Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

19 hours ago, insertclevernamehere said:

Too much focus on negativity and nitpicking lately.  I want to get back to the games.  I love 2 types of games especially.  I love shooters, which I see the Amico will have aplenty such as Astrosmash, Moon Patrol, Asteroids etc.  The other type of game I love is being an Indiana Jones type treasure seeking adventurer, climbing up and down vines or ladders, jumping over dangers, fighting beasties etc.  Love 'em.  From Uncharted and Tomb Raider all the way back to Pitfall and Montezuma's Revenge.  Never grown tired of them.  I haven't seen any examples of this type of game for the Amico though.  I was wondering what games in that vein are in the works for the Amico.

 

Yo!  Thanks for the post.

Yes... there will definitely be a plethora of shooters available on launch.  I'm also a HUGE fan of the adventurer type games you talked about.  We have a few really big things in the pipeline that I'm hoping pan out.  I can't really say right now because of licensing... but we're hoping to be making some big announcements at E3 this June.  Sorry I can't give you more info at this time... but I can say that I love the genre as well and my hopes is to have a lot of those types of games as well.

Thanks again for adding to the discussion.

19 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

I am all for these adventure with pits, vines & gators types of games too. I know Tommy is trying his best to get a Pitfall license for just this type of game but Activation isn't budging. That is probably why it hasn't been talked about much. I am sure we could get a "Colorado Phil's Mayan Adventure" but Tommy wants to do Pitfall if at all possible.

Yeah... Pitfall will be something that will probably come out a year or two after the initial release of the console.  Activision wants to see an installed base before discussing licensing for any of their games.  Fair enough... most of the giant companies (EA) are the same.  No worries... it will just take a little longer.  But something we definitely want to do and something David Crane is 100% on board with helping us to create!

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

  So, while I agree that this should not become a political thread, you and your company have made an openly political choice and taken an approach that I do not believe is consistent with anything I would associate myself with as a long time classic gamer. The impact in the marketplace of your choice is yet to be seen, but I think your further response here has made it clear that you simply don't understand the complexities of the position you have taken."

So it seems like Me and Intellivision are not something you would associate yourself with based on the misinformation you have received on Twitter about Doug TenNapel.   That's fine.  Completely your choice.  But I think you made it clear over a hundred pages ago that you don't like my views on the subject, you feel that decision was a "political choice" and because of it you don't want to associate yourself with anything Intellivision related. 

As a gay man ( I think a few figured it out by now), I tried to look up some info about the anti-gay stances of Doug TenNapel, and I couldn't find much there. I read a couple of articles, but pretty much all I could find was that he called a trans woman a "fellow" once. Not great, but hardly worth any public outrage over.

My apologies about the political toe dipping here, but I thought I can add some useless insight from my addled brain. The players in the culture wars over the last 4 decades are generally well known and notorious. Pat Robertson, Scott Lively, Fred Phelps, Phyllis Schlafly, Lou Sheldon, many others, and even Mel Gibson. I never heard of Doug TenNapel, or his opinions until I heard about a EWJ remake last summer. He's just not my concern, but I do't speak for all LGBTQ people either.

17 hours ago, Blarneo said:

Neal Pert, 67, just died. We had a convo about Rush a few pages ago. 

RIP to one of the best drummers Rock & Roll will ever know.😪

 

I didn't see IMBerzerk started another thread on Neil. I just saw the news on my phone. We should go to the other thread.

Nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Damn, that sucks.  Just hearing this now. 

16 hours ago, bmadgames said:

I don't get all the complaints about the Founder's Edition. If you think it's too risky, just wait for the regular launch. Let's pretend Tommy is running the biggest scam of all time and some people pre-order and lose their money. Why should anyone care except them?

 

I for one am definitely interested in the FE. I'm a huge supporter of everything the console stands for. I give huge props to Tommy for staying involved with this forum. I think it's hilarious how much hate he gets for offering a simple pre-order for die hard fans. He has created a vision for a console that is actually innovative and different for which I am excited. The Amico could sell 150 million units and some would still be here saying we somehow got scammed on a pre-order.

Thank you for the kind words and support.  Much appreciated.  It means a lot that you recognize some of the crap I go through in here. 

16 hours ago, jaybird3rd said:

I haven't found it necessary to ban anyone new from this thread ... yet.  Contrary to what some people insist on saying about us, we're not power-tripping dictators, and we aren't out to "kiss up to," "protect," or "make excuses for" anyone.  It's preferable to allow diversions like the whole "Founders Edition" argument to die down on their own once everyone has had their say.  I think that's finally happened, but those few individuals you refer to (and they know who they are) are on notice: if they insist on perpetuating the argument further, and if they continue to post snarky or passive-aggressive remarks, I'm going to have to start kicking them out.

I agree.  I think all the mods here have been very fair with everyone... even including making sure I know when I've crossed the line as well.  And it's appreciated. 

I'm sorry if responding to some of the negative posts about the Founder's Edition ended up bringing up the entire matter again.  The way I approach my responses is to go back to the page I left off and just start reading and commenting to each person in the timeline it was received.  Because of so many questions/posts/reactions, etc. it allows me to make sure I don't miss anyone as I try to respond to everything I see out of respect for the folks taking the time to come here and ask me a question or engage in discussion (both positive or negative).

Thanks for paying attention to everything that is going on.

14 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

A video interview with Tommy at CES 2020 by the Tech Up team. You get a really good view of the new controller and light blue wrist strap near the end of the video. Plus he mentions game sharing between machines via the controllers.

I hate when they use wide angle lenses on DSLR cameras close-up... makes my head look warped and huge!

(how's that for a "softball" for the haters!)   BATTER UP!!!

13 hours ago, Blarneo said:

I know the value of slogans to sell products, so I get that he's telling new people, but... as someone who's seen most of the YouTube interviews over the last year+, "... is Italian for Friend" and the SAFE slogan is like a broken record for me now. 🤣

Hell... if you're sick of it now... I feel sorry for you by the time this thing is released!!

p.s.  Just think how I feel... I'm the one saying it 1000 times a day!!  

7 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Forget about the Founders Edition, I have a better idea for hardcore fans: It's 9 months until 10/10/2020... so babies "created" today will born around the official Amico launch date!

 

On a more serious note, I think I probably found the best Youtube list ever created: Every Video Game Console Ranked From WORST To BEST, a 1h45min video that appeared only a few days ago. The original Intellivision appears the 29th. The actual order has many flaws (PS3 is 3rd, better than PS1 and PS4; Ouya is the 28th; the 360 is 2nd, better than the PS1; the Vectrex is placed far worse than many terrible machines that are not even "consoles" or fun...). They used too many external factors to rate consoles. Instead of considering only the number and quality of the games and how the controllers work, they also include economical factors and "how long the consoles were supported". Still, it's a great video to learn about incredibly rare consoles.

Ouya before the original Intellivision?  Vectrex way down on the list??  Yikes!  Okay... I think you're correct.  Only watch it for the informational aspect.  

2 hours ago, Orange Guard said:

Hi everyone, first time poster here at Atari Age.  Very excited for the Amico, I would love to snag a Founders Edition pre-order when they are announced.  Here is my top 10 list of games I would love to see made for it.  If any of these are confirmed, especially my number 1, I would love to know.

 

1. Tron Deadly Discs

2. Burgertime

3. Lock N Chase

4. Triple Action

5. Royal Dealer

6. Las Vegas Poker and Blackjack

7. Utopia

8. Pitfall

9. Happy Trails

10. Golf

Hi Orange Guard!

Welcome to the thread!  I hope the negative stuff that has infected us lately doesn't deter you from joining in on the fun.  95% of the folks here love talking games and of course Intellivision and Amico in a kind and respectful way.

Okay... I'll quickly go down your list for ya...

1.  Yes.

2.  Yes.

3.  Eventually

4.  Yes (in production, but only as Bi-Planes).

5.  Maybe.

6.  Maybe.

7.  Yes.

8.  Eventually.

9.  Doubtful.

10.  Yes.

Thanks again for your first post and hope you will stick around!

You are almost up to date Tommy !

So some quick one :

1) Do you have answers if I can buy a founder edition, but the black one ?

2) Do you have the video from your speech at CES ?

3) If you are giving 50$ for digital purchases, will it be something like 70$ for Canadians ? ( 300$ will probably cost 400$ in Canadian for us. )

4) If I am planning some vacation during E3. Is it possible to go at your booth and do we need to make reservations ? ( Did E3 is open for everyone ? )

Thank you

2 hours ago, Nolagamer said:

I'd love to see amico get the xfL license.  The actual rules seem perfect for arcade local co op and verses play or local team vs CPU. 

 

 

 

 

Love this!

New Video from Open Every Box. (Countdown)

21 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Love this!

 

For all the old schoolers here, anyone remember the 3 seasons of USFL?

10 minutes ago, Swami said:

For all the old schoolers here, anyone remember the 3 seasons of USFL?

I completely missed out on the USFL, but I do remember the World League.  We had a team for one season called the Ohio Glory. 

Slightly back on topic - I would love to see what the Amico offers in the sports video game category.  Football games these days are complex to the point folks can't just jump in or pick up and play.  I'd personally like to see more arcade style gameplay and less simulation with my sports titles.  

Tommy, I think you should ignore Pat & Ian. They know the Founders Edition is not crowdfunding. They will watch your video reply but never acknowledge that they were wrong. By paying more attention to them after we know how they work, you are playing "their game". Your target market (that Pat & Ian refer to as "we don't know where the audience for this could be" in the video, even if they know your plans) is not watching their show at all, so my advice is to concentrate on the positives at this point and try to improve the approach to casual/non gamers, which is where the money is, as much as possible.

The Internet is plagued with people that seem addicted to controversy, but often debates go on for years and it's best to stay out to save energy. Sometimes replying to a lie only makes it more visible.

Regarding TenNapel, due to his religious believes he doesn't approve gay marriage and made some very unfortunate comments about it some years ago. As someone on the opposite side of the political spectrum, I don't like his mentality but I respect him as an artist. Attacking the Amico because he is part of the team doesn't make much sense to me.

Oh and by the way (and I'm writing this AFTER he upvoted this message 👼), I forgot to add: You should seriously think about adding RetroAdvisoryBoard to your team... His messages are a bit long but his knowledge could be quite useful.

Pfft!  If you want good football*, you guys already had it when American teams were in the CFL a while back.

* ok, even if I love my CFL, I still would prefer 4 down football lol

55 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Tommy, I think you should ignore Pat & Ian. They know the Founders Edition is not crowdfunding. They will watch your video reply but never acknowledge that they were wrong. By paying more attention to them after we know how they work, you are playing "their game". Your target market (that Pat & Ian refer to as "we don't know where the audience for this could be" in the video, even if they know your plans) is not watching their show at all, so my advice is to concentrate on the positives at this point and try to improve the approach to casual/non gamers, which is where the money is, as much as possible.

 

The Internet is plagued with people that seem addicted to controversy, but often debates go on for years and it's best to stay out to save energy. Sometimes replying to a lie only makes it more visible.

At the end of the day, the #1 priority for them is probably to pay the bills.  Some people believe controversy sells, so they will probably milk this to the maximum, right up to release where, if/when Amico is successful, they will then be able to say "well, yeah, if they would have said this from the beginning, of course we would have said "there's potential here".

As it is, a lot of these sites/youtube channels are really for entertainment purposes.  This is the same for most youtubers.  These are not members of the press and even nowadays, the term "press" is very subjective.  My point is:  With that in mind, some of these vids and personalities are kind of entertaining, some are not but we are all different so best not to take it all too seriously. 

I totally understand why some like Tommy NEED to take some of this seriously because misinformation can be very damaging, especially if there is a large following to these personalities.  But for most of us, is it really worth getting worked up over something like this?

Now the first SOB who says VR is a passing fad, the gloves are off, let me at them!

8 minutes ago, Loafer said:

At the end of the day, the #1 priority for them is probably to pay the bills.  Some people believe controversy sells, so they will probably milk this to the maximum, right up to release where, if/when Amico is successful, they will then be able to say "well, yeah, if they would have said this from the beginning, of course we would have said "there's potential here".

 

As it is, a lot of these sites/youtube channels are really for entertainment purposes.  This is the same for most youtubers.  These are not members of the press and even nowadays, the term "press" is very subjective.  My point is:  With that in mind, some of these vids and personalities are kind of entertaining, some are not but we are all different so best not to take it all too seriously. 

 

I totally understand why some like Tommy NEED to take some of this seriously because misinformation can be very damaging, especially if there is a large following to these personalities.  But for most of us, is it really worth getting worked up over something like this?

 

Now the first SOB who says VR is a passing fad, the glovers are off, let me at them!

Well, then there's the other side of the story. 

I'm not holding MS blameless, because of their problematic marketing strategy, but it was mostly YouTubers stirring up trouble and controversy regarding the upcoming Xbox One in 2013 after E3, that had many assumptions that MS never said were true, but the rumors and paranoia stuck, went viral and gamers went apeshit over it and hurt sales. I'm not an industry expert, but I don't think I'm far off from the opinion that Xbox One lost at least 10 million, if not 25-30million console sales because of that viral internet outrage machine largely mis-reported, fact-massaged and created out of whole cloth YouTube video creators started.

I'm an Xbox fan but the way they went about the xbox one launch was wrong so they earned some of that flak but yeah the viral internet outrage was ridiculous (which blew up with Sony's awesome "this is how we do game sharing" video). 

When you are at the top, you are more prone to make mistakes based on arrogance and "what we think is surely what the fans think".  Outside of Japan, MS was arguably the winner of the "big two" battle (if we ignore the wii).  Sony isn't immune to this, they were on top of the world with the PS2 and the $700 PS3 "you'll take a second job to buy this console" was their own goof of that generation. 

I wonder which company will be making one this coming generation?

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I agree.  I think all the mods here have been very fair with everyone... even including making sure I know when I've crossed the line as well.  And it's appreciated. 

I'm sorry if responding to some of the negative posts about the Founder's Edition ended up bringing up the entire matter again.  The way I approach my responses is to go back to the page I left off and just start reading and commenting to each person in the timeline it was received.  Because of so many questions/posts/reactions, etc. it allows me to make sure I don't miss anyone as I try to respond to everything I see out of respect for the folks taking the time to come here and ask me a question or engage in discussion (both positive or negative).

Thanks for paying attention to everything that is going on.

That's a perfectly sensible approach, and I don't see it as extending the argument at all; they made their statements, and you responded.  Thank YOU for rising above the noise and continuing to engage with the community!

6 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Tommy, I think you should ignore Pat & Ian. They know the Founders Edition is not crowdfunding. They will watch your video reply but never acknowledge that they were wrong. By paying more attention to them after we know how they work, you are playing "their game". Your target market (that Pat & Ian refer to as "we don't know where the audience for this could be" in the video, even if they know your plans) is not watching their show at all, so my advice is to concentrate on the positives at this point and try to improve the approach to casual/non gamers, which is where the money is, as much as possible.

 

The Internet is plagued with people that seem addicted to controversy, but often debates go on for years and it's best to stay out to save energy. Sometimes replying to a lie only makes it more visible.

There was no applause option.  I considered the trophy but I wanted a full on Tom Hanks "Earn this" moment... 

I've been torn here.. you're right, that casual audience pays them no mind.  But that content is still out there, it's the closest thing to "Just calling the news in video gaming as we see it" format that's out there talking regularly about the Amico (nearly 3 hours across multiple comments).  Every blip of news is a new 10 minute take and building upon the narrative they're going with.  With 150+ Amico videos out there, they have more "coverage" than anybody, short of Chris' Atari Creep content - if we don't all pitch in to get up to Mass and sing him "I really need my... Intellivision", Christmas Caroler-style next season, there just isn't any hope for humanity. 

Back to Ian and Pat - they are out there raising valid concerns (I think drawing shaky conclusions, and building and expanding arguments on those conclusions) along with associations that aren't really on the level and don't stand much scrutiny.  But they do look and present themselves as an unbiased third party to anyone clicking.  Flack from Pat's August reaction video we know animates certain pushback, they see themselves as the front line in unfurling the Retro VGS/Chameleon, and every project carries some shadow of that.  None of that matters to the casual viewer. 

Their videos though get enough views (15,000-20,000) and likes (700+) and comments (150+) for YouTube to recycle and promote to any casual audience searching out "Intellivision Amico" in their search queries later this year.  And the audience comments (I'm long part of their audience) is generally dismissive, reveling as they race to predict how big this will crash.  Not all - they have higher dislike ratios than almost anybody, but it's a relationship with the audience and a tendency to group-think and associate; and there isn't much really addressing *their* points in video form.  And that audience then moves around, commenting and repeating some less-than-fully-baked comparisons - each comment a sounding board, expanding and those comments getting lots of activity, moving to the top.. I guess that's just the nature of social media, but you at least want to have significant in-depth material out there to counter, to share, to reference.    

Anyway I've been working forever and a day on an ever-growing Amico piece (an 80+ page script that knows no end) into a more manageable series on the system for YouTube (nobody wants a six hour multi-part series..)  I actually have a dedicated sub-series I'm pulling out of that, with one episode's script already finished, InTunnelVision: What Critics Miss with the Intellivision Amico.  Filming tonight and tomorrow for the on-camera segments, clip segments should be worked on this week.  Short of a dialogue (not happening on that front), or the CEO addressing directly (to which I totally agree isn't needed, can be dismissed as inherently biased), I think it gives a broader audience more points in the comments, something linkable on Twitter, gives convention goers another reference to the 6-10 conventions attended where Pat may be a guest speaker and somebody wants to address.  And since I'm not attacking Pat or Ian (I do actually consume their podcast weekly and agree with points they make more often than not), I think maybe addressing criticisms and questions at face value, is just informational and cleaner. 

Will share here when finished.  I do have few years of video production background, but personal branding out there on YouTube - that's definitely a first.  Soooo, wheeee?  It's a race to get this out though, before the Founders Edition is offered.

Anyway I'll keep a lower forum profile for a bit and get crackin.  As a great man who did turrible, turrible (like Charles Barkley-level turrible) things to bratty children once said,

"I hope you'll like it...  I think you will."      

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Hi Orange Guard!

Welcome to the thread!  I hope the negative stuff that has infected us lately doesn't deter you from joining in on the fun.  95% of the folks here love talking games and of course Intellivision and Amico in a kind and respectful way.

Okay... I'll quickly go down your list for ya...

1.  Yes.

2.  Yes.

3.  Eventually

4.  Yes (in production, but only as Bi-Planes).

5.  Maybe.

6.  Maybe.

7.  Yes.

8.  Eventually.

9.  Doubtful.

10.  Yes.

 

Thanks again for your first post and hope you will stick around!

 

 

Nice to to see Locknchase is on your list, I figured if you were to do a dot eating maze game it would be Pacman.

Happy Trails is a ripoff of Konami's Loco-motion.  That sort of puzzle game not interest you?

And you will have Armour Battle; in for Triple Action Battle Tanks but without the bouncing ammunition I'm guessing.

There will be a poker game?

Nature of the internet community: I watched Glen's Retro Buzz streaming about 1UP  at CES and the first comment besides a hello from someone is "is that a real nose" to Stephen Heywood. The loudest voices on the internet are cyber-bullies with 8-year old maturity hiding behind a screen of safety. TBH, its been that way for 20 years. Hard to say if its getting worse or the internet's just gotten bigger with people on it more. 

1 hour ago, Loafer said:

Pfft!  If you want good football*, you guys already had it when American teams were in the CFL a while back.

 

* ok, even if I love my CFL, I still would prefer 4 down football lol

Yep-I remember they absorbed several teams from the defunct WLAF. The USFL predates me, but have read a ton about it (most recently the book 'Football for a Buck', have watched the 30 for 30 on the league several times. Trump owned the New Jersey team.

The NFL is absurdly boring. . .the USFL legit had them cornered, and had they been given a reasonable financial settlement (instead of $1) they would likely still be around.

The NFL has absorbed rule changes from most all of those leagues (including the original XFL).

I don't understand how people can spend all day Sunday watching a game that lasts 4 hours and offers 12 minutes of action.

Those XFL rules look awesome.

I suspect Amico will continue Intellivision's tradition of firsts with unique properties and console sports games, that will help redefine the genre.