Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

On 9/12/2020 at 11:38 AM, woobman said:

 

I'm excited about all 3 new systems coming out for different reasons. (one of those being the Amico).  We can sort of count the rumored Switch Pro as 4. But three confirmed.  And yes, I do consider the Amico as a new system. It will have new games along with remakes of older ones. (Retro Re imagined). I know that I'll be spending more money on storage. 

 

Adding to your your numbers:

Remember 512GB doesn't equal 512GB of usable space. You end up with 465GB after just formatting. (give or take a little).

1 new AAA title like the new COD uses 140GB.

Also don't forget there is space that is "reserved" that Microsoft does not let you use. Depending on who you talk to it is around 120-130GB.  There is half of the space of your internal drive.

You still get quite a bit of room for indi type games. But moving forward with new AAA games. Not much else.

 

We won't even go into trying to build an external drive system that can hold ALL of the Xbox games. We still don't know the average size of the new games. Going by the above numbers, 2x18TB drives almost covers it and an external storage option would be about $1400.00. That is using Spinning 3.5" drives. To keep the speed up and go the SSD route,  the costs go totally crazy.

 

For the new Xbox, using the proprietary drives to keep the speed up, is kind of up in the air at the moment. But I know that price will come down.

 

If I were to install 350 games on the Amico would be less than $200.00. This is with using a 1TB Name Brand SSD. With little or no loss of speed. We know that games will be between 512MB to 1Gig for AAA titles. So plenty of room to grow. 

 

For the Sony PS5 doing something close is kind of an unknown at the moment. But I would suspect more to the Xbox side than Amico.

 

There is no "install" option for the switch. (That could be fixed with a firmware update). So you would have to go all digital. BOOOOO. Right now.. The only option is a Big ol' Micro SD card. Right now about $80.00 would get you a name brand card off of Amazon. sized at 512GB.  I don't count those cards on Wish and other places.

 

I can see myself buying all the new systems eventually. AND having fun with all 4 (or 5) . I already enjoy the current gen line up. Full disclosure. I play the PS4 more than the Xbox One. Mostly for VR. I look forward to what that will bring in the upcoming generation of games. And the switch rules all as I play that more than the other two. I can envision playing the Amico just as much as the Switch. Especially if it scratches that nostalgia itch. Plus I'm intrigued by what new things we'll see.  Looking forward to it all!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great overview!

On 9/12/2020 at 5:30 PM, Intellivision Master said:

 

That was really cool!  I'm subscribed to Mojo but somehow missed this one.

Intellivision... from one of the most expensive to one of the least expensive. 

And the CRAZIEST thing is that 42 years later (42 by the time it comes out in 2021) it will be $50 less than the original price back in 1979!!

On 9/13/2020 at 6:57 AM, Urlu Berlu said:

One of my pet peeves about the Switch is how the calibration of the joy-cons can go out of whack right in the middle of a game, whether i'm playing Zelda or Splatoon 2. I dont know if I'm the only one complaining about this, but this has bothered me from the get-go.

 

@Tommy Tallarico I would imagine the Amico will have some sort of auto-calibration for the controllers. How will this work?

The disc doesn't need calibration at all because of the way it is designed. 

You will need to calibrate the motion controls for the games that only use motion controls (i.e. Cornhole, Bowling, etc.).

On 9/13/2020 at 7:56 AM, Starpaddler said:

I do not believe this will be an issue with Amico because the input technology is completely different. On the Switch, the joy-con (and all other joysticks) provide a 2-axis positioning input (L/R & U/D) across the entire range of travel, believe utilizing some sort of rheostat to provide a variable voltage.   Amico’s disc is more a direct contact based technology, and so long as the contacts remain good and the disc physically pops back up to not ride on any of the contacts when not commanding an input, I don't see there being any similar issues.

Nailed it!

On 9/13/2020 at 12:31 PM, Swami said:

I don't think the target are going to think about it initially, but I do think they aren't going to like not having ready access to the games and having to swap them in and out between on board memory and a USB, especially given the several GB size that could take many minutes for each transfer in addition to the updates. I knew a female gamer who said she usually just plays on her phone because it's too much trouble to get her PS3 going.

It will be interesting to see how it goes. 

I know that both Sony & Microsoft having really been playing up the fact that games can load very quickly and you can easily switch in and out of games (Amico is the same). 

But by having to store games on an external drive, that quickness wouldn't be the case for the Series S if you had something stored.  That's why I believe the idea of this is more about "xCloud" (which launched yesterday!) than purchasing digital games.

Here are the 150 games that xCloud launched with:
https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/09/14/cloud-gaming-with-xbox-game-pass-ultimate/

Here's a good article from The Verge that talks about the xCloud service and everything you'll need and all the steps needed to play on Android (not available for Apple/IOS).

https://www.theverge.com/21377313/microsoft-xcloud-install-download-android-game-pass-ultimate-gamepad-xbox

On 9/13/2020 at 4:03 PM, GrudgeQ said:

No thumb joint issues back in the day of marathon 8+ hour Intellivision gaming, it was the ridge around the disc which hit me just below the fingernail (when probably pressing like a maniac). I think people's varied experience may have been how they held played the disc or how that ridge height hit them, but either way I am happy the ridge is no more on the Amico. That ridge was my only issue and even then it didn't crop up until after marathon sessions.

Yes!  That is what I was talking about in the interview.  Not the joint/knuckle of the thumb... but the tip.  Hours of gameplay pressing hard against that ridge literally made my thumb numb and I had to stop.

Not the case with Amico.  One of the first things I fixed with the new design.  

On 9/14/2020 at 5:49 AM, Intellivision Master said:

Good interview Tommy.

That was a fun one!

On 9/14/2020 at 6:44 AM, Intellivision Master said:

Tommy,

 

Any chance of there being a 2D/2.5D Lord of the Rings game on Amico?

That would be cool.

Nothing planned or in the works yet... but would definitely be cool.

On 9/14/2020 at 7:16 AM, woobman said:

One of my favorite games on the Atari.  Please don't got this route... The official remake of Yar's Revenge from Atari:

It's nice looking. But it's not Yar's.

 

Don't worry!  I went though this same thing when working on the Sonic the Hedgehog series.  Didn't like the 3D route it took... and neither did most fans.

Ours will play much more like the original than that 3D version.  Like you're seeing with Missile Command & Moon Patrol.

On 9/14/2020 at 8:31 AM, GrudgeQ said:

Excellent point, the new Yars may be a great game - but it is a new game and isn't really Yars. I like the direction Intellivision has gone with Moon Patrol, it feels close to the the original to me, just with better graphics & updated game play levels and challenges. I think the key is the baseline control mechanics, are you still using the same basic mechanics that respond in the same way? If yes, then the game is a true successor otherwise it is a re-invention or 'inspired by'.

BINGO!

On 9/14/2020 at 12:07 PM, Intellivision Master said:

 

You should have seen some of the vile and disgusting crap we deleted from the comments.  I guess folks think it's funny to try and bully and intimidate women while being anonymous. 

So funny that the second we talk about "family" it triggers a few lonely elitist hardcores with no kids to call Cara and others vile names.

There are some extremely toxic stalkers who are trying everything in their power to destroy Amico.

But just like in love, happiness, success and life... they will once again lose.

On 9/14/2020 at 2:37 PM, Intellivision Master said:

A really good video Anthium.  Well done!

This was really fantastic!

Can everyone please Subscribe to Anthium's channel.  He wants to do more content like this in the future. 

So great to see so many folks spending lots of time creating content like this.

On 9/14/2020 at 2:53 PM, TandyVision said:

So what's the latest with this? I thought in October these were supposed to be shipped out for preorders but haven't heard anything new. 

April 2021 is the new date. 

Please check out our Amico Special Event from last month explaining the delay, showing a lot of our developers as well as making a whole bunch of new announcements and showing a ton of new games.

16 hours ago, skylinesandsunsets said:

Hi Tommy,

If nobody has said so before, then I'll do it now: Thank you for bringing the Intellivision back to life.  As someone who grew up during the "Atari Age," seeing the classic Intellivision games renewed is beyond my wildest dreams.  I'm looking forward to finally getting my founder's edition in April.  Yeah, the launch date been extended out several months but figuratively I've been waiting **several years** for the Amico.  Besides, now that I'm no longer the kid sitting in front of the TV with an Atari/Intellivision/Colecovision controller, I have a stack of work until April that will keep me preoccupied 😅
 

Here's a little feedback for your marketing team: Because the Amico is working hard to portraying itself as a "couch co-op" console, some people on social media are unaware of the fact that its games also have a one player mode.  This issue could cause gamers who are single people, introverts, and the like to buy from Amico's competition.   I'm a fan of your console, and I want that demographic to know the joys of Amico.  
Don't get me wrong, companionship can be great but some gamers enjoy "alone time."

 

I know that you're a busy man, so thank you for taking the time to read my feedback.  April is gonna be great!

 

Yo!,

Thanks so much for the compliments and feedback!

Yes... we will make sure that folks know that all games will have Single Player AND Multiplayer.  I try to say it in every single interview I do (and it's all over our website), but I'll make sure to try to include that in all of our official videos as well.

Appreciate the dialogue and thanks for the wonderful post!

15 hours ago, OEB_Pete said:

That is when I don't eat like 5 minutes after AAA ends !  Epic

I thought it is when I take a vacation and there isn't any new Amico news!

13 hours ago, Intellivision Master said:

 

I've seen paid Nintendo ads on Youtube when you do a search for Intellivision Amico so they are definitely paying and using the keywords.

Pretty damn cool if ya ask me!!

Of course when we start advertising, we'd be crazy not to do the same for keywords like Nintendo, Wii, Switch, N64, NES, SNES, Gameboy, DS, Mario, Mario Party, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and Gamecube as well. 

They have a LOT more important keywords than we do and we're just as happy to help get people to know about Amico even though they are not direct competition.  There of course will be crossover though.

It's also NOT a binary decision.  Folks seem to sometimes forget that when they discuss Amico and say that "no one will want an Amico because Switch already exists". 

Such a misguided, uneducated and ridiculous comment to make.  As if folks couldn't have 2 different consoles in their homes in the 21st century? 

I guess Xbox shouldn't exist because PlayStation does?

Interesting that some folks who make those types of comments never accept invitations to discuss it with me.  And the ones who do... quickly change their minds once I give them more info.

2 hours ago, LePionnier said:

Hi Tommy !  Did you received my private message on Atari Age ? (last week I think)

If not, maybe I was blocked by you by mistake !? 🤔

Have a nice day !

I'm about 10 private messages behind on here. 

Just checked.  Yep!  I received it.  Will make sure to go through it sometime this week.

Reminder that Sony will be doing a live showcase today at 1pm pacific / 4pm eastern.

My understanding is that they will be announcing the price and showing some great exclusives!

Latest rumor that's been banging around is the price will be $449 for the disc unit and $399 for the digital. 

Looking forward to checking it out.  Please let me know what you think once you had a chance to watch it.

Tommy,

When can we expect new merchandise in the IE shop?  Also, any update on the breakout demo?

7 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

Tommy,

 

When can we expect new merchandise in the IE shop?  Also, any update on the breakout demo?

Not sure about new merch in the shop.  Not really our big focus right now so no current plans.  Will post an update here when we have news.

I'll know a lot more about the timing of the Breakout Demo by the end of this week.  If I had to guess right now... I'd say late October or early November... but could be much sooner.  The dream would be to have it done and released on 10/10... but that may be cutting it too close as we care about quality over everything else.

We are shooting a new HARDWARE video in a few weeks which we plan on putting out on 10/10.  It's a sit down with different people from our team (including me) talking about the design of the externals and internals as well as the controllers.  After that, we will be working on a Controller video that shows a lot of different and unique ways (and games) that the controller can be used to control games.  That is one that I know a lot of people will be interested to see.  Need to get the hardware design one out there first though.

QUESTION FOR EVERYONE HERE!!!

For the Hardware & Controller design video... what would you be interested in hearing about?

Please feel free to give me a list of questions and I'll try to make sure we answer them all.

The controllers in this article look familiar!

Great to see the press starting to use some of the images we've created.

https://venturebeat.com/2020/08/07/the-deanbeat-what-weve-learned-about-pandemic-gaming/

17 hours ago, OEB_Pete said:

18 hours ago, RxScram said:

Awesome, but I have a hard time imagining even Angry Pete using those fingers!

Naughty

Nobody fraks with Angry Eybrow Pete!

Hmmmmm Fraks with. Battlestar Galactica. Mattel.. Space Alert. Battlestar Galactica Space Alert by Mattel.  Amico.  Mattel and Amico partnering on games.  I want to start the rumor that Battlestar Galactica will have an exclusive game for the Amico. 

@Tommy Tallarico Any truth to the rumors that have been floating around here for one sentence?

8 minutes ago, woobman said:

I want to start the rumor that Battlestar Galactica will have an exclusive game for the Amico.

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Not sure about new merch in the shop.  Not really our big focus right now so no current plans.  Will post an update here when we have news.

 

I'll know a lot more about the timing of the Breakout Demo by the end of this week.  If I had to guess right now... I'd say late October or early November... but could be much sooner.  The dream would be to have it done and released on 10/10... but that may be cutting it too close as we care about quality over everything else.

We are shooting a new HARDWARE video in a few weeks which we plan on putting out on 10/10.  It's a sit down with different people from our team (including me) talking about the design of the externals and internals as well as the controllers.  After that, we will be working on a Controller video that shows a lot of different and unique ways (and games) that the controller can be used to control games.  That is one that I know a lot of people will be interested to see.  Need to get the hardware design one out there first though.

QUESTION FOR EVERYONE HERE!!!

 

For the Hardware & Controller design video... what would you be interested in hearing about?

 

Please feel free to give me a list of questions and I'll try to make sure we answer them all.

 

 

Tommy,

I realize that you mentioned in one of the videos that the controller can be “locked” in a position for some games due to the motion controls but for instance if I’m playing cornhole and then switch to another game such as an “original” title, would I have to lock the controller in order to use the “new” layout or is it game specific? Also, what about game ideas? Unfortunately, I’m not versed in game development or hardware but could I or the community have a place to discuss potential games and or ideas? Thank you very much.

Jeffrey