresh new look to a well respected system that was far ahead of it's time when it was released.  It has a following as big as the VCS and has made every effort to prove that it's real, playable and meant to bring back an aspect to gaming that hasn't been seen since the early 80s...maybe even Saturday morning cartoons and Sunday afternoon WWII movies will come back as well.  

14 hours ago, Blarneo said:

No need to quote you re: Disney, Tommy. It's interesting information, but besides the point I was trying to make. 

 

GE makes reliable light bulbs. They're great! Until you look deeper. GE is also responsible for missile guidance systems that shoot down our own planes, and drone parts that have killed almost a million innocent people through the Bush, Obama, Trump years. Now as a perfectly amoral, narcissistic corporation would say, they protest "We're not responsible. We just build them, not use them" so they can sleep at night. They are at best war profiteering, and more likely an accessory to UN human rights violations. Bringing good things to life indeed. Enjoy that food processor, Suzie!

 

Disney is a rapacious, global corporate empire, bent on total domination of every aspect of the entertainment industry. They rake in Billions in profits but pay some employees starvation wages in their parks and has a history of strong-arming talent and sidelining visionaries to cater to marketing dept. demands for "cross promotion". They overlook sexual harassment and sweep it under the rug until it becomes a PR nightmare (Weinstein, John Lassiter, James Gunn). They have a public image they tightly maintain, that you cited, but that image a mere smokescreen to what they're really up to. They don't care that Kill Bill got made. They care that they profited from it's box office and DVD sales. 

 

Don't be surprised, that if Amico is wildly successful, Disney comes at you with a big fat check to buy Intellivision, and decides to sideline you & your team just like they did to George Lucas.

I respect your right to have an opposing view about Disney that I do.  And every large corporation (especially the biggest entertainment company on the planet) is going to have its issues.  But I look at Disney as a company that has brought amazing entertainment to billions and billions of people for almost 100 years.  They are the greatest entertainment company the world has ever seen. Period.  Bar none.  They have redefined entertainment over the last century and put out more family content and raised more children with their stories of hope and challenges and winning than any other company on the planet.  They redefined film, animation, family entertainment and amusement parks around the world.  They single-handedly saved Marvel films (remember Spidey 3 by Sony... emo Parker?  BARF!) and the Star Wars franchise.

In regards to "starvation wages" (which actually isn't true if you dig deeper) they force no one to work for them.  If employees don't like their wages... they are free to leave and find another job somewhere else.  Walt Disney stood up to union bullying in the 50's and unlike some of the lying racist bullshit that was written about him... he actually employed African Americans, women, minorities, etc. during a time when no one else would (20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, etc.)

But again... I respect that you have a different position and feeling that I do.  It would be a huge honor if Disney purchased Intellivision at some point.  It means we succeeded and climbed to the highest mountain top.

For the record (and I know the man) George Lucas and his team was NOT sidelined.  Where the heck did you hear that?  He willingly sold his rights to Disney for a fraction of what they were worth ($4.05 billion) because he knew and had trust that Disney would be able to take it to the next level.  He didn't do it for the money... he did it for the legacy of his work.  He also wanted to focus on his non-profit with his amazing wife Mellody.  I've been to their offices, I've lived on their property for over a month, I've hung out with George and had dinners with him.  He did not get pushed aside or sidelined by Disney in any way shape or form.  Please don't push that propaganda.  So called "news" outlets like to create drama where there is none.  Don't fall for it.
 

14 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Hey Tommy, here's another crazy idea that, at the same time, can also be taken seriously and become a reality.

 

Now that we know (a rumor that says) that the new Xbox will come in three flavors ($550 with physical media, $400 digital only and $250 with limited graphics), perhaps you could release a second version of the Amico if the console turns out to be a success.

 

This model could be named Intellivision Enemico, or Intellivision Darkmico, and play all Amico family friendly games in addition to violent and free roaming, split screen 3D games (these games would not be playable on the Amico). A hardcore, offline multiplayer experience not suitable for children. A gift to the older Intellivision fans without children around. And an Intellivision console that finally could play Doom. ☠️

Haha!  Over my dead body.  

13 hours ago, ColecoJoe said:

Didn’t Georgie boy sell willingly?

Yes.  Absolutely.  His decision 100% (and to not be involved moving forward).

13 hours ago, Blarneo said:

Not exactly, but they threw enough money at him to kick him out. 

And... Aren't we just blessed that Episodes 7, 8 & 9 turned out to be the greatest Star Wars films in the entire series because of that.🙄

Dude... I'm gonna need to push back on you about this.  Don't spread crap that isn't even close to reality.  They did NOT kick him out.  What stupid bait-clicking website did you get that crap from?

Also... what films are better in your opinion.  Episode 1, 2 or 3... or 7, 8 & 9?  

13 hours ago, ColecoJoe said:

Interesting way to look at it. I think when you sell off your property it’s clearly implied that you are no longer involved or have rights to it. 

Speaking of "property" (in another sense of the word) he even has a land rental deal with them for Skywalker Ranch.  Disney "owns" the LucasFilm company (which also consists of ILM, Skywalker Ranch, Skywalker Sound, etc.) but he (Lucas) owns the property and the ranch itself (that the buildings are on).  His own office is still on the property.  He didn't get kicked out of anything.  They even pay him rent! 

12 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

Another new game announcement.

Here's the box...

11 hours ago, MantaNZ said:

At the end of the day, Star Wars movies are kids' movies. We should really let them be the judge, haha.

The box office numbers have spoken. 

10 hours ago, MantaNZ said:

This is true. TBH I kinda like all of them, even the "rubbish" ones. I'm a Star Wars fan but I don't get overly involved or invested in the stories. I just like to be entertained. Return of the Jedi is my fave, followed either by Rogue One or Force Awakens  I really liked Solo, too.

Jedi is my favorite as well.  Lots of folks of our generation will pick Empire.  But I always thought Jedi was the best.  Not gonna lie... I liked the Ewoks.  But mostly... that final battle music.  So epic!  Williams' best original work in my opinion.

 

10 hours ago, Blarneo said:

So... I paint a picture of cultivated corporate image contrasted with corporate reality, and my last little throwaway line about Lucas is all you cared about?

 
I'm guessing because it was so incorrect that people picked up on that one. 

I addressed my thoughts about your entire post.  And we'll probably just need to agree to disagree on this one.  No worries!  It's cool.

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Jedi is my favorite as well.  Lots of folks of our generation will pick Empire.  But I always thought Jedi was the best.  Not gonna lie... I liked the Ewoks.  But mostly... that final battle music.  So epic!  Williams' best original work in my opinion.

 

I think it’s possibly nostalgia for me as it’s the first one I saw (in the theatre, too). But yeah, I love the Ewoks too! It’s the movie that introduced me to Star Wars. 

11 hours ago, cmart604 said:

At any rate, I can’t wait for the Amico to come out and to buy a bunch for family and friends. Also, as a Disney shareholder I love what they’re doing and as a Star Wars fan I’ve enjoyed all five new movies to varying degrees, as well as the Mandalorian. I think that’s everything. Oh, and I also can’t wait for a new AD&D Cloudy update for the Amico. 

Agree 100%!   Yeah... I didn't even get into the Mandalorian in any of my posts.  Great stuff.  And I liked the Solo movie as well.  Better than nothing.  And how about Star Wars land at Disneyland?  Wow! 

One of the things I am pissed at Disney about (and make no mistakes... there are many... but they do way more GOOD than evil IMO) is the price of a ticket these days to go to Disneyland or any of their theme parks (some of which they don't even own or operate btw!).  A family of 4 would literally need to spend over $1,000 just in park tickets to get into both parks across 2 days.  Plus flights, hotels, super expensive food, etc.  Really wish they would lower the prices.  Then again... people are paying it because it's that good.  Just wish more people had access.

 

10 hours ago, Blarneo said:

So... I paint a picture of cultivated corporate image contrasted with corporate reality, and my last little throwaway line about Lucas is all you cared about?

You may feel that Disney is an evil corporation.  That's totally fine.  But I like to look at things like this before I make my own personal decisions about corporations:  https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/charitable-giving/

On a personal note.  I've known (and worked with) hundreds upon hundreds of Disney employees on every level.  And they all LOVE their job and the things that Disney has done for them as a company.  A few internet hit pieces or politicians who say success/money = evil...  doesn't get to wash that all away.

What's the next mark I should make on my calendar ?

Each small hints is appreciate, like the skiing logo ! Thanks a lot.

What's your target for what should be a complete game in terms of time play.
Maybe I am looking at it (sadly) from an hardcore point of view and I shouldn't ?

Example, finishing Moon Patrol will take 1 hour ? What should be expected for a decent play time ? ( Or replay value ? )

Thank you if you can enlightening me a little on this subject. I am a buyer anyway, but I am curious.

Thank you.

P.S. I have read a couple of time this post several times before pressing "submit reply", and I doubt more and more the relevance of my question! Lol

In the 80s, the majority of games lasted less than an hour for the people who mastered them !!

I realize that it is difficult to put myself in the shoes of a person at that time, even if it has already been my case! lol

But in that time a game could reach easily 40$, and now it will be 10$ or less for Amico, so it will be fine !   I can live with that ! lol

I also realize it's a question from a one player perspective !

 

10 hours ago, ColecoJoe said:

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for a Star Wars themed Microsurgeon

I knew there was a way where someone could bring this back on topic!  Good job Tommy...er... I mean... ColecoJoe!

7 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Yeah, I took it to the extreme... Not a good idea to use the actual images, it could damage the brand. But something more subtle such as "Did you know PS5, Xbox and Switch have GORE in their video games?" may work. I'm not an expert, but it's clear than most parents never touch the parental control options.

 

The question is, will the same parents understand that the Amico is a great product for them instead of the much more famous Nintendo? Most people are not aware of the new Nintendo policies that allow gore and nudity and will eternally associate the brand to a safe environment for children.

It will be our job to ensure that is the case.  And yes... the data supports that most "mom's" don't set the Parental Controls.  Some may also find it interesting that one of the only videos that Nintendo shut off comments for is their Parental Control video.  Why do you think that was?  Wouldn't you want to engage with folks trying to find out how they work and operate?  Of course you would.  But the backlash was so huge it was better to shut it off entirely than to show the parental outrage.

Once again folks... don't shoot the messenger.

5 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

There's your problem which I've alluded to earlier. If they ALREADY have an Xbox or whatever, you are not probably going to be able to get it from that kid.

 

If you have a problem with the gorey games a kid is playing the bigger issue is YOU not the console. It doesn't matter if its an Xbox, Switch, PS, or Amico, YOU (the parent) should always be involved with what your kid is doing. 

 

This will probably do better with younger families or just starting families. Most gamer teens I know would laugh at the idea of this console. There are going to be some OBSTACLES for this thing for sure. I'm hoping it does well.

 

Which makes me think of the whole phone thing. If kids are casual gamers playing on their phone they are already exposed to crap as bad or worse than those pictures Tommy posted earlier.

 

I agree to some extent.  I've always said that we are not going to get the teenagers on board initially with Amico.  They won't think we are cool and aren't going to want one.  PS5, Fortnite, etc.  That is cool for kids 11 - 18.  And 8 - 11 years old want Roblox or Minecraft.  But we're appealing to parents of young families who are the ones making the decisions for their kids aged 2 - 8.  This is the biggest growing segment of the game industry that no one in the home console market focuses on.  All we need to do is convince the parents.  Not a teenager.  We're dead if we try and take that approach.  We will never be as "cool" as Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, etc.

It is easy to relate to young parents (especially mom's) that our system doesn't have violence and all the other systems do.  Controlling content that their young children see and interact with is the #1 concern of every young parent around the world.  And we are doing something about it where none of the other are. 

Now I believe that once the "teenagers" see their moms & dads playing the system (because we'll reach the 40 - 50's crowd as well based on fond memories of couch co-op when they were growing up) they will want to join in and play as well.  They may not admit it to their friends... but they will enjoy and play it with their family.  The same exact thing happened at the beginning of the Wii.  Hardcores were "embarrassed" to admit they were playing Wii Bowling with their parents.  But they were fine to brag that they played video games with Grandma... cause THAT is cool! 

We have a great plan.  We just need to execute it and adjust if needed.

11 hours ago, cmart604 said:

At any rate, I can’t wait for the Amico to come out and to buy a bunch for family and friends. Also, as a Disney shareholder I love what they’re doing and as a Star Wars fan I’ve enjoyed all five new movies to varying degrees, as well as the Mandalorian. I think that’s everything. Oh, and I also can’t wait for a new AD&D Cloudy update for the Amico. 

Hi Friend! 

20 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Agree 100%!   Yeah... I didn't even get into the Mandalorian.  And I liked the Solo movie as well.  Better than nothing.  And how about Star Wars land at Disneyland?  Wow! 

One of the things I am pissed at Disney about (and make no mistakes... there are many... but they do way more GOOD than evil IMO) is the price of a ticket these days to go to Disneyland.  A family of 4 would literally need to spend over $1,000 to get into both parks across 2 days.  Plus flights, hotels, super expensive food, etc.  Really wish they would lower the prices.  Then again... people are paying it because it's that good.  Just wish more people had access.

 

I would highly recommend watching the Mandalorian. Baby Yoda might be the greatest thing that has happened to humanity, or at least to a divided Star Wars fan base.

As for the ticket prices you’re not wrong. They’ve never been higher and attendance has never been higher so I’m not sure you’ll see them drop anytime soon. As a Canadian my family and I usually keep an eye out for the 25-30% discount they offer Canadians a couple times a year which more or less covers the exchange rate hit we take when buying US$ items. As someone who makes a fairly good income I’m still stunned by how much it costs and honestly don’t know how most folks afford it. I see a lot of my clients taking their kids and grandkids as a large group as I suppose for many families that’s the only way they’re able to go.