Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Is there a wired ethernet option?

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

And like I said (but you refuse to listen because you think you know it all) the research says differently.  But that doesn't fit your narrative so you'll just ignore all the data to further your own opinions and agenda that we don't know what we're doing.  I've also stated in many interviews the problems that people have with mobile.  No curation, sucks as a controller, constant in app purchasing and marketing, but most of all... SOLITARY DEVICE!

No sense in engaging with you anymore at this point as you refuse to listen to any data or statistics that aren't outside your own bubble and experience. 

Looking forward to hearing all about your great experiences of playing Amico at your friends' houses.

 

No offense Tommy but you have't provided any data or evidence to back your claim that mobile isn't catering to casuals.   This sounds more like why you personally don't like mobile games and how you would like to improve it, because I'm not hearing all these uber casuals crying out for something else than what mobile is offering them.  Mobile offers convienence, free/cheap games and a variety of content. Yes there is tons of crap content people have to skim through, but software reviews help and word of mouth. Also, mobile controls are good enough for the type of games people end up playing on them anyways.  You don't need amazing controls to play matching games. 

1 minute ago, IMBerzerk said:

Just to clarify a little missing info here... it's not THAT simple.  To get it really humming, it requires a lot of configuring and tweaking that you're leaving out.  I know this because I've been running 2 Retropie units for 3 years. You definately need some computer skill to get it working at it's best.

 

It's great fun, and I'm really happy with Retropie but I'm still looking forward to a new Intellivison and all that it will offer. 

 

I've been a retrogamer since 1998, when MAME was really new to the scene. Because of it,  I've built 3 MAME cabinets, have 2 Retropie units, several real systems both old and new and support most if not all retro-game efforts I come across.  Years ago I ran the website Intellivision Bodega which i posted all kinds on Intv stuff that people were begining to find back when there was little to be found aside from what Keith and Intellivision Productions was offering.  We've come a long way since then, and have a lot of ground to cover ahead.

 

As for the Amico, what I'm really happy about is that Tommy is not only a voice for this project , but a real presence that you can see has put a lot of effort into making this happen.  That alone has me watching this forum everyday. Before this forum, I was on the Intvprog group on Yahoo and sort of just lurked for years. Then a few years ago, I came across this forum.   I used to come here just to ask for help with setting up and tweaking JzIntv on my Retropie unit, and check out the new homebrew that guys here were making, but not any more.  Now I come by to see all the good info on whats coming out in the future and see how many people are still programming Intv games. Unlike the Atari VCS attempt that looks like a load of bullshit, the Amico appears to be taking the lead and drawing in a large crowd of support to possibly rethink what home gaming should be.  

 

I realize your opinion is skeptical, and you are entitled to that, but realize you ARE on a forum with people that truly love the Intellivision and are not going to agree with every point of your opinion.  If I went to a Sega forum and pulled the same angles and opinions you are, I'd  be flammed to Hell for sure.  

 

So, as everyone else has... take a seat on the Tallarico Express and let's see where Tommy takes us.  I for one am on board with camera in hand waiting for the party at the final destination. 

 

JR

Then buy a preconfigured RetroPie if you don't want to set it up yourself.  Lots of preconfigured retropies available to purchase.

10 hours ago, JeffVav said:

Mobile casual is a solo experience. There's no successor to the Mario Kart/Party casual experience on mobile. "Family friendly" presumably includes the notion of family. They're more likely to be competing with Clue than Candy Crush. 

100% correct!  Easy for the biased close-minded folks to say ridiculous things like "Gamers just want to be left alone" and "Couch gaming is dead".  Which is exactly the opposite of what all of the data and research has shown over the past 5 years as BOARD GAMES have gone up 40% each year for the past 5 years as well as SURPASSING video games on Kickstarter as the #1 thing people are funding.



 

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

100% correct!  Easy for the biased close-minded folks to say ridiculous things like "Gamers just want to be left alone" and "Couch gaming is dead".  Which is exactly the opposite of what all of the data and research has shown over the past 5 years as BOARD GAMES have gone up 40% each year for the past 5 years as well as SURPASSING video games on Kickstarter as the #1 thing people are funding.



 

Wait, you are using the popularity of board games as evidence that there is potentially a huge market looking to play video games together in the living room?  I personally wouldn't connect the two as I think board games have their own appeal outside video games.  You can love board games and have absolutely no interest in any kind of video game.

10 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

So, as everyone else has... take a seat on the Tallarico Express and let's see where Tommy takes us.  I for one am on board with camera in hand waiting for the party at the final destination. 

 

 

Hahahhaa!  I like that one.  Waiting for the Photoshopped train to appear.  CHOO-CHOO!!  

11 minutes ago, BydoEmpire said:

Is there a wired ethernet option?

We are still considering but it's probably doubtful because of the massive jump in hardware cost.  The data shows that there is a very small percentage of people around the world that still use wired ethernet... and it gets smaller and smaller each month.  By fall of 2020 it will barely be a thing.  I know that a lot of hardcore gamers definitely prefer wired ethernet for multiplayer online options and less lag (totally makes sense)... but not really our market or the type of games we're doing so we honestly can't recognize the benefit.  Especially when the pricing would effect the greater majority.

Yet another HUGE announcement today!
 

You say you want to see families having more fun together in the living room and that board games have risen 40% in popularity in the past 5 yrs, so why not get in the board game business?  The only foul language you'll get out of a board game is from frustrated players lol. The controls are super simple too.
 

38 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

100% correct!  Easy for the biased close-minded folks to say ridiculous things like "Gamers just want to be left alone" and "Couch gaming is dead".  Which is exactly the opposite of what all of the data and research has shown over the past 5 years as BOARD GAMES have gone up 40% each year for the past 5 years as well as SURPASSING video games on Kickstarter as the #1 thing people are funding.

Are we looking at a scenario where, say, 4 people are gathered around a table, each playing the same shared multiplayer game on their own handheld device? What does it mean to compare the board game experience with the Amico?

Or is this something more like the Switch (or maybe the Wii U), where, say, 4 people are sitting on the couch, with a master screen driven by a console but each person has their own screen on their handheld device? A Mario Party type situation?

24 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We are still considering but it's probably doubtful because of the massive jump in hardware cost.  The data shows that there is a very small percentage of people around the world that still use wired ethernet... and it gets smaller and smaller each month.  By fall of 2020 it will barely be a thing.  I know that a lot of hardcore gamers definitely prefer wired ethernet for multiplayer online options and less lag (totally makes sense)... but not really our market or the type of games we're doing so we honestly can't recognize the benefit.  Especially when the pricing would effect the greater majority.

 

 

To bad, but totally understandable.  If there's software support for USB->Ethernet adapter like Wii that'd be nice, but I get that you have to do what the majority would want vs. cost.

Hi Tommy.

Congrats for offices in Germany and Dubai.

Do you plan for another one ?  Montreal is it on the list ? 😊

Do you sell Amico Shirts ? I saw a picture on the web.

I know you are talking about something special for physical games.

Let me guess, can it be something like an amiibo that will start the game ? 🤔

Can you tell us a date we can wait in july for the next "teaser/trailer" ?

Thank you Tommy.

19 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

Or is this something more like the Switch (or maybe the Wii U), where, say, 4 people are sitting on the couch, with a master screen driven by a console but each person has their own screen on their handheld device? A Mario Party type situation?

THIS! 

18 minutes ago, BydoEmpire said:

To bad, but totally understandable.  If there's software support for USB->Ethernet adapter like Wii that'd be nice, but I get that you have to do what the majority would want vs. cost.

A simple USB add on will fix the problem for anyone who wants wired (similar to the Wii). 

7 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

Hi Tommy.

Congrats for offices in Germany and Dubai.

Do you plan for another one ?  Montreal is it on the list ? 😊

 

Do you sell Amico Shirts ? I saw a picture on the web.

 

I know you are talking about something special for physical games.

Let me guess, can it be something like an amiibo that will start the game ? 🤔

 

Can you tell us a date we can wait in july for the next "teaser/trailer" ?

 

Thank you Tommy.

 

 

Yes... other offices are planned around the world (Japan coming next??) 

The Amico shirts will be available later in the year... hopefully within the next 2 or 3 months. Website needs updating.

Can't give any more info on physical games at this point because of patent stuff.  But can tell you it is super duper cool and never been done before. 

No idea when the trailer is going to be done.  We are just starting to work on it.  Definitely later in the month though.  As soon as we know the date for sure I'll be letting folks know.

Thanks!

This thread is way more interesting than the one on the new Atari VCS.  That one's just littered with stupid jokes about tacos.  I don't even know why and frankly, I don't even care to know.

6 minutes ago, insertclevernamehere said:

This thread is way more interesting than the one on the new Atari VCS.  That one's just littered with stupid jokes about tacos.  I don't even know why and frankly, I don't even care to know.

Haha so far I’ve been unimpressed with this information about the Atari VCS.  All the information about the Intellivision Amico though definitely has me excited 

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I've mentioned in a couple of interviews that there will be mobile capabilities for the controllers (on the go) but we are still waiting for patents before I can explain any further.



 

Well, that certainly adds to my "hmmm...intrigued" impression of some aspects of the Amico.

I will say this I bet Amico gets released before the Atari POS.

1 hour ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Wait, you are using the popularity of board games as evidence that there is potentially a huge market looking to play video games together in the living room?  I personally wouldn't connect the two as I think board games have their own appeal outside video games.  You can love board games and have absolutely no interest in any kind of video game.

There is likely some overlap as CATAN being put on the Nintendo Switch would seem to indicate. 

Just now, Abzeronow said:

There is likely some overlap as CATAN being put on the Nintendo Switch would seem to indicate. 

Yes there is overlap, but you can't just say "Board games are up 40% ergo people want more couch co-op play for video games."  It doesn't work that way. 

1 minute ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Yes there is overlap, but you can't just say "Board games are up 40% ergo people want more couch co-op play for video games."  It doesn't work that way. 

Yeah, but places on social media that I go through, there is often concerns about whether a multiplayer game has couch co-op, and I've seen laments about games having the only multiplayer option be online-only that couch still matters to a surprising amount of people.  So I wouldn't be surprised if Intellivision's market research would have data backing that up. 

1 minute ago, Abzeronow said:

Yeah, but places on social media that I go through, there is often concerns about whether a multiplayer game has couch co-op, and I've seen laments about games having the only multiplayer option be online-only that couch still matters to a surprising amount of people.  So I wouldn't be surprised if Intellivision's market research would have data backing that up. 

Yes it matters to some people, so I guess the debate is how big of a market it really is.  IDK, I think anyone who really cares owns a Switch which offers some great couch co-op play.

4 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Yes there is overlap, but you can't just say "Board games are up 40% ergo people want more couch co-op play for video games."  It doesn't work that way. 

That’s not how it worked you see the trend over the last 5 years board game sells have improved 40% year over year. What are some other things we know about entertainment in the home well we know that the console gaming crowd hovers around 200 million year over year so the amount of drop off to getting into gaming is roughly the same. We know that with one outlier in GTA all the top selling games are E to E10 plus.  We know when video games started everyone played I have tons of memories playing with my dad my mom loved Tetris on NES.  So why did families stop playing video games together well controllers got more and more complex games become for the most part more and more single player massive experience focused so over time families had to find a different activity to do together maybe it was outdoors activity but if could also explain the board games increase. Now the question becomes and these would be answered by market research and history would people forcing on board games now as well as casual mobile players be interested in a machine that focuses at least partially on video games they could play with family.  Well the Wii sold 103 million units that would go in the it’s possible group.  It’s true mobile wasn’t as big then but does that mean everyone on mobile is not going to look at options that would allow them to play with family and friends together?  Will the Amico be successful in getting a chunk of those 3billion mobile players to play their system right now is unknown but that success is going to come down to games marketing and play experience but given the team Intellivision has assembled I’d lean more towards success than failure.

9 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Yes it matters to some people, so I guess the debate is how big of a market it really is.  IDK, I think anyone who really cares owns a Switch which offers some great couch co-op play.

Yes Switch has couch Co-op play but the Switch isn’t marketed to casual players it’s mar is for Nintendo fans which is a big difference.

Intellivision includes current console gamers as part of its audience but it is much more focused on bringing people a group play experience that anyone can pick up and play hopefully opening it up to what I hope is Wii level success with the system