Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

 

Hell yes. A big part of our marketing is to get the things in peoples' hands. Not only in stores, but in malls across the world, local morning TV shows, etc. An entire tour will be planned.

 

This is what the Wii did. People needed to PLAY it. Not just see a billboard or ad. This is why we are honored and excited to have the 2 women who launched the Wii, the DS & the Pokemon franchise as a part of our team! To say we are in good hands would be an understatement!

Sweet! I remember trying out the Wii in the mall around the official launch. It wasn't a kiosk, though. They had some reps asking people to try it out. I was initially hesitant about the motion controller, but also intrigued and impressed. I'm currently collecting for the Wii and still play a decent amount. Definitely looking forward to the Amico and what innovative stuff you guys come up with.

How will the original games be played. like will there be an adapter for us to use the games we already have or will they be downloaded to the system?

How will the original games be played. like will there be an adapter for us to use the games we already have or will they be downloaded to the system?

The original games will be available in the online store, probably as inexpensive bundles - like sports, space, etc.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my Keyboard Component using Jack's Conversational Intelli-talk cassette

 

...

 

The original Intellivision did 4 million units. At the time it was about 25% of the entire home console market. ...

Not to be negative, but these numbers are way high.

Not to be negative, but these numbers are way high.

 

No they aren't.

 

Just curious... what number do you think is too high? The units sold or the home console market percentage? And why do you think that?

 

The numbers I provided weren't a guess. I have proof of both. But just curious as to why you think they are way too high and why.

 

A lot of people don't realize that in the early 80's, Intellivision was doing over $500 million in sales per year. The equivalent of about $1.4 billion today.

 

Almost 2,000 people around the world were employed by Mattel just for the video game division.

 

I've also read a lot of info and speculation on the internet that just isn't true. Even Wikipedia (Imagine that!) Everything from the amount of money Mattel sold the company for in 1984 to how many units were actually sold. All accounts on the internet and articles are wrong and always a lot less than the real numbers. (I'm guessing they were put together by Atari fans?)

 

And the 4 million unit number was just the number BEFORE the crash! From 1984 - 1990 they sold another 3 million hardware units (same system, different name). The number on Wikipedia is way wrong. Not even 50% of what the "real" number was. And that doesn't include the Intellivision 10 and Intellivision 25 plug & play units (which also did approximately 4 million units) or the AT GAMES models (they only made just over 100,000 of them before the license ran out).

 

I have in my possession copies of all the paperwork and contracts. Someone needs to change the Wiki page info! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_game_consoles

 

We should be right up there with TurboGrafx-16, Dreamcast, Saturn, Game Gear and the Vita. NOT with the N-Gage!

Edited April 1, 2019 by Tommy Tallarico

It's good to know you have updated numbers. Keith always said the sales numbers he had only went up to June 1983. To update wikipedia all you have to do is write an article with the updated data on a credible web site. Then anyone can update Wikipedia and reference that article.

 

The amount of money that Mattel Electronics sold it's video game assets for in 1984 is not speculation, it's from a 1984 NY Times newspaper article. I suppose the person who wrote the article in 1984 could have been speculating. That same article has the 750k Intellivision console sales for 1983. Mattel Electronics 1981 sales performance probably comes from this 1982 article. It's the source for the 1M console sales in 1981 and 200k in 1980. The Intellivision share of the video game console install base probably peaked after 1981 before the next generation consoles came out in 1982 and 1983. Atari also sold a ton of 2600s in 1982 with the pacman hype. It's possible the intellivision numbers don't include Sears sales; and then Bandai sales in 1982 and Digiplay in 1983. Just looking at the serial numbers samples of Intellivisions, it's hard to imagine 7M intellivisions were manufactured, unless millions were made in Brasil or millions were shipped to Venezuela and disappeared. And the Intellivision 10 and 25 direct-to-tv units aren't even intellivisions; they're NES conversions of intelllivision games.

Edited April 1, 2019 by mr_me

I would be very interested to see the console sales figures. I typically quote the 3 million number but would love to see data that shows more were sold.

It's good to know you have updated numbers. Keith always said the sales numbers he had only went up to June 1983. To update wikipedia all you have to do is write an article with the updated data on a credible web site. Then anyone can update Wikipedia and reference that article.

 

The amount of money that Mattel Electronics sold it's video game assets for in 1984 is not speculation, it's from a 1984 NY Times newspaper article. I suppose the person who wrote the article in 1984 could have been speculating. That same article has the 750k Intellivision console sales for 1983. Mattel Electronics 1981 sales performance probably comes from this 1982 article. It's the source for the 1M console sales in 1981 and 200k in 1980. The Intellivision share of the video game console install base probably peaked after 1981 before the next generation consoles came out in 1982 and 1983. Atari also sold a ton of 2600s in 1982 with the pacman hype. It's possible the intellivision numbers don't include Sears sales; and then Bandai sales in 1982 and Digiplay in 1983. Just looking at the serial numbers samples of Intellivisions, it's hard to imagine 7M intellivisions were manufactured, unless millions were made in Brasil or millions were shipped to Venezuela and disappeared. And the Intellivision 10 and 25 direct-to-tv units aren't even intellivisions; they're NES conversions of intelllivision games.

 

Yes. That NY Times has the proper figure that the company was sold for in 1984. $20 million. However different numbers (both higher and lower) appear all over the internet. Some say $17.5M, others as high as $50 million. But $20 million is the number. Intellivision's best year was 1982 and I never see that number mentioned. Intellivision in 1982 did 3 times the amount from 1981!! A lot was software... but not the majority. And yes... you are completely correct that all of the other versions (Sears, Tandy, etc.) were NOT included in any of those figures (or the ones that Keith had)... it also didn't include parts of the Asia market either (which was big in Taiwan... we even had our own offices there).

 

I wouldn't count the Plug & Play's as Intellivision devices either. Obviously. But I wanted to reference those numbers because the NES Classic & SNES Classic did around those same exact numbers for their retro consoles (albeit at a much lower price). Just thought it was pretty interesting.

 

The original machine had close to 4 million units sold by 1983. Other data suggest that from 1984 - 1990 that 3 million more were made... not sure if they were sold. Trying to get that exact number.

I would be very interested to see the console sales figures. I typically quote the 3 million number but would love to see data that shows more were sold.

 

Definitely a lot more than 3 million. That I can guarantee and have data on.

I should have said that the 3M intellivision consoles through 1983, reported everywhere, originates from that same 1984 NY Times article. So 200k in 1980, 1M in 1981, 750k in 1983, leaves another 1M+ for 1982. But like Tommy says, that might only be Mattel sales. I also assume that's worldwide Mattel sales but Tommy might have the facts that says otherwise. A lot more international markets opened up in 1982. After 1984, Intellivision Inc. aquired some Intellivision II stock that lasted until 1985 then they started to make the INTV System III. But I can't see there being more than a half million INTV units based on serial numbers. Still, until another credible reference shows up all people can do is reference that NY Times article.

Careful though, that doesnt mean 3 million different buyers though.

For instance we burned thru 4 new consoles before starting to buy more second hand. New we had 2 model 1s, 1 model 2 and 1 model 3.

 

They easily overheated with heavy use so very likely many owners had multiple units.

All sales count, it's the same for any manufacturer. Maybe you used your intellivision four times as much as an atari owner.

 

The other odd thing is that manufacturer's usually go out of their way to report as large a number as possible to the press. So I'd be surprised if it didn't include worldwide sales.

Edited April 1, 2019 by mr_me

http://intellivisionrevolution.com/Intellivision-serial-number-database

 

I dont recall if anyone ever went through the Intv serial number database and tried to come up with quantity of units sold.

http://intellivisionrevolution.com/Intellivision-serial-number-database

 

I dont recall if anyone ever went through the Intv serial number database and tried to come up with quantity of units sold.

Unfortunately the database doesn't have the mattel 2609A/R/RH prefixes so there's some overlapping serial numbers that get lost. Even taking that into consideration I don't think you could come up with more than 3.5M intellivisions.

Unfortunately the database doesn't have the mattel 2609A/R/RH prefixes so there's some overlapping serial numbers that get lost. Even taking that into consideration I don't think you could come up with more than 3.5M intellivisions.

Some have the RH. I dont recall any duplicate numbers though in the 2609 model number. If that helps. Has anyone tried to add up every different model number totals just to see? I know I havent, its enough work trying to keep the database up to date! Haha

There's one 2609 serial with an R prefix. You see how the serials start to bunch closer together after 1M. I suspect that's when the canadian RH serials started. It's still only a few hundred thousand more intellivisions.

Edited April 1, 2019 by mr_me

Still, until another credible reference shows up all people can do is reference that NY Times article.

 

I'd say the CEO of the company is a pretty credible source... and there were definitely a lot more than 4 million units sold worldwide.

I shouldn't have written it like that. What I meant is that wikipedia won't accept a discussion forum post as a reference.

 

Also keep in mind a contract for x number of units doesn't necessarily mean it was fulfilled.

 

With all due respect, Mattel Electronics sales and INTV Corp sales are not Intellivision Entertainment sales.

Edited April 2, 2019 by mr_me

With all due respect, Mattel Electronics sales and INTV Corp sales are not Intellivision Entertainment sales.

 

Yeah... for sure. We're going to be doing a LOT more!

@Tommy...

 

Your team probably already knows this... but the Atari VCS apparently ran into some production cost issues. Looks like they're down-sizing the build style and production design. Instead of a 16 piece "fin" unit, it's now two halves (top and bottom), many of the LED's were removed and the unit will be a little smaller. The SD slot was removed as they claim you'll be able to use the USB port to load other software.

Comments of disappointed and frustrated fans already.... BUT one comment I read on a posted article was that many are EXCITED about the Amico and are looking forward to what it will have to offer for family entertainment... rather than what the VCS looks like it's shaping up to be, which appears be a ported Retropie/Stella/Retroarch unit in a fancy case. Since Atari has already ported all of their home and arcade games to just about EVERY platform on the planet, seems like a lot of comments lend to the fact that it's really just to own the unit, moreso than to play the old games.

 

Just posting for the awareness of what the competition is doing... looks like the early 80's all over again... but this time... Intellivision is going to SMOKE Atari!!!

 

Knock 'em dead Amico!

 

https://www.slashgear.com/atari-vcs-gaming-pc-console-gets-a-design-overhaul-31571686/

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/atari-vcs-2019-redesign,news-29778.html

https://medium.com/@atarivcs/atari-vcs-structural-improvements-and-feature-adjustments-ba4ee3af5317

 

JR

@Tommy...

 

Your team probably already knows this... but the Atari VCS apparently ran into some production cost issues. Looks like they're down-sizing the build style and production design. Instead of a 16 piece "fin" unit, it's now two halves (top and bottom), many of the LED's were removed and the unit will be a little smaller. The SD slot was removed as they claim you'll be able to use the USB port to load other software.

 

Just posting for the awareness of what the competition is doing... looks like the early 80's all over again... but this time... Intellivision is going to SMOKE Atari!!!

 

Knock 'em dead Amico!

 

JR

Thanks, JR! I can’t really fault them for the mechanical design changes. The unit itself still looks pretty cool, and resembles the original 2600 even more now. But really, their focus seems almost entirely on the look and styling of the unit, and only secondarily, the games.

 

We’ve licensed numerous Atari games for the Amico - that we’re making new exclusive versions of - that Atari themselves won’t have on their own new console! And while we want the Amico to look cool, our primary focus is the unique games you will only see on the platform.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my Keyboard Component using Jack's Conversational Intelli-talk cassette

I'm psyched for the Amico. I'm more excited for the Amico than either the PS5 or Xbox Two (although I will probably buy them as well). I'm loving the updated intellivision, arcade, and atari games. Can't wait to finally see some games in action.

I will say this... we have been talking to a few big developers about having "game making" software that people can download and make their own games with and pass them around to their friends.

 

 

Does "pass them around to their friends" mean it will be possible to sideload games?

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess the Amico has an ARM processor. Is that information you're free to share yet? 32 bit or 64 bit? How many cores?

We’ve licensed numerous Atari games for the Amico - that we’re making new exclusive versions of - that Atari themselves won’t have on their own new console! And while we want the Amico to look cool, our primary focus is the unique games you will only see on the platform.

 

 

It seems like a reverse in trend, perhaps because they are semi-retro, to want to make cool-looking consoles vs the basic box designs of the last two decades. However, I am all for more stylin consoles, even if they are harder to stack.