Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

10 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

I'm doing these segments for those who weren't able to or didn't want to watch the whole interview. This one was a discussion about the upcoming baseball game for Amico. More to come! Thanks for sharing, Intellivision Master!

1 minute ago, SuperJeremyWorld said:

Thanks for sharing, Intellivision Master!

No problem, anytime.  😃

Tommy,

That was a good interview you did with Geeks and Gamers Entertainment.  I liked part 2 more, it was funny.  🤣

I came across this today.  I know it's not Amico related but wanted to share.  First there was the Sega Game Gear Micro and now this.  It looks cool & seems interesting.  Not sure if it'll come to the US.  Hopefully it does though.

https://www.engadget.com/sega-astro-city-mini-arcade-36-games-130040542.html

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We would call it Intellivision Battle Tanks so no worries what other previous games may have been called.

I totally get the "Armor" thing.  But we're finding that the average person doesn't know that and associate Armor with a tank.

 

Armored Battle Tanks might be a great solution though.

 

 

Perhaps making 'Armor Battle' a series name might be a nice tip of the cap to the original, while allowing you to build name recognition in the series.

Something like 'Armor Battle: Tanks' or 'Armor Battle: Fighter Pilot'.

2 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

I came across this today.  I know it's not Amico related but wanted to share.  First there was the Sega Game Gear Micro and now this.  It looks cool & seems interesting.  Not sure if it'll come to the US.  Hopefully it does though.

 

https://www.engadget.com/sega-astro-city-mini-arcade-36-games-130040542.html

That looks awesome,I would love that!

I collect all the mini machines on top of my already fanatic Intellivision and upcoming Amico obsession. 

Thank you for the heads up!!!👍

I heard the Atari VCS coming out is $400 for the 8GB model.  Isn't that crazy?  That's too expensive for a measly 8GB.  Amico wins with having 32GB on board and for a lower price as well.  

2 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

I heard the Atari VCS coming out is $400 for the 8GB model.  Isn't that crazy?  That's too expensive for a measly 8GB.  Amico wins with having 32GB on board and for a lower price as well.  

That would be the RAM of the Atari, though, not storage. Not sure how much either VCS model has in storage, but I do remember there being a choice between 4GB and 8GB of RAM.

Question about the Evel Knievel game: Will there be a mode to play through all of Evel's jumps? Would love to have a "Career mode"  that starts from Lake Moses. Going all the way to the Sharks in Chicago.  Also is there a possibility that this will this be a physical game?

42 minutes ago, Battlefish said:

That would be the RAM of the Atari, though, not storage. Not sure how much either VCS model has in storage, but I do remember there being a choice between 4GB and 8GB of RAM.

It says 32GB storage.  That's strange because there was a video on YouTube showing an article about it being 8GB ROM.  I don't know.  Even the guy in the video was as confused as me about the 8GB.  But anyway, I'm going with the Amico.

Here is the article from that video.  It doesn't specify if the 8GB is RAM or ROM.  Sounds like it's the ROM.  If it really is only 8GB of storage, $400 is a lot.  I think it's expandable, but still.  Imagine buying a smartphone at $400 with 8GB of storage, lol. 

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/atari-vcs-800-will-cost-nearly-400-dollars/

57 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

It says 32GB storage.  That's strange because there was a video on YouTube showing an article about it being 8GB ROM.  I don't know.  But anyway, I'm going with the Amico.

 

Here is the article from that video.  It doesn't specify if the 8GB is RAM or ROM.  Sounds like it's the ROM.  If it really is only 8GB of storage, $400 is a lot.  I believe it's expandable though but still.  The Polymega is $400 but that got delayed again.  

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/atari-vcs-800-will-cost-nearly-400-dollars/

The article does not specify what the 8GB are.

This is the problem when writers have not the simplest technical understanding.

Only a simplified overview:
RAM is the volatile operating memory of a system that can be read and written. Program code and variables and everything that has to change rapidly is usually stored in RAM while the system is running.
ROM is the read only (of course non volatile) memory that can not be written to (old home computers had their operating system in the ROM). You had to replace an IC chip to change it. The cartridges of the old video game systems contained the game on ROM. Program code can usually be directly executed from rom.
HD or Storage memory is the non volatile (slow) memory that can be read and written to. (Magnetic storage hard discs, Solid state hard discs, flash memory like SD cards etc.) Programs can not be executed from it directly and have to be loaded to the RAM first.
 
ROM memory is more or less obsolete nowadays and is replaced by special flash memory that can only be written with special procedures to do a so called firmware update. So the firmware often is stored in a special flash memory.

Volatile memory means that everything in it is lost when you disconnect it from electrical power.

So by only saying the system has 8GB they say basically nothing.

The Amico has 2GB RAM and 32GB Storage regarding the specs.

2 minutes ago, oelli said:

The article does not specify what the 8GB are.

This is the problem when writers have not the simplest technical understanding.

 

Only a simplified overview:
RAM is the volatile operating memory of a system that can be read and written. Program code and variables and everything that has to change rapidly is usually stored in RAM while the system is running.
ROM is the read only (of course non volatile) memory that can not written to (old computers had their operating system in the ROM). You had to replace an IC chip to change it. The cartridges of the old video game systems contained the game on ROM. Program code can usually be directly executed from rom.
HD or Storage memory is the non volatile (slow) memory that can be read and written to. (Magnetic storage hard discs, Solid state hard discs, flash memory like SD cards etc.) Programs can not be executed from it directly and have to be loaded to the RAM first.
 
ROM memory is more or less obsolete nowadays and is replaced by special flash memory that can only be written with special procedures to do a so called firmware update. So the firmware often is stored in a special flash memory.

 

Volatile memory means that everything in it is lost when you disconnect it from electrical power.

 

So by only saying the system has 8GB they say basically nothing.

 

The Amico has 2GB RAM and 32GB Storage regarding the specs.

Right, that's the problem.  The article makes no mention of what the 8GB are.  Thank you for the detailed information about RAM & ROM.  I never knew how it all really worked.  You learn something new every day.  

8GB has to be ram. This VCS thing is nothing but an underpowered steam machine, 8gbRAM for PC games these days is underpowered but it has to be RAM.  8 GB for storage would set you back about 5 to 6 bucks and would be obsolete many years ago.  Again its just an underpowered steam machine with the old atari collection of games pre loaded ( again worth about 5 bucks) thats all it is.

17 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

8GB has to be ram. This VCS thing is nothing but an underpowered steam machine, 8gbRAM for PC games these days is underpowered but it has to be RAM.  8 GB for storage would set you back about 5 to 6 bucks and would be obsolete many years ago.  Again its just an underpowered steam machine with the old atari collection of games pre loaded ( again worth about 5 bucks) thats all it is.

The Amico only has 2GB of RAM. Like a iPhone 6S, 7, 8 or SE (1st gen).

3 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

It says 32GB storage.  That's strange because there was a video on YouTube showing an article about it being 8GB ROM.  I don't know.  Even the guy in the video was as confused as me about the 8GB.  But anyway, I'm going with the Amico.

 

Here is the article from that video.  It doesn't specify if the 8GB is RAM or ROM.  Sounds like it's the ROM.  If it really is only 8GB of storage, $400 is a lot.  I think it's expandable, but still.  Imagine buying a smartphone at $400 with 8GB of storage, lol. 

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/atari-vcs-800-will-cost-nearly-400-dollars/

https://atarivcs.com/

Best to go to the source, if possible, for information.  The $390 bundle has 8GB ram, 32GB storage and two game controllers.  That may not be adequate for a Steam computer but should be fine as an expensive streaming set top box.

14 hours ago, mr_me said:

You should ask them what they think Night Stalker is.  For me it was one of my favourite TV shows as a kid.

My wife said either a creepy stalker guy or a guy that runs around at night.  Probably not the best name for a non-gamer, but oh well.

My 6 year old son said he didn't know what stalker means.  Then he asked me to go away so he could each sit in the corner by himself with his Switch.  He was watching people on YouTube play Minecraft. 

My 8 year daughter initially thought I said "Night Stopper."  She got all excited and said it could be a game about having to stop the night from coming so it would be daylight and rainbows all the time.  When I corrected her, she got upset and went into the other room to also watch YouTube on an old phone.

I really need an Amico now, not in October, and definitely not next year...  I'm just really hoping they find a game on it they really love so they can actually play for themselves instead of watching others play on YouTube.

On 7/6/2020 at 11:19 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

Armor Battle or Battle Tanks?

Armor Battle... unless, there is a plan to bring back something more similar to the original.

Better ring and has history with Intv

On 7/5/2020 at 8:04 AM, martianman2012 said:

Just a thought... Have you made any photos what you think the box could look like?

 

Good question! No, I haven't made any photos. But, off the top of my head I picture the Amico box art to have a central image of the console and about 4-5 happy smiley people gathered around a tv screen (each holding controllers). And maybe some catchy text at the bottom that says something like: "Safe, Fun, Family Entertainment Awaits Inside This Box!"

Also something flashy (how certain images on the box react to getting hit with a light source at different angles would really make the box art pop!) Kinda like how the RFID cards react when light hits them.

What do YOU think the Amico box art is going to look like?

27 minutes ago, CurlyQ said:

Good question! No, I haven't made any photos. But, off the top of my head I picture the Amico box art to have a central image of the console and about 4-5 happy smiley people gathered around a tv screen (each holding controllers). And maybe some catchy text at the bottom that says something like: "Safe, Fun, Family Entertainment Awaits Inside This Box!"

 

Also something flashy (how certain images on the box react to getting hit with a light source at different angles would really make the box art pop!) Kinda like how the RFID cards react when light hits them.

 

 

What do YOU think the Amico box art is going to look like?

 

Those are some pretty exciting ideas. I wonder if @Tommy Tallarico will comment at all and give any hints on being warmer or colder...

I think they will capitalize on the pictures of family and friends playing together and how cool the system will look. Of course we'll probably see screenshots of games packed in and future releases.  Just some thoughts...

Now. Sea Battle was one of my favs BITD.. Is it reasonable to hope for new maps + the original map + design-your-own..?

Other musings: Both Atari VCS and Intellivision were integral to our childhood gaming. Both consoles seemed to focus on 2-player games which was good. But the VCS also covered us with 1-person variants for times when friends weren't available.

The contrast between Atari's VCS raw action games vs the more relaxed strategic thinking games of Intellivision actually complemented each other. Going from one to the other was a welcome relief and breath of fresh air. It's not a new revelation. It's how we played.

To me a totally comprehensive home arcade in the 1980's consisted of the following:

Atari VCS

Intellivision

ColecoVision

Apple II

Atari 400/800

Commodore 64

..with those systems there was little want for anything else. And while I did have the opportunity to get my paws on more, the experience was meh.. Any money spent on other setups served little purpose other than to take away funds that could've gone to those. Diluted the experience. Bloated the library.

16-bit home computers weren't really in the running. Well not for me. They were more of a productive tool or specialty tool, like graphics paint programs on the Amiga or word processing and DTP on the Mac. And then came PC gaming, and then real arcade emulation - which is getting beyond the scope of the thread.

Seemed like 16-bit home computer gaming was late to the scene. By the time accurate and good arcade games were ported over, it was almost the 90's and then.. PC..

34 minutes ago, martianman2012 said:

Those are some pretty exciting ideas. I wonder if @Tommy Tallarico will comment at all and give any hints on being warmer or colder...

 

 

I think they will capitalize on the pictures of family and friends playing together and how cool the system will look. Of course we'll probably see screenshots of games packed in and future releases.  Just some thoughts...

Ah, the old "fool your younger brother into thinking he is controlling the single-player game" trick.  It's tough when you only own two NES carts and both are Super Mario Bros.  But cool that your NES works with the power off.

1 hour ago, mr_me said:

... That may not be adequate for a Steam computer but should be fine as an expensive streaming set top box.

Precisely, that is why the software is the most important part of any computer/game console. The VCS has enough grunt to run a lot of indie and retro games and maybe a few highly optimized "eSports" type titles but what makes it different that what the market already provides? So far it's distinction is basically just the neat retro case and the spinner/joystick accessory. On the joystick I am still not sure how good a spinner that would be, and again, software - what games are going to support it? IF Atari had a software fund to build some exclusive games they could distinguish themselves from retro emulation boxes and Steam, but so far there is little along those lines. It looks like they are about to (barely) drag the hardware across the line but it still looks like a day one flash over the OS to me. Heck I may even end up owning one some day because I am into single board & mini computers, but it won't be running Atari OS unless they really turn things around on the software front.

13 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I know right!!  And as Italians... shouldn't we have known more about this???

 

Question for anyone who knows the sport... is fighting a part of this?  Or is it just that fights break out... similar to hockey. 

 

Do you get points for knocking people down or something?

 

This is crazy and hilarious!

 

You would think!!!  This is the first time I’ve heard of it and I’ve been to Florence (it was back in 87’ but they’ve been doing this since the 16th century!)

That is a good question about the fighting because the link RxScram put up describes it as a combination of soccer, rugby, and wrestling, but it looks more like MMA! 

3 hours ago, oelli said:

The Amico only has 2GB of RAM. Like a iPhone 6S, 7, 8 or SE (1st gen).

yeah so?  2d games dont need huge amounts of RAM.  Amico isnt running those huge open world games.  Steam games ARE and 8 GB for them is weaksauce.  16GB should be your min for such games. the VCS is being built for what demographic? what market? I just dont see one.