Tommy, will Amico Astrosmash feature any built-in timed play options in addition to the standard survive-as-long-as-you can mode?  In playing some recently, I'm struck that it is still an excellent survival game, but it is an exceptional timed game.  It's a completely different experience with different objectives and substantially more risk-seeking to maximize your scoring due to the point loss for missed rocks.  Regardless of the specifics of scoring in the Amico game, just the option to play a quick 10, 20, 30, etc minute timed game and compete for a high score would be very compelling if someone doesn't have time to sit down for a "full" game.  

I'd go so far as to suggest this would be a good core design principle of any survival-type Amico game, especially given your focus on key demographics like getting young kids and their parents playing together.  If a kid asks to play one quick game before heading out the door to something, a parent might wisely decline if they know that game could last 30+ minutes, but might even join in themselves and try to set a new 10 minute timed-game high score.  Likewise, no one wants to have to bail on a really good game ("Okay Tommy, time to go!"), but if it was timed up front, and that means something from a high score standpoint, then you open up whole new avenues of "quick play", which seems to fit most people's lifestyle better these days regardless.

I'm not advocating for all games to have timed limits only, as I certainly enjoy an epic survival game, but it should be an easy option for developers to bake in where appropriate and maybe even generate some alternative thinking about scoring streaks or other mechanisms to make a timed game interesting.  

1 minute ago, GrudgeQ said:

OEB Pete talks about why he things Amico sports will be one of the most popular games genres - and I totally agree with him. Man I miss the simple games & even the LCD hand held units of American football, basketball & baseball, etc. I haven't gotten into a sports game since that era because they became complex simulations and not quick, casual fun. Right there with you Pete!

 

 

Yeah my take is a bit different as I look at the Sports fandom in general and how it related to video games.  I think it can be a gamechanger for the growth of the Amico, apologizes if I come off a bit like a Sport/Amico nut, but I know no other way to be.

23 minutes ago, OEB_Pete said:

Yeah my take is a bit different as I look at the Sports fandom in general and how it related to video games.  I think it can be a gamechanger for the growth of the Amico, apologizes if I come off a bit like a Sport/Amico nut, but I know no other way to be.

Yeah I didn't word that well and basically skipped to the idea of me enjoying some casual, fun sports games (I think I need that "Are We There Yet?" graphic). This could be a huge driver for Amico sales because a lot of sports fans aren't hard core gamers & aren't looking for a simulation of hockey but instead a quick tournament with the guys while drinking some beers at a BBQ.

3 hours ago, LePionnier said:

It's terrible what's going on there. I know Tommy knows two families there ! 😕

So I know that in this context, the life of human beings is more important than many other things.

So I'm a bit uncomfortable asking a few questions related to what's going on in China, but I'll ask them in spite of it, and feel free to respond or not. 😊

 

1- I think production is supposed to start in April. Do you have a point of no return date in mind that could officially postpone the launch date of the console ?

    For example, with 2 months delay (June instead of April) you could produce much less consoles, but that possibly the launch date could be maintained, but not if production is starting in July !?

Don't know the answer yet.

3 hours ago, LePionnier said:

 

 

2- Since Sony and Microsoft will also need a lot of electronic materials, will this affect Intellivision Entertainment?

    As an example, if you and the 2 others need the electronic part GX35 (fictitious), who will receive the parts first? Those who ordered first?

No.  Those with the biggest pockets and highest influence... we are NOT in that category.

3 hours ago, LePionnier said:

 

EDIT 3 !!!  :

3- Also, depending on what happens next, are the long-awaited announcements for E3 at risk ?

 

No.

29 minutes ago, BiffMan said:

Tommy, will Amico Astrosmash feature any built-in timed play options in addition to the standard survive-as-long-as-you can mode?  In playing some recently, I'm struck that it is still an excellent survival game, but it is an exceptional timed game.  It's a completely different experience with different objectives and substantially more risk-seeking to maximize your scoring due to the point loss for missed rocks.  Regardless of the specifics of scoring in the Amico game, just the option to play a quick 10, 20, 30, etc minute timed game and compete for a high score would be very compelling if someone doesn't have time to sit down for a "full" game.  

 

I'd go so far as to suggest this would be a good core design principle of any survival-type Amico game, especially given your focus on key demographics like getting young kids and their parents playing together.  If a kid asks to play one quick game before heading out the door to something, a parent might wisely decline if they know that game could last 30+ minutes, but might even join in themselves and try to set a new 10 minute timed-game high score.  Likewise, no one wants to have to bail on a really good game ("Okay Tommy, time to go!"), but if it was timed up front, and that means something from a high score standpoint, then you open up whole new avenues of "quick play", which seems to fit most people's lifestyle better these days regardless.

 

I'm not advocating for all games to have timed limits only, as I certainly enjoy an epic survival game, but it should be an easy option for developers to bake in where appropriate and maybe even generate some alternative thinking about scoring streaks or other mechanisms to make a timed game interesting.  

Yep!

Doing something similar with Shark! Shark! as well!

13 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yep!

Doing something similar with Shark! Shark! as well!

 

 

Excellent news, thanks!  I would think Breakout, Deadly Disks, Missile Command, Asteroids, hell pretty much any play-till-you-die game could be made more fun.  Also helpful for those parents keeping tabs on screentime for their kids.  "Okay, you can play one more, but make it a 15-minute timed one, okay?"  🙂

Do you really feel that eating the weaker competition, including several endangered fish, to grow larger and become even more of a carnivorous bully is in sync with modern sensibilities? 

The game should be about eating the plastic micro particles which are polluting our oceans, which will turn you into a larger, but mutated, fish who can now eat straws, and then plastic bags, and then discarded Atari VCS's. The more you eat, the more you clean the ocean. The last stage should involve you eating an entire illegal salmon fishing vessel... 

6 minutes ago, doug0909 said:

Do you really feel that eating the weaker competition, including several endangered fish, to grow larger and become even more of a carnivorous bully is in sync with modern sensibilities? 

 

The game should be about eating the plastic micro particles which are polluting our oceans, which will turn you into a larger, but mutated, fish who can now eat straws, and then plastic bags, and then discarded Atari VCS's. The more you eat, the more you clean the ocean. The last stage should involve you eating an entire illegal salmon fishing vessel... 

Mutant Shark Shark.

2 minutes ago, doug0909 said:

Do you really feel that eating the weaker competition, including several endangered fish, to grow larger and become even more of a carnivorous bully is in sync with modern sensibilities? 

 

The game should be about eating the plastic micro particles which are polluting our oceans, which will turn you into a larger, but mutated, fish who can now eat straws, and then plastic bags, and then playstation 4's. The more you eat, the more you clean the ocean. The last stage should involve you eating an entire illegal salmon fishing vessel... 

I do get the sentiment, but we can't stand at the shore and yell at fish "Stop it!!!  Eat a salad, you bully!!".  There's bullying, which we can exert control and expectations upon, and there's wildlife acting instinctively in its natural habitat.  Shark! Shark! takes that universal construct (big things eating smaller things) and applies it to gameplay. 

Having a fish consume plastics and then mutate is no more an environmentally positive message either, as plastic ingestion is an attributable factor to smaller populations and extinction of certain species with limited marine habitats.  Something tells me playing virtual chomp'em isn't going to raise any eyebrows in modern sensibilities when we have heads and spinal columns ripped out of writhing corpses on other systems, or even a walk on the beach has some crabs or seagulls or seals finishing off a little fishy appetizer.

20 minutes ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

Having a fish consume plastics and then mutate is no more an environmentally positive message either

yes it is, its informational.  Most people still have no idea how bad plastics are destroying the ocean and eco system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_garbage_patch

Tommy,

With Top Gun 2 coming to theaters this summer, would there possibly be a game for it on the Amico?  The original was on the NES.  It would be cool if the sequel was an Amico exclusive.

2 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

OEB Pete talks about why he things Amico sports will be one of the most popular games genres - and I totally agree with him. Man I miss the simple games & even the LCD hand held units of American football, basketball & baseball, etc. I haven't gotten into a sports game since that era because they became complex simulations and not quick, casual fun. Right there with you Pete!

 

 

Good takes, I'm sure this is why Intellivision is talking to MLB, (NFL? NHL? NBA? FIFA? Good ole' defunct NASL?), even if EA has gobbled up billion dollar contracts for exclusivity, to try to work around in what they can create. 

I added a couple suggestions on his video on sports I would add to Amico, but putting these out here too.

• Lacrosse.  1.1 million players in the US (youth, colleges, professional) and probably more in Canada (Canada's Official Summer Sport).. I think all that exists out there is Casey Powell Hockey, an annual dynamic all-in-one manager going down the Madden path - design stadiums, uniforms, logos, manage sponsorships and create decals, player customization, make trades.. it's all a Lacrosse fan could ask for - but it isn't approachable to a newbie.  I could see the disc being used, the screen being used, even motion control to make a pass.  Up to 8 players on one team against the CPU, or VS combinations.  Plus, how many of you have ever seen a Lacrosse game for sale at a game store or on get on the front page of the Sports games sections?  It's exposure for the sport, whose rapid growth has plateaued the last couple years. 
• Bobsledding.  All the twisty, curvy crazy tracks you can imagine (maybe there's a tie-in that allows you to design tracks via the app, upload, share tracks?).  Up to four players using the motion controls to lean, duck, pull back - in unison, or individual players acting independently for slight movement.. record the best time.  Maybe multiple sleds on the luge at the same time, bumping, crashing, going after power-ups and trophies or points pick-ups?
• White Water Rafting.  Imagic gem in need of an update.  Players paddle in unison, communicate to avoid the obstacles, whirlpools, rocks and rapids.. disembark for competitive games to find hidden treasures or whatever adventures you want to build into that part. 
• Roller Derby.  Maybe timing isn't right with Ubisoft releasing a free-to-play browser game this year, but I think the disc control and swiping touchpad could work well for the tandem of skating and pushing/shoving.. and eight players on a rink all competing to lap and score on teams or an 8 man every-skater for themselves rumble.. could be a fun competitive, quick sports game
• Demolition Derby.  I've seen Wreckfest and FlatOut 4 Insanity on Xbox One/PS4/Steam/PC, but these tend to be crash-through-obstacle-ridden racing games.  It's been a while since we've seen a demolition derby arena focused game (save on mobile platforms).  The disc to steer, press to accelerate, either button to break or some action, the shared tv screen showing the whole arena, power-ups or traps deployed from your touchscreen.. knowing who's going after you locally, forming alliances on the fly and breaking them based on who just cut you some slack, screaming at your aunt at Thanksgiving to go easy on you, you're just a little boy.. good times 🙂  This begs to be an Amico experience
• Galactic Golf or some variant.  There's an NES title called Lunar Pool where you adjust the gravity/resistance on odd billiards tables (just different designs to get the balls into holes with various obstacles).  Take something like golf, where you could use motion control to temper or put some oomph into your swing, and set it across the universe with different planets/moons/bodies' gravities and physics.  Different alien worlds and obstacles.  Different traps.  I didn't know the sandworm would jump out and eat my ball on that course.  Huh.  Now Marty knows moving forward on his shot.  Maybe multiple players play simulaneously, but better, during each course, each other player can play one trap/surprise move per course, and figuring when to play it can really hurt the other players shot.  Nobody knows what traps/plays you'll get per round, or if you'll use a trick instead to help yourself.  And using against another player at a particularly difficult moment just creates awkward "You're sleeping on the couch tonight, mister" moments.  Amico, bring families together, and putting dads in the doghouse since 2020.

Hey guys, what are the best magazines to read about games for the original Intelliviison? Downloadable in PDF, thanks. 😇🤘

3 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

I mean for people who absolutely hate the thought of the disc, there are always accessories. I remember this back from the day, no reason it cant work again 

 

 

That's it!  My wife talks about the joystick accessory constantly, but I never had one (or wanted one).  She wants to get one for our current Intellivision, but I've never been able to track one down.  What is that thing called?  Anyone know?

On 2/5/2020 at 11:28 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

WOW!!!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story.  So many amazing things in your post.  Thank-you for writing it.  It really means a lot... and on so many different levels.

 

That picture of your dad instantly brought tears to my eyes.  I'm hoping to do the same thing with my dad who just turned 79.

Looking forward to seeing pics of you and your entire family playing Amico together.

 

p.s.  Get your dad a beanbag chair or something!  Hahhaaa!   Although that was the way I think we all played games back in the day!  Right on the floor!

 

Lots of love to you and your family.

 

Thank you again for sharing.

 

 

Tommy, if my dad sat down in a beanbag chair, I'm afraid he'd never get out of it.  Besides, we always played it sitting on the floor, so the tradition is still in play.  Come to think of it, when I play now with my wife, we also still sit on the floor in front of the TV.  I guess it was just the way the system was meant to be enjoyed.

On 2/6/2020 at 8:53 AM, IntelliMission said:

By the way, I'm so tired of video game reviewers treating games as if they were interactive movies. And this is happening since the 80s! The story in a video game was usually an afterthought, some stupid idea that the programmers came up with to fill up the manual, and even today it should be secondary to the gameplay. But somehow we still see reviews that dedicate the first 3/4 of the text to speak about the crappy B-movie story. The graphics and voice acting come afterwards and, near the end, they say something like "oh and the puzzles are terrible and the gameplay is dull, but that's not very important, right?". 😑

 

This is going to be one of the most attractive things of the Amico. Games will be games.

Amen!  This is something that has bothered me for quite some time.  They call them "video games" but there is no game in them.  Games have people competing, usually with a score, and at the end of the game there is a winner and a loser.  Games like GTA V or Uncharted are great visual interactive experiences, but they're not games.  Bring on the games!  

(I'm not saying interactive video experiences aren't fun or worth my time, I'm just saying they're not games. They need a new name)

26 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

That's it!  My wife talks about the joystick accessory constantly, but I never had one (or wanted one).  She wants to get one for our current Intellivision, but I've never been able to track one down.  What is that thing called?  Anyone know?

Stickler. 

49 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

That's it!  My wife talks about the joystick accessory constantly, but I never had one (or wanted one).  She wants to get one for our current Intellivision, but I've never been able to track one down.  What is that thing called?  Anyone know?

The ones listed here on AtariAge are called 'Stickler''s I believe?

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/295803-happy-40th-intellivision-pre-interest-thread-for-limited-edition-custom-stickler-sets/

As of January it seems they still had a few sets left, if you were interested.

22 minutes ago, Tavi said:

The ones listed here on AtariAge are called 'Stickler''s I believe?

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/295803-happy-40th-intellivision-pre-interest-thread-for-limited-edition-custom-stickler-sets/

As of January it seems they still had a few sets left, if you were interested.

 

Thank you!  I will give it a look.

How about a drifting game? 

Shamelessly bragging about my own epic photos. 

Better yet.... How about a photography game. Like hidden wildlife or catching somebody committing crime?

6 hours ago, Atari_Master said:

Tommy,

With Top Gun 2 coming to theaters this summer, would there possibly be a game for it on the Amico?  The original was on the NES.  It would be cool if the sequel was an Amico exclusive.

Nothing in the works right now, but I'm LOVING the trailers!!  Looks AMAZING!!

1 hour ago, Blarneo said:

How about a drifting game? 

Shamelessly bragging about my own epic photos. 

 

Better yet.... How about a photography game. Like hidden wildlife or catching somebody committing crime?

 

 

Wow!!  Epic pics!  Is that you in the car?  Or photographer?

You ever play the game Afrika on PS3?  It's pretty cool!

1 hour ago, Blarneo said:

Better yet.... How about a photography game. Like hidden wildlife or catching somebody committing crime?

This gets my vote, something either like Pokemon Snap or Afrika from the PS3. I'm sick of hunting games how about some where you appreciate nature

12 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Nothing in the works right now, but I'm LOVING the trailers!!  Looks AMAZING!!

Okay.  By the way did you notice my location under my profile picture?  I think you'd find it interesting.