Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

1 hour ago, Juice said:

He made some good points though.

Honestly, I made a couple of the same points and numerous other suggestions that were in contradiction to the plan, just like you and others. We and most of them just never went all troll.

Edited June 17, 2020 by Swami

58 minutes ago, cmart604 said:

hey're already $5-10 each. I think that's already crazy cheap and unless they're moving millions of units I wouldn't think the math would work to make them profitable at such a low price to discount further.

Exactly, In a world where a pizza is 20 bucks and their games are just 5.  Its a no brainer  

 

Edited June 17, 2020 by bigdaddygamestudio

3 hours ago, cmart604 said:

Thank you for this. 😂 it pretty much summed up my feelings on the ongoing, repetitive, condescending rant we've been subjected to the last few pages. (although I suspect we sadly may have seen the last post chock full of useful advice and insults towards us old, happy to be playing with sticks, gamers.) 

Give me sticks or give me death! 😁

1 hour ago, Juice said:

Yeah but getting teamed up on can do that to ya. It can be very frustrating. 

That dude literally came in making fun of Atari, mentioned how they were so 'touchy' about Intellivision doing better(pretty sure he just finished getting booted from trolling over there), then packed an insult sandwich statement basically call us geezers (I'm 38), and then insulting the team and CEO telling them they're doing it wrong and to make something completely different and face it to be a straight competitor to the big 3(not quite wise). Nothing valuable or redeeming there.

7 hours ago, Stillagamer said:

 

 

- Simple gaming doesnt mean retro gaming

 

- Retro remakes of 40 year old games isnt what kids want.  Will people really spend $250 to play pong when they can do anything else? 

 

No they will pay $3500 for pong, Ok PAL 🤣🤣🤣

https://www.gameroomguys.com/Atari-Pong-Coffee-Table?dfw_tracker=20153-65384&matchtype=&network=u&device=m&adposition=&keyword=&campaign=6444963344&adtype=&gclid=CjwKCAjw26H3BRB2EiwAy32zhUF1QsmpFcBucUPj9K6Vi0NEEzsCoUD3vunR-rCaGYIf1Nt4F9sgfhoCTjkQAvD_BwE

BREAKING NEWS:  Attention!  OEB Pete is no longer giving away an Amico IF he reaches 1,000 subscribers before launch date. OEB Pete is now giving away an Amico WHEN he reaches 1,000 subscribers before launch date. 
 

Congrats Pete!  You put out enjoyable content and are so positive. Continue what you do and you will be talking about 10,000 subscribers in no time!

 

 

1 hour ago, Juice said:

No didn't say anything about old games. I mean the new games 

Packing games is really meant for mini games or small games that can't stand alone. Keeping them separate gives them an identity. A lot of times I never spend much time on each game in a pack. The games also become somewhat anonymous like the poor little millions in the eShop.

 

Also how is a game costing $10 needing to be packed to be a better value?

7 hours ago, Stillagamer said:

Summary

 

Crap.  So much to catch up on, but  I better respond now in case anyone gets banned. 

 

 

Quote

 

- 2D games only is a good idea. Devs can make some amazing things with unity that can run on a mobile processor and still have console quality.

I would respectfully disagree.  Just 2D games would get very old quick.  2.5D and other forms of limited 3D (where you don't need dual analog sticks to control) is also very entertaining to a large number of people.

 

Cornhole for example would completely SUCK if it was only 2D.

 

 

Quote

I get that this takes time, but you can shoot yourself in the foot if the Amico branding is in the dirt by the time the cavalry comes in. Word of mouth spreads quickly and if you get trashed early on dont say no one warned you.

Whose going to trash us out of the gate?  Elitist hardcore gamers that aren't our initial target audience?  Yes... I will predict this now.  But it doesn't matter. 

Our target audience won't be reading 4chan or resetera any time soon so I don't think we need to worry about being "trashed" by our core market. 

You see... our initial core target audience and market are family folks who typically don't spend time on message boards or forums. 

 

So although I appreciate the "warning", I'm getting the feeling you don't understand who our target market is.

 

 

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You have to come out of the gates strong with your line up.

We sure do!  And we certainly will!  Our focus group testing has been off the charts... and for the record... one of the HIGHEST rated games that families love... is Shark! Shark! which is why we decided to include it as one of the pack-in titles.

 

 

Quote

 

- The Amico has potential to be more than an anemic party/retro console. It will be, but no one here has any foresight because they really only care about their childhood games getting remade and youre giving them their fix. Which is fine, but i believe you stared into the abyss that is atariage and the abyss stared back into you 

It doesn't have the potential to be more... it IS more.  I'm not sure why you are under the impression that we're only remaking retro games??  That is merely 20% of our library.  And go ask any non-gamer or casual gamer if they'd rather play Frogger or Minecraft. 

 

I'll wait.  

 

 

 

Quote

 

- Simple gaming doesnt mean retro gaming

Agreed.  That's why the other 80% of our library is also simple to learn and has zero to do with retro gaming.

 

 

Quote

 

- Retro remakes of 40 year old games isnt what kids want. Its what people here want, and no one will admit its probably a bad idea in 2020 because you have to have a "things were better back in the day" mindset to even be a retro collector in the first place. Will people really spend $250 to play pong when they can do anything else? 

 

Gotta call you out on this one my friend.  You are certainly entitled to your own opinion... but in this case... your opinion is wrong and not reflective of facts, data and research.

Very common knowledge that young kids LOVE retro games.... especially when their parents are playing along!

 

 

Quote

 

- Earthworm Jim 4 is not enough despite what this echo chamber says and its not coming any time soon. So far the only games shown i would spend more than a dollar on are Nightstalker and Cornhole and that Winnie the Pooh game.

 

Whether we have an EWJ game or not doesn't make or break the system.  Cornhole you'll get for free, Night Stalker you'll pay for.  Winnie the Pooh?  I'm not sure which one that is.

 

 

 

Quote

 

- The Wii lady is leading you down the wrong path. The Amico has far more potential as a toy-like console experience than a motion based console. You should have hired a DS person instead. Since youre underpowered you need to make up for it with innovation not going backwards.

Now you're just being ignorant my friend.  And for the record... "Wii lady" also launched the SNES, GameCube, N64 and (wait for it...) the DS.  Also throw in the biggest entertainment IP in the world... Pokemon.

No offensive, but I like my chances with her and the rest of our amazing team (i.e. Mattel/Disney) than I do with you.

 

 

 

Quote

 

- Your time would be better spent making original IP that take advantage of the Amicos quirks, instead of doing all the sound and meticulously overseeing all these games no one really cares about.

 

I do make the original IP as well.  LOTS of them... the MAJORITY of the games!  I think because you read what people in here are talking about that you think everything is retro.  Please do a little more research.  For you to say that I'm spending all my time on "games no one really cares about" is ridiculous and misinformed. 

 

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When i think "dungeons and dragons game" on the Amico i think of Eon Altar, not something made 40 years ago with a new coat of paint.

Then you don't know what you're missing.  I just checked out the numbers of Eon Altar on Steam (I actually do quick research) and I can tell you that Shark! Shark!, Astrosmash AND Cloudy Mountain way outsold Eon Altar. 

 

 

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Get far away from here Tommy its for your own good.

 

I'm not so sure.  I'm thinking that you may want to think about taking your own advice as I'm not sure what your goal or mission is at this point.  I can respect that you have different opinions on games and I also respect that you mean me or the system no harm (allegedly).  But when you say stuff like we should be getting rid of the "Wii lady", that no kids like retro games, that the majority of games we're doing are retro and I should "take a backseat"... well... lets just say I disagree.  You've said your peace and gave your opinion.  I appreciate the concern... but I very much disagree and I won't be taking your advice.  But again... I appreciate that you've taken the time to contribute to the conversation and that you follow our progress.  I think you'll find once you do a little more research on the games we're doing... you'll find that there are probably a lot more things that will interest you.  And if not... that's fine as well... the system is definitely not for everyone.

 

 

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You could use the Wii lady money and hire guys like the lead at flying helmet games instead.

 

You sure like that Eon Altar game that sold less than Shark! Shark!      Maybe you are the lead at Flying Helmet games and this is your way of asking for a job?  They look like a good developer, maybe I'll have my team reach out.  And I bet if I ask the "lead at Flying Helmet games" if he would like the "Wii lady" to market his game... (as well as the Mattel & Disney lady)... I wonder what he or she would say?  Any thoughts?

 

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You should take a backseat to J Allard and Rusty and let them work their magic.

 

I do take the backseat to what they've been hired to do.  I can't do everything.  That's why I hired them... so they can do what they do best. 

 

 

Quote

 

- One outside studio could remake all of these games easily, and very few people would care or tell the difference because the games are built around simple gameplay hooks.

 

This is where you start to go off the rails into cuckoo land.  To think that one studio could make 20% of our entire launch would spell destruction.  This is the problem with the advice you're trying to bestow on me... none of it is based in reality or personal experience.  Not trying to be mean or condenscending.  You've come here to give me advice... which is fine... so I figured I may be entitled to give you some as well.  My advice is that you should trust folks who have 700 years experience in the game industry and that who have worked on the greatest games and systems ever sold.

 

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They should be packed together and released in volumes. Wouldnt that be better "value"?

No.  That's a bad idea.  Because someone who likes Missile Command may not like Frog Bog.  Someone who likes SNAFOO may have zero interest in PONG.  And our entire library is based around $9.99 or less digital downloads.  Why would I want to package a bunch of games for $40 - $50?  Again... such an idea and advice would put us out of business quick and completely go against our AFFORDABLE offering.

 

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No one wants to see a trailer for them individually like if its a big deal. Its out of touch and is the result of only taking in positive feedback here.

 

Actually my friend... you seem to be the one out of touch because you can't seem to understand that just because you may not like a certain kind of game... doesn't mean the rest of the world or majority doesn't.

 

For example...

 

Lets play a game. 

 

Tell me if you regularly play, love and have spent money on any of these games...

 

Candy Crush

Subway Surfers

Fruit Ninja

Temple Run

Garena Free Fire

 

You know that your answer is probably no.

 

You want to know what they all have in common?

They all have 600 MILLION to 1 BILLION players each!

(source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most-played_mobile_games_by_player_count)
 

 

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- "We're competing with board games." If thats the case, why go through all the trouble of hiring so much talent and experience as if this was a real console launch?

I think you answered your own question there. 

 

As you mentioned... we've hired so much talent and experience for people who have made the greatest video games and video game machines in the world. 

We have a pretty good idea about what we're doing and a more than stellar track record.  If you don't trust that these folks don't know what they're doing... then I don't know what else to tell ya at this point.

 

 

Quote

I know what youre aiming for and im rooting for you.

 

I appreciate that you are rooting for me!  I really do!!  But I honestly don't think you know what we're aiming for.  I really don't.

One thing you're not understanding is that just because I hang out here with like minded individuals... doesn't mean I'm creating the product and games around them.  Putting out retro info is just getting the folks interested in what we're doing and building a following without the need of spending valuable advertising dollars. 

Anyway... thanks again for coming by and letting me know your thoughts and feelings.  I don't agree with any of them and we won't be changing our course because of your opinions... but I still appreciate the fact that you are interested in the system enough to take the time to join in the discussion.  Hope you'll eventually get an Amico and have a great time playing it!

 

 

12 minutes ago, Craig Parker said:

BREAKING NEWS:  Attention!  OEB Pete is no longer giving away an Amico IF he reaches 1,000 subscribers before launch date. OEB Pete is now giving away an Amico WHEN he reaches 1,000 subscribers before launch date. 
 

Congrats Pete!  You put out enjoyable content and are so positive. Continue what you do and you will be talking about 10,000 subscribers in no time!

 

 

YES!!  He's at 950!  Only 50 more to go!

I just posted this to over 100,000 people across social media.  Please Subscribe to Pete if you haven't already!  Get a chance to win an Amico!!

 

 

 

 

18 minutes ago, Craig Parker said:

BREAKING NEWS:  Attention!  OEB Pete is no longer giving away an Amico IF he reaches 1,000 subscribers before launch date. OEB Pete is now giving away an Amico WHEN he reaches 1,000 subscribers before launch date. 
 

Congrats Pete!  You put out enjoyable content and are so positive. Continue what you do and you will be talking about 10,000 subscribers in no time!

 

 

Pete's awesome. I'd subscribe twice if I could.

Wow Pete, that's great news that you're almost at 1,000 subscribers.  I'm rooting for you.  👍

5 hours ago, martianman2012 said:

Or conspiracy theory... Maybe he was secretly acting as that joker in the forum just to test our responses and loyalty 😅

 

Honestly I trust he has been Steve Jobs'ing it and coming up with more cool stuff. Im literally wearing down my phone battery constantly check for new content and posts! 😀

Damn!  Busted again!

You guys fall for it EVERY TIME!!!

 

 

8 hours ago, Jake67 said:

Does anyone else feel a twinge of excitement when they notice Tommy hasn’t been around for a couple of days because it hopefully means he’s super busy and things are moving forward with big announcements coming soon?

 

I mean, if he comes back and says he was sick in bed, arrested, or had lost his password to the forum... that would be disappointing. 

 

 

Hahahha!  Don't worry... it's the first line!

 

Gotta go for now... so many things happening!   Will try to catch up on everything over the next few days if possible.

 

Thanks everyone!!

 

3 hours ago, Relicgamer said:

No they will pay $3500 for pong, Ok PAL 🤣🤣🤣

https://www.gameroomguys.com/Atari-Pong-Coffee-Table?dfw_tracker=20153-65384&matchtype=&network=u&device=m&adposition=&keyword=&campaign=6444963344&adtype=&gclid=CjwKCAjw26H3BRB2EiwAy32zhUF1QsmpFcBucUPj9K6Vi0NEEzsCoUD3vunR-rCaGYIf1Nt4F9sgfhoCTjkQAvD_BwE

I’m super excited for Pong !!! It’s going to be so cool reimagined. I would love to have that table 😎

Edited June 17, 2020 by Cranker

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

YES!!  He's at 950!  Only 50 more to go!

I just posted this to over 100,000 people across social media.  Please Subscribe to Pete if you haven't already!  Get a chance to win an Amico!!

 

 

 

 

Who wants a free Amico!?! Our good friend @OEB_Pete will give away an Amico to one lucky subscriber when he hits 1,000 subs! He's almost there!!

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/OpenEveryBox

Up to 991 subs !!!

All that storage memory talk in the BlueTech videos...just to be sure, I'm assuming the Amico is compatible with the 256GB and 512GB SD cards out now.

 

Just to be safe with talk of the possibilities of game release frequency and increasing game size over the life of the console. The 64GB is like $15 and should be adequate for 3 years and I expect the 512GB will be $40 or less when the 64GB fills, which should cover at least another 2 1/2 years, even if the games become 2GB and are released at a rate of 100/year.

BAM!!!!!!!!!

 

Congrats to @OEB_Pete!

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Swami said:

All that storage memory talk in the BlueTech videos...just to be sure, I'm assuming the Amico is compatible with the 256GB and 512GB SD cards out now.

 

Just to be safe with talk of the possibilities of game release frequency and increasing game size over the life of the console. The 64GB is like $15 and should be adequate for 3 years and I expect the 512GB will be $40 or less when the 64GB fills, which should cover at least another 2 1/2 years, even if the games become 2GB and are released at a rate of 100/year.

 

Confirmed by @RxScram

 

 

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

BAM!!!!!!!!!

 

Congrats to @OEB_Pete!

 

 

 

I bet OEB Pete wasn’t expecting over 1,000 subscribers this quickly. I’m so glad for him and his channel!  I wouldn’t be surprised if he hit the 5,000 mark before launch date. Way to go Pete!

18 hours ago, Stillagamer said:

The Amico has potential to be more than an anemic party/retro console. It will be, but no one here has any foresight because they really only care about their childhood games getting remade and youre giving them their fix. 

No one here has any foresight becuase we don't know the full lineup! We've been told time & again the retro angle is only a small part of the overall plan. We can't sit here playing armchair analyst & expect accuracy becuase we're missing too much information. 

 

The only relevant consideration right now is: Am I excited enough about the retro titles shown so far to spend $300 dollars on this thing? And if the answer is yes- you're not gonna care if it turns out to not have much else. You got what you wanted. If you're not happy with it yet- don't buy one yet. I haven't. (I want more gameplay footage & a controller breakdown first).

hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

And for the record... "Wii lady" also launched the SNES, GameCube, N64 and (wait for it...) the DS.  

 

54 minutes ago, HoshiChiri said:

No one here has any foresight because we don't know the full lineup! We've been told time & again the retro angle is only a small part of the overall plan. We can't sit here playing armchair analyst & expect accuracy because we're missing too much information. 

 

The only relevant consideration right now is: Am I excited enough about the retro titles shown so far to spend $300 dollars on this thing? And if the answer is yes- you're not gonna care if it turns out to not have much else. You got what you wanted. If you're not happy with it yet- don't buy one yet. I haven't. (I want more gameplay footage & a controller breakdown first).

I think you are pretty much spot on here.  While I do think there is enough to do some analysis, there is still a lot we don't know enough of to do a full analysis of the console.  Same goes, in some way, with the next Xbox and Playstation.  We know lots about them, but there is still a lot we don't know yet either.  At this point, I would encourage people to just wait and see a bit further.  After that, take your pick and pay your money.

1 hour ago, HoshiChiri said:

No one here has any foresight becuase we don't know the full lineup! We've been told time & again the retro angle is only a small part of the overall plan. We can't sit here playing armchair analyst & expect accuracy becuase we're missing too much information. 

 

The only relevant consideration right now is: Am I excited enough about the retro titles shown so far to spend $300 dollars on this thing? And if the answer is yes- you're not gonna care if it turns out to not have much else. You got what you wanted. If you're not happy with it yet- don't buy one yet. I haven't. (I want more gameplay footage & a controller breakdown first).

 

I purchased 3 of them,and anyone can call me what they like.

I love my decision already and I am pretty sure I made a great choice.

At least for myself,the only person I can speak for!👍

@Tommy Tallarico

 

It's impressive that as the face and voice of this whole project that you still take the time to answer the simple to the very ridiculous and everything in between.  

 

I've never seen that in any job I've had, company I've worked for or tech support I've dealt with.  Usually canned answers, and quick brush offs to get you off the phone or end the email.  Some of the auto places I deal with like Mancini Racing, Summit and Crutchfield are very good...but you... You're on a whole different level of customer support.  When the hell do you sleep??

 

Thanks for supporting your product and being so open to field all the good and bad that comes with it.  Even the occasional a-hole troll that shows up with a less than desirable array of BS needs to know and respect that.

 

Regardless of what the Amico turns out to be for me as a gamer ... I'm happy knowing I will own something  and support someone that finally gave a shit about what they were producing. 

 

Grazie amici!!

 

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

BAM!!!!!!!!!

 

Congrats to @OEB_Pete!

 

 

 

man so many thanks goes your way! If it wasn't for Amico it would have taken me years to accomplish this goal.

Hey Everyone,

 

One of my personal goals for YouTube was to hit 1k Subscribers, why? Well it was something I wanted to do so I could prove to myself that a positive channel about retro and collecting can work in this day and age.  I hit that goal and it has been very humbling, I am not sure I deserve it, but I know everyone of you all deserve my thanks for supporting the channel, supporting me and supporting my never ending quest to raise money for sick kids through gaming.  I luv ya all, thanks for making my mid life crisis AWESOME!