Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

23 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Cool.  Thanks again.  I never had an O2 (although I have one now for my hardware collection... and signed by Ralph Baer!) but have never played it.

 

 

I need to bring my O2 and a stack of games to the office, Tommy.  There really are some good ones in the catalog you need to try.

I gotta say-I was pumped. Lots of good retro vibes with some great visual appeal.  This is definitely on my radar now as this might have games my not-so-keen-on-video-games (but likes Atari 2600) wife might play and my Minecraft/Nintendo loving brood might engage in. I could see a fun romp in an updated version of Advanced Dun...er...Cloudy Mountain with multiple players. Though knowing my kids, they'd probably waste each other's character.

This may have been asked but are the controllers going to be priced in the same range as Xbox One/PS4 controllers or is it too early to say? 

22 minutes ago, Gamemoose said:

I gotta say-I was pumped. Lots of good retro vibes with some great visual appeal.  This is definitely on my radar now as this might have games my not-so-keen-on-video-games (but likes Atari 2600) wife might play and my Minecraft/Nintendo loving brood might engage in. I could see a fun romp in an updated version of Advanced Dun...er...Cloudy Mountain with multiple players. Though knowing my kids, they'd probably waste each other's character.

 

This may have been asked but are the controllers going to be priced in the same range as Xbox One/PS4 controllers or is it too early to say? 

Just saw a quote from Tommy on YouTube yesterday controllers for Intellivision Amico will be under $40

2 hours ago, Papy said:

All controllers demand adaptation. Personally, by the time third generation consoles entered the market, I had already switched to computers. I never got used to Nintendo style d-pad and I still find them awkward. People who play games on consoles like the current gamepad design simply because they are used to it.

 

I believe the best controller will always be the one designed specifically for a particular game... and the corollary is that if a game is designed to be played with a particular controller, then people will view the controller as good.

I think that is why Tommy keeps saying that Amico games "can't be ported" - I take that to mean "and not keeping the same feel/gameplay" - at least easily. For me the Amico is all about the controllers - or more precisely the array of feedback/inputs/sensors (some of that could be on the console itself). After all today's top of the line console is tomorrow's Raspberry Pi (as the emulator community has shown) - so it isn't about the CPU/GPU chips.

First off we have up to 8 controllers - you can put 8 controllers on an XBox but that is over $400 (ouch). For the Amico getting to 8 would be like $200 BUT you can use cell phones for free. For actual inputs we first have a touchscreen, for strategy games that is like the Intellivision number pad but better. Pick the "Factory" icon then the screen changes and you pick "Steel Mill" or "Textile". Also the touchscreen is great for hidden inputs/game info. You can see your poker cards on your controller and the dealer table on the TV or select your trivia answer without others seeing. However for arcade games it is a touchpad/mouse, you won't be 'wheeling' the cursor in Missile Command, you will be swiping/pointing as Tommy has mentioned. Then we have the direction pad/wheel/dial with 360 degree input this time. Could be a steering wheel input but could also just be a giant button, a D Pad or a X directions button (maybe move with the touchpad then fire a different direction with the direction pad). However we also have motion controls, need to toss a dart, jog in place or throw a bowling ball, that will be used in those games. When you are throwing that bowling ball with the motion controls you can release it and also put 'english' on the spin by where you hit the disk - so button and spin direction. Plus we have 4 side buttons, rumble, interactive LED lighting and a mic & speaker which open up even more possibilities.

The Amico's inputs are simple, but not simplistic. You are actually getting two iconic Apple popularized inputs - the jog wheel on the ipod and the touch screen on phones. Plus throw in the Nintendo popularized motion controls and whatever else Intellivision has up it's sleeve and you have a unique and powerful input device. Just one that is familiar and easily teachable as opposed to left shoulder-A to round-house kick.

On 8/20/2019 at 1:06 AM, doug0909 said:

Love the trailer, especially excited about the Moon Patrol game. Have you looked into porting any of the unique Odyssey 2 classics? I think Killer Bees and UFO would work particularly well with a disk controller. 

 

 

If that's what you're looking for, you may also want to check out the Opcode SGM2/Omni.  Below is a link to their Facebook announcement.  https://m.facebook.com/opcodegames/photos/friday-is-time-for-some-news-we-are-proud-to-share-that-opcode-games-and-ed-aver/1998292667050270/

2 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

...

 

First off we have up to 8 controllers - you can put 8 controllers on an XBox but that is over $400 (ouch). For the Amico getting to 8 would be like $200 BUT you can use cell phones for free. 

...

It's been hinted that any bluetooth game controller that you already own is an option with amico.  An option for multiplayer action games that don't need the touchscreen of course.  I hope that any wired usb game controller can be used as well.  I also hope the amico controller can be used while being charged by wire.

On 8/19/2019 at 12:02 PM, Tommy Tallarico said:

HERE IT IS!!!

Let me know your thoughts. Please help us by sharing this video! The world needs to know that Intellivision is back and available on 10.10 2020.

 

Looking  forward to sharing more details and gameplay footage over the next 14 months.
 

https://youtu.be/TzE386pQOy4

My thoughts? Too much you. Not enough console & games. 😂

1 hour ago, Blarneo said:

My thoughts? Too much you. Not enough console & games. 😂

well we are 14 months away..i think we are lucky to be even getting this much so far from launch

at first i wish the clips of the games were longer but then the more i thought about it the more i remember the excitement

of not knowing what a game was like when i bought it aside from the screen shots and the reviews in magazines

for instance the game i'm most looking forward to is a remake of Imagics Beauty & The Beast.. i would rather not see

a game play video at all before i buy it and have the excitement of playing the game based on nothing but a screen shot!

17 minutes ago, ASalvaro said:

well we are 14 months away..i think we are lucky to be even getting this much so far from launch

at first i wish the clips of the games were longer but then the more i thought about it the more i remember the excitement

of not knowing what a game was like when i bought it aside from the screen shots and the reviews in magazines

for instance the game i'm most looking forward to is a remake of Imagics Beauty & The Beast.. i would rather not see

a game play video at all before i buy it and have the excitement of playing the game based on nothing but a screen shot!

My family kept buying Intellivision games into the NES era. Although I loved Treasure of Tarmin, my parents couldn't get into it and it damaged their enthusiasm for ordering new games.

When they ordered Space Hawk based solely the title and a single screenshot, the disappointment with the game was the death blow for Intellivision in our house. They didn't want to continue gambling on blind game ordering.

The nice thing about this day and age is that even if a company doesn't put out enough media for you to base a decision on, plenty of people will after a game is released.

I still regret not getting to play another few years of new Intellivision games.

1 minute ago, Black_Tiger said:

My family kept buying Intellivision games into the NES era. Although I loved Treasure of Tarmin, my parents couldn't get into it and it damaged their enthusiasm for ordering new games.

 

When they ordered Space Hawk based solely the title and a single screenshot, the disappointment with the game was the death blow for Intellivision in our house. They didn't want to continue gambling on blind game ordering.

 

The nice thing about this day and age is that even if a company doesn't put out enough media for you to base a decision on, plenty of people will after a game is released.

 

I still regret not getting to play another few years of new Intellivision games.

lol Space Hawk wasn't that bad! but ya i was a bit disappointed too mainly because it was kinda slow 

On 8/20/2019 at 8:25 AM, atarifan88 said:

I enjoyed the video, but want to see more extensive footage of the various games before I commit to anything.  I want to be blown away so I know I'm on board 100% with this.  It's a good start and look forward to more gaming video footage.  I think one approach that would be helpful would be to show a clip of the original game, then another of the re-imagined of that same game, like a side by side comparison.  This may help some of us identify with what the Amico is doing to improve upon.  Just a thought.  Also, any chance the Amico will be on display to the general public to try out before you buy it like Intellivision did back in the day with display kiosks? 

We have a long way to go and need to continue to build anticipation along the way.  Lots of different ideas and plans as we ramp up to launch.  We could start featuring a brand new game video every week for the next year if we wanted and still have lots to talk about.  But we need to patient.  Can't blow everything at once.  We are still small with a small reach.  Our big marketing budget doesn't kick in until 2020.  Less than 40,000 views on our last trailer.  It's good... but it isn't in the "millions" like the other companies.  So we know our place, where we want to go and how we're gonna get there.  Roomfuls of super smart people over here plotting the way.

Yes... people will absolutely be able to try out the system in various places!  But when it becomes a huge hit (or you want the Vintage Woodgrain version)... you probably won't be able to find one... so act fast! 

On 8/20/2019 at 8:27 AM, LePionnier said:

I think a lot of people will first play the original game for a few minutes, then play the new ones.

I know you will make bundle of games at a really good price for the Intellivision's game.

But will you also have bundle for games that not appeared on the Intellivision, (like atari 2600, etc ) ? 

 

Thank you.

 

No.  The only "original" game packs will be the Intellivision ones.  We don't think many people will play the originals once they see and play the new ones... but I think it's cool that if folks want access to the original stuff... we give that option.  Only a small percentage of people will actually buy them and we need to be super careful how we present and market them as we don't want to confuse new customers.

On 8/20/2019 at 8:30 AM, GrudgeQ said:

Wow nice job on baking in the CRT look for Breakout - fooled me. Also love the layout switching and adding another layer of goals to a pretty simple game - talk about "competing on ideas" - nice stuff. Quite frankly probably the best word to describe the Amico extended team is "passionate" - I can tell by the social media responses to the new trailer that the passion is spreading too. Troll droppings are getting far & few between and pundits have gone from "DOA" to at minimum "Looks Interesting" & "Worth Watching".

Troll droppings??   HAHAHHAHAHAHA!!!!

I'm totally using that! 

Maybe a new game title? 

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We have a long way to go and need to continue to build anticipation along the way.  Lots of different ideas and plans as we ramp up to launch.  We could start featuring a brand new game video every week for the next year if we wanted and still have lots to talk about.  But we need to patient.  Can't blow everything at once.  We are still small with a small reach.  Our big marketing budget doesn't kick in until 2020.  Less than 40,000 views on our last trailer.  It's good... but it isn't in the "millions" like the other companies.  So we know our place, where we want to go and how we're gonna get there.  Roomfuls of super smart people over here plotting the way.

Yes... people will absolutely be able to try out the system in various places!  But when it becomes a huge hit (or you want the Vintage Woodgrain version)... you probably won't be able to find one... so act fast! 

Tommy, Paul assured me if I preordered one of each colour I’d be able to get a matching Amico kiosk as well to display them in my museum. He wasn’t lying was he? 😂

On 8/20/2019 at 9:44 AM, doug0909 said:

The world does need another Pac Man type game with moving dots like KC Munchkin, but if he pursues that he should of course be careful on light of the legal history. 

 

I thought of a few types of power ups which could enhance a KC Munchkin upgrade... A magnet power up which draws the dots towards you, a power up which returns the monsters to the pen, a power up which stops the dots from moving, maybe even one which fills the whole screen with dots like Pac Man... 

 

Of course, if he looks to licensing games from Philips or whoever owns the rights now, KC's Crazy Chase, which is essentially Pac Man eating Centipede in a maze also including monsters and random trees, could provide some interesting ideas too... 

 

And Blockout/Breakdown could provide some great ideas for multi player breakout (in the O2 game player 2 rebuilt the brick walls as quickly as possible).

We are talking to Namco about mulit-player couch co-op Pac-Man/Ms. Pac-Man.   

On 8/20/2019 at 1:25 PM, First Spear said:

The new video looks great. Congratulations! One thing that is clearly missing, though, is swag. There are Xbox One cups, Playstation mugs, Minecraft mugs, all kinds of stuff. Where is the Intellivision/Amico swag? The world needs it!  

Coming by the end of this year!

18 hours ago, ColdCoffee said:

Are we still going to get a list of the current developers? This was promised to be in the next teaser back in July.

Not yet.  Decided to save that for a little later.  Didn't want to make this trailer too long (like the first one). 

18 hours ago, imstarryeyed said:

Spent a chunk of the day looking at reaction videos for Amico and I have to say, it looks like people are really getting juiced up as we are here!

 

People are talking and in my opinion are now just starting to "get it" and how it can fit into their gaming and family life.

 

I have to say Tommy you sparked something very interesting in me.. I really do want to see so many of our old games re-imagined in a creative way to this new format. I realize some people shudder when they hear about rebooted classics, ugh I think of the reboots of Pong, Missile Command, Space Invaders, Defender that were around in the PS1 era.  I don't me any disrespect if anyone here likes those versions, but most people feel they missed the point in their updates.  Re-imagining games is really an art, keeping the elements that are iconic and tight game play while adding flavor and variety is a tough balancing act.

 

I just bet you guys have so many ideas on the docket of "what could be"..

 

Looking forward to whatever info you leak out now that we have games to talk about!

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the kind words and support!

And YES... we are having WAY TOO MUCH FUN over here!!  And it's showing in all of the end products I believe.  Which is super important.  Everyone here is so passionate about what we're doing and I'm personally handling most of the game design (as well as audio design!) for the first wave of games.  But also as important... have built an incredible team of passionate folks around me as well who have just as many epic ideas as myself.  So much fun!!!!!

7 hours ago, Papy said:

All controllers demand adaptation. Personally, by the time third generation consoles entered the market, I had already switched to computers. I never got used to Nintendo style d-pad and I still find them awkward. People who play games on consoles like the current gamepad design simply because they are used to it.

 

I believe the best controller will always be the one designed specifically for a particular game... and the corollary is that if a game is designed to be played with a particular controller, then people will view the controller as good.

I couldn't agree more!  You nailed it 100%!!!

This is what I keep telling people about the controller.  We are designing the games around it.  I created the controller the way I did with new gameplay and design in mind.  Once people start playing it... they get it immediately.  

But until then... haters gonna hate. 

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

...This is what I keep telling people about the controller.  We are designing the games around it.  I created the controller the way I did with new gameplay and design in mind.  Once people start playing it... they get it immediately.  

But until then... haters gonna hate. 

Good to hear, as one of my favorite games is Asteroids and I'm interested in how your version will work with your new controller.  I use a Starplex controller when I play my Atari 2600/7800 versions of Asteroids. 

7 hours ago, Gamemoose said:

I gotta say-I was pumped. Lots of good retro vibes with some great visual appeal.  This is definitely on my radar now as this might have games my not-so-keen-on-video-games (but likes Atari 2600) wife might play and my Minecraft/Nintendo loving brood might engage in. I could see a fun romp in an updated version of Advanced Dun...er...Cloudy Mountain with multiple players. Though knowing my kids, they'd probably waste each other's character.

 

This may have been asked but are the controllers going to be priced in the same range as Xbox One/PS4 controllers or is it too early to say? 

Additional controllers that will be sold separately will be NO WHERE near the ridiculous price of the PS4 & Xbox One.  Potentially HALF the price!  Also looking to do a family 2-pack.

7 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

I think that is why Tommy keeps saying that Amico games "can't be ported" - I take that to mean "and not keeping the same feel/gameplay" - at least easily. For me the Amico is all about the controllers - or more precisely the array of feedback/inputs/sensors (some of that could be on the console itself). After all today's top of the line console is tomorrow's Raspberry Pi (as the emulator community has shown) - so it isn't about the CPU/GPU chips.

 

First off we have up to 8 controllers - you can put 8 controllers on an XBox but that is over $400 (ouch). For the Amico getting to 8 would be like $200 BUT you can use cell phones for free. For actual inputs we first have a touchscreen, for strategy games that is like the Intellivision number pad but better. Pick the "Factory" icon then the screen changes and you pick "Steel Mill" or "Textile". Also the touchscreen is great for hidden inputs/game info. You can see your poker cards on your controller and the dealer table on the TV or select your trivia answer without others seeing. However for arcade games it is a touchpad/mouse, you won't be 'wheeling' the cursor in Missile Command, you will be swiping/pointing as Tommy has mentioned. Then we have the direction pad/wheel/dial with 360 degree input this time. Could be a steering wheel input but could also just be a giant button, a D Pad or a X directions button (maybe move with the touchpad then fire a different direction with the direction pad). However we also have motion controls, need to toss a dart, jog in place or throw a bowling ball, that will be used in those games. When you are throwing that bowling ball with the motion controls you can release it and also put 'english' on the spin by where you hit the disk - so button and spin direction. Plus we have 4 side buttons, rumble, interactive LED lighting and a mic & speaker which open up even more possibilities.

 

The Amico's inputs are simple, but not simplistic. You are actually getting two iconic Apple popularized inputs - the jog wheel on the ipod and the touch screen on phones. Plus throw in the Nintendo popularized motion controls and whatever else Intellivision has up it's sleeve and you have a unique and powerful input device. Just one that is familiar and easily teachable as opposed to left shoulder-A to round-house kick.

You are SO RIGHT about everything you said.  AND... we have one HUGE surprise that we haven't even announced and won't be until next summer at E3.  It's an absolutely GAME CHANGER!!!  Everyone is gonna freak!

 

2 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

You are SO RIGHT about everything you said.  AND... we have one HUGE surprise that we haven't even announced and won't be until next summer at E3.  It's an absolutely GAME CHANGER!!!  Everyone is gonna freak!

You're buying Atari?

 ..Al

8 minutes ago, Albert said:

You're buying Atari?

 

 ..Al

They wish.

Or should I say... the BACKERS wish? 

excellent new video on the Amico by John Hancock