Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

1 minute ago, Nolagamer said:

I cant wait til the demo comes out

That makes 2 of us.

1 hour ago, Intellivision Master said:

That makes 2 of us.

Three of us!

On 9/9/2020 at 10:56 AM, IMBerzerk said:

Here's to Keith on his Birthday!  Everyone that has one, should be wearing their Running Man shirt!

 

Happy Birthday Keith!!

 

 

Hey man, where did you get that blue running man shirt?  I love it and want one!

Tommy,

What about this for an Amico game?  

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/wakeman-giant-wooden-yard-dice-outdoor-lawn-game/6415890.p?skuId=6415890

New Amico Club app update coming today.

One of the things we fixed/added was the "scoring" issue which I believe was brought up initially in this thread.  So thanks to the person who brought that up.

• Fixed some issues with the scoring:

1. It resets your score when you restart at a checkpoint to what it was when you hit that checkpoint.  This prevents converting lives at the last checkpoint to run through all the bonuses in that last section.
2. We assign 500 points per remaining life in the final score. That is added to the display stats on the final screen.

16 hours ago, jaybird3rd said:

I've posted this before, but it seemed appropriate to post it here again today ...

 

 

I'm so glad that Keith and the others took the trouble to record this.  Here's hoping that the Amico version can successfully recapture the magic!

A bunch of us at the company recently watched the entire thing as we were reviewing the latest build of Biplanes last week!

Such a GREAT video and we definitely have even intention on keeping the epic gameplay and movement of the planes (including the wrap-around screen!!)

On 9/9/2020 at 9:45 AM, Hwlngmad said:

Definitely the Amico will undercut the new Xbox Series S at $299 and the Xbox Series X at $499.  No doubt about it.  However, keep in mind that MS is (I believe) still going to sell the Xbox One S as the low end option.  It currently is $299, so I think it is fairly likely that if (and a big one admittingly) MS keeps on producing the Xbox One S, then we could very well see a price cut down to $199 and maybe lower.  Again, that this is a big if and some speculation on my part.  But, a $199 or lower Xbox SKU could prove tempting for some at that price.  Just my thoughts.

I think you could probably give an XBOX One S away for free to a lot of our target audience and they still wouldn't open it and play it.

On 9/9/2020 at 10:30 AM, Battlefish said:

Just got an idea: how about a restaurant promotion for Amico? Something like Burger King (with that Impossible Whopper), or maybe Subway. It might make a cool kid's meal theme. And maybe there could be something for the grown-ups to munch on!

Already on it.

On 9/9/2020 at 11:54 AM, vongruetz said:

@Tommy Tallarico Happy anniversary.  Thanks for sharing the beautiful video. Great song choice. Congratulations!

Thanks!

For those who don't follow me on Facebook, this is the video he was talking about.
We got married in an 12th century castle in Tuscany, Italy.  It was AMAZING!  Over 75 friends and family flew out and we all stayed in another big castle on a mountaintop of a small Italian village for an entire week before the wedding.  It was an incredible week!
 

2 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

For me, this game is the biggest test case for the Amico controller. I’m looking forward to a video that shows gameplay alongside video of how the controller is being used.

If they can get a “paddle” feel on that controller (with the disc, I’m assuming) so you really feel you’re in control, or teach me a new way to overcome decades of “it has to be this way for it to work”, there’s nothing after that I won’t believe the Amico controller can do. 

My mom LOVED Breakout. We played against each other all the time, so my connection with this game has more meaning than lots of other games. But remakes or ports just never worked well (to me, at least) without a true paddle-like device. Even the first version of paddles that came with an Atari Flashback didn’t get it quite right.

(Somewhat funny side story... I figured my paddles weren’t working correctly, so I contacted the company to see about a fix. They said I should return the device and ask for a refund... not get another box, not send me new paddles, not troubleshoot with me to see if it might be user error... just get my money back. It’s like they were saying, “Yeah, our paddles stink. Sending you a new set ain’t gonna help.”)

I feel a bit bad because I know this is a key game, but seeing just the gameplay video has never excited me because I can’t get past the fear that it will be a pain to control. (Which makes me fear for another old favorite, Warlords.) But I’m trying to hold on to a bit of hope that the developer will just blow me away with what they’ve done.

22 hours ago, MantaNZ said:

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but Tommy, I hope you guys are documenting everything on video as I for one would LOVE to see an Amico documentary when the console is a success. I think it would be a fantastic story

For sure! 

Although Covid has put a bit of a hold on that... but the Irvine team will be moving in to our new and expanded offices in December.

21 hours ago, Zee said:

Tommy can you just send me my console now I don't want to wait any longer.

Sincerely, your paesano.

Look outside your window... it's on your doorstep!

16 hours ago, CurlyQ said:

This is such an AMAZING pic!  I literally started tearing up when I saw it.

I immediately sent this out to everyone in the company.

We have a bunch of big posters around the office with Keith on them.  Gotta get this one made up as well.

Thanks @CurlyQ!  That really made my day.  YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

16 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

So great!! 

I promoted this on all our social channels today.

Love it!  Thanks @Papa Pete!!!!

16 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

This is such an AMAZING pic!  I literally started tearing up when I saw it.

 

I immediately sent this out to everyone in the company.

 

We have a bunch of big posters around the office with Keith on them.  Gotta get this one made up as well.

 

Thanks @CurlyQ!  That really made my day.  YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Maybe we could get this as a 2nd poster with the FE?  For the VIP, there can be a 2nd card with Keith Robinson on it?  Wouldn't that be interesting?

On 9/8/2020 at 3:55 PM, Intellivision Master said:

 

This was really great! 

So cool to see that when folks find out more information about Amico they love it and turn in to supporters.

Will need to promote this one on social as well.

39 minutes ago, Jake67 said:

For me, this game is the biggest test case for the Amico controller. I’m looking forward to a video that shows gameplay alongside video of how the controller is being used.

 

If they can get a “paddle” feel on that controller (with the disc, I’m assuming) so you really feel you’re in control, or teach me a new way to overcome decades of “it has to be this way for it to work”, there’s nothing after that I won’t believe the Amico controller can do. 

 

My mom LOVED Breakout. We played against each other all the time, so my connection with this game has more meaning than lots of other games. But remakes or ports just never worked well (to me, at least) without a true paddle-like device. Even the first version of paddles that came with an Atari Flashback didn’t get it quite right.

 

(Somewhat funny side story... I figured my paddles weren’t working correctly, so I contacted the company to see about a fix. They said I should return the device and ask for a refund... not get another box, not send me new paddles, not troubleshoot with me to see if it might be user error... just get my money back. It’s like they were saying, “Yeah, our paddles stink. Sending you a new set ain’t gonna help.”)

 

I feel a bit bad because I know this is a key game, but seeing just the gameplay video has never excited me because I can’t get past the fear that it will be a pain to control. (Which makes me fear for another old favorite, Warlords.) But I’m trying to hold on to a bit of hope that the developer will just blow me away with what they’ve done.

I heard they are using the touchpad swipe action for Amico paddle games.  But who knows things can change.

If you want to play Atari 2600 paddle games today, you can get used atari 2600 paddles and a usb adapter to play on any computer.  They might be compatible with some flashback models.

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We got married in an 12th century castle in Tuscany, Italy.  It was AMAZING!

Wow Tommy, that's pretty cool to get married in a castle.  Thanks for sharing the video.  🙂

4 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

New Amico Club app update coming today.

 

One of the things we fixed/added was the "scoring" issue which I believe was brought up initially in this thread.  So thanks to the person who brought that up.

 

 

• Fixed some issues with the scoring:

1. It resets your score when you restart at a checkpoint to what it was when you hit that checkpoint.  This prevents converting lives at the last checkpoint to run through all the bonuses in that last section.
2. We assign 500 points per remaining life in the final score. That is added to the display stats on the final screen.

Thanks Tommy,  this was my first experience as a game tester (hint, hint, wink, wink) 😁

On 9/9/2020 at 9:45 AM, Hwlngmad said:

Definitely the Amico will undercut the new Xbox Series S at $299 and the Xbox Series X at $499.  No doubt about it.  However, keep in mind that MS is (I believe) still going to sell the Xbox One S as the low end option.  It currently is $299, so I think it is fairly likely that if (and a big one admittingly) MS keeps on producing the Xbox One S, then we could very well see a price cut down to $199 and maybe lower.  Again, that this is a big if and some speculation on my part.  But, a $199 or lower Xbox SKU could prove tempting for some at that price.  Just my thoughts.

As Tommy stated I dont think the target audience would still want it.

Also my theory is this, with the release of the series s its likely the one s will be discontinued shortly after.  The one x is already been axed.  I just dont see Microsoft want to have a old console lingering on.  The one has been out long enough and anyone that was really desiring it would have bought it by now.  And anyone in the market for a new console will only be wanting a console with years of future support.  I could be wrong but why confuse the market with a old 3rd wheel? 

The only thing that Microsoft has thats even remotely appealing is the gamepass. But even with it these casual gamers this is still a no go. Its not like Microsoft is going to make a package deal called the coop pack with 4 controllers lol

9 hours ago, mr_me said:

 

That is indeed the link. The controller still isnt working. The mylar sets when new dont sit in the controller well, and pretty much wants to jump back out. Im going to let that one settle into shape for a week, align it again and test it out with the multimeter

On 9/9/2020 at 12:28 PM, Relicgamer said:

Not too sure I've seen people with fiber 1 gig down having problems on stadia.  Im playing games I have actually downloaded so no streaming and I'm seeing the limits when it go from hd to 4k. Streaming has to be even worse. 

I can't even get 1gig internet where i am. 300 MBs max and I am in twin cities metro area.

8 hours ago, IntyFanMatt said:

Hey man, where did you get that blue running man shirt?  I love it and want one!

That's an old one from the original lot sold by Intellivision Productions.  It's about 10 or so years old.  I also bought the black beanie with the purple Running Man on it.

Maybe Tommy could remake it?  It's a simple design, that's what I like about it.  In fact, I'd wouldn't mind seeing more like it... just like a car from Auto Racing, the Crown from Cloudy Mountain... a robot from Night Stalker.  Simple stuff.

18 minutes ago, IMBerzerk said:

That's an old one from the original lot sold by Intellivision Productions.  It's about 10 or so years old.  I also bought the black beanie with the purple Running Man on it.

 

Maybe Tommy could remake it?  It's a simple design, that's what I like about it.  In fact, I'd wouldn't mind seeing more like it... just like a car from Auto Racing, the Crown from Cloudy Mountain... a robot from Night Stalker.  Simple stuff.

Ahh ok thank you. Yes I wish Tommy and IE would remake a simple shirt like that with just the running man logo, and without “Intellivision” printed on it. I would definitely prefer a simple shirt like that.

Tommy, please make it so!  😊