Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

8 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

...

 

 

Tommy (and everyone), what do you have to say? Answering the first one can probably be fun since his suggestion is so crazy, and clarifying the second with real data would also be great.

I know some folks are upset with the 2nd guy but I'm going to assume this guy simply made an honest mistake.  He misunderstood 5M units to be $5M.  Given that misunderstanding, since $5M equates to a mere 25000 units, some of the conclusions that fall out of that aren't unreasonable.  Yes, there are people out there legitimately hating on the Amico but this guy doesn't seem to be one of those.  Some folks just aren't as engaged in the tiny details like we are and will get facts incorrect.

The reply to the guy seems reasonable and level-headed.  My only (minor) recommendation would be for it to be shorter.

22 minutes ago, mr_me said:

In this case the paywall is the Amico itself.  Because all the games are exclusive, if you are only interested in one Amico game you have to pay over $200+ to play it.

I must admit that is the one interview I skimmed because I just didn't like the participants attitude - I just got the impression that that entire crowd is one of those "not good enough" gangs of pompous perfectionist.

I am not a huge fan of exclusives as a consumer BUT I recognize why console makers have them. Also everything is somewhat an exclusive because you have to have *some* device (that cost money) to play them on and a lot of games require a  high end PC, XBox or PS4 just to meet the bar - they aren't individual console exclusive but they are "you need X dollars to play" exclusives. At least the Amico falls on to the lower end of that scale of dollars to play - not perfect but you know - good enough.

Also the whole allowing sex or violent content on gaming platforms. IF we lived in a world where no console maker had it I would be pushing to allow more freedom. However since everyone does allow it to one degree or another - having an option that exclusively does not allow it is actually what I am pushing for. I don't think having a kids Ranger Rick magazine hinders Playboy in any way (or vise versa). However that doesn't satisfy the 'everywhere or nothing' crowd.

Anyway rant over - just had to get that out.

I found the interview quite interesting due to the contrast between Tommy and Vara Dark, but yeah, she complained too much about the censorship. Tommy had to answer the same question about 6-7 times.

Apparently, she strongly opposes any form of censorship in video games and this is why, even if she will buy an Amico because she is a huge board game fan, she made the M-rated games the main theme of the interview.

Game designer Mike Mika discovers proof that the designer of an 1980's book cover foresaw the future - believe it or not!*

*Reference to the old Ripley's Believe It or Not! TV show for those too young to remember

Smash JT missed the "Amico Founders Preorder" video roundup so here it is:

EDIT: And a couple of more:

Too soon Tommy Tallarico?

TJ

1 hour ago, IntelliMission said:

I found the interview quite interesting due to the contrast between Tommy and Vara Dark, but yeah, she complained too much about the censorship. Tommy had to answer the same question about 6-7 times.

 

Apparently, she strongly opposes any form of censorship in video games and this is why, even if she will buy an Amico because she is a huge board game fan, she made the M-rated games the main theme of the interview.

She didn't describe what they're doing with Amico as censorship.  She said they are alienating developers, alienating customers, and limiting growth of the console.

Of course it is a business decision to lose some customers and gain others.  Developers aren't being censored or alienated.  Any one developer creates different kinds of games, has many choices of platforms and are free to develop on any or all of them.  Back in 1988 you could argue Nintendo was practicing censorship since they monopolised the platform for video games.

I still don't understand how they're going to have Texas Hold'em or even Horse Racing on Amico since, my understanding is that, simulated gambling requires a teen rating.

10 minutes ago, mr_me said:

I still don't understand how they're going to have Texas Hold'em or even Horse Racing on Amico since, my understanding is that, simulated gambling requires a teen rating.

No simulated gambling is fine as far as a rating is concerned - a quick search on ESRB shows "Phar Lap Horse Racing Challenge" as E, Party Arcade (slot machines) E, Atari Flashback Classics (blackjack and slots) E, etc.

Thanks to the Intellivision Entertainment office folks for fixing my order dilemna;they were extremely helpful.

I now have my e-mail confirmation for my Founders Edition,hooray!!!😀👍✨🎆

20 minutes ago, wolfy62 said:

Thanks to the Intellivision Entertainment office folks for fixing my order dilemna;they were extremely helpful.

I now have my e-mail confirmation for my Founders Edition,hooray!!!😀👍✨🎆

Great news!

TJ

Hi Everyone,

Just landed in Doha, Qatar (performing on Friday and have Intellivision investor meetings set up all around it).  3:30am here so will try to answer as many as possible.

So many cool Amico videos hitting YouTube lately!  Hardly enough time to catch up.  I can't imagine what it will be like once the system hits big!  Will always try to make time to come here whenever possible.  Please don't be disappointed if I don't answer every question.  Sometimes I just can't yet (contracts, patents, release timing) and sometimes the answer may take a long explanation and with limited time... I just have to pass for now (but will try to give somewhat of an answer if possible).

Thanks for you patience and understanding.

On we go....

On 1/28/2020 at 5:55 AM, Serguei2 said:

Congratulations.

Thanks!

I noticed that you posted something about the Oof sound not being the same as in the original Messiah game.  FYI... the sound that Roblox has distributed to over 400 million people around the world has my MetaData on the sound.

Yes... the clip you used from Messiah had in-game digital delay.  But it doesn't mean it's not the same exact .wav file.  Just wanted to make you aware.

Thanks.

On 1/28/2020 at 10:20 AM, 1001lives said:

The FE selling out so quickly beat all my expectations. I had it pegged at a few days. With some marketing and more buzz I am sure Tommy is right that they could have sold 10,000 or more in a week or two.

 

 

We were still doing about 10 machines every 5 minutes when we had to shut it off. 

On 1/28/2020 at 10:58 AM, MarioMan88 said:

I really didn’t know what to expect in terms of the sales. I knew I was pumped and was all in. Kinda shocked it sold out in less than 8 hrs, thought maybe it would take a few days.

 

Shows what I know 😆

Less than 6!  Don't sell us short!   I'm already short enough!  hahaha!

On 1/28/2020 at 10:33 AM, Juice said:

Never been more happy to be proven wrong. the fact that a 1000 sold out within the first five minutes I didn't think there was going to be that many people at the exact top of the hour. Glad that many people are in to it. My question is if someone is to move before October would it be easy to change the shipping address? Thanks

Yeah... no problem.  You'll put in your shipping address (which will also calculate shipping) when they are ready to ship.

Thanks!

On 1/28/2020 at 10:39 AM, GrudgeQ said:

Me too, I had the first 24 hours moving 2000+ units and then a day or two 'cleanup' so I was going 72 hours. I was only 66 hours off 😂. Demand was *way more* than I thought it would be. Traffic on the Reddit page has doubled though just this month & subs are way up (25-30% new members). Things have just spiked in 2020 - maybe because 10/10/2020 mantra and it turning 2020 finally people have suddenly gotten serious? Just don't know why the sudden jump.

Thanks for keeping up all the Reddit stuff!  I'm not a Reddit guy at all... but clearly millions are!  So thanks for spearheading that and keeping it up to date! 

On 1/28/2020 at 10:58 AM, Machine said:

So on the founders page it says: " Rock out with Earthworm Jim and Tommy Tallarico albums and digital downloads." Whats does that mean? I read it as albums AND digital.....but that can't be right can it?

Sorry if this has been addressed.

Yep!  It's correct!!  You get BOTH the physical CD's AND the digital downloads! 

On 1/28/2020 at 11:01 AM, MinerWilly said:

Congratulations Intellivision Team! Waiting my FE-edition here in Europe. I was wondering about power plugs because my FE is shipping from US, right? Do I just need to use adapter or is there a different kind of plugs coming with console?

We are still figuring it out.  Worst case is that you'll need a simple plug adapter... but it's all on 220v so the machine/cord will work no problem.  I'll ask my tech guys on the plug and will get back to you.

On 1/28/2020 at 11:03 AM, MonsterSky said:

This morning I told my work colleagues about the preorder event of the Founders Edition of Amico of yesterday and someone (especially mothers, strange thing, right Tommy? ) wanted to know more about the console and the games.

 

Continuing preading the word...

 

Amazing that mom's are interested right?!?! 

Funny how the haters just don't get it still.  They will eventually. 

On 1/28/2020 at 11:36 AM, AtariSociety said:

Anyone else get a Copyright Claim against their YouTube review videos for the Astrosmash Demo Video that Intellivision just put out?

 

I did and although my channel is not monetized, I guess if it was they want the $$ from it.  haha.

 

Anyway, curious if the rest of you did also.

 

TJ

 

Suddenly

Video uses this song's melody

Copyright owners

LatinAutor - Warner Chappell, UNIAO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORAS DE MUSICA - UBEM, LatinAutor - UMPG, Shapiro Bernstein, LatinAutor, UMPG Publishing, EMI Music Publishing, UMPI

Although I co-produced the song and the album with BT... the record company can claim the song.  Same thing happened on our video as well.  They don't mind that the song is being used... they just put a small ad at the start to monetize the music publishing.  It's fair and I understand.

4 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We are still figuring it out.  Worst case is that you'll need a simple plug adapter... but it's all on 220v so the machine/cord will work no problem.  I'll ask my tech guys on the plug and will get back to you.

Speaking of that, will the power adapter have two prongs, or three? I've had consoles short circuit on occasion, due to lack of grounding.

On 1/28/2020 at 11:56 AM, AtariSociety said:

Indeed... I am a Rabble Rowser!

😋

 

TJ

First time I think I ever read someone typing "Rabble Rowser" on the internet! 

Hahhaha!  Epic!

We gotta bring that phrase back!

On 1/28/2020 at 12:29 PM, LePionnier said:

Now let's talk about Astrosmash. I'm going to talk about it in the most constructive way possible, I know Tommy likes to have all points of view.

(And I hope my choice of words is good enough in english, so please consider. 😊  )

 

I did not feel as excited as with Night Stalker.

I know this is only a very early version and it's nice to have shown it to us.
But I have been wondering since yesterday, and I will try to understand why I am not so excited, even if I do not find it bad.

 

Why I am not thrilled by the Astrosmash video like I was with Night Stalker ?

1) Obviously, missing sounds and special effects are crucial. In the original, we heard the famous sound before we even saw the homing missiles, and the kinds of grenade that made us explode!
2) I find that we are too close to the screen. I noticed that when the two players are far from each other, the camera backs up a bit, but we still should see a little further in my opinion.

3) From the start of the game (first 10 seconds), we have already seen the majority of the various asteroids and vessels, which took away the anticipation during the video.

     I remember during the original game, we were eager to see the color change, and to see the new difficulties that we would have to face.

4) Maybe I expected too much, because Astrosmash had been preferred to skiing to be revealed to the public. I expected it to be almost complete !

 

What I liked :

1) Especially towards the end of the video, I found the asteroids that split in two as in the original. Very well executed. (Starting at 2:45)

2) The landscape is very well done. I imagine that sometimes it will change.

3) Really like the flying saucer as well as certain asteroids.

4) Several kinds of shots possible from the tank.

 

Suggestions (Brain storming):

1) Change the colors of the vehicle wheels to differentiate between the different players. (The red part would change color depending on the player's color)

2) Like in Breakout, it could be cool to have music, and that the explosions could create a rhythm with this music !?

3) See a flying saucer or a huge Asteroid arriving from the landscape. (It would take him like 1 minute before arriving at us. Anticipation and stress because it will be difficult to destroy. Could be a boss !)

4a) Power-Up in Co-op Mode: Use a grapple that pulls to the side to quickly bring back our teammate and make him avoid an asteroids.

4b) Power-Up in Versus Mode (if you have one). Use a paralyzing beam on our opponent (half a second) so that an asteroid falls on it.

5) In co-op mode, have the opportunity to hang on with our teammate and use the most powerful weapon.
   One shooting and the other moves but we are more vulnerable to get hit. Both have a button to separate at any time!

 

Questions

1) Does the shield disappear after an impact, or after a certain time ?

2) Will there be levels, (like going to another planet!?) or as the original will have no end ?

 

Conclusion

The majority of the points mentioned regarding the reasons that I had a moderate reaction while watching the video will no longer exist in a few months !

I have confidence in the whole team, and I am sure that Astrosmash will be well done. Especially with Tommy working on sound and Astrosmash being one of the 5 games provided with the system !

Tommy could even decrease his hours of sleep from 4 to 3 hours ! lol  😉

 

THANK YOU !

 

 

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback.  The demo show was just a very very unfinished early footage.  But we wanted to get people excited about what we're doing and we wanted to show as much cool stuff as we could before the Founders Edition went on pre-sale.  These are just mere "teases" for the folks.  We are trying a very unique approach to showing off the system.  We want folks to feel like they are a part of what we're doing and can see the games and hardware progress as they are being made.  We feel this approach is super rare in the industry (the big 3 would NEVER do anything like this) and that it's fun for the folks following to watch the progression. 

Here are a few answers to your comments.

Yes... there will be at least 4 different player ships and they will all move and animate and the firing will look super cool.

Correct... no sound effects or music yet.  Need to finish the animation timings before diving into that.

Yes. The camera is a little too close... did that on purpose so that folks could see a little more detail.  The final will be pulled back a little bit to show even more stuff.
You said you saw the majority too early.  My friend... you ain't seen nothin' yet!!!  And yes... tons of AMAZING looking levels/backgrounds. 
Sorry that you expected it to be complete... that wasn't our intention... we still have a LONG way to go so please be patient with us when we show off this kind of stuff. 

Thanks again for your thoughtful comments.  Just remember... anything we show is far from completed at this point.

Thanks!

On 1/28/2020 at 12:31 PM, AtariSociety said:

I figured it is Tommy's own music on that track.

TJ

I co-produced it (and the entire album) with BT... but don't own the majority/control of it.

If you guys like that track... please check out the entire album!  It's called "Electronic Opus" by BT.  BT is considered one of the godfathers of Electronic and Trance music.  He is absolutely AMAZING and it was a huge honor to work with him as he has been a good friend for a long time and considered a legit musical genius.

I put the links to the album at the bottom of the Astrosmash video description.  Please check it out.  It really is special.  We worked on it for over 2 years.

Here's a trailer we did for the live show during Miami Music Week (for those of you who know what that is... you'll be impressed). 

And here's a documentary on the "Making Of..."

Thank you Tommy for coming here and talking with us at this late hour for you.