Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Hey Tommy,

I don't think I ever saw an answer to the question about the European version of the Amico VIP. If I read correctly you are adding the names of the EMEA VIPs to the credits in a few games. 

Will there be something similar for us as well? Selfish mode turned on - What about the active AA members ?  My personal vote would be for there to be an easter egg with rolling credits somewhere.  Even on the console... 

If this is hush hush, I'll keep moving along. As there is nothing to see here.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yep!  Been rebuilding it!  Hopefully will be able to show you the new version over the next few months.  Went in a completely different graphic direction after we weren't happy with the current direction it was going and then did a few focus tests to confirm.  Really LOVE the new style.  Less hardcore/serious looking and more fun/funny/family looking.  A perfect example of us having the dedication and commitment to ensure quality.

I am glad to read that you have managed to rectify the situation for this game (Snafoo) that my son and I love very much! 😀

Will there still be a level that will make us think of Tron ?

Thank you.

how about an Amico sports series based on the Super Jock toys we all had as kids! 

ahh memories of that plastic football wizzing by my Uncle Angelo's head  

2 hours ago, woobman said:

Hey Tommy,

 

I don't think I ever saw an answer to the question about the European version of the Amico VIP. If I read correctly you are adding the names of the EMEA VIPs to the credits in a few games. 

 

Will there be something similar for us as well? Selfish mode turned on - What about the active AA members ?  My personal vote would be for there to be an easter egg with rolling credits somewhere.  Even on the console... 

 

If this is hush hush, I'll keep moving along. As there is nothing to see here.

 

 

It would be so cool to have some sort of Easter egg as you said for the dedicated AA members. Our names in rolling credits somewhere would be so awesome !! After all, most of us are dedicated sales people for the Amico talking about it to whoever will listen 👂 

This would be the best “extra” I can think of. What do you think Tommy ?

Pretty please with a cherry 🍒 on top ? 😂

56 minutes ago, ASalvaro said:

how about an Amico sports series based on the Super Jock toys we all had as kids! 

ahh memories of that plastic football wizzing by my Uncle Angelo's head  

 

 

I have 1 or 2 Super Toes

Controls on an Amico version of Lunar Lander could get interesting. Not sure how it would work (probably one of those build and test sort of things), but here's a couple of ideas (in no order):
1. (while holding the controller in classic Intellivision mode (portrait)):
    Thrust: D-Pad up is good for five levels of intensity
    Left-Right: The shoulder buttons on each side are left and right
2. (while holding the controller in classic Intellivision mode (portrait)):
    Thrust: Position towards the top of the touchscreen is thrust intensity. No touch = no thrust
    Left-Right: D-Pad

The arcade thrust control for Lunar Lander is a lot of fun. Some of that is just the size and awesomeness of the thrust control itself (combined with thrust sound). The other part is that it's variable intensity instead of being all on or having to tap up for intensity, all while being independent from left-right controls. The Amico has various ways for the player to communicate different levels of intensity through the controller, which is pretty sweet.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:13 AM, Nolagamer said:

I seen that video I didnt finish didnt fet.past a few moments and was done.   Some real.weirdos  humans that Darius guy ....I bet they are friends who.might need an amico for couch co op.

 

Ya that sneaky v  guy has a bunch of videos.   Only a hand full.of subs ..I'm sure ges a fake acct  just from a hater.  Def not worth your time.  

One of Sneaky V's videos game up in my feed. I got to the part that he stated that it was an overpriced android system.... Paused. Then searched and found a few of the posts about fake accounts etc. So I didn't watch the rest of the video.

I think that debate is always welcome. If you have the facts. Sort of like the fake reviews on Gamestop. Would not be surprised if some of those were his. I want that kind of time to troll people. Wow to live in a basement and not have any responsibilities. I remember those days. Most of us grow out of it.  

Tommy has been more than open with us. We know what we are getting. I think that there are some people who get confused when there is no dual analog sticks. 4 face buttons. Some shoulder buttons/triggers. Most importantly, the controller needs a label on it."Sony or Microsoft". Any time you veer too far from the accepted path, you are called many things. The Third big console company has played around with how you interact with games for years. Some worked and sold well. Some did not. But you can expect different things each console generation from them. At least they innovate. With MS, we've gotten pretty much the same controller since the Duke on the OG xbox. Working with Shape. and refining. With Sony, a few bells and whistles on the same controller as the PSONE.

If you look at my signature you can see I'm no fanboy of anything. I've had an iteration of almost all the consoles out there. Some sold better than others. Some were/are more fun than others. Regardless of power.  All have their fun games. You do not need to have the latest CPU/GPU to have a great system. We've seen that work for Nintendo how many times now?

I still find fun with my 2600 games. My 18 year old son has stopped playing his xbox one and has been playing on my GameCube for the last two weeks. Hours a day. (It happens to be a day one GC). Still running great.  While the resolution isn't all there, the fun is! Rediscovering Pikmin. Rogue Leader. etc. Shhhhh don't tell him that I mentioned that he's playing some of the Spongebob games as well. He is still having fun with those games, regardless of resolution.  (I'm sure there is a marketing slogan in there).

We get to put a little bit of influence on an upcoming console. That is way more than we have been able to do in all previous generations of systems. That is pretty darned cool. Usually they are done in such secrecy that we only get to complain about things after the fact. Like Microsoft's policy on game sharing when the XBONE was announced. Or more recently, the Playstation classic's game lineup. Even more recently, the first showing of the Series X games that whelmed people.  A little further back, the WiiU. That was just not marketed right. I could go on with missteps and missed chances from the big companies. But I won't. While at first glance, the specs seem under powered. The games look good for the types of games we have seen. Will we see detailed intestines hanging out of corpse on Splatterhouse 25? No. But will we see a fun game of Moon Patrol, Shark! Shark!, or Skiing out of it? From what we have all seen, yes.

Even if the Amico becomes an indie platform. I think we are going to be in for a fun ride with the games lineup that have been announced formally.  Plus some that have been even just hinted at. If we get JUST those games on this system, it will be worth the money to me. Especially if we have some of the original minds from the original IP working on the games.

1 hour ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

Great video and those are some great choices of games !! One thing I noticed is that you mentioned Moon Patrol as a pack in game. It’s not a pack in game unfortunately. I wish it was 😀

keep those videos coming !!! 👍 

1 minute ago, Cranker said:

Great video and those are some great choices of games !! One thing I noticed is that you mentioned Moon Patrol as a pack in game. It’s not a pack in game unfortunately. I wish it was 😀

 

keep those videos coming !!!

I don't know why he thought Moon Patrol was a pack in title.  But that's okay.

48 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

I don't know why he thought Moon Patrol was a pack in title.  But that's okay.

Oh its going to be on my system.......right after a pay for it lol

1 hour ago, woobman said:

One of Sneaky V's videos game up in my feed. I got to the part that he stated that it was an overpriced android system.... Paused. Then searched and found a few of the posts about fake accounts etc. So I didn't watch the rest of the video.

 

I think that debate is always welcome. If you have the facts. Sort of like the fake reviews on Gamestop. Would not be surprised if some of those were his. I want that kind of time to troll people. Wow to live in a basement and not have any responsibilities. I remember those days. Most of us grow out of it.  

 

Tommy has been more than open with us. We know what we are getting. I think that there are some people who get confused when there is no dual analog sticks. 4 face buttons. Some shoulder buttons/triggers. Most importantly, the controller needs a label on it."Sony or Microsoft". Any time you veer too far from the accepted path, you are called many things. The Third big console company has played around with how you interact with games for years. Some worked and sold well. Some did not. But you can expect different things each console generation from them. At least they innovate. With MS, we've gotten pretty much the same controller since the Duke on the OG xbox. Working with Shape. and refining. With Sony, a few bells and whistles on the same controller as the PSONE.

 

If you look at my signature you can see I'm no fanboy of anything. I've had an iteration of almost all the consoles out there. Some sold better than others. Some were/are more fun than others. Regardless of power.  All have their fun games. You do not need to have the latest CPU/GPU to have a great system. We've seen that work for Nintendo how many times now?

 

I still find fun with my 2600 games. My 18 year old son has stopped playing his xbox one and has been playing on my GameCube for the last two weeks. Hours a day. (It happens to be a day one GC). Still running great.  While the resolution isn't all there, the fun is! Rediscovering Pikmin. Rogue Leader. etc. Shhhhh don't tell him that I mentioned that he's playing some of the Spongebob games as well. He is still having fun with those games, regardless of resolution.  (I'm sure there is a marketing slogan in there).

 

We get to put a little bit of influence on an upcoming console. That is way more than we have been able to do in all previous generations of systems. That is pretty darned cool. Usually they are done in such secrecy that we only get to complain about things after the fact. Like Microsoft's policy on game sharing when the XBONE was announced. Or more recently, the Playstation classic's game lineup. Even more recently, the first showing of the Series X games that whelmed people.  A little further back, the WiiU. That was just not marketed right. I could go on with missteps and missed chances from the big companies. But I won't. While at first glance, the specs seem under powered. The games look good for the types of games we have seen. Will we see detailed intestines hanging out of corpse on Splatterhouse 25? No. But will we see a fun game of Moon Patrol, Shark! Shark!, or Skiing out of it? From what we have all seen, yes.

 

Even if the Amico becomes an indie platform. I think we are going to be in for a fun ride with the games lineup that have been announced formally.  Plus some that have been even just hinted at. If we get JUST those games on this system, it will be worth the money to me. Especially if we have some of the original minds from the original IP working on the games.

 

“You can always tell a leader by the arrows in his back.” (Unknown)

1 hour ago, woobman said:

 

 

Even if the Amico becomes an indie platform. I think we are going to be in for a fun ride with the games lineup that have been announced formally.  Plus some that have been even just hinted at. If we get JUST those games on this system, it will be worth the money to me. Especially if we have some of the original minds from the original IP working on the games.

 

 

 

 

 

100% agree. Sneak v is just a moron that probably hates video games that are not from current systems.  

And graphics are overrated.  My 21 year old loves the nes the most. And is not particularly happy with online gaming.  Wants to play with friends locally.  

Lastly a console for indie developers is where its at. For me last year the indie section of PAX West was the most memorable part of the expo. And it was for 1 reason.

They were the most creative. 

Sure borderlands 3 and a new zelda were being showcased but it wasn't worth the 2 hour wait to get 5 mins of playtime.  

On 5/10/2020 at 6:03 PM, bigdaddygamestudio said:

 

well the early cable boxed looked like this.  Most kids could play it like an instrument. 3 rows  12 buttons  and a dial to dial in. To get squiggly porn you had to go in between levels with two channels pushed while playing with the dial.  It was an art form 

 

 

This was our UPDATED cable remote!  The first version we had was 2 rotary dials. 2-13 on one dial and A-L  on the other ( long time ago! )  But I remember this awesome upgrade!  The remote reached the sofa!

Dad always had remote...  He would tell me to get up and change the channel.... Until he found something he wanted to watch!  LOL   Miss him.

15 minutes ago, 1980gamer said:

This was our UPDATED cable remote!  The first version we had was 2 rotary dials. 2-13 on one dial and A-L  on the other ( long time ago! )  But I remember this awesome upgrade!  The remote reached the sofa!

Dad always had remote...  He would tell me to get up and change the channel.... Until he found something he wanted to watch!  LOL   Miss him.

 

36 Channels. What could  you fill that with? I had to go to RadioShack. Route cable in, over, under, and around things so the remote could be close to Mom and Dad. And I still had to change the channel on both TVs! No wonder I was thin.

Right there with you 1980gamer, what I'd give to go back there and do that for them again! Lost Mom in 94. Lost Dad in November.  But I do have two awesome kids that love games! They will have to fight for the consoles when it's my turn to Level up!

woobman, sorry for your loss.   I lost Mom and Dad 6 weeks apart 10 years ago. 

Wish I was wiser back then and did more for them.  Could never repay them for all the love and support or the first Intellivision and TI99/4A.

Dad loved Bowling on the Intellivision and in his 70's was playing Cool Boarders 3 on the PS, WII Bowling and WII Fit Ski Jumping was another he liked.

I hope 20+years from now I am still enjoying video games and life in general

I will have a question for Tommy at the end of this short text.

I may have the idea of using one of the consoles that I ordered to lend it to several people to introduce them to Amico.

Example, I could lend it 2 weeks to my mother and her boyfriend,

then the next 2 weeks to my sister and her boyfriend, etc.

This makes great publicity and they can also share it with their friends while they have it
and those who like the experience can buy one for themselves.

My question is the following :
Would it be possible to do what I just mentioned,
or it would be complicated because we probably have to register who owns the console, make an account, etc ?

Thank you.

13 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

Oh' c'mon! Look again!

Timon is obviously a chubby chaser! 

13 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

My GOTO 1st new movie media experience has ALWAYS been The Fifth Element!  It always seems to be the demo they have and play (the Diva singing/Leeloo kicking ass scene).  DVD, Blu-Ray, Ultra 4K, Ultra 4K w/Dolby Atmos... I literally think I have probably 10 different versions of that movie in every and all formats (even the Europe versions as they had different extras).  Tin box, alternative covers, etc., etc... it's the only movie that I have in ever single format and will buy new every time there is a new version. 

Others like that for me is Raiders of the Lost Ark, TRON & Tombstone.  Could watch those (along with The Fifth Element) multiple times and still enjoy them.  All the Rocky movies, Lord of the Rings & Star Wars are up there as well (for multiple versions on different platforms).

That wasn't available until 1998. Starship Troopers was the first big space adventure on the format (if you don't count Blade Runner). Star Wars wasn't on DVD until 2000 or 2001. 

People forget that the pickings were pretty slim back in 1997-2000. Disney didn't support the format until 1999. Only Columbia/Tri Star, Warner Bros & MGM supported the format at launch. Universal, Fox & Paramount pulled an Activision & waited a year. Universal did support Divx, the other rental only movie disc, but didn't have any for sale DVDs until 1998.

I lost count of how many times I watched Fifth Element. It's very green, Corbin Dallas! Bzzz!

20 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

That wasn't available until 1998. Starship Troopers was the first big space adventure on the format (if you don't count Blade Runner). Star Wars wasn't on DVD until 2000 or 2001. 

People forget that the pickings were pretty slim back in 1997-2000. Disney didn't support the format until 1999. Only Columbia/Tri Star, Warner Bros & MGM supported the format at launch. Universal, Fox & Paramount pulled an Activision & waited a year. Universal did support Divx, the other rental only movie disc, but didn't have any for sale DVDs until 1998.

 

I lost count of how many times I watched Fifth Element. It's very green, Corbin Dallas! Bzzz!

Bingo Blarneo! Just triggered my memory on one of the DVD’s I walked out with that day in 1997...Blade Runner! Shew that was driving me skinny not remembering...one down and one to go haha. Thanks! 
 

By the way you got one heck of a memory on such minute details like what company released for the format! 

On 5/10/2020 at 7:16 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

What did everyone else use back in the day?  Did you stick with your own initials?  

I used SAL....

my name

7 hours ago, MarioMan88 said:

Bingo Blarneo! Just triggered my memory on one of the DVD’s I walked out with that day in 1997...Blade Runner! Shew that was driving me skinny not remembering...one down and one to go haha. Thanks! 
 

By the way you got one heck of a memory on such minute details like what company released for the format! 

I was a home theater hobbyist & movie collector buff back then. I was a member of Home Theater Forum & went to Hollywood to visit DTS and some studios who's home video divisions hosted us. This was 2000, cuz we were there when the Florida fight was going on between Bush & Gore election. 20th C Fox & Warner Bros were the nicest people. Paramount & Warner gave us studio tours. We saw a filming of Will & Grace. Woody Harrelson is an arrogant prick. It was fun.

Kind of an expensive hobby and the iPod spoiled me to uncomplicated sound quality. No more equalizers, video calibrators and large gauge Monster cables... not to mention I was richer back then. Hahaha.