Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

About the FigureItOutCast:

- The host just gave a thumps up to a very informative comment about the Amico from an user called Tom and Karen Dinardis:

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About the Amico - it is true that only retro gamers (and fans of the original Intellivision like myself) are most likely the only people who are actively learning about this system and interacting with Tommy at this point. Yes he is intense, and I can see how some could be turned off by his aggressive sales pitch, but there is no question that he cares deeply about this project and surrounded himself with other industry veterans. That, and the fact that he is willing to engage with and do interviews with just about anybody is a bizarre and refreshing thing for a company CEO, in my opinion.

I'm pretty sure the the real advertising hasn't begun yet, when the big push towards the family couch co-op angle is driven home. I'm also not assuming that people will buy a 'big 3' console OR the Amico...rather this could be a supplemental console in the house that is used solely to game on together in the same room. As a gen x-er Intellivision fan, I'm excited to see what these remakes of the originals will offer, but as a parent of 4 kids who spend every waking hour in their darkened rooms with headphones on unless pried off with a crowbar or threatened, I'm down with what this could mean for many, many families who can identify with this dynamic.

- LordRayken is trying to convince the guy to do an interview with Tommy. 🙃

4 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

12 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

Will we see this Imagic game?  It was a European exclusive.  It was also on other consoles at the time.  It's the only Imagic title that did not see a US release.

 

That would be epic!

Yeah it would be. 

If only there was somebody in charge over there that could say "Make it happen!", but I guess Phil Spencer doesn't work for Intellivision, so we can only dream.😈

6 hours ago, OEB_Pete said:

All I got to say this is one fraking Box I cannot fraking wait to open very very very carefully.  I am going to do it in a very surgical way as  to not to hurt the lil guy.    

You should do 2 videos.  One surgically way. The other the alter ego, hulk, rip and tear way.  I'm only kidding. 

4 hours ago, Blarneo said:

And while we're on the subject... Doesn't Tommy look like his hat has a propellor on it?

I've wondered if the switch to the fan has shorten out?  I never seen it off after he turned it on few interviews ago.  I should program a game about Tommy's fan.  I feel like that fan is making the room float into the air for some reason.

Yeah, that latest Pat and Ian video.  Tommy already has a working prototype since last year.  I believe it's 100% funded and they're ready to manufacturer the unit, but I think they are waiting for the scarce memory component to be available.   I believe Tommy's 80% complete with the product.  Pre-order isn't crowd funding since that money is 100% refundable.  I don't think he can use that money toward anything.  Also, I think Tommy is pretty wealthy and this is a passion project of his.

I think I kinda know what Mad reaction's question is to be.
Tommy stated it could use different controllers in Rich's video, since the unit uses Bluetooth, and it's depends on the game themselves.  Like you would prefer to use the Xbox or PS4 controller to play Astrosmash, D&D. 

One idea I had in mind is to use a plastic overlay over the Amico touch screen with the number pad being cut out to allow the finger to touch the screen. Or other way, I don't know if multiple small holes would allow the finger to pass through and keep the overlay information button intact.  I know Atari big kid controller that have huge overlay have raised button like Cookie Monster, I believe the cookie button is textured.  That's something to see that you can add something to feel on to the overlay that people don't have to look down and see what you hit.  You tend to memorize the button layout over time anyway.   

Why do you still call Tommy's fan a fan? It has been bought by Tommy, so it's obviously a shill!

(Interesting) offtopic: One of my favorite bands from California, Mr. Bungle, just reunited live after 20 years!

After a short intro where they covered a Mr. Rogers song, they proceeded to play their full death metal demo they created as teenagers (after the 1985 demo, titled The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny, they turned to funk jazz metal and folk, among others).

7 hours ago, Jake67 said:

I just played Scramble earlier today on the Vectrex (Mame). I loved Scramble as a kid, but I came to a sobering reality playing it tonight... I’m not up for the constant thumb mashing in games like that anymore. It was fine in the arcade because the button control was different and it was easier to switch fingers. Plus, there was youth to back me up. 

 

And then there was a similar arcade game, Vanguard. I forget if they were just variations of one another, or what the deal was. Loved playing it, though.

It's not the first time that I saw someone talking about MAME. (Tommy also did)

Do you know a site that it is safe to download it ?

Thank you.

1 hour ago, IntelliMission said:

Why do you still call Tommy's fan a fan? It has been bought by Tommy, so it's obviously a shill!

I like fans.  I am obsessed with fans when I was very young child.  It's a cool fan.  Yes, it should be shilling that room making it cooler.

13 hours ago, NTV said:

I just assume these people don't have any friends or live in a bubble. Some of my best memories of my early to mid 20's was playing games on the Intellivision with my family and friends. Had some great parties, lots of screaming, yelling, laughing and trash talking. Did some of the same with the Wii. Can't do that with the current game machines, too complicated, too in-depth. Games need to be simple and fun so all can play regardless of their previous gaming experience or abilities. I do not understand why some of these gamers just don't get it. Get off your high horse and plant your feet on the ground.

Yes, and what I have trouble understanding is why so many people worry about the sucsess and and/or how many people that might find it interesting or not, instead of focusing on if this would be something they would enjoy. Even if the 40-50 games that right now are in development would be the only ones to ever be made for the system and IE would go out of business within a year, it would still be worth the price for me, being able to play 40-50 couch co-op games with my family & friends for many years. I can think of many products with much lower value for money, but you learn to not lose any sleep over it I guess😅

15 minutes ago, Kiwi said:

I like fans.  I am obsessed with fans when I was very young child.  It's a cool fan.  Yes, it should be shilling that room making it cooler.

Is it just me or a ceiling light no longer works ? 🙄

Probably a short circuit when Tommy finally decided to turn on his fan! lol 😆

6 hours ago, Relicgamer said:

Ok did I see that right.  You put a Atari 5200 label in front of a magnavox odyssey 2? 

Great eye,Relicgamer!

It is actually an Atari 520st placard extra I had because I tried very hard to find one for my Oddysey 2 and couldn't locate one anywhere.🙁

2 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Why do you still call Tommy's fan a fan? It has been bought by Tommy, so it's obviously a shill!

You win the internet today!

😂

Here's an absolutely fantastic take on what we're doing.  Great to see folks having a great unbiased and respectful conversation while still voicing their concerns.

They tweeted me today and I requested an interview to discuss more.

What I like is that most of the concerns they have... we have answers for!  For example... they were worried that it only comes with 2 controllers and how would more people be able to play without buying extra controllers (they aren't aware of the mobile device connection and free app).

They also mention they are concerned with motion controls being too prevalent (but it will only be in a small segment of games.. mostly recreational sports... which they mentioned they like motion controls for).

Really great takes on stuff though and the rest of the show was great as well.  Definitely adding them to my playlist for sure.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-7-9th-generation-console-discussion-intellvision/id1499280495?i=1000472779540

This is what happens when people have an open mind and do some actual research. And when they propose intelligent topics of debate and concerns instead of just repeating "it's going to fail", "kids just want Mario" and "we're in Ouya territory" for 15 minutes.

Sometimes, having 10x the number of viewers doesn't make you a better journalist.

23 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

They also mention they are concerned with motion controls being too prevalent (but it will only be in a small segment of games.. mostly recreational sports... which they mentioned they like motion controls for).

That is something that I am also happy about.

Motion controls is fun, but not for all games.

Example, for baseball, maybe you will want to have a game where we can swing for real,

but I hope that I will have a baseball game that I only have to push buttons.

Maybe you will have two different baseball games !? One with motion controls and one without them !

Live tonight ...

5 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

Live tonight ...

 

This YouTuber was highly critical of me and Amico in his last video.  He doesn't seem like a hater at all... but just doesn't believe or understand the market we're going for exists in any way.

I look forward to speaking with him today.  It's going to be LIVE tonight at 5pm pacific / 8pm eastern.

Just saw this comment on YouTube and had to share.

43 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Just saw this comment on YouTube and had to share.

 

 

There may be a lot of truth to the naysayers bringing attention to the Amico and therefore promoting it and building the hype through their negativity.

Thanks anti-Amico guys for helping out!😃👍

2 hours ago, theswede said:

Yes, and what I have trouble understanding is why so many people worry about the sucsess and and/or how many people that might find it interesting or not, instead of focusing on if this would be something they would enjoy. Even if the 40-50 games that right now are in development would be the only ones to ever be made for the system and IE would go out of business within a year, it would still be worth the price for me, being able to play 40-50 couch co-op games with my family & friends for many years. I can think of many products with much lower value for money, but you learn to not lose any sleep over it I guess😅

Yep, the Amico is unique in so many ways and any one of them is valid reason to buy it. Lets say your skeptical uncle Karl shows up for a visit and sees your crazy looking Galaxy Purple Amico in the TV stand. "Is that a game console, why did you buy that crazy looking thing?". Your answer, "yeah I got a bunch of games on it and they are all..."

A) "multiplayer - ever single one - 4 to 8 players and they are all single player too. We can sit on the couch & blast aliens, play trivia games or cards together anytime we like"

B) "redone retro classics from Atari and a bunch of other old school games - all with updated graphics, sound and new levels & such. Can't find 'em anywhere else."

C) "kid friendly, in fact every game on it is, so I can let the grand kids buy whatever they want for it when they come over. Plus the games are less than 10 bucks, so hell they can buy two or three"

D) "motion controlled, you just swing the controller around and play. We like cornhole & bowling mostly but there are bunch more"

*Any* one of these is enough to shut Karl up.

8 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

About the FigureItOutCast:

 

- The host just gave a thumps up to a very informative comment about the Amico from an user called Tom and Karen Dinardis:

 

 

- LordRayken is trying to convince the guy to do an interview with Tommy. 🙃

Think of the future generations that havent even started playing video games.  Young families could likely make this there console vs the other 3. My nephew has 3 little ones and I can see this being their console because their kids are really young and wouldnt let touch a xbox 1 knowing them they never will. Which could set a trend 

13 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Yep, the Amico is unique in so many ways and any one of them is valid reason to buy it. Lets say your skeptical uncle Karl shows up for a visit and sees your crazy looking Galaxy Purple Amico in the TV stand. "Is that a game console, why did you buy that crazy looking thing?". Your answer, "yeah I got a bunch of games on it and they are all..."

 

A) "multiplayer - ever single one - 4 to 8 players and they are all single player too. We can sit on the couch & blast aliens, play trivia games or cards together anytime we like"

B) "redone retro classics from Atari and a bunch of other old school games - all with updated graphics, sound and new levels & such. Can't find 'em anywhere else."

C) "kid friendly, in fact every game on it is, so I can let the grand kids buy whatever they want for it when they come over. Plus the games are less than 10 bucks, so hell they can buy two or three"

D) "motion controlled, you just swing the controller around and play. We like cornhole & bowling mostly but there are bunch more"

 

*Any* one of these is enough to shut Karl up.

SCREW KARL!!!  He's just a blind elitist hardcore hater!!

Cause y'know... I can't take criticism and I attack anyone who doesn't like Amico.

3 minutes ago, Relicgamer said:

Think of the future generations that havent even started playing video games.  Young families could likely make this there console vs the other 3. My nephew has 3 little ones and I can see this being their console because their kids are really young and wouldnt let touch a xbox 1 knowing them they never will. Which could set a trend 

That's kinda the fun thing for me to think about sometimes.  For kids 2 - 7 (which will be the biggest generation the planet has ever seen), they may grow up knowing Intellivision Amico as their first game console.

Pretty cool.

Oh no!  Wait.. does this mean by the time they're teenagers they are going to be Amico fanboys and hate Nintendo, Sony & Microsoft.  Oh crap!!!  I'm creating elitist hardcore fanboys & girls!  Dammit!

Quick, someone send a Cyberdyne Systems Model 101 from the future to STOP ME!

Who's Karl?🤔

6 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

Who's Karl?🤔

I hate to break it to you... but you are Karl, I just changed the name to protect your feelings. BTW your no longer invited to the family BBQ.  😜

For those keeping track.  Here's a cool one that didn't have Amico or Intellivision tagged.

These folks are huge Reddit folks.  Thanks to @GrudgeQ for helping make this happen!

Yo Grudge... you should tell them to tag Amico & Intellivision as it would probably bring more views.