Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

22 minutes ago, Relicgamer said:

Wow do you know more about it for the vectrex?  Is it a limited production?  And release date?  Looks really good 

Not really.  Here is a video that explains it.  It's called something else on Vectrex. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juno_First

https://vintageisthenewold.com/new-vectrex-homebrew-game-hera-primera/

1 hour ago, Intellivision Master said:

I asked you about the game before and you said you were going to check it out.  By the way Juno First is coming to Vectrex.

If I checked out all of the games that folks listed here... you guys wouldn't be getting Amico til around 2022.

🥰

38 minutes ago, Tarzilla said:

 

Unfortunately my LG 3d TV recently died and no one appears to be making 3d TVs anymore. What 3d Projector do you have?

Now you have to hook up a PS3 to that 3d projector and play Tron in 3d:

 

This Sony 4K.  It's AMAZING!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-vpl-vw695es-4k-sxrd-projector-with-high-dynamic-range-black/6298665.p?skuId=6298665&ref=212&loc=1&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1268667&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlZiljv3b6QIVQb7ACh1Hlgr3EAQYBCABEgLJVfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can really tell the difference with the black levels... especially in Ultra 4K.

I'm pretty sure they have cheaper models though.  I have a pretty big theater so something like this wouldn't be needed for a typically space I don't think.

Hello Lovely People - It is on... a clip from PM in the PM - Nintendo Switch Clubhouse games vs Amico

2 hours ago, Intymike said:

 

Woooot, no Deadly Discs? I played the heck out of this game back in the 80s.

I didn't seen the movie in the theater either. But I had the book to the movie and read it before I ever seen the movie.

And got the first VHS release still in the 80s to watch it at home.

I didn't see the movie until I was in college.  I had heard about it, and of course knew about the light cycles and such.  When I borrowed a VHS copy from a neighbor, I sat down and watched it.  I was blown away.  It quickly became my favorite movie.  I was amazed at how it worked so well on so many different levels. It had interesting visuals, battles, and light cycle races that kids would enjoy. But it also had a really deep story about the creator of a world being brought down to his own creation. It's just so good.

What I'd like to see, more than a TRON game itself, is the actual games from TRON.  Wouldn't it be cool to finally play Space Paranoids, Matrix Blaster, Vice Squad, and Light Cycles? Everytime I watch the movie, I so desperately want to pop some quarters into a machine and play Space Paranoids. The closest I could get was the arcade version of Discs of Tron.

13 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

I didn't see the movie until I was in college.  I had heard about it, and of course knew about the light cycles and such.  When I borrowed a VHS copy from a neighbor, I sat down and watched it.  I was blown away.  It quickly became my favorite movie.  I was amazed at how it worked so well on so many different levels. It had interesting visuals, battles, and light cycle races that kids would enjoy. But it also had a really deep story about the creator of a world being brought down to his own creation. It's just so good.

 

What I'd like to see, more than a TRON game itself, is the actual games from TRON.  Wouldn't it be cool to finally play Space Paranoids, Matrix Blaster, Vice Squad, and Light Cycles? Everytime I watch the movie, I so desperately want to pop some quarters into a machine and play Space Paranoids. The closest I could get was the arcade version of Discs of Tron.

Had anyone ever made a version of the original Tron arcade game ? I would love that !! 

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

The arcade version was MUCH better... and lets just say... your idea isn't as unrealistic and crazy as you think.

Hmmm.... color me intrigued!

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Getting back to the internal Intellivision team.  Some of you may find these interesting.  Here are just a few older feedback notes that our Art Dept. put together.  We do hundreds of these... but here are just a few from Shark! Shark!...

Yeah... this is me... I love this stuff!

I’ve been on the production end of things (although not in video games), and this feedback process can be both frustrating and invigorating. 

The invigorating part comes from the collaboration to make something as amazing as possible... you’ve done something you think is fantastic, then someone comes along and suggests something even better, which inspires you to come up with other fresh ideas or tweaks on top of their idea. I’m sure any solo developers you’re working with appreciate that aspect of your partnership.

And then there’s the point where everyone is being what many would consider nit-picky. And yet, for me, when we get to the nit-picky part, it’s usually a sign we’ve done all the hard work and now it’s just minor things to take it from about 98% greatness to (hopefully) 100%.

Thanks for sharing it, Tommy!

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

 

This Sony 4K.  It's AMAZING!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-vpl-vw695es-4k-sxrd-projector-with-high-dynamic-range-black/6298665.p?skuId=6298665&ref=212&loc=1&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1268667&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlZiljv3b6QIVQb7ACh1Hlgr3EAQYBCABEgLJVfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

You can really tell the difference with the black levels... especially in Ultra 4K.

I'm pretty sure they have cheaper models though.  I have a pretty big theater so something like this wouldn't be needed for a typically space I don't think.

 

I bet that it amazing to watch and play on. I was looking into doing a projector at 1 end of my arcade room. Primarily for playing on the Amico.  So 4k isn't necessary. But 4k would be nice. And it being dark in there will help as well. Whats your thoughts on the Amico being on a big screen?  1080 is likely all we would need. 

I have a scoop for you guys !

The final stage of Safecracker reimagined !

Unfortunately I cannot show you the real version because it is not completed, but here is what it will look like. 😊

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

 

This Sony 4K.  It's AMAZING!

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-vpl-vw695es-4k-sxrd-projector-with-high-dynamic-range-black/6298665.p?skuId=6298665&ref=212&loc=1&ref=212&loc=1&ds_rl=1268667&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlZiljv3b6QIVQb7ACh1Hlgr3EAQYBCABEgLJVfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

You can really tell the difference with the black levels... especially in Ultra 4K.

I'm pretty sure they have cheaper models though.  I have a pretty big theater so something like this wouldn't be needed for a typically space I don't think.

 

Optoma and benq have affordable 3d projectors that are also 4k.   I love mine

3 hours ago, vongruetz said:

I didn't see the movie until I was in college.  I had heard about it, and of course knew about the light cycles and such.  When I borrowed a VHS copy from a neighbor, I sat down and watched it.  I was blown away.  It quickly became my favorite movie.  I was amazed at how it worked so well on so many different levels. It had interesting visuals, battles, and light cycle races that kids would enjoy. But it also had a really deep story about the creator of a world being brought down to his own creation. It's just so good.

I didn't get to see TRON during its original run in theaters, but I saw it not long afterward.  I would have been about six years old and just getting into computers, at a time when almost nobody around me understood anything about computers or even had one in their homes.  I was similarly blown away by TRON for all the reasons you mention, but the movie also had a spiritual quality that made a profound impression on me.  I could never have explained it in these terms at that age, but even then, I understood enough about programming to know that when you write a program, you really are putting a part of yourself into the computer: you are devising your own solution to a problem, something that is as unique to you as a fingerprint, and you're codifying that part of your own thought process in a way that a computer can understand and replicate.  In the movie, the Walter Gibbs character explicitly says this to Dillinger using very similar language: "You can remove men like Alan and me from the system, but we helped create it, and our spirit remains in every program we design for this computer."  So, I thought that the nuanced way in which the movie portrayed the relationship between the electronic world of TRON and the real world, even to the point of showing the programs to actually resemble their creators, was a brilliant masterstroke.  Even the action sequences were profound to me, because TRON was shown as a warrior whose shield and whose weapon was his identity disc, his accumulated knowledge and experience.  Seeing that movie was probably my earliest transcendent experience, and it never left me; from that time on, the practice of programming took on a magical quality for me—not just as a way of giving instructions to a computer, but as a way of getting in touch with the best of myself.  I don't remember if I had ever thought before about what kind of work I would commit myself to—probably not, at six or seven years old—but from that moment on, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

So, I would definitely be another one of those with "TRON issues."  I have a standing rule that, whenever I adopt a new home video format, TRON is always the first movie I buy in that format: it was my first VHS, my first LaserDisc, and my first Blu-ray.  (I would have bought it first on DVD, too, but somebody gave me the 20th Anniversary box set before I could buy it with my own money.)

1 hour ago, jaybird3rd said:

I didn't get to see TRON during its original run in theaters, but I saw it not long afterward.  I would have been about six years old and just getting into computers, at a time when almost nobody around me understood anything about computers or even had one in their homes.  I was similarly blown away by TRON for all the reasons you mention, but the movie also had a spiritual quality that made a profound impression on me.  I could never have explained it in these terms at that age, but even then, I understood enough about programming to know that when you write a program, you really are putting a part of yourself into the computer: you are devising your own solution to a problem, something that is as unique to you as a fingerprint, and you're codifying that part of your own thought process in a way that a computer can understand and replicate.  In the movie, the Walter Gibbs character explicitly says this to Dillinger using very similar language: "You can remove men like Alan and me from the system, but we helped create it, and our spirit remains in every program we design for this computer."  So, I thought that the nuanced way in which the movie portrayed the relationship between the electronic world of TRON and the real world, even to the point of showing the programs to actually resemble their creators, was a brilliant masterstroke.  Even the action sequences were profound to me, because TRON was shown as a warrior whose shield and whose weapon was his identity disc, his accumulated knowledge and experience.  Seeing that movie was probably my earliest transcendent experience, and it never left me; from that time on, the practice of programming took on a magical quality for me—not just as a way of giving instructions to a computer, but as a way of getting in touch with the best of myself.  I don't remember if I had ever thought before about what kind of work I would commit myself to—probably not, at six or seven years old—but from that moment on, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

 

So, I would definitely be another one of those with "TRON issues."  I have a standing rule that, whenever I adopt a new home video format, TRON is always the first movie I buy in that format: it was my first VHS, my first LaserDisc, and my first Blu-ray.  (I would have bought it first on DVD, too, but somebody gave me the 20th Anniversary box set before I could buy it with my own money.)

hopefully the next iteration would be Tron VR.... want to be theoretically "in" the grid 🙃

The podcast with Generational Gamer was great.  Had fun watching.  It was nice that Tommy stopped by.  Also, it was cool getting to see some new stuff about the Amico controller.

51 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

The podcast with Generational Gamer was great.  Had fun watching.  It was nice that Tommy stopped by.  Also, it was cool getting to see some new stuff about the Amico controller.

Cool can’t wait to hear about the new controller info!

7 hours ago, OEB_Pete said:

Hello Lovely People - It is on... a clip from PM in the PM - Nintendo Switch Clubhouse games vs Amico

 

6 hours ago, Cranker said:

Had anyone ever made a version of the original Tron arcade game ? I would love that !! 

Wouldn't That Be Something?™

6 hours ago, Relicgamer said:

I bet that it amazing to watch and play on. I was looking into doing a projector at 1 end of my arcade room. Primarily for playing on the Amico.  So 4k isn't necessary. But 4k would be nice. And it being dark in there will help as well. Whats your thoughts on the Amico being on a big screen?  1080 is likely all we would need. 

Yeah.  We only do 1080.

I haven't played Amico in my theater yet... so good question.  I'll need to try that out.

41 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah.  We only do 1080.

 

I haven't played Amico in my theater yet... so good question.  I'll need to try that out.

 

Remember Tommy, its not the size of your screen, its what you do with it.

For heavens sake, get it hooked up 

Jump to 37:12.  That's when they talk about Amico.

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Wouldn't That Be Something?™

You know Tommy, all my friends and I knew a girl like you back in school. Sometimes at the same time. 🤣

13 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I can tell you that all signs point to us hitting a big home run in this department!  We still have a lot of work for the UI stuff and making it more uniform across all our games.  This is something that J Allard is passionate about and the main thing he is working on.  It's the "S" in our SAFE acronym.  SIMPLE!!

Getting back to the internal Intellivision team.  Some of you may find these interesting.  Here are just a few older feedback notes that our Art Dept. put together.  We do hundreds of these... but here are just a few from Shark! Shark!...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t tell you how much this delights me. I know that sounds strange but just think about it as a small game dev getting design notes like this from experienced industry veterans. This is like a hands on master class about the type of things that makes a good game great. Some of Intellivision game teams are experienced and may not need much guidance, but for the small teams, with maybe a few projects under their belt, this is a paid apprenticeship in advanced game design school.

30 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

I can’t tell you how much this delights me. I know that sounds strange but just think about it as a small game dev getting design notes like this from experienced industry veterans. This is like a hands on master class about the type of things that makes a good game great. Some of Intellivision game teams are experienced and may not need much guidance, but for the small teams, with maybe a few projects under their belt, this is a paid apprenticeship in advanced game design school.

Thats a very good point. With everything going on I didn't even think about that.  Lol 

On 5/29/2020 at 7:43 PM, Tommy Tallarico said:

Hate to be a tease... but...

 

LIKE THIS!

 

 

 

 

 

Pic of me with Tron creator Steven Lisberger and sound designer Frank Serafine on the right (who unfortunately is no longer with us).

 

This was at my World Premiere of Video Games Live at the Hollywood Bowl back in 2005.  I had them come up on stage and introduce TRON with me.  First time it had ever been played LIVE!

 

 

 

Here's a video of the segment (not from the Hollywood Bowl though... not much YouTube back then).

 

 

 

 

In our original trailer you can see the life-sized light cycle I had built for the Hollywood Bowl show that zoomed across the stage at the end of the segment (complete with lasers!).  Also had Tron characters battling the MCP who was projected on the main screen!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah... I got TRON issues.

 

 

 

 

 I used to own a fully kitted out Tron Legacy pro Pinball game with lighted ramps, mini arcade that played the classic video game attract mode, etc.  The look, gameplay, sound and music of this pin still makes it the best use of a movie license in a modern pin.  

ever since I sold it a couple of years ago, I now have Tron Abandonment issues on top of standard Tron/VR/classic gaming issues. yay

So I've been thinking about this Sega rumour... it's definitely going to turn out to be Thunder Force VII on the Amico, right?

I'd like to see Thunder Force come back from the dead. I got both Thunder Force Gold Packs, Thunder Force V, and a Saturn a few days ago, so I've been playing Thunder Force recently. Thunder Force V has some issues (mainly that there is a bunch of crap going on in the background, making it hard to differentiate between what is in the background and what isn't), but it's still good, just not as good as Thunder Force II MD, III, and IV. Apparently Thunder Force VI, which I have not played, was not great, so maybe it's time to revive Thunder Force and restore it to its former level of quality.