Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

29 minutes ago, mr_me said:

Exactly, in your case price is not the issue.  Others would not buy a Switch even if it was cheaper than Amico.  Personal anecdotes are interesting but statistically mean nothing.

I'm curious to know what 6 couch co-op games would be bought with the Switch and if they would need an extra controller (can't even play 2 player Wheel of Fortune without a brand new 2nd controller!).

So $299, plus 5 more games (assuming it comes with one) and a new controller at $79.  It was said that Nintendo first party games are always quality... which I 100% agree with as well.  But they're also the most expensive.  So 5 more Nintendo AAA quality games will be at least $40 on average (low average, but want to be conservative).  So... doing the math...

$299 for initial machine.  $79 for a second controller (to either play certain 2 player games or 4 player couch co-op) and then another $200 in high quality AAA games.

With tax (depending on your state but using 7% as an average) it's easily going to run you around $620.

So the person worried about $249 won't be worried about $620?

I'm not following.

10 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Maybe it is because I come from "the Bible belt" but I can't help but think that the Amico 100% family friendly stance is going to get noticed by religious followers. If someone at Christianity Today magazine sees an article about how the Amico is the only true family friendly game console and writes an article themselves about the current state of games consoles - about a quarter of a million people will suddenly think that the Amico is the only console they should, as good God fearing family, have. Even me, looking at getting a system for my relatives with young kids - I know I won't be the 'bad uncle' who got them something not appropriate for their ages. There is a huge advantage to having a policy like this. Yes, there is a disadvantage too, in that you might exclude gamers who want more hard core games, but you also 'locks in' a market who is looking for specific things like safety from sex & violence (and of course concern for that goes way beyond any religious belief - pretty much ask any new parents).

Absolutely!!!  This is a segment of our marketing spend as well!  So not only PR through articles and interviews... but actually money spend as well!  These are some of the things that people are WAY under estimating us on.

Here's just ONE of the festivals (if it doesn't get postponed because of COVID) that we are at with a huge interactive display:  https://lifest.com/

And you know the BEST part... folks like these are giving us great deals on everything because they LOVE the idea and concept of what we're doing and bringing to the world.  Some of the naysayers have no idea how important SAFE means to the average family around the world.  Throw in SIMPLICITY, VALUE & TRUST... and you have a winning recipe every time.  And yes... you may initially lose some hardcore gamers along the way.  And that's fine.  We're not relying on them or their reviews on ResetEra to make or break the concept. 

29 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Thank you for your support!  And I truly do understand that initial pricing is an issue for some folks.  Once others see the finished product and the potential fun... they will make the decision on their own if it is something for them at a certain price point or not.

I also agree with your statement that people will compare and contrast it to the others.  But that is a HUGE point in our favor!   Here's a machine that is simple, affordable games, lots of content for our entire family and SAFE for our children at $249.  Or.... something the family won't play, has $60 - $80 violent games and I'll need to buy 2 or 3 extra controllers that will drive the price up another $170.

With the audience we're attracting... we win that comparison every time.

Also important to note that when we hit the market we will be a NEW console.  Not a 7 year old console (PS4, XBOX One) or 4 year old console (Switch).  We will be considered part of the "next generation" of gaming consoles.  And the other "next gen" consoles will easily be in the $700 - $900 range if you are looking to get extra controllers and a few new games for it. 

You are most welcome.  Also, definitely having simple, affordable games with 2 controllers and easy controller expansion are huge points for the Amico in its favor.  I believe the Amico does have some very strong selling points and hopefully those will get an opportunity to shine through.  Take care and best of luck!  I am going to continue to keep an eye (or two) on this as we get closer and closer to the Amico's launch and more videos and/or information as they come.

Just now, Hwlngmad said:

You are most welcome.  Also, definitely having simple, affordable games with 2 controllers and easy controller expansion are huge points for the Amico in its favor.  I believe the Amico does have some very strong selling points and hopefully those will get an opportunity to shine through.  Take care and best of luck!  I am going to continue to keep an eye (or two) on this as we get closer and closer to the Amico's launch and more videos and/or information as they come.

Thanks!  I appreciate it.  And certainly appreciate the respectful feedback as well.  Feel free to keep it coming!

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Thanks!  I appreciate it.  And certainly appreciate the respectful feedback as well.  Feel free to keep it coming!

 

 

You are most welcome and will do! 😉

2 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

That is totally accurate for one persons price to value equation. The problem is projecting this assumption on others. If you have ever suffered through price elasticity or demand curves in economics (I inflicted those onto many a student in a former life of cruelty as a Eco/Fin instructor) the whole point of those is that it is a range of values shown as a curve. Different consumers perceive value completely differently, for example a family with 2 kids may see a console with 6 games and two controllers as more of a $125 purchase per child than say a $250 purchase, so it may fit their Christmas gift budget of $150 per kid, while the Switch doesn’t. Also maybe Mary being able to stay a bit active by playing Corn Hole inside during a Chicago winter is a lot more appealing to her than Susan who lives in Florida, even if she is equally Corn Hole obsessed (well that didn’t sound right). Anyway what is the demand curve for the Amico? Nobody really knows but Tommy has done focus groups which is about the best way to get an early indication. Also there is some demand at $250 and higher prices with the pre-orders (and no real advertising to boot). Would $199 be better for adoption assuming the same product? Sure, but be careful about projecting personal price/value considerations (for or against) on Amico. One person does not a market make.

Exactly, I was about to say the same thing, the personal perceived value of a product (or in comparison with another product) is depending on so many individual factors. As my kids are really small (3 & 8 years), and my wife has never played a video game in her life (not even on mobile!), so even if the Switch would cost 100$ it would not have affected our decision to buy the Amico. 

7 minutes ago, theswede said:

Exactly, I was about to say the same thing, the personal perceived value of a product (or in comparison with another product) is depending on so many individual factors. As my kids are really small (3 & 8 years), and my wife has never played a video game in her life (not even on mobile!), so even if the Switch would cost 100$ it would not have affected our decision to buy the Amico. 

Thank you for sharing your personal experience.  Our focus testing shows the same exact thing. 

The idea that the Switch already exists, therefore we shouldn't... is ridiculous.  Of course even more ridiculous is the idea that the Switch already does the same things that we do.

1 hour ago, Hwlngmad said:

I am in the same boat.  For me, having the Amico in the $180 to $200 range seemed to be pretty enticing.  But at the $225 to $250 range, not so much as you are starting to get into Xbox, PS, and Switch territory there.  Granted, I know the Amico is not gunning to be like those consoles and is trying to forge their own path.  Still, the Amico is a games machine and people (for better or worse) will compare and contrast the Amico straight up against the others.  That all being said, I continue to with Tommy, IE, and the Amico the best of luck going forward as I do understand and appreciate what they are trying to do and setting out to accomplish.

Bit again you cant just say 300 on a switch gaming are jot included and cost 60 additional plus any controllers.  My switch was about 600 when you factor in the games and controllers

I've mentioned the Amico to a few friends with pre-teen children and they all seem interested.  Especially when you tell them it comes with two controllers and a bundle of games.  Start talking about no in-app purchases, etc and they really perk up.

Also brought it up on a video chat with some fellow retro gamers and they also sounded keen.  I think once the more hardcore gamers get to see Amico in action quite a few will want it as a second console, espcially if they have children or a non-gaming spouse.

Tommy, have you heard of a football (soccer) game called Sensible Soccer?  It's a classic game and I think the combination of controller with screen and co-op action would make it something really special on the Amico.   And thanks again for all the time you spend here.  Never seen a CEO answer questions and be so open about a new product.  Indeed, your level of activity on AtariAge is one of the reasons I pre-ordered a couple of weeks ago

2 minutes ago, Relicgamer said:

Bit again you cant just say 300 on a switch gaming are jot included and cost 60 additional plus any controllers.  My switch was about 600 when you factor in the games and controllers

For £300 I'm looking forward to my Amico with it's two controllers and six included games plus another five or so titles that I get to choose myself from the store.   That's a big factor in my purchase.

18 hours ago, Relicgamer said:

Agree on everything you said. Pricing is definitely in a good spot. Too low everyone would call it junk. Too high its out of reach. I guess we are the crowd of realists lol . 

Thanks so much @Relicgamer! I'd add...its never felt so good to be a realist  The pessimists have to find another banner to fly under   

For those that bought the FE for $299, we are getting 11 games to play right from the start, 2 controllers and a bunch of extras. So in reality the system itself is in the $199 price point that was originally discussed. I think that is a really good deal. Looking forward to getting my consoles and playing games the way they were meant to be played.

5 minutes ago, poconojo said:

For those that bought the FE for $299, we are getting 11 games to play right from the start, 2 controllers and a bunch of extras. So in reality the system itself is in the $199 price point that was originally discussed. I think that is a really good deal. Looking forward to getting my consoles and playing games the way they were meant to be played.

We need some more math fun .

  6 games included plus $25 credit  .games cost between $3 and $10.  , so for 25 you can get between 3 and 8 games.   So  total with already included  its anywhere between 9 and 14 games.     Now if the credit doesn't zero out tax then that's another issue but then you are looking at  $2  to 2.50 for tax.  Of which depends on game purchases might be less tax owed if any credit remained. 

Tommy, I have a few questions from a collecting standpoint. I'm not sure if these have been asked before, as this thread has been going on for 526 pages, but here they are:

1. Out of the Amico library, just how many games will have physical releases?

2. Will physical releases vary in price based on the game, contents etc?

3. Will there be releases similar in style to "collectors edition" or "Limited Editions"?

4. Will physical releases have a standard for how many copies are produced? With modern consoles such as the switch and ps4, the minimum order quanitity vary in the low 1000s, so some games can be quite difficult to get. I guess what I'm asking is, will physical releases be easy to obtain?

Hey Tommy, check out this great short motivational speech by one of the creators of Star Control 2.

By the way, I recommend the whole War Stories series to everyone reading the topic.

1 hour ago, Nolagamer said:

We need some more math fun .

 

  6 games included plus $25 credit  .games cost between $3 and $10.  , so for 25 you can get between 3 and 8 games.   So  total with already included  its anywhere between 9 and 14 games.     Now if the credit doesn't zero out tax then that's another issue but then you are looking at  $2  to 2.50 for tax.  Of which depends on game purchases might be less tax owed if any credit remained. 

If you're talking about the value of the FE pre-order, I think it's actually a better deal than that.  With the FE, for $300 plus shipping and taxes, you get:
1 console in vintage woodgrain (which was always going to be more expensive) hand signed and numbered by Tommy.

2 controllers in vintage woodgrain

6 pack-in games

1 $50 laser cut metal gift card which can give you potentially 10 more games (or even more) AND the card itself is a great collectible

1 lenticular Intellivision poster signed by the whole team, which as a poster is about $20, but add in John Alvarado's signature, and it's priceless

1 Intellivision pin with a value of around $10

1 Intellivision patch with a value of around $8

3 video game soundtrack albums with a value of... $20? I'm not sure. 

I don't know if you'll see a better value in gaming anywhere else.  

4 hours ago, Hwlngmad said:

I am in the same boat.  For me, having the Amico in the $180 to $200 range seemed to be pretty enticing.  But at the $225 to $250 range, not so much as you are starting to get into Xbox, PS, and Switch territory there.  Granted, I know the Amico is not gunning to be like those consoles and is trying to forge their own path.  Still, the Amico is a games machine and people (for better or worse) will compare and contrast the Amico straight up against the others.  That all being said, I continue to with Tommy, IE, and the Amico the best of luck going forward as I do understand and appreciate what they are trying to do and setting out to accomplish.

The difference being XBox, and PlayStation have been out for 7 years and Switch for 4 years they didn’t come to market at $250 when they launched. Also with next generation of consoles coming out soon unless they both delay to next year after supplies get up closer to normal again those new systems will also go up in price current estimates I believe have new systems at $500 minimum.  So if we are going to compare prices of consoles let’s be fair about it $500 for Xbox or PS5, $300 for Switch (going by Animal Crossing Version) where first party titles are full price no matter if you buy a physical or a digital version or a system that at minimum is half the price of two of the consoles and $50 cheaper than the 3rd plus digital games are a minimum of $50 cheaper per first party title.  No other systems come with two full controllers and none to my knowledge come with games unless you buy some special package meanwhile Intellivision gives you two controllers and six games right out of the box.  Let’s also not forget that if it wasn’t for a pandemic shutting down factories and causing supplies to be scarce Intellivision wouldn’t be selling at $250 either. This isn’t some corporation upping the price just to increase profits but a consumer first company who was forced to up their price more than they wanted due to a situation they had no control over.  Besides that name another video game company that is willing to say look we had to raise the price due to this pandemic but we didn’t want to do that and to help offset that raise in price and keep value with our customers we are going to give you another free game with the system so you will now get 6 instead of 5.  I feel like most people on the fence about the price if given some of this information would probably agree that the value is still squarely in Intellivision’s corner.

2 hours ago, Relicgamer said:

Bit again you cant just say 300 on a switch gaming are jot included and cost 60 additional plus any controllers.  My switch was about 600 when you factor in the games and controllers

I see and understand this point, which is what Tommy himself has made at times.  But, as we saw when the PS1 went up against the Saturn, all they said at the introduction was $299 which did not include a pack-in game unlike the $399 Saturn.  Obviously, the Saturn's ship was sunk with a lot of other bad ideas, but people do look at the introductory price and the $225 to $250 range is near what MS, Sony, and/or Nintendo will be and/or already offering by the time the Amico comes out.  However, the Amico does have some better built in value with the two controllers, $10 or less games, and easy controller expansion.  Still, don't think the Xbox, PS, and Switch doesn't have some great $10 to $20 games, and/or games with a lot of bang for the buck like the upcoming 51 World Wide Classics for the Switch.  Again, just for me, the $225 to $250 range just puts it nearer the other consoles price wise which are very compelling choices at and around that range.  If you and others feel differently, and I can totally understand why, great.  Gaming is gaming is gaming no matter your personal preference.  Its all good and if the Amico floats your boat, awesome.  However, not everyone is going to see it that way and it is fine.  Plenty of potential users and/or customers out there beyond me.  Again, these are my every lasting two cents on this.

About the Switch, I have to just echo something Tommy mentioned in one of of his interviews. Now I say this as a life long gamer who has owned a ton of systems and I am not a fanbooi of any particular company, that being said, I cant stand the art style of most Japanese and Nintendo games. I find the style creepy and childish. So at least for me the Switch is just not an option and it has nothing to do with money and everything thing to do with art and I say this as a semi serious collector of animation art ( I have 4 or 5 pieces that should be in museums) and even with my love of animation, I CANT STAND Nintendos art style. Not the big headed jrpgs, or the mario this that and the other things and me and Tommy cant be the only ones who just arent into to playing creepy bobble headed characters.

17 minutes ago, Alpha82 said:

The difference being XBox, and PlayStation have been out for 7 years and Switch for 4 years they didn’t come to market at $250 when they launched. Also with next generation of consoles coming out soon unless they both delay to next year after supplies get up closer to normal again those new systems will also go up in price current estimates I believe have new systems at $500 minimum.  So if we are going to compare prices of consoles let’s be fair about it $500 for Xbox or PS5, $300 for Switch (going by Animal Crossing Version) where first party titles are full price no matter if you buy a physical or a digital version or a system that at minimum is half the price of two of the consoles and $50 cheaper than the 3rd plus digital games are a minimum of $50 cheaper per first party title.  No other systems come with two full controllers and none to my knowledge come with games unless you buy some special package meanwhile Intellivision gives you two controllers and six games right out of the box.  Let’s also not forget that if it wasn’t for a pandemic shutting down factories and causing supplies to be scarce Intellivision wouldn’t be selling at $250 either. This isn’t some corporation upping the price just to increase profits but a consumer first company who was forced to up their price more than they wanted due to a situation they had no control over.  Besides that name another video game company that is willing to say look we had to raise the price due to this pandemic but we didn’t want to do that and to help offset that raise in price and keep value with our customers we are going to give you another free game with the system so you will now get 6 instead of 5.  I feel like most people on the fence about the price if given some of this information would probably agree that the value is still squarely in Intellivision’s corner.

I agree the Amico will have some really good value with the two controllers, $10 or less games, easier controller expansion, and 6 pack in games.  However, it is not all doom and gloom for the big three while MS, Sony, and Nintendo's main consoles will (probably) be $500, $500, and $300 (minus taxes), they still have other consoles that will (most likely be) in the $200 to $300 range, which includes consoles like the PS4, Xbox One S, Switch Lite, and Xbox One X with very rich catalogs of games.  So, all I am saying is that the Amico does have some positives, but the price for me just puts it a little out of my personal interest range when juxtaposed to the others.

On 4/12/2020 at 11:28 AM, 1001lives said:

It's kind of like inception if you've seen that movie.

 

So many impressionable or uneducated people may be looking up things about the Amico or just typing it in on Youtube or Google randomly and they will be bombarded with negative videos and negative impressions. The majority of them will be haters who are spouting literal nonsense - not nonsense like I disagree and am angry with their opinion - nonsense as in actually making things up and stating it as fact. Pat and Ian are heavily guilty of this and because they do have a small following have spawned a dozen imitators who go around that are part of their fanbase and use the anger that Pat and Ian channeled as their impetus for also hating on the Amico. 

 

A lot of people who may have no opinion or a totally netural opinion on something will look it up, see someone they like saying negative things, and then they have cemented their opinion based on that. Suddenly a few dozen 400-500 viewed negative videos has swayed 400-500 people's opinions that they are going to hate this thing that the Youtuber also hates. And that can totally begin to shift the perspective of a new device. I've said it before but in a market that was dominated by negative press due to Ouya and Coleco Chameleon, anyone with any influence should tread very lightly when talking about Amico. Pat and Ian who pretty expertly researched the Chameleon are using that same kind of hatred and vitriol against the Amico when the two devices - if you even call Chameleon a device - are not even in the same wheelhouse.

 

The vloggers end up making videos that come off like they need help more than anything. I hate to talk about Pat and Ian again but in the latest video talking about Wii Sports increasing in price during the lockdowns, Ian just looks unhinged and full of negative energy to the left. He's doing that thing where the person constantly shakes their leg up and down and it's vibrating his whole body while he sits there. Too much caffeine potentially or he's in pain. I don't know, but these negative unhinged people sit online spewing this stuff 24/7 as their careers and it spreads like an opinion virus.

 

It's not about censoring anyone's views or correcting "wrongthink," it's about battling against literal nonsense and uneducated hatred for no reason or just hating on something for personal petty reasons. You may have issues with Rich from Reviewtech or issues with Tommy Tallarico, okay! That's fine. But openly state your problems up front. Those people won't do that because that would be a disclaimer that their video is opinionated bias from the get go. And they're all trying to appear like professionals who aren't just needlessly hating on things.

 

Obviously, this doesn't end with the Amico. It's in every single products realm and all new releases are subject to this kind of crap. Even Animal Crossing: New Horizons was hit by people complaining and hating without even playing it. Ironically, now that some of those haters have played it - they've gone silent, no more of their previous criticisms are present. I wonder...

i'm glad you added that part about censorship and correcting "wrongthink."

And that's the beautiful thing about free speech. you can say whatever it is you want to say, even if it is an uninformed, ignorant opinion that influences people the wrong way, and that acts as an impetus to cause them to behave in a manner that would be unprofitable to you. And i wouldn't have it any other way. Because the purpose of the first amendment is to protect speech you don't agree with and/or find offensive, and that may even misinform people; because if everyone agreed with each other and all points of view were compatible and uniform, then there would be no reason to have your speech protected, right?

haters are always gonna hate; but you can't go around obsessing about it, always trying to put out fires just to protect your own interests. leave them be. the harder you push something down, the greater its potential force when propelled to the top. if the amico is everything tommy says it will be, then nothing can stop it. people will buy it no matter what. For if you build it, they will come. in fact, i guarantee you that the ones who hate it the most will likely be the first in line simply because they won't be able to help themselves. why do you think they hate on it so much? Because they recognize that it possesses a different and conspicuous quality that makes it protrude and stand out in the middle of this muddled ecosystem of gaming in which everything is the same. And if it is indeed a viable and genuine product that will perfectly fill a void as it purports itself to be, then it will clearly speak for itself. look... you can tell pat and ian don't even believe anything they say. truthfully, they believe in this project more than anyone else. why do you think they're trying so hard to destroy it? you don't give your attention to something that holds no value, or that doesn't have any auspicious beginnings that promise success.

bottom line: the blind leader has the right to lead his blind followers into a ditch; and the blind follower has the right to allow himself to be deceived and led off the cliff. you can't go around with a God-complex trying to police people's thoughts (even if they're wrong) and try to set them straight, forcing them to see the "light" or see things your way. it just comes off looking bad and will associate the console with negative connotations. tommy has done plenty of interviews and released a ton of information out there for people to avail themselves of in order to be properly informed if they wish; but if they choose to dismiss it and stay ignorant, then that's on them. you can't compel them to drink from the well of truth.

conversely, i'm not saying you shouldn't speak your mind or even debate people if necessary. i've defended the amico myself. But purposefully going out of your way and going around and patrolling youtube like the amico gestapo isn't going to make things any better. Quite frankly, it'll just make matters worse because you can't impose yourself on people's conscience like that. let everyone be persuaded (or deceived) in their own mind. they have the right to be deceived; and they also have the right to do their own research and make their own decision without having a group of interlopers always getting in their face to set the record straight, even if their final decision is derived from misinformation, and affects intellivision's profit margins.

So i guess what i'm saying is... if you want to counter bad information, then put your own information out there, and let people sift through the knowledge presented of their own accord, ON THEIR OWN, and through their own free will without trying to funnel their minds in the direction you think best. And again, given time... i believe the product will speak for itself. And i'm pretty sure that those who have been the most outspoken - raising their belligerent and derisive voices the loudest in protest - will also end up being the ones opening their wallets the widest.

12 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

About the Switch, I have to just echo something Tommy mentioned in one of of his interviews. Now I say this as a life long gamer who has owned a ton of systems and I am not a fanbooi of any particular company, that being said, I cant stand the art style of most Japanese and Nintendo games. I find the style creepy and childish. So at least for me the Switch is just not an option and it has nothing to do with money and everything thing to do with art and I say this as a semi serious collector of animation art ( I have 4 or 5 pieces that should be in museums) and even with my love of animation, I CANT STAND Nintendos art style. Not the big headed jrpgs, or the mario this that and the other things and me and Tommy cant be the only ones who just arent into to playing creepy bobble headed characters.

Hey, to each their own.  I can totally understand that.  For example, I got a Retroflag Gpi recently that has pretty much the entire Neo Geo AVS library and I am loving the games for that system.  However, there are people who don't like Neo Geo and/or the graphical style, and I am totally 100% okay with this.  To each their own.  If you don't like what the Switch is throwing out there game wise, don't get it.  Simple as that.  Nothing wrong with it.  No one is going to take out a gun and shoot you.  To each their own and I, personally, and totally cool with it.  However, what I have seen thus far from the Amico just doesn't do it for me.  Still, I will continue to follow this and give support to what Tommy and IE are doing as I believe what they are trying to do can potentially help gaming get back to being the 'easy to play, hard to master' times, which is something I would like to see as opposed to the big push of AAA titles and/or loot-box crap.

Xbox one also had problems when they launched Xbox One with Kinect for 499 vs PS4 at 399. Sometimes base price can make or break a system as they had to lower it the price to 399 by removing the Kinect from the bundle which consumers did not seem to see much value in as a pack in. This is not the same situation for the Amico but it does show that people are very price sensitive when comparing 2 very similar products. Throwing in the Crappy Kinect and throwing in 6 games and a controller are 2 different things of course and in the case of MS and Sony it was direct competition. I think IE is getting it right with this bundle, and believe the consumers They are targeting will see tremendous value in it.