Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

SegaSnatcher has chosen such a strange hill to die on.

Reminds me of the Arcade1up thread where some were predicting they would fail miserably.  They ended being a massive success.

One poster here not only predicted failure, he proclaimed something like "this is what is wrong with America" and how it'll just promote more junk products and blah blah blah.  Imagine my shock when he posted a picture of the A1up unit he bought ...🤣

All that whining and complaining of his for absolutely nothing...

7 minutes ago, Alpha82 said:

But does that preclude that person enjoying playing games on the same room with that same friend?  The two don’t have to be exclusive 

Kids these days are less about actually doing things in person.  They are happy just texting each other, sending each other funny memes and having a go on some online multiplayer matches.  

If thats what makes them happy then I don't see a problem.  If they decide they want to play co-op in the living room together well they already have options available to them.

 

1 minute ago, Alpha82 said:

Except it’s not just Tommy it’s a group of people with over 600 years of experience in the gaming industry from audio specialist,to games developers, to marketing, and I’m sure disciplines I’m forgetting Tommy I’d just the one relaying the information to the public. 

Exactly 👍🏻🎸🍻

Just now, PlaysWithWolves said:

SegaSnatcher has chosen such a strange hill to die on.

 

Reminds me of the Arcade1up thread where some were predicting they would fail miserably.  They ended being a massive success.

 

One poster here not only predicted failure, he proclaimed something like "this is what is wrong with America" and how it'll just promote more junk products and blah blah blah.  Imagine my shock when he posted a picture of the A1up unit he bought ...🤣

 

All that whining and complaining of his for absolutely nothing...

 

 

 

I never said Amico was going to fail miserably.  I don't know how many units Tommy needs to sell in order for him to consider it a success.  If he's expecting to sell millions of these then yeah I think it will be a flop, but if he's just planning to sell in the thousands then yeah he might find some success.  He hasn't and most likely won't give us that kind of information, so its just a guessing game.

4 minutes ago, Alpha82 said:

Except it’s not just Tommy it’s a group of people with over 600 years of experience in the gaming industry from audio specialist,to games developers, to marketing, and I’m sure disciplines I’m forgetting Tommy I’d just the one relaying the information to the public. 

I am aware of that, but again that doesn't guarantee success. 600 years of experience doesn't mean you can't still have bad ideas or judge the market wrong, again look at Nintendo's mistakes. 

4 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Kids these days are less about actually doing things in person.  They are happy just texting each other, sending each other funny memes and having a go on some online multiplayer matches.  

If thats what makes them happy then I don't see a problem.  If they decide they want to play co-op in the living room together well they already have options available to them.

 

I would argue that kids today are only OK with that because they don’t know another way.  I love technology and the internet but the argument could be made that it has in some ways hurt society by putting a massive barrier to personal connection.  If cell phones didn’t exist would people still be ok with being so physically isolated?  That’s not a question you have to answer my point being since technology helped to create the barrier why not use technology to bring the barrier down a little 

4 minutes ago, the antithesis said:

Not more clout. Just less bias.

The other poster's comments seems reasonable and measured to me. I mean, you don't have to agree with them, but we've had the CEO firing back with unhelpful things like "You don't have any friends IRL!!! KIDDING!" which is just bonkers. I get the sense that the company is not quite ready to deal with any kind of skepticism (let alone criticism) at this point beyond "NO U!"

It feels like a Borderlands 3 situation where I expect they'll deliver but be hamstrung by tangential insanity. Between this and the VCS thread, it's quite a time to be a retro gamer. 🍿

Just now, Alpha82 said:

I would argue that kids today are only OK with that because they don’t know another way.  I love technology and the internet but the argument could be made that it has in some ways hurt society by putting a massive barrier to personal connection.  If cell phones didn’t exist would people still be ok with being so physically isolated?  That’s not a question you have to answer my point being since technology helped to create the barrier why not use technology to bring the barrier down a little 

I agree with you about the personal connection, but again its hard to convince someone to stop doing what they are use to and enjoy.  My Niece has found some appreciation with retro gaming because I introduced her to it, but she's always going to prefer using her phone and tablet for most of her entertainment purposes and now that she's older she has even less interest in dedicated co-op gaming in the living room. 

4 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

The other poster's comments seems reasonable and measured to me. I mean, you don't have to agree with them, but we've had the CEO firing back with unhelpful things like "You don't have any friends IRL!!! KIDDING!" which is just bonkers. I get the sense that the company is not quite ready to deal with any kind of skepticism (let alone criticism) at this point beyond "NO U!"

 

It feels like a Borderlands 3 situation where I expect they'll deliver but be hamstrung by tangential insanity. Between this and the VCS thread, it's quite a time to be a retro gamer. 🍿

Yeah, I just try and ignore those types of reactions, I'd rather be the bigger guy and not throw insults just because someone said something I didn't agree with. I'd rather have a peaceful debate.

2 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

I am aware of that, but again that doesn't guarantee success. 600 years of experience doesn't mean you can't still have bad ideas or judge the market wrong, again look at Nintendo's mistakes. 

But it also doesn’t hinder success just because this project is trying for a different angle than any other systems currently available doesn’t mean it’s an idea that will fail either.

You are welcome to have your concerns but most of those can’t be answered now with the limited information we have. Game play not out yet, launch titles, not our yet, marketing push, not started yet.  And probably other areas I have not mentioned.  So instead of focusing on things like this right now what we need to focus on is the vision of the company and if that can be a success.

so on very basic terms what is Intellivision working towards with their system?

Simple games that are easy to understand and play not so much easy to beat but easy to figure out what to  no matter your game experience 

Affordable system $179 digital games $10 or less physical game prices TBD

Family friendly games E or E10+

Fun bringing friends and family together to play games together in the same room

now is that a product you could see success in?  That’s all we can really focus on right now given the information 

1 minute ago, Alpha82 said:

But it also doesn’t hinder success just because this project is trying for a different angle than any other systems currently available doesn’t mean it’s an idea that will fail either.

 

You are welcome to have your concerns but most of those can’t be answered now with the limited information we have. Game play not out yet, launch titles, not our yet, marketing push, not started yet.  And probably other areas I have not mentioned.  So instead of focusing on things like this right now what we need to focus on is the vision of the company and if that can be a success.

 

so on very basic terms what is Intellivision working towards with their system?

Simple games that are easy to understand and play not so much easy to beat but easy to figure out what to  no matter your game experience 

 

Affordable system $179 digital games $10 or less physical game prices TBD

 

Family friendly games E or E10+

 

Fun bringing friends and family together to play games together in the same room

 

now is that a product you could see success in?  That’s all we can really focus on right now given the information 

Yeah, let me clarify and say that I'm not saying I know for a fact it will or won't be a success, I'm just not very optimisitic given the information we have been given so far.  I have stated that I look forward to seeing what games get announced in the future and depending on what happens from now until launch I might come to a complete opposite opinion of the device.  

Until then I don't see the harm in speculating.

6 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

I agree with you about the personal connection, but again its hard to convince someone to stop doing what they are use to and enjoy.  My Niece has found some appreciation with retro gaming because I introduced her to it, but she's always going to prefer using her phone and tablet for most of her entertainment purposes and now that she's older she has even less interest in dedicated co-op gaming in the living room. 

I don’t argue it’s hard to get people to change but that’s one of the reasons why they chose to sell the system at a lower price because the idea isn’t to take away those experiences. Kids who currently play the latest shooter game online will still play it, but this offers a different experience where those friends you play online can come to your house and have fun competitive experiences together in the same room also that’s a part of this that I feel is getting overlooked  

2 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Yeah, let me clarify and say that I'm not saying I know for a fact it will or won't be a success, I'm just not very optimisitic given the information we have been given so far.  I have stated that I look forward to seeing what games get announced in the future and depending on what happens from now until launch I might come to a complete opposite opinion of the device.  

Until then I don't see the harm in speculating.

I tend to fall on the more optimistic side not because I played Intellivision as a kid but because the focus of the machine is exciting to me and because there is a lot of experience behind the machine on every level and while that may not guarantee success it gives me hope it will be successful  

1 minute ago, Alpha82 said:

I don’t argue it’s hard to get people to change but that’s one of the reasons why they chose to sell the system at a lower price because the idea isn’t to take away those experiences. Kids who currently play the latest shooter game online will still play it, but this offers a different experience where those friends you play online can come to your house and have fun competitive experiences together in the same room also that’s a part of this that I feel is getting overlooked  

Then it needs some truly compelling software for kids to even care about it.  Amico would need to have a truely killer app, right now I don't see that killer app, hence my lack of optimism.  

The device itself means nothing without compelling software, but that is just common sense we all know.

17 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

I never said Amico was going to fail miserably.  I don't know how many units Tommy needs to sell in order for him to consider it a success.  If he's expecting to sell millions of these then yeah I think it will be a flop, but if he's just planning to sell in the thousands then yeah he might find some success.  He hasn't and most likely won't give us that kind of information, so its just a guessing game.

I never said you said it would fail miserably.  I said comments like yours reminded me of the Arcade1up thread.

8 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

The other poster's comments seems reasonable and measured to me. 

I completely disagree.  Had snatcher voiced his skepticism and moved on, I might be inclined to agree.  But it's instead it's like he is out to prove a point--one that is impossible to prove until release.  Tommy's not e-begging for money.  Just say you don't think it'll work and move on to better battles.

We have Tommy's ear (eyes?).  Take advantage of itbfor something actually useful.  Just repeating he is wrong does nothing positive.

8 minutes ago, Alpha82 said:

I don’t argue it’s hard to get people to change but that’s one of the reasons why they chose to sell the system at a lower price because the idea isn’t to take away those experiences. Kids who currently play the latest shooter game online will still play it, but this offers a different experience where those friends you play online can come to your house and have fun competitive experiences together in the same room also that’s a part of this that I feel is getting overlooked  

I think this is an interesting angle, and one they can have success with. For lack of a better term, the Wii Bowling / board game market feels somewhat untapped. Just looking at the success of Wii Bowling demonstrates there's something there.

That said, I got the sense that Wii Bowling was also unique in a very specific way: it used a motion device to mimic a game that everyone knew and could play, and did it in a way that was fun and easy. Every attempt by Nintendo to recapture that magic failed - and they tried a lot. They had the advanced gyro add-on, Wii Sports Resort, packs with a million mini-games that used motion control in a board/party setting. Similar games like Rockstar and Guitar Hero also caught fire in the same cooperative way, then fizzled out.

The Amico can probably tap into some of this too, but I think they're going to need a dose of luck, and probably will fight some consumer exhaustion.

Edited to add: I also have trouble connecting the Intellivision brand to what little I know about the Amico's focus. I wonder if that will hinder them more than help them. My own thoughts of Intellivision from back in the day are, briefly: slightly dull, awful controller, "B-17 Baaaaawmber" and "Astrosmash was fun"

9 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Kids these days are less about actually doing things in person.  They are happy just texting each other, sending each other funny memes and having a go on some online multiplayer matches.  

If thats what makes them happy then I don't see a problem.  If they decide they want to play co-op in the living room together well they already have options available to them.

 

I have to ask the question...do you have kids? As a parent of a 14 year old teen who is a video game nut a lot of what you have said about kids today hasn’t been my experience, or at least as either/or as you’ve been making it.

You’re not wrong in that they like to text each other memes and other idiotic things and they like playing in online matches as well but I host my son and his friends every second Sunday for a Smash Bros Nerd Fest as they like to call it and the kids are so jacked up to do so that it keeps growing and growing. What started as him and a couple of buddies a few months back was 13 kids all sprawled across my couches and living room floor last weekend. They come over for maybe four hours and I order pizza for them midway through and they have a blast.

As for the alone in his room thing he doesn’t have a TV in his room so it’s in our living room where he plays in part because he likes to talk about what he’s playing and to show me stuff he’s accomplished. He’s also always asking me to come play two player with him, which often ends up being MARIO Kart or something like that. However it’s also us heading down to the underground retro lair and playing some Inty, especially Shark Shark and Frog Bog. My point is that kids today, if exposed to it, will play whatever is fun, whether it’s E or M. The job of Tommy and his team will be to make sure they are able to connect with all of their target audiences and I suspect they have a plan to do so, given the resources and skill sets of the individuals involved.

YMMV but I have chosen to be cautiously optimistic while I wait for more info to come out as opposed to jumping to “this is definitely going to fail” as some folks appear happy to do with almost anything in today’s culture.

It’s hard to watch any interview Tommy does and not get caught up in his enthusiasm. 👍🏻 Generally my rule in life is that if something isn’t fun for me then I move on and find something else that is. I’m hoping that the Amico will fall in this category and I admittedly will likely buy far too many of these if it does. 😂

1 minute ago, PlaysWithWolves said:

 

I never said you said it would fail miserably.  I said comments like yours reminded me of the Arcade1up thread.

 

I completely disagree.  Had snatcher voiced his skepticism and moved on, I might be inclined to agree.  But it's instead it's like he is out to prove a point--one that is impossible to prove until release.  Tommy's not e-begging for money.  Just say you don't think it'll work and move on to better battles.

 

We have Tommy's ear (eyes?).  Take advantage of itbfor something actually useful.  Just repeating he is wrong does nothing positive.

Maybe I simply like talking about new projects and discussing with people on forums?  I bet if all my comments were talking about how amazing I thought the Amico was going to be you wouldn't mind. 

As long as people are being civil which I believe I have been then there shouldn't be a problem with debating and speculating. You don't have to take part in said debate, you can simply post about how excited you are about the product nobody is stopping you.  I don't have a problem with people who are excited for this product. If you think its awesome, cool. 

7 minutes ago, cmart604 said:

I have to ask the question...do you have kids? As a parent of a 14 year old teen who is a video game nut a lot of what you have said about kids today hasn’t been my experience, or at least as either/or as you’ve been making it.

 

You’re not wrong in that they like to text each other memes and other idiotic things and they like playing in online matches as well but I host my son and his friends every second Sunday for a Smash Bros Nerd Fest as they like to call it and the kids are so jacked up to do so that it keeps growing and growing. What started as him and a couple of buddies a few months back was 13 kids all sprawled across my couches and living room floor last weekend. They come over for maybe four hours and I order pizza for them midway through and they have a blast.

 

As for the alone in his room thing he doesn’t have a TV in his room so it’s in our living room where he plays in part because he likes to talk about what he’s playing and to show me stuff he’s accomplished. He’s also always asking me to come play two player with him, which often ends up being MARIO Kart or something like that. However it’s also us heading down to the underground retro lair and playing some Inty, especially Shark Shark and Frog Bog. My point is that kids today, if exposed to it, will play whatever is fun, whether it’s E or M. The job of Tommy and his team will be to make sure they are able to connect with all of their target audiences and I suspect they have a plan to do so, given the resources and skill sets of the individuals involved.

 

YMMV but I have chosen to be cautiously optimistic while I wait for more info to come out as opposed to jumping to “this is definitely going to fail” as some folks appear happy to do with almost anything in today’s culture.

It’s hard to watch any interview Tommy does and not get caught up in his enthusiasm. 👍🏻 Generally my rule in life is that if something isn’t fun for me then I move on and find something else that is. I’m hoping that the Amico will fall in this category and I admittedly will likely buy far too many of these if it does. 😂

I can tell you that is definitely not the norm.  Sounds like fun though.  Most Parents these days would rather have Phones/Tablets to babysit their kids, its unfortunate but a reality we can't ignore.  You sound like a great Parent, so props on that.

8 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

I think this is an interesting angle, and one they can have success with. For lack of a better term, the Wii Bowling / board game market feels somewhat untapped. Just looking at the success of Wii Bowling demonstrates there's something there.

 

That said, I got the sense that Wii Bowling was also unique in a very specific way: it used a motion device to mimic a game that everyone knew and could play, and did it in a way that was fun and easy. Every attempt by Nintendo to recapture that magic failed - and they tried a lot. They had the advanced gyro add-on, Wii Sports Resort, packs with a million mini-games that used motion control in a board/party setting. Similar games like Rockstar and Guitar Hero also caught fire in the same cooperative way, then fizzled out.

 

The Amico can probably tap into some of this too, but I think they're going to need a dose of luck, and probably will fight some consumer exhaustion.

 

Edited to add: I also have trouble connecting the Intellivision brand to what little I know about the Amico's focus. I wonder if that will hinder them more than help them. My own thoughts of Intellivision from back in the day are, briefly: slightly dull, awful controller, "B-17 Baaaaawmber" and "Astrosmash was fun"

The brand connection I think will come when the marketing hits in 2020. I wouldn’t care what the brand was as long as the vision was the same that’s what I’m excited about a device I have the option to play locally with friends is very exciting to me 

9 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Maybe I simply like talking about new projects and discussing with people on forums?  I bet if all my comments were talking about how amazing I thought the Amico was going to be you wouldn't mind. 

As long as people are being civil which I believe I have been then there shouldn't be a problem with debating and speculating. You don't have to take part in said debate, you can simply post about how excited you are about the product nobody is stopping you.  I don't have a problem with people who are excited for this product. If you think its awesome, cool. 

My wife and I are childless and my childhood Intellivision nostalgia is pretty limited.  I think it's an interesting project that may or may not enter our house.

Also,

Wow, I commented on this thread on page 2.  I haven't been able to keep up.  What is driving this one to 30 pages?  Any running jokes I should know about here?  Taco references?

What's your feeling about .gifs vaguely related to the topic?

3 minutes ago, PlaysWithWolves said:

 

My wife and I are childless and my childhood Intellivision nostalgia is pretty limited.  I think it's an interesting project that may or may not enter our house.

 

I also think you're sea lioning.

 

 

 

Hahahah, thats pretty good.  

1 minute ago, wongojack said:

Wow, I commented on this thread on page 2.  I haven't been able to keep up.  What is driving this one to 30 pages?  Any running jokes I should know about here?  Taco references?

 

What's your feeling about .gifs vaguely related to the topic?

 

Just one dude's opinion and speculation and having friendly debates about said opinions and specualtion.  I've quite enjoyed the replies as most people have been quite civil. 

3 minutes ago, wongojack said:

Wow, I commented on this thread on page 2.  I haven't been able to keep up.  What is driving this one to 30 pages?  Any running jokes I should know about here?  Taco references?

 

What's your feeling about .gifs vaguely related to the topic?

 

I don’t think I remember running joked on here just discussing the Amico has driven pages