Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

7 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Yes ! And depending of the player looking at it (different controller), different clue ? Just a thought ! 😁

7 hours ago, xucaen said:

Yeah! Maybe each player has a different filter (based on character stats, personality,  pov, etc.,) That allows them to see different things. This could be great!

7 hours ago, LePionnier said:

And "Karma engine" ! Younger player could have better clue !

Let's wait Tommy to see if it's possible before writing a game for them ! lol 🤣

I am loving this next level thinking about screen controller use. Hidden information, different information per user and user skill level adjusted information. Just think of all the strategy, board & card games that would work well and new games or variants which would be hard/impossible to do otherwise. Maybe charades where a 2 word phrase gets split between two people and acted out simultaneously. Maybe a kids Sherlock and Watson detective story where Sherlock is a dog that gets shown “smell clues” found in different places than Watson’s magnified visual clues. I am getting more and more excited for the new game possibilities on this thing.

6 hours ago, fiudr said:

This is an interesting point. I'd like to hear Tommy's input on this.

 

Many newer car owners dislike the touchscreen interfaces for radio, climate control, etc., because it takes your eyes off the road to look at the screen to navigate the menus and find the "virtual buttons", which is of course bad when you're driving. Whereas traditional car controls consist of physical buttons, dials and knobs which give a tactile response. You can keep your eyes on the road, and just reach down and change the radio station, adjust volume, slide the heat up/down, etc., just by feel.

 

I think this may be a valid point about these new controllers. The physical disc and side buttons should be fine. But I imagine depending on how the touch-screen controls are set up for each game, your fingers could get "lost" since you're looking at the TV, which could result in constantly looking down at the touch screen to find where you need to be touching. With the original Intellivison controllers, there was a bit of this - those overlays took away most of the feel of the buttons, and I often found myself looking down at the controller and then back to the TV again, because I'd move my fingers onto the wrong buttons. I never have that issue with xbox/playstation controllers, because you never need to look away from the screen to instantly feel the two thumbsticks, the triggers, d-pad, buttons - it's easily felt through touch alone.

 

Just a thought. I'm very excited to try out these controllers, but I do wonder how they are able to get past this potential concern.

 

EDIT to add:

 

I also imagine using the app/phone instead of the controller could be even more problematic in this regard, as it wouldn't even have the disc and physical buttons. Tommy did say the app will work okay for some simpler games, but for more complex games the Amico controller would be better. I'd imagine that's due to the physical disc and buttons that would give the edge over using the app. Which goes back to me wondering how will the Amico controller screen be used in games? Fire buttons? Movement? Options/selection? Providing hidden information for each player separately?

 

 

You don't need to look at the touchpad to swipe a direction and tap to repeat action.  So far we've been told to wait until summer for the "surprises".  It's still early in development for most games.  Remember, developers are designing games for the Amico controller not adapting existing games to it.

With intellivision controllers many people stopped using the overlays, once they learned the game, for that tactile feel of the buttons.

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Atari shirt!?!?!

 

What the hell!

 

3 minutes ago, mr_me said:

With intellivision controllers many people stopped using the overlays, once they learned the game, for that tactile feel of the buttons.

I know I did. Not worth the trouble.

7 hours ago, fiudr said:

 

I think this may be a valid point about these new controllers. The physical disc and side buttons should be fine. But I imagine depending on how the touch-screen controls are set up for each game, your fingers could get "lost" since you're looking at the TV, which could result in constantly looking down at the touch screen to find where you need to be touching. With the original Intellivison controllers, there was a bit of this - those overlays took away most of the feel of the buttons, and I often found myself looking down at the controller and then back to the TV again, because I'd move my fingers onto the wrong buttons. I never have that issue with xbox/playstation controllers, because you never need to look away from the screen to instantly feel the two thumbsticks, the triggers, d-pad, buttons - it's easily felt through touch alone.

 

Just a thought. I'm very excited to try out these controllers, but I do wonder how they are able to get past this potential concern.

 

EDIT to add:

 

I also imagine using the app/phone instead of the controller could be even more problematic in this regard, as it wouldn't even have the disc and physical buttons. Tommy did say the app will work okay for some simpler games, but for more complex games the Amico controller would be better. I'd imagine that's due to the physical disc and buttons that would give the edge over using the app. Which goes back to me wondering how will the Amico controller screen be used in games? Fire buttons? Movement? Options/selection? Providing hidden information for each player separately?

I think this will all just be handled by proper game design. The old Intelllivision controller had a fixed number of buttons and so a set size but if an Amico designer is using the screen as a button maybe it is the whole screen or a half or a quarter of the screen - so 1, 2 or 4 buttons. Much easier to memorize the zone of each one. Also the screen might be used similar to a trackball/mouse/touch pointer and your finger never leaves the surface - you just slide around.  The shoulder buttons or disc are then used for everything else. On strategy games - sure load up the screen with lots of options and look at the controller - there is little or no time pressure. I really only think this maybe an issue in some OG games emulated on the system since a few used lots of the keypad buttons and are still arcade in nature. I don’t think this will be an issue at all for the new/remake games.

12 hours ago, Pink said:

Haven't been here in a while, any word on a time frame when the other limited edition colors like that amazing looking red one may go up for sale? Will they only be sold through the website or will they be in stores or at other retailers?

Hi!,

Thanks for stopping by!  

Our current plan is to do pre-orders for the other colors in the Spring.  Different colors would be attached to different stores as exclusives.  We are still working out the details... but that is the current plan.

12 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

Just watched my bro neat EWJ2 on SNES.

 

Is the next EWJ game going to be a platformer or more like a collection of minigames?

 

EWJ2 wasn't what I would call straight platforming. Had a lot of levels that were different from each other which gave me the minigame thought.

Correct.  Everyone always associates EWJ games as side scrolling platformers... but that was only around 60% of the levels.  We always loved the idea of mixing it up and having people do different things every time.

Our motto while creating the first two was always... "Expect the unexpected!"

We wanted to do so many different types of things back then... but couldn't, because we were restricted by what the controllers could do.  All you had was a d-pad and a few buttons back then.  

Part of the reason we've been waiting so long to do another game together, is we never felt like there was a controller that was capable of doing what we wanted to do.  Something that everyone could enjoy that was simple, yet totally unexpected.  We want to break ALL the traditional rules!

So to answer your question... there will be some side scrolling levels, but not in the way you would think.  But it just won't be a bunch of mini-games as well.  Something really different and unique that utilizes the controller in a way no one has ever seen or attempted before.  Microphone, Speaker, Motion Controls, Touch Screen, RFID, Force Feedback, Lights on controllers and console... and of course... couch co-op capability.  ALL of it will be utilized... and the humor of course is going to be off the charts.  

It cracks me up when I see negative comments like... "Screw them and their exclusives!  I'll just buy it on the PS or Switch 6 months later when the machine fails!".   Uh... no you won't.  As I keep saying over and over... most of the games we're making for Amico (especially EWJ!) can NOT be played on any other system, because of our controller.  

Sorry I couldn't get more into specifics... but it's really going to be something super amazing... and probably won't be out until Christmas of 2021!

11 hours ago, ASalvaro said:

speaking of Beauty & The Beast how about make the new version look like the box art! 

Cool idea.

11 hours ago, jcalder8 said:

Spy Vs Spy?

 

I keep throwing the money at my monitor but it isn't doing anything. I NEED this in my life! Even just a remake of the first and second ones for the NES would be fantastic!

Imagine the possibilities with everyone having a touchscreen!!

12 hours ago, ASalvaro said:

speaking of Beauty & The Beast how about make the new version look like the box art! 

Don't really know why peeps are begging for what's essentially a Donkey Kong ripoff, but Ok. 

The box art idea is awesome though! Sort of a model train set type of art. 

But What's his bad guy face has to also toss down "IMAGIC is not related to Mattel Electronics Inc. or Sears" as an obstacle as well. 

Edit: Also... Why don't the elevators work in these buildings? Are there no stairwells?

12 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

Don't really know why peeps are begging for what's essentially a Donkey Kong ripoff, but Ok. 

Agreed, if we have to "go there" pick from the two of them, Tropical Trouble was at least an interesting idea to go for a Horizontal take on that same game type. B&B was.... ehh...fine. 

3 minutes ago, pesh42 said:

Agreed, if we have to "go there" pick from the two of them, Tropical Trouble was at least an interesting idea to go for a Horizontal take on that same game type. B&B was.... ehh...fine. 

Also, Tropical Trouble can easily be expanded into a major adventure game and an amazing placeholder until the licenses for Pitfall and design of that game gets finished.

11 hours ago, Shawn said:

 

That is 100 percent false and I'm sure you know it's false too.

What an odd (and somewhat rude) way to respond to someone.  Although given your aggressive interactions with me and others in other threads... it doesn't surprise me that the one comment you make here is a bit combative.

By trying to call him out by saying "I'm sure you know it's false too"... what were you implying?  Please explain and expand.  

After your comment he edited and said "There is almost nothing left to evolve in terms of graphics and sound at good price."

So he meant "at a good price" to clarify.... which is important in the discussion.

Also... we HAVE absolutely hit the ceiling in terms of audio... so half the statement has already happened.

The ceiling for graphics from a technology standpoint has pretty much almost hit the ceiling for PC's.  Take a look at the testing below using the Unreal 4 engine.  Tim at Epic has been quoted as saying it will take 40 terraflops to get it right.

Obviously game makers can't SELL a game like this at this point because they want to sell to the masses... not the 1,000 people who have a PC and graphics card fast enough to handle it.

Will graphics in home consoles, PC's & mobile continue getting better?  For sure.  But the technology is already there... it just needs the inexpensive price point to catch up to it.  Which is probably still 10 -15 years or 2 console generations away.

But I'm sure you already knew your statement was false... didn't you?

10 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

When you see Death Stranding, well... You can't do much better than that. Better hair, better lighting, slightly better resolution and frame rates... Developers have been creating masterpieces in all genres, including FPS, for more than 25 years now, so none of those aspects will translate in huge gameplay improvements for most of the games, that's for sure.

 

Hey Tommy, here's another question about international marketing: Will you consider "Intellivision" as part of the name of the console, as in Nintendo DS or Nintendo 64, or will it be simply the Amico, as in PS4 or Xbox One (nobody says "the Sony Playstation" or "the Microsoft Xbox" in Spain)? Languages like Spanish, French or Italian will probably refer to the console as "the Amico" or "the Amico by Intellivision" instead of "the Intellivision Amico".

It's Intellivision Amico (and no "the").

But yes.. people will refer to it by Amico I'm sure.  It was called the Nintendo Wii... but people would refer to it as just the "Wii".

We can't really control the narrative of what people end up referring to it as.  But like our logo says... we officially call it Intellivision Amico.  But when marketing and someone is talking about it... it will be simply "Amico".

What I'm curious about is how folks are going to refer to the next line of XBOX's as!   I'm not a fan of any of their names past the original XBOX.  I think they have an even more uphill battle this next round... especially with more Series' letters/numbers coming out besides X.  But I believe Phil mentioned recently in an interview that they just want people to refer to it as XBOX.  Yet more confusion for non-gamers and moms walking into a store asking for XBOX this Christmas.  "Which "version" do you want sir/maam?"  I don't know... they said XBOX!  AND DON'T CALL ME SIR!!!   

10 hours ago, Battlefish said:

This reminds me, there's a tribute game coming out called Neighborhood Watch. I think it's being developed by the same people who put out the latest ToeJam & Earl.

We are working with them. 

10 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Which game is this? I didn't find it here.

 

 

I was wondering the same.  Imagic Dracula for Colecovision??

9 hours ago, Pink said:

I'd go insane if there was a Zombies ate my Neighbor style game on the Amico or a spiritual successor or some sort (Or a direct seuqel, I can dream!)

You won't need to dream too hard!!   

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

You won't need to dream too hard!!   

 

 

You need a Santa beard and let me sit on your lap... Daddy! 😍

9 hours ago, xucaen said:

I just started playing a game on the Wii called Titanic. It is a point-and-click adventure game with mini games where you have to find hidden items. and all the different screens are tied together with an interesting plot and narrative about some fictional characters who are on the Titanic. And that got me to thinking that we could do some sort of adventure game on the Amico and using the controller in a way where you hold it up to the screen it acts like a magnifying glass where you see the images on the TV but blown up so you can really examine stuff. I think it adventure game like that would work very well on the Amico.

Something somewhat similar In the works!!!   

It's interesting that folks are still discovering cool games on a system that is over 14 years old!  It's a bit of a shame that it's taken that long to find something cool that you maybe didn't know existed when it first came out.

This is why we like our strict curation "every game is 1st party" distribution method.  Would you have found that game if only 100 games total existed on the platform within the first 2 or 3 years years?  Would the developer/publisher had made more money if the game was featured and not lost with the hundreds of shovelware titles being offered?

Our goal is make every game a "featured" title multiple times throughout the year so that folks are able to "know" the game exists without having to see a commerical on TV or a billboard on the freeway.

 

9 hours ago, xucaen said:

Yeah! Maybe each player has a different filter (based on character stats, personality,  pov, etc.,) That allows them to see different things. This could be great!

We are doing something similar in our Ecc.... um... I mean... "dolphin" game. 

9 hours ago, LePionnier said:

And "Karma engine" ! Younger player could have better clue !

Let's wait Tommy to see if it's possible before writing a game for them ! lol 🤣

Ok ! It's time I go to bed. Good night !

 

We're doing a LOT of that!!  Better clues on the individual controllers... but we don't base it on age... we base it on your current score or standing at that particular moment!  Even doing it on Shark! Shark!  

More info to come in June!  

8 hours ago, fiudr said:

This is an interesting point. I'd like to hear Tommy's input on this.

 

Many newer car owners dislike the touchscreen interfaces for radio, climate control, etc., because it takes your eyes off the road to look at the screen to navigate the menus and find the "virtual buttons", which is of course bad when you're driving. Whereas traditional car controls consist of physical buttons, dials and knobs which give a tactile response. You can keep your eyes on the road, and just reach down and change the radio station, adjust volume, slide the heat up/down, etc., just by feel.

 

I think this may be a valid point about these new controllers. The physical disc and side buttons should be fine. But I imagine depending on how the touch-screen controls are set up for each game, your fingers could get "lost" since you're looking at the TV, which could result in constantly looking down at the touch screen to find where you need to be touching. With the original Intellivison controllers, there was a bit of this - those overlays took away most of the feel of the buttons, and I often found myself looking down at the controller and then back to the TV again, because I'd move my fingers onto the wrong buttons. I never have that issue with xbox/playstation controllers, because you never need to look away from the screen to instantly feel the two thumbsticks, the triggers, d-pad, buttons - it's easily felt through touch alone.

 

Just a thought. I'm very excited to try out these controllers, but I do wonder how they are able to get past this potential concern.

 

EDIT to add:

 

I also imagine using the app/phone instead of the controller could be even more problematic in this regard, as it wouldn't even have the disc and physical buttons. Tommy did say the app will work okay for some simpler games, but for more complex games the Amico controller would be better. I'd imagine that's due to the physical disc and buttons that would give the edge over using the app. Which goes back to me wondering how will the Amico controller screen be used in games? Fire buttons? Movement? Options/selection? Providing hidden information for each player separately?

 

 

I can't talk about this until June.

But don't worry.... we've taken care of the problem.  And it's HUGE!!  People FREAK OUT when they see what we've come up with and how we're doing it.  Patents still pending.  All I can say at this moment.

That being said... we've found that something pushing a touch screen to shoot is actually MORE responsive than a normal button!  Because there is no delay at all... so you can fire off a lot of bullets (and in whatever direction you choose!).  

It's just something you need to experience first hand.  But the great news is that you'll have options for most every game.  But just know... that in a lot of cases... folks are using the screen to shoot on the Amico controllers when they could also use the buttons.  The screen is just faster.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

11 hours ago, Shawn said:

That is 100 percent false and I'm sure you know it's false too.

What an odd (and somewhat rude) way to respond to someone.  Although given your aggressive interactions with me and others in other threads... it doesn't surprise me that the one comment you make here is a bit combative.

By trying to call him out by saying "I'm sure you know it's false too"... what were you implying?  Please explain and expand.  

He said "There is almost nothing left to evolve in terms of graphics and sound at good price."
 

Thank you. Yes it was rude, like if I wanted to lie.

But I just want to make a precision.

He did not erase the part "at a good price".  I Edit it after his message.

I mention it with "Precision" in the Edit note, but I should have writen EDIT next to the text added.

Sorry for the confusion. I will know for next time.

EDIT : ( Proof I can learn ! lol ) But who knows, maybe he would have left this part anyway ! lol     END of EDIT.

Thank you.

2 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

 

 

I am loving this next level thinking about screen controller use. Hidden information, different information per user and user skill level adjusted information. Just think of all the strategy, board & card games that would work well and new games or variants which would be hard/impossible to do otherwise. Maybe charades where a 2 word phrase gets split between two people and acted out simultaneously. Maybe a kids Sherlock and Watson detective story where Sherlock is a dog that gets shown “smell clues” found in different places than Watson’s magnified visual clues. I am getting more and more excited for the new game possibilities on this thing.

Yes!  Exactly!  I can't tell you how many developers and designers have been opened up to this idea!!  

When certain YouTubers just dismiss the entire controller and declare that any of our games can be played on a Switch or PS or mobile device... they literally have no idea what they're talk about (also keep in mind that I TOLD them this is the case and the response was... YEAH RIGHT! YOU'RE WRONG!).

I've been pushing developers and making lots of design ideas/decisions for them at first because they are so used to just doing design for the same way for the past 20 or 30 years (sometimes 40!).  As the system grows... I look forward to seeing all of the amazing ideas and design concepts that the developers will come up with!  I know they'll be doing things that we never even thought about or thought would be possible.  I can't wait!

49 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

Don't really know why peeps are begging for what's essentially a Donkey Kong ripoff, but Ok. 

The box art idea is awesome though! Sort of a model train set type of art. 

But What's his bad guy face has to also toss down "IMAGIC is not related to Mattel Electronics Inc. or Sears" as an obstacle as well. 

 

Edit: Also... Why don't the elevators work in these buildings? Are there no stairwells?

I think, in the case of Beauty & the Beast, the title is more important than the game; especially for all the people not familiar with the intellivision cartridge.  And since nintendo licenses are doubtful, there's nothing wrong with a donkey kong ripoff.