Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... we're definitely needing to change our announcement plans.  Still talking about it. 

 

Big meeting later today about it.  If anyone has any ideas... now's the time to let me know!

 

Having a live stream is really the only option... but if I can get a big celebrity that could help.  Of course if money was no object I'd get something like Aerosmith or a Video Games Live show happening throughout the announcements/stream... that would be pretty epic!

 

But trying not to spend that kind of money at this point... especially when we don't know how many units we'll be able to produce this year.

 

Anyway... please throw out some ideas and try to keep the "budget" in check. 

 

Maybe I've just watched one too many interviews with Tommy, but I keep thinking of phrases he uses over and over. 

I keep imagining a series of videos that say something like, "What if I told you there was a video game console the whole family could play?" Or "Just imagine a game controller that anyone could use..." "Just imagine a different kind of family game night..."  "Just imagine."  And it goes on like that for a few seconds with shots of the games, families playing together, the controller.  And then it ends with a nice view of Amico and the line, "Wouldn't that be something?"  Intellivision Amico, Together Again, 10-10-2020.  

Or having Aerosmith live, singing Livin' on the Edge would be cool too.  Or I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.  I mean, whatever they want.

6 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

Video Games Live show happening throughout the announcements/stream... that would be pretty epic!

This would be epic. The family and I saw one of your shows (few years back) in Houston.  Our sons still talk about that day👍

1 hour ago, 1001lives said:

 

I'll be the first to apologize if you've felt attacked. Occasionally there's a level of paranoia about people's true intentions because a lot of people love to be critical and seem to enjoy wishing failure lately. There's only one location the "footbath" thing took off - and that's from AtariAge
 

I should have clarified, out of the "dozen" number of people you mentioned that were banned - not all - but several have been seen commenting on Pat and Ian's videos and have been seen elsewhere provoking negative discussion. They tried to do it in this very thread (especially around Founder's Edition time). Several more of them used similar arguments that Pat and Ian used in the threads on AtariAge like in the Independent thread. So either they are of the same mindset, or they were just getting their ideas from them. And while maybe not every single one of them comments on Pat and Ian's crap, that mindset (especially the "footbath") prevails and lives on AtariAge. A lot of them just want another Taco thread so they can collectively mock something everyday. There's no way to prove it but several other commentors also mention the "footbath" and it only popped up on Pat and Ian's videos after that discussion started on here.

 

 

I just wanted to help clarify for you, there is a certain level of anecdotal evidence - and while that may not be direct proof for you, because some aren't going to use the same usernames they do on here that they do on Youtube, it's pretty evident what's happening with a certain group. They also despise getting called out in this thread, because as much as they deserve to be called out, it's pointless. So I'm going to drop it here.

 

Again, I apologize if you've ever felt attacked by me.

Especially that Tony TGD! I would like to knock his teeth out. Sorry for being negative, but that dude is just annoying!

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Big meeting later today about it.  If anyone has any ideas... now's the time to let me know!

I would say, do most of what you were planning for E3 in a livestream or pre-recorded format. It makes the most sense to focus on a few big things. 

Maybe the big 3

The Console - what makes it different, the design, the lighting system, specs, charging, ports, etc.

The Controllers - what makes them what they are, lighting system, touch screen

The Games - so, along with everything else, a big games blowout, with footage of them being played, the controller interaction, etc. 

That to me would be an E3 worthy presentation. But I'm sure you've already thought of all this! 

1 hour ago, timbofry1 said:

For those who played the original, I'm sure you remember...when you were the jockey, you could crack the whip twice during a single race.  When you did this, the horse sprinted and sped up for a short period of time.  After the second whip, the horse would speed up but would then slow to a halt after the sprint, totally out of gas.  So, if you cracked the second whip too soon, you were screwed...you had to time it so the horse sprinted through the finish line, or else he would slow down to a slow trot and everyone else would pass you.

Yep! That's why I never used it ! What I liked was the bets ! So when I play horse racing, I don't really play ... lol 😉

But I'm someone who likes probabilities, etc. So I bet.

Lately I have been doing the same with my son. But it's not money, these are points that we bet! lol 🙄

1 hour ago, poconojo said:

Especially that Tony TGD! I would like to knock his teeth out. Sorry for being negative, but that dude is just annoying!

Now, now just because someone is a pathological liar, only interesting in a vain attempt to validate himself as a 'journalist' and a pathetic excuse for a human being doesn't mean he should come to violence. Really you can't let them get to you, they are trying to drive away people and discussion by creating a toxic atmosphere. Don't let these little back biting parasites win.

Somehow... This thread reminds me of this cartoon.

2 hours ago, timbofry1 said:

I have a story about horse racing I've been wanting to share.  For those who played the original, I'm sure you remember...when you were the jockey, you could crack the whip twice during a single race.  When you did this, the horse sprinted and sped up for a short period of time.  After the second whip, the horse would speed up but would then slow to a halt after the sprint, totally out of gas.  So, if you cracked the second whip too soon, you were screwed...you had to time it so the horse sprinted through the finish line, or else he would slow down to a slow trot and everyone else would pass you.  One friend we used to play with always whipped too soon, he would get this big lead and then his horse would run out of gas early and he'd finish last by a long-shot.  Well, we started using the terminology in life, "pony whipping."  For example, when we were old enough to drink...if someone started drinking too much too early in the night, we'd say: "don't pony whip", meaning pace himself or he might pass out early.  Eventually, the terminology simply applied to when you were tired, not necessarily from drinking or anything else in particular.  To this day, when I get together with these friends, we still use this terminology, 40 or so years later.  If we are really tired, you might say, I am pony-whipped...or simply, I am PWed.  Good stuff.  Loved the Intellivision and wish I had the Amico now!

Hahaha!  Awesome story!  Thanks for sharing.

Yeah... that pony whipping was also a BIG part of winning (or losing!) races!  And it seemed like each horse had it's own pattern (although it may have just been random).  Something so simple as timing your whip creates such a fantastic gamplay and strategy element.  These are the kind of simple touches that make all the difference and I find are missing in a lot of gaming today.

35 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

Yep! That's why I never used it ! What I liked was the bets ! So when I play horse racing, I don't really play ... lol 😉

Same here, I always felt I was 'messing up' the probabilities if I influenced the income, so when playing solo, it was me against the odds makers.  

Playing with other people was about playing it as a game and taunting people you bet on who failed you by underperforming. 🙂

Okay... after THIS Twitter post I've finally decided to completely GIVE UP on trying to figure people out.

If someone here wants to give it a shot... please... be my guest. 

OK... gotta get back to playing the new build of Moon Patrol!  Hot off the presses!!! 

Here's an example of an open-minded gamer who will totally embrace Amico when it comes out.

Or, as Tommy said, humans are weird.

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Okay... after THIS Twitter post I've finally decided to completely GIVE UP on trying to figure people out.

 

If someone here wants to give it a shot... please... be my guest. 

 

 

 

 

"And still you call me co-dependant. Somehow you laid the blame on me"

10 minutes ago, BiffMan said:

Playing with other people was about playing it as a game and taunting people you bet on who failed you by underperforming.

My teenage friend John used to play & say "Jo Mama" all the time until Mom kicked us out of the house. So we went to his house to play Atari & say Jo Mama there.😁

4 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

Here's an example of an open-minded gamer who will totally embrace Amico when it comes out.

 

Or, as Tommy said, humans are weird.

 

Now that's Epic!

2 hours ago, BiffMan said:

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Big meeting later today about it.  If anyone has any ideas... now's the time to let me know!

I recommend posting extremely detailed information...... about.........John Alvarado's personal details.... 

And sending it directly to Michael Garvey. "

Yeah I think I read and quoted @BiffMan correctly.

I'm pretty sure I qouted him exactly.

Yeah that's it.

🤔

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Anyway... please throw out some ideas and try to keep the "budget" in check.

• I like the idea of doing at least some/most of it as pre-recorded segments to keep the quality high & message tight ala the Nintendo Directs.
• Maybe you can get some music/media/game dev folks just to do a quick "Good Luck To Amico" videos to put into a montage (to get some of that celebrity effect without direct endorsement).
• Maybe a give away to "Win your own Amico"; you could pitch at the beginning & announce the winner at the end (or do it later on social media to spread the news cycle a bit).
• Hard with all of this Covid nonsense going on but maybe you could try to get some 'real people', even if just family or friends, to do some short game play segments to bring home the realness & accessibility of the console. Hand shot cell phone footage from behind the couch with people playing might even be better than a slick production video for this purpose. Real people, real play, real fun.
• I would definitely get Hans & Sumeet involved in a little segment to show "people around the world" enjoying the Amico (hammering home the message it is an international product and you have international offices).
• Might be good to try to get a notable mommy blogger (or alternately a child psychologist with a PHD) to do a short clip on the important of providing children with safe play environments (this would be a low cost endorsement with high 'cred' value).
• Since you will probably refer some to the history of Intellivision, it might be good to bring back some old commercials with the "Atari Boy" (sorry I can't remember his name) as a cold open. Play part of the old commercial, then switch to him saying he is became a Intellivision convert and now-a-days he is playing the Amico (another low cost endorsement & low production costs).

10 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Okay... after THIS Twitter post I've finally decided to completely GIVE UP on trying to figure people out.

 

If someone here wants to give it a shot... please... be my guest. 

 

 

 

 

 

OK... gotta get back to playing the new build of Moon Patrol!  Hot off the presses!!! 

 

 

Why we need better mental health treatment in this country. Do it for this guy - do it for Tony & Fiasco. The need is real!

12 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

Here's an example of an open-minded gamer who will totally embrace Amico when it comes out.

 

Seems like a pleasant fellow to spend a pandemic stay at home order with. I bet he has lots of friends. 🙄

3 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

Seems like a pleasant fellow to spend a stay at home order with. I bet he has lots of friends. 🙄

If being a gamer means you can "easily put 300+ (hours) in all of our games" then I definitely don't want to be considered one. Maybe it's just me, but as an adult, I don't have that much time to play games.  Nor would I want to.  Games are a form of entertainment, they're not the reason for living.

Just now, vongruetz said:

If being a gamer means you can "easily put 300+ (hours) in all of our games" then I definitely don't want to be considered one. Maybe it's just me, but as an adult, I don't have that much time to play games.  Nor would I want to.  Games are a form of entertainment, they're not the reason for living.

The whole "we be friends" part gets me. 

You can't maintain friendships if you're spending 300+ hours in front of a TV screen, calling total strangers homophobic names remotely through a headset, all day & night.

The Twitter guy seems nice. I mean, he probably has enough money to buy toys that he's not 100% sure he will like. He will probably learn that this is not an Ouya by himself.

So yeah, he doesn't seem the same guy that used to come here and write 40 lines about how the Amico was a disaster "but you know I am on your side, Tommy". 😐

In any case, kids: Don't buy things you don't like. It's weird.

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... we're definitely needing to change our announcement plans.  Still talking about it. 

 

Big meeting later today about it.  If anyone has any ideas... now's the time to let me know!

 

Having a live stream is really the only option... but if I can get a big celebrity that could help.  Of course if money was no object I'd get something like Aerosmith or a Video Games Live show happening throughout the announcements/stream... that would be pretty epic!

 

But trying not to spend that kind of money at this point... especially when we don't know how many units we'll be able to produce this year.

 

Anyway... please throw out some ideas and try to keep the "budget" in check. 

 

I think the idea of something pre recorded is a universal yes in here.

But I would add that starting next week with Review Tech USA, you should make the rounds with YouTubers.

What about Rerez (you talked to them over a year ago so nows a good time to catch up).  The same thing with Dreamcast Guy and others you've had interviews with but it's been a while.

Blow this thing wide open.  Reveal it all.  Show them things and get them excited because their fans will in turn be excited. 

Also it will help them out at this time when things are somewhat down.

Another person would be Colin Moriarty.  He's a big Playstation fan but he also just put out his own game.  Explain to him how that game could easily have its definitive addition on the Amico. 

Then end the week or month with you doing an interview with Victor Lucas on his show.

I just think you going through the gambit of YouTube personalities and ending with Victor would be great.

Another Avenue would be mom influencers and a certain kid would opens up toys and now has his own TV show....it would be interesting to somehow get him involved with an early build of the console and have him play it.

just some ideas....

2 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

The Twitter guy seems nice. I mean, he probably has enough money to buy toys that he's not 100% sure he will like. He will probably learn that this is not an Ouya by himself.

 

So yeah, he doesn't seem the same guy that used to come here and write 40 lines about how the Amico was a disaster "but you know I am on your side, Tommy". 😐

 

In any case, kids: Don't buy things you don't like. It's weird.

Kids don't buy things. They don't have jobs. Their parents do.... Vongruetz's  snot-nosed little "real gamer" punk too.

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

but if I can get a big celebrity that could help.

I think a known popular comedian would be a great way to go. Someone older but still well liked who is old enough to remember the original intellivision etc.  . I mean someone like Rob Riggle would make the whole thing so much fun.  Just spit balling, but Im sure you guys have friends and/or friends of friends who knows  etc    Doesnt everyone in Hollywood know everyone else  /s

One good thing, everyone is available right now. 

3 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

I think a known popular comedian would be a great way to go. Someone older but still well liked who is old enough to remember the original intellivision etc.  . I mean someone like Rob Riggle would make the whole thing so much fun.  Just spit balling, but Im sure you guys have friends and/or friends of friends who knows  etc    Doesnt everyone in Hollywood know everyone else  /s

I think Louis CK is available. 

"Uh'... Hide!"