Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Yeah, basically some Power Stone 2 or Poy Poy style game. These are the "fighting games" the Amico should aim for.

3 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Yeah, basically some Power Stone 2 or Poy Poy style game. These are the "fighting games" the Amico should aim for.

Power Stone 2 looks a lot like what I was thinking of, but in the Spy vs Spy realm. With items like Smash Bros but non complex mechanics. 

Maybe give us more than Black and White spy, and have the controllers change colors, or make the Amico flash the Spy's color when he does damage. That could turn into a rave though... Or the console turns the color of the current Spy that's winning. 

1 hour ago, IntelliMission said:

However, I am still a bit worried that these 4 games can be perceived as too difficult by casual and non gamers... I hope this is not the case or, even if it happens, they end up buying the system because they love the cornhole game, Back Talk and other casual games.

Skiing, Snafu, Shark Shark, Astrosmash difficult?  These are some of the easiest games for a beginner to pick up the system and play for the original Intellivision.  I don't think you will have to worry about that!  If the fourth game is in fact Shark Shark, these will be the best group of pack-in games for any video game console ever IMO.  That's a huge step up considering all we got was Black Jack & Poker for the original Intellivision 😏...

Good point! I honestly wasn't aware that the original Intellivision included some card games... See? That's ironic right there. 🤓

I know these games are simple, but my concern is more related to marketing. They look simple to us and, after trying them, casual and non gamers will find them simple too, but I just wonder if these will give a "nerdy hardcorish retro" image of the system for these people, which are the main target market.

The killer app or apps that sells the system don't necessarily have to be pack-ins.

2 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Thanks, Tommy! I knew there was some key reason hidden to us.

 

However, I am still a bit worried that these 4 games can be perceived as too difficult by casual and non gamers... I hope this is not the case or, even if it happens, they end up buying the system because they love the cornhole game, Back Talk and other casual games.

 

Once they have the Amico, I guess these people can always look for other games in the e-store and ignore these 4 initial titles if, as I fear, reimagined classics are not their thing. 🤞

A lot depends on how these (and other store) games are portrayed in the ads, on the box, etc. Notice this Wii commercial makes everything look like you just wave the controller around (they only zoom in on a button once I think). The video commercials will probably be a lot like this - showing some motion control cornhole, rotating the disc to play another game, maybe pouring dice out of the controller in another game and then "and it comes with 5 free games" cut to montage little video clips of the 5 games included. If done right they can show the twitch gamer excitement of Astrosmash & aunt Rosemarie the simplicity of Cornhole and everyone comes away knowing there is something in there for them. Describing how hard or easy each game is to play is more of a store function and from prior comments it sounds like Tommy & the team have some sort of rating system in mind so grandma doesn't pick up Night Stalker unless she means to.

Quote

The most solitary gaming experience there is. Beyond a single player game on a TV, or a game on you phone, you're literally in a pair of goggles with all sights and sounds dictated by the headset.

Lets not fall into the trap of mislabeling VR like the amico haters do to the amico. VR does have some couch games and they do have very social games. So VR is not nearly as isolating as people seem to think.  Watching people play VR is almost as fun as playing it.  Plus there are games in which the people looking at the TV see a different screen/world then the person in the VR does, and the people watching the TV screen have to convey to the person wearing VR information.  As far as social I was hanging out in a VR bar for a good month playing pool and darts and so forth with guys from Australia, sorry thats pretty damn cool.

49 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Good point! I honestly wasn't aware that the original Intellivision included some card games... See? That's ironic right there. 🤓

 

I know these games are simple, but my concern is more related to marketing. They look simple to us and, after trying them, casual and non gamers will find them simple too, but I just wonder if these will give a "nerdy hardcorish retro" image of the system for these people, which are the main target market.

Magnavox I believe it was had a patent at the time of Intellivision’s release that if two objects interacted on screen like a ball and bat then Magnavox got money from the sell to keep from having to pay royalties off console sells Intellivision packed in Poker & Blackjack a game with no object to object interaction 

25 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

Lets not fall into the trap of mislabeling VR like the amico haters do to the amico. VR does have some couch games and they do have very social games. So VR is not nearly as isolating as people seem to think.  Watching people play VR is almost as fun as playing it.  Plus there are games in which the people looking at the TV see a different screen/world then the person in the VR does, and the people watching the TV screen have to convey to the person wearing VR information.  As far as social I was hanging out in a VR bar for a good month playing pool and darts and so forth with guys from Australia, sorry thats pretty damn cool.

I believe that VR is by it's nature isolating to the player. There's no way around that.

We can all gather around and laugh at someone playing VR, but that person is isolated. 

The same argument could be made for phone games. Yeah - there are a couple social experiences, but the main function is going to isolate the primary user.

You're a good example of my example, haha. You were hanging out alone playing a game online with someone in Australia. Which is great, but it's just what any multiplayer game online is like. But yeah, it is super cool. 

1 minute ago, 1001lives said:

I believe that VR is by it's nature isolating to the player. There's no way around that.

 

We can all gather around and laugh at someone playing VR, but that person is isolated. 

 

The same argument could be made for phone games. Yeah - there are a couple social experiences, but the main function is going to isolate the primary user.

 

You're a good example of my example, haha. You were hanging out alone playing a game online with someone in Australia. 

I think you are both (1001lives & bigdaddygamestudio) right - the distinction is that VR allow more human expression (at least potentially) however it is still an avatar so you don't really get the same experience as in-the-same-room multiplayer. So VR can be less isolating than, say, chat in Fortnight but still isn't there with true couch coop. As the technology evolves it may close that gap even more - but I think there is a gap.

1 minute ago, GrudgeQ said:

I think you are both (1001lives & bigdaddygamestudio) right - the distinction is that VR allow more human expression (at least potentially) however it is still an avatar so you don't really get the same experience as in-the-same-room multiplayer. So VR can be less isolating than, say, chat in Fortnight but still isn't there with true couch coop. As the technology evolves it may close that gap even more - but I think there is a gap.

And that's not to say VR won't someday be able to take the place of in person interaction. I am sure in 20 or 30 years affordable VR will be photorealistic. You may be able to emulate couch co-op quite nicely with someone across the world in VR, but, that's not where we are yet. And probably outside the scope of Amico's concerns right now haha

15 minutes ago, 1001lives said:

And that's not to say VR won't someday be able to take the place of in person interaction. I am sure in 20 or 30 years affordable VR will be photorealistic. You may be able to emulate couch co-op quite nicely with someone across the world in VR, but, that's not where we are yet. And probably outside the scope of Amico's concerns right now haha

And then we can do Ready Player One for real and everyone dives back into the 80s yet again! The circle of life.... 🙂

5 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

I have a question for Tommy that can generate a healthy debate. I'm sure he will reveal reasons about the decision taken that are unknown to us at this point.

 

I have just realized that 4 of the 5 titles included with the system for free are reimagined classics. While the fifth one, based in motion controls and probably in cornhole, is really appealing for casual and non gamers, I wonder if these reimagined classics, which look awesome, will very likely play wonderfully and will benefit hugely from the Karma Engine, are really the best experiences to open this untapped market of unexperienced players.

 

So Tommy, what do you think about this? Snafu, Astrosmash, the mysterious game that's probably Shark! Shark! or Burger Time and especially skiing will be great games, but... Shouldn't the system include some board and card games instead for the reasons I mentioned above? 🧐🎲🃏

May the well loved classic is Candy Crush Legends.....

Quote

You're a good example of my example, haha. You were hanging out alone playing a game online with someone in Australia. Which is great, but it's just what any multiplayer game online is like. But yeah, it is super cool. 

no its not like multiplayer games at all. I see their movements they see mine all in real time, we can interact with objects and the world, we play games of pool, where you actually have to shoot like real pool. ITS NOTHING like MMOS.  I'm assuming you have never played these types of VR games because you really have no idea what you are talking about.

Quote

We can all gather around and laugh at someone playing VR, but that person is isolated. 

again, wrong, You can still hear people and in some games it is part of the game to listen to the other people in the room guiding you.  Again dont assume you know anything about VR until you have played a lot of it.

So tomorrow we will see the first official list of companies that will be present at E3 2020. (June 9, 10 and 11)

https://www.e3expo.com/

Tommy, has Intellivision Entertainment already signed up ?

Do you know what day your conference will be?

Probably the 9th, so you will have 3 full days so that people can try out the wonderful games and also the controller! 😃

118 days to go ... ⏳

5 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Thanks, Tommy! I knew there was some key reason hidden to us.

 

However, I am still a bit worried that these 4 games can be perceived as too difficult by casual and non gamers... I hope this is not the case or, even if it happens, they end up buying the system because they love the cornhole game, Back Talk and other casual games.

 

Once they have the Amico, I guess these people can always look for other games in the e-store and ignore these 4 initial titles if, as I fear, reimagined classics are not their thing. 🤞

I think we have to remember the market here is probably engaged in some form of mobile gaming.  Pointing and releasing a cannon at balloons, swiping to replace gems, tapping on things to make them disappear or form matches.. so the concept of swiping a rolling rocket launcher left and right to blast asteroids.. I don't think will prove too difficult.  Likewise Skiing - just gliding the dial, or motion control (since it sounds like the touchscreen won't be utilized).  Snafoo is conceptually as simple as any mobile game they're playing now.  Just these three are probably going to have some appeal or at least not turn off a casual gamer.  Earthworm Jim won't have appeal to a casual, Toe Jam & Earl won't have casual appeal - but it's hoped they'll see the gameplay and be intrigued to give it a try.  These initial pack-ins have enough diversification that a game or two should be easy choices for the broadest audience, and none really stand out as too complex or too gamer-oriented.  

I had some reservations one of the pack-ins would be a card & dice game.  While that has appeal to older players, Gen X and Gen Y/Millennials have decades of shopping experience with cheap electronics that featured some card game - it doesn't really jump out as "value".  Likewise Sudoku or crossword puzzles - these have appeal as an inexpensive purchase, but broadly seen, may be perceived as more filler than console draw.  

That said, I can't wait to download card games and play with my in-laws and their friends.  I can't wait to download the crossword puzzles and Scrabble and see how they play on Amico.  It has appeal to me personally based on my experiences with my wife's family, and I'm looking forward to coaxing them into playing the system, especially trying other fun little games with grandkids.  Potential present for them if it's a hit. 

Here's a thought (posted in the other thread as well)After IE and the Amico get's established in the market I would love if IE came out with a soundtrack of there exclusives games and release a SE pressing on vinyl.  I think Atari did this back in the eighties...  Since Vinyl has made a big comeback in recent years.  

Back in November or December (probably around page 170 or 185, who can keep track?) I suggested that Intellivision should think about airport kiosks as a potential communal place where people come together and play.

I swear Nintendo has a spy on the forum.  They're launching rather sterile lounges in a handful of airports next month. 

Now, the Switch is exciting and it's a nice little gesture to come check out the system and see what's in store.  But, it's largely still a solitary experience.  Some travellers are going to be familiar with Super Smash Brothers on the mounted Switch and tv and want to play it or try it out.  But with so many buttons, they're likely just smashing away trying to flip and kick, punch and figure out what the point is, or who the 478 different Fire Emblem characters are.

It's fine, but Amico is a much better fit.  The games can be short and easy to pick up and walk away from if your flight is boarding in 20 minutes.  The games are universal premises and translatable to passengers from other countries.  The games are meant to be played together.  You're at an airport, you're watching CNN or PBS or Fox News or Airport News Now - whatever boring newscroll they've got on the monitor.  Near your lounge there's an Amico kiosk.  Not a lounge, not a destination you have to go to and miss your flight or go out of your way to experience.  No, just a kiosk.  An Amico (maybe two or three), and a tv or two or three.  Instructions for how to connect - download the free app, it's free to play, there's a little monitor above showing today's high scores.  Why not try it out?  Other people sitting around waiting on their flight can download the app and sync to play too.  Maybe you can license "Want to Play a Game?"... or stick with "Come Play Together"..  you're stuck on a plane with 200 people.  Maybe playing a quick round of Shark! Shark! isn't the worst experience.  And hey, the kiosk also has charging, so don't just play with your phone, charge it too. 

Time to board, gotta go?  That's fine, it's a quick little game.  But you downloaded that app.  Intellivision can send you a friendly little note a few days later.. enjoyed playing Amico?  Want to bring home the fun and play with family and friends?  Here's a $30 rebate. 

I don't know what the set-up costs would be for marketing, but it's definitely getting the system in front of tens of thousands/hundreds of thousands of potential customers per kiosk.  And you needn't replace controllers or machines - everybody plays on their phone (which understandably isn't the perfect experience, but the games selected will reflect this). 

I just found out about this game, so I'm afraid I missed out on it. But, while it wouldn't be an exclusive, this might make a very nice game for the Amico utilizing the motions sensors in the Amico controllers.

https://youtu.be/nYUAJV5hVA4

7 minutes ago, xucaen said:

I just found out about this game, so I'm afraid I missed out on it. But, while it wouldn't be an exclusive, this might make a very nice game for the Amico utilizing the motions sensors in the Amico controllers.

 

https://youtu.be/nYUAJV5hVA4

Beat Saber? Yeah it would be very cool. Tommy should negotiate with them and work out a version that uses both Amico controllers. To my knowledge it's not on any home console and it would work quite well with Amico having two controllers out of the box.

Beat Saber a really popular VR game.  

27 minutes ago, 1001lives said:

Beat Saber? Yeah it would be very cool. Tommy should negotiate with them and work out a version that uses both Amico controllers. To my knowledge it's not on any home console and it would work quite well with Amico having two controllers out of the box.

They did create a version of Beat Saber for the PS4, although only for the PSVR headset. I have a digital copy that I acquired with a certain PSVR bundle.

If I recall correctly, didn't Oculus themselves buy out the Beat Saber developers? They might want to steer away from third-party ports now.

Tommy,

The 5 built-in games that come on the Amico, will they have physical versions as well?

Tommy, are you disappointed that Geoff Keighley will not be attending E3 (for the first time in 25 years) and that there will be no Coliseum Show !?

Personally, I am disappointed. I imagined you very well promoting Amico on its show! 😯😥

Tommy's interview with Level 857 (Twitch) along with Phil Adam (of Spectrum HoloByte & who brought Tetris to the world). Includes some rumors about a possible Tetris game and maybe something new from the inventor of Tetris - also some hints about licenses from toy companies - cool stuff.