Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

48 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Is there like a record somewhere that says something like

 

Announcement of/confirmation of (thing) on page (page #) in the QA thread

 

anywhere?

There is a search button on AtariAge in the upper right, in the drop down select “this topic” - here is a freebie - one related quote from page 35 of this thread:

“No.  100% untrue.  There was a rumor going around that Activision owned Imagic.  Not the case at all.  We have already started working on multiple Imagic reimagined games an we have all of the licenses.  One of the executives who ran Imagic went from Imagic to Activision in the early days and licensed Imagic titles to Activision.  But Activision doesn't own anything Imagic related.  I am not at liberty to discuss the specifics of the how & why of our deal, but we were able to pull off what others could not over the years.  Including Activision themselves.  “

56 minutes ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Is there like a record somewhere that says something like

 

Announcement of/confirmation of (thing) on page (page #) in the QA thread

 

anywhere?

Let me check my history. I think he responded to me with that one... Because I'm an annoying attention whore like that! 

4 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

There is a search button on AtariAge in the upper right, in the drop down select “this topic” - here is a freebie - one related quote from page 35 of this thread:

“No.  100% untrue.  There was a rumor going around that Activision owned Imagic.  Not the case at all.  We have already started working on multiple Imagic reimagined games an we have all of the licenses.  One of the executives who ran Imagic went from Imagic to Activision in the early days and licensed Imagic titles to Activision.  But Activision doesn't own anything Imagic related.  I am not at liberty to discuss the specifics of the how & why of our deal, but we were able to pull off what others could not over the years.  Including Activision themselves.  “

 

 

I know about the search, and I wasn't specifically wanting info on Imagic since I remembered what he said, but for other people or if I just want to get everything all at once without having to search for it. Basically like the first post in the Amico discussion thread. An info dump, basically.

On 12/30/2019 at 3:21 PM, Tommy Tallarico said:

On 12/30/2019 at 12:39 PM, Blarneo said:

Well it's my guess/understanding from Tommy's Amico announcement talk in Portland in 2018, that Intellivision Tracked down the owners of Imagic's old IPs (including unfinished games like Wing War), and has pledged to reimagine as many as possible.

 

Really, only the CEO does know for sure what Imagic games they're allowed to reimagine and which ones they either can't re-do or won't bother with. Luckily he's here talking with us almost every day. Which brings me to another question... The rights  to Imagic games should also include Atari 2600 exclusive games like Trick Shot, Quick Step & Shooting Gallery as well. Can we see a possible Amico future for them?

 

Microsurgeon, Ice Trek, Demon Attack & Safecracker for sure!  2 of them are already in production (and 1 we showed at E3 last year).

 

We have anything we want... so nothing is off the table.

 

 

Quote

 

And one final question. Is it pronounced Imagic, as in Imagine, or iMagic as in iPod? I always thought it was the short "I" like imagine, imagery or improvise, but I heard it from many people say it with a long "I" like an Apple product.

Like Imagine... as in Imagine Magic.

 

Here 'tis. Page 167

Who thinks that Food Fight from the 7800 would be fun to play on the Amico?  I know it won't happen but still.

26 minutes ago, Atari_Master said:

Who thinks that Food Fight from the 7800 would be fun to play on the Amico?  I know it won't happen but still.

That could be super fun multiplayer. Food Fighting Brawler basically.

I think Food Fight belongs to Warner Interactive.  They have other valuable retro titles as well.  They haven't done a licensing deal with Warner Interactive yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens.

Tommy,

Will there be a wireless joystick made exclusively for the Amico to play the re-imagined Atari 2600 games?  Because it might be difficult to play some Atari games using the Amico controller.  I think you said something about Bluetooth controllers will work on the Amico.  Of course it comes down to compatibility.  Anyway, hopefully there is a joystick option to give that retro feel when playing a re-imagined Atari 2600 game.

1 minute ago, Atari_Master said:

Tommy,

 

Will there be a wireless joystick made exclusively for the Amico to play the re-imagined Atari 2600 games?  Because it might be difficult to play some Atari games using the Amico controller.  I think you said something about Bluetooth controllers will work on the Amico.  Of course it comes down to compatibility.  Anyway, hopefully there is a joystick option to give that retro feel when playing a re-imagined Atari 2600 game.

With them being reimagined I'm sure they are going to design them to work. Think of the touch screen like a trackball in Missle Command. 

Just now, MrBeefy said:

With them being reimagined I'm sure they are going to design them to work. Think of the touch screen like a trackball in Missle Command. 

I know, I just thought it would be cool to also have a joystick option too.

They hinted standard bluetooth controllers would work, presumably usb controllers too.  So a cx40 with usb adapter could work.  But if the game uses the touchscreen, or more than one button and eight directions you might be sol. 

Even if they emulated old Atari joystick games, which ones would be difficult with an Amico controller?

7 minutes ago, mr_me said:

They hinted standard bluetooth controllers would work, presumably usb controllers too.  So a cx40 with usb adapter could work.  But if the game uses the touchscreen, or more than one button and eight directions you might be sol. 

 

Even if they emulated old Atari joystick games, which ones would be difficult with an Amico controller?

Games like Joust, Vanguard & Pitfall would be difficult.  But they're not on Amico.  If they were, the touch screen could make it easier.  But for some people they may not want to use the touch screen.  So I don't know.  I'm just saying it would be neat to still have a joystick option in addition to the Amico controller.  That's all.

22 hours ago, Battlefish said:

20 firmware engineers? Good, sounds like nobody is killing themselves just to get this out the door. It's always nice to have help!

We could use about 10 more so we're all still killing ourselves. 

I think joust would be much easier/quicker tapping a glass touchpad than a button; Amico has both.  I don't see any issue with 4-way games like pitfall, it wasn't an issue with the intellivision disc in 1982.  Eight-way games can be an issue, so a game like vanguard should be reprogrammed for 360d directions.  Vanguard should also be played with more than one button so a swipe/aim fire control might work well with vanguard.  For that retro Atari feel you should really look to Atari Interactive. 

21 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

The family orientation of the Amico is starting to become public. Check this out:

 

 

It will be very interesting to follow up on this. Really curious about those marketing campaigns about to start!

We won't start real marketing and advertising until the end of summer.

This was a girl gamer conference in Dubai and that is our Managing Director of MENA (Middle East & North Africa).

1 minute ago, mr_me said:

I think joust would be much easier/quicker tapping a glass touchpad than a button.  I don't see any issue with 4-way games like pitfall, it wasn't an issue with the intellivision disc in 1982.  Eight-way games can be an issue, so a game like vanguard should be reprogrammed for 360d directions.  Vanguard should also be played with more than one button so a swipe/aim fire control might work well with vanguard.  For that retro Atari feel you should really look to Atari Interactive. 

Having Joust on Amico is my ultimate dream. It is perhaps the greatest game ever.  If it can't be, I understand.  I guess I'll just have to keep playing it on that arcade machine I have standing in the corner.  

20 hours ago, haplo13 said:

Hi all.  I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to contribute...
The more I find out about this system the more excited I get.  I feel like this system is marking every checkbox on what I want:
x Games that are easy to learn but fun to play

x Simple to use controllers

x Couch co-op

x Allowing beginners to compete with advanced players

x All content is appropriate for children (I have an 8yo and a 6yo)

x Game prices less than $10

 

I grew up with the original Intellivision and it has the same special meaning as I hear Tommy describe.  To this day at family gatherings we will fire up my parents' old Intellivision and all the grandkids will play Bump-n-Jump, Snafu, Thunder Castle, BurgerTime, etc.  Next family gathering I'll have to get a video of them all screaming at the top of their lungs for Horse Racing (Come on Blue!).  I'm glad they are making some of those same communal gaming memories.  Truly proves that fun games matter way more than graphics.

It would be awesome to boot up the Amico and hear "Hello Commander.  Computer reporting."  (I spent hours playing Space Spartans - love that game).  Speaking of, has there been any word on a Space Spartans reimagining?

Hi!,

Thanks for joining in on the discussion and thank you so much for talking about your family dynamic and the fact that everyone still plays Intellivision!!  So cool!  And YES!!  I totally want to see that Horse Racing video! 

We don't have Space Spartans on the docket right now... but eventually we will.  The 2 people who made the game (Steve Roney & Bill Fisher) still actually work at Intellivision!!!!!!!   So you can bet that it's towards the top of the "to do" list.   

Thanks again for being a part of our little world and I hope you'll stay and enjoy the conversation.  Please let me know if you have any other questions or suggestions.

Thanks!

15 hours ago, uglyclone said:

Well..I had wanted a Marble Madness remake at some point..but now I just want a racing game with this guy doing commentary (and all those cool team names!).  Pretty sure I'm going to be watching this dudes videos on Youtube all night.  Thumbs up!

Fun Fact:  The creator of Marble Madness (Mark Cerny) is the architect behind the last 3 PlayStation consoles!

I've known and worked with Mark for over 20 years.  Brilliant dude.

14 hours ago, ColdCoffee said:

TOAPLAN license holders seem to be opening their doors. They are releasing ports to the switch. Would be great to see any of these.

The only one I'm familiar with is Twin Cobra.   

Any others worth checking out?

Snow Bros?  What the??!?!?   

12 hours ago, Atari_Master said:

Tommy,

 

I know you mentioned that the Amico is getting some Imagic games.  Will Solar Storm be one of them?

Currently not on our "to do" list.  

Never played that one.  Any good?  

5 hours ago, IntyFanMatt said:

I would guess not since that one was only made for Atari.  

That's why I never heard of it or had played it. 

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

The only one I'm familiar with is Twin Cobra.   

 

Any others worth checking out?

Snow Bros?  What the??!?!?   

 

 

Put Snow Bros on your MAME! You'll really enjoy it.

3 hours ago, Steven Pendleton said:

I know about the search, and I wasn't specifically wanting info on Imagic since I remembered what he said, but for other people or if I just want to get everything all at once without having to search for it. Basically like the first post in the Amico discussion thread. An info dump, basically.

I thought Le Pionneir was going to do something like that?  He had a really great post about 10 or so pages back and @jaybird3rd told him he could post it and make it a no comment thread.  But I never saw it happen?

2 hours ago, mr_me said:

I think Food Fight belongs to Warner Interactive.  They have other valuable retro titles as well.  They haven't done a licensing deal with Warner Interactive yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens.

WB has basically told us we can have anything we'd like.  They are big fans of what we're doing and we have a lot of good friends there.  Would probably start with the Williams stuff!  Joust & Robotron first I think!

1 hour ago, Atari_Master said:

Tommy,

 

Will there be a wireless joystick made exclusively for the Amico to play the re-imagined Atari 2600 games?  Because it might be difficult to play some Atari games using the Amico controller.  I think you said something about Bluetooth controllers will work on the Amico.  Of course it comes down to compatibility.  Anyway, hopefully there is a joystick option to give that retro feel when playing a re-imagined Atari 2600 game.

Nothing in the works at this time.  

But I would respectfully argue that the Atari titles we are doing work WAY better with a touch screen then a joystick.  Missile Command, Breakout, PONG & Centipede all come to mind.  They all work and play way better with touchscreen controls (IMO).