Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I would say "PSYCHE!!"... but lets be honest, you guys figured it out as I gave a little too many hints!  (you guys are GOOD!).  Saying it wasn't J was the first time I've ever said anything in here that wasn't true at the time (sorry if I disappointed some of you).  But c'mon... what was I supposed to say?  "Yeah, you got it... let me blow all of our exclusive coverage and stories."     Besides, as we all know, the haters lurk here daily just waiting for any kind of item they can use against us to try and destroy Amico.  Wasn't going to give them the pleasure of blabbing it all over the internet a week before the press release was ready. 

ANYWAY!!  All of that aside...

Let me know what you think of this news!!!!!

Yea, I knew you were bullshitting us as you gave away too many clues. That being said it was kinda fun playing the "Where's Waldo" game and trying to figure it out. Really stoked about the hire and I can't wait to hear what Pat and Ian have to say about this. 🤣 

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Yeah... I was hoping folks would pick up on that!!

 

 

Honestly, the only disappointing thing would have been if it *wasn't* J.... 🙂

Your fun game of "Guess Who?" gave us all time to realize just how perfect a fit he is.  So perfect, it feels like he has already been a part of this all along.

Also, another case where Tommy's personal impact on the future of the Amico is beyond huge. If Tommy doesn't have that off-hand conversation with J, this match made in heaven never happens. 

Congrats, Tommy!! 

1 minute ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

so reading some of the articles and How J wants the same type of gaming that we do and hearing the story how he sold lemonaid to buy a TRASH 80, It can only mean one thing, the re-imagining of

 

 

I'd forgotten about that game, but my friend and I played a bunch of that BITD, had no idea that was J, so another fun connection! 

4 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah.  It really came out great.  Dean Takahashi got the exclusive to interview J (which is why there is so much added stuff in there).  He didn't do any other interviews... so this is the only one you'll see for now.   Big things in the works though!  

 

 

Here was the part from the VentureBeat article that highlights what Amico is all about, and the main concept so many others fail to grasp:

“You know I have always been a huge proponent of multiplayer, affordable, family-friendly entertainment as a leader, but as a gamer — I’ve also really miss it,” Allard said. “We play Overcooked on Xbox on Thanksgiving. It’s a really fun, weapon-free collaborative multiplayer game. But, Mom doesn’t play. She watches and laughs and cheers on. She’s intimidated by the controllers, the menus and the pace. The non-gamers willing to try also struggle with all of those issues.”

On the most recent Mother’s Day, Allard showed her and his nephews an early build of Amico skiing.

“She volunteered to take the third run. On her first attempt, she only crashed three times and her biggest complaint was that she ‘could have gone faster if she figured out how to jump at the start of the race,'” Allard said. “She tried Fusion Frenzy in 2001 because she’s my Mom. But it’s been 35 years since she’s actually picked up and played a game with other people like this with absolutely zero help or stress. Watching her play games with my eight-year-old nephew for the first time was a terrific feeling. Thanks, Amico.”

3 minutes ago, BiffMan said:

had no idea that was J, so another fun connection! 

J didnt make that game, but he did have a lemon aid stand as a kid to make money to buy his first computer. The TRASH 80.  Which actually concerns me a bit. I mean how can Tommy trust a guy who picked a TRASH 80 over an Atari 400/600 or Commodore 64... I mean can we really trust this guys judgement   j/k  LOL.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

 

INTELLIVISION ENTERTAINMENT ADDS RENOWNED GAME INDUSTRY VETERAN J ALLARD AS GLOBAL MANAGING DIRECTOR

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Tommy and the whole intellivision crew. Its even more undeniable that the Amico has the best team to propel it as the disrupter in the industry 

4 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

J didnt make that game, but he did have a lemon aid stand as a kid to make money to buy his first computer. The TRASH 80.  Which actually concerns me a bit. I mean how can Tommy trust a guy who picked a TRASH 80 over an Atari 400/600 or Commodore 64... I mean can we really trust this guys judgement   j/k  LOL.

 

Ah..... Funny misread there on my part! I reject your reality, and substitute my own!  🙂

25 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

This VentureBeat one was really interesting.  Though, I don't know why Amico is always referred to as a "retro game console."  It's not retro. Small irritation, but there were a number of things and quotes in this article that weren't just lifted from the press release.  Sounds like J is fully onboard with everything and has been for quite some time.

I’m like you, I saw that about retro console and was like “uhhh no it’s not” but end the end I don’t care what people try to pigeonhole Amico in, its gonna be fun and unique and will have its own category 😄

11 minutes ago, BiffMan said:

Ah..... Funny misread there on my part! I reject your reality, and substitute my own!  🙂

I didn't misread... My reality wins! 🙂

From the Venture Beat article:

"But Allard also remembered his roots. As a gamer, he grew up with the original Intellivision and published his first game Lemonade Stand in the early 80’s for the TRS-80 Color Computer." 

What did I miss? Anything new happening?  I slept in.

15 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

Here was the part from the VentureBeat article that highlights what Amico is all about, and the main concept so many others fail to grasp:

 

“You know I have always been a huge proponent of multiplayer, affordable, family-friendly entertainment as a leader, but as a gamer — I’ve also really miss it,” Allard said. “We play Overcooked on Xbox on Thanksgiving. It’s a really fun, weapon-free collaborative multiplayer game. But, Mom doesn’t play. She watches and laughs and cheers on. She’s intimidated by the controllers, the menus and the pace. The non-gamers willing to try also struggle with all of those issues.”

On the most recent Mother’s Day, Allard showed her and his nephews an early build of Amico skiing.

“She volunteered to take the third run. On her first attempt, she only crashed three times and her biggest complaint was that she ‘could have gone faster if she figured out how to jump at the start of the race,'” Allard said. “She tried Fusion Frenzy in 2001 because she’s my Mom. But it’s been 35 years since she’s actually picked up and played a game with other people like this with absolutely zero help or stress. Watching her play games with my eight-year-old nephew for the first time was a terrific feeling. Thanks, Amico.”

That's what I was about to quote from J.Allard ...   lol  !

You were faster than me ! 😉

4 minutes ago, OEB_Pete said:

What did I miss? Anything new happening?  I slept in.

J Allard joined the IE team.

24 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

so reading some of the articles and How J wants the same type of gaming that we do and hearing the story how he sold lemonaid to buy a TRASH 80, It can only mean one thing, the re-imagining of

 

 

"Wouldn't That Be Somthing™!?!"

2 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

J Allard joined the IE team.

Ok guys,time for a new Amico minute!😃

Pete,are you awake now?

7 minutes ago, OEB_Pete said:

What did I miss? Anything new happening?  I slept in.

3 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

J Allard joined the IE team.

He was not sleeping ...  😉 lol

24 minutes ago, NTV said:

Yea, I knew you were bullshitting us as you gave away too many clues. That being said it was kinda fun playing the "Where's Waldo" game and trying to figure it out. Really stoked about the hire and I can't wait to hear what Pat and Ian have to say about this. 🤣 

I don’t care what Pat and Ian Have to say. It’s best not to give them any More attention or publicity of any type.  Why should we care ?  😎

15 minutes ago, BiffMan said:

From the Venture Beat article:

"But Allard also remembered his roots. As a gamer, he grew up with the original Intellivision and published his first game Lemonade Stand in the early 80’s for the TRS-80 Color Computer." 

oops yeah you are correct. My reality is off...    what day is it in your reality? I cant tell anymore 

1 minute ago, LePionnier said:

 

He was not sleeping ...  😉 lol

I didn't know he already knew. Lol.

30 minutes ago, BiffMan said:

Honestly, the only disappointing thing would have been if it *wasn't* J.... 🙂

 

Your fun game of "Guess Who?" gave us all time to realize just how perfect a fit he is.  So perfect, it feels like he has already been a part of this all along.

 

Also, another case where Tommy's personal impact on the future of the Amico is beyond huge. If Tommy doesn't have that off-hand conversation with J, this match made in heaven never happens. 

 

Congrats, Tommy!! 

Thanks!!

Yeah... it was really funny when you guys were pulling old J interviews from 15 years ago where he's talking about Simple Fun and bringing people together no matter what their skill level.

We had a good laugh over that!!

He really is SO PERFECT!!

Congrats on the announcement Tommy!!! I too had a feeling that it pointed to J! I know it's early in the morning, but I have my popcorn ready to read/hear how this doesn't matter. Amico is doomed. And why is Earthworm Jim going to be just Mini Games?!?!?

Welcome aboard the fun train J!!! Enjoy the ride.

Just now, Tommy Tallarico said:

Thanks!!

Yeah... it was really funny when you guys were pulling old J interviews from 15 years ago where he's talking about Simple Fun and bringing people together no matter what their skill level.

 

We had a good laugh over that!!

Did your lawyers or co-workers give you a " Tommy WTF?" when you accidentally spilled the beans early?

8 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

33 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

so reading some of the articles and How J wants the same type of gaming that we do and hearing the story how he sold lemonaid to buy a TRASH 80, It can only mean one thing, the re-imagining of

 

 

"Wouldn't That Be Somthing™!?!"

Will Lemonade be changed for Kool-aid ! ? 🤣 lol

5 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

 

He was not sleeping ...  😉 lol

I taped it yesterday as I firmly believed he would be the person.  Now I got to delete the other 2,  I made.  Sorry Reggie! LOL

1 minute ago, LePionnier said:

Will Lemonade be changed for Kool-aid ! ? 🤣 lol

I was going to say about Kool-aid stand.  Lol.

29 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

Here was the part from the VentureBeat article that highlights what Amico is all about, and the main concept so many others fail to grasp:

 

“You know I have always been a huge proponent of multiplayer, affordable, family-friendly entertainment as a leader, but as a gamer — I’ve also really miss it,” Allard said. “We play Overcooked on Xbox on Thanksgiving. It’s a really fun, weapon-free collaborative multiplayer game. But, Mom doesn’t play. She watches and laughs and cheers on. She’s intimidated by the controllers, the menus and the pace. The non-gamers willing to try also struggle with all of those issues.”

On the most recent Mother’s Day, Allard showed her and his nephews an early build of Amico skiing.

“She volunteered to take the third run. On her first attempt, she only crashed three times and her biggest complaint was that she ‘could have gone faster if she figured out how to jump at the start of the race,'” Allard said. “She tried Fusion Frenzy in 2001 because she’s my Mom. But it’s been 35 years since she’s actually picked up and played a game with other people like this with absolutely zero help or stress. Watching her play games with my eight-year-old nephew for the first time was a terrific feeling. Thanks, Amico.”

I was so glad that story made it to the article!

J had sent me a video of his mom playing Skiing on Mother's Day.  She was laughing and so thrilled.  But not as much as J was! 

My mom & J's mom LOVED the original Skiing and would play it with us all the time.  There are so many connections we have.

He grew up in MA as well... and I probably don't have to tell you what his favorite comic book hero is.

🕷️🕸️

And I bet ya didn't know this!!  The Xbox 360 was named after his Ferrari!  He had a Ferrari 360!   Yeah... match made in heaven I'd say!

Hahahhaa!