Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

2 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

Next year I am moving. I was not sure where ...  until now ! 😆

 

I'm coming with.  Lol.

36 minutes ago, Atari_Master said:

I was the one who mentioned the tax thing.  That's what I wanted to know, was if the tax was already included in the price.  On the Nintendo Switch eshop, Neo Geo games are $7.99 and that's it.  I think the tax is included.  Otherwise it should be $8.47.

Tax is different in each jurisdiction, so prices discussed can't include tax.  In the shop they can include sales tax in the display price if they want.  Some games might be over $10 including tax, depending on the jurisdiction.  Each state and province has their own tax rate.  You see it on your receipt when you buy something in any store.  Alberta sales tax is 5%, other provinces are as high as 15%.  Looks like some US states have no sales tax.  In Canada we also have to see what that us$9.99 price becomes, before taxes.

10 hours ago, LePionnier said:

About Hockey that we really like... did the team doing the reimagined hockey game learn some hockey rules since 40 years ago ? 🙄

Like before the faceoff in the center of the ice, all players on the same team must be in their own zone ! 😂🤣😅😊🙄 lol

 

Edit : It was not the case with the original game !

But no problem if it's 3 against 3 instead of 5 against 5. It's faster that way ! 😀

We are keeping the 3 on 3 for Intellivision Hockey.  It's going to more of an arcade style (like the original) as opposed to having off-sides, zone rules, etc.  It's going to be almost exactly like the original... but with updated graphics and sound.  

24 minutes ago, Atari_Master said:

I didn't know Alaska had no sales tax.  But yeah, taxes and pricing can be confusing.

Yep, no sales tax. No state income tax, either!

20 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

Next year I am moving. I was not sure where ...  until now ! 😆

 

You also get paid a yearly dividend after living there for a year. It's usually around $1000. but can be more or less than that.

Just now, Steven Pendleton said:

Yep, no sales tax. No state income tax, either!

 

You also get paid a yearly dividend after living there for a year. It's usually around $1000. but can be more or less than that.

That's awesome.  

10 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yes... we are hoping for a lot of woodgrain VIP orders.  And White.... and Black! 

 

We can do a run of 35,000 machines a month on one line.  Easy to have multiple lines going... but better to have just one if you can (many upsides and cost reasons)... most of all... you don't need to redo your tooling, which for a machine like Amico runs around $150,000 - $200,000!

 

 

Sounds like you know how to build a machine. Can you please buyout Atari?

6 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Hi Tommy,

New to the group here and wanted to extend a big thanks from my self in bringing back Intellivision in such a big way, and for also being so involved here as well. The Intellivision has always been my favorite system (but thinking Amico will finally change that) and like you, it was a huge part of my childhood. 
 

Have you you ever seen Skate Cross?  I saw you mentioned Ski Cross a few hundred pages ago, but this looks like it could be made into a fun game (right behind Craps :)). This is probably bigger in Canada then here in SoCal, but think it looks fun no matter where you live.  Any chance there are any Skate Cross games on the IE list?

 

Here is a link to a good video if you are not yet aware of the sport

 

 

This is coulld be like Rocketball on the C64... Except it's on ice.  Great game.  Would be cool to see something like this come out for Amico

Looking forward to the VIP numbers.

10 hours ago, Steven Pendleton said:

I haven't been here for a few days since I've been giving the new PC Engine mini some very rigorous testing. Looks like this place and the independent discussion thread got a bit messy, and that's all I'm going to say about that. If anyone is interested in the PC Engine mini for whatever reason, I'd say that I can recommend it since it is extremely good so far aside from some strange game choices. Since it's been delayed in the rest of the world, I wrote what might or might not be the world's first post-release English language review for all of you non-Japanese speaking humans in two massive posts over in the TurboGrafx thread.

 

Now that I look at it, I did word that post rather poorly. I know of at least one person who was initially interested because of the Intellivision name. Maybe it's cheating since that one person is me, but I guess it works. I imagine there are more, but I guess I meant that due to that not really being present here, it's not something you can rely on, and as you said, it is basically a bonus even in the USA.

 

The Japanese market is definitely different from the rest of the world, and it's really interesting. The Xbox basically doesn't exist, as you know, I think the Switch outsold the PS4 here some time ago, Sega Saturn outsold the N64, stuff that sells really well in the rest of the world gets ignored by the Japanese, and stuff that gets ignored by the Japanese sells really well elsewhere. Nobody here really cares about Zelda at all, for example (Breath of the Wild is an outlier), and first person games tend to make Japanese people motion sick for some reason. Call of Duty generally sells well here for some reason in spite of this.

 

I've honestly generally seen the video game industry as mostly, but not entirely, being run by a bunch of morally corrupt people who care about money, not making good games, which is why I never got into the industry. There are exceptions (Kojima comes to mind instantly), and I must also say that thankfully Intellivision doesn't seem this way and I think I'd enjoy working at Intellivision, so if you're serious, I'll be here if you guys want me! And an edit: I'm not just saying this because you're here in this thread, either, before someone says/thinks otherwise.

 

Finally, a question: someone a while ago (forgot who. Sorry!) mentioned tax and you said yes, tax because of the law. Question is if the tax is included in the price. So like you guys are targeting $9.99 and below, so I'm curious about if that will that exceed $9.99 with tax or be $9.99 with tax included maximum.

$9.99 for the product... then tax (for whatever state or country you're in) will be applied on top of that.  Some states don't have sales tax... others do.  It would impossible for us to keep such low margins if every place we sold a game is different.  Same for the console itself and physical media and controllers.  There's the price... and then the tax paid on top of that depending on where you are.  For countries outside the U.S. there may also be an "import tax" that the governments tack on top of it.  Again... something that is completely out of our control and something we can't absorb into the already low price points.

Yeah... I don't like the average person realizes how different the Japanese video game market is.  It's not like any other country in the world either.  For example... you can say that the gaming market in China is similar to Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.  But there is NO country that is similar to Japan.  Many have tried to figure it out as well... and failed.  No idea if Amico will be popular over there and we wouldn't have the capacity to try to do things different to figure it out.  

Interesting note:  The Japanese person who was the president of Xbox when they launched in Japan does consulting and advisory work with us.  Him and his team help us to get certain licenses in Japan.  He told me that the biggest mistake that Microsoft made when trying to enter Japan with the Xbox is that they tried to make the Xbox a japanese type product instead of embracing their American roots.  He said (as I'm sure you're aware) that a lot of folks in Japan (especially younger ones) think America is "cool".  Likewise there are a lot of people in the U.S. who think anything Japanese is cool.  He told me that a good strategy for Amico in Japan would be for us not to cater to what we think the Japan market wants... but to embrace what we are and see if it sticks because it would be SO DIFFERENT from what they are used to.  I saw the same thing happen for my Video Games Live shows.  Everyone told me that I needed to do my show different in Japan because that is what they are used to.  No loud cheering for symphonies, very respectful claps at the end of each song, etc.  I said "hell no!"  I'm going to bring them a rock n' roll symphony experience like they've never seen or expected.  And we did just that and they absolutely LOVED IT!!  I told the audience it was okay to scream and clap and cheer and stand up out of their seat any time they wanted.  And it was like a weight lifted off their shoulders!  I was given them permission to have fun, be crazy and cheer as much as they wanted.  They weren't used to this kind of thing for a symphony show.  They go crazy for rock & pop shows... but not for symphonies.  It was pretty cool!  I would do the same for Amico in Japan.  Embrace what it is... don't try to cater or be phony about what we are (like Xbox did) and see where it goes.  If it doesn't resonate... that's fine.  But I believe our only chance of making it there is if we're completely different than everything they are used to.  Keeping real to ourselves and our mission.

 

10 hours ago, poconojo said:

Awesome game! I have been playing this game for over 35 years and never get tired of it. Definitely purchase the original if it comes out for the Amico.

So here's a question for you and everyone else here!

In regards to Cloudy Mountain.  Would you like to see MORE action or keep it more of a searching around type of game (like the original).  I thought it would be a cool mixture to have some caves/mountains/map areas be more arcade style... meaning... lots of things to shoot and not having to worry about arrow count, etc.  But in other areas... it's more of a searching around type of experience and hearing the horrifying dragon breathing off screen.  I feel a nice mix of both would be welcoming.  I would be concerned if the entire game was too much like the original (more searching than fighting).

What is everyone's thoughts?  Try to think for the masses (not just your personal opinions... although I would be interested to hear that as well).

10 hours ago, MinerWilly said:

Those Nintendo fanboys (Pat and Ian) said Amico is not worth 250$. Let's not forget that Pat spent thousands of dollars to buy Nintendo World Championship-cartridge. Just a piece plastic sitting on a shelf, must be worth it. Oh, and he made a catalog of all Nintendo games AND Snes games so he must be better than others.

Yeah... that's my point about those guys.  


Self awareness.... it's a thing.

Tommy,

I would like to have a mix of both. Another idea would be to include both types of games as options when the game is started.

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

So here's a question for you and everyone else here!

 

In regards to Cloudy Mountain.  Would you like to see MORE action or keep it more of a searching around type of game (like the original).  I thought it would be a cool mixture to have some caves/mountains/map areas be more arcade style... meaning... lots of things to shoot and not having to worry about arrow count, etc.  But in other areas... it's more of a searching around type of experience and hearing the horrifying dragon breathing off screen.  I feel a nice mix of both would be welcoming.  I would be concerned if the entire game was too much like the original (more searching than fighting).

What is everyone's thoughts?  Try to think for the masses (not just your personal opinions... although I would be interested to hear that as well).

 

 

I think it would be good to have both searching/exploration along with fighting.  I like action as much as the next person but looking around and trying to find things is fun.  Especially if you come across a secret item or area.

Very disappointed in the latest trailer and I am going to be honest. rather than write something on reddit I will keep it here for tommy's sake because i am on his side, as i will reiterate, but i am not sure about this plan. i apologize in advance for the crudity of this argument or how much of a hater i seem like but i am always honest and hopefully tommy has a good argument for his own system and its price $.

Here is my point in the list below

https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-tv-games-544460/

This is a list of 15 games for android tv. Every single game is currently more polished and feature complete than anything shown on the amico. Many and most games available on Android tv right now are totally free and come with your tv, it doesn't bode well for Amico, period.

Take a moment to think about these android games, many of which Tommy is probably open to porting to amico now that we have sen the latest trailer.

Now we know the Amico is doing something a cheap $30 dollar android box can do and playing on a TV isn't an argument. You just buy a nice controller like an xbox controller and you have access to all those games and way more.

Why is the amico going to cost $250.00 dollars?

Why is this not a cheap android unit with the ability to add two controllers on for like 40-50 dollars?

If you are giving me the argument moms and old people will not use android tv, they will also not use a priority/proprietary system that costs $250 or $270 for pink or purple. If they will tell me why they wont use android TV but will use amico.

7 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

So here's a question for you and everyone else here!

 

In regards to Cloudy Mountain.  Would you like to see MORE action or keep it more of a searching around type of game (like the original).  I thought it would be a cool mixture to have some caves/mountains/map areas be more arcade style... meaning... lots of things to shoot and not having to worry about arrow count, etc.  But in other areas... it's more of a searching around type of experience and hearing the horrifying dragon breathing off screen.  I feel a nice mix of both would be welcoming.  I would be concerned if the entire game was too much like the original (more searching than fighting).

What is everyone's thoughts?  Try to think for the masses (not just your personal opinions... although I would be interested to hear that as well).

 

 

Mindset of the current Gen of gamers... A little of both. The original got kinda boring with lack of monsters.  Just please consider creating mazes with curves and a multiple of assorted monsters.   From what it looks like, it looks great with torches on walls...etc.  but pick up a D&D Monster Manual and go through it. Probably some good ones in there to add in that will be a lot of fun to kill, run from...etc 

But I'm in for a mix...best choice...not too easy though... shouldn't be an arcade game 

13 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Purple, Red, Pink & something special we haven't said yet are still being affected by coronavirus... so decisions not final.  The Special Editions are a lot more expensive to make... and in order to keep the price in check we need to order a bunch (i.e. at least 35,000 units).  We're just not sure we can manufacture the 3 we already have... PLUS additional ones (in time for Christmas/Holidays)... but we're trying our best.

That's really sad. That was one of the thing that was exciting for retailers to have their own Editions ! 😕🤒
2020 will be remembered by everyone as Covid-19 . But later in a couple years, 2020 will also mark history with the debut of AMICO ! 😃 (Also the beginnings of the decade !)

10 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Hi all, for the last week or so, have been reading most of the posts here, from page one, trying to catch up on all the discussion over the last year, and have finally made it to the last page!  Lots of cool (and some not so cool) stuff!  I got a (literal) list of post topics that I want to eventually get to, but thought I would come out of the gate with my thoughts on the whole P & I debacle; in my opinion, nothing more needs to be said beyond “consider the source”.  These guys live (and will eventually die) based on their click count, stir the pot, wind ‘em up - watch them go mentalities (using “men” loosely here). Think they take enjoyment from their feeling to be on equal (or likely superior, from their accounts) ground with the accomplishments earned my Mr. TT and the rest of the IE team. Those accomplishment come at  a time and effort cost that most simply do not want to invest; heck P&I can’t even be bothered to do the most basic of research, but who needs to waste time on that when your objective has nothing to do with reality?  They are obviously entitled to their opinions, but hope all could agree this goes beyond that.

 

Anyway, I grew up on Intellivision and am so happy to see this great potential for it to come back to the mainstream, in what ever form. More importantly, I lived the days when multi-player shifted from “2-player” to “internet connection required” as identified on the back of the packaging.  It was the time that the industry diverged from what I enjoyed most about gaming. Guess that puts me in the other 2.8B people camp.  I’m excited to see the return of couch co-op, and as Tommy has stated in many podcasts, those experiences are the gaming memories that have stuck with me through the years. Staying up all night playing Sea Battle and Auto Racing at a friends house, such a great time.

 

A few last things for this post; 1) l can’t recall another time in my life (and I’ve been around a while) that a CEO or any other high ranking company official (including at my own company) has taken the time that Tommy does to interface with, what will in the end be, a small (albeit, loyal) subset of IE’s ultimate customer base.  I for one appreciate all the insights and tid bits of info and back stories i’ve gotten on the effort; it just makes it all that more special. 2) my opinion, the games look great!  Given Tommy passion, I am more then confident the game play experience will be superb, regardless of where similar versions of the games may already exist;,who cares?  Even if it were a 1:1 with mobile (and its so not), I’d buy it just for the sake of loosing the adds, micro transactions, etc... 3) IE has got to make a Craps game! Pick bets on the controllers and your chips go from your seat to the appropriate bets on the table, rolling the bones down the table, and with up to 7 of your friends and family..., that would be so special (well with much of my family, anyway).  Think it would be a great addition to the library and think I even saw a reference to a Craps game associated with the original Console, but don’t think that ever made it to fruition.  Hoping this could fall within E-10+, if the alcohol isn’t included :).  Keep up the GREAT work over at IE and am looking so forward to playing this system soon; and thank you for working so hard to bring back what most of us here know has been sorely missing in our current society.

 

Sorry if this gets posted twice, as I did not see my original post after several hours. 

Yo Starpaddler! (cool name!)

Welcome to AA and the Amico Q&A thread!

Amazing that you've gone through the entire thread from page one.  That must have read like a novel of sorts. 

So I guess you realize by now that with your first post (supporting Amico) you have officially become a dumb brainwashed, Kool-Aid drinking Tommy fanboy Amico shill.  So CONGRATS on that!  You'll be receiving your cheap t-shirt and mug in the mail over the next few days as my payoff to you for being my mouthpiece.  Woo-hoo!   Hahahhaha! 

Seriously though... thanks for your post!  It really means a lot.  It's kinda funny how the haters will call folks who appreciate what we're doing a very small minority... they just don't realize that the majority of the world feels just like us and the direction the industry has decided to take.  Only the success of Amico will eventually change their minds... although most of the elitists will never change their tune.  They are too invested in hating the system and quite frankly... just not mature enough to admit they may have been wrong.
 

I liked your #2 comment about mobile.  I agree that even if a game is a 1:1 conversion... but can be played in a simple manner with others and with no ads, microtransactions, etc... that in itself would be a huge win.     There is a lot of really great stuff on mobile that no one have ever seen or heard of.  The Evel Knievel game is just one example (although our version will be a lot better).  You would think that people would applaud the fact that we are willing as a company to help fund independent developers... but instead, they get more joy from trying to tear us down in hopes to see us fail.  Shame on them.

I LOVE your idea of a crap games!  I actually never thought of that.  Any "gambling" type of game is considered TEEN rated... but there are ways around that.  I think it's a cool idea... especially for a group co-op setting!  I've added it to my future "to do" list.  Thanks!

Hope to see you around these parts more!  Thanks for stopping by!

11 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

But I'm in for a mix...best choice...not too easy though... shouldn't be an arcade game 

I agree !

10 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Tommy, about Cloudy Mountain.

Can you tell us if it's one of the exception and that the game will be only for one player ?

Can you say something about it, or is it too early ? 🙂

Only 1 player Cloudy Mountain???

HELL NO!!

1 player mode.. yes... totally fine.  But getting a group of friends together for a mission... even cooler! 

9 hours ago, Lathe26 said:

 

Is the "something special" version going to be made of meat, like that Mac that sold so-so?

 

https://www.theonion.com/interim-apple-chief-under-fire-after-unveiling-grotesqu-1819572211

 

Remember I'm vegan... so it's tofu!

31 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

So here's a question for you and everyone else here!

 

In regards to Cloudy Mountain.  Would you like to see MORE action or keep it more of a searching around type of game (like the original).  I thought it would be a cool mixture to have some caves/mountains/map areas be more arcade style... meaning... lots of things to shoot and not having to worry about arrow count, etc.  But in other areas... it's more of a searching around type of experience and hearing the horrifying dragon breathing off screen.  I feel a nice mix of both would be welcoming.  I would be concerned if the entire game was too much like the original (more searching than fighting).

What is everyone's thoughts?  Try to think for the masses (not just your personal opinions... although I would be interested to hear that as well).

 

 

I would like everything to remain intact and improved the sense of anxiety that was felt during the exploration, being very careful with the sounds and the tracks in order to understand in advance if and what danger was hiding around the corner.

In my opinion I see it complicated to "justify" areas with frenetic action and unlimited arrows that mix with more exploratory areas and perhaps with limited resources, they might even seem two different games.

Keeping the "role playing" soul of Cloudy Mountains I think is the best choice.

9 hours ago, Kiwi said:

I just now finished watching/listening to your unlisted response video while programming Colecovision game.  It makes a lot more that you couldn't share too much information due to patent issue.  Nintendo had to be secretive for that reason too since one company tend to add it to their product after it been revealed.  And you're been in the industry for a long time, since the NES days. 

I think Pat and Ian is trying to treat this like the Coleco Chameleon, but you have shown product, games, let people to try it out.  And you're right, you couldn't do those games on the PS4, Switch(Joycon might still do some of them but there's no screen. Plus Switchlite remove those features), and the XboxOne.  And we do need more fun coop games too.  Plus, I don't think the Amico can be stuffed into the Jaguar shell.

Them making fun of the games being shown sours me since a lot of people have worked on the product already.  They have way too much negativity in their lives.  And you said, a lot of people on your team have worked their butt off for this system.  So yeah, I'm definitely on your side now.  They need to watch that response video and understand from your point of view. Wow...

Thanks.  I appreciate it.   That's the saddest part about what they do.  They lie to people about me in order to create controversy so more people will click on their videos.  They know exactly what their doing and have admitted that they hope Amico fails because when they were bashing on Coleco they were "making the most money".  How disgusting.  

But the worst part is that they turn folks against us based on made up lies.  And people don't see it because they refuse to engage with me as they know what they are doing. 

For folks who may not know what I'm referring to.  I posted an unlisted video (which still remains private and unlisted as it's not my intention to put it out to the world) in response to the first run of Pat & Ian videos trying to play the victim and telling everyone that I "attacked" them on Twitter.  I did not.  

Of course they have watched the video and of course will never reference it because it makes them look bad and shows off who they really are and what they're doing.

Why do you think they refuse to speak with me about it?  They'll say that it's because they shouldn't need to talk to anyone about a product... that our website and trailers and press releases (that they say they never read... yet have read on air) should tell them everything.  But the reality is they won't do it because they know I would get the best of them and expose them for what they are trying to do.  Make money off of tearing something down in hopes that it fails.  And their audience eats it up not knowing the real story.  Look at the pure hatred in Ian's voice and expressions in their last Amico bashing video.  So worked up over us.  Ask yourself why that is.

It's long (about an hour), but here's the link if anyone is interested.  You tell me what you think after watching it.  See if it lines up with their "narrative". 

p.s.  What Coleco game are you working on?  I'm a big Home Brew collector of Intellivision, Vectrex & Coleco so will definitely look out and support your work!

6 minutes ago, MonsterSky said:

I would like everything to remain intact and improved the sense of anxiety that was felt during the exploration, being very careful with the sounds and the tracks in order to understand in advance if and what danger was hiding around the corner.

 

In my opinion I see it complicated to "justify" areas with frenetic action and unlimited arrows that mix with more exploratory areas and perhaps with limited resources, they might even seem two different games.

 

Keeping the "role playing" soul of Cloudy Mountains I think is the best choice.

I'll echo that the anxiety followed by short frantic action was and is why this game is such a classic. The sound effects of the monsters in the fog of war coupled with dwindling arrow supply is what makes it so intense. You might offer a 'classic mode' that is very similar to the original (and just as short to complete) that keeps these same mechanics intact, but and also offer a campaign mode with health, buddies to rescue, new weapons, strongholds, caves, dungeons, quests, what have you. That's where some of the new action sequences can further develop. 

Wondering how multiplayer would work with this, unless split screen is on the table?

7 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Hi Tommy,

New to the group here and wanted to extend a big thanks from my self in bringing back Intellivision in such a big way, and for also being so involved here as well. The Intellivision has always been my favorite system (but thinking Amico will finally change that) and like you, it was a huge part of my childhood. 
 

Have you you ever seen Skate Cross?  I saw you mentioned Ski Cross a few hundred pages ago, but this looks like it could be made into a fun game (right behind Craps :)). This is probably bigger in Canada then here in SoCal, but think it looks fun no matter where you live.  Any chance there are any Skate Cross games on the IE list?

 

Here is a link to a good video if you are not yet aware of the sport

 

 

Oh wow!  No, I wasn't aware.  Kinda like Roller Derby... except legit and even faster/cooler!  

Great idea.

48 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

So here's a question for you and everyone else here!

 

In regards to Cloudy Mountain.  Would you like to see MORE action or keep it more of a searching around type of game (like the original).  I thought it would be a cool mixture to have some caves/mountains/map areas be more arcade style... meaning... lots of things to shoot and not having to worry about arrow count, etc.  But in other areas... it's more of a searching around type of experience and hearing the horrifying dragon breathing off screen.  I feel a nice mix of both would be welcoming.  I would be concerned if the entire game was too much like the original (more searching than fighting).

What is everyone's thoughts?  Try to think for the masses (not just your personal opinions... although I would be interested to hear that as well).

 

 

Both, or save the action for the Tarmin remake, that i'm sure you will make eventually.