Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

12 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

 

I was reiterating in my own words what Pat and Ian were saying. They actually thought that a couple of the games could be fun! (which blew my mind coming from those 2 guys, they clearly live in their own bubble and feed upon each others negativity and disdain for the Amico (without even having tried it!). BUT, with 242K subscribers on YouTube I would imagine that there is a fair amount of influence on their part?

 

Either way, the amount of enjoyment I get outta the 3 of you guys bucking heads back and forth has been like reading a good book. I just want to keep turning the pages. I thought the unlisted video you created in response to Pat and Ian was very eye opening. But, it's also very disappointing that they just don't seem to want connect with you in any productive way. I'd love to see a video of Pat and Ian hanging out at your house breaking bread and talking about video games all day long. Perhaps those guys don't get out of the house very often? Somewhat closed off from society where social media is their only outlet? Just my opinion. Maybe they are both social butterflies? I don't know.

 

I will reserve judgment about the games and the controller until my Founders Edition arrives. I am genuinely excited! Go Amico Go!!!

 

My brother and I got an Intellivision Chistmas of 1980. We ripped through all of our gifts that morning but there was no Intellivision. We were both crushed and very disappointed. Then my dad told us that Santa left a very special gift under his bed. So we both ran upstairs, ripped it open to behold the gift that kept on giving year after year. Yes, a shiny brand new Mattel Intellivision! My dad had a smile on his face from ear to ear.

 

Cool... cool... I get it now.  Thanks for expanding.

YEAH!  I'd love to see them sit down and talk with me as well.  Even if they want to put everything that's already happened "under the bridge".  Would love to answer their questions head on and give them a personal "tour" of Amico and play some games with them on it.

Unfortunately they have stated over and over again that they don't want to talk to me.  Ask yourself why that is.  Do you think if Miyamoto or Reggie or Phil Spencer or Mark Cerny wanted to talk to them that they would?  I think we all know the answer. 

Their line is that if they talk to me in any way that it is considered some kind of bribe... and they would never be able to change their minds anyway (even if they loved it) because they continue to make fun of anyone whose spoken to me and ended up changing their minds (which is EVERYONE for the record).  They call them all pathetic shills and fanboys.  Even folks like John Riggs & Metal Jesus.  Anyone who wears a shirt or anyone who likes the machine after speaking with me is disgusting in their eyes.  They say it over and over and over again.  So there would never be any way that they would ever sit with me and end up liking it.  Do they seem like the type of folks that would be willing to admit they were wrong about the entire situation?  I don't.  But would certainly be willing to accept their apology for lying about how I reacted and treated them.

Their thought process on people talking to me and seeing/playing the machine and liking it is absolutely ridiculous.  They say that anyone who does that is a "sell out".  Makes ZERO sense.  They won't even engage... and I think everyone knows why.  They wouldn't come off looking so great if they continued down the same path they love to travel.  

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

If you meant Voice Recognition instead of Virtual Reality then the answer is yes.  But limited to certain games and not a huge vocabulary.  Meaning... you may need to say certain things into the microphone controllers to do or trigger something in the game.  In fact... that certain funny character has some of this in a certain funny game that will be coming out in a few years. 

I did really mean Virtual Reality. I just was going with the flow but that's good to know!!!

12 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Tommy, let say for the Founders Edition it would cost 40$ for Shipping. ( I have absolutely no idea what the price will be ! )

Then let say the same person also want the Black VIP Edition. Will it cost 80$ for shipping, or probably he will save on his shipping cost for the second unit because it's the same delivery address ?

 

Thank you.

Good question!  Unfortunately for shipping... the Founders Editions will be shipped separately from the VIP's because the FE's get their machines earlier.  One of the big perks of the FE's that we definitely did not want to replicate with the VIP's.  Also, the Founders Editions will all need to be shipped to the Intellivision offices because I'll need to open everyone of them up and sign them and then put them back into the box.  I'm guessing the VIP's (which don't need to be signed) will NOT be traveling to the Intellivision offices first.  So they will need to be shipped separately.  HOWEVER!!!  The shipping will be less if folks bought multiple FE's or multiple VIP's.  Just not the combination as they will be shipped separately.

12 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

Did I just hear correctly straight from the horses mouth this video link.

 

Tommy: "We don't have online gaming"

WHAT!?!?!???

No online multiplayer Baseball? Hockey? Sea Battle? Biplanes? Football? Tank Battle? Cornhole? the list goes ON AND ON...

 

Was this a decision made somewhat recently? I remember posting on the Intellivision Facebook page about a year ago and was told that online multiplayer was definitely going to be a thing.

 

Tommy, say it isn't so!

 

It is something we are going to be looking at after launch and probably in year two or three.  We first need to establish the machine as a CO-OP in person experience.  I don't want parents to purchase it and then have little Johnny never play with them because he hoards it in his room and plays online all day with his friends.  You also then need to deal with parents worried about who their kids are talking to online and how toxic the environment is.  I would NEVER want that on Amico.

If the majority of folks who purchase the machine would like an online component... then we will look into doing it but it would be more set-up like Facebook in that you would need to Send or Accept an invite from someone you know in order to play.   I'd love to play my brother Mike in Baseball or Utopia from across the U.S.!   But not something we want to do for launch as it doesn't match our messaging.

10 hours ago, LePionnier said:

On my side, 3 special notes from this Interview.

 

1) Production should begin in June. (Better case scenario)

 

2) The game from the last trailer with an ice cream cone is the one that casual gamers are most interested in when testing the machine.

 

3) Can Amico also become a mascot ? ( We should know probably in August or September )

(directly on the sequence for point # 3)

 

Tommy : "It's right in front your face too, but I just haven't mentioned it ... !! "    🤔🤔🤔  A screen ? Tommy Tallamico himself ? 😆

 

You can try to help me. It's very intriguing !

 

I was looking again the last trailer ...  🤔🤔

 

 

and again ...🤔🤔

 

Who's that ??

Could it be the mascot ? Yes I know it's now an angel ...

 

But just before dying, he had this beautiful blue eyes ...

 

A blue like

 

A blue like

 

Could it be this robot !?

 

Or all of them ?  Yeah some of them don't look really friendly ! lol

 

 

It's speculation, but I like it ! What can we do anyway while waiting ! 😃

What do you think ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haha.  No... that isn't it.  But a good guess.  That "Bomberman" type game is being done over in Germany and based off a popular Bomberman-like franchise over there.  Although our Art Director Mike D. did help with the design of those particular robots, they don't have anything to do with Amico. 

We did pick the blue eyes because of our colors though.  So nice catch there!     

When you guys find out what I'm talking about you're gonna go... "OOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

10 hours ago, Michael Garvey said:

I want them.

 

I want to see a plush of these on Etsy. 

 

I'll buy them!!!!

 

So cute.

Imagine if they were physical media as well?

10 hours ago, jaybird3rd said:

In case anyone is interested, this thread has just crossed 10,000 posts!  (It's now 10,003, actually.)  That number includes hidden posts, however, so the total will appear to be smaller to most readers.

Wow!!  Amazing!!  

Thanks for keeping it a clean and friendly place!  Wouldn't have happened without the Mods keeping an eye on everyone following the rules.  Annoying to read when other AA posters declare (mostly on YouTube or Reddit because they are too cowardly to say it here) that you guys "protect" me.  Um no... it's really quite simple.  If you're an a$$hole and can't follow the simple rules... then you're booted.  And (I'd like to add) only after given about 3 warnings.  So... er... bottom line... have all the opinions for or against us if you'd like... I always welcome the discussion and love the challenge of trying to change minds when they find out more.  Just don't be a disrespectful a$$hole while doing it.  

10 hours ago, Swami said:

Mainly a family console, not a teenager in his room with who knows who console tea-baging each other. 

CRAP!!  Just when I already gave away the "quote of the day".  Okay... so it's now a TIE!!

Hahhahaha!!

51 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yes to your 2nd question as well.  That is why I showed the 4 dolphins at the beginning of the newest trailer. 

That was an unexpected and completely epic answer!! 

9 hours ago, Ramses said:

 

I agree. The game that inspired Cloudy Mountain, Hunt the Wumpus, had basically no action at all and it was all about finding the Wumpus (through deduction) without dying. I think that anxious survival element should have a little more focus. Trying to figure out where the tough monsters are and avoiding them until you are ready (or perhaps avoiding them entirely) should be a big component of the game. They should be difficult to defeat if you just barge in on them haphazardly and you should be rewarded for planning ahead. Also, I loved those moments where I had to decide if I wanted to risk shooting an arrow blindly into a room where I thought a dragon might reside.

Yeah.  I like those aspects and elements as well.  I think if the story was told correctly (what the goal or reason or race of monsters of certain caves are)... it could easily be a combination of both styles.  Would make for really interesting and unique gameplay tactics.  

8 hours ago, RxScram said:

There are currently no plans to make online multiplayer part of the Amico experience. For a variety of reasons...

 

1.  It adds tremendous difficulty in the game development. It's "easy" to adjust for local latency from different controllers, but if you're trying to play against another console then the difficulty grows exponentially.

2.  It is impossible to ensure the safety and family friendly nature of the Amico if multiplayer connection to somebody else is allowed. Even if actual communication isn't allowed, something as simple as a username could contain something that wouldn't be family friendly. I'm sure Intellivision would try to screen that out, but why risk it?

3.  It gets away from the mission... bringing people together in their own living room.

There ya go!  You heard it right from one of our lead hardware engineers!

Do you folks remember me saying that we have people who worked on the Mars Rover project and nuclear submarines?  

Well... check out RxScram's avatar.   

He was also featured in one of our MEET AMICO videos (sorry Michael Garvey... it's not John Alvarado!) 

hahhaa!

23 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Good question!  Unfortunately for shipping... the Founders Editions will be shipped separately from the VIP's because the FE's get their machines earlier.  One of the big perks of the FE's that we definitely did not want to replicate with the VIP's.  Also, the Founders Editions will all need to be shipped to the Intellivision offices because I'll need to open everyone of them up and sign them and then put them back into the box.  I'm guessing the VIP's (which don't need to be signed) will NOT be traveling to the Intellivision offices first.  So they will need to be shipped separately.  HOWEVER!!!  The shipping will be less if folks bought multiple FE's or multiple VIP's.  Just not the combination as they will be shipped separately.

 

 

So I bought an FE and my wife bought an FE .....same address. So one shipping charge ? I understand it would be a bit more because it’s 2 units. Is this correct ? 

50 minutes ago, The Wren said:

Tommy...for being the official voice of Amico...Did you make him an offer he couldn't refuse? (cue the groans)

I sure did!  One lollipop, an Amico t-shirt and a trip to the local arcade, dinosaur mini golf and go-karts!

56 minutes ago, Cranker said:

Hi Tommy ! I have yet another question about high scores. You have already answered and said there would be local high scores with place to enter your name /initials. I had a thought about multi player games, for example Astrosmash. Would it be possible to have a place for 2 names or 2 initials when it’s multiplayer coop ? If I have a high score with my daughter or a high score with my wife, it would be super cool to be able to enter 2 names for a coop team game !!  Same if there was a game with 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 .....thoughts ?

Yep!  It's in our plan.  That way multiple family members can battle each other on the local (or online) leaderboards!  

17 minutes ago, Cranker said:

So I bought an FE and my wife bought an FE .....same address. So one shipping charge ? I understand it would be a bit more because it’s 2 units. Is this correct ? 

As far as I know... that would be correct.  First time it has come up.  I'm sure it will be more... but it shouldn't be X's 2!  

I have no problem with Amico not having online. In fact, I prefer it.  Everything in my house seems to be online all the time, and I want something that doesn't rely on a connection to work properly.

just out of curiosity , is anyone else planning on buying another unit on 3/31 even though they got a FE?  I got 2 FE's and I am looking to get a black one as well (what I lovingly call the "Tron" version).

10 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yep!  It's in our plan.  That way multiple family members can battle each other on the local (or online) leaderboards!  

That’s great !! Never seen that done before and if it’s coop it would make the competition even better !!! Had that ever been done ? Anyone know ? Never seen a high score board where you could enter multiple names ! 

20 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

There ya go!  You heard it right from one of our lead hardware engineers!

 

Do you folks remember saying that we have people who worked on the Mars Rover project and nuclear submarines?  

 

Well... check out RxScram's avatar.   

 

He was also featured in one of our MEET AMICO videos (sorry Michael Garvey... it's not John Alvarado!) 

hahhaa!

 

 

 

Noooo.

Lol

Just kidding.

I saw that one and he's great too but I will admit to rewatching that video and skipping to when you talk to John Alvarado.

I love that John Alvarado tells you he reached out for a job before you all were even hiring.

Also his reasons for joining were very pertinent and interesting. 

Also his t shirt.

Also his review of his awesome app for the controller. 

Sorry RxScram.

I can only be a groupie to one of you.

I'm Team John Alvarado all the way!!!!

😆

14 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I sure did!  One lollipop, an Amico t-shirt and a trip to the local arcade, dinosaur mini golf and go-karts!

 

oh that face.... Tommy just oozes charisma!

2 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

I have no problem with Amico not having online. In fact, I prefer it.  Everything in my house seems to be online all the time, and I want something that doesn't rely on a connection to work properly.

I have no interest in online either. We are online constantly ! But I understand there are many who might like it. 

15 hours ago, Michael Garvey said:

@Swami

I think your kids rpg with animals is a fantastic idea.

 

It could teach kids things but also be their first rpg.

 

I kind of wish pokemon would change it up.  I also thought of it as rpg-lite but it's a very set formula. 

 

There are different types if rpgs and different ways to create the same experiences

 

I can imagine a persona like game where instead of getting girlfriends and fighting demons you just make friends with people and maybe even dont fight anything.   Or you "fight" mean things with kind words or fight an animal who has a cold with tissues, orange juice and a thermometer.   Fight a cloudy monster with Ray's of sunshine and combat its attacks with umbrellas. Fight the night with flashlights and candles.

 

Games dont have to be violent to be fun and introducing young kids to the wonders of rpgs would really help the future of the genre. 

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

EXACTLY!!!!!!

 

Why does it seem everything is always about FIGHTING in video games when it comes to games like this.  As you mentioned... even Pokemon is about battling, fighting, defeating.   We are looking for something like this to add to our "to do" list.  If anyone knows of an RPG like this... please post YouTube or Steam or Mobile links.

I have a couple of ideas for this:

1) There is a modern RPG where you can make friends with monsters instead of fighting them: Undertale. The battle system is also original.

2) The idea of helping instead if fighting is interesting, especially in these times. In the 80s, there was a really cool cartoon called The World of David the Gnome. The protagonist, David, is a doctor who cures injured animals in the forest. I don't think that license is too expensive and it has potential for a killer edutainment RPG.

14 minutes ago, ArcadeJunkie said:

just out of curiosity , is anyone else planning on buying another unit on 3/31 even though they got a FE?  I got 2 FE's and I am looking to get a black one as well (what I lovingly call the "Tron" version).

Haha!  In the office we call it the "Tron" version as well.   

14 minutes ago, Cranker said:

That’s great !! Never seen that done before and if it’s coop it would make the competition even better !!! Had that ever been done ? Anyone know ? Never seen a high score board where you could enter multiple names ! 

Yeah... I don't think it's been done before... but I thought it was a super cool way to get families to battle each other on the leaderboard chart.  And it can be combinations of folks as well!  So mom & son could have a certain score... but mom & dad could have a score as well.  Then son & daughter team up to try and beat mom & dad's score!  

Simple concept around family and fun that no one focuses on.

We will.

16 minutes ago, Michael Garvey said:

Noooo.

 

Lol

 

Just kidding.

 

I saw that one and he's great too but I will admit to rewatching that video and skipping to when you talk to John Alvarado.

 

I love that John Alvarado tells you he reached out for a job before you all were even hiring.

 

Also his reasons for joining were very pertinent and interesting. 

 

Also his t shirt.

 

Also his review of his awesome app for the controller. 

 

Sorry RxScram.

 

I can only be a groupie to one of you.

 

I'm Team John Alvarado all the way!!!!

 

😆

The next 2 MEET AMICO videos over the next 10 days will have Mr. John Alvarado in there.  So make sure you set Notifications on YouTube for our channel!!