Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

In this instance it is not a company... but a private individual.

 

In 2003, one insider said that Imagic still existed as an entity, but was "very teeny tiny." I don't know if he was indicating private ownership there, but it kind of sounds like it now. Also don't know if the same person has held the rights since then. Alternatively, this may be where the "Activision owns the rights to Imagic games" came from.

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

In this instance it is not a company... but a private individual.

 

there ya go a story line for Beauty & The Beast 2! Horrible Hank holds the rights to Imagic games and he's keeping the papers in an office high atop the NEW Mutton building and it's up to Bashful Buford to get them lol

2 hours ago, Swami said:

In 2003, one insider said that Imagic still existed as an entity, but was "very teeny tiny." I don't know if he was indicating private ownership there, but it kind of sounds like it now. Also don't know if the same person has held the rights since then. Alternatively, this may be where the "Activision owns the rights to Imagic games" came from.

 

 

Hmm.. never saw that post before.  I can confirm 100% that it is false information.
 

I know I'm excited for the gameplay video that was promised. I will be buying two Amicos. One for me, and one for my nephew which will be his first game system. He will be five when it launches. I love the idea of multiplayer in house, but hope there will potentially be online multiplayer. I live a half a world away from my nephew, and it would be awesome to be able to play some games with him.

I see that there is further confusion brewing about the capability of our chip and whether or not we can handle 3D.  Let me once again state that the machine can absolutely 100% do 3D and that most of our games are 2.5D which is exactly what I've been stating from the first day we announced the project. 

For those who do not know what 2.5D is.  It's basically 3D (or 3D like tricks to keep poly counts lower) except only moving on one axis or plane.  A good example of this would be a game like Sonic 4:
 

The reason for us shying away from true open world 3D games is because when you dive into that world... you absolutely lose the ability to make the controls simple for non gamers to play.  It also opens up a new level of graphic and budget commitment that we aren't interested in dealing with (because the others will always do it better).  There are a lot of games that would be considered "grey area" in regards to 2.5D.  For example... Wii Bowling!  It would in fact be considered true 3D.  But it is a very limited and fixed field of play.  We have a LOT of games that are like this.  If you have one limited 3D playfield (for example a pool table, dart board, horseshoe pit, Night Stalker or Bi-Planes level ) but everything is totally 100% 3D... then in that regards... we are 3D.  We're just not open world 3D.  Saying were focused on 2D & 2.5D is an easier and more simple way to explain what people should expect.  The second I say we are doing 3D games then people will start having visions of Call of Duty and Red Dead 2. 

So for the few folks who said maybe they could be wrong if we are capable of doing 3D...

you're wrong.



 

59 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

So for the few folks who said maybe they could be wrong if we are capable of doing 3D...

 

 

you're wrong.

What chipset are we talking about?

I speculated in the other thread that you could do 3D, but it would be so weak as to not be worth emphasizing (like a lot of mobile/Android-ish GPUs), so I'm very interested in what kind of GPU is powering the Amico. I think this opens up a lot of good possibilities, so I'm very interested in hearing more.

17 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

What chipset are we talking about?

 

I speculated in the other thread that you could do 3D, but it would be so weak as to not be worth emphasizing (like a lot of mobile/Android-ish GPUs), so I'm very interested in what kind of GPU is powering the Amico. I think this opens up a lot of good possibilities, so I'm very interested in hearing more.

Have you ever seen 3D on Apple phones or tablets, it is formadible?  I would be surprised if Android sucked that bad.

17 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

What chipset are we talking about?

 

I speculated in the other thread that you could do 3D, but it would be so weak as to not be worth emphasizing (like a lot of mobile/Android-ish GPUs), so I'm very interested in what kind of GPU is powering the Amico. I think this opens up a lot of good possibilities, so I'm very interested in hearing more.

I'm not really following this thread.. but I haven't heard of a GPU being mentioned, that's not to say it will or wont have one.

But, IMO I'd be surprised if it DOESN'T, as most commercial engines work with polygons, and not pixels.

8 cores is pretty beefy enough to do software 3D, think Wolf, Doom and Quake and Quake II.

I would be impressed if it actually didn't have a GPU and to see software 3D commercial games agian

1 minute ago, CPUWIZ said:

 

Have you ever seen 3D on Apple phones or tablets, it is formadible?  I would be surprised if Android sucked that bad.

Yeah there's nothing wrong with mobile 3D, even NGage did 3D with some kind of success!

2 minutes ago, CPUWIZ said:

 

Have you ever seen 3D on Apple phones or tablets, it is formadible?  I would be surprised if Android sucked that bad.

My day job involves working with both. The Apple A* chips are strong - they're mainly limited by the thermal constraints of being packaged in an iPhone or iPad. Many of the Android GPUs are decent as well, but it's "complicated" - the Android GPUs have drivers that run the gamut from "trashfire" to "not bad", so the GPU choice is more important there. There are also some Android boxes that use Nvidia Tegra and those are every bit as good as you'd want (the Switch uses a Tegra derivative). I think they're probably cost-prohibitive for the Amico, but I'd love to be surprised. If the Amico had a Tegra, well, that would open a lot of doors down the line!

Just now, gwald said:

I'm not really following this thread.. but I haven't heard of a GPU being mentioned, that's not to say it will or wont have one.

But, IMO I'd be surprised if it DOESN'T, as most commercial engines work with polygons, and not pixels.

Oh, I'm 100% sure it has a GPU given Tommy's latest statements (I was 99% before that), it's just a matter of oomph. The Raspberry Pi has one, as an example, but it's pretty much just there to tick a box on a spec sheet. You can only go up from there.

But I mean I also feel like it'd be a bit ... wrong? ... for them to emphasize it or draw attention to it. Tommy is right in that the moment you start showcasing 3D, you start to draw comparisons to things that maybe the Amico is not meant to be compared against. Were it up to me, I'd underpromise and overdeliver in this respect: a more restrained "sure, it's running this game in 3D. No big deal." would probably be more helpful than "1.21 GIGAFLOPS OF GPU POWER!" and then having everyone on your ass about "can it play Fortnite?"

34 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

What chipset are we talking about?

 

I speculated in the other thread that you could do 3D, but it would be so weak as to not be worth emphasizing (like a lot of mobile/Android-ish GPUs), so I'm very interested in what kind of GPU is powering the Amico. I think this opens up a lot of good possibilities, so I'm very interested in hearing more.

If I recall correctly this is going to be one of the last bits of information released because Intellivision’s focus isn’t on the hardware side they are placing their focus on the experience of the system and games 

2 minutes ago, hoserama99 said:

Oh, I'm 100% sure it has a GPU given Tommy's latest statements (I was 99% before that), it's just a matter of oomph. The Raspberry Pi has one, as an example, but it's pretty much just there to tick a box on a spec sheet. You can only go up from there.

 

But I mean I also feel like it'd be a bit ... wrong? ... for them to emphasize it or draw attention to it. Tommy is right in that the moment you start showcasing 3D, you start to draw comparisons to things that maybe the Amico is not meant to be compared against. Were it up to me, I'd underpromise and overdeliver in this respect: a more restrained "sure, it's running this game in 3D. No big deal." would probably be more helpful than "1.21 GIGAFLOPS OF GPU POWER!" and then having everyone on your ass about "can it play Fortnite?"

This

It seems some of you may have missed this:

On 6/26/2019 at 7:24 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

We NEVER said the machine is only going to do 2D and it doesn't say that in the video.  We said we are focusing on 2D and 2.5D.  We always mention 2.5D which I'm sure you're aware is 3D... but on a 2D plane.

Our hardware for the most part is nailed down and has been since last year (all of the most important parts).  Our developers know what it is but there is zero reason to talk about anything more than we already have.  Serves zero purpose for us.  I'm not in a technology battle with Microsoft, Sony, Google or Atari.  Let them all fight each other to try and outdo who has the biggest chip set.  We are about the GAMES and the EXPERIENCE.  THAT is the most important thing for us.  We are nowhere near the power and speed of the others... and we don't care.  The better the chip... the more expensive the games become.  Graphically, our stuff looks and moves better than mobile.  And our art director (very experienced and famous dude in the industry including Disney's Aladdin, Earthworm Jim, etc.) is an absolute genius who works directly with each of our developers to help create different stylized looks for each game. 

Power and chipsets don't matter.  It's the games and experience.  We feel very confident that we have both the games and the "fun experience" factor.
 

26 minutes ago, PlaysWithWolves said:

It seems some of you may have missed this:

 

That requires reading... who wants to do that?

I am so ready for the next trailer!

17 minutes ago, PlaysWithWolves said:

It seems some of you may have missed this:

This is true because we've got 36 pages of stuff, and it's honestly a slog to get through.

On the main point of 3D, I think it is (or was) reasonable to assume that the Amico reveal trailer is accurate for anyone who hasn't passionately read every bit of info that exists: the video plainly says 2D, not 2.5D, not 3D.

Importantly - Tommy is the Word of God on the specs, so what he says supersedes the trailer's info. But it's frankly hard to keep track of the things that have changed between that trailer and now (another example is the game pricing, which has changed ever-so-slightly). That trailer is now 7 months old and is becoming unreliable.

It would be a blessing to find updated, accurate information in an easy-to-read place. I get that we're still a year off and obviously more will change - and the pace at which information comes out will probably be dictated by their marketing vs. a need to dump tech specs to geeks on AtariAge, but every little bit helps.

Tommy, please use plastic other than the Jaguar, the fumes are already spreading, before anyone has even inhaled them.

1 hour ago, Alpha82 said:

If I recall correctly this is going to be one of the last bits of information released because Intellivision’s focus isn’t on the hardware side they are placing their focus on the experience of the system and games 

I so believe this is the right way to do this... Honestly people focus on speeds and feeds so much, but without great games you have nothing but potential...and you can play potential..haha..

I am really interested on how Tommy's group is going to use the accessories to give us immersion on the games.  I am hoping for super use of the controllers, accessories and cell phones to create experiences that are so unique that they can only be played on the Amico.

Nothing would me me happier than to have my Amico constantly plugged in and being used with my friends in our groups a few times a week. I am looking forward to party games so well designed, replayable and addictive, that they are only available on Amico and will never be on anything else.

I remember reading articles in gaming magazines about people who put the game Soul Calibur in their dreamcast and never took it out, because they felt that game hit those exact same buttons.

I know Tommy knows exactly what he is doing and the  potential of his opportunity to create IP ands experiences that can only ever live on this system.  I am just looking forward to that day.

12 hours ago, hoserama99 said:

What chipset are we talking about?

 

I speculated in the other thread that you could do 3D, but it would be so weak as to not be worth emphasizing (like a lot of mobile/Android-ish GPUs), so I'm very interested in what kind of GPU is powering the Amico. I think this opens up a lot of good possibilities, so I'm very interested in hearing more.

Unless you're developing a game for us, there isn't a reason for us to disclose the specific information.  I understand that you personally may be curious and that's fine.  But fans of gaming have gotten way too off track in regards to how "fast" a machine is as opposed to how FUN a machine is.  Releasing our exact processor information can only cause us harm at this point as all the naysayers will immediately jump on us and trash what we're doing... before they even have a chance to play it.  So although Microsoft, Sony & Atari may be quick to play that game... we are not and will not.  Not what we're about.  That being said... I have mentioned in this thread the speed of the processor and how many cores.  So if you are curious to find out... the info is in here. 

12 hours ago, CPUWIZ said:

 

Have you ever seen 3D on Apple phones or tablets, it is formadible?  I would be surprised if Android sucked that bad.

Agreed.  For the power, performance and price... nothing comes close to some of the Android/ARM based chips.  And once everyone sees the graphics and 60fps we're pulling... I think folks will be very delightfully surprised. 

12 hours ago, hoserama99 said:

My day job involves working with both. The Apple A* chips are strong - they're mainly limited by the thermal constraints of being packaged in an iPhone or iPad. Many of the Android GPUs are decent as well, but it's "complicated" - the Android GPUs have drivers that run the gamut from "trashfire" to "not bad", so the GPU choice is more important there. There are also some Android boxes that use Nvidia Tegra and those are every bit as good as you'd want (the Switch uses a Tegra derivative). I think they're probably cost-prohibitive for the Amico, but I'd love to be surprised. If the Amico had a Tegra, well, that would open a lot of doors down the line!

We are working with one of the biggest chip makers on the planet.

11 hours ago, hoserama99 said:

Oh, I'm 100% sure it has a GPU given Tommy's latest statements (I was 99% before that), it's just a matter of oomph. The Raspberry Pi has one, as an example, but it's pretty much just there to tick a box on a spec sheet. You can only go up from there.

 

But I mean I also feel like it'd be a bit ... wrong? ... for them to emphasize it or draw attention to it. Tommy is right in that the moment you start showcasing 3D, you start to draw comparisons to things that maybe the Amico is not meant to be compared against. Were it up to me, I'd underpromise and overdeliver in this respect: a more restrained "sure, it's running this game in 3D. No big deal." would probably be more helpful than "1.21 GIGAFLOPS OF GPU POWER!" and then having everyone on your ass about "can it play Fortnite?"

We can do much more than the most current Pi 4. 

You are 100% correct in your 2nd paragraph.  That has been my plan from the start.  When folks see the gameplay footage I think they will feel as if we have overdelivered.  There wasn't one single hardcore gamer during our focus testing that complained about the graphics at all.  Even though they are no where near PS4, XBOX One or even Switch quality. 

But people forget that STYLE is just as is important (I would say even MORE important) than power when it comes to graphics and having fun with video games.  Ori & the Blind Forest is a perfect example.  We would rather be doing more games like that than Red Dead 2.  And no... we can't play Fortnite and don't want to. 

12 hours ago, Alpha82 said:

If I recall correctly this is going to be one of the last bits of information released because Intellivision’s focus isn’t on the hardware side they are placing their focus on the experience of the system and games 

If we even release it at all!  For what we're doing... honestly... why would it matter at all.  If you're not a developer... who really cares.  The only people who would care are probably folks who are looking to tear us down before the system comes out.  I'm guessing the exact info will leak at some point.  But I can tell you that the 3 billion people who play mobile games each day... don't know or care what kind of GPU there phone is running.  As long as it plays and they are having fun... then that's all that matters. 

11 hours ago, hoserama99 said:

This is true because we've got 36 pages of stuff, and it's honestly a slog to get through.

 

On the main point of 3D, I think it is (or was) reasonable to assume that the Amico reveal trailer is accurate for anyone who hasn't passionately read every bit of info that exists: the video plainly says 2D, not 2.5D, not 3D.

 

Importantly - Tommy is the Word of God on the specs, so what he says supersedes the trailer's info. But it's frankly hard to keep track of the things that have changed between that trailer and now (another example is the game pricing, which has changed ever-so-slightly). That trailer is now 7 months old and is becoming unreliable.

 

It would be a blessing to find updated, accurate information in an easy-to-read place. I get that we're still a year off and obviously more will change - and the pace at which information comes out will probably be dictated by their marketing vs. a need to dump tech specs to geeks on AtariAge, but every little bit helps.

If I put 2.5D in the trailer... it would have only confused the average person even more.  Only a hardcore gamer understands what 2.5D means... and judging by this thread and some of the responses... I don't even think gamers fully understand it. 

This thread is the most comprehensive place for up-to-date data on the entire internet.  So in regards to finding updated and the most accurate information.  Welcome! 

Lots and lots of time yet. 

Think about it... how much does anyone know about the next XBOX?  Have they given any real information about their next machine?  They are scheduled to come out around the same time as us.  We've given loads more information than they have... and yes... our info may change in a year from now as well.  They wait because they want to be 100% sure of everything.  That is why they didn't mention pricing at E3.  Because they have no idea what effect the tariffs will have (no one does at this point) and why would they tip their hand early and signal to Sony what they are doing.  We have an exact date and TONS of information about our machine and our focus and goals.  I've NEVER known a company in the video game hardware business that has been so forthcoming with information so early and with such frequency.  Yes it may change.  So the choice is... wait until next summer to get the final info... or "watch this space" to get info that may or may not change closer to launch.  But I feel it is unfair for folks to suggest that we need a place that has all of the up-to-date info.... especially since the info may slightly change.  And especially since we're giving info earlier than any video game hardware company that I'm aware of.  Maybe that's why the big hardware companies wait til the last minute. 

10 hours ago, imstarryeyed said:

I so believe this is the right way to do this... Honestly people focus on speeds and feeds so much, but without great games you have nothing but potential...and you can play potential..haha..

 

I am really interested on how Tommy's group is going to use the accessories to give us immersion on the games.  I am hoping for super use of the controllers, accessories and cell phones to create experiences that are so unique that they can only be played on the Amico.

 

Nothing would me me happier than to have my Amico constantly plugged in and being used with my friends in our groups a few times a week. I am looking forward to party games so well designed, replayable and addictive, that they are only available on Amico and will never be on anything else.

 

I remember reading articles in gaming magazines about people who put the game Soul Calibur in their dreamcast and never took it out, because they felt that game hit those exact same buttons.

 

I know Tommy knows exactly what he is doing and the  potential of his opportunity to create IP ands experiences that can only ever live on this system.  I am just looking forward to that day.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks!  Everything you said in your post is exactly our goals and has been happening!  People in the office can never decide which game to play next because they are all so fun... and they are mostly all still a year away from completion!  This is a really great sign!  I've been involved with enough AAA products and CRAPPY ones to know what is going to be really good.  When we were working on Disney's Aladdin, Earthworm Jim, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Guitar Hero, Metroid Prime, etc.... everyone working on it KNEW it was going to be super fun and potentially a huge hit.  Likewise... working on Color A Dinosaur, Aquaman, Sonic and the Black Knight... we all knew they weren't fun but tried to do the best we could given the circumstances and challenges. 

It's similar to writing a song.  Sometimes you just KNOW when a song is going to be liked.  There's this "energy" surrounding it each and every time you listen to it.  We definitely have a lot of potential "hits" on our hands. 

There has already been a couple of games from the 22 games from E3 that we decided to "cut" or at least shelve for now.  I'm serious when I say that we will NOT put out mediocre games.  This is going to pay HUGE dividends for us.  Both at launch and down the road.  This is one thing that will really help separate us from anything else that is currently out there.  No one talks about this... especially the folks who are naysayers at this early stage.  They see things like exclusivity and quality control as a NEGATIVE and think developers won't want to work with us.  They have no idea what they're talking about.  We will build massive trust with the consumer right out of the gate.  And if that trust exists, then spending $5 - $10 on something you know will be of high quality and provide hours of family entertainment... will be a no-brainer.  It almost becomes an impulse buy at that point.

Lots of fun and more info to come!

21 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

If I put 2.5D in the trailer... it would have only confused the average person even more.  Only a hardcore gamer understands what 2.5D means... and judging by this thread and some of the responses... I don't even think gamers fully understand it. 

This thread is the most comprehensive place for up-to-date data on the entire internet.  So in regards to finding updated and the most accurate information.  Welcome!

Alright, everything you've said makes sense.

Just one thing to think about: you're reaching for a broad audience here, one that's absolutely greater than AtariAge forum members wanting to play Astrosmash again. That audience won't care about subtleties of 2.5D -- or reading these forums, so it might be nice to update some of the official marketing materials to cover some recent changes when you get a chance, things like the minor tweaks to game pricing and so on. (I think multiplayer has changed in scope or definition a bit since that first trailer? I haven't spent much time reading up on that, tbh.) Some place concise and "official" that reflects the current reality.

That said, I imagine you guys are working your balls off on the next trailer and everything else, so I'll survive here putting the pieces together.