Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

6 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Someone please make sure to respond saying that is total crap.

Besides... Atari doesn't need our help in destroying them.  Their doing a fine job all by themselves.



I honestly hope they make something awesome and they've always personally been nice to me.  I hope the backers who put their trust into them are able to feel satisfaction with their purchase.  So I'm not looking to attack them or anyone who is a follower.  I know how hard it is to do something like this as the underdog... but it's fair to say that I would have done things much differentl.  It also needs to be noted that saying Intellivision is paying or getting people to attack them is complete and utter nonsense.
 

So you pay in tacos then? Awesome where do I sign up?

Ah no point in replying to comments like that. They are pretty far gone in terms of how they think. I think they are slightly jealous that the Amico has shown more in less time while being further from release than the VCS.

They don't get it that we want both of them to be successful. They are projecting their frustrations outward and looking for an outside source to blame. Any reasonable person knows you don't do that stuff.

13 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Obsessed with him?  Not at all... he means nothing.  I just find it mind-blowing that he knows so little about a subject he makes a living off of talking about.

 

Wait, what?!  Are you saying this guy actually makes a living and supports himself giving his opinions on a YouTube channel?!  Please tell me you are kidding Tommy?  If I was his Dad, I'd be telling him to move out of the basement and get a REAL JOB!!! 😄

16 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Tonight at 5pm pacific / 8pm eastern come and check out the live streaming interview and Q&A with Level 857.

Feel free to ask ANY questions about Intellivision and Amico (or anything else!). The harder and more controversial the better!

Here's the link: https://www.twitch.tv/level857

At about 2:45 of the level857 interview the new Amico controller button locations are shown.   It's more of a shoulder button location for horizontal orienation rather than vertical orientation like an intellivision controller.

53 minutes ago, mr_me said:

At about 2:45 of the level857 interview the new Amico controller button locations are shown.   It's more of a shoulder button location for horizontal orienation rather than vertical orientation like an intellivision controller.

Here is a direct link on the replay at that point:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/489465448?t=02h45m40s

Regular link here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/489465448

Note the stream had audio issues and you can't hear the Level 857 guys but Tommy's comments are clear. Over 3 hours but well worth watching, tons of little stuff is mentioned by Tommy "Loose Lips" Tallarico throughout 😉. Also contains first look at the console's motherboard that I know of (brief & no chips), lots of pack in game references, several "unconfirmed" but highly hinted at statements on games including one that I had forgotten that I love - Bump N Jump.

Pro-tip, you can watch at 1.5x or 2x speed using the gear icon on the Twitch player.

22 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Here is a direct link on the replay at that point:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/489465448?t=02h45m40s

 

Note the stream had audio issues and you can't hear the Level 857 guys but Tommy's comments are clear. Over 3 hours but well worth watching, tons of little stuff in mentioned by Tommy "Loose Lips" Tallarico throughout 😉

The way I see it is that the followers at this point (which let's be honest... aren't a ton of people) are getting lots of cool info ahead of everyone else.  Fun way to keep some folks (who are paying attention) interested this far out.  Some stuff I can't reveal because of parents (some BIG surprises on the way!)... but the little stuff is fun to put out there for now.  Things like button placement doesn't harm our marketing plans, but interesting for early followers to discuss.

I had a long discussion with resident Intellivision expert Paul... and we both agreed that moving the buttons may harm some of the original games... but it was worth the trade being able to access both when holding horizontally.  Even original games like Baseball feel better horizontally because the landscape mode of the screen is easier to represent all the players on field.

Also... small hands couldn't even hit the 1st shoulder button in horizontal mode. Moving them closer to the edges makes a big difference.  It also enables a 3rd input by holding BOTH buttons down at the same time.  Something that was pretty much impossible in the original setup.

When holding vertically (like our beloved original) you don't feel the button in your palm (as we've inset them more into the controller) and disable them to ensure no accidental button hits.

Please discuss!!!

28 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

The way I see it is that the followers at this point (which let's be honest... aren't a ton of people) are getting lots of cool info ahead of everyone else.  Fun way to keep some folks (who are paying attention) interested this far out.  Some stuff I can't reveal because of parents (some BIG surprises on the way!)... but the little stuff is fun to put out there for now.  Things like button placement doesn't harm our marketing plans, but interesting for early followers to discuss.

 

I had a long discussion with resident Intellivision expert Paul... and we both agreed that moving the buttons may harm some of the original games... but it was worth the trade being able to access both when holding horizontally.  Even original games like Baseball feel better horizontally because the landscape mode of the screen is easier to represent all the players on field.

 

Also... small hands couldn't even hit the 1st shoulder button in horizontal mode. Moving them closer to the edges makes a big difference.  It also enables a 3rd input by holding BOTH buttons down at the same time.  Something that was pretty much impossible in the original setup.

 

When holding vertically (like our beloved original) you don't feel the button in your palm (as we've inset them more into the controller) and disable them to ensure no accidental button hits.

 

Please discuss!!!

Questions:

1. are there still four buttons total (2 on each side)

2. If the bottom button doesn't work in vertical orientation, does that mean you only have one fire button working in vertical orientation?

23 minutes ago, Swami said:

Questions:

1. are there still four buttons total (2 on each side)

2. If the bottom button doesn't work in vertical orientation, does that mean you only have one fire button working in vertical orientation?

Great questions!

1.  Yes.  2 on each side (total 4).

2.  One per side.  So you would have one on the top left and one on the top right.  Although 2 would be tough to get at in those positions (the way most people hold the controller vertically).  However... the big factor is that the touch screen acts as a button (or multiple buttons) as well!

So... for example... when I play Moon Patrol in vertical mode (most people play horizontal, but I personally like vertical).  It's actually much easier and quicker to hit the screen to shoot and jump (screen input split into 2 halves of the screen... top & bottom) as opposed to the side buttons.  You can get off way more "shots".  You quickly forget about tactile buttons.  Having a "real" tactile disc for motion and the screen for shooting is really cool actually.  It's one of those things that may be hard to imagine... but when you play it... you get used to it immediately and find that its actually more fun, forgiving and quick to use the screen to shoot because you're tapping rapidly as opposed to waiting for the tactile button mechanism to engage and disengage.  Which of course doesn't take long... but it's just "quicker" when there's nothing there except your finger and a surface.

But again... most people use it in horizontal mode.  And some use the screen to shoot and others will use the left & right shoulder buttons for firing and jumping.  And the disc could be on the left... or the right... depending on which way you are holding it vertically.  There really is something there for everyone.  Really unique.

 

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

It also enables a 3rd input by holding BOTH buttons down at the same time.  Something that was pretty much impossible in the original setup.

If you have your first finger on the top side button and your middle finger on the bottom side button, you can press them both at the same time.

Trying to use left and right side buttons for two button games is awkward, so the horizontal orientation will be the way to go.  It's still reversible for left or right handed use.

I have a game question for TT.  I'm a fan of having physical copies and I know at least some of the games will get a physical release as well as digital.  Will all the games get a physical release or just the more major ones? Moon Patrol I'm guessing, or should I say hoping, will get a physical release but I understand if some of the smaller games are digital only.  If so, is there a plan to compile those smaller games in theme packs for a physical release at a later date and essentially that way, everything will eventually get a physical release?  Apologies for typing a whole paragraph for one question.  I'm too verbose for my own good.  And that's after I edited it down too!

2 hours ago, GrudgeQ said:

Here is a direct link on the replay at that point:

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/489465448?t=02h45m40s

 

Regular link here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/489465448

 

Note the stream had audio issues and you can't hear the Level 857 guys but Tommy's comments are clear. Over 3 hours but well worth watching, tons of little stuff is mentioned by Tommy "Loose Lips" Tallarico throughout 😉. Also contains first look at the console's motherboard that I know of (brief & no chips), lots of pack in game references, several "unconfirmed" but highly hinted at statements on games including one that I had forgotten that I love - Bump N Jump.

 

Pro-tip, you can watch at 1.5x or 2x speed using the gear icon on the Twitch player.

What's the time marker for the motherboard's appearance?

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

...  Some stuff I can't reveal because of parents (some BIG surprises on the way!)...

Wow, your own parents won't let you run your own company?  Talk about strict.

2 minutes ago, Lathe26 said:

What's the time marker for the motherboard's appearance?

3 hours, 5 minute ish

Any of these early 2000s, basically unreleased, homebrews or unreleased 80s games up for re-imagining with the 2020 2.5D treatment? Granted, a couple on the list are not so great, but just included all reasonable contenders.

Old Skool, The Lost Caves of Kroz, Hotel Bunny, King of the Mountain, Spina the Bee, Adventures of Tron, Blow Out , Deep Pockets, Hard Hat, Land Battle, League Of Light, Magic Carousel, Robot Rubble, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Scarfinger, Space Cadet, Super NFL Football , Takeover, Yogi's Frustration

4 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I had a long discussion with resident Intellivision expert Paul... and we both agreed that moving the buttons may harm some of the original games... but it was worth the trade being able to access both when holding horizontally.  Even original games like Baseball feel better horizontally because the landscape mode of the screen is easier to represent all the players on field.

Yeah, there was definitely a lot of back and forth discussion about this.  And yes, this will change the feel of some of the original games, but since the primary focus and market has to be the new games, moving the buttons to their current positions really helps with feel, comfort and playability.

And who knows... perhaps someone will come up with an adapter to allow using an original Intellivision controller on Amico for the old games - if you really want that authentic old school Intellivision feel?  I'm not saying there's anything planned in that regard, but since you can already use them on a PC running JzIntv with things like The Ultimate PC Interface or other USB controller adapters, it should be possible.  That said, once you use an Amico controller, you're probably not going to want to go back to the original.

3 hours ago, mr_me said:

If you have your first finger on the top side button and your middle finger on the bottom side button, you can press them both at the same time.

 

Trying to use left and right side buttons for two button games is awkward, so the horizontal orientation will be the way to go.

I'm trying to think of an original Intellivision game where you have to push two side buttons at once though?

As to your second comment... Vectron, anyone?

😉

1 hour ago, Swami said:

Any of these early 2000s, basically unreleased, homebrews or unreleased 80s games up for re-imagining with the 2020 2.5D treatment? Granted, a couple on the list are not so great, but just included all reasonable contenders.

Old Skool, The Lost Caves of Kroz, Hotel Bunny, King of the Mountain, Spina the Bee, Adventures of Tron, Blow Out , Deep Pockets, Hard Hat, Land Battle, League Of Light, Magic Carousel, Robot Rubble, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Scarfinger, Space Cadet, Super NFL Football , Takeover, Yogi's Frustration

 

Nothing is really off the table when it comes to remaking the old games - unless licensing issues prevent the use of a certain IP (or the cost to do so is far greater than the potential earnings of the game).  You'd be surprised what kind of money some people (companies) want for things like that...

30 minutes ago, nurmix said:

I'm trying to think of an original Intellivision game where you have to push two side buttons at once though?

As to your second comment... Vectron, anyone?

😉

 

I figured Tommy mentioned multiple button presses for Amico games.  The Intellivision exec and cartridges were not even programmed to detect multiple side button presses (Defender being the only one I can think of that was).  If you are going to use the Amico controller touch screen as action buttons as he describes than that changes things.

----------

Regarding the unreleased games Swami mentioned, I liked Takeover.  It's a two player only game but it reminds me of Civilization.  It wasn't released because of the low resolution graphics.

2 hours ago, mr_me said:

I figured Tommy mentioned multiple button presses for Amico games.  The Intellivision exec and cartridges were not even programmed to detect multiple side button presses (Defender being the only one I can think of that was).  If you are going to use the Amico controller touch screen as action buttons as he describes than that changes things.

 

----------

Regarding the unreleased games Swami mentioned, I liked Takeover.  It's a two player only game but it reminds me of Civilization.  It wasn't released because of the low resolution graphics.

Yeah, the original circuit matrix generates some weird signals with multiple button presses!  But you're right, the Amico controller won't have those limitations, and one could even do a double button press to simulate a lower action button press in an original / legacy Intellivision game.  There are options.

11 hours ago, atarifan88 said:

Wait, what?!  Are you saying this guy actually makes a living and supports himself giving his opinions on a YouTube channel?!  Please tell me you are kidding Tommy?  If I was his Dad, I'd be telling him to move out of the basement and get a REAL JOB!!! 😄

Sarcasm might be lost on me but lets please not devolve into making comments like this about people who disagree.

9 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Great questions!

 

1.  Yes.  2 on each side (total 4).

 

2.  One per side.  So you would have one on the top left and one on the top right.  Although 2 would be tough to get at in those positions (the way most people hold the controller vertically).  However... the big factor is that the touch screen acts as a button (or multiple buttons) as well!

So... for example... when I play Moon Patrol in vertical mode (most people play horizontal, but I personally like vertical).  It's actually much easier and quicker to hit the screen to shoot and jump (screen input split into 2 halves of the screen... top & bottom) as opposed to the side buttons.  You can get off way more "shots".  You quickly forget about tactile buttons.  Having a "real" tactile disc for motion and the screen for shooting is really cool actually.  It's one of those things that may be hard to imagine... but when you play it... you get used to it immediately and find that its actually more fun, forgiving and quick to use the screen to shoot because you're tapping rapidly as opposed to waiting for the tactile button mechanism to engage and disengage.  Which of course doesn't take long... but it's just "quicker" when there's nothing there except your finger and a surface.

But again... most people use it in horizontal mode.  And some use the screen to shoot and others will use the left & right shoulder buttons for firing and jumping.  And the disc could be on the left... or the right... depending on which way you are holding it vertically.  There really is something there for everyone.  Really unique.

 

Thank for the in-depth explanation. I watched like four hours of your interviews yesterday. One thing I was unclear on that is a big part of the focus is the motion control games. It sounds like you are going the Wii Motion Plus route without the sensor bar that allows positioning on the screen. I’m not sure how necessary that ever was for motion sports games on the Wii. I believe the original Wii remote had just the positioning sensor bar and the accelerometer and they added two gyroscopes to the Motion Plus. Can the  gyroscope in a cell phone/amicontroller replace the sensor bar for motion control games like bowling and corn hole or was the accelerometer alone enough for the first Wii Sports games like bowling and Tennis. Phones have another device that measures altitude, as well. I was also wondering if the Amicontroller has an altitude device, even if it may be just for 0 to 8 feet. 

31 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Sarcasm might be lost on me but lets please not devolve into making comments like this about people who disagree.

Not sure what you mean?  Disagree about what?  Working for a living?

A Button Moved is a button earned!

I couldn't resist... there's a little shade tossed in this one... lol.

1 hour ago, atarifan88 said:

Not sure what you mean?  Disagree about what?  Working for a living?

Saying people live in basements or don't make a living. We are above that.

11 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Please discuss!!!

I'm not sure how this placement may harm the original games. If we hold the controller horizontally, we still have a direct access to three buttons (for right-handed people : left index on upper left button, left thumb on bottom left button, right index on upper right button, right thumb on disk, right pinky to hold the controller in place) and the "keypad" is still accessible. So games like B-17 Bomber or Bomb Squad which use all three buttons are still playable. I agree the feeling will be different compared to the original controller, but the feeling would have been different even with the old button placement anyway.

Personally, I feel holding the controller horizontally (I'm using my Flashback controller and imagining the new buttons to give me an idea) seems a bit more ergonomic than holding it vertically. First, the hands are farther apart, which relax the pectoralis major. Second, if I try to hold the controller vertically and flat in front of me (left hand for buttons, right hand for disk), the thumb of my left hand naturally falls into a higher position than the index and middle finger. In order to correct that, either I tilt the controller and hold it almost sideways, which is obviously not good to see the screen, either I put stress on my left thumb to put it in a lower position, which can become tiresome, or last solution is I put my left hand more to the back of the controller and then tilt my wrist, wich put a slight tension on my forearm.

tldr : Even though I never had a problem with the original controller, I guess I will be among the people who will hold the new controller horizontally because I feel it will be more comfortable. Of course, I'll know that for sure only in 383 days (damn 2020 for being a leap year and making me wait one more day).

OK. Now I have to listen to the the 3 hours (!) video...