Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

18 hours ago, bojay1997 said:

 I just don't see the rationale behind doing this.  Nothing will be lost by waiting a few more months until everything is finalized and certainly, by collecting even deposits now, you are opening Amico up to some potentially harsh criticism from the gaming press who may already be very skeptical.   

Yes.  It's true... you do not see the rationale behind it.  That's fine.  I respect that.  The Founder's Editions is CLEARLY not for you.  And again... that's fine.  You've said numerous times that you wish the project well and I appreciate that.

But disagreeing or throwing caution to the wind for folks who disagree with your personal opinion on the matter really isn't going anywhere.  I mean what is your ultimate goal with all this?  To get others not to spend their money the way they want?  For them to not be excited and want to support something they love?

I'm being serious.  Please reflect on why there is so much back and forth on this and what your ultimate goal is for continuing to bring it up.  I totally get that it's not for you.  I'm just puzzled as to why people are kinda fighting about this.  You either like the idea and want in... or you don't like the idea and will wait to see more.  Seems pretty cut and dry to me.  Am I missing something?  Maybe you are just concerned how others will look at the project now and you don't want there to be anything bad?  That's cool.  That's commendable... but again... go look on Facebook & Twitter (or maybe I should start sharing the thousands of e-mails we get) saying that this is something they want and is super cool for us to be doing it.  This is what I don't understand.  The huge majority of folks like the idea... but some are saying it's bad or groups us in with other bad crap.  The overwhelming majority disagrees with you.  And trust me... if it was the other way around... then I wouldn't do it!  No matter what the investors or retailers wanted.  I'd see that it's an awful idea and I wouldn't want the majority to be pissed about it.

17 hours ago, mr_me said:

We're talking about $200k, all 100% refundable.  It's a tiny fraction of their development costs, let alone their marketing budget, and manufacturing costs.  It's completely insignificant.

I'm glad someone said it.   

17 hours ago, Juice said:

Hey look here man my name is Juice I was wondering will you be making a Thunder Castle game? and will there be a wrestling game coming out? thanks

Yo!  I definitely think at some point we'll do a remake of Thunder Castle!  Not in the pipeline yet, but definitely on our "to do" list.  Haven't really thought that much about wrestling... but a good idea that I'll to our list as I know how HUGELY popular it is. 

Thanks!

16 hours ago, Amico - Tony said:

Hi all,

 

a quick question. Some friends were discussing the new PS5 controller with a screen and saying how cool it is - that is if it doesn't cripple the controller battery. Do you know what the battery life of the Amico controller will be? Sorry if this has already been answered.

 

regards

 

Tony

Our testing is showing 5 - 6 hours right now.  Lots of testing still to go though.

16 hours ago, Hwlngmad said:

As Aldous Huxley stated many years ago, "You pays your money, you takes your pick".  I think if the product justifies the price, that is great and no one can complain about that.  Definitely I am still routing for you, Intellivision, and the Amico.  I just have my concerns and reservations.  However, I have concerns and reservations about all gaming products, as not everything is going to have all Pros and no Cons, and vice versa.  That being said, I see a lot a Pros for the Amico, with very little Cons thus far.  Take care and best of luck.  I and a lot of others are behind you.

Thanks.  I understand your concerns and I appreciate the way in which you voiced them.
 

16 hours ago, mr_me said:

The actual numbers are much higher; say $10M marketing, $10M game development, $3M hardware development.  Manufacturing will be much, much more than $17M.  What percentage of this thing is crowdfunded?

Already secured $150M for manufacturing.  That is separate from our "raise" of $30M to get us to launch.

16 hours ago, LePionnier said:

I don't remember if the battery life was discuss. If not Tommy will respond with pleasure.

I think it's a good question. Yes go outside, but meanwhile, maybe the sister or mother will want to play, etc.

So the question is worth asking.

Thank you Amico Tony !

I talked about this in the last MEET AMICO video.

5 - 6 hours so far.

:)

16 hours ago, Loafer said:

I don't think that's what Tommy means.  The deposit is refundable so you can change your mind between the time you put your money down and once it's ships. But once it ships, I doubt it's refundable.  I wouldn't automatically interpret what he said as you can take receipt of Amico, determine you don't like it, then return it. Not every store has such a policy so why should they when ordering direct?  Not working out of the box? That's another thing entirely of course.

Correct (in regards to the pre-order money).  That being said... if you don't like the product and want to return it immediately... no reason not to take it back (and then I'll personally sell it on Ebay for a HUGE mark-up just to piss them off).   KIDDING!!!!   

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Already secured $150M for manufacturing.  That is separate from our "raise" of $30M to get us to launch.

 

 

How many Amicos do you plan on making for 2020?

37 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Totally fine and I totally respect that.  The Founder's Edition is DEFINITELY NOT for you.  Best to just wait and play the console when you have a chance and make your decision then.  This is what 99% of the folks buying the console will do.  Nothing wrong with that at all.  But it's also important to understand that some folks prefer to be a little special and have something super unique.  And there's nothing wrong with that either.

p.s.  It's not crowdfunding.  Crowdfunding is taking 100% of someone's money up front before they even start the project.  Atari VCS is a perfect example of this.  

Let me give folks another example... there is a HUGE waiting list for new model Ferrari's.  Even before people get a chance to test drive them.  They may see some specs, some pics... but they scurry to their local dealer to put down HUGE amounts of money (that is 100% refundable) in order to get a low edition number of the car (or in certain cases "Special Editions".  We're doing the same.  Yes... we haven't been around as long as Ferrari and they come out with cars all the time... but they've also had some "stinkers" along the way... so nothing is guaranteed. 

Thanks for the kind response Tommy, I appreciate any information you're willing to provide. We are all outsiders trying to share opinions to the inside.

I would posit that taking money before a project is considered a finished good from customers would mean that funding could potentially be used towards completion of the currently unfinished project. Unless you call it a finished good. As a source of alternative finance, this may not always be considered crowdfunding since core R&D was done with investments, but it would be a potential source of funding a WIP that is still subject to change, with unshown features, with pre-order dollars.

Although all this pre-order capital could simply be going into a holdings account, and you may not disperse any of it towards development. In this case it is definitely 100% not crowdfunding.

With that being said, this project is nothing like Atari's. I am just saying I chose not to concern myself with Atari's "console" (I use that loosely) due to their practices.

On the Ferrari comparison... When you purchase a Ferrari it has several established facts. It is an automobile. You know it will drive. You know the wheels hug the road, the steering wheel steers the wheels, you know it consumes gasoline or electricity, you know the features of the vehicle's seating, it's dashboard, etc.

The Amico has many promised features and patents we have not seen, and many games we do not know about and have not seen. In your latest video the man who wanted to discuss new controller features wasn't even allowed to talk about it. I am not in the know as you are, but I would not think Ferrari's vehicles have things they are adding or cannot reveal about their vehicles while also taking money for them so the comparison may not be as apt as it would seem, the same goes with Tesla's new models as far as I know.

Imagine if Elon Musk told people in line for the new Tesla that there are several outstanding features they cannot reveal... 

Imagine if you were put on the waiting list for the new Ferrari, and put money down, and were told the new engine is changing from a 6.3 Liter V12 to a 4-Cylinder because it's a "WIP car with patents still outstanding" like Amico currently is. That makes no sense, I know, but it's kind of a silly analogy for what I'm thinking.

Thanks again Tommy, keep doing what you are doing. 

14 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

Holy cow! I go to work and this blows up! Here are some takeaways as I'm not responding on all comments.

 

Comparison of taking funds early is comparable between Amico and Atacobox. 

 

Comparison was not in the sense of them both being a scam. That reaction is overblown. Which leads to...

 

Yes there is fanboyism going on. Is it bad to be excited? No. Is it bad to be skeptical? No.

 

Not all crowdfunding has tiers, nor does one need to us KS or IGG to crowdfund.

 

It is okay to not like the price jump. Psychologically the slow increases make it easier to dismiss them. Initially $150-$180 was a possibility. Now $225 is a possibility. That is close to $50-$75. Founders makes it even more so. (Yes there will be extras). If day one it was $150 and then went to $225 there would be more people jarred by that. And before anyone gets mad, that IS NOT me saying this is something Tommy is doing intentionally.

 

Switch talk....ug. Okay so $225 plus you get 5 games vs $250 and a $50 Breath of the Wild. This is something not many or any has mentioned, but what about time? What I'm getting at is how long does it take to complete say Moon Patrol? Are we talking a 5 hour game to complete/unlock everything? Now you take 5 games x 5 hours each and you have 25 hours. I know my nephew has put that if not more time into Zelda on his Switch. Sometimes with the higher priced game you are going to get more. This IS NOT me saying the games are better or worse on either system. If fact I like the idea of more arcade like experiences, but I also know I love me some Zelda and Mario to. Are there adult games? Um yeah are your kids going to buy and play them? If you are a lazy parent yes. BUT what about couch co-op? Nintendo has it. And while I get the price comparison, it DOESN'T account for having family and friends who already own a Switch. So, it isn't like I have to buy their controllers for them, but they can bring their own. It can be a little misleading, but not wrong either.

 

This brings up one of my business concerns for the Amico. If couch co-op is the bread and butter, couldn't that negatively affect sales? Me and my 8 buds like playing Amico together. What incentive is there for all 8 to buy Amico? If couch co-op is the main draw there is no less of one. One friend is the Amico house or he brings the Amico with him.  This goes back to the single player experience to and the amount of play time.

 

This IS NOT me saying Tommy is scamming or that the Amico is fake. One of the defenses for the preorder money is also really a critique of taking the money. If this system is already paid for with investor money and this Founder's money isn't needed...why do you need to put more than $10 down like you would at a Gamestop? That goes back to why not charge after they ship?

 

Out of curiosity, for all those excited for this, how much be the max the price could be before wouldn't buy it? 

 

Now, I'm excited to see more and I have high hopes for this, and it is nice to see people excited. I'm ready for the next Moon Patrol demo or some new footage.

Every game has single player so couch co-op concern would not negatively impact sales.

It may take someone 5 - 7 hours to finish Moon Patrol in single player... yet they may play the game in versus or co-op mode for 100 hours.  I'd say they got their $9.99 worth.  I didn't spend that long with the $80 version of Red Dead Redemption II I bought.  Hell... I didn't even spent 5 - 7 hours on it.  

I don't get the concern trolling. Why do adults need some self appointed financial expert on the internet on what is worth for other people to spend their money on? I think the Founder's Edition is a great idea, not a shameless money grab or an angle being worked by Intellivision. 

I can't buy one simply because I'm not in the financial position to afford it right now, but I would be a total jerk face douche to say nobody else deserves to have one for themselves.

13 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

But the percieved value is important. As it nears Switch prices you will have people like me picking and choosing. When it is lower and away from Switch prices that decision becomes easier. 

 

Yes.  As I've mentioned a bunch of time... VALUE is critical to the success of the machine and something we are very much focused on.

But again... I'll say for the millionth time.  We offer something totally different than the Switch and we are initially targeting a completely different demographic.  Yes... people will chose what is best for themselves.  Lucky for us... our potential audience is MUCH bigger than anything Nintendo has tried to go after with the Switch.  We're just "different" that's all.  But even if we were the same... Sony & Microsoft have proven that 2 major powerhouses can battle each other in the same exact category and be massively successful.  Again... it's all about options that are best for your personal tastes... and (lets face it)... exclusives!  And we all know that we have that one wrapped up.  It will be for the public to decide whether or not they like our games or not.

I think it’s cool that people have concerns to voice and a forum to do so.  But once it’s done, time to move on to another cause.  The FE is happening for sure so let’s not talk about “should it?” Anymore but rather how it will happen and finalize the perks

12 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

That is where this marketing and getting malls or whatever with demonstrations will be important. 

 

My wife has zero nostalgia for Moon Patrol and such unlike me. I will be curious to see what she thinks of the next update. 

She probably won't like the next version of Moon Patrol either (as it is a single player experience)... but... when you get the final version and she can be the driver while you shoot... or the jumper while you drive and shoot (or whatever combo you want) she may find it kinda interesting that you are playing together and helping each other to reach a goal. 

Not to sound like a cheapskate, but 30% of the total price (or about $90) seems a bit high, just for a deposit. At this point, you might be better off just "buying" the preorder outright, in one payment.

Perhaps there could be a lower deposit, or at least the option for that?

12 hours ago, 1980gamer said:

I think you are looking at this all wrong.  This is for DIE HARD fans.

If you are skeptical, wait until 10/10/2020....

 

Seems simple huh? 

12 hours ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

You didn't, but you removed a good deal of value proposition short of multi-player.  "What incentive is there for all 8 to buy Amico?  If couch co-op is the main draw there is no less of one".

 

I think there are other draws.

 

That these games are quick to pick up and quick to put down, it makes it easy to return to for quick, non-progressive play.  I love Breath of the Wild, I'm on my second play-through over the course of the last year.  But it isn't a game I can turn on and play for half an hour.  Bubble Bobble or Gun.Smoke?  Galaga or Raiden?  Chu Chu Rocket?  Those I can pop in and play for 20-30 minutes and feel fully satisfied if I need to put them down and do something else. 

 

Not every game is about the time to complete or 100% a game.  That's become a focus of games, but needn't always be.  People on the train playing Bejeweled clones or 2048 or whatever.. they may have dozens of hours or over a hundred in a meaningless timewaster.  Maybe it's a high score, maybe just the satisfying act of completing rows.  I've never completed Tetris or Klax.  Still love to play.  And that Moon Patrol?  I don't know that it's a percent completion type game.  Gameplay seems mostly focused on players joining in to stop whoever is the rover, or a 3-player mode where each player controls 1) rotating cannon, 2) acceleration, and 3) jumps.  I don't know how you quantify hours of gameplay for something like that, when the interaction with others is so unique.  I don't know the value of the solo run of Moon Patrol.  From the teaser, it didn't seem particularly engaging for single player, we'll need to see more.  Will it be a game you sink 4 hours into and feel satisfied when solo?  If that's the case, I'd say $10 is value.  $2/hour and fully paid for any future fun.  I'm in.  That $60 Mario Odyssey?  Fantastic.  Dozens of hours.  Great value for me.  Maybe not for someone else.  I don't think Amico games will BE for everyone, but I do think they are aiming at the broadest appeal. 

 

And I think the simplicity of the controller adds value.  Accessibility for someone who only plays games in a mobile setting can be a god-send.  Again, I love Breath of the Wild.  No way my mom or wife will spend any time trying to figure it out though.  They may love the game and story and immersion, but there's too much in the way of them even trying.  Too many actions to control.  Too many times they'll be in a fight with a clan of bokoblins and throw their weapon when they mean to swing a sword.  Pan a camera when they want to turn around.  Miss an obvious step because they're not gamers and not familiar with expectations the game designer presumes a player will know.  That's value to someone intimidated by the video games aisle.

 

I don't have 8 friends over too often, you created the scenario.  I was suggesting that if they enjoy playing multi-player, they'll find enjoyment in single player and some will purchase their own.  I do know that I've got a game closet with over 80 board games and we only play them once every couple months - because they're time intensive, not everyone knows all the rules, we need a dry run to initiate.. love playing games, but the nature of board games can be dissuasive.  Can Amico offer a quicker, easy to jump in game session?  Offer individualized instructions, hints, advice on each player's controller/phone app?  That has value to me.  Even if the equivalent board game is $40, that's accessible and quicker to play, making it more likely to actually break out and play with others.

 

 

I agree.  Think of it more like... once you played Monopoly and finished it and won... you'll play it again... you're not done with it forever.  We always say in the office that we're not competing against PS5... we're competing against board games. 

12 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

Great statement! Shows why price comparison to the Switch isn't important too. Yeah its more expensive but it is also a quality product. Just to cover, that doesn't mean since Amico is cheaper it won't be quality.

For someone who hates people bringing up the Switch... you sure do it a lot!  



Just kidding... just busting balls.  I don't care if folks do or don't bring it up.  Just thought I could get away with a "funny".   

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We always say in the office that we're not competing against PS5... we're competing against board games. 

I just have to make sure that Aunt of mine doesn't spill her wine on it. 

A new box of Sorry! for $20 is a pain in the butt. $200 for a new Amico goes into "I hate her" territory.

11 hours ago, Swami said:

I have zero interest in the switch or modern drawn out games. I like classic style games, motion control games (Switch has a few, but I hear all but a couple are very weak), board games, card games. I'm pretty much the Amico's target audience, even if I were to play alone, but, if you looked through my posts on the INTV forum, you couldn't really call me a Fanboy of Intellivision or the Amico. 

 

And people ask over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over if casual gamers like playing games on their phone, why would they be interested in the Amico. Do they stop to think that maybe they want to play those sort of games with there friends on a large screen and not the only two or three co-op phone games people bring up over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over. I get bored with the repetition.

 

 

Yeah... you really nailed it.  And it all seems so obvious.  But I believe it's tough for folks sometimes to think outside their own world... which is understandable.  It is very difficult sometimes.  I mean look at political views.  I find that most people want the same outcome... they just have different ways of getting there.  But the way people argue politics or religion or game consoles is so closed minded sometimes.  

Totally okay to voice concerns.  Another thing to tell people they are wrong (or blind fanboys) because they like something different or have a different perspective on something.

I always like to give the comparison of the Wii.  The Wii sold 102 milliion units.  The Switch... only half of that (granted it still has a few years left in the life cycle... but it is NOT going to do the numbers the Wii did.  So where are those other 50 million people who bought the Wii and not the Switch so far?  Those 50 million people who paid $250 ($320 in today's money) to play Wii Bowling and never bought another game?   Is the answer they all went to mobile?  Okay... then that means they've done nothing but play all by themselves with their face buried in their screens when they have proven in the past that they will pay $250 just to do simple digital bowling with friends.

I like our chances.   

 

7 minutes ago, Battlefish said:

Not to sound like a cheapskate, but 30% of the total price (or about $90) seems a bit high, just for a deposit. At this point, you might be better off just "buying" the preorder outright, in one payment.

 

Perhaps there could be a lower deposit, or at least the option for that?

Tommy already said it' the amount needed for a good commitment. And depending of the speed it will be sold, retailers will have a better idea of the quantity to order.

And it's refundable. We should change the subject now.

2 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

And it's refundable. We should change the subject now.

I agree! Let's talk about a liquid proof Amico to protect it from my Aunt and her wine.😡

6 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

For someone who hates people bringing up the Switch... you sure do it a lot!  



Just kidding... just busting balls.  I don't care if folks do or don't bring it up.  Just thought I could get away with a "funny".   

 

 

You missed the critics union resolution that you can only bring up the Switch if you think it’s superior to the Amico. 

9 hours ago, poconojo said:

Reimagined Cloudy Mountain!! That is what I am looking forward to.

And you will get it my friend!!!!