Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

8 minutes ago, 1001lives said:

This should be framed

I agree too, should be framed and posted on walls across the globe!

Fella can have his opinion, and we can too.
 

Let the cream rise to the top Tommy 😁

6 minutes ago, The Wren said:

My personal thought is that this guy is entitled to his opinion and its easily dismissable at the same time. Its not balanced and or positive...but its allowed to exist. Everything is in the eye of the beholder...this guy sees the trailer you put out the other day and writes this post....i see the trailer 20 times in a row, get into a fight with my wife because i'm watching it too much, and am genuinely excited to come and check the posts here because (and pat on the back here community) the group in here is very positive and friendly. People in here are asking genuine questions and coming forward with cool ideas and hopes for the system and i like being a part of that.

 

I do have a sad truth about this post though and i hope you all take it constructively. Had Tommy not posted about this...i wouldn't know that this guy even existed, or the post, or anything like that...i would have had the time to watch the trailer 3 more times. Tommy you're as personally invested in this thing as any one individual can be on anything and for that you have my admiration Sir. You're going after a niche that i couldn't be more excited about in gaming and your (in my mind) 100% correct about what you've said and it speaks to me personally. If someone went after my baby like I've seen some people go after the Amico i'd be pissed as well. You don't need to shine i light on this guy...and again for me...he was living in the darkness until you did. I think that you simply have to suffer these guys until you can get it into the hands of them like you did with Smash JT who was very anti Amico until he played it...and great example there...I've never watched one of his video's until you showed up in one.  When the Amico does succeed it will be because people had it in their hands, played it, and bought it...not because of angry conversations about it. Long and short of it...don't get into arguments with stupid people...they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience!

 

Now Apologies for my language all, i'm Canadian but as i'm sure you're aware i'm currently without hockey in my life and we're ready to start bustin' heads up here. Again huge props to Tommy for continuing to respond to everything and to all forum members who i have spoken with through PM and the main board.

 

Cheers,

 

The Wren

Streisand effect is what you are looking at. It is the same thing with that pot smoker video and the videos saying Amico is a scam.

Others have mentioned making things and people being critical on YouTube. Sometimes it is better to just roll with it than to suppress it, delete comments, or whatever. Atari did that on their FB, Reddit, and IGG. All it does it make them look less positive. If they are scared of a few comments derailing their project then it wasn't solid to begin with. Which kind of seems to be the case with Atari.

So yeah Streisand effect... To read up what that is you can check out the wiki. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect

I feel for you about hockey. My bro in law plays and lives to watch hockey. Hopefully you have the ability to play some hockey video games at least? I need to try NHL Slapshot on Wii. Heard good things about it.

Maybe you will also get lucky here in the next month or so and get to see Intv Hockey?? 🤯

On 3/17/2020 at 7:44 PM, LePionnier said:

And I have a question about the next screen from this same game.

I think we have to be realistic that with this kind of game it will be difficult to translate for other countries !?

 

Exemple, the first picture is a Rat !  ( Same thing in french, so for this one no problem. )

But for the second picture, we have to find the letters A T. In english no problem with a Hat, but in french it's "chapeau". Nothing to help.

So Tommy, can you confirm that worldwide, to play this game we will have to think in English !? 🙄

 

Thank you, and again, great job !

 

While you're probably right about the translation hurdle, this isn't a good example- these aren't letter based hints (I see no way for fried egg & ramen to become 'ouille'). This is just 'rat, cook, food'- a description of the movie, holds for any language. We'd need to see more clues to know just how important spelling tricks are to solving the pictograms.

32 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Streisand effect is what you are looking at. It is the same thing with that pot smoker video and the videos saying Amico is a scam.

 

Others have mentioned making things and people being critical on YouTube. Sometimes it is better to just roll with it than to suppress it, delete comments, or whatever. Atari did that on their FB, Reddit, and IGG. All it does it make them look less positive. If they are scared of a few comments derailing their project then it wasn't solid to begin with. Which kind of seems to be the case with Atari.

 

So yeah Streisand effect... To read up what that is you can check out the wiki. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streisand_effect

 

 

I feel for you about hockey. My bro in law plays and lives to watch hockey. Hopefully you have the ability to play some hockey video games at least? I need to try NHL Slapshot on Wii. Heard good things about it.

 

 

Maybe you will also get lucky here in the next month or so and get to see Intv Hockey?? 🤯

I really promise I'm not specifically targeting you today. 

I just wanted to let you know, Streisand effect is about specifically attempting to censor and cover up information, and in doing so, it becomes more publicized. 

Calling out bullshit on your own turf and analyzing a goofy, negative post, is just giving someone attention that probably doesn't deserve it. It's not the Streisand effect. That would be like deleting his comment on nintendolife and someone finds out and posts proof.

Some discussion of these haters comments may be worthwhile to determine what's motivating this negativity and how to more effectively prevent it in the future.  For example, WHAT does this guy need to see that would change his mind and why is he so determined to say negative things? Is it JUST trolling, or is it more? Tommy is also the kind of person who actively seeks to show people why they may be wrong, as opposed to just letting people stay uneducated. Because sometimes, the only reason they are a "Hater" to begin with is because of things they didn't know. Bigger companies wouldn't do that because bigger companies, frankly, don't care about individuals. 

Ultimately, the real issue with trying to educate random people on the internet is an assumption they can be convinced via evidence or a sane, rational discussion.  Not everyone is sane, rational individual. 

7 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I think of guys like @OEB_Pete or @AtariSociety who are always so upbeat and positive (like most of the folks in here) and think to myself... what went wrong in their lives to make certain negative folks shower so much vitriol for a video game system they've never played?  I bet if we dug deep... we would end up feeling very sorry for these folks and would generally want to offer condolences. 

yeh, I call it "teenage angst" that some folks have even when they are adults.

If these folks don't have some problem going on in their lives or have some turbulence, they feel off and not right, so they create that turbulence and suck others in.  

Makes them feel alive I suppose.

I much prefer to just be me and happy... as in the end what matters is your own health and those immediate friends and family you love.

I share my enthusiasm to help make myself and those around me happy.  I think being happy is the best cure for all.

Is one reason I make some silly YouTube videos... be High on life. It is a good thing.

TJ

4 hours ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Tommy, it's been a while since we talked about the Japanese market, but as of this week I'm now using my new Intellivision mug at work in place of my BUMP OF CHICKEN one (I drink a lot of tea, Earl Grey, hot, mainly because a certain childhood hero of mine does). BUMP one is still here and not going anywhere, though! One of the girls was like "Hey, that's not your usual BUMP OF CHICKEN one! What's Intellivision?", so I ended up explaining to everyone what Intellivision is. Even the older guys (CEO and COO) didn't know about it, and I ended up showing both the girl who asked about it and the COO the original Intellivision (a picture, not my real Intellivision!) and we talked about some of the arcade ports that it has. The dude that I normally talk about video games with just had a baby, though, so he's not in the office this week. Maybe he knows, but maybe not. Looks like you might have a fun challenge here where relatively few people know the Intellivision name.

 

I did mention before that I've seen a Japanese Intellivision and that Skiing that I posted a picture of a while ago is apparently the Japanese version, so there is definitely some knowledge of it, but I imagine that there is not a whole lot. I hope stuff goes well for you so you can launch here! I imagine the Japanese launch involves some secret company stuff that you might not be able to talk about yet, though.

Thanks for helping to spread Intellivision in the East! 

Amico selling in certain countries (especially in Japan) won't have anything to do with the name Intellivision.  It's cool that we have a legacy, but we're not relying on name recognition in order to be successful.  It's a great "perk" for parts of the world... but Japan isn't really one of them.  As you're aware more than anyone else... Japan is a very different market when it comes to gaming.  And although we have a strong team on the ground over there (including the former president of Xbox Japan) it definitely isn't our focus until 2022.  So we have a ways to go and need to succeed in other places first before we start thinking about Japan. 

When the time comes for us to start thinking about Japan... I'll need to hire folks like you who know a LOT about the industry over there!

2 hours ago, 1001lives said:

Tommy, you may want to check this out. Pretty good video.

 

 

Yeah... saw that one last week.

He did a trailer reaction video this week as well:

I want Pong and Cornhole now to play with my family !!!! 🤗🤗🤗

actually I want all the games ! 😂 

2 hours ago, The Wren said:

My personal thought is that this guy is entitled to his opinion and its easily dismissable at the same time. Its not balanced and or positive...but its allowed to exist. Everything is in the eye of the beholder...this guy sees the trailer you put out the other day and writes this post....i see the trailer 20 times in a row, get into a fight with my wife because i'm watching it too much, and am genuinely excited to come and check the posts here because (and pat on the back here community) the group in here is very positive and friendly. People in here are asking genuine questions and coming forward with cool ideas and hopes for the system and i like being a part of that.

 

I do have a sad truth about this post though and i hope you all take it constructively. Had Tommy not posted about this...i wouldn't know that this guy even existed, or the post, or anything like that...i would have had the time to watch the trailer 3 more times. Tommy you're as personally invested in this thing as any one individual can be on anything and for that you have my admiration Sir. You're going after a niche that i couldn't be more excited about in gaming and your (in my mind) 100% correct about what you've said and it speaks to me personally. If someone went after my baby like I've seen some people go after the Amico i'd be pissed as well. You don't need to shine i light on this guy...and again for me...he was living in the darkness until you did. I think that you simply have to suffer these guys until you can get it into the hands of them like you did with Smash JT who was very anti Amico until he played it...and great example there...I've never watched one of his video's until you showed up in one.  When the Amico does succeed it will be because people had it in their hands, played it, and bought it...not because of angry conversations about it. Long and short of it...don't get into arguments with stupid people...they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience!

 

Now Apologies for my language all, i'm Canadian but as i'm sure you're aware i'm currently without hockey in my life and we're ready to start bustin' heads up here. Again huge props to Tommy for continuing to respond to everything and to all forum members who i have spoken with through PM and the main board.

 

Cheers,

 

The Wren

Hi!,

I think a few folks may have misunderstood the reasoning for my post.  I don't care if folks have a negative opinion of what we're doing.  I'm not insane... I know that people are going to hate it.    I was just starting a conversation as to the "why".  Was just curious about getting feedback from folks as to what their opinions were on the subject.   It wasn't about giving any negative individual a spotlight... like I mentioned, I used that post as an example.

These folks say outrageous things which I'm assuming they know are lies.  Examples of this are... we delete a majority of comments (when the numbers aren't even close) and that having discussions with folks translates to "unhinged rants".

So I was just curious to know what folks think is behind this kind of behavior.  Jealousy?  Nintendo Fan Boys?  Online bullying gets them off because they are bullied themselves in real life?  The need for attention?  I don't really have an opinion as I think it could be parts of all of those things.  Was just wondering what others thought.  Just trying to have a discussion about it.  I'm not bothered by it or shining a light on a particular individual.  Was just looking for folks' opinions.  They aren't dragging me down.  Just the opposite in fact.  I use their vitriol as fuel to work even harder (if that's possible). 

So just to be clear... I'm not looking for advice on how to handle bullies (been dealing with that for 50 years!) or trying to play the victim.  I was just interested on getting opinions from people in here who see the kind of crap that gets thrown around about the system.  I wonder why that is.  Open to hearing thoughts and ideas on the subject.

Thanks.

1 hour ago, MrBeefy said:

Streisand effect is what you are looking at. It is the same thing with that pot smoker video and the videos saying Amico is a scam.

 

Yes.  I agree as well.  Sometimes it backfires on the haters and they end of bringing positive attention to Amico for some.  CUPodcast is a perfect example.  There have been a bunch of super positive people that have told me they first heard about Amico through watching Pat & Ian... so I guess a THANK YOU to Pat & Ian are in order.  Keep it comin' boys. 

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I wanted to share this with folks in here and then ask a question...

*SNIP*

 

So here's the question I'd like to pose...

 

Why can't people come to terms with the fact that some people may like different styles of video games than others?  Why are these types of folks only able to think in absolutes?  Is it because maybe they don't have families and friends themselves to play with in person?  Is it jealousy?  Immaturity?  Stupidity? 

*SNIP*

I would honestly have to say it is more that some people take brand loyalty to an extreme. To the point where say if they support Nintendo, they would rather crawl a mile across broken glass then say something positive or touch another system. Being vocal and visible about this dedication (fanaticism?) to their chosen brand is I suppose a way to set themselves apart (and above) from the other hundreds of thousands of, lets say again Nintendo, other system owners with their 'Look how hardcore I am!' attitude.

I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist; but that would be my guess.

As to the Atari Box, I readily admit to taking a few jabs myself occasionally in the AA thread dedicated to it. It is hard to resist! From their supposedly not paying critical staff and having them publicly walk off the job, to repeatedly missing project deadlines, the downgrading and backpedalling on project promises, and 'no news is good news' weeks of silence from Atari it is an embarrassment of riches to find a topic to poke a bit of fun at them. I do feel bad for the backers, and more then a little relief as to be honest here as a 2600 owner and supporter from way back I likely would have been in on this if I did not completely miss the news about the Indiegogo campaign for the Atari Box.

I suppose there is also the misconception that you are trying to dethrone one or more the Big Three; and install Intellivision and the Amico in its/their place (insert your preferred 'The king is dead, long live the king!' meme here). So with the hardcore fanbase, they could see the Amico as a challenge and threat? Which is odd as you have been quite open in that Intellivision is targeting a completely different market, family and casual gamers, rather then trying to elbow in with the Big Three.

Regardless, it does seem to be only a (very?) vocal minority opposed to the Amico. Most seem to either like what they are seeing.

37 minutes ago, AtariSociety said:

yeh, I call it "teenage angst" that some folks have even when they are adults.

If these folks don't have some problem going on in their lives or have some turbulence, they feel off and not right, so they create that turbulence and suck others in.  

Makes them feel alive I suppose.

I much prefer to just be me and happy... as in the end what matters is your own health and those immediate friends and family you love.

I share my enthusiasm to help make myself and those around me happy.  I think being happy is the best cure for all.

Is one reason I make some silly YouTube videos... be High on life. It is a good thing.

TJ

 

Yeah... I think you may have touched on something.  I've known folks in my life who just love wallowing in negativity and "pain"... or being a victim because it's all they know while growing up and living that way in their adult life makes them feel safe and/or "alive" like you mentioned.  Being anonymous on the internet gets to magnify that like crazy because there isn't any "real world" consequences for them.  So they get the endorphin hit without having to worry about the "payment".  Would be super interesting to meet some of these folks in real life to see what they are like in the real world.  Its clear to see from some of the videos these folks made (the druggy dude from yesterday for example) that some are dealing with IQ issues... but others seem to not be "borderline".  Maybe it's just mommy/attention issues.  Who knows.  
 

47 minutes ago, AtariSociety said:

Is one reason I make some silly YouTube videos... be High on life. It is a good thing.

TJ

 

Are you SURE it's just life?!?  I saw your last video.

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Are you SURE it's just life?!?  I saw your last video.

 

 

 

It is Allergies....

..... Allergies I tells ya!

😝

TJ

4 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Are you SURE it's just life?!?  I saw your last video.

 

 

 

and believe it or not... I am drug free.  I don't do the stuff... 

If I did... I would be even more wound up than I am.

I am not sure the world can handle that TJ.

haha

TJ

How many VIP editions will be available on March 31st for preorder? 

10 minutes ago, Tavi said:

I would honestly have to say it is more that some people take brand loyalty to an extreme. To the point where say if they support Nintendo, they would rather crawl a mile across broken glass then say something positive or touch another system. Being vocal and visible about this dedication (fanaticism?) to their chosen brand is I suppose a way to set themselves apart (and above) from the other hundreds of thousands of, lets say again Nintendo, other system owners with their 'Look how hardcore I am!' attitude.

I am not a psychiatrist or psychologist; but that would be my guess.

 

Yeah.  I typically see that with younger folks especially.  I actually kind of think that is cool.  It shows how passionate folks are about gaming... to the point of taking a fun entertainment device to the extreme.  "My video game fun machine is THE BEST!  Anyone else's fun video game machine SUCKS cause MINE IS THE BEST!  I'm personally not wired that way so it's a little harder for me to get into those kinds of mindsets.  I like ALL the different systems for different reasons.  I guess it would be similar to rooting against a sports team (because they are your favorite teams rival). 

10 minutes ago, Tavi said:

As to the Atari Box, I readily admit to taking a few jabs myself occasionally in the AA thread dedicated to it. It is hard to resist! From their supposedly not paying critical staff and having them publicly walk off the job, to repeatedly missing project deadlines, the downgrading and backpedalling on project promises, and 'no news is good news' weeks of silence from Atari it is an embarrassment of riches to find a topic to poke a bit of fun at them. I do feel bad for the backers, and more then a little relief as to be honest here as a 2600 owner and supporter from way back I likely would have been in on this if I did not completely miss the news about the Indiegogo campaign for the Atari Box.

 

Yeah... they really open themselves up sometimes and make themselves a target.  Especially because it's crowd funded.  There is a certain standard that must be met when you cross into that realm.  I deal with it (mostly in a positive way... but a pressure way as well) with big investors.  And I totally get it.  I'd be the same if it was my hard-earned money as well.

10 minutes ago, Tavi said:

I suppose there is also the misconception that you are trying to dethrone one or more the Big Three; and install Intellivision and the Amico in its/their place (insert your preferred 'The king is dead, long live the king!' meme here). So with the hardcore fanbase, they could see the Amico as a challenge and threat? Which is odd as you have been quite open in that Intellivision is targeting a completely different market, family and casual gamers, rather then trying to elbow in with the Big Three.

 

Yeah... that one really cracks me up.  I've seen this thrown around a few times as well.  No matter how many times I say it... sometimes when people hear about it for the first time their initial reaction is... WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE?!?!?!   HOW DARE THEY!!!  Funny stuff.

10 minutes ago, Tavi said:

Regardless, it does seem to be only a (very?) vocal minority opposed to the Amico. Most seem to either like what they are seeing.

Yeah.  Exactly!  That's the GREAT NEWS!  .1%.  One tenth of one percent.  Hope those numbers continue!  46,361 views and 79 Dislikes.  I'll take that every day of the week!  

11 minutes ago, AtariSociety said:

and believe it or not... I am drug free.  I don't do the stuff... 

If I did... I would be even more wound up than I am.

I am not sure the world can handle that TJ.

haha

TJ

I'm the same... and probably to the extreme. 

Not only have I never taken a drug in my entire life... but I've also never smoked a cigarette or even tasted alcohol (which is strange for an Italian to never have red wine).  It was never even really in my house growing up.  I've never seen my parents drink either. 

Noting to do with religion... just something I've never been interested in doing or trying.  Maybe seeing cousin Steven wacked out on heroine for a few years while I was growing up scared me.

9 minutes ago, poconojo said:

How many VIP editions will be available on March 31st for preorder? 

Still figuring that out.

We are not numbering them, but we do need to understand what our closest followers want (in order to ensure they don't get left out in the rain because of all the shortages that will be coming down this year).

TIME will be part of the "limited" as well.  If we get too many orders on day one or two... we'll need to shut it off.  We'll be monitoring it closely as we did the last time.

Tommy, If the Amico sells dozens of millions and, in about 10 years, a website called AmicoLife created a news article about a new console titled "The Play Friend will have very difficult to be better than our beloved Amico", would you be worried? I mean, it looks scary, right? More suited for a title of an opinion article in a cult bulletin than an unbiased news headline.

Hi Tommy. How many titles from the trailer could be ready at launch. ( Yeah for Evel Knievel, probably with a really interesting physical version 🙄 )

Also, what I am really curious about, is how many titles that we never saw in a trailer, that could be ready at launch.

(Because probably you are waiting good timing, marketing, or simply wanting to keep some surprise ! 😊 )

Thank you. 🙂
 

31 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Tommy, If the Amico sells dozens of millions and, in about 10 years, a website called AmicoLife created a news article about a new console titled "The Play Friend will have very difficult to be better than our beloved Amico", would you be worried? I mean, it looks scary, right? More suited for a title of an opinion article in a cult bulletin than an unbiased news headline.

That all sounds GREAT to me!  Especially the "dozens of millions".  From your keyboard to Gods ears!

20 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

Hi Tommy. How many titles from the trailer could be ready at launch. ( Yeah for Evel Knievel, probably with a really interesting physical version 🙄 )

Also, what I am really curious about, is how many titles that we never saw in a trailer, that could be ready at launch.

(Because probably you are waiting good timing, marketing, or simply wanting to keep some surprise ! 😊 )

 

Thank you. 🙂
 

There are about 30 other titles in development that weren't shown in the trailer.  I'd say at least 15 - 20 that could be available on launch.

I don't like pointing out which titles will or won't be available on launch... because then certain folks will try to use it against me to say I was being dishonest or I changed my mind.  It will all come down to which games are ready on launch.  And like I've mentioned a few times throughout this thread.  We've even been moving around the final 5 (or potentially 6) pack-in games.  Still have about a month or so to decide and doing lots of focus testing.

But you didn't really ask for specific titles (thank-you!) only the numbers.  Out of the 23 games shown in the trailer... we are currently hoping that 16 make it to launch.  That is the current goal.

Hope that helps to answer your question.

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I was just interested on getting opinions from people in here who see the kind of crap that gets thrown around about the system.  I wonder why that is.  Open to hearing thoughts and ideas on the subject.

 

I think some people also have a real hard time admitting they are wrong - as if it is some kind of character weakness instead of something to be embraced.  Instead of admitting that their initial impressions about the system were wrong, they tend to dig in to their positions as much as possible.  Doing this in an environment of like-minded people then validates their opinions vs having to acknowledge that maybe not everything they think is right.  I feel like I see this behavior in many aspects of life well beyond video game systems.