Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

As a sci fi fan, a few months ago I decided I should finally give Battlestar Galactica a try, at least in one of its forms.

I usually like the original more than the reboots and I don't think the comic books are the correct way to enjoy this, so I googled both TV series to know what all the fuzz was about.

The only recommendations I had was 1) some nerd co-worker who was a fan of the reboot more than 10 years ago and 2) what I read here about the original series.

So I decided to download freaking everything and try to watch and here's what I found:

- The reboot is so boring and soulless I couldn't even finish an episode

- The original, while a bit scary when you think about the religious motivations of the series creator, had awesome actors and scripts and an catchy musical tune. The effects don't look too bad for the 70s and a young version of Face from the A-Team is there! The VGA version of Roger Wilco is clearly inspired by that guy.

12 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

As a sci fi fan, a few months ago I decided I should finally give Battlestar Galactica a try, at least in one of its forms.

 

I usually like the original more than the reboots and I don't think the comic books are the correct way to enjoy this, so I googled both TV series to know what all the fuzz was about.

 

The only recommendations I had was 1) some nerd co-worker who was a fan of the reboot more than 10 years ago and 2) what I read here about the original series.

 

So I decided to download freaking everything and try to watch and here's what I found:

 

- The reboot is so boring and soulless I couldn't even finish an episode

- The original, while a bit scary when you think about the religious motivations of the series creator, had awesome actors and scripts and an catchy musical tune. The effects don't look too bad for the 70s and a young version of Face from the A-Team is there! The VGA version of Roger Wilco is clearly inspired by that 

I suggest to spend more time with the reboot. Its a pretty amazing story in its own right.  I had never finished it when it was new. Couldn't keep up with it when it was a current show due to other circumstances. I did a few years ago go back and rewatched the entire series.  Dont shoot it down based on 1 episode.  Its got alot of turns and has a rather involved plot and one of the original cadt is on that series and was one of tye main writers.  

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

We've now ramped up to having 2 in-house test team groups.  One in Irvine and one in Salt Lake City.  Our head of QA has a long and impressive history in the industry and even headed up one of EA's testing departments for many years!  Another one of our folks was at Square-Enix for many years before joining us.  Top notch AAA people!

Wow. I've been with EA for 20 years, most of that in sr. management with the QA organization. Now I'm on a mission to figure out who this is....

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Just an observation:

One of my relatives just posted this on Facebook last week (people back home tend to be a religious, conservative bunch).

This is what you see when you go to view the PlayStation 5 showcase:

"Nobody is going to buy the Amico instead of an XBox or Playstation 5", hmm just say'n.

Sony just set price of new PS5...$499 for top tier machine. This sure helps IE and their price point, even tho I always wanted Tommy and team to be at $199, this will sure be a benefit to Amico sales!

8 minutes ago, MarioMan88 said:

Sony just set price of new PS5...$499 for top tier machine.

its $399 for the discless, same machine. 

10 minutes ago, MarioMan88 said:

Tommy and team to be at $199

im sure they will get there asap. That does seem to be the sweet price point IMHO

5 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

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

Could you confirm the range and radius for the controllers since controllers/phones may/will be passed around large family rooms, it will be nice to hear confirmation that angles and distance wont be an issue for the controllers ( im sure its not an issue but some may worry about it, especially since you'll be reaching out to casual gamers and people who have may not gamed in a long time and you are introducing new controller tech)

9 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Will do!

 

We recently put up a Running Man zip up hoodie (as a lot of people were requesting it) and it has just the Running Man logo on it.  We'll do more simple designs for sure if that's what people would like.

 

Awesome, I know I would love just the running man logo on a T-shirt!  If you are able to do that, I will buy it immediately.  Thanks Tommy!

FYI, starting shortly

Check out a press release that our manufacturer put out today:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ark-electronics-awarded-intellivision-entertainment-amico-gaming-system-manufacturing-contract-301132224.html

Ark is an amazing super high profile manufacturer in China (with offices in Irvine, CA as well).  They worked on the PS2, PS3, PS4 & PS5 as well as the Nintendo Wii!

They built the controller boards.  So if you've ever used a PlayStation or Wii controller... you've held their work in your hand.  

We've had the deal in place since last fall and our team spent a week with them and their factory folks (including me) last December.

Absolutely fantastic folks and partners who really believe in the vision and are really dedicated to making sure Amico is a huge success.

5 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Check out a press release that our manufacturer put out today:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ark-electronics-awarded-intellivision-entertainment-amico-gaming-system-manufacturing-contract-301132224.html

 

Ark is an amazing super high profile manufacturer in China (with offices in Irvine, CA as well).  They worked on the PS2, PS3, PS4 & PS5 as well as the Nintendo Wii!

They built the controller boards.  So if you've ever used a PlayStation or Wii controller... you've held their work in your hand.  

 

 

Can’t wait for that hardware video! I’m excited for that nerd kinda stuff 😆

2 hours ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

im sure they will get there asap. That does seem to be the sweet price point IMHO

Agreed.  We'll have 2 years to get it to $199.  Shouldn't be a problem.

19 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Check out a press release that our manufacturer put out today:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ark-electronics-awarded-intellivision-entertainment-amico-gaming-system-manufacturing-contract-301132224.html

 

Ark is an amazing super high profile manufacturer in China (with offices in Irvine, CA as well).  They worked on the PS2, PS3, PS4 & PS5 as well as the Nintendo Wii!

They built the controller boards.  So if you've ever used a PlayStation or Wii controller... you've held their work in your hand.  

 

We've had the deal in place since last fall and our team spent a week with them and their factory folks (including me) last December.

Absolutely fantastic folks and partners who really believe in the vision and are really dedicated to making sure Amico is a huge success.

 

 

That was a good article.  Glad to hear about the partnership.  Thanks for sharing Tommy.

3 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

 

Just an observation:

One of my relatives just posted this on Facebook last week (people back home tend to be a religious, conservative bunch).

This is what you see when you go to view the PlayStation 5 showcase:

"Nobody is going to buy the Amico instead of an XBox or Playstation 5", hmm just say'n.

 

Ever notice that the folks who don't understand Amico also don't understand the power of family, wives, kids etc.... typically because they don't have any themselves.

2 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said:

That was a good article.  Glad to hear about the partnership.  Thanks for sharing Tommy.

They are one of the premiere manufacturers of electronics in the world.  Really amazing company to have in our corner and a part of our team.

They have a full time on staff product manager whose dedicated just to Amico.  He's been there almost a year.  Yet another Triple A rock star team to add to our growing company.

4 hours ago, BigDumer said:

Wow. I've been with EA for 20 years, most of that in sr. management with the QA organization. Now I'm on a mission to figure out who this is....

By the time he left, he managed the Salt Lake QA dept.  Worked there from 2010 - 2016.  First name Sam.

You know him?

Amazing dude!!!

5 hours ago, Jeffrey Bouchard said:

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?

It is game specific.

5 hours ago, Jeffrey Bouchard said:

 

 

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

Feel free to discuss ideas right here!

8 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

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?

I stopped trying to apply logic to their “thinking” long ago. Its to the point when I read their stuff(when I actually do), I just hear Chalie Brown Adult talk, squawking nonsense in my head.
 

I had done really good avoiding social media (I’m anti-social... media), until the Amico project pulled me in, anyway. (Not placing blame, got to give something to get something, I guess).
 

I even actually reported a you tube video yesterday for the first time in my life; fun times. 
 

The Chrillcast guys just sent this Twitter poll to me and were delighted to see Amico holding it's own against the PS5 and even beating the Switch and Xbox. 

Small account, and not drinking the Kool-Aid, but interesting and fun none-the-less.

If you have Twitter... VOTE AMICO!!!

21 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

By the time he left, he managed the Salt Lake QA dept.  Worked there from 2010 - 2016.  First name Sam.

 

You know him?

Amazing dude!!!

 

Hmm, Sam B? I was with the EA QA PMO at the time and the SLC studio was one of the ones I covered for but I never got to visit there.  Seems like forever ago!  We didn't work together much; I probably mostly harassed him via email for status updates and various metrics.  🙂

8 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

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

Thanks Tommy, I’d be interested to hear info/stories  on some of the more interesting decisions made in the design, and also some of the things IE decided not to do, and why.  
 

Also, I’ve wondered about something I’ve heard you say in a couple of interviews; you stated the processors in the controllers were chosen for price and that only provide the minimal required performance to meet needs (paraphrasing), but I’d think that battery life performance of lesser capable chips would also be a huge factor and an aspect that would be hit on when discussing that choice. 
 

Thanks, as all ways. 

6 hours ago, woobman said:

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?

Tommy, you got to oh, “make it so” (oops, wrong sci-fi show) - guess I mean - so say we all!

6 hours ago, Relicgamer said:

I suggest to spend more time with the reboot. Its a pretty amazing story in its own right.  I had never finished it when it was new. Couldn't keep up with it when it was a current show due to other circumstances. I did a few years ago go back and rewatched the entire series.  Dont shoot it down based on 1 episode.  Its got alot of turns and has a rather involved plot and one of the original cadt is on that series and was one of tye main writers.  

Totally agree; at least through season 3 🤭 

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Check out a press release that our manufacturer put out today:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ark-electronics-awarded-intellivision-entertainment-amico-gaming-system-manufacturing-contract-301132224.html

 

Ark is an amazing super high profile manufacturer in China (with offices in Irvine, CA as well).  They worked on the PS2, PS3, PS4 & PS5 as well as the Nintendo Wii!

They built the controller boards.  So if you've ever used a PlayStation or Wii controller... you've held their work in your hand.  

 

We've had the deal in place since last fall and our team spent a week with them and their factory folks (including me) last December.

Absolutely fantastic folks and partners who really believe in the vision and are really dedicated to making sure Amico is a huge success.

 

 

Wow Tommy, you are going all out on this Amico scam thing.🤣  Cool read, thanks. 👍