Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Who wants to see Air Raid get re-imagined?  

1 hour ago, Atari_Master said:

Tommy,

 

Will there be a Bubble Bobble type game on Amico?  What about Lode Runner re-imagined?

The various Bubble Bobble games, Rainbow Islands, Puzzle Bobble, Parasol Stars...

I really enjoy all those games, and at least to myself I find they are equally enjoyable as single player or in co-op/competition play.

I certainly would not mind if a game of this genre was eventually released for the Amico.

Tommy,

What about some western themed games like Gun Smoke and The Tin Star for Amico?

2 hours ago, Atari_Master said:

Tommy,

 

Will there be a Bubble Bobble type game on Amico?  What about Lode Runner re-imagined?

Lode Runner was named in their press release.

2 minutes ago, mr_me said:

Lode Runner was named in their press release.

Okay.  Good to know, I forgot.  Thanks!

19 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

EA has all rights to Baby Yoda and anything Star Wars unfortunately.  I tried. 

WB has the rights to make Star Wars LEGO games, at least when I last checked. How about LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian?

8 hours ago, 1001lives said:

Buttttt this also has nothing to do with the Intellivision Amico.

I can agree discussing the influence of societal phenomenon on people's choice of games is more or less taboo because of the political divisions that plague our lives, therefore I can agree on this thread not being a good place for this discussion, but I do believe this discussion is very pertinent to Amico nonetheless.

In order to create a game that please a very wide range of people, we have to find something in common with all those people and, to me, the only way to find this common ground is to understand their differences.

I'm someone who believes games are the best tool to bring people together. Because of this, I've been trying hard to find games that different people could play together. Unfortunately, this is incredibly difficult. Up to now, I'd say board games are the best tools for this task, but even board games have their flaws. It's particularly difficult to unite adults and children below the age of 8 or 9.

I had high hopes for the Amico. All games being multiplayer, the simplified graphics, the simplified controller, and the "Karma" engine made me think every game on this console would be designed from the ground up to be a tool to make people with very different abilities and tastes to play together. I'm now afraid the Amico will end up being a mishmash of different games that people will not really play together and this kind of depress me.

What about re-imagining the game Crossbow by Exidy?  I used to play this game in the early eighties.

Tommy. Are  you hearing possibilities that E3 could be canceled ? If so, are you already thinking about a B plan ?

Thank you.

2 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Tommy. Are  you hearing possibilities that E3 could be canceled ? If so, are you already thinking about a B plan ?

 

Thank you.

I think he's said he never expected E3 to have much impact on Amico sales as E3 targets a small minority of the Amico's target audience.

There are probably a lot of other conferences that they may see as more relevant that may postpone or cancel as it may head that way.

1 hour ago, Swami said:

I think he's said he never expected E3 to have much impact on Amico sales as E3 targets a small minority of the Amico's target audience.

Disagree, E3 is about promotion, Lots of game media there, E3 if not cancelled is likely to be Amicos coming out party as the marketing campaign starts shortly thereafter.  Having no E3 will hurt since it easier to do one press conference for 50 media groups, then trying to do 50 interviews with 50 media outlets.

The more new's that get's out about the Amico , the better it will be received and accepted at launch.  No matter where/how/who. So anytime there is an opportunity to get your name out to the masses that must be taken. At this point of development and pre- marketing campaign and media coverage.. 

In the end , the more the better and to miss an opportunity to miss a show with that many game media and industry. It's a lost opportunity to strengthen the Brand Name to the general public.   

Amico news and information can come out with or without E3; it's not the 1990s.  Their marketing campaign wouldn't be affected.  Without E3 there will be a missed chance for people to play the games but that can come later.  In fact, if it comes later there is more time for games to be developped and the experience will be better.

11 hours ago, poconojo said:

What about re-imagining the game Crossbow by Exidy?  I used to play this game in the early eighties.

A light-gun game?

On 2/28/2020 at 1:03 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

I've actually renamed it.  I'm now calling it...

 

Blarneo's Math Fun!

🤣

 

 

ummm.

I like that! 😋  I'm not sure (no matter how skilled and talented) that Doug or somebody could make a decent cartoon character out of this boring fat boy though.

7 hours ago, mr_me said:

Amico news and information can come out with or without E3; it's not the 1990s.  Their marketing campaign wouldn't be affected.

simply not true. With a product like Amico  e3's are very important because it puts itself in front of audiences and media who might otherwise think to not be bothered with it. As Tommy has mentioned, one of their biggest hurdles is overcoming the bias that this is just another cheap retro console. Its not like you can just flood the media with press releases and expect people to actually 1) open the email at all 2) to actual read the press release 3) to actually change their mind and provide positive coverage for you .   Places like E3 allow you to break through all those barriers easy , as all it takes is for a bunch of people to be huddled around a new game on a new system having fun.  Now all of a sudden interest has been raised. You have people on the hook.

Back in the day, what we used to do at conventions and shows was to hire 3 actors to make sure we always had a crowd at our table/ booth, Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. So we would look to have one guy who looks like some sort of pro athlete, one really pretty women but with the next door neighbor like appeal, and one serious businessman.  When we didnt have a organic crowd, they would cycle back to us, and the conservative business guy would act like a a kid again playing the game, the hot girl was very approachable, and the athlete just stood and watched like he stumbled across this and was very impressed.   Sometimes we would use family and friends if the convention was close enough etc.   So yeah, its marketing, its all a show, but without the show, there can be no show.

It looks like Intellivision Entertainment has made small, weird-looking and affordable machines with a name that means "friend" in a Romance language trendy.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Citroën Ami:

2 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

It looks like Intellivision Entertainment has made small, weird-looking and affordable machines with a name that means "friend" in a Romance language trendy.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Citroën Ami:

 

I like it except for the double headlights (?) that remind me of the ugly Fiat Multipla. And what is that thing on the door? A giant USB socket? ^^

6 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

It looks like Intellivision Entertainment has made small, weird-looking and affordable machines with a name that means "friend" in a Romance language trendy.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Citroën Ami:

 

I would totally rock this beast!

TJ

Yet another person who has PLAYED Amico!  And although Vic is a friend... if he thought it was bad... he would just not talk about it. 

8 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

It looks like Intellivision Entertainment has made small, weird-looking and affordable machines with a name that means "friend" in a Romance language trendy.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the Citroën Ami:

 

Needs woodgrain panels with gold accents!!!

Oh... and a color touch screen on the steering wheel!

21 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

simply not true. With a product like Amico  e3's are very important because it puts itself in front of audiences and media who might otherwise think to not be bothered with it. As Tommy has mentioned, one of their biggest hurdles is overcoming the bias that this is just another cheap retro console. Its not like you can just flood the media with press releases and expect people to actually 1) open the email at all 2) to actual read the press release 3) to actually change their mind and provide positive coverage for you .   Places like E3 allow you to break through all those barriers easy , as all it takes is for a bunch of people to be huddled around a new game on a new system having fun.  Now all of a sudden interest has been raised. You have people on the hook.

 

Back in the day, what we used to do at conventions and shows was to hire 3 actors to make sure we always had a crowd at our table/ booth, Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. So we would look to have one guy who looks like some sort of pro athlete, one really pretty women but with the next door neighbor like appeal, and one serious businessman.  When we didnt have a organic crowd, they would cycle back to us, and the conservative business guy would act like a a kid again playing the game, the hot girl was very approachable, and the athlete just stood and watched like he stumbled across this and was very impressed.   Sometimes we would use family and friends if the convention was close enough etc.   So yeah, its marketing, its all a show, but without the show, there can be no show.

E3 is not make or break for us in any regards.  Example... my mom or any of your wives or daughters or anyone who watches Ellen or who is shopping at Walmart between the hours of 9am - 3pm doesn't follow E3.

Will it HELP us??  ABSOLUTELY!!!!  Not denying that.

But it also doesn't "hurt" us if it doesn't happen.

btw... side note:  Spoke to the very top people of E3 on Friday (good friends for many years) and they said they have no current plans to cancel E3 this year. 

We are looking forward to a big E3 if it happens.  And if it doesn't... it's not going to wreck us.  One full page ad in Good Housekeeping or AARP is worth just as much as a roomful of video game press to us. 

On 2/29/2020 at 6:39 AM, Blarneo said:

ummm.

 

I like that! 😋  I'm not sure (no matter how skilled and talented) that Doug or somebody could make a decent cartoon character out of this boring fat boy though.

 

 

Eagerly awaiting someone to Photoshop the Blarneo's Math Fun box cover with one of these!  I'm thinking the one with the Gorilla is the winner!!  Right from the game!!!!!!!!   

On 2/28/2020 at 9:24 PM, bigdaddygamestudio said:

Disagree, E3 is about promotion, Lots of game media there, E3 if not cancelled is likely to be Amicos coming out party as the marketing campaign starts shortly thereafter.  Having no E3 will hurt since it easier to do one press conference for 50 media groups, then trying to do 50 interviews with 50 media outlets.

Before E3 existed we would go on nationwide press tours.  Show up in magazine offices... hook the game up and play it with everyone in the office there.  People LOVED the personal touch of going to visit them.

If E3 was canceled for some reason... doing a 7 - 10 day tour hitting all of the biggest gaming magazines, websites and YouTuber influencers would have an even BIGGER impact for us.  Also... Gamescom in Germany is MUCH bigger than E3... nearly 3 times the size!!  And it's in August (closer to our launch) and lets just say our European President Hans has some "connections" there.  

We would reach way more press at Gamescom in August than we would at E3 in June.  But again... the idea is to do both.  And both would be great.  But in no way does it "hurt" us if E3 is canceled.  It's just a little extra work while saving money in the process.

On 2/28/2020 at 7:55 PM, Swami said:

I think he's said he never expected E3 to have much impact on Amico sales as E3 targets a small minority of the Amico's target audience.

 

There are probably a lot of other conferences that they may see as more relevant that may postpone or cancel as it may head that way.

Exactly!!!   Getting to the video game focuses press is easy and available to us in many different forms.  E3 is one of them... but certainly not the biggest or only one.

On 2/28/2020 at 6:08 PM, LePionnier said:

Tommy. Are  you hearing possibilities that E3 could be canceled ? If so, are you already thinking about a B plan ?

 

Thank you.

I spoke to them on Friday.  They are not considering canceling at this point.

Plan B mentioned above includes Gamescom and personal visits.