Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

13 hours ago, ColdCoffee said:

Is there any aim on the average length of time it will take to beat a single player story mode on the Amico? Something like every game has to have enough content for 45min? or will there be Amico games that have over 2 hours of content/story? Will there be something like seamless save states on each of the games were we can swap between the games without actually closing them?

Single player experiences will definitely be over 2 hours.  I'm sure there may be some exceptions... but as of right now... definitely longer than that.

AS OPPOSED to most of the VR games I play and play $20 - $30 for!!  Is it me... or is this ridiculous!  I love the Rocky movies... so I bought Creed for my Ocolus Quest last week.  There were literally only 5 or maybe 6 fights in Career Mode before it was over.  I couldn't believe it.  Great game... but I felt ripped off that they didn't take the time to create 50+ boxers that I could have worked my way up the ranks to defeat.  I didn't lose a single match and the entire career experience was over in less than an hour.  And I paid like $25 for it?  WTH!?!?!?

A lot of VR games seem to be like that.  I don't mind short experiences... but the price should reflect that!  Just one other way that Amico is going to be so different than other stuff out there.  VALUE!  A family of 4 could spend up to $60 - $80 to take the family to a 2 hour movie.  Add in going to dinner before and you're talking over $100.  My goal is to offer a family multiple hours and hours and hours of fun and time together for an average of around $7.  If we can show that and pull that off successfully... it will be just another big marketing bullet point and reason for folks to want one.  This has always been an important part of the plan.

To your other question... games will have to be closed.  No multiple windows, etc.  But the great news is that its very seemless and quick to go back into the menu and into a new game.  Doesn't take minutes like the other machines.  Yet another one of my pet peeves in the current home console scene.

 

"Viva l'Italia!"

 

57 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Single player experiences will definitely be over 2 hours.  I'm sure there may be some exceptions... but as of right now... definitely longer than that.

AS OPPOSED to most of the VR games I play and play $20 - $30 for!!  Is it me... or is this ridiculous!  I love the Rocky movies... so I bought Creed for my Ocolus Quest last week.  There were literally only 5 or maybe 6 fights in Career Mode before it was over.  I couldn't believe it.  Great game... but I felt ripped off that they didn't take the time to create 50+ boxers that I could have worked my way up the ranks to defeat.  I didn't lose a single match and the entire career experience was over in less than an hour.  And I paid like $25 for it?  WTH!?!?!?

A lot of VR games seem to be like that.  I don't mind short experiences... but the price should reflect that!  Just one other way that Amico is going to be so different than other stuff out there.  VALUE!  A family of 4 could spend up to $60 - $80 to take the family to a 2 hour movie.  Add in going to dinner before and you're talking over $100.  My goal is to offer a family multiple hours and hours and hours of fun and time together for an average of around $7.  If we can show that and pull that off successfully... it will be just another big marketing bullet point and reason for folks to want one.  This has always been an important part of the plan.

To your other question... games will have to be closed.  No multiple windows, etc.  But the great news is that its very seemless and quick to go back into the menu and into a new game.  Doesn't take minutes like the other machines.  Yet another one of my pet peeves in the current home console scene.

 

I am all in on VR as I own a Vive, Rift S, PSVR and Quest.  Even though the graphics are not on par with PCVR, the Quest is my favorite VR device because of the wireless freedom and to be honest, its graphics capability are surprisingly good.

All that said, I totally agree some titles are selling for too high a price. I Get that it's early days and small devs don't necessarily have the support to fund full blown games with the depth we should expect and that they still need to pay the bills but one can't deny 1-2 hour of gameplay for $20-$30 is not acceptable (* with some exceptions).  In saying that specific to Creed, I thought it had a multiplayer mode which I would think adds value?  I could be wrong, I don't own it.  Doesn't change the fact you aren't wrong, 5 boxers for single player is not sufficient, they should have found a way to put in at least a baker's dozen in there.  *exceptions for the price versus length of gameplay IMHO falls into a single player game like Red Matter. I don't see how that game can be made any cheaper with it's production values and the length of time is sufficient IMHO

For a perfect sense of value on the quest, one need not look farther than VR Real Fishing.  What a game and superb experience on the quest, with dozens of hours of gameplay in a very cheap package.  Relevant to this thread, I suspect, that type of game, along with other sports games and the good old high score tables of arcade style games are going to be king on Amico.  For those types of games, heck any types, Your comments on the value you want to provide purchasers of the games is really well received here and I don't doubt will be well supported by others too.

On 9/21/2019 at 12:58 PM, Tommy Tallarico said:

I agree.  We definitely have some more "hardcore" type of games.  I would classify Night Stalker as one.

Definitely space for one if someone makes something awesome and its easy and fun to play.  I didn't take your question or comments as negative... it's a nice observation and question which sparks more dialogue.  Love it!

This is all I wanted to hear: That the "big picture" of providing as awesome an entertainment unit as possible is not pigeon-holed by rules.  I didn't think so of course but I thought it was important it's clearly laid out there before the kiddie streamers run with it and spout "they don't want good games, they just want casual games" .  Amico is going to be all about good fun games that gamers of all types WANT to play!

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

"Viva l'Italia!"
 

https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/350943/INTELLIVISION_ENTERTAINMENT__EUROPE_PRESENTING_INTELLIVISION__AMICO_AT_GAMEROMEnbsp_2019.php

Unless I missed one, Hans has been to FrankenGameJam, Gamescon Germany, Devcon Germany and now is off to Italy for GameRome since he started in June. Intellivision is definitely serious about staying in front of developers & seeking out games.

Tommy in the recent smash jt video you said no.more than 2 intellivision games will be released at one time .  This is up from the previous no.more than 1 game at a time.   I was wondering if that was a slip up or an actual policy change.  I for one support two games. As it potentially gives us more variety and options while also not over saturating the store every week. Seeing two quality games every week is great.    Vs just 1.   Still no where bear the hundreds of decent to shovelware that appears on the switch weekly.or daily or what we see on mobile , steam, or Xbox or PS4.      

On 9/21/2019 at 9:13 AM, Tommy Tallarico said:

I'm surprised no one here grabbed a shot of the Master Component IN THE BOX!!!

Me & Steve Roney believe there are only 2 in existence... and we have them both at Intellivision!

Not sure though.  Wondering if anyone else has seen or heard of someone having a Master Component in a box?

I must say, that was an interesting SmashJT video.  I'm glad he likes the console after playing it.  He could have hated it.  He's not the type of person who would just carry water for us because he got a car ride.  Remember... he was totally against it when he first heard about it.  It was only after watching my unlisted response video and heard me invite them to my place that he reached out.   I'm glad folks are paying attention and the truth of the matter is getting out there.

 

By 'MASTER Component', Tommy meant 'KEYBOARD Component'.

Another question is downloadable content. I totally get not having dlc.  But I'm.curious if these will be allowed.

Say a licensed team sports title.  Roster updates? Even if it's something simple as just moving players to different teams and adding names to characters and not adding any updated graphics. Dreamcast did it via the vmu .  I'm not talking any Gane breaking dlc.

Also will the system be open to episodic adventure games?? 

Yeah, I sort of get the general aversion to DLC, but there are non evil applications of it. 

22 minutes ago, nurmix said:

By 'MASTER Component', Tommy meant 'KEYBOARD Component'.

That makes more sense - I have seen a few OG Intellivisions in boxes but the OG keyboard is pretty rare, box or not.

2 hours ago, Loafer said:

For a perfect sense of value on the quest, one need not look farther than VR Real Fishing.  What a game and superb experience on the quest, with dozens of hours of gameplay in a very cheap package. 

Awesome!  Thanks for the referral.  I will definitely check that one out this week!

I got the free cartoony looking fishing game (forget what it's called) and it was really fun!  Couldn't believe it was free!  Very cool.

48 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Unless I missed one, Hans has been to FrankenGameJam, Gamescon Germany, Devcon Germany and now is off to Italy for GameRome since he started in June. Intellivision is definitely serious about staying in front of developers & seeking out games.

Yeah... it always cracks me up when the haters say we're screwed because no one is ever going to develop for us because of our "exclusive" rule.  Yet the reality is (and Paul/nurmix can attest) we are completely overwhelmed with amazing developers reaching out to us with great concepts.

We created the system around knowing what developers these days want & need to be successful.  It will be the absolutely key to our success.

 

41 minutes ago, Nolagamer said:

Tommy in the recent smash jt video you said no.more than 2 intellivision games will be released at one time .  This is up from the previous no.more than 1 game at a time.   I was wondering if that was a slip up or an actual policy change.  I for one support two games. As it potentially gives us more variety and options while also not over saturating the store every week. Seeing two quality games every week is great.    Vs just 1.   Still no where bear the hundreds of decent to shovelware that appears on the switch weekly.or daily or what we see on mobile , steam, or Xbox or PS4.      

I don't remember the exact quote, but I believe I said (or at least meant to say!) that Intellivision will NEVER have 2 games released at the same time.  Only 1 and about every 10 - 15 days.  That way the game (and developer) will get the spotlight for every system each time Amico is turned on.  The new highlighted game will appear.  For all of the games that come out on lauch... we will make sure they all get a spotlight at some point as well.

This is HUGE for developers!  This is a space that can NOT be purchased by EA, Activision, UbiSoft, etc.  This isn't something we SELL to publishers or developers.  Every game on the system is with us and partnered with us.  We are the publisher and in most cases help with design, audio, producing, optimization, art, marketing/PR, etc... or anything else they may need.  A very different approach to hardware and super positive for developers... especially Indies!  Yet the haters continue to attack us.  Hilarious.

46 minutes ago, nurmix said:

By 'MASTER Component', Tommy meant 'KEYBOARD Component'.

 

Now people know why I had to hire Paul!!!!!! 

44 minutes ago, Nolagamer said:

Another question is downloadable content. I totally get not having dlc.  But I'm.curious if these will be allowed.

 

Say a licensed team sports title.  Roster updates? Even if it's something simple as just moving players to different teams and adding names to characters and not adding any updated graphics. Dreamcast did it via the vmu .  I'm not talking any Gane breaking dlc.

 

 

Also will the system be open to episodic adventure games?? 

Our games are much less expensive than the typical game so better to just do a different version with more content a year later than trying to make a $7 game with $1 DLC.

Skiing is a good example.  Would rather do a complete Skiing game.  Then... the following year or so you could do another version... but with 10 different slopes/mountains and another mode or 2. 

I have no problem with an episodic adventure game... as long as it's not some stupid dating or high school crap (that most of them are).  Would love developers to think outside the box.  How about educational ones?  Or real interactive comic adventures!  I listed this category in the last trailer.  Big fan... if the content is correct and not cheesy.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Yeah... it always cracks me up when the haters say we're screwed because no one is ever going to develop for us because of our "exclusive" rule.  Yet the reality is (and Paul/nurmix can attest) we are completely overwhelmed with amazing developers reaching out to us with great concepts.

We created the system around knowing what developers these days want & need to be successful.  It will be the absolutely key to our success.
 

If people ever want to find out what some of these indie developers go through, check out this video of an in-game slideshow about how the game "Forager" was made. Basically a sole developer from Spain (HopFrog) tried to develop the game himself but ran out of money, had to move in with his mom and battle things like his only laptop dying but finally a friend he met at a dev conference pitched his game to a Humble Bundle rep (instead of his own game) and they stepped in to make Forager a success.

You can see how the important the offer of funding and resources can be to indie developers. So many great game idea are going to die because they can never reach full development, or if they do, market themselves against the piles of bloatware out there. Going to stand by my prediction that IE is going to help launch several successful new dev houses by the late 2020s.

I was thinking more so along the lines of the walking dead gamesor back to the Future.  Type experience.  Maybe an rts action adventure  episodic campaigns for army men :). 

Btw away from episodic content .  The amico controller looks perfect for rts games.  Army men would be the perfect example of one for all ages..

Back to episodic games.think.comic book action games. Maybe a more evolved version of the old comic book  beat em.ups like what was on the genesis but with more adventure and rpg esc elements..i seen your electric playground video about the amico and you mentioned we will see such comic book games on the system.   A comic book superhero game would make a fantastic episodic game.. but to be truly special.imagine if you could have a different experience By either playing the hero or one of the villains.

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Single player experiences will definitely be over 2 hours.  I'm sure there may be some exceptions... but as of right now... definitely longer than that.

AS OPPOSED to most of the VR games I play and play $20 - $30 for!!  Is it me... or is this ridiculous!  I love the Rocky movies... so I bought Creed for my Ocolus Quest last week.  There were literally only 5 or maybe 6 fights in Career Mode before it was over.  I couldn't believe it.  Great game... but I felt ripped off that they didn't take the time to create 50+ boxers that I could have worked my way up the ranks to defeat.  I didn't lose a single match and the entire career experience was over in less than an hour.  And I paid like $25 for it?  WTH!?!?!?

A lot of VR games seem to be like that.  I don't mind short experiences... but the price should reflect that!  Just one other way that Amico is going to be so different than other stuff out there.  VALUE!  A family of 4 could spend up to $60 - $80 to take the family to a 2 hour movie.  Add in going to dinner before and you're talking over $100.  My goal is to offer a family multiple hours and hours and hours of fun and time together for an average of around $7.  If we can show that and pull that off successfully... it will be just another big marketing bullet point and reason for folks to want one.  This has always been an important part of the plan.

To your other question... games will have to be closed.  No multiple windows, etc.  But the great news is that its very seemless and quick to go back into the menu and into a new game.  Doesn't take minutes like the other machines.  Yet another one of my pet peeves in the current home console scene.

 

I remember when the original xbox came out I pre-ordered the console for halo.  My other two games would be dead or alive 4 and  max Payne.  Max was a great game but the big let down for me was that it was way to short for any amount of money for such a game.ibeat the game I under 6 hrs. I didn't try to do a speed run and had no Gane guide or cheat codes.just played it that morning but by evening I was done. I can say i.liked the game but felt like it needed something more to it.   

I do agree about many VR games being way to short. I'm afraid to spend money.on a game unless I'm sure it will be worth it for VR. Been burned too many times.  Hopefully after the next gen headsets come out we start to see a stronger push towards  full blown VR games.  

Speaking of VR.will the amico controller be able to play to any.sort of AR (augmented reality)gameplay experiences?

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Only 1 and about every 10 - 15 days.  That way the game (and developer) will get the spotlight for every system each time Amico is turned on. 

That's about 25-36 games a year. 

Sounds quite low of an output to me. 2-3 games a month?

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Now people know why I had to hire Paul!!!!!! 

Good to know he’s good for something other than dressing up as the future mascot. 😂

18 minutes ago, Blarneo said:

  2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

That way the game (and developer) will get the spotlight for every system each time Amico is turned on. 

Does this mean Amico will require an always on internet connection and "serve ads" every time it boots up?

I have exciting news for you about the Amico.

The Amico will have limitations. Multiplayer is mandatory. 3D roaming is not allowed. Games with loads and loads of story and text, games that want to be movies, are not expected.

That was not the news. That's the cause, and the consequence is that... this console can have the same effect 80s and 90s consoles had in the minds of the developers. Limitations can encourage their imagination, just like it did in the old days. So this is my prediction: Several new genres will be created on this console.

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I bought Creed for my Ocolus Quest last week.  There were literally only 5 or maybe 6 fights in Career Mode before it was over.  I couldn't believe it.  Great game...

Just curious... Why exactly having only 6 fights before the game is over is a problem?

For example, the "Career Mode" of Virtua Fighter had only 9 fights (the 8 characters + Dural), but I never saw anyone saying the game was a rip off after beating Dural. I also don't know anyone who stopped playing the game solo after beating Dural. I know 9 is more than 6, but even if VF had only 6 fights, I don't think a lot of people would have complained (mainly because the vast majority of players didn't even reach the 6th fight).

On the topic of stories in games. My favorite games of all time have stories in them. Okami, Paper Mario, Dark Souls, Earthbound, GTA San Andreas, Red Dead Redemption. Nothing too serious. Easy to follow story. Dark Souls can be convoluted but the story doesn't even matter in that one. 

Arcade style games are fun too. But in a different way. They are good for some quick fun. But most times i prefer a good story.