Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

2 hours ago, Blarneo said:

I know I did. Not worth the trouble.

Yeah... especially for Baseball.  It was all just muscle memory!

Utopia is the one that I always needed the overlays for though.  Could never remember what all the buildings were.

How about the rest of you??  What original Intellivision games did you ALWAYS need the overlay for???

13 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

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

 

 

"What is the worst kept secret in the world, Alex?"

57 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 liked it because it somewhat combined 3 of my favorite games at the time.  Donkey Kong, Crazy Climber and Elevator Action!

We definitely intend on adding some interesting elements from building to building.  I think it could work as a simple game to understand, but tough to master and complete.  I also think kids would love it if we make it super funny.

6 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... especially for Baseball.  It was all just muscle memory!

Utopia is the one that I always needed the overlays for though.  Could never remember what all the buildings were.

How about the rest of you??  What original Intellivision games did you ALWAYS need the overlay for???

 

 

My brother was a stickler for the overlays and always put them in when we played. He would not let me even touch his Intellivision because it cost so much more than the Atari and he considered it to be more adult like console. He would take such care of his overlays! He mostly wanted me to play the 2 player games so he could enjoy a good beat down as I was 6 years younger than him 😂

45 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. 

...or....

BOTH!!

:D

41 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

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.

I'm definitely a fan.

5 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

How about the rest of you??  What original Intellivision games did you ALWAYS need the overlay for???

Horse Racing

Sea Battle

Space Battle

3 minutes ago, MarioMan88 said:

My brother was a stickler for the overlays and always put them in when we played. He would not let me even touch his Intellivision because it cost so much more than the Atari and he considered it to be more adult like console. He would take such care of his overlays!

Mine had fingernail dents in them from my Mom's 3000lbs per square inch of finger force.

18 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

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.

Cool.  Thanks.  I edited my comment as well (based on yours).  :)

12 minutes ago, mr_me said:

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.

I agree.

Maybe Popeye also?... but that's an added license as well.  I had it growing up... but was never a super huge fan.  It was definitely decent, just never in my top 20.

8 minutes ago, MarioMan88 said:

My brother was a stickler for the overlays and always put them in when we played. He would not let me even touch his Intellivision because it cost so much more than the Atari and he considered it to be more adult like console. He would take such care of his overlays! He mostly wanted me to play the 2 player games so he could enjoy a good beat down as I was 6 years younger than him 😂

Karma Engine.... 40 years too late.

8 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

Horse Racing

Sea Battle

Space Battle

Oh yeah!  Space Battle was pretty much impossible!

For Horse Racing we would put the overlay in front of us... but not in the controller.  No idea why we did it for that one and not others... I just always remember doing that whenever me & my younger brother would play.  Probably saw our parents doing it or something and just picked it up. 

6 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

For Horse Racing we would put the overlay in front of us... but not in the controller.  No idea why we did it for that one and not others... I just always remember doing that whenever me & my younger brother would play.  Probably saw our parents doing it or something and just picked it up. 

 

Yes ! How did I never think of that ! 😅

Edit : Probably because it was so beautiful with overlays on the controller !

12 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I agree.

Maybe Popeye also?... 

So let it be written , so let it be done!!! Loved Popeye, so much potential for a re-imagined release... make it so...  

58 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I liked it because it somewhat combined 3 of my favorite games at the time.  Donkey Kong, Crazy Climber and Elevator Action!

We definitely intend on adding some interesting elements from building to building.  I think it could work as a simple game to understand, but tough to master and complete.  I also think kids would love it if we make it super funny.

Crazy climber had this fun dual joystick climbing mechanic.

I wasn't a fan of intellivision beauty & the beast but I was thinking you could do something fun with it and I know you will.

Actually I was hoping you could take some of the problem intellivision games and make them fun, e.g. Star Strike.  Mazeatron is another one I keep thinking of.  You can change the title but there's something I like about an action-adventure set inside a computer with a final battle against the MCP.

25 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Karma Engine.... 40 years too late.

 

 

So so true, needed that in late 70’s and early 80’s for sure. Many many games were lost due to age difference and limited amount of time I could spend practicing 😭 Just look at my face in this pic as a kid!

24 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I liked it because it somewhat combined 3 of my favorite games at the time.  Donkey Kong, Crazy Climber and Elevator Action!

We definitely intend on adding some interesting elements from building to building.  I think it could work as a simple game to understand, but tough to master and complete.  I also think kids would love it if we make it super funny.

I take it that this super funny scene from the Naked Gun wouldn't make E10+ if it was included in the game.😉

14 hours ago, Tonytgd said:

@Tommy Tallarico I'm a bit confused by the controller/cell phone either or situation. You have repeatedly built up the unique features of the Amico controller, thing no other controller/system has or can do, but you also say you can use a cellphone, with an app installed, to act as a controller. Am I to understand that using a phone with the app installed would be a 1 to 1 comparison to a standard Amico controller or would certain features not be available on the phone + app situation? Would the phone only be usable and/or optimal for certain games but not all?

 

Edit:Are you at all worried one of the big three might see our your hype and data for family friendly co-op and make a push to sell a similar product line? Switch/Playstation/Xbox Kids edition with hardware that doesn't allow games above a E 10+ rating to be played on the system? Follow up, if you are not worried could you tell us your thoughts on such a scenario playing out? Would the Amico be able to compete with a Switch/Playstation/Xbox Kids edition?

The mobile app is fun and simple way for more people to play some of the more simple party style games without the burden of having to buy 2, 4 or 6 more controllers.  VALUE is very important to us in regards to our customers.  Unlike the rest of the game industry that only comes with one controller and FORCES you to buy multiple controllers ranging from $50 - $200 each!  Just to play a multi-player game!  Folks will say... but you can divide the Switch controllers and play 2 players.  No... not true... not all the time.  Here's an example...

My wife & I both love video games... but we never really play them together because our tastes are somewhat different and the games we both like don't even have couch co-op multiplayer.  We wanted to play something fun and quick on the Switch so we got the Wheel of Fortune game.  Wheel of Fortune is a 3 player game.  We wanted to play 2 players and the computer would be controlled by AI.  Now Wheel of Fortune has pretty simple controls.  Only one player goes at a time (never 2) and all you really need is to choose a letter and press a button to pick it.  That's it.  (btw... it will be a LOT easier on Amico with a touch screen!  Only 1 button press as opposed to having to use a d-pad or analog stick to rifle though all the letters... or... just SAYING the letter!!!).  Anyway... getting back to the Switch story.  Because you can only have one player at a time playing or picking letters, wouldn't you have thought it would be easy for one person to just PASS the 1 controller to the other player?  Or at the very least... split up the Switch controller so that we both have an end?  But no!!!  NONE of those options are available!!  The way they set it up is that you pick the letters with the left side of the Switch controller and you enter the letter with the right button on the controller.  So, for a $10 experience they expected us to pay another $50 just so we could play 2 player Wheel of Fortune!  This is what the industry has become in a lot of cases.  The industry wants to figure out all the ways it can suck as much money out of the consumer as they can.  How can they make something that should be so easy and couch co-op... and turn it into something difficult because no one thinks about couch co-op as a main focus.  It's lazy... and I'm tired of it.

In the instance of Amico... this isn't a problem.  A game as simple as Wheel of Fortune and many of our casual games can absolutely be played just using a mobile device.  Giving a family of four an opportunity to play a fun and simple game together without gouging them an additional $150 - $200 for extra controllers is our plan.  Think Jackbox... but on a much bigger scale... and with EVERY game in our library.

Will the Amico mobile app replace the physical Amico controller in all games?  Heck no.  Especially for the more tactile/arcade type experiences.  But as you may have read... we are also doing something very unique that we haven't yet revealed in regards to "how" we are utilizing mobile devices.  I think you'll be impressed after E3.

I'm not worried in the least bit that the big 3 are all of a sudden going to change their entire history to try and take our market share.  If they do... that means we've already become a HUGE success!   

It takes YEARS and tens of millions of dollars and resources to create a video game console.  Sony & Microsoft are locked in to their new systems for the next 7 years.  Nintendo is in the middle of theirs and by the time their new system is out... we'll be in the market for at least 3 - 4 years... lots of time to establish ourselves as the true simple, affordable, family and co-op machine.  But like I mentioned.. if we've made enough noise to raise the eyebrows of the top 3... then we've already won. 

Their answer to "only having kids games" are the super confusing parental controls that not a lot of parents set because of the complexity.. or they are under the misconception that it's a Nintendo... so it must be kid friendly (when in reality... it's the EXACT opposite and the Switch has the MOST adult, violent, mature and even rape content... that the others do not).

Besides... those systems would need to completely change their controllers and entire operating systems in order to be seen as "easy".  You could GIVE AWAY FOR FREE a Switch or PS or XBOX to my dad... and he would still never play it.

Just remember... only 6.67% of people who play video games are playing them on "the big 3".  I don't really care what they do.  They are not our competition.  Simple and fun games COMPLETELY DOMINATES gaming... and there is a reason for that.  Because the big 3 have their own paths that they have chosen to focus on.  Which is GREAT!  I'm not trying to tear them down... I'm a big PS fan (although find it difficult to find and enjoy games with others in the same room).  But there is a HUGE gaping hole for providing folks with a simple, affordable and co-op experience in the living room.  The Wii has already proven this 14 years ago when they became the 3rd biggest selling home console of all time (102 million units sold generating over $50 Billion in revenue).  Just remember... those 93.3% of people playing video games... are only doing it by themselves and are getting annoyed with in-app purchases, in-app ads, loot boxes, zero curation, etc.  We provide them a family friendly alternative.

Hope that helps to answer your questions. 

14 hours ago, AtariSociety said:

You may have just described about 1/2 of the lot here.  hahahaha

I am included in that lot!

🤣

TJ

I am in the other half; going bald, wearing a Running Man hat.

25 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Their answer to "only having kids games" are the super confusing parental controls that not a lot of parents set because of the complexity.. 

This is so true. We still play 3DS a lot, and my kid wanted to use the SpotPass functionality to visit his friend's Animal Crossing town or send him a note in Swapdoodle. I clicked the box that said that the person playing is a minor, and that led to this really complicated process where I had to read a policy, literally sign my name with the stylus, then wait a couple of days for Nintendo to verify and send me a code that I needed to plug into the 3DS.

When I asked me friend if he wanted to me to the same for his kid's 2DS, he said, no, sign him up as an adult so that they could communicate immediately. I would have done that too had I know about the complicated process, but you also don't like the possibility of strangers communicating with your kids.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... especially for Baseball.  It was all just muscle memory!

Utopia is the one that I always needed the overlays for though.  Could never remember what all the buildings were.

How about the rest of you??  What original Intellivision games did you ALWAYS need the overlay for???

 

 

Bomb Squad

Microsurgeon (just for the stupid Aspirin button I'd always miss)

Treasure of Tarmin

Sea Battle

Sub Hunt

Space Battle

Utopia

Safe Cracker (colored corners for driving directions)

14 hours ago, Tonytgd said:

As for the Big 3 making new hardware, I'm basing it off Tommy's statements about how big the market is for a product like the Amico, that I can't imagine all 3 sleeping on it after the Amico debuts.

Probable, but Tommy will be first to market. Even with existing infrastructure, I doubt any of them could field a comparable system before the Christmas season. Plus, they are working on the next gen systems. They'd be foolish to split their resources to tap into an untested market. Amico is coming out at a great time. The big three are worried about selling new systems to the more hardcore gaming community. That should allow Tommy uncontested market penetration.

I think the controller is key to the success of the machine. If it is successful, the big three will take notice, but how long for their R&D to develop something that doesn't use any of the patents that Tommy has talked about.

Also, the big three have nothing to worry about. No one, I mean NO ONE is going to get Amico to take the place of their PS,Xbox,Switch. Tommy doesn't figure as a threat on their SWOT. He may have competition the following Christmas, but this year, I believe Amico will shine brightly all by itself.

The real thing I see though is that everything about Amico is different. Everything from the software and hardware developement, deployment throughout the retail sector, and general company ethos is unique. The big three would probably be stuck in trying to mimic what Amico does, but using their own design philosophies. You'd be more likely to see the vice-president idiots-in-charge take what's good about the Amico controller and mash it up with their own making a complete mess of it. Tommy and his company aren't shackled to any existing company nonsense. The big-3 vice-president idiots have probably already analysed the controller and rejected it because quite frankly the existing controller designs are the most efficient for the types of gameplay their systems offer. They've had 20+ years of fine tuning and those controllers haven't changed in recent memory.

Amico is going in a completely different direction. That's what Apple did under the helm of Steve Jobs. The only question in my mind: Is Tommy's thoughts about the market correct? Can he sell a non-discounted system at Kohls or Bed, Bath, and Beyond? Does this market really exist? I only wish my wife would let me put my money where my mouth is to invest in this.

P.S. The differences I mentioned earlier is where I believe the disconnect is with the gaming community now not realising how different everything about this system is. They are shackled by their own preconceived notions. I find it telling how people change their mind about this system after they get their hands on it. This is not a PS/Xbox/Switch killer. This is the system that will sit right next a PS/XBOX/Switch that gamers can play with their younger siblings. Shit. I can't wait to play a Berzerk-like game with updated graphics; can't stop playing Dr. Who vs. the Daleks on my Vader. My 5 and 7 year-olds love playing Warlords with me. Yeah I think there is a market for this.

1 hour ago, JasperAK said:

I am in the other half; going bald, wearing a Running Man hat.

Soon you will be One Of Us.... hahaha . tj

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... especially for Baseball.  It was all just muscle memory!

Utopia is the one that I always needed the overlays for though.  Could never remember what all the buildings were.

How about the rest of you??  What original Intellivision games did you ALWAYS need the overlay for???

Overlays for baseball were absolutely a hindrance after you knew the keypad player positions...just hover your thumb over the 8 key (pitcher) and wait for that swing. It was no fun to play a newbie in baseball because they always had to look down during the action. Not a chance!

The Utopia keypad is firmly etched into my brain - no need for an overlay. Sea Battle , Space Battle, and Sub Hunt I used to know well enough to play without but need a little help these days. I've always needed the Space Spartans overlay. 

Oh, and I played Tarmin so much I could find my way around the controls blindfolded, drugged, and missing two fingers. Did anyone use the 'glance left' and 'glance right' buttons? I thought they were pretty useless, and slowed down movement. I liked to fully go around a corner and use the zero key (retreat) if there was a nasty monster there rather than spend time to glance ahead of time.

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but a Blue Sky Rangers special edition console would be a good fit for the Amico's optimistic vision.