Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

On 3/26/2020 at 11:33 AM, Cranker said:

I have a question for Tommy .I loved the missile command demo and was wondering how the high scores would work ? There is coop play 1-8 player and VS as well as you mentioned, and single player mode I’m assuming.  Have you set up the local high score boards yet ? For example, will there be high scores for each number of players in coop ? That would be 8 separate leaderboards for coop mode. And places to enter each player name ? So 2 names for 2 player coop , 4 names for 4 player coop,  8 names for 8 player coop etc ? 4 player VS with space to enter the 2 names of the winning team or both 2 player teams if they both make the high score board  ? I am probably asking for too much but wondering how it would work ? Im

confusing  myself lol I’m hoping each distinct mode will have a high score board.  

Local Co-Op high scores and Local single player scores.  But not for 8 different scenarios.

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 12:38 PM, imstarryeyed said:

When I saw the touchscreen for missile command I initially thought, oy is this going to feel and play like a downloaded game from the Play Store?  When I saw how Tommy is using the disc, I was happy to see that this method looks like it is going to be excellent!  I am always surprised by Amico and how making small changes to how we control, creates great experiences on how we play!  Great job Tommy and Amico team.

 

I did have one question, was it my internet connection (admittedly  its a bit slow) but did some of those reticles  seem to move a bit jerky?  If some indeed did move a bit jerky I can only assume as this is still an Alpha or Beta of the system and software and that the final product will be smooth and silky for every control method.

 

I know I speak for many here Tommy, but great job!  Tommy it is impossible for you to give us too much information and gameplay videos by the way.. haha..

 

 

Hi!,  Glad you liked the control stuff.  That's the cool thing about the controller... I don't think there is a single game that uses the controller the exact same way!  It's crazy!!  (in a good way).  

 

I'm not seeing the jerkiness... but you may be referring to people taking their thumbs off the screen and placing them on other parts (a quicker way to get there) and it immediately shoots to the new place.

That being said... that game isn't even in Alpha yet!!  Only about 50% done I would say.  And one of the final steps is always optimization... so still a long way to getting stuff running at around 60fps.

Thanks for the compliment to me and the team!  We're working like crazy over here to put out the best product possible!

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 1:31 PM, Starpaddler said:

I know this is an opinion of style thing and there is no true ‘right’ perspective, but for myself, some of the games (with the notable exceptions of skiing and auto racing) look to be zoomed in a bit too much for my personal taste.  Maybe those are being pumped up a bit to show the amazing (yes, I think that) detailed graphics, but I would rather have a larger game space by reducing scale.  For the MC and Astrosmash type games, smaller targets also means harder game play, but also more time to hit them as the through-screen travel time would be longer (assuming like ratio-relative speeds). Its a balance effort that I am confident IE will get right; but for myself hoping its smaller artifacts with a bigger canvas. 

Yeah... a few people have mentioned that about Astrosmash... I felt the same and we are pulling the camera back just a little.

On 3/26/2020 at 2:00 PM, NTV said:

I find the brightly colored ringed "explosions" very distracting. Maybe they should be muted a bit so you can better see your targets.

Lots of settings to control on Missile Command depending on your difficulty level setting.  The circle rings get "tighter" (i.e. smaller) on hard levels.

They need to be so bright in multiplayer to ensure your able to follow your own color.

 

 

22 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Local Co-Op high scores and Local single player scores.  But not for 8 different scenarios.

 

 

Makes sense ! Sometimes I go a bit crazy  !!! Lol ...will there only be a place for initials ( 3 spaces like most arcade games had) or some extra space if you are multiple people Playing ? I am referring to coop high scores  Thx 

Edited March 28, 2020 by Cranker

On 3/26/2020 at 2:35 PM, vongruetz said:

I do wish these early videos were a little more than Tommy walking around with his phone and recording people in what looks to be a storage closet. 

 

A lot of folks like the underdog ragtag behind the scenes style.  I'd personally rather spend $100,000 on a developer than a fancy video shoot right now.    

When our "real" marketing and advertising hit... it will be nothing like what you're seeing now.  Just some fun behind the scenes stuff.

 

On 3/26/2020 at 2:35 PM, vongruetz said:

And maybe this is just me, but in a short video, Tommy needs to be more focused on what he's going to say.  In a two hour long podcast, hell yeah, talk your heart out.  But in these shorter videos, I think he has so much he wants to say that he sometimes overdoes it. I think the same thing happened at the reveal at the Portland Retro Gaming Convention.  He went long in his speech because when he starts talking, he just can't help himself.  I get it. He's excited and passionate about Amico and wants to share that. I think being more focused and concise in these Meet Amico videos would give them a better punch.

 

This is a tough one to answer because well... #1 it's me. 

 

But honestly... so many people have been begging me to explain the controllers (or the haters have complained about how people can use them)... and because this was the first time we were showing them in action... it was really important to discuss everything (IMO).  But I do appreciate the feedback and are conscious that when I get going... I tend to keep going. 

 

So here's a question for you.  From the Missile Command video... could you tell me the parts that I shouldn't have discussed or that you would have liked to have seen deleted.  I'm super curious because it's important for me to understand what things that folks are or aren't interested in knowing.  So what in there did you personally not care about.  Would be helpful to know.  Thanks!

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 2:35 PM, vongruetz said:

 

As for Nintendo's 51 casual games announcement from earlier... it's missing the whole point.  Nintendo has tried this route before. PlayStation has tried to put out their casual/party games.  The problem for these companies is that the idea of family fun is just a side thought. It's something they toss out for a few minutes in a presentation, maybe put out a couple of games, then they quickly focus all their efforts on the bread n' butter "hardcore gamers."  Try as they like, they can not break into this market because they have to keep their core customers happy. If it's ever seen that they're putting too much attention into casual fun, they'll ignore it until it dies (for Sony, see WonderBook or PlayLink). Intellivision is approaching this from the opposite direction.  Make those games the core focus and not just a side project.  

 

I love everything I've seen from Amico so far.  October can't come soon enough. I know that now there is zero marketing dollars being spent, and I can't wait to see what happens when they really start putting their full effort into it.

 

Totally!  I agree as well.  They all keep trying it half-assed and then drop it after a year or so.  But for us... it's ALL we are focused on and our #1 mission. 

 

Thanks again for the feedback!

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 4:31 PM, GrumpyOl'Guy said:

Not an exaggeration to say the kiddo and I loved this! The siren kind of gave the Mrs. the creeps a little, but she was very intrigued by the top/bottom of screen versus scenario, as it was described.

Personally, the more I see the controller in action, the more interested I am to see the different ways the games will be designed to make use of it. Every time Tommy mentions Texas Hold 'em in an interview, I start thinking about how great it would be to get a poker night back together without climbing back to the attic for my chips

 

Also, some random questions, because I've been living this week on power naps and coffee, and it's made me slightly more random than usual:

 

-Tommy, again I thank you for answering my previous question about Baseball for the Amico. I'm personally super-psyched to see the finished product, but wanted to pick your brain on a few more ideas:

    Will it have a HR Derby mode? If so, what is your favorite iteration of HR Derby?

    Will there be the option for day or night games? Perhaps a 'double-header' option, where the first game is day and the second night?

    If I recall correctly, you're a Yankees fan, correct? Have you been tempted to put navy pinstripes on a white console?

    This one for my father - would there be a possible '1972 mode', where no teams have a Designated Hitter? Seriously, a yes here would sell him a console immediately!

 

None of that stuff in the first baseball game... but we are already making a list of all the things to add into a second version.  

 

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 4:31 PM, GrumpyOl'Guy said:

 

-For the community in general, what would your ideal play through of AD&D be like, as you imagine it? For myself, I'm probably taking point while my son shoots into every dark corridor blind, and my wife lags slightly back to look for any potential item we may have missed. Actually, on that subject, is there the potential for hidden items in an explored room? I know that wasn't part of the original, but how cool would it be to find a chest hidden behind a wall or under a boulder?

Yep!  All that stuff will be in there!

 

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 4:31 PM, GrumpyOl'Guy said:

 

-I'm not sure if I'm remembering this correctly, but was there talk of a potential 4-player Joust coming out down the line? If so, any chance of that being a 2020 title?

 

On our "to do" list... but don't have the license yet.  Could easily get it (WB said they'll give us anything we want) so just a matter of getting a bunch of other stuff done first.  It will come eventually!

 

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 4:31 PM, GrumpyOl'Guy said:

 

Lastly, I did want to mention how awesome Pete's interview with Tommy was! I know I'm a little late to the party on this, but all the praise in the world to you two for that one. Totally cool to see the reaction about the cards in the physical media portion of the interview. I was cracking up watching it!

Thanks!!  Pete was GREAT!!!!!!!!!!   Love him!

 

On 3/26/2020 at 4:31 PM, GrumpyOl'Guy said:

 

One last note: my son just got a GAME OVER in Dr. Mario, and turned to tell me he "doesn't think he's much of a doctor." 5-year-olds have the best way of looking at things, no?

hahahha! Love that!  Thanks for sharing.

 

On 3/26/2020 at 5:13 PM, ColdCoffee said:

History in the making. This was awesome today.

Thanks!! 

"History in the making."

I love that!!

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 5:36 PM, vongruetz said:

This is actually a really good point that I don't think a lot (and I certainly didn't) of people ever took into consideration when looking at the success of the Switch. If you view it as both the successor to the Wii U AND the 3DS... then it's actually a little disappointing.  

 

And yes, John Alvarado is pretty incredible.  Though I'd consider myself more a David Perry fan myself.  Maybe he can join in on some of these videos. 

A lot of folks thought Nintendo was going to just be a software company after the WiiU and mobile taking over "portable" gaming.

The Switch saved them and I'm glad!  I love that there are options out there.  Anyone against having options is pretty much a communist in my eyes.

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 6:09 PM, ASalvaro said:

interesting Atari released Missile Command Recharged to the app store today..the Amico version looks WAYYY better 

Well that doesn't make sense.  I thought all our games were supposed to look like mobile games?  Yet when Atari does a mobile version of the exact same property as we do... it looks totally more simple, can't play multi-player, finger in the middle of the screen gets in the way, in-app purchases? in-app ads?  microtransactions/loot boxes?  Who knows?

 

The fact that our overall experience is compared to mobile are folks just being lazy at this point I think. 

 

 

So tommy i.lobe the controls so far for missle command. I just downloaded the new mobile missLe command recharged that atari released...

 Have you tried it.

 

It's ok not a fan . It's free with ads or 2.99 but not worth from what i.plsyed. not a fan.of the controls they used

  But the amico missile  command looks great and way better sound

 

Also please  get an rts  like say a new Armey men game out for amico the controller is meant for such

Edited March 28, 2020 by Nolagamer

On 3/26/2020 at 7:26 PM, Tarzilla said:

Am I the only one that wants to know what is in the box on the shelf behind @Tommy Tallarico labeled "Jungle Cruise"?

I'll take a picture next time I'm there!

Which may not be until May!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 8:09 PM, MrBeefy said:

Thought you were going to say the one labeled 'phone'.

It's where we keep all the phone games we rip off and put in our trailers.

 

 

 

16 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

It's where we keep all the phone games we rip off and put in our trailers.

 

 

 

I really thought more that it was a really big box for one phone.

 

Did you get the Zach Morris, Saved By the Bell, phone prop in the box or what?

53 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... a few people have mentioned that about Astrosmash... I felt the same and we are pulling the camera back just a little.

that's good to hear 

1 minute ago, ASalvaro said:

that's good to hear 

I like your new profile image.  That face on the fish is funny.

On 3/26/2020 at 8:19 PM, LordRayken said:

its like you guys are actually ignoring all possible warning signs. nintendo did this its called the wii.

 

 

We're doing a LOT of things differently from the Wii.  Most of all... focusing on casual gamers and co-op FIRST!  They didn't.

 

Metroid Prime, Super Smash Bros., Pikman, Mario, Zelda, Pokemon... those were the 1st party games they were pushing the most.  Not to say they weren't great... but not the games that the nursing homes and non-gamers were interested in.

 

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when you look back on the wii all you think of is wii sports. as a hardcore gamer you may look back on it as skyward sword and mario. wii sports came with the wii it was just an accessory to get you into the wii and to understanding the motion controls and then you move on. wii sports is one of the best selling games on a console because it came with the wii. no one wants a wii anymore. there are millions for sale in flea markets, second hand markets, ebay. you can barely give them away. people look back on it as something of a gimmick now. some nursing homes got in on the hype and some still use it yes but thats it. i like the idea and the console. but i am not seeing this market you talk about. the reason why they do not make these games their core focus is because it doesnt sell. old people are not looking for a family fun console. 

 

I couldn't disagree with you more about this and again... there is much data to back this up.  Just to give you a quick one.  Last year when UbiSoft released JUST DANCE it sold MORE UNITS on the Wii then it did on ANY OTHER PLATFORM!!   Crazy right!  There are so many non-gaming and casual homes that still have their Wii hooked up and still play it... especially now with quarantines going on.  Totally false to say that no one wants a Wii anymore.

I can understand why you may not be able to see the market for Amico.  Because if you believe that no one wants the Wii still... then I can understand why you think folks may not be interested in us.

Whenever we have big meetings with our big box retailers (and they are the BIGGEST on the planet!)... they constantly get excited and tell us how many folks always come in and ask if Nintendo ever did anything else like the Wii (i.e. fun, easy, accessible, affordable)... and when they show them the Switch and what it does... it's a HARD PASS.  People are DYING for something that isn't intimidating and no matter how much Ian whines like a girl about how un-intimidating a Switch is... he couldn't be more wrong.  He is the not the average mom in middle America... and I'm assuming you may not be either.  Talk to those people and tell them what Amico is and our goals.  Don't forget to mention the part about no violent games, all games under $10, up to 8 players can play on the big screen for no extra money, etc.

 

 

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tommys 5 pack in games are going to be the amicos wii sports. they are crucial but also can they even be the wii sports 2? and again wii exploded because families were playing wii bowling. no one is playing wii blowing anymore or even looking for another wii bowling. it came and went. i dont know if im going to get thru to anyone on this board. 

 

I don't mean to be confrontational in any way, but that statement just isn't reality.

 

 

 

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i mean its obviously not the same. amico has some definitely cooler games. but yeah when these are the type of game that amico devs are making... it isn't tough for someone like nintendo to quickly make short work of neutralizing that competition. because they're literally nintendo. that name recognition and the respect that the switch has earned with big name titles like mario and zelda. they did it with wii sports again. amico wouldnt even be on the table. tommy mentions wii constantly in his marketing and interviews.

It still doesn't matter who they are.  The Switch is completed.  It is what it is.  Like I've said before... you could GIVE one to my mom or dad for FREE and they still wouldn't play it.  Casuals and non-gamers are NOT buying it.  The majority of hardcore gamers are NOT buying it.  Those are the simple stats.  Nothing anyone can say will change the numbers, facts & data.  It's not to say they suck in any way.  They don't!  But they also do NOT have a firm grasp on the family or casual market.  Not even CLOSE!  3 Billion casuals but they have sold 55 million units.  Do that math on that one!  So that means that Nintendo approximately owns 1.7% of the people who play video games every day.  Is this starting to sink in for folks?

Nintendo can have all the name recognition in the world.  They still only capture a super small fraction of people who play games.  And again... can we be honest here for a second... Sony absolutely DOMINATES them in the market.  Lets stop pretending.  Sony has been on top for over 25 years now.  Yet Microsoft keeps spending hundreds of millions of dollars to get product out there. 

I guess my point being is that name recognition in the bigger picture of things... doesn't mean as much as people would believe.  A product is either great or it isn't.  If we put out a great product and get it into the hands of the people we're going after... then it will be a success.  That's all. 

 

 

 

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im going to lay some truths before i go because no one is actually interested in listening at this point and i cant fault tommy for defending his brand. tommy is a good guy and all he wants is what is best for his system and i will support him but these are the realities and all the talk about this controller.

Thank-you.  As always... I appreciate the respectful dialogue.  I wouldn't say that no one is interested in listening.  I just think there are a lot of folks in here that would disagree with some of your statements (me being one of them).

 

But I like that we can have back and forth dialogue like this and I appreciate that you come here and voice your concerns.

 

 

 

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inty/tommy could have launched the software service, making sure all the games will work well with that controller, silently developing and testing them with the controller, and then eventually launch the controller after the service is successful. but without the software, the controller is nothing. the controller isn't going to make an unfun game fun, so the games need to prove themselves first before justifying a physical product launch which is much more expensive, and limits your market way too early on

 

The controller is the reason that most of the games are fun and different and unique and easy to play and accessible.  Without them I couldn't have done 95% of the games that we currently have.  That's just fact.  So there would be no software without our hardware.  And we certainly wouldn't reach the people we are trying to... because quite frankly... those folks do NOT have home consoles and you can't do what we're doing with the most solitary device on the planet.... mobile.

 

 

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but i get it that it doesn't make sense with the audience they are going for

 

tommy wants this to be something physical that a casual user can pick up at a store and just take home. but i just dont think that can work with anything that isn't cheap like a retro clone console because nintendo already does that shit anyway

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/video-games/older-people-are-embracing-video-games-some-stardom-n1047906

 

Nope.  That statement has already been proven wrong by Nintendo themselves!  Wii was $249 14 years ago.  That is the equivalent of $317 today.  And they sold to non-gamers and casuals (about 40% of the folks who bought one).  They paid it before and they are longing for the next similar thing.  Amico is that thing and it's going to be about $75 less in today's money than the Wii was... AND with 2 separate controllers AND with 6 FULL pack-in games AND all games under $9.99.

 

 

 

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they could still do it if they drop the expensive hardware and go with cheap hardware that is easy to pick up on a budget or software that works on a different console, smart TV "channels", Rokus or just ios/android like ive mentioned already. i was 100% on board when the console was around $200 or under $200. i am still on board but i am not lying, $250 is quite the price hike. 

If you don't like our graphics now... I don't think you would like them if we dropped the price!  The chip is the most expensive thing in any console.

In regards to the price.  Think of it more like this.

Lets pretend it is a "normal" console.  So, it's $199 and only has one controller and no games.  Add in 6 games (average cost around $8 each) and then an extra $50+ controller (basically a smart phone/controller combo without the phone part!) and now the price would be up around $300!  But you're gonna get a helluva deal at $249.  

 

 

 

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but yeah im going to clock out. you guys are hardcore fans and will remain hardcore until it launches and i applaud that. when the amico launches i am still buying a console to support tommy because hes an industry vet who deserves support (been to several video games lives) but i am also not going to beat around the bush anymore.

I hope you don't mean you won't be returning.  I think that would be a shame.  Having respectful discussions is always welcome here.

I super appreciate the fact that you want to support me.  It really means a lot!  But you should buy the console cause you're going to have fun with it too!  I really think you will.

 

 

 

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youll still see me trolling haters on youtube comments and attacking people who talk shit just to wish failure on things. 

 

Hahahha!  YES!!!!  You are legendary at this point!  I LOVE reading your comments.  You always put them in their place for hating on something they either know nothing about... and have certainly never played.  Love reading your comments.  Keep 'em coming.  

 

Thanks again! 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 8:26 PM, Cranker said:

I have a high score related question for Tommy after watching his interview with Pete. If you bring your controller to a friends and tap it on their machine, play some games  and record some high scores, will those scores be saved and be on your  machine when you get home ? I am quite sure that was a run on sentence ! Lol 

Yep!

 

31 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Well that doesn't make sense.  I thought all our games were supposed to look like mobile games?  Yet when Atari does a mobile version of the exact same property as we do... it looks totally more simple, can't play multi-player, finger in the middle of the screen gets in the way, in-app purchases? in-app ads?  microtransactions/loot boxes?  Who knows?

 

The fact that our overall experience is compared to mobile are folks just being lazy at this point I think. 

 

 

yup and there's nothing in the google app store that looks as cool or sounds as good as Night Stalker does on the Amico....but i'm sure when Pat & Ian see this message Ian will scream and Pat will frantically look on his phone for games that look better than Night Stalker on google play

2 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

I like your new profile image.  That face on the fish is funny.

yup! i think he's becoming the breakout star of the Amico..some are calling for Puffy to be the mascot! 

Holy Crap!  Only at page 422 and there is 435!  13 more pages still.  Yikes!  Will pick it up later tonight or early tomorrow. 

 

Thanks everyone!

3 minutes ago, ASalvaro said:

yup! i think he's becoming the breakout star of the Amico..some are calling for Puffy to be the mascot! 

Puffy for the win.

13 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

I like your new profile image.  That face on the fish is funny.

Ha speaking of profiles I just realized the name change!

Just now, MrBeefy said:

Ha speaking of profiles I just realized the name change!

I hope you like it.

7 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Ha speaking of profiles I just realized the name change!

Me too. I was like is that the same person???

 

Lol. I'm a bit slow on the uptake but I got there eventually.