Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

26 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here's our latest promo trailer.  Let me know your thoughts.

 

 

 

Great video and excellent production value.

I dont know why but I'm a sucker for the camera changes where you and Cara aren't looking at the camera and we get a side view.

Its oddly satisfying to watch someone not talk at you.

Lol

19 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

Good stuff Tommy.  I thought the promo trailer was great.  It was nice getting to see Cara for the first time and hearing her perspective on Amico.  I like your Spider-Man collection by the way.  😃 

Tommy needs to get his massive retro console/game collection organized so the next one can have all those systems in the background (of course with the various versions of Intellivision front and center).

My one critique of the new video is there isn't a long 20 minute shot of John Alvarado....

You know a long slow close up of him working hard.  Perhaps pondering one more feature to add to the phone app.  Maybe on the phone helping a developer.  Or just at the beach collecting sea shells and skipping stones. 

Whatever you'd like Tommy; it's your choice.  I mean there HAS to be more John Alvarado - you dont have a choice in THAT part.  But you choose the setting and the occasion.   Totally up to you.

☺😊

48 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

Personally I would love to watch videos of "TJ" singing re-written ZZ Top songs with a hint of an Amico theme thrown in there for good measure.  Just imagine hearing him belt out these awesome one-liners!...

 

"Give me all your Amico.  All your games and controllers too!"

"Cause every girl crazy 'bout an Amico man!"

"She's got Amico.  She knows how to use it!"

"I said Lord take me downtown, I'm just lookin' for some Amico!"

 

😀😀😀

THIS needs to happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I believe that the video will help prospective buyers to make a decision. Good Job on all of the videos so far. Can’t wait to see more in the future.

Jeffrey

Another cool thing I noticed on the video was Cara's background. It feels like she's being interviewed in Julius Caesar's palace.

2 hours ago, Michael Garvey said:

There are some interviews with the back shown.  Wait until you see my interview with Tommy.  I ask him about the back and he goes into discussion a lot about the design decisions. 

 

I will get it out as soon as possible...gotta work with my sons on that end.

 

🙂

 

By the way, thanks @Tommy Tallarico for a great interview. 

Yeah!  Thanks to you!!

Can't wait for you to share it with everyone in here. 

Definitely spoke about stuff that hasn't been mentioned before.

9 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Another cool thing I noticed on the video was Cara's background. It feels like she's being interviewed in Julius Caesar's palace.

That's actually my dining room. 

10 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Would it be in bad taste if we were to speculate and provide our guesses on the secret Tommy may reveal  soon about the controllers, like blaring out the punchline of someone else's joke?

 

hoping not...

 

1) Controller face hinges up revealing an original Intellivision controller as a secondary

2) Touch screen can receive IE’s new, to be announced streaming service

3) They’re working on the next iteration controller that includes a camera with 5 separate lenses
4) They communicate with the master component via 6G

5) The screen can be folded (without breaking)

6) They’re HOLOGRAPHIC!

7) They can double as wakie-talkies - with a direct line to Tommy

8- They can accommodate augmented reality

9) You have to put quarters in them to play the retro games (and will randomly steal them)

10) They are Atmos enabled

11) They each have their own personality, like: JARVIS, KITT, L3-37, MU-TH-R, HAL9000, skyNet (hope none of the last 3)

12) Comes with a headset adaptor so a pair of controllers can be turned into Amico-VR!

13) IE reviews their new logo...

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here's our latest promo trailer.  Let me know your thoughts.

 

 

 

This video is a perfect this is Amico video for anyone looking for information either just learning about it or wondering what it’s about.

After I decided I didn’t really get my monies worth out of the PS3 I honestly thought if I was going to play games it would be on a legacy system then here came Intellivision back into the ring with a focus on the type of gaming I missed so I am very excited to spread the word 

1 hour ago, jaybird3rd said:

I would not disagree with you.  If nothing else, it's become too big and unwieldy to maintain, so at some point we'll need to decide what to do with it.

NO!  If you close it down, they will just come over here.  Let them have their space to do with as they please.  They are apparently happy, or it would die on its own. 

14 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

NO!  If you close it down, they will just come over here.  Let them have their space to do with as they please.  They are apparently happy, or it would die on its own. 

They already tried that and have mostly all been banned already as they weren't capable of following simple forum rules set forth by AA.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

The first cut was about 25 minutes!!  

 

 

PERFECT!  
 

While myself and most of us here would likely want the 25 minute version, this wasn't made for us.  It hit on a lot of points (not all of them by a long shot) and is right sized for its intent. Great work!
 

The one thing I learned from the video is that Tommy is obviously of the opinion that it is his left that is his better side (both look good to me, and no, I don’t have a man crush). 

Great video, bullseye both for the target market and the casually skeptical.  I think it was worth talking about the background of the Amico team and explaining the links back to the original Intellivision, why it was important, and how it relates today.

Plus you said 'disrupter' enough times to get a Millennial's attention!  Good work!

22 minutes ago, supahwally said:

Great video, bullseye both for the target market and the casually skeptical.  I think it was worth talking about the background of the Amico team and explaining the links back to the original Intellivision, why it was important, and how it relates today.

 

Plus you said 'disrupter' enough times to get a Millennial's attention!  Good work!

The word "disrupter" gives investors big chubbies.

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here's our latest promo trailer.  Let me know your thoughts.

 

 

 

Bravi!

I loved it!  Few things I noted.  Constructive criticism of course, which just comes across as picking tons of nits because, well, you're justly going to get a ton of kudos.  So I nominated myself for nitpicker, and agreed with myself that I was a good nominee.. anyway:

• I love talking about market disruption.  Just not to a casual audience, it's too business-specific, 'disrupt' is a negative verb, even used in a positive message, may miss its mark.  Once is easily missed but I picked up on the second mention.  Maybe "shake things up", "reboot what we always wanted gaming to be", "revolutionize", "change the direction", "correct what's missing" instead... could find their way into that point and convey the same intent.
• When you show the clip from the initial reveal trailer of classic Intellivision games, it's all sports games.  A space-themed cover would harken back to older gaming.  One of the educational titles would work well in that scroll too, to showcase Intellivision's mission 40 years ago of including educational/edutainment software.
• I would nix "Halo LAN parties" for this audience in referencing family co-op.. families generally won't have a connection to what a LAN party is/was, and may have more of a 2000s computer lab/cafe association - NBA Jam may be a more popular home title that was VERY much associated with local couch co-op and wasn't overtly violent, has broader appeal to the modern audience.
• "That's the most important things, Trust, and Value, with our consumers".  would customers or audience be better terms?  I always think of consumer in the academic, economics sense, or a sterile news report.  When a company is talking about its consumers, it sends a conflicting message - someone who consumes. 
• RFID should probably have a brief phrase with it, "the whole system even has RFID, so you can seamlessly share your games and we can do some unique things across the entire unit"
• Original IPs as a category should probably be "New and Original Games" - I think a large part of the audience won't be familiar with "IP"
• "We have edutainment and kids".. opportunity to push that these are learning and creative games, but designed for parents and kids to play and enjoy together.  That's killer.  Parents have glossed over VTech and Leapsters in the past years (less lately as they've disappeared from the market).. but app games and these were solitary.  Very little that strikes me as entertaining for child AND adult.  And that makes the best family movies - concepts that are themes and jokes and silliness a kid will smile and enjoy, with some fun references or somewhat intermediate themes an adult would find satisfaction in sitting through.  Most edutainment software/apps out there fall short on both fronts.  Highlight this!!
• When Cara says why the controller is unique about the private information and different interface, may be the moment to segue into the intended simplicity of the controller: rather than 15 buttons and trying to remember what everything does, we're making games that get at the core gameplay without getting so complex, and use the screen in innovative, interactive ways.
• When talking about the team and who came on board - maybe a good point to reinforce that they saw the mission, that they believe in what Amico is doing.  When you said "I got the guy who brought Tetris to the world", could be taken as assembling this crack-team of legendary figures (well, to be fair.. it is).  But a more appealing angle may just be how they bought into the vision.  That's powerful.
• "We have purchase orders in our hands"... I'd add "for the biggest retailers, so you're going to see us at the stores where you shop."

General aesthetic suggestions

• I know this had to be filmed at Casa Tallarico - with Covid, location shoots are going to be harder than ever.  I found myself inadvertently meandering about the Spiderman room and the Egyptian themed room for Cara's segments.. a speaker in one and a more muted or less themed setting would've been less distracting I think?  Hard to say.  I've watched all the interviews and a lot of older footage so I'm not watching with the same new eyes someone else may be.. I'm on here like, "oh I saw that in an episode of MTV Cribs or Video Games Live Meet Tommy video, I know that room!".  ... and restraining order in five.. four..   🙂   Just my observation and probably making more than I had to of it.  
• Although I won't apologize for scolding whoever approved a blue denim shirt in a heavily blue Spiderman room.  No.  No.  Bad wardrobe assistant.  [Tommy's wife reads, has some choice words, gets on the phone with Jaybird]  And forum ban in five.. four..

Again, just things to kick around at the virtual office.  Or not.  Seriously, it was a great video.  I'd find points to critique The Godfather so take it with a surgeon's general warning about the dose of salt...  Can't wait to see more content like this making its way into the world. 

7 minutes ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

Bravi!

 

I loved it!  Few things I noted.  Constructive criticism of course, which just comes across as picking tons of nits because, well, you're justly going to get a ton of kudos.  So I nominated myself for nitpicker, and agreed with myself that I was a good nominee.. anyway:

 

• I love talking about market disruption.  Just not to a casual audience, it's too business-specific, 'disrupt' is a negative verb, even used in a positive message, may miss its mark.  Once is easily missed but I picked up on the second mention.  Maybe "shake things up", "reboot what we always wanted gaming to be", "revolutionize", "change the direction", "correct what's missing" instead... could find their way into that point and convey the same intent.
• When you show the clip from the initial reveal trailer of classic Intellivision games, it's all sports games.  A space-themed cover would harken back to older gaming.  One of the educational titles would work well in that scroll too, to showcase Intellivision's mission 40 years ago of including educational/edutainment software.
• I would nix "Halo LAN parties" for this audience.. won't know what a LAN party is and may have more of a 2000s computer lab/cafe association - NBA Jam may be a more popular home title that was VERY much associated with local couch co-op and wasn't overtly violent, has broader appeal to the modern audience.
• "That's the most important things, Trust, and Value, with our consumers".  would customers or audience be better terms?  I always think of consumer in the academic, economics sense, or a sterile news report.  When a company is talking about its consumers, it sends a conflicting message - someone who consumes. 
• RFID should probably have a brief phrase with it, "the whole system even has RFID, so you can seamlessly share your games and we can do some unique things across the entire unit"
• Original IPs as a category should probably be "New and Original Games" - I think a large part of the audience won't be familiar with "IP"
• "We have edutainment and kids".. opportunity to push that these are learning and creative games, but designed for parents and kids to play and enjoy together.  That's killer.  Parents have glossed over VTech and Leapsters in the past years (less lately as they've disappeared from the market).. but app games and these were solitary.  Very little that strikes me as entertaining for child AND adult.  And that makes the best family movies - concepts that are themes and jokes and silliness a kid will smile and enjoy, with some fun references or somewhat intermediate themes an adult would find satisfaction in sitting through.  Most edutainment software/apps out there fall short on both fronts.  Highlight this!!
• When Cara says why the controller is unique about the private information and different interface, may be the moment to segue into the intended simplicity of the controller: rather than 15 buttons and trying to remember what everything does, we're making games that get at the core gameplay without getting so complex, and use the screen in innovative, interactive ways.
• When talking about the team and who came on board - maybe a good point to reinforce that they saw the mission, that they believe in what Amico is doing.  When you said "I got the guy who brought Tetris to the world", could be taken as assembling this crack-team of legendary figures (well, to be fair.. it is).  But a more appealing angle may just be how they bought into the vision.  That's powerful.
• "We have purchase orders in our hands"... I'd add "for the biggest retailers, so you're going to see us at the stores where you shop."

 

General aesthetic suggestions

• I know this had to be filmed at Casa Tallarico - with Covid, location shoots are going to be harder than ever.  I found myself inadvertently meandering about the Spiderman room and the Egyptian themed room for Cara's segments.. a speaker in one and a more muted or less themed setting would've been less distracting I think?  Hard to say.  I've watched all the interviews and a lot of older footage so I'm not watching with the same new eyes someone else may be.. I'm on here like, "oh I saw that in an episode of MTV Cribs or Video Games Live Meet Tommy video, I know that room!".  ... and restraining order in five.. four..   🙂   Just my observation and probably making more than I had to of it.  
• Although I won't apologize for scolding whoever approved a blue denim shirt in a heavily blue Spiderman room.  No.  No.  Bad wardrobe assistant.  [Tommy's wife reads, has some choice words, gets on the phone with Jaybird]  And forum ban in five.. four..

 

Again, just things to kick around at the virtual office.  Or not.  Seriously, it was a great video.  Can't wait to see more content like this making its way into the world. 

Excellent feedback. Forget banning you, Tommy should be looking to hire you in five...four.... 😊👍🏻

12 minutes ago, 8bitgamer said:

Here are my thoughts on the new Aimco promo video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHF4AooX9Is

Best opening line EVER!  

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here's our latest promo trailer.  Let me know your thoughts.

 

Excellent.  This is what I was talking about in regards to the last Meet Amico videos.  This was concise, on point, focused, and well lit.  Really enjoyed it.  And Tommy, your tone of voice was so calming.

The part that really struck me were the shots of what modern multiplayer gaming looks like today.  The close-ups of expressionless kids, almost zombie like, was very powerful. I was thinking that IE and Amico needs to keep up with that messaging.  Amico isn't what you think about when you think of video games. It's not mobile gaming. Amico is its own category of gaming. It's like something we've seen before, but at the same time it's like nothing we've ever seen before. It's taking the best parts from the other gaming categories, cutting out the garbage, and making something unique. Something everyone can enjoy together again.  Love it.

7 minutes ago, cmart604 said:

Excellent feedback. Forget banning you, Tommy should be looking to hire you in five...four.... 😊👍🏻

Oh I'm evidently hired.  I haven't heard from Marcia in HR, but, our good friend-of-the-forum Tony let me know I'm on payroll.

Check's are slow in coming, but, Intellivision's busy, I don't want to bother anybody.  Still have a few boxes of ramen left..  ::painfully awkward tummy growls::

2 minutes ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

Oh I'm evidently hired.  I haven't heard from Marcia in HR, but, our good friend-of-the-forum Tony let me know I'm on payroll.

 

 

 

Check's are slow in coming, but, Intellivision's busy, I don't want to bother anybody.  Still have a few boxes of ramen left..  ::painfully awkward tummy growls::

Hahahahaha! What an asshat that guy is. I honestly don't understand folks spending their time on things they don't like. Keep creating excellent content and informative posts. 👍🏻

10 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Best opening line EVER!  

 

 

Ha ha, thanks

18 minutes ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

Bravi!

 

I loved it!  Few things I noted.  Constructive criticism of course, which just comes across as picking tons of nits because, well, you're justly going to get a ton of kudos.  So I nominated myself for nitpicker, and agreed with myself that I was a good nominee.. anyway:

 

• I love talking about market disruption.  Just not to a casual audience, it's too business-specific, 'disrupt' is a negative verb, even used in a positive message, may miss its mark.  Once is easily missed but I picked up on the second mention.  Maybe "shake things up", "reboot what we always wanted gaming to be", "revolutionize", "change the direction", "correct what's missing" instead... could find their way into that point and convey the same intent.
• When you show the clip from the initial reveal trailer of classic Intellivision games, it's all sports games.  A space-themed cover would harken back to older gaming.  One of the educational titles would work well in that scroll too, to showcase Intellivision's mission 40 years ago of including educational/edutainment software.
• I would nix "Halo LAN parties" for this audience in referencing family co-op.. families generally won't have a connection to what a LAN party is/was, and may have more of a 2000s computer lab/cafe association - NBA Jam may be a more popular home title that was VERY much associated with local couch co-op and wasn't overtly violent, has broader appeal to the modern audience.
• "That's the most important things, Trust, and Value, with our consumers".  would customers or audience be better terms?  I always think of consumer in the academic, economics sense, or a sterile news report.  When a company is talking about its consumers, it sends a conflicting message - someone who consumes. 
• RFID should probably have a brief phrase with it, "the whole system even has RFID, so you can seamlessly share your games and we can do some unique things across the entire unit"
• Original IPs as a category should probably be "New and Original Games" - I think a large part of the audience won't be familiar with "IP"
• "We have edutainment and kids".. opportunity to push that these are learning and creative games, but designed for parents and kids to play and enjoy together.  That's killer.  Parents have glossed over VTech and Leapsters in the past years (less lately as they've disappeared from the market).. but app games and these were solitary.  Very little that strikes me as entertaining for child AND adult.  And that makes the best family movies - concepts that are themes and jokes and silliness a kid will smile and enjoy, with some fun references or somewhat intermediate themes an adult would find satisfaction in sitting through.  Most edutainment software/apps out there fall short on both fronts.  Highlight this!!
• When Cara says why the controller is unique about the private information and different interface, may be the moment to segue into the intended simplicity of the controller: rather than 15 buttons and trying to remember what everything does, we're making games that get at the core gameplay without getting so complex, and use the screen in innovative, interactive ways.
• When talking about the team and who came on board - maybe a good point to reinforce that they saw the mission, that they believe in what Amico is doing.  When you said "I got the guy who brought Tetris to the world", could be taken as assembling this crack-team of legendary figures (well, to be fair.. it is).  But a more appealing angle may just be how they bought into the vision.  That's powerful.
• "We have purchase orders in our hands"... I'd add "for the biggest retailers, so you're going to see us at the stores where you shop."

 

General aesthetic suggestions

• I know this had to be filmed at Casa Tallarico - with Covid, location shoots are going to be harder than ever.  I found myself inadvertently meandering about the Spiderman room and the Egyptian themed room for Cara's segments.. a speaker in one and a more muted or less themed setting would've been less distracting I think?  Hard to say.  I've watched all the interviews and a lot of older footage so I'm not watching with the same new eyes someone else may be.. I'm on here like, "oh I saw that in an episode of MTV Cribs or Video Games Live Meet Tommy video, I know that room!".  ... and restraining order in five.. four..   🙂   Just my observation and probably making more than I had to of it.  
• Although I won't apologize for scolding whoever approved a blue denim shirt in a heavily blue Spiderman room.  No.  No.  Bad wardrobe assistant.  [Tommy's wife reads, has some choice words, gets on the phone with Jaybird]  And forum ban in five.. four..

 

Again, just things to kick around at the virtual office.  Or not.  Seriously, it was a great video.  I'd find points to critique The Godfather so take it with a surgeon's general warning about the dose of salt...  Can't wait to see more content like this making its way into the world. 

A lot of great suggestions and comments!  I appreciate the feedback. 

About half of the things on your list were in there but cut for time. 

This was part of a bigger and longer "business/investor/retailer" presentation which is why words like "distrupter" and "consumer" were intentionally used.  When it comes times to really start talking to the folks we need to... the wording will definitely be different.  GOOD EYE/EAR though for picking up on that!

Thanks again for the detailed response!

Oh... wait a second...  I just forgot... I can't take criticism... remember??

In that case...

SCREW YOU BUDDY!!


😂