Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

1 hour ago, JasperAK said:

I'm sorry I forgot, is there a limit on the VIP units? I won't have the cash until the first of the month and don't want to miss out.

I believe it's unlimited. 

1 hour ago, Starpaddler said:

My wife and I are down by LAX.  Maybe once all the crazy passes, we can make arrangements. Is your wife into intv as well (mine is not, but think shes warming up to Amico). She was team Atari, but didn't find that out till after we were married. 

Absolutely! I love sharing my gaming hobby with others.👍There are a couple big Intellivision guys right near you,I am close enough in Simi Valley. I have pretty much every system ever made,but clearly I am an intellivision guy #1!

My Wife is a great and supportive person,but she mostly tolerates my avid video game hobby.

My kids play a lot,both have switches and a ps4. I am certain they and their friends,and even my wife once I sell her on it will play the Amico .😊

39 minutes ago, 1001lives said:

I believe it's unlimited. 

Thank You.

24 minutes ago, JasperAK said:

Thank You.

I hope there is some limit, maybe like 4 or 5 max per cc.  Planning on getting 1 (don't want to hoard, and help ensure that everyone can get one out of the gate), but I did pass along the website to some friends and family who I thought may like it as well. 

4 hours ago, Jeffrey Bouchard said:

So is he the Amico mascot?

Who?  Mike Dietz?  Nah.

On 3/28/2020 at 2:18 PM, Tommy Tallarico said:

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!

 

 

Sounds like the Missile Command touchpad control uses absolute positioning, as opposed to relative positioning.  Curious if both types were tried and one found to be better than the other.

8 hours ago, ONLYUSEmeFEET said:

How does copyright work on robotic voices? I had (have) an entire folder of words the Speak & Spell can say, which I intended on using for a scrapped game I was making in college that was a hybrid of Berserk and Windjammers. I was always curious if the Speak & Spell voice font was copyrighted and if so, if there was a royalty-free voice font people could use for games since I also dig the sound. I believe with Vocaloids (such as Hatsune Miku) you get a personal commercial license when you buy the software, but I could never find the legality of using older sound fonts in games. If Intellivision does own the Intellivoice and can license it out to developers (maybe by providing .ogg files of individual words it has said originally) I would totally be down to use said voices in my games. With permission, I'd also be willing to generate an Intellivoice sound bank if I knew which game sounds were free to use. Sorry for the tangent, but this is an incredibly niche topic of gamedev that has had my interest for years!  

Intellivoice cartridges use prerecorded words and phrases.  In my unprofessional opinion they are copyrighted like any sound effect to its creator.  If the speech is not prerecorded words and phrases but based on sound units and synthesized speech the user set, its copyright to the user.  That's unless there is a license agreement that says otherwise.

1 hour ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

haha they love Puffy too 

I really want the woodgrain edition amico. It will tastefully compliment my home. I wonder why no one does wood grain anymore?

 By the way marvel has the "true believers" i think amico needs something simular l nominate "Amico Amigos" thats roughly translated into

"family and friends" i dont know how about some suggestions? 

Tommy you can be the judge and pick the best.

4 hours ago, GrumpyOl'Guy said:

Random question, as much about the Amico as it isn't. I suppose it's more about the Intellivision brand as a whole.

I enjoy learning as much as I can about things that interest me. Learning little 'behind the scenes' secrets and the history behind how and why things came about in the time/form they do has always been a fascination. I'll admit that I wasn't as aware of the Intellivision as other consoles when I was younger. What I saw, I liked. It just wasn't something that was a priority to follow up on.

The Amico buzz got me interested not only in the Amico itself (I want to say I'd first heard of it late 2018), but the 'retro re-imagined' category got me looking at the classic catalog with some focus. I feel silly for not looking more into them sooner, as there's a surprising level of depth in the games, especially for the early 80s. I could've totally seen me and my friends bantering about Utopia strategies at the card shop we'd frequent, or kill a couple hours playing Football or Baseball with my brother.

I guess my looking up youtube videos on some classic Intellivision games has rubbed off on the kiddo, who yesterday asked me to see if we can get a "classic Amico".

I held back a chuckle and said 'sure'. I know he was talking about an Intellivision, but I did get in on the Founders' Edition, so we're technically getting a classic Amico. I fear for my wallet if I get into retro collecting, and I couldn't quite commit to buying a Flashback console at the moment, so I went back to where I'd first learned about the system years ago: I tracked down the Intellivision Lives! collection for the PS2.

I'd happen to remember some interviews being on that disk when we'd played at my friend's house years back, but I can admit we were more about playing the games while we were working on some things for a D&D campaign.

Thinking back on it, however, Intellivision has a very interesting history. Even at its height, the brand always seemed to have an underdog status. At no point was it the most popular or best selling console, but it was innovative and forward thinking. The fans it made, it made for life. Intellivision has managed to endure (in one form or another) from the early days of home console gaming to the present day, and almost always as a labor of love from those who work on it.

 

I guess what I'm getting at is, is there anything in the works to physically curate this history?

 

I've read the "From Intellivision to Amico" ebook from Intellivision Nation (great read), but what I'd be interested in is more of a deep-dive into the games. It seems that with the combination of industry veterans, employees from the Mattel era, and the close nature which the Amico team is working with developers on these games, how interesting would a coffee-table book highlighting the retro re-imagined games be? Seeing some side-by-side comparisons of the games then and now, along with a story or two about the games - interesting things about the game's development, the impact of the game in the market, etc - from the people who have witnessed it first hand.

 

As I'm typing this, I'm imagining an Earthworm Jim book in the same vein, with a page in the middle, blank, save the words:

CHAPTER 4: EARTHWORM JIM 3D

Not us!!!!

 

Anyway, thanks again for enduring another ramble-post. Hopefully, when I get back to having time to compose things better, my questions will be slightly less scattered in nature.

Oh, and I caught the little bit in the level1online interview about the Baseball controls. Super cool! I'm already chomping at the bit for it, and as I'm assuming the Baseball game won't translate too well to a PS2 controller, am counting down eagerly to the arrival of the Founders!

Hi!,

Thank you so much for sharing your story. 

We've been keeping a lot of data, making videos, taking pictures, etc.  Would be cool to someday do a documentary on "the making of". 

Also... there is an incredible complete history of the original Intellivision company coming out later this year.  I've never seen so much research done for a video game book.  It's going to be absolutely amazing for anyone interested in the original Intellivision.

 

12 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Who?  Mike Dietz?  Nah.

 

 

 

In germany there is a tractor company called dietz. However if Mike opened a soft drink buisness he could sell "diet dietz".  Or a beer company whete he could offer dietz wiser or dietz light. But he could always settle down as a peanut farmer. His brand would be known throughout the world as mikes peanuts...what you think i would stoop so low as to say....DIETZ NUTZ ! Lol hahahaha.....I'll sit down now and be quiet. (Heads to corner to put his nose in it.) 

4 hours ago, wolfy62 said:

I have been meaning to post this photo since it was taken on February 1st.

David/Utopia on Atariage,on the left I met here on Atariage because of the Intellivision. 

He and his Wife were on a vacation visiting the Los Angeles area so my Wife and I picked them up downtown to tour around a bit and visit my house to play some intellivision. 

We both have preordered the Amico Founders Edition and are very much looking forward to the system coming out.

We are in touch regarding the current worldwide events and since we all made great friends that day,hopefully we will stay in touch for life. Both he and his Wife are great people we had much in common with,even while being on continents far from each other.

All because we are lifelong intellivision fanatics!👍😊

I thought I would share this here,and now,to hopefully brighten up everyone's day.

Oh yeah,we played a little Frog Bog,Bi-planes and Utopia and visited the Griffith Observatory and the CBS Studio Center lot where I work for extra fun.

If any of you Intellivision folks are in Los Angeles,send me a message and maybe stop by and play a couple games sometime!

SO COOL!!!  Thanks for posting pics!  I love this!  And WOW!!  What a collection behind you!!

I'm just bummed you didn't let me know as I could have invited you guys to come down to the office to see the new machine behind closed doors!  Then we could have played some original Intellivision at my house.

Next time he's in town... LETS DO IT!!!  Will get @nurmix in on the fun as well!!

4 hours ago, Swami said:

Just a hopefully constructive criticism about the Canadian Gamer video, was that I think the third question, asked at about 11:00, was if there would be a place where people could try out the console before 10/10/2020. Then I heard "absolutely" and then a 15 minute feature pitch about hardcore versus mobile, families playing together and graphics. You never really talked about how people could play the console before 10/10/2020 and I'm not sure what the 15 minute presentation had to do with the question. I did hear a brief reference to the question at 29:00 before more tangents about MOM 2.0, graphics and like/dislike ratios on videos which ended about 35:00 minutes. There's also a number of spots where you interrupt the poor guy while he's talking for five seconds. I'm one of those very talkative people and I know some others and I knew one that would actually put up her hand if I tried to interject during a pause on a 20 minute monologue to me to shush me and another who would get upset if I interjected during a pause with "okay, that was interesting. Gotta go now." and left. So, definitely not saying we're annoying, like those two examples, but something to think about focusing answers more and avoiding tangents as the audience grows larger.

I appreciate the feedback.  You're absolutely correct.  I do that a lot and should answer the initial question first.

About halfway through I actually forgot what he asked me... which is why I started talking about other important stuff as well.

But I did answer the question eventually.  The simple answer is getting into peoples hands.  Mall tours, in-store displays and word of mouth via the proper influencers (i.e. Mom2.0, etc.).

Probably should have just said that one line first.  

4 hours ago, Kiwi said:

One question that comes to me from last night interview with level1online regard to opening up the console.  Do you plan to have independent developers to make games for the Intellivision Amico?  It would be interesting to see indie games on the Amico using the hardware provided. 

Mostly every game made on Amico is from Indie Developers.  I believe what he was referring to was hackers and modders.  To which my answer was no.  

4 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

My wife and I are down by LAX.  Maybe once all the crazy passes, we can make arrangements. Is your wife into intv as well (mine is not, but think shes warming up to Amico). She was team Atari, but didn't find that out till after we were married. 

Cool!  We just added another person to the party!!

Anyone else in the LA/Orange County area?

4 hours ago, JasperAK said:

I'm sorry I forgot, is there a limit on the VIP units? I won't have the cash until the first of the month and don't want to miss out.

Yes.  There is a limit... we will need to cut it off after a few days.  But you should be okay by April 1st.  We are doing more than just the 2600 that we did for the Founders as these don't need to be numbered. 

50 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

I hope there is some limit, maybe like 4 or 5 max per cc.  Planning on getting 1 (don't want to hoard, and help ensure that everyone can get one out of the gate), but I did pass along the website to some friends and family who I thought may like it as well. 

Cool!  Yeah... it would really be great if everyone here could help us spread the word on Tuesday.  We really need to understand how many we're going to need to have ready for our most diehard fans and followers.  We're just worried that with everything going on with corona that supplies are going to be super limited this Christmas.  At least this way... we can do our best to ensure the Founders & VIP's get theirs.

Never mind. found answer.

4 hours ago, wolfy62 said:

I have been meaning to post this photo since it was taken on February 1st.

David/Utopia on Atariage,on the left I met here on Atariage because of the Intellivision. 

He and his Wife were on a vacation visiting the Los Angeles area so my Wife and I picked them up downtown to tour around a bit and visit my house to play some intellivision. 

We both have preordered the Amico Founders Edition and are very much looking forward to the system coming out.

We are in touch regarding the current worldwide events and since we all made great friends that day,hopefully we will stay in touch for life. Both he and his Wife are great people we had much in common with,even while being on continents far from each other.

All because we are lifelong intellivision fanatics!👍😊

I thought I would share this here,and now,to hopefully brighten up everyone's day.

Oh yeah,we played a little Frog Bog,Bi-planes and Utopia and visited the Griffith Observatory and the CBS Studio Center lot where I work for extra fun.

If any of you Intellivision folks are in Los Angeles,send me a message and maybe stop by and play a couple games sometime!

Spending a day out with Dale and his wife was a highlight of our week in L.A. and we packed a lot into that week. We were staying in West Hollywood so it was a bit of a hike to collect us but we spent a afternoon and evening together and we got on so well that it was like the four of us had known each other for years.

And it all started with a P.M. message five years ago on Atari Age. Naturally we had to play some Intellivision and for the record while Dale shot me down in Biplanes more times than I would like to remember (Although I crashed a lot without any help) I redeemed myself in Frog Bog so I would say we were even in the end.

Our tour continued and after lunch in a local restaurant we visited where Dale works.The CBS studio was  closed on a Saturday but Dale flashed his "Amico golden ticket" at the guard house and we were in. As soon as we swapped the car for a golf cart we were on our private tour and I had no idea so many good shows had been filmed there. My highlights were New York St which was constructed for Seinfeld, and the Lagoon Building which is now built over where Gilligan's Island Lagoon was until a few years ago.

The Griffith Observatory was also a amazing place to visit and the lights at night stretching off forever into the distance were just fantastic.

Anyway, travel blog over and thanks again to our fabulous L.A. hosts for the day for showing us a piece of their town and welcoming us into their home.

And special thanks to a 40 year old console. Thanks Intellivision!

35 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

SO COOL!!!  Thanks for posting pics!  I love this!  And WOW!!  What a collection behind you!!

I'm just bummed you didn't let me know as I could have invited you guys to come down to the office to see the new machine behind closed doors!  Then we could have played some original Intellivision at my house.

 

Next time he's in town... LETS DO IT!!!  Will get @nurmix in on the fun as well!!

 

Right, taking you up on this offer whenever we are allowed to travel again.

57 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I appreciate the feedback.  You're absolutely correct.  I do that a lot and should answer the initial question first.

About halfway through I actually forgot what he asked me... which is why I started talking about other important stuff as well.

 

But I did answer the question eventually.  The simple answer is getting into peoples hands.  Mall tours, in-store displays and word of mouth via the proper influencers (i.e. Mom2.0, etc.).

Probably should have just said that one line first.  

 

 

 

 

Any idea when the mall tours and in-store displays will start? Summer or Fall?

I remember Nintendo having Wii's set up in tents everywhere back in 2006-2007. Check out paragraph 5 of this article for a snowboarding convention.

https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/heavenly-hosts-burton-demo-days-snowboard-event-at-california-lodge-features-jam-session-aprs-snow-party/

15 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have more than enough focus group testing to back that up.  I wish I could share with everyone some of the incredible video we have... but I can't because people don't typically sign video release forms for such things.  But we use the videos for retailers and investors. They are all blown away.  Really great stuff!

 

 

Honestly i wish you had a documentary crew with you while this was going on. If "Indie Game: The Movie" can exist..why not "Indie Console". Not as snappy a title I admit but i'd watch it  

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Cool!  We just added another person to the party!!

Anyone else in the LA/Orange County area?

 

 

If you are ever headed to new orleans post corona I'm down to play

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yes.  There is a limit... we will need to cut it off after a few days.  But you should be okay by April 1st.  We are doing more than just the 2600 that we did for the Founders as these don't need to be numbered. 

 

 

As long as someone is keeping track when the first 2400 are sold so you can send Pat the great news that his prediction of 5000 units sold has been achieved. I'm sure he'll be thrilled and want to send you his sincere congrats. 👍🏻

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Mostly every game made on Amico is from Indie Developers.  I believe what he was referring to was hackers and modders.  To which my answer was no.  

 

 

I was thinking he wanted to open up the Amico and show the circuit board.  Then you said no, but showed the back of it. I misheard...

Finished listening to Canadian Gamer interview. 

I decided to make a silly meme of that fish using Gifcam since I'm bored and procrastinating on my game project. 

One of my most favorite enemy in DKC2.  Exploding puftup.

I'm getting pumped up for this system.