Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

The news of the new Missile Command made me realize how great the original game would have been on the Intellivision. The Intellivision's controls seem so much more suited to Missile Command than any of the other OG classics.

Imagic's Atlantis BITD gave us an idea of what the controls might have been like, but Missile Command is a superior game.

When the IPad came out, outside of the apple fan base, there were a LOT of people unconvinced it would be a success.  They have now sold over 350 million.

When the Wii came out, people laughed at the stupid casual friendly nature and idiotic motion controls:  They sold over 100 million

I don't think anyone is saying the Amico will sell this many systems (well, I'm sure Tommy is hoping lol) but there is ALWAYS room for a new vision, a new take on the gaming industry and if done right, yes can be self-sustaining.  Maybe it won't be a home run but its certainly not worthy of judgement until we... you know... actually see the darn thing in action .  It's not all perfect, my own concerns are on the games pricing model; I'm not sure you can get decent 3rd party teams to create a deep enough casual friendly game if are forced to sell the game at $7-$8 at most (understanding that the Amico team get's an obvious cut out of every sale).  Anyway so far, it's SMART to do more vision discussion then show actual hardware and games anyway since the launch is so far away.  Prepare the masses and build an audience so that when the product launches they too will be ready.  Next spring/summer should be telling on the full potential of the system, so we will see.

As a classic gaming fan (Colecovision was my fav) I'm excited for this and as I find the vision unique, the fact many of the devs understand that gameplay is important and the fact they don't have their hands out trying to get our money on a vapourware product, well that's pretty big so I plan on supporting the Amico team. There is 100% room for something different here.

Also Doesn't hurt the name reminds me of my fav computer of all time, the Amiga :). 

On a not-completely-related note, my retirement date is October 2020, so the Amico might be a retirement present from my wife to me (even if she doesn't know it yet ).  You guys should offer some of the early crusaders like us a chance to have the first systems sold autographed or something,  I'll pay extra!  LOL   

30 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Preach on brotha!

Yeah... it's pretty hilarious to me when people make fun of the look of our console... yet are perfectly okay with black rectangles that most average people can't even TURN ON because the ON button is hidden. 

 

 

Not meant as derogatory to my PS4, both my Xbox/PS4 and fantastic in their own right.  Anyway I'm mostly into PCVR of late so haven't done a lot of PS4 console gaming but I got some move controllers used so need to charge them up and test with PSVR.  So here I am trying to turn on my PS4PRO last night and I came across this exact problem.   My PS4 controller's battery was dead so I had to turn on the damn light and squint to see the damn itsy bitsy on/off button on the console and with my 55 year old eyes it wasn't easy LOL

All this to say, please ensure design decisions make sense.  It should not be that hard!!!

11 hours ago, SegaSnatcher said:

What I don't understand is why you guys are so focused on a child friendly angle that seems more extreme than Nintendo was back in the 90s.  I mean its one thing to leave out M rated games, but T rated games too?  That is so limiting.  This sounds like something Ned Flanders would approve of rather than something the general gamer would be into. Let's be real here, the Intellivision brand is only relevant to Men/Women in their 40's/50's. Go ask kids, teens or even a lot of people in their early 20's if they ever heard of a INTV and I bet they would just at you with shrugged shoulders.
 

 

Amico guaranteeing an E rating isn't a bad thing in and of itself, as Tommy has made clear since that would cover a lot of games from the NES and the Atari 2600.  Parents buying consoles would certainly like that they don't have to curate Amico's game library for graphic violence or content that is plainly not appropriate for a child.  Also limitations can also enhance creativity for game developers, who will want to make games fun. 

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The majority of people who are interested in this are the same people who frequent forums like this one, which in all honestly is very niche. What is the killer app that is going to get a new demographic interested in this device?  Earthworm Jim is a nice franchise and all, but that game never moved hardware, its not even close to the level of a Sonic, Mario, GTA, or Halo level IP in terms of brand power.

Retrogamers are not the majority of the audience they are trying to get.  And I can see them doing interesting things with the Burgertime IP, and I can see potential for an interesting family-friendly take on Bad Dudes.  Sonic wasn't even SEGA's original mascot character and it took years for Nintendo to develop their powerful Mario IP.  Asking for the Amico to already have a giant mascot IP ready is just not realistic. 

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You might say, :"Well we will offer games at much more consumer level friendly prices".  Well that already exists via Steam sales or any mobile device which already has a huge install base.

Yes, but Steam requires a large amount of consumer curation because a lot of games on Steam are shovelware.  Mobile games are microtransaction heavy which I think Tommy is sincere in not having on Amico games (Whether or not, the Amico can realistically offer complete game experiences for under $10 remains to be seen.  Super Mario Run had a $10 price tag on mobile and seems to have gone underperformed some Nintendo expectations.  But this could work on a console like the Amico)

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No disrespect to the people behind this project, but it absolutelty makes zero sense to me.  You are trying to seek out this market that you think hasn't already been taken care of at this point. Kids play on their tablets and Nintendo devices and love them. Why do you think they will drop them in favor of the Amico that is not likely going to offer them something better than what they already have. 

In 1984, someone like you probably would have said "A western version of the Famicom may zero sense to me.  Kids play at the arcade and love that.  Plus, home consoles are not likely going to offer something better than the arcade."  The position of the Big Three seems stable, and who knows if the Amico will make a dent against those behemoths, but there is absolutely an untapped market for family-friendly games with complete game experiences and playing those games in ways that the Big Three aren't offering.  Also, it says something that Ubisoft is still willing to port their Just Dance francise to the Wii.  The task that the Amico has is a difficult one, but if it can achieve even a modest success, the video game industry will notice and that would be a good thing for those of us who already have a current gen Big Three console. 

The suspense to find out which developers are working on amico titles is KILLING ME

10 minutes ago, Loafer said:

 

I don't think anyone is saying the Amico will sell this many systems (well, I'm sure Tommy is hoping lol) but there is ALWAYS room for a new vision, a new take on the gaming industry and if done right, yes can be self-sustaining.  Maybe it won't be a home run but its certainly not worthy of judgement until we... you know... actually see the darn thing in action .  It's not all perfect, my own concerns are on the games pricing model; I'm not sure you can get decent 3rd party teams to create a deep enough casual friendly game if are forced to sell the game at $7-$8 at most (understanding that the Amico team get's an obvious cut out of every sale).  Anyway so far, it's SMART to do more vision discussion then show actual hardware and games anyway since the launch is so far away.  Prepare the masses and build an audience so that when the product launches they too will be ready.  Next spring/summer should be telling on the full potential of the system, so we will see.

 

As a classic gaming fan (Colecovision was my fav) I'm excited for this and as I find the vision unique, the fact many of the devs understand that gameplay is important and the fact they don't have their hands out trying to get our money on a vapourware product, well that's pretty big so I plan on supporting the Amico team. There is 100% room for something different here.

 

  

Yup, I have similar thoughts.  I like that the Amico is trying for a new vision.  I also share those concerns about whether any decent third-party developer will go along with approximately $10 maximum for a game and no microtransaction/"games as service"/paid DLC.  Also agree that discussing the Amico's vision is better than trying to discuss its actual nuts and bolts so to speak (From the E3 interview, looks like quite a few launch titles will be from German devs which also lets us imagine some interesting possibilities since there are some very good German video game companies).

I love my Nintendo Switch, which has a strong indie games component and has some very good retrogaming offerings.  I welcome another console that is more about gameplay possibilities than focusing on the console's power and talking up this year's latest shoot-em or drive-em or fight against zombies formula.  I still don't know if I plan on supporting the Amico or not (I definitely won't be supporting Earthworm Jim for reasons) but every indication is that this is not some pie-in-the-sky wannabe thing or vapourware console that got suckers to crowdfund because woodgrain and Mt. Fuji.  So I plan on taking the Amico seriously.

I just noticed that they listed a new Archon for this machine. That along with spelunker, lode runner, and all of the arcade games they have listed will get an instant purchase for myself. Actually two as I will buy one for my at the time of launch five year old nephew. 

I'm not sure no DLC would be a turn off. Instead of making DLC you could, you know, make a sequel?

Think about having to have Mario 1 and 2 to be able to play Mario 3? Think of a 'DLC' attachment (like sonic and knuckles) and using that instead of a new cartridge? And think about how much DLC costs for it NOT being a new game. I can buy an Amico for the same price as like one game plus all the DLC on my Xbox. Lol

I don't eat my bread/dough half baked. Stop handing me a half baked game (demo?) and telling me I have to pay double to have a full game. Yay DLC!!!

6 hours ago, mr_me said:

Somebody is investing many millions of dollars funding this product and they have more information than any of us.  We haven't seen one game yet.  Before launch we will see dozens, and only a fraction will be retro IP.  True, one of them needs to be the killer app.  They only need a small percentage of the casual/mobile market to be successfull.

Well they are hyping this project up on a daily basis without showing much. Its true we don't know the list of launch games, but if games like B-17 Bomber remake and Microsurgeon is what gets Tommy excited for about his Amico project then I personally don't have much hope for the system to have any real mass appeal.

I went from not at all interested to intrigued but convinced it will fail to very interested and confident it has a chance of success as I've read articles and watched vids all about it.  Especially after watching a 30 minute interview with Tommy Tallarico.  That guy's enthusiasm sure is infectious.  As a modern and retro gamer, it's not something I want for my mancave but something I'd want in the family room.  My teen kids and my wife mostly game on their phones and it would be great to have something we can play as a family.  And when my kids are at uni, which won't be that long after the Amico's launched, it can be something my wife and I can play together.  After all, her taste in tv sucks, she thinks my Atari and Colecovision games are too old with crappy graphics and she refuses to try and figure out how to play a modern, 3D videogame.  This console is the perfect compromise for us.  I wish it every success and look forward to finding out more in the coming months.

I am really enjoying the measured transparency of Intellivision throughout this process they are giving out information as they can and holding close to things as behind the scenes things are handled like all the patents. This is THE console I will buy next generation I enjoyed my PS3 I never picked up a 4 but I’m ready for simple easy to play games 

I am sure I will enjoy all the reimagined classics the game I wonder about most from a graphic prospect is Intellivision Horse Racing I wonder if the horses will look like normal horses with colored blankets with numbers like real racing or if the horses will be rainbow colored like in the Wizard of Oz and the original game, personally I’m hoping for option2.  Other than that I’m most excited about the Original IPs though over time I plan on pretty much buying every game because I want to support Intellivision as best as I can 

33 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Well they are hyping this project up on a daily basis without showing much. Its true we don't know the list of launch games, but if games like B-17 Bomber remake and Microsurgeon is what gets Tommy excited for about his Amico project then I personally don't have much hope for the system to have any real mass appeal.

As has been said many times, no more than 25% of all titles will be based on retro IP.   You haven't  seen the new B17 Bomber or the new Microsurgeon; how do you know one of them might not be your new favourite game.

They are still more than a year away from launch.  We are expecting video of gameplay this summer.  Next summer will be their big splash and their marketing will be going full on.  The hype hasn't  started yet.

17 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Well they are hyping this project up on a daily basis without showing much. Its true we don't know the list of launch games, but if games like B-17 Bomber remake and Microsurgeon is what gets Tommy excited for about his Amico project then I personally don't have much hope for the system to have any real mass appeal.

I'm pretty sure the Amico will have a launch lineup that will have unique takes on some board games and party games as well (Hopefully this is not be as crap as 1-2 Switch was).  If the Amico has a developer than can remake B-17 Bomber the way that Inti Creates remade Blaster Master, that would certainly excite me, but I suspect games in the mold of Wii Sports or Just Dance are gonna be their bread and butter in marketing the Amico.   I hope at least the Amico has an interesting game of the "Metroidvania" type in its launch catalog.

Yeah being stuck on microsurgeon and b17 bomber remakes is forgetting he’s said there are a lot more titles at launch and he’s not at liberty to talk about them right now.

It’s very fair to be cautious and not believing in the model that’s shown here but to keep harping about titles we haven’t seen, I just don’t get it

For those like minded I don’t blame you if it’s not meeting your standard but best advice:  walk away from this thread and come back next spring because from now until then you won’t get the answers you need

1 hour ago, Abzeronow said:

Amico guaranteeing an E rating isn't a bad thing in and of itself, as Tommy has made clear since that would cover a lot of games from the NES and the Atari 2600.  Parents buying consoles would certainly like that they don't have to curate Amico's game library for graphic violence or content that is plainly not appropriate for a child.  Also limitations can also enhance creativity for game developers, who will want to make games fun. 

 

Retrogamers are not the majority of the audience they are trying to get.  And I can see them doing interesting things with the Burgertime IP, and I can see potential for an interesting family-friendly take on Bad Dudes.  Sonic wasn't even SEGA's original mascot character and it took years for Nintendo to develop their powerful Mario IP.  Asking for the Amico to already have a giant mascot IP ready is just not realistic. 

 

Yes, but Steam requires a large amount of consumer curation because a lot of games on Steam are shovelware.  Mobile games are microtransaction heavy which I think Tommy is sincere in not having on Amico games (Whether or not, the Amico can realistically offer complete game experiences for under $10 remains to be seen.  Super Mario Run had a $10 price tag on mobile and seems to have gone underperformed some Nintendo expectations.  But this could work on a console like the Amico)

 

In 1984, someone like you probably would have said "A western version of the Famicom may zero sense to me.  Kids play at the arcade and love that.  Plus, home consoles are not likely going to offer something better than the arcade."  The position of the Big Three seems stable, and who knows if the Amico will make a dent against those behemoths, but there is absolutely an untapped market for family-friendly games with complete game experiences and playing those games in ways that the Big Three aren't offering.  Also, it says something that Ubisoft is still willing to port their Just Dance francise to the Wii.  The task that the Amico has is a difficult one, but if it can achieve even a modest success, the video game industry will notice and that would be a good thing for those of us who already have a current gen Big Three console. 

1. Unless this system is aimed at a leap frog alternative than yes it is.  Plenty of kids are playing games like Overwatch and Fortnit these days. Parents aren't as strict about their kid's gaming choices as they once were. I can understand removing M rated game, but T rated games by far have some of the most popular titles

2. It might not be, but if they don't have strong online multiplayer support then thats all they will be getting.  The only kids that want to play with their families are toddlers, most kids/teens just want to play with their buddies online.  

3. Steam has tons of great content at discounted prices. Android and iOS is filled with tons of shovelware too, but that doesn't stop them from being the #1 device people use to game on. 

4. Comparing Famicom to Amico is hilarious.  Famicom actually brought something new to the table when it released where as Amico seems to be trying to just release a 1980's like system in 2020. Unless Amico has the big franchises that kids care about and has an active online community it will not likely have much success outside the most diehard INTV fans. That is the truth.

1 minute ago, SegaSnatcher said:

1. Unless this system is aimed at a leap frog alternative than yes it is.  Plenty of kids are playing games like Overwatch and Fortnit these days. Parents aren't as strict about their kid's gaming choices as they once were. I can understand removing M rated game, but T rated games by far have some of the most popular titles

2. It might not be, but if they don't have strong online multiplayer support then thats all they will be getting.  The only kids that want to play with their families are toddlers, most kids/teens just want to play with their buddies online.  

3. Steam has tons of great content at discounted prices. Android and iOS is filled with tons of shovelware too, but that doesn't stop them from being the #1 device people use to game on. 

4. Comparing Famicom to Amico is hilarious.  Famicom actually brought something new to the table when it released where as Amico seems to be trying to just release a 1980's like system in 2020. Unless Amico has the big franchises that kids care about and has an active online community it will not likely have much success outside the most diehard INTV fans. That is the truth.

1. I'm aware that kids like to play Fortnite.  And now video game companies want to all cash in on "battle royale" games.  Gotta admit that the E for Everyone Tetris 99 is my favorite battle royale game but honestly, I don't want the Amico to chase trends, I want them to set trends.  Who knows, the Amico could have a game that makes real-time strategy the new hotness in console gaming.  Again, E is not a bad thing in and of itself (I'll note that ratings like this are all bunk anyway.  A dodge to avoid government regulation and ratings always have double standards.  Also the ESA sucks.  Ban loot boxes).

2. Yes, the Amico's intended path of not offering online multiplayer is going to be a tough sell to some families.  But Nintendo also tends to emphasize couch co-op or local multiplayer and most of us accept it for some games.  I don't see the Amico chasing the kind of games that require online multiplayer (and the DLC/microtransactions that accompany many online multiplayer games).  I can see the couch co-op focus giving the Amico a leg up in some countries outside the US where people like to gather together to play video games.

4. According to what Tommy is saying, The Amico is not a retro console, and it's not trying to be one.  It's trying to be the next evolution of the Wii.  They seem to have some things that they're keeping close to the vest but if the Amico can go where Sony and Microsoft failed to do with their attempts to copy the Wii's motion controls, the next generation of video games consoles could be the most interesting one in quite some time.  We'll just have to wait and see what gets revealed about the Intellivision Amico.

It would be kind of cool if the new AA software had some kind of icon telling everyone whether the user has raised children so that we could ignore opinions about children from those who have never raised children.

Ok sorry I am going into opinion / academic mode here...

The thing I have to remind myself is that people opinions on whether the Amico or anything will succeed or fail is just an opinion, often pulled from imagination.  I always have to think about my check list:

1) How does this person or group know what they are talking about?  Are they just saying "facts" in hopes I believe them? 

2) Most importantly do their "facts" actual have any data to back it up? Like actual articles, studies, or relevant links to prove they are not just blowing smoke?

Anytime I hear phrases like...

"..no one is going to buy product X..." (really did you somehow poll everyone!? I don't remember you asking me)

"..why would Group X use or buy this when Product Y exists?" (But people eat more than 1 candy bar brand or drink soda when water is cheap or free... people can cook at home and not spend money to eat but still eat at expensive restaurants as well etc...)

"..your product is only going to appeal to group X ..." (How do you know this, did you do a marketing study and realize only group X is willing to buy?)

"... if you only added feature X or remove feature Y then this product is going to sell millions..." (Millions? I mean is your network of millions of people telling you about specific features of a product not out yet; telling you to axe or add things? Are they time travellers?)

"... just look at how X sold.. that proves this new Y will succeed / fail..." (... don't go to movies anymore, movie X was a theatrical bomb...this movie fad thing has run its course...")

and many others... 

In engineering we used to say, "When it comes to "facts", trust no one without good data!"

After spending 11 years at my store doing sales and marketing, I had learned that what you THINK customers will want is almost always the opposite  of what will will actually buy, without real marketing research and footwork.

Opinions are great and welcomed, but make sure people know its just your opinion.

Ok sorry about my marketing / debate opinion rant..

2 minutes ago, Abzeronow said:

1. I'm aware that kids like to play Fortnite.  And now video game companies want to all cash in on "battle royale" games.  Gotta admit that the E for Everyone Tetris 99 is my favorite battle royale game but honestly, I don't want the Amico to chase trends, I want them to set trends.  Who knows, the Amico could have a game that makes real-time strategy the new hotness in console gaming.  Again, E is not a bad thing in and of itself (I'll note that ratings like this are all bunk anyway.  A dodge to avoid government regulation and ratings always have double standards.  Also the ESA sucks.  Ban loot boxes).

 

2. Yes, the Amico's intended path of not offering online multiplayer is going to be a tough sell to some families.  But Nintendo also tends to emphasize couch co-op or local multiplayer and most of us accept it for some games.  I don't see the Amico chasing the kind of games that require online multiplayer (and the DLC/microtransactions that accompany many online multiplayer games).  I can see the couch co-op focus giving the Amico a leg up in some countries outside the US where people like to gather together to play video games.

 

4. According to what Tommy is saying, The Amico is not a retro console, and it's not trying to be one.  It's trying to be the next evolution of the Wii.  They seem to have some things that they're keeping close to the vest but if the Amico can go where Sony and Microsoft failed to do with their attempts to copy the Wii's motion controls, the next generation of video games consoles could be the most interesting one in quite some time.  We'll just have to wait and see what gets revealed about the Intellivision Amico.

1. Exactly, they would have to come out with a brand new killer app IP to get a lot of people interested. 

2. Wait, you are telling me they have no intention of having any kind of online multiplayer?  Ummm, sorry but that is unacceptable for a console releasing in 2020. That is a must!!!  To deny online multiplayer is simply denying the standard feature gamers expect these days.  To believe people will accept the fact it doesn't have any online multiplayer because you might have a couple fun games shows to me that the people behind the Amico project are out of touch.  You can't reinvent the wheel by taking away popular features, you need to improve on them and or bring new things to the table that nobody else is doing that is actually interesting.  

4. Of course it is a retro inspired console.  They specifically talk about dedicated 2D hardware and the only games he's talked about so far are remakes of old classics and a new Earthworm Jim game which is a franchise that peaked in the 90s in terms of popularity. The controllers obviously draw inspiration from the original INTV controllers, but with a touch screen now and it won't even have online multiplayer if what you say is true.

I do have to compliment Tommy and the Amico project about something, at least he's not asking for funding.  It might not be my cup of tea, but at least he's funding it with his own money.  

I believe it's been said that they haven't ruled out online multiplayer, only that it won't have it at launch.

Just now, mr_me said:

I believe it's been said that they haven't ruled out online multiplayer, only that it won't have it at launch.

Hmmm, I honestly think that might be the biggest mistake not to have any kind of online infrastructure ready at launch.  Online Multiplayer is simply too important to ignore as this is relevant to both casual and core gamers. People want the convenience to play with their friends online, its the standard in modern gaming.

I love the idea of the focus on couch multiplayer personally.  I do not feel there are enough couch games on consoles where the couch portion was not an add on after the online version.

If they do decide to go online I just hope that couch doesn't become an afterthought.

1 minute ago, imstarryeyed said:

I love the idea of the focus on couch multiplayer personally.  I do not feel there are enough couch games on consoles where the couch portion was not an add on after the online version.

 

If they do decide to go online I just hope that couch doesn't become an afterthought.

 

Why not have both?  The big three might be focused on online multiplayer, but there are still tons of couch multiplayer experiences available, especially with the Switch.  Playing Mario Kart 8 or Smash Bros is fun as hell both online and on the couch with your buddies.  People should have more choices, not less.

Reasons given include online multiplayer being difficult and expensive to implement.  They obviously have other priorities to focus on before launch.  I see no reason it can't be something they grow into.