Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

10 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

But remember kids, if it's in his notebook. It's going to happen. If it doesn't Tommy has lied to us again according to some people.  Wait one moment. Need to sip my Tommy T Kool-aid and Put on my Schill-shoes and dance too his music. Literally. (Not a pretty site).

Love this BTW!!

But seriously, there are a few things on there that I'd really like to see happen. I don't think I've seen Zaxxon mentioned much. Sooo One vote for Zaxxon. There are many people here with Tron references in their profile pic. I'm one of them. So yes to Tron. 

3 hours ago, Steven Pendleton said:

Well, it has shogi and mancala, both of which are interesting choices. I don't remember the last time I saw a video game mancala, probably because I never have before, but it's not like I go out of my way looking for mancala.

 

I may buy it just for shogi, provided that the AI is good enough. There are a few shogi games on Switch as it is, though, and having played exactly none of them, I can't say which of the available options has good AI. Given that this is $39.99 with 51 games and the available shogi games on the system are either about the same price or more expensive (and only have shogi, obviously), I question how good the AI is in comparison.

 

This is, naturally, why companies don't like making demos, so it's not like I can try any of the available options without buying something.

I was thinking of buying it to see how the games played then do a video sharing thoughts on how the Amicos controller would make the games different than playing on a traditional controller.  

9 hours ago, SpectreFighter said:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amico/comments/go9en3/clubhouse_games_for_switchis_this_concerning_for/

 

Interesting concern raised on the Amico's reddit page. Any thoughts?

 

I totally agree with @Relicgamer plus think about how people would *really* play those easy touch screen games. A couple of people hunched over a tiny screen or passing it back and forth. No real interaction because each persons is staring at the tiny screen (and as you get older usually those screen just get tinier) and probably you are staring at the back of a Switch. You can't even plan you next move because you probably can't see the screen (or two people are incurring neck pain while they crowd around) if you can. Of course some can be played on the TV (assuming you have the $300 Switch plus the $40 game). Then it is much more comparable assuming the games only use the D pad or motion controls but what about 4 players, oh that is another $60 for two more joycons ($400 now). 6 or 8 players? Sell a kidney - no free cell phone controllers here. So overall is does overlap somewhat, and so does a deck of Uno cards, a box set of Monopoly, some Steam games, Apple Arcade and so on, *somewhat*.

16 minutes ago, Relicgamer said:

I was thinking of buying it to see how the games played then do a video sharing thoughts on how the Amicos controller would make the games different than playing on a traditional controller.  

If you do, please let me know how shogi is, provided you know how to play the game. It's got the same skill floor as chess but a way higher skill ceiling, so I much prefer it over chess, especially since I don't have to worry about losing pieces since all I have to do is just kill them when they come back into play and then I get them back again.

16 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

I totally agree with @Relicgamer plus think about how people would *really* play those easy touch screen games. A couple of people hunched over a tiny screen or passing it back and forth. No real interaction because each persons is staring at the tiny screen (and as you get older usually those screen just get tinier) and probably you are staring at the back of a Switch. You can't even plan you next move because you probably can't see the screen (or two people are incurring neck pain while they crowd around) if you can. Of course some can be played on the TV (assuming you have the $300 Switch plus the $40 game). Then it is much more comparable assuming the games only use the D pad or motion controls but what about 4 players, oh that is another $60 for two more joycons ($400 now). 6 or 8 players? Sell a kidney - no free cell phone controllers here. So overall is does overlap somewhat, and so does a deck of Uno cards, a box set of Monopoly, some Steam games, Apple Arcade and so on, *somewhat*.

Actually, this reminds me of a shogi game on the PSP (its ultra-creative title is Shogi) where each person holds half of the system. Yes, it's super awkward to play, and I imagine that it's super damn awkward if you use the PSP go because of the system's sliding thingy.

Edit: Okay, I just downloaded it on my Vita, and here is how it works. P1 gets the half with the d-pad, and you select pieces with L and move the cursor with the d-pad. P2 holds the side with the triangle, square, X, O buttons and uses those buttons to move the cursor and R to select pieces. Such wonderful controls. Yes, it's like this even if you play alone, so you're sitting there holding your PSP/Vita super awkwardly in a vertical manner.

17 hours ago, woobman said:

@Tommy TallaricoI just re watched the Amico reveal trailer. I haven't heard much, lately, about the onboard interactive lighting effects on the Amico.  Was it really October 2018? Wow doesn't seem that long ago. What games will be taking advantage of the feature? Can you say anything else about how it will be used? If your lips are sealed for now. No worries. Never hurts to ask.

Most all games will be taking advantage of the lighting.  Sometimes it will be interactive and other times it will be celebratory or maybe act as a timer, or a clue in the game, etc.  Lots of different ways.

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

celebratory

Yay, just like the fireworks in Super Mario Bros! Those actually give you points, but still.

17 hours ago, skylinesandsunsets said:

Greetings Tommy, what do you think about Robby?

Robby Roto, that is!

 

Fun fact: Robby Roto was added to the public domain. 
https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9368

 

Therefore, wouldn't that make it easier for porting Roto to Amico? (see what I did there?)

 

 

Seriously, Robby Roto is a fun arcade game and would be even better with multiplayer options.
 

 

Not familiar with that one.  Will check it out.

One things for sure... the sound & music would need to be "re-imagined".  

14 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Very Cool. Any noticeable uptick on your page view count, although I’d assume many subscribers to that magazine may already be aware. 

Not sure.  Good question.  I haven't been paying attention to that.  Assuming the marketing folks are.  I'll ask.

8 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

@OEB_Pete when you send your awarded Amico out, will the recipient receive it... un-opened?  😲

 

Have you thought this through?  Will you be able to refrain?  If so, do you fear the haters will call you a liar?  
 

Really enjoying and appreciating your vids and interviews and wanted to drop a big thanks!  Don't always get the chance to keep up here but can always fire up one of your videos when walking the dog.
 

Thanks! 

HAHA .... Yes, It will be as I receive it, I will use all my resolve not to open it   I may throw in a little something something also ...

11 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

I'm just glad the Notebook wasnt like....

 

Hahahhaa!   A little Arthur Fleck eh?

🃏

34 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Most all games will be taking advantage of the lighting.  Sometimes it will be interactive and other times it will be celebratory or maybe act as a timer, or a clue in the game, etc.  Lots of different ways.

 

 

So what you're saying is that the Amico will need to placed in a position where it will be visible?  If you can't see the lights on the Amico, will that be a problem?

8 hours ago, Relicgamer said:

I posted my thoughts.  Im not really concerned.  Sure some games are similar.  But the card games I see work better on the Amico with everyone being able to see their own cards or I  hope that's how it will work. The only thing I see being an issue would be if Nintendo starts shipping their switch with this game. That could pose a threat.  But I have a feeling this was a rushed game. Much wont add up to anything and will be forgotten like most of Nintendos shovelware 

ZERO concern.  I've answered this one before but will quickly review again (feel free to post my answer over there if you'd like).  Looks like a fun game and great value, but literally has almost NOTHING in common with what we're doing.  Here's just a few quick examples...

1.  It's pretty obvious that none of those games have any depth.  Yeah... they could put a Cornhole game on there as well.  Will it have over 200 unlockables?  40+ countries?  4 different modes of play?  Career mode? Versus Mode? 4 player SIMULTANEOUS Co-Op?, Arcade mode?, motion controls?  Same with Bowling, Darts, Pool, etc.   People are judging our games without ever having played them.  Comparing any of our products to a bunch of mini-games would be a huge mistake.    Go ahead and download a few "cornhole" games for your phone.  Then play ours and see how similar they are.  Nothing alike actually.  Not the way you play, the controls, the audio, the design, the depth, the different modes, the fun factor, the different levels, etc., etc., etc... 

Just because something is SIMPLE doesn't mean that it can't have DEPTH. 

2.  Explain couch co-op?  2 - 4 people hovering over a tiny screen taking turns?  And/or needing 2, 3 or 4 Switches to play?  How is that in any way like anything we're doing?  There is literally ZERO likeness at all. 

3.  Utilizing the same argument... I guess Microsoft should be scared and concerned because Sony might have a 1st person shooter to "compete" with Halo?    Since when does a certain genre or type of game spell "concern" for another platform?  Senseless comparison to make IMO.  Was Nintendo "concerned" for the SNES because Sega Genesis had 2D platformers?  Is Nintendo concerned that there are "indie" games on mobile and Steam?  Of course not.

4.  Would a non-gamer or casual gamer who doesn't own a Switch go out and pay $350+ just to play those mini-games?  Not probable. 

58 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

I totally agree with @Relicgamer plus think about how people would *really* play those easy touch screen games. A couple of people hunched over a tiny screen or passing it back and forth. No real interaction because each persons is staring at the tiny screen (and as you get older usually those screen just get tinier) and probably you are staring at the back of a Switch. You can't even plan you next move because you probably can't see the screen (or two people are incurring neck pain while they crowd around) if you can.

Nintendo should be "concerned" that mobile has had this for 10 years.

5 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

So what you're saying is that the Amico will need to placed in a position where it will be visible?  If you can't see the lights on the Amico, will that be a problem?

No.  It wouldn't be a problem... just not as "fun". 

p.s.  Also possible to turn off all the lighting if you want. 

13 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Just because something is SIMPLE doesn't mean that it can't have DEPTH. 

Sonic is actually a pretty good example of this. D-pad + a single jump button is all it has, but it takes a bit of practice to actually figure out how Sonic's movement is affected by the terrain. Once you do figure it out, you can do some really interesting things like jump super high and get to areas that you couldn't normally jump to. Getting Knuckles into Sonic's routes in Sonic 3 & Knuckles is a good example since he's not supposed to be there. You're obviously not supposed to take Knuckles into Sonic's areas, but you can definitely do it if you understand how the game works.

20 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

ZERO concern.  I've answered this one before but will quickly review again (feel free to post my answer over there if you'd like).  Looks like a fun game and great value, but literally has almost NOTHING in common with what we're doing.  Here's just a few quick examples...

 

1.  It's pretty obvious that none of those games have any depth.  Yeah... they could put a Cornhole game on there as well.  Will it have over 200 unlockables?  40+ countries?  4 different modes of play?  Career mode? Versus Mode? 4 player SIMULTANEOUS Co-Op?, Arcade mode?, motion controls?  Same with Bowling, Darts, Pool, etc.   People are judging our games without ever having played them.  Comparing any of our products to a bunch of mini-games would be a huge mistake.    Go ahead and download a few "cornhole" games for your phone.  Then play ours and see how similar they are.  Nothing alike actually.  Not the way you play, the controls, the audio, the design, the depth, the different modes, the fun factor, the different levels, etc., etc., etc... 

 

Just because something is SIMPLE doesn't mean that it can't have DEPTH. 

 

2.  Explain couch co-op?  2 - 4 people hovering over a tiny screen taking turns?  And/or needing 2, 3 or 4 Switches to play?  How is that in any way like anything we're doing?  There is literally ZERO likeness at all. 

 

3.  Utilizing the same argument... I guess Microsoft should be scared and concerned because Sony might have a 1st person shooter to "compete" with Halo?    Since when does a certain genre or type of game spell "concern" for another platform?  Senseless comparison to make IMO.  Was Nintendo "concerned" for the SNES because Sega Genesis had 2D platformers?  Is Nintendo concerned that there are "indie" games on mobile and Steam?  Of course not.

 

4.  Would a non-gamer or casual gamer who doesn't own a Switch go out and pay $350+ just to play those mini-games?  Not probable. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I came acrossed as concerned I'm sorry lol I'm not. Especially not from that game. But I definitely will copy that. You say it alot better than me lol

Finally got to see the Pete and Tommy interview, that was a really fun and good interview. Kudos Guys.  I recall in it you guys mention School House Rock and Gaming, it instantly brought me back to a game I made 5 /6 years ago ( god where does the time go) It was based on the classic memory game Concentration and I mixed that with the School House Rock Vibe and art style along with Halloween.  I called it Trick or Treat - The Game.  It was a lot of fun to make.  God I cant wait to retire soon and get some time to noodle around with game making again.

10 hours ago, SpectreFighter said:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amico/comments/go9en3/clubhouse_games_for_switchis_this_concerning_for/

 

Interesting concern raised on the Amico's reddit page. Any thoughts?

 

Aaaah, 51 Clubhouse Games.

Essentially, no different than Fun Games, or Backyard Sports, or Windows Recreational Val-U Pak.  

Pat was giddy about this one in not one, not two, but three different podcasts and how it'd be an Amico killer.  You could say zealous.  Ian just gave looks like "you've chased this waaaaay too far down the well".. the lengths one goes to see a failure and render a console pointless/obsolete.

My thoughts?  Amico needn't worry at all.  51 Clubhouse Games looks like a fun little budget pick-up.  I'm happy it's in the world.  I'll buy it.  But it's not really competing much in the same space beyond being the same genre as a library of recreational and card games on another system.

As Tommy already laid out in much more detail, and others have stated with great points, it isn't nearly so deep.  Playing billiards in 51 Clubhouse Games isn't going to be nearly so interesting as playing pool on Amico.  For one, I know the small developer didn't brainstorm for weeks and go back and forth with Nintendo about creative ways of using the motion control, and getting the physics just right.  They copy/pasted existing pool game physics and made sure boxes were checked for a complete game of billiards.  I mean, I wasn't at that developer's studio, so I can't be certain, but, we've seen 48 versions of billiards come out on multiple platforms, we know how they go.  This isn't lunar pool, they weren't trying to come up with conceivable ways to make a game of pool more interesting, they weren't thinking of variations of the games, different backgrounds, tournaments, background noises and mood, lighting.  We know what we're getting with Intellivision and its approach.  I don't see Nintendo or 51 Clubhouse Games putting out updates about what they're doing to capture the perfect sound and atmosphere of that game.  They just made a basic pool game, moved on to the next game.

Not only do the games not look particularly deep and varied, a good number look like multi-player experience will be a bit limited.  Those card games are not going to be possible to play with someone else unless you're getting them an additional Switch.  That isn't a cost-friendly proposition to the buyer.  Those games are going to need online play, and online play on Switch has some big drawbacks - usually you're playing against a total stranger.  Which, in my perception, is no different than playing against the AI.  Maybe the other player is smarter than the AI, maybe they're less smart - but that second player is abstract to me.  I don't enjoy the experience we had playing "together".  People miss this.  Yes, we can all get headphones and play with our squads, maybe I can play 51 Clubhouse Games Texas Hold'Em with somebody online, and we can chat in our headphones and exchange insults and have a facsimile of a good time.  Do I know that person?  Are they going to hit on me or start harassing me because they presume I'm friendlier than I meant to come off?  If I'm a woman, I don't want needless come-ons and flirtations with single guys joining in to my online play - it's annoying and unwelcome.  But if I get Timmy from Billings who's 15 and beside himself to be playing with an adult woman, you really think Tim's going to be polite and plutonic and just enjoy the game?  Nah, if I know most teenage boys, he's going to be pushing his luck and pushing my buttons.  Point Intellivision.  

Also, do we really think Nintendo's going to do much to centerpiece this game?  It gets lost on the store shelves along with all the other titles they put out.  They'll have lots and lots and lots of Kirby and Yoshi's Wooly World and Zelda and Mario and Splatoon and Animal Crossing and Mario Kart and and and... a hundred titles they KNOW sell well.  And somewhere on a little hook will sit two copies of 51 Clubhouse games.  Or it'll be a full hook and look like it's not selling.  It looks and acts like an afterthought to Nintendo, because it is.  Intellivision is making recreational games and card games, board games a PILLAR of what they're creating.  We're all massively interested in the retro reimagined and arcade favorites, but that's ultimately 20, 30% of what they're leaning into.  A lot of their marketing, a lot of that kiosk art space, a lot of commercial time is going to be going into the VARIETY of games, given great polish.  We see it with skiing, with bean bag toss, with billiards, charades... we know Cheryl Consumer is going to be faced with the wall of Nintendo's cartoon characters and licenses and buy a Switch if she's interested in a Switch, OR she's going to see the Amico, the pack-in value and value proposition of the individual games, the attention and platform given to the wide swath of games that might interest her, and go for that.

Are you an after-thought on Nintendo, or are you part of Intellivision's coveted market?  Do you have 51 mini-games that give you variety and feel like $.99 App Store ports?  Or are you buying into a vast library of $4-$7 recreational titles that look like they're polished and explored, and hours upon hours of repeat play and different experiences?

Nintendo and Sony also have Hasbro board games, Ticket to Ride, a few Disney properties.  I don't see them making any sort of a difference by having a couple of these pretty well-buried, vs a system that leads with them. It should make no difference to Intellivision's bottom line.  If anything, give them some space to show how they're doing what the big dogs are doing.  But better.   

40 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

So what you're saying is that the Amico will need to placed in a position where it will be visible?  If you can't see the lights on the Amico, will that be a problem?

You'd hide your Amico away?

What sort of monster are you?!?!

I presumed the system's lighting is usually complimentary, but maybe for certain games it can be a gameplay mechanic.  Amico lights a certain color and you have to tap the corresponding color quadrant of your controller/phone.  Maybe in B-17 Bomber it is giving off pings that enemy radar has spotted the plane.  Maybe in Utopia it's giving subtle cues about changing weather.. in Cloudy Mountain, it could be red dragon's eyes if the dragon spots you.  Those sort of things that could be useful details to player to see in the periphery without really cluttering what's going on on-screen.  Maybe a little kid or your other player(s) catch the cue, maybe you miss it.. it's there and can help or hinder if you spot it.  Or, it could just be complimentary and not affect gameplay whatsoever.  Amico flashes red and orange, white lighting during an explosion scene, maybe when warping to the next floor in Night Stalker, it's spazzing out during the warp effect too.  House wins a hand, it celebrates.  House loses a hand, it gives a begrudging little courtesy applause.  Something like that.

1 hour ago, GrudgeQ said:

I totally agree with @Relicgamer plus think about how people would *really* play those easy touch screen games. A couple of people hunched over a tiny screen or passing it back and forth. No real interaction because each persons is staring at the tiny screen (and as you get older usually those screen just get tinier) and probably you are staring at the back of a Switch. You can't even plan you next move because you probably can't see the screen (or two people are incurring neck pain while they crowd around) if you can. Of course some can be played on the TV (assuming you have the $300 Switch plus the $40 game). Then it is much more comparable assuming the games only use the D pad or motion controls but what about 4 players, oh that is another $60 for two more joycons ($400 now). 6 or 8 players? Sell a kidney - no free cell phone controllers here. So overall is does overlap somewhat, and so does a deck of Uno cards, a box set of Monopoly, some Steam games, Apple Arcade and so on, *somewhat*.

Switch joycons don't have D-pads, do they? Just the face buttons triggers and analog stick on each half.

4 minutes ago, Swami said:

Switch joycons don't have D-pads, do they? Just the face buttons triggers and analog stick on each half.

The Switch lite actually does on one of the controller sides, but I guess that really isn't a separate 'joycon' anyway. I was playing fast & loose with the ABXY buttons in my mind when I wrote that. Should have said "4 direction controls" or something more generic.

17 minutes ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

 

You'd hide your Amico away?

 

What sort of monster are you?!?!

 

 

Oh, no monster here.  In my house, it will be prominently displayed.  I was just thinking of how my parents' house is set up because all the HDMI hookups are in a closet. It's a weird setup, but I never thought it would be a problem because the controllers are all wireless.  But if you needed to actually see it to play the games, then they might have a problem.   

2 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

 In my house, it will be prominently displayed.

Hear, hear!

20 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

Oh, no monster here.  In my house, it will be prominently displayed.  

Meanwhile at vongruetz's house everyone is about to play the Amico ........carefully. Ha ha