Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

7 hours ago, AtariSociety said:

That is sooo awesome.  hahaha.  Love the Bob's Big Boy there too.

After my game Invasion Of The Cloud People on Spectrum Next is done... I actually plan on making a 2nd game and guess what the name was.... you guessed it... Shill-Aliens.  haha

 

For any 8Bit Retro-heads here... I am working on my 1st game for the ZX Spectrum Next... and yes looking up to the clouds for inspiration... The Cloud People...

 

TJ

 

And Space Balls

This one is 90 minutes.  The one I put up yesterday was 62 minutes.  

2 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

This one is 90 minutes.  The one I put up yesterday was 62 minutes.  

Yeah this one as the actual full podcast before Tommy Joined, I split it up for easy digestion  Seriously I can only take myself in small sized chunks!

10 minutes ago, OEB_Pete said:

Yeah this one as the actual full podcast before Tommy Joined, I split it up for easy digestion  Seriously I can only take myself in small sized chunks!

No such thing as too much Pete - however I do alternate between OEB Pete and SNESTASTIC Pete for variety

3 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

No such thing as too much Pete - however I do alternate between OEB Pete and SNESTASTIC Pete for variety

throw in some Papa Pete also

6 minutes ago, OEB_Pete said:

throw in some Papa Pete also

OMG how did I forget Papa Pete! But what is up with this Amico & Pete thing, hmm... And what about all these Amico Petes living in the UK or a Commonwealth Nation? My mind is boggled 🤔 Could Shillaliens have invaded the UK & Canada and all named themselves Pete?!?  😜

6 minutes ago, OEB_Pete said:

throw in some Papa Pete also

Don't forget evil Pete.  Lol.

6 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

 

FYI, every time I fail to beat my current high Score I will release a tommy question from our q&a

6 minutes ago, OEB_Pete said:

FYI, every time I fail to beat my current high Score I will release a tommy question from our q&a

And that was a great questions too if you are like me and are looking forward to the multiplayer Amico games some of the time, but will be mostly playing single player.

2 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

Don't forget evil Pete.  Lol.

OEB Pete, Evil Pete and Hangry Pete, quite the bunch.

Good episode. 

My $.02 on the question of why the hate - Beyond the need of some that just tend to be on the negative side of things (for personal gain aside), I honestly feel that Amico has gotten the amount of undeserved negative attention it has because the elitists feel threatened by their perception of change to the industry that Amico could bring, and  the more apparent the opportunity for success, the more negativity they will feel - up until their voices get buried in the success of Amico.
 

I personally believe they are suffering burn out on the narrow scope of their current consoles (FP-3D perspective, graphics above fun factor, personally disconnected online play & similarities with the big title game releases because the big studios want to only focus on the recipe that what was successful for the last version, and not take risks to do new types of games, much like I hear from the older group of gammers.  
 

I believe this thinking is slowly trickling down the age continuum, and that they have just not yet figured out they are getting board with the format.  This (if I am correct) obviously would not extend to them all, but think the numbers that are subconsciously starting to feel this way may be growing. The elitist gamers that also have a channel may be picking up on this (or maybe I give them too much credit), and this further makes them angry, again because it threatens what they perceive to be the correct gaming style for them and the industry. 
 

or -

Maybe they just originally thought this was going to fail because of past failures of other systems, and they are too narcissistic to believe they could be wrong, regardless of how much evidence is placed in front of them; some going as far as even to refuse to see Amico first hand; and many of them spewing out un-factual, logical-less, hate driven tantrums. 

Those that refuse to expand their way of thinking based on evidence garnered through the journey of their life are then committed to a direction they’ve set before puberty, and we sit back and wonder why they have not yet grow up. 

24 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

My $.02 on the question of why the hate - Beyond the need of some that just tend to be on the negative side of things (for personal gain aside), I honestly feel that Amico has gotten the amount of undeserved negative attention it has because the elitists feel threatened by their perception of change to the industry that Amico could bring, and  the more apparent the opportunity for success, the more negativity they will feel

Great post, and I agree with all of it, but I belive there is also another group with a different motive, and that is the people that would want the Amico to be only focusing on reimagined and/or hardcore 2D/2,5D games, with a more traditional controller. And obviously get very frustrated when they see that this will only be a small part and the main focus is “wasted” on people that “don’t want to play video games anyway..” And their strategy to get IE to change it more into what they would have seen as the ideal product is to really go on a mission and get as many as they can to hate on it, and threaten the company that, if you don’t make it the way we want it you are going to fail. 

9 minutes ago, theswede said:

Great post, and I agree with all of it, but I belive there is also another group with a different motive, and that is the people that would want the Amico to be only focusing on reimagined and/or hardcore 2D/2,5D games, with a more traditional controller. And obviously get very frustrated when they see that this will only be a small part and the main focus is “wasted” on people that “don’t want to play video games anyway..” And their strategy to get IE to change it more into what they would have seen as the ideal product is to really go on a mission and get as many as they can to hate on it, and threaten the company that, if you don’t make it the way we want it you are going to fail. 

I hope you are right, because 20% of a library is better for them than no library at all.  What they (if you are correct) are not considering is that Amico would have a heck of a time succeeding against the current systems if they were solely focused on the same demographic, and they would be limiting their success by ignoring the larger demographic that exists with mobile.  
 

Do you think Microsoft and Sony would not go after that much larger demographic if they weren't concerned about alienating their current customer base?    

For myself, yes I’m an Intellivision Fan, yes I am ecstatic to see the brand resurrected, but when trying to predict (for my self) the extent of success Amico may achieve, in my mind i try take the Intellivision name out of the equation and try and simply consider it an entry from some random no-name company that I don't have a nostalgic connection with.  When you take the information that has been presented over the last few years at face value (i’ve seen enough evidence to comfortably do that), I feel Amico is positioned for unprecedented success.  For example, what other console released with a 30 game library on launch?  What other system considers curation a top priority, let alone are even thinking about it?  These two concepts alone are a huge value to the consumer.

Do I feel there is any chance for Amico to fail - yes

Do I believe Amico will fail - likely not

Do I believe Amico will be Successful - all but certain

Do I believe Amico will be hugely successful - likely

Do I know for certain on any of this - certainly not (but I have my expectations)

And on that, Do I believe Amico will out-sell the wii - as i said above, I believe they are set for unprecedented success (and the wii set the precedent)

38 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

For example, what other console released with a 30 game library on launch?

The PS2 US launch had 28 games.  But again, having a 30 game library on launch is really something.  According to this website, the Wii U had 34 launch titles. 

https://gamicus.gamepedia.com/List_of_video_game_console_launch_games

6 minutes ago, Starpaddler said:

in my mind i try take the Intellivision name out of the equation and try and simply consider it an entry from some random no-name company that I don't have a nostalgic connection with.

That’s pretty much me, two years ago, I had never heard the name Intellivision, I have never played any of the original Intellivision/Atari games (except breakout, which I think I played on an Amiga when I was 6-7 years old), so my interest for this is purely based on the “pitch” about being able to play games with my non gaming wife and kids, as I have lost the interest for playing large single player games. So the success or failure of the Amico for me will ultimately depend on if my family will like it as much as I think/hope they will. As for the competitors, and comparisons with Sony, MS or Nintendo, I think the haters haven’t grasped the notion that Intellivision has one huge advantage compared to them, they don’t have to sell 50 million units to stay “alive”, but they also have the potential to do so, since their “core audience” is ten times bigger than the other three together.

18 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

The Wii U had a good size library at launch.  For the US it had 23 titles.  The PS2 US launch had 28 games.  But again, having a 30 game library on launch is really something.  Here is a link showing launch titles for every console.

 

https://gamicus.gamepedia.com/List_of_video_game_console_launch_games

Yes (thanks), but those examples are from current existing gaming companies.  Did those companies launch with 30 game on their first console?  IE had a very limited revenue stream when they started, and thats assuming they had licenses still pulling in money at all.  This means they are otherwise heavily funded by investment.  People and corporations with money to invest didn't get that money by making a habit of investing in things (or teams) that fail.  That alone is an important piece of evidence that should be able to be gleaned by someone impartial trying to get to the truth of thing, but unfortunately there are some with other motivations in play.  

18 minutes ago, theswede said:

That’s pretty much me, two years ago, I had never heard the name Intellivision, I have never played any of the original Intellivision/Atari games (except breakout, which I think I played on an Amiga when I was 6-7 years old), so my interest for this is purely based on the “pitch” about being able to play games with my non gaming wife and kids, as I have lost the interest for playing large single player games. So the success or failure of the Amico for me will ultimately depend on if my family will like it as much as I think/hope they will. As for the competitors, and comparisons with Sony, MS or Nintendo, I think the haters haven’t grasped the notion that Intellivision has one huge advantage compared to them, they don’t have to sell 50 million units to stay “alive”, but they also have the potential to do so, since their “core audience” is ten times bigger than the other three together.

They really don't have the potential to be in the top 15 best selling consoles of all-time with 50 million units sold because casuals don't buy this type of product in those kinds of numbers, but I absolutely agree with the other part that they have a good, sustainable niche and a good plan to survive on realistic sales numbers for a product of this type. They absolutely have the potential to survive and maybe even thrive under those more realistic parameters.

10 minutes ago, Bill Loguidice said:

because casuals don't buy this type of product in those kinds of numbers

I believe time will prove you wrong, again; just as the wii already has. 
 

In any case, it will be really interesting on how all this plays out, which BTW, will be doing so as I'm enjoying playing Amico 

I would just suggest that Amico fans not expect a giant breakthrough or wild selling numbers out of the gate. Overnight sensations usually take many years. What IE has going for it is that IE with its low BE allows for the time it needs to work its way into the publics consciousness while remaining viable and if all goes well, the Amico may become a main stream console in a few years from now but I would suspect it would take at least 2 to 3 years before they hit any sort of large market penetration.  Again, becoming an overnight sensation takes time.

31 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

Again, becoming an overnight sensation takes time.

and here I was thinking that "overnight sensation" took, I dunno, overnight?

31 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

I would just suggest that Amico fans not expect a giant breakthrough or wild selling numbers out of the gate. Overnight sensations usually take many years. What IE has going for it is that IE with its low BE allows for the time it needs to work its way into the publics consciousness while remaining viable and if all goes well, the Amico may become a main stream console in a few years from now but I would suspect it would take at least 2 to 3 years before they hit any sort of large market penetration.  Again, becoming an overnight sensation takes time.

Some kind of huge upset is always possible, but COVID19 and not having the money like Nintendo did for the Wii's tour of all manner of fairs and events are the main things hindering hyper-casual market penetration. Still, new motion control has done very well historically with hyper-casuals and kids and it is really is the first advanced controller to have similarity to a modern smart phone - which people may take to. The Wii U controller was huge and limiting as, generally, only one personal could use it the way games were made - in part because it was also very expensive. You also had to use the stylus with the type of screen interface for it to respond well.

32 minutes ago, Urlu Berlu said:

and here I was thinking that "overnight sensation" took, I dunno, overnight?

yep, thats the misconception of the whole concept. No such thing as an overnight sensation but it does make for a better story.  Plus when you trying something new you have to deal with the whole adoption timeline but at least technology adoption is quicker then it was.

https://hbr.org/2013/11/the-pace-of-technology-adoption-is-speeding-up#:~:text=It took 30 years for,15 before they became ubiquitous.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_adoption_life_cycle

On 9/3/2020 at 1:27 PM, IMBerzerk said:

Might as well plug the game here...

 

http://www.overflandersfields.com/index.html

Wow, this looks fantastic!  It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten into a flight sim, I’m thinking of putting together a home cockpit.  I have most of the Logitech instruments, I just need to put them together.

Anyway, I loved Red Baron back in the day.  I live about 40 mins from the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (in Rhinebeck, NY) and love to go there and watch their WW I Airshow with the restored planes.  Your game looks great and I will definitely be checking it out!

15 hours ago, Saldo said:

Wow, this looks fantastic!  It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten into a flight sim, I’m thinking of putting together a home cockpit.  I have most of the Logitech instruments, I just need to put them together.

Anyway, I loved Red Baron back in the day.  I live about 40 mins from the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome (in Rhinebeck, NY) and love to go there and watch their WW I Airshow with the restored planes.  Your game looks great and I will definitely be checking it out!

Lol.. Rhinebeck!  I live in Long Island and used to go there all the time as a kid, then later with my friends on our bikes.  Great place.  I went there a few years back to get some inspiration for some of my work in our sim.  

If you ever played RB3D and modded it.... I'm the guy that made The Hell's Angles Super Patch.  I'm "OvS" or "Otto von Stachel".  In the WWI simming world ...you might say I'm "world famous"...if that means anything.  To me it doesn't.  I'm just an average Joe that has a passion I put to a sim and made the best I could. 

But to relate all this to the Amico...I genuinely know what Tommy is thinking and feeling.  It's very hard to take something that is beloved, historic, well known... whatever... and make a new version of it, while making sure it pays homage to what came before it.  With WWI planes, I get the "rivet counters" ...the guys that constantly pick out the smallest detail and have to make an issue of it.  "Nope...the Fokker D.VII had blah...blah..blah".  It makes me work harder to make sure its right, but it also annoying as hell to have someone break your balls on something so small after you spent 2 months recreating all possible details you can find.

So when I read Tommy's replies to two individuals that only sit in chairs and pass on stupid sarcasm, but yet have never experienced what it's like to actually make something that you're kinda investing your life into... I totally understand.  It's never easy to please everyone, but as long as the majority are enjoying what you make, you're far ahead of most. 

That's why I never bash anything unless I've played it myself.  We've had people slam us because or graphics engine is now ancient.  It's a moded version of M$ Combat Flight Simulator 3...yup... I typed that right.  We've been able to bring it up to a better level, but it's ancient.  It's our campaign and pilot AI that draws in our fans.  Most people come back and tell us they can't get over how real the combat is. That's what makes the sim come alive.  You really feel like you're fighting to stay alive in a fabric kite.

So when I play a game...it's not about how flashy it is ..or the sounds...it's about how it makes me feel.  Did I just waste an hour of my time...or am I looking at the clock 3 hours later saying...wow ..I wanna play some more!  

I can see the Amico doing that, and I can see some of the games being fantastic re-creations of a lost time that we simply enjoyed playing a simple damn game.  

I'm sorry, I guess I hijacked this for a moment... But what I'm saying is relevant.  I have a lot of respect for Tommy and the gang at IE.  It comes from experience.  I hope this thing really kicks ass.  I hope all the time and energy they all put into this comes back 10 fold.  I believe it will.

I hope everybody is having a great Labor day Weekend.  Back in the day of the original Intellivision, Labor day weekend, as we all know always meant two things, the restarting of school and the Jerry Lewis telethon.