Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

Hi All, I am also very exited about the new Amico system and I am regularly looking around YouTube for new interviews with Tommy where he talks about his new baby.

In my opinion the Intellivision Amico console resembles some TRON aesthetics with all the light bars on the main unit and the controllers.

It would be interesting if this is by intention or only a coincidence.

As we all know for the original Mattel Intellivision there were three TRON games.

But for sure the Amico will be my third game console (already preordered one).

The first one was the Mattel Intellivision and the second one was the Amiga CD³².

And by the way I liked the original Intellivision controllers a lot and I also like what I see and hear about the new Amico controllers - of  course the controller has a disc - TRON without a disc - impossible!

52 minutes ago, Swami said:

I remember the first time I played Super Mario Bros I went with my sister over to her friends house and her friend had a kid about 7 years old who asked me if I wanted to play. I was about 20 then. I tried to play and died each of the three lives after about 10-20 sec while this 7 year old is trying to tell me what to do. Maybe that was why I never bought another console in the 90s or 2000s: Pwned by a 7 year old. 🤣🤣

Oh man that's brutal. Amico's karma system can help with that  

49 minutes ago, SuperJeremyWorld said:

Oh man that's brutal. Amico's karma system can help with that  

LOL. Probably. I think the real reason was my college advisor was always telling me no one became the best in their field from watching tv at night. I think a lot of these old guys who grew up in the 30s thought TV was some kind of an abomination or something. Of course, there were always other distractions in college.

We had a super-old judge come to work a couple years back to do a seminar on trial prep and someone asked him how he thought TV influenced juries and he said he thought TV was the greatest blight known to humanity. 🤪

3 minutes ago, Swami said:

Of course, there were always other distractions in college.

You can say that again 🤣

10 hours ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

Totally gone?  Are you suggesting modern pop has killed off melody?  Just a stream of 2 or 3 constrained notes, totally dependent on a rhythmic layer to get to that all important hook?  Nooooooooo.....

 

::listens to recent hits::

 

No, I take that back.  Not that I'm going to go on some "the kids these days and their music, bleh!" rant - beats are great, lyrics are clever, but more melodic rock and pop and classical tunes.. an unrestrained YES PLEASE!  

For me, majority of the music these days seems to have to stand for something and the singers needs to be “believable”.  
 

What happened to music just being fun?  #where did the 80’s go?

1 minute ago, Starpaddler said:

For me, majority of the music these days seems to have to stand for something and the singers needs to be “believable”.  
 

What happened to music just being fun?  #where did the 80’s go?

Long live the 80's.

32 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

For me, majority of the music these days seems to have to stand for something and the singers needs to be “believable”.  
 

What happened to music just being fun?  #where did the 80’s go?

Well happy to tell you my son is 21 and stuck in the 80s. Favorite console nes favorite band  Ratt. 

Tommy,

Thank you for commenting on the interview that Michael and I did.  I hope you enjoyed it.

On 6/7/2020 at 4:21 PM, Stillagamer said:

Thats really awesome I cant wait to see what they come up with! No problem man here are some more great games. Im going to put some games that arent in the price range but i would love to see a game in that style on the Amico as well. For example a Tron styled version of Speedrunners would be a system seller in my opinion.

 

Speedrunners (14.99 on steam):

 

 

RocketsRocketsRockets (6.99 on steam):

 

 

Ultimate Chicken Horse (14.99 on steam):

 

 

Shatter (9.99 on steam):

 

 

Badland Game of the Year Edition (9.99 on steam):

 

 

Push Me Pull You (14.99 on steam):

 

 

 

Some really great finds!  Thanks so much for sending!  Sent most of them to my team to reach out to the developers (that last one was a little too strange for me!)   Hahhaha!  

BTW... I don't think I've ever spoken about this before, but one of the other experienced triple A rockstars we have working for us is a guy by the name of Rusty Buchert.  He's been in the industry for over 30 years and produced such titles as Descent 1 & 2, Bard's Tale, some of the best Star Trek games, etc.  BUT he also helped to launch the PlayStation Network at Sony (where he was for 8 years).  For those who know, PSN was the branch of Sony that signed Indie developers to create games that were digital and around $19 or less.  Games he signed and produced?  flow, Flower and Unfinished Swan!  All major award winning games!

So to say that we have one of the best Indie developer producers and talent finders in the biz... is a bit of an understatement! 

So I task Rusty to track down and speak with the developers from all these games you've all be sending me.  In about 70% of the cases... he already knows the team and has been talking to them already!

If anyone is interested in finding out or seeing more of our team, we just recently added an OUR TEAM to our website a week or so ago.

You can check it out here. 
https://www.intellivisionamico.com/our-team

Let me know your thoughts.  Aside from Nintendo... I've actually never seen as many high profile experienced industry professionals on one team.  Especially for hardware.  And even in the case of Nintendo... it's only Nintendo experience those folks have.  We have top super successful people who worked for Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, EA, Namco, Sega, Mattel, Disney, Konami, Virgin, Interplay and many others!  It's really amazing if you think about it.

 

On 6/7/2020 at 5:07 PM, Relicgamer said:

Im laughing in how many comments there is about the switch. At this rate the Amico will be at my home by the time the switch is figured out.  This is me included lol🤣🤣🤣

I know right?!?!?   How the heck is the average consumer supposed to know and figure this stuff out?

On 6/7/2020 at 7:13 PM, Oldfool said:

I would like to put a plug in for a game along the lines of Affordable Space Adventures, which was for the Wii U. It was able to use the extra screen in the gameplay, along with cool couch coop where different people had different assignments on the ship. 
 

A game where each person has their own unique screen and task for the good of the whole would be a great couch coop. (Sorry about lack of links to any video, I am just an Oldfool). 

Very cool!  Hadn't seen that one before. 

Will reach out to them today!

1 minute ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I know right?!?!?   How the heck is the average consumer supposed to know and figure this stuff out?

 

Yet how dare you have games on the Amico that requires a cellphone. Oh no not sure if your target audience has cellphones lol. 

On 6/7/2020 at 7:52 PM, Relicgamer said:

Hey I think the vcs might actually make it out. Nah I just decided to build it myself.  Heres my progress.  Just so you know I'm going to be doing 4 of these in 4 different colors. With 4 different wood veneers.  Had to keep busy till my Amico gets to my house.  Dont worry Tommy I'm not go into business against you. But Atari I'm coming for you ha ha ha

Wow!  Looks pretty good already!  Who will be done first?  Atari or you?  They had a 2 year, $3M start and contracted one of the Xbox architects... but I think I'd still bet on you.  

On 6/7/2020 at 8:22 PM, Steven Pendleton said:

I'm in that demographic, and look what I got in the mail today! Excuse my typical trash-tier photography skills. I do have all of the other stuff that came with this like the Groovy! patch and the papercraft Jim, but there's way too much stuff to fit in one frame and I'm too lazy to take a second picture.

 

 

Earthworm Jim is a system seller for the Amico for my generation. You know how I know? Because it was a system seller for me and one of my friends is seriously considering getting one partially for Jim, as well. There is lots of talk about this game (mostly complaining that it's Amico exclusive and people reassuring the complainers by saying that it will come to other systems after Amico fails) elsewhere on the internet where the demographic skews younger (GameFAQs, etc.). I am very much looking forward to this game, and I hope it turns out to be great.

 

By the way, Tommy, the Amico, and the new game are mentioned a few times in the making of book there on the right. I haven't actually read any of the actual comic yet, but I did look through the making of book very briefly to see if it was going to cover just the comic or also include the games. Nice to see the Amico and the new game in there, so it's as up-to-date as it currently can be.

Yep!   I helped him to put that deal together with Interplay. 

I actually have 3 copies of each... and the complete set of playing cards.

They are both AMAZING books!  Would highly recommend them to anyone interested in comics/graphic novels.  The quality is unbelievable.  I've never seen anything like it.  He used every printing trick in the book!  From foil to embossing, cut outs, UV spotting, etc.  Really incredible.

Doug said some amazing things about me in my section of the "Making Of" book.  It literally had me in tears reading it.  It was really cool of him to say those things and something the "haters" should read before doubting so much.  

I been wear t-shirt everyday on Atom universe spread word about intellivison amico but I need something new wear

On 6/8/2020 at 6:07 AM, Intellivision Master said:

 

Nice video.  He does some great stuff!!

Being compared in any way, shape or form to one of my heroes Walt Disney is quite an amazing honor!  And yes... he and Disneyland was definitely a factor in the way I approached Amico.  So great pick-up there.

I have an entire room in my house dedicated to Disney. Lots of rare memorabilia stuff.  Mostly Walt inspired.  So much to learn from the way he approached things.  An absolute master in many ways.  The bench he sat on when he thought up Disneyland is still on display at Disneyland in Anaheim.  I think I've read almost every book ever written on him and have spoke to many people who worked with him.  He had his faults... but don't we all!!  A true inspiration in many ways.
 

I had a quick read of the comments section and I'm really starting to feel sorry for some of those same 4 or 5 fake multiple account folks who now make hateful and negative comments every day.  I honestly hope someone close to them does an intervention.  I'm being 100% serious.  Imagine DISliking something and then having to scour the internet every day to read and watch about it and then get into senseless misinformed arguments with people who like it?  What kind of personal issues do you have going on that this is your outlet of communication with others?  I feel sad that these folks have gotten to such an extreme point to where they are.  They literally makes 100's of posts a week, watching hours of videos, reading thousands of words... for something that they don't like.  Yikes!  Although I do think it shows how powerful our message is and how disruptive Amico is going to be.  Folks don't obsess over something this much unless they know it has major potential.  

22 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

I reached out to the Marbula One folks again yesterday.  This would make such a GREAT game on Amico!  Especially with the motion controls!

22 hours ago, SuperJeremyWorld said:

I credited this group with the idea for the video as I heard it here first! I think something like this would be FANTASTIC on the Amico. Simple but fun gameplay that utilizes the motion controls and easily adds up to 8 people. 

TOTALLY agree!  Great video Jeremy!

22 hours ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

 

There is a word for all of this.

 

Hassle.

 

I am ever frustrated with presumptuous podcasters and those who must rent a second home in the comments sections of Amico videos insisting how easy and seamless the menus and forced intros and tutorials, the unnecessary configuration and misplaced customization and selection are.  It's never as easy as they present, because they're not new to the medium.  They are used to certain flows to access and play, and accept the screen before them as normal - because it's some iteration of the screen before them in accessing many games they've played for years.  And they purport everybody has loads of experience with similar interfaces and selection options and presume everyone participates in the digital age just as they do.  It's just not the case.  And for the population that does have experiences with these interfaces on a regular basis, they're not exactly enamored with them or not frustrated by janky navigation and obtuse control schemes that aren't apparent or user-friendly.

It's because of the elitist attitude and ego that they think this way.  It's Maturity & Ego 101. 

People may not like the same things you do... and it's okay. 

Nah... they would rather fight tooth and nail to defend that the way THEY think everyone must obey and think the same.  We see it in the media and politics every day unfortunately.  And it's only getting worse.

22 hours ago, RetroAdvisoryBoard said:

I don't know if Intellivision can create a better "turn on system and get to game" experience, but the fact that they're promoting simplicity and striving to not feature all these features by design, to maintain ease of use, is encouraging.  I may find the simple menu system still to be frustrating, but at least they're making a point to address this and attempt to make a system, and playing games on said system in somewhat predictable if less standard-encountered situations like you've pointed out here, hassle-free.

I appreciate the acknowledgement!  Yes... this is something we are 100% focused on.  Especially J Allard.  The main reason I brought him in.  He's been such a great and sobering voice for so many things. 

Played Clubhouse 51 again last night with my wife.  Was sitting there thinking to myself and we struggled multiple times again with entering or exiting from the menus that there is NO WAY they could have focused tested this product for the people they intended it for.  NO WAY!
 

I can only guess that these companies/producers/developers may be trapped in their own gaming bubbles at this point when it comes to UI/UX/menu stuff. 

We talk about this literally every single day at Intellivision.  Do we REALLY need to have a certain option or menu?  The less to chose, the better.  But even something as simple as moving forward or backwards should always be very simple and easy to understand what button to press and what is does.  And do you know what makes that super easy to understand?  A TOUCH SCREEN ON THE CONTROLLER!!

Wouldn't That Be Something?™

22 hours ago, SuperJeremyWorld said:

I completely agree RAB! I just saw this video the other day where Shigeru Miyamoto describes designing Super Mario Bros. level 1-1 and the whole thing was a sneaky tutorial for how to play the game without making you feel like that's what was happening, with nearly every move in the level designed to teach you everything you needed to know about the gameplay. It's genius. 
 

 

Such a great video!  Thanks for sharing.  I hadn't seen that one before.

I've spent countless hours with Miyamoto-san asking him dozens of questions about his design theories.  He is an absolute genius and mastermind.  And it's all based around simplicity in terms of the how and why.

So many stories and information I could share but would literally take me hours to recall. 

A huge inspiration and such a great honor to call him a trusted friend for over 30 years.

Good article about Rockets Rockets Rockets.

https://www.geekwire.com/2018/game-review-rocketsrocketsrockets-nintendo-switch-exactly-sounds-like/

Going so far as to say that he is playing more and more game like this, easy to learn and play games ! Amico will surprise a lot of people ! 😀

Visuals are really good, and control with the disc will be a nice fit.

It's cool to have a more "relax gameplay mode" too.

In my opinion, some little things could be add to create more value. ( Another gameplay mode with some little missions !? )

If not, I'm not sure that I would often replay it ...

But if it's coming to Amico, they will have to add things, so it could be very cool !

19 hours ago, Bloodfire said:

Hi All,  I am new to the forums here, and am very excited about the Amico system.  Tommy mentioned AtariAge in one of his interviews so came out here to check it out.  Back in the day I had an Atari 2600 and then the family moved onto the Commodore Vic20 one Christmas.  What a fun system that was!  The last system I really played in depth was the Neo Geo and had lots of carts for it but sold it all when it was time to furnish my own house.

 

Anyways, I have young kids now and am so looking forward to gaming with them on the sofa.  The older more simplistic games are what I enjoy and know my kids will love playing them, especially with Daddy and Mommy.

 

Some of my favorite games from the past:

Archon

Montezuma’s Revenge

Gorf

The Scott Adams’ word games like Voodoo Castle

Radar Rat Race

Pitfall

Missile Command

Champions of Krynn (SSI on the PC)

Metal Slug 3 (Neo Geo)

Magical Drop III (Neo Geo)

Hi Bloodfire!,

Welcome to the thread and thank-you for sharing your story and favorite games!  Archon is already on our list... and you may have seen our Missile Command update as well.

Question for you... where was the first place or time you heard about Amico?

I'm curious to understand where folks first heard about us.

For others in here... would be interested in knowing where you first heard about it as well!

Thanks Bloodfire... hope to see ya around these parts and please let me know if you ever have any questions.  Will try to answer them as best I can.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

 

Some really great finds!  Thanks so much for sending!  Sent most of them to my team to reach out to the developers (that last one was a little too strange for me!)   Hahhaha!  

BTW... I don't think I've ever spoken about this before, but one of the other experienced triple A rockstars we have working for us is a guy by the name of Rusty Buchert.  He's been in the industry for over 30 years and produced such titles as Descent 1 & 2, Bard's Tale, some of the best Star Trek games, etc.  BUT he also helped to launch the PlayStation Network at Sony (where he was for 8 years).  For those who know, PSN was the branch of Sony that signed Indie developers to create games that were digital and around $19 or less.  Games he signed and produced?  flow, Flower and Unfinished Swan!  All major award winning games!

 

So to say that we have one of the best Indie developer producers and talent finders in the biz... is a bit of an understatement! 

 

So I task Rusty to track down and speak with the developers from all these games you've all be sending me.  In about 70% of the cases... he already knows the team and has been talking to them already!

 

If anyone is interested in finding out or seeing more of our team, we just recently added an OUR TEAM to our website a week or so ago.

You can check it out here. 
https://www.intellivisionamico.com/our-team

 

Let me know your thoughts.  Aside from Nintendo... I've actually never seen as many high profile experienced industry professionals on one team.  Especially for hardware.  And even in the case of Nintendo... it's only Nintendo experience those folks have.  We have top super successful people who worked for Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, EA, Namco, Sega, Mattel, Disney, Konami, Virgin, Interplay and many others!  It's really amazing if you think about it.

 

What I really like about the bio page is that the template used to highlight each person looks like the information card on the back of G.I. Joe action figures. 

24 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

For others in here... would be interested in knowing where you first heard about it as well!

I first heard about Amico in 2018.  It was either from an article or a YouTube video.  Ever since then, I've been following all things Amico.  More so thanks to the Q&A, which I came across this past February.  As you know, I'm on here every day.  Lol.

By the way I signed up for the newsletter/mailing list in May 2018.

18 hours ago, oelli said:

Hi All, I am also very exited about the new Amico system and I am regularly looking around YouTube for new interviews with Tommy where he talks about his new baby.

In my opinion the Intellivision Amico console resembles some TRON aesthetics with all the light bars on the main unit and the controllers.

It would be interesting if this is by intention or only a coincidence.

As we all know for the original Mattel Intellivision there were three TRON games.

 

But for sure the Amico will be my third game console (already preordered one).

The first one was the Mattel Intellivision and the second one was the Amiga CD³².

And by the way I liked the original Intellivision controllers a lot and I also like what I see and hear about the new Amico controllers - of  course the controller has a disc - TRON without a disc - impossible!

 

Hi oelli!,

Welcome to the AA forums and our Q&A thread!  Please let me know if you ever have any questions.

Yeah... I'm a HUGE fan of Tron (as well as most of the folks in here) and although the lighting can be changed to whatever you want... the Graphite Black console with the TRON blue lighting was definitely an homage to TRON.

Hope to see ya around here!