Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

15 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

Hey Tommy, I have a couple of quick and (hopefully) interesting questions about the Amico:

 

1) It looks like all of the games will have offline multiplayer modes... is that true? Will there be any game for only 1 player? If all the games have offline multiplayer, this could be a first in the industry... that would be awesome!

 

2) I see that most of the ideas for the creation and design of the Amico come from you... what percentage of involvement would you say you have in this regard? Did you come up with all the important ideas or is there any of the main features that came from somebody else?

1.  Yes!  Every game has a single player mode AND an offline multiplayer couch co-op mode.  EVERY game.  I don't think any company has ever done that before.  At least not in modern times (i.e. past 40 years).

2.  I make all of the final decisions on the hardware and software.  I am very much involved in the design (as well as music & sound effects!) of every game.  But I have an incredible team of producers (like Paul N.!) and the hardware team consists of so many amazing and passionate folks that I personally hand picked because of their passion for success and bringing families back together.  We're having a huge Intellivision Family Picinic at my house next Saturday and I was thinking about live streaming some of it on Facebook and/or YouTube!  Definitely need the world to see and hear the passion of the entire team!  Not just me.  To the 2nd part of your question.  Yes, I think it would be fair to say that I came up with most of the ideas and features.  Things like the touch-screen, keeping the disc.. but having it float on top, bigger buttons, gyro, speaker/mic, lights on the console & controllers (thanks to 17 years of touring Video Games Live for that idea!)  Hooking up mobile devices, Games under $10 (which I originally tried for $8 but it was more difficult), price-point, style of games, etc.  So if the ship sinks.... it's TOTALLY my fault! 

4 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

 

3D was always great for racing games or space sims. 3D platformers can be good (see Tomb Raider when Lara is not shooting innocent animals), but I generally feel that 3D and realistic graphics have increased the development costs unnecessarily. 25 years ago, 3 programmers could create masterpieces such as Monkey Island in about a year and players didn't have to suffer the terrible B movie voice acting, hundreds of cutscenes or 3D confusing controls. I believe the 32 bit era was the last one where games were just games, and when some of them tried to be movies it was tolerable as they were quite pixelated and you felt like they were trying something cool and different.

 

By the way, another game that would be great to have on the Amico is a new 2D Abe's Oddyssee with multiplayer modes. I would go gung ho for it. 

I really enjoy certain 3D games - I am a huge fan of the Hitman series, for example, and it simply would not be the same game in 2d. That being said, when I look at my actual game play times, I spend more time in 2D, 2.5 D and light 3D games than in depth 3D games. Plus the cost to develop them is at least 10x cheaper. Just like Elon Musk is always trying to find problems that he can fix an 'order of magnitude' (10x) better, the choice of going 2D/2.5D with the Amico is what makes it possible to have an inexpensive console and games. Certainly there is plenty of fun to be had in 2D and 2.5D games and quite frankly 3D is kinda overrated and overused sometimes.

And yes, a new multiplayer Abe's Oddyssee would be great, would need to be toned down though for content. Still such a classic game - kinda Earthworm Jim in it's dark humor.

14 hours ago, Alpha82 said:

After following with great interest a true Intellivision console rising like a Phoenix from the ashes since the first interview with Victor after Tommy was named president of Intellivision Entertainment there are a few things about not only the system but the people involved with the project that I have enjoyed.

 

My family already owned an Intellivision when I was born it was the system I learned to game on my father and I continued to play on Intellivision up until he passed away a few years ago I have a lot of love for Intellivision thanks to those great memories of playing Intellivision with my dad, my brother, and my step brother however it’s not my love of the past that has me so excited for this system it’s the direction of the system the passion and devotion of the people behind it. It’s the passion for this project that I believe gives this system a chance to help change society and buy extension the world for the better.  Maybe I’m a bit on the crazy side but technology for all its wonder has driven a wedge between people and diminished human to human interaction. I believe this device can begin to help change that or maybe I just hope it can. 

 

And Tommy he really seems like one of the most approachable people I have ever met without actually meeting him he just seems like the kind of guy you could hang out with and have a ton of fun.  Thanks for bringing back gaming to its roots.  

 

So so my question for Tommy is this which of the announced retro reimagined titles are you looking forward to playing the most?

Hi!,

Thanks for your personal story.  It really means a lot to hear that stuff.  I only wish your dad was able to play the new one.  But hopefully you can get together again with your brothers and or your kids/nieces/nephews, etc. and relive the magic and tell them stories of how you all played with your dad!

My personal favorite so far is definitely Moon Patrol!  I spent a LOT of time working on the physics of the buggy with the developer and it's so fun and really great to play!!  That one is my personal favorite right now.  I think Paul's as well?  Paul?

12 hours ago, MonsterSky said:

People complaining about Amico's controller and hoping to be able to use a "classic" controller probably don't know or remember that many Intellivision games rely on the numeric pad for many operations, from the simplest ones like selecting the number of players or the level of difficulty, to the more specific ones such as entering numbers (for example the money to bet in the game Poker & Blackjack).

 

Last but not least there are games (the first ones that come to mind are AD&D Cloudy Mountain and Tron deadly discs) that rely heavily on the use of the numeric pad (AD&D to shoot arrows in various directions, TRON in the same way to launch the disc) that with a "classic" pad would be difficult to reproduce via analogue sticks and buttons.

Exactly!  It would be very easy for us to add bluetooth support for regular controllers.  And we might.  Although it may cause confusion because I would say less than 10% of the current games could even use it.  Having a screen for info and doing other things is really important in a lot of games.  Similar to the overlay on Utopia!  Try playing Utopia without that!! 

10 hours ago, vprette said:

same for me

ps5 + amico looks the right combination.... I'm reading about stadia as well but not attractive because I wonder that they will have the usual violent games... apart windjammer 2... cannot say if stadia will be in the family games ring

So far, the 3 games that they have showed and demoed on Stadia were complicated and violent M rated games.

7 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

Those airport gate and state fairs ideas are pretty genius. The challenge will be to get the Amico message out to a broad, relatively non-technical audience which isn't expecting anything like this. Hands on is of course the best otherwise longer forms of the marketing like demos on shows like "The View", feature articles in things like Family Magazine, family/kid oriented expos and even QVC sales spots could do really well for IE because of it's 'anti console, console' features.

Been in our marketing plan from Day 1.

p.s.  Don't forget Ellen!  Some big news coming soon. 

7 hours ago, Loafer said:

I loved the 3DO, it deserved a better fate but what do you expect with that launch price?

Yeah... that was it's major downfall.  $700 was it?  That is what I took away from that.  PRICE MATTERS!!!!!

If Nintendo tried to sell the Wii for $300 it would have been a huge mistake IMO as well.  Their $249 price-point 13 years ago was spot on.

Ours at under $200 will be even better. 

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... that was it's major downfall.  $700 was it?  That is what I took away from that.  PRICE MATTERS!!!!!

If Nintendo tried to sell the Wii for $300 it would have been a huge mistake IMO as well.  Their $249 price-point 13 years ago was spot on.

Now I see how Pat's remark about price is such a sticking point here.

6 hours ago, IntelliMission said:

T look like the Amico is going to be the first console to implement a number of things:

 

- First modern console to include more than one controller

- First console where you can use smartphones to play

- First 3D console that focuses on 2D gameplay

- First console release where anyone can ask any question directly to the CEO of the company

- First console where all the games have multiplayer modes (to be confirmed)

- First console where "family friendly" is a requirement

 

If anyone can name more "firsts", feel free to add them to the list.

I could name about 20 more... but I can't at this moment because of our marketing/PR plan and patents.

3 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

I am not sure that *all* games will be practically playable with a cell phone (not sure on the motion controller games in particular). However how about this?

 

- First console where most games are playable via a free cell phone app as a controller

Yes!  ALL games!

3 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

I am not sure that *all* games will be practically playable with a cell phone (not sure on the motion controller games in particular). However how about this?

 

- First console where most games are playable via a free cell phone app as a controller

Yep.  It's ALL games... but there is one HUGE thing I can't talk about until next summer in regards to this.  It will blow people away!!!!!!

11 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Been in our marketing plan from Day 1.

 

p.s.  Don't forget Ellen!  Some big news coming soon. 

 

 

an Ellen dancing game? 

1 minute ago, ASalvaro said:

an Ellen dancing game? 

I think he meant being on her show, like the Ouya lady. 🤣

1 hour ago, 8BitDad said:

If Tommy is still around I have a few questions for him.

 

1.  Is there a reason you chose not to include the personal attack against Ian in your video when you had previously referred to him as the “long-haired dude”? That part is strangely omitted from the video when Ian and Pat start mentioning things got personal. Why? 

 

2.  Also, what is your definition of a hardcore gamer? You seem to be on a mission to rail against the de facto “hardcore gamer” and I wonder why that is. If I collect a lot of retro and am passionate about it doesn’t that make me a hardcore retro gamer? You mention inclusion in your video to Ian and Pat about coming together to work towards fighting against public perceptions of games yet seemingly want to exclude a portion of gamers. Why?

 

3.  It seems there are two lines of info/knowledge when it comes to the Amico, inside and public. Is it your or the company’s responsibility to make sure messaging stays on point? 

 

I say this because if Pat and Ian or anyone who has inside info that they can’t share publicly is simply telling their fans to “trust me”, which isn’t the most positive way to disseminate info or fight against skepticism. It makes outsiders feel like they don’t have an in with the company or that some aren’t worthy of such info.

 

Inside info doesn’t help public perceptions when it’s of no use to public consumers trying to make an informed decision. It feels like you are way ahead of where you should be promoting this console and that there should be real marketing behind it that currently isn’t there.

 

4.  You’ve mentioned on here you built your website in a single day via Wix. I’m sure you know better than anybody that brand association and marketing needs to be on point at all levels. Sure you have a website, but it’s not polished, has scant info and doesn’t put the system in the best light. If someone google searches for the Amico and comes across the site for the first time, do you feel it’s satisfactory for what you are trying to accomplish with the console. People shouldn’t have to go to outside sources for info on the console, every minute detail and update should be on the site. We shouldn’t get a fact here on AtariAge or have another YouTuber mention something for the first time. All info should be posted to the website FIRST and then shared accordingly. The mixed messaging does not help the Amico in my opinion.

 

5.  You also mention Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft don’t give out info on their own consoles 14 months ahead of launch which is true, but those companies have a track record in the console industry. At one time yes Intellivision was up there but it doesn’t hold the cache it once did, so it’s unfair to suggest the Amico has the same clout as Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft currently do, that’s not the case today. 

 

6.  Clearly you are passionate about the console and I admire that certainly, but I think maybe taking a step back and refocusing how information is shared directly with fans would go a long way to staying on brand and on point. 

 

Best of luck. 

1.  Because calling him the "long haired dude" was not an attack in any way shape or form.  I just didn't know his name and I apologized on the video that I didn't and if he took offense.  I actually addressed that in the video.  Just curious to know if you watched the entire thing?  I know it was super long (51 mins?) but it WAS addressed.

2.  Here's a great example of not being able to speak to someone and assuming something that isn't true.  I have never attacked hardcore gamers.  Ever!  I myself am one and every person here who would come to a thread on Atari Age would probably be considered one as well.  Yet none of the people here feel attacked by my facts.  Just because I state facts that there are 200 million gamers in the world yet 3 billion people play video games is NOT attacking hardcore gamers.  Because I am pointing out a FACT that 90% of the entire population in the world finds modern gaming too complicated is NOT me attacking hardcore gamers.  Hardcore gamers are defined by folks who play more than 10 hours of non-casual games per week and are typically owners of home consoles and/or big PC gamers.  So now let me ask you a question if I could... why did you assume that I'm attacking hardcore gamers?  Show me the line or sentence or tweet or reply or quote.  I'm being honest.  Do you think maybe you now have a negative perception of me because of how Pat & Ian described the situation?  Falsely I might add.  I'm just curious.

Also, let me ask you another question...  why would you bring up one little comment about Ian when the video clearly shows 10 other instances before that where I wasn't confrontational at all?  Just curious.  Please answer.

3.  I address this in great detail in my video.  Please watch the entire thing.

4.  As mentioned in the video (which I'm now certain you clearly did not watch the entire thing) we have not started marketing yet.  And YES!  It has ALL of the information that we want the public to know right now.

5.  Um... I never said that Intellivision has the same clout as Nintendo, Sony & Microsoft.  In fact... if you would have watched the entire video I address this as well... talking about how we need to get out their EARLIER than the others because we DON'T have the same clout as they do. 

6.  You came here and asked me a bunch of questions that were already answered in the video.  I believe you have wrongly assumed a bunch of things about me and how I feel.  So I guess even when I take the time and make an hour long video... people still don't listen.    And I'm to blame for this?  For getting out there and being active in the community?  Interacting with folks and answering questions?  And this is how I'm treated?  No wonder it's such a rare thing for folks like me to be doing this.

I would like to say that I do appreciate that you kept your questions respectful.  I hope I came across the same way.

 

Will White Water get an update?

1 hour ago, ASalvaro said:

an Ellen dancing game? 

My wife is a big Ellen fan and so we *had* to play the Ellen slots in Vegas last week. Surprisingly fun with a steady stream of quirky animations and one liner quips. An Ellen dancing/trivia/anything game wouldn't offend me (nor my wife especially) one bit.

3 hours ago, 8BitDad said:

Is there a reason you chose not to include the personal attack against Ian in your video when you had previously referred to him as the “long-haired dude”? That part is strangely omitted from the video when Ian and Pat start mentioning things got personal. Why? 

I don't see how calling someone a "long-haired dude" would be considered a personal attack AT ALL.  It's just like referring to someone as the "brown-haired guy" or the "dude with glasses" if you don't know someone's name.  It happens all the time in everyday life if you need to identify someone you don't know yet.  How else would you have liked Tommy to identify Ian since he didn't know his name at the time?  I think it's completely ridiculous that you even referred to that as a personal attack, it's not even remotely close!!  🤦‍♂️

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I could name about 20 more... but I can't at this moment because of our marketing/PR plan and patents.

Cheater with all your insider knowledge! Where is that Karma Game Engine when you need it? 

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Thanks for the kind support.  And to be honest... yeah... we make small mistakes here and there all the time.  We go down certain paths (such as the 2 buttons on each side at the top) but then end up correcting it because we do a ton of research and listen to what others have to say.

As I mentioned in my video to Ian & Pat... at the end of the day I'm the one who takes all the data and needs to figure out what I think the best way to go is.  But it's never without lots of data and thought.

 

 

So where are the side buttons going?

26 minutes ago, mr_me said:

So where are the side buttons going?

My wild guess is... Look at the response video from Tommy at 23:20.

2 hours ago, mr_me said:

So where are the side buttons going?

It's looking like giant buttons 1/3rd and 1/2 way down on the side, rather than smaller buttons in the top 3rd, if I understand correctly. Or maybe they were originally above the screen.

3 hours ago, Papy said:

My wild guess is... Look at the response video from Tommy at 23:20.

Good ear and eye. 

5 hours ago, Rev said:

Will White Water get an update?

We have something like it in the works by a VERY FAMOUS and award winning developer and we may end up calling it White Water. 

3 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

Cheater with all your insider knowledge! Where is that Karma Game Engine when you need it? 

Hahahha!  That was a good one! 

3 hours ago, Papy said:

My wild guess is... Look at the response video from Tommy at 23:20.

p.s. Is NO ONE going to mention the fact that I have a big ass Tron statue in my window?