Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

4 hours ago, mr_me said:

https://atariage.com/forums/topic/288558-intellivision-amico-tommy-tallarico-introduction-qa/?do=findComment&comment=4303941

 

Do the 3rd parties get dev kits for the hardware?

12 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

That one had great music and sound design if I recall.

 

😱🤣😇

Wait... Did you also have a hand in that game too? It was fantastic and the sound was great. On that note - since we all agreed the Amico is just a big, old, cell phone game machine (lovingly kidding), can you confirm if there are any big tower defense games like Army of Darkness in the mix? Any chance you would resurrect this title as Backflip has pulled it from Google play and Apple app store? I'm sure the very epic Bruce Campbell would be down for recording fresh vocals. 

True story - Bruce once showed up to an indie movie theatre I was at in Minneapolis to do a Q/A live after the showing of "My Name is Bruce" in '07... During a snow blizzard. That's some dedication 🤘🤘

14 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

p.s.  Cloudy Mountain is up to 3 players simultaneous.  Tried to get 4, but way too crowded on screen.

Players can jump in and out anytime though and other players can revive you after you die (by playing a mini-game on the touch screens!).

It's gonna be a great one!  Should be available on launch I believe.

 

physical release?

Tommy, any consideration for Rikki and Vikki from PenguiNet on the Amico. Seems like a perfect fit for co-operative play.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/893690/Rikki__Vikki/

http://www.penguinet.net/Games/Rikki_Vikki/index.php

14 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Thanks Tommy,

 

It may be some additional work on your end, but if you wanted to maintain the release date and manufacturing ends up falling just a little short of the deadline, for myself think I would be willing to pay for air-shipment delivery and would assume many of the Founders and VIP Adopters may as well.
 

Its not perfect, but it may allow for a way for IE to cement the date in the history books. 
 

All I’d need is a quote 🤑

I pre-ordered the Woodgrain VIP console and would also be down for this if necessary/possible.

14 hours ago, Starpaddler said:

Thanks Tommy,

 

It may be some additional work on your end, but if you wanted to maintain the release date and manufacturing ends up falling just a little short of the deadline, for myself think I would be willing to pay for air-shipment delivery and would assume many of the Founders and VIP Adopters may as well.
 

Its not perfect, but it may allow for a way for IE to cement the date in the history books. 
 

All I’d need is a quote 🤑

I would definitely pay extra to have it on time if necessary !! I’m guessing that would be way too complicated with all the other million things that need to be done to get this launched but I’m in if it’s possible ! 

Wouldn’t it be something if the Amico B-17 Bomber could incorporate story, history and visuals similar to this along with great game play.

1 hour ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

I was told not to post critical videos anymore? I think this video talked a lot of concerns many seem to have. The hype for the amico has gone down not trying to be negative, but let's just be real here.

50 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

Don’t get me wrong. I want the Amico to succeed more than anybody and I am a big Amico shillboy. However, I agree with a couple of BlusTech’s major concerns. The fact that there has been zero marketing for a console to be released in less than four months concerns me. Also, we were promised something MAJOR in the place of E3’s cancelled event which was to be held last week and so far nothing. There have been no mention of hardware specifics either. There haven't been any Meet Amico videos in a long time. People are hungry to see more actual game play. All of this leads me to believe that the system is not going to be ready on time yet Tommy said in his last interview they are still planning on a 10-10 launch. We have been promised press releases in the past that haven’t happened yet. One sports related, one edutainment related. Sure, I know things are naturally delayed by COVID-19, riots, murder hornets, you name it and nothing can be done about that. By the way, I would like to see more videos from other Intellivision employees. Or maybe an interview with Tommy and J where Tommy asks J a series of questions. As time goes on I’m becoming more skeptical of Tommy overpromising which may result in underdelivering. I hope Tommy proves me wrong. 

1 hour ago, Intellivision collector said:

Wouldn’t it be something if the Amico B-17 Bomber could incorporate story, history and visuals similar to this along with great game play.

I hoping the visuals are more cartoony, sort of like the game Bomber Crew. I just want it where having screens on the controllers means each player can be doing something completely different than the other.  For example, if you had a bandit at 6 o'clock, one player could be the tail gunner and see what was happening on their screen, while the bombardier could still use the sights and bomb a target below.

From the little tidbits Tommy has left here, I think it will be really cool.

3 minutes ago, vongruetz said:

I hoping the visuals are more cartoony, sort of like the game Bomber Crew. I just want it where having screens on the controllers means each player can be doing something completely different than the other.  For example, if you had a bandit at 6 o'clock, one player could be the tail gunner and see what was happening on their screen, while the bombardier could still use the sights and bomb a target below.

 

From the little tidbits Tommy has left here, I think it will be really cool.

Love that idea to have individual players use their screen controllers for different Crew members and perspectives on the action.  Graphics are subjective.  Cartoony is great, but for me, a game like B-17 Bomber which is based on historical events, warrants a little more realism.  In any event, I’m sure Tommy and his crew will push the game to its limits.

One other thought....since the controller has a microphone, what if each player could talk into the controller and it would change your voice slightly to seem as though you were inside the B-17 Bomber with an oxygen mask on to talk to the other crew members. 😀

7 hours ago, Cranker said:

I would definitely pay extra to have it on time if necessary !! I’m guessing that would be way too complicated with all the other million things that need to be done to get this launched but I’m in if it’s possible ! 

I’d agree on the complexity and definitely not looking for a way to add work or pressure to the team. As a VIP pre-orderer only, I would be good with this only being an option for the Founder folks, or a lottery within them (even if just 25 of them).  This was more about IE being able to mitigate a slip to the release date (even if not ideal) then me getting my grubby little hands on the system, soon as able (not that I’m saying I don’t want that as well) 🤢.
 

I get the negatives and I’m sure Tommy and the team are already looking at and balancing all options, as I know there isn't anyone more motivated than Tommy.. 

47 minutes ago, Craig Parker said:

Don’t get me wrong. I want the Amico to succeed more than anybody and I am a big Amico shillboy. However, I agree with a couple of BlusTech’s major concerns. The fact that there has been zero marketing for a console to be released in less than four months concerns me. Also, we were promised something MAJOR in the place of E3’s cancelled event which was to be held last week and so far nothing. There have been no mention of hardware specifics either. There haven't been any Meet Amico videos in a long time. People are hungry to see more actual game play. All of this leads me to believe that the system is not going to be ready on time yet Tommy said in his last interview they are still planning on a 10-10 launch. We have been promised press releases in the past that haven’t happened yet. One sports related, one edutainment related. Sure, I know things are naturally delayed by COVID-19, riots, murder hornets, you name it and nothing can be done about that. By the way, I would like to see more videos from other Intellivision employees. Or maybe an interview with Tommy and J where Tommy asks J a series of questions. As time goes on I’m becoming more skeptical of Tommy overpromising which may result in underdelivering. I hope Tommy proves me wrong. 

Why would IE invest in advertising if they are, at best going to have dismal number of units at launch?  That would be sunk money and would not be a good expenditure of cash at this time. Also, remember, we get way more from IE than the other players. 

58 minutes ago, Juice said:

I was told not to post critical videos anymore? I think this video talked a lot of concerns many seem to have. The hype for the amico has gone down not trying to be negative, but let's just be real here.

Any concern that hasn’t been addressed and answered by Tommy/IE? I think that the people that has followed this thread for a while sure didn’t hear any new doubts/questions in this video, even I could give a pretty detailed answer to the majority of them, but I will let Tommy do it instead as I’m sure he will do it better 😅 

1 hour ago, Craig Parker said:

Don’t get me wrong. I want the Amico to succeed more than anybody and I am a big Amico shillboy. However, I agree with a couple of BlusTech’s major concerns. The fact that there has been zero marketing for a console to be released in less than four months concerns me. Also, we were promised something MAJOR in the place of E3’s cancelled event which was to be held last week and so far nothing. There have been no mention of hardware specifics either. There haven't been any Meet Amico videos in a long time. People are hungry to see more actual game play. All of this leads me to believe that the system is not going to be ready on time yet Tommy said in his last interview they are still planning on a 10-10 launch. We have been promised press releases in the past that haven’t happened yet. One sports related, one edutainment related. Sure, I know things are naturally delayed by COVID-19, riots, murder hornets, you name it and nothing can be done about that. By the way, I would like to see more videos from other Intellivision employees. Or maybe an interview with Tommy and J where Tommy asks J a series of questions. As time goes on I’m becoming more skeptical of Tommy overpromising which may result in underdelivering. I hope Tommy proves me wrong. 

So you are saying you are not getting enough information regarding the product, and that makes you doubt? Is there any product that you can take as an example that has been doing more effort to give updates, information and answering concerns during the development and launch process? 

29 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

Why would IE invest in advertising if they are, at best going to have dismal number of units at launch?  That would be sunk money and would not be a good expenditure of cash at this time. Also, remember, we get way more from IE than the other players. 

Good point. I just don’t see it both ways. Either they are going to need to start spending marketing dollars now, or delay the launch. I just don’t see them having a successful launch if they hit the 10/10 date with little to no marketing. 

8 minutes ago, Craig Parker said:

Good point. I just don’t see it both ways. Either they are going to need to start spending marketing dollars now, or delay the launch. I just don’t see them having a successful launch if they hit the 10/10 date with little to no marketing. 

I may be wrong but I take it they won’t be needing to spend big advertising dollars since IE won’t have a big number of units to move. If they launch on 10-10-2020 they already have sold probably  the amount of FE, VIP, Fig and maybe even Gamestop preorders that they can realistically produce with all the supply constraints. 
 

Just me guessing Tommy and team play it as soft launch on 10-10-2020 with successful preorder campaign, delivering on the promises and building buzz excitement as the system won’t be readily available and ramping up real advertising dollars as they can supply more units heading into 2021.

Just my take...

6 minutes ago, theswede said:

So you are saying you are not getting enough information regarding the product, and that makes you doubt? Is there any product that you can take as an example that has been doing more effort to give updates, information and answering concerns during the development and launch process? 

Doubt is a strong word. I believe in Tommy. I have no doubt that the Amico will be released and be successful. He’s a great pitch man and passionate about the Amico. Everyone in this forum including me feels the same way. After watching BlusTech’s video, he raised a couple of points mentioned above that has me concerned. I would like to see more from the company and not just Tommy. Yes, I realize that Tommy has given us a ride in his “Amico Ferrari” that has made us all spoiled. No other company I can think of has done this. I’m just anxious for that Ferrari to pick up speed again. 

4 minutes ago, MarioMan88 said:

I may be wrong but I take it they won’t be needing to spend big advertising dollars since IE won’t have a big number of units to move. If they launch on 10-10-2020 they already have sold probably  the amount of FE, VIP, Fig and maybe even Gamestop preorders that they can realistically produce with all the supply constraints. 
 

Just me guessing Tommy and team play it as soft launch on 10-10-2020 with successful preorder campaign, delivering on the promises and building buzz excitement as the system won’t be readily available and ramping up real advertising dollars as they can supply more units heading into 2021.

 

Just my take...

I think it will have to be done as you say. A soft launch. The marketing will start with the people that have the console in their hands. Word of mouth will be a strong start to a successful overall marketing campaign. 

1 hour ago, Craig Parker said:

Don’t get me wrong. I want the Amico to succeed more than anybody and I am a big Amico shillboy. However, I agree with a couple of BlusTech’s major concerns. The fact that there has been zero marketing for a console to be released in less than four months concerns me. Also, we were promised something MAJOR in the place of E3’s cancelled event which was to be held last week and so far nothing. There have been no mention of hardware specifics either. There haven't been any Meet Amico videos in a long time. People are hungry to see more actual game play. All of this leads me to believe that the system is not going to be ready on time yet Tommy said in his last interview they are still planning on a 10-10 launch. We have been promised press releases in the past that haven’t happened yet. One sports related, one edutainment related. Sure, I know things are naturally delayed by COVID-19, riots, murder hornets, you name it and nothing can be done about that. By the way, I would like to see more videos from other Intellivision employees. Or maybe an interview with Tommy and J where Tommy asks J a series of questions. As time goes on I’m becoming more skeptical of Tommy overpromising which may result in underdelivering. I hope Tommy proves me wrong. 

Why would you spend one dime on marketing when ...

1. Due to world issues the date may slip.

2. Over 10,000 units have already been pre-sold with $0 spent

3. The remaining 2020 production run could easily be sold via one appearance on a show like Ellen.

I'd really be concerned if IE was spending valuable marketing dollars 4 months before a potential launch date. That would represent very questionable use of monies at this time.

Who cares about the hardware - are the games fun? 

Why run a press release when the news is 24/7 Covid and public unrest. That not only negates there effectiveness but may look bad for the company doing the release.

You answered many of your own questions when you said, "I know things are naturally delayed by COVID-19, riots, murder hornets, you name it and nothing can be done about that." But something can be done about it - you make changes to your business and marketing strategies which Tommy and IE have obviously done.

Most of your issues are only relevant to a very, very, very small fraction of the Amico market and will have absolutely no effect on the target market going forward.