Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

21 minutes ago, IntelliMission said:

Tommy, will the Karma Engine be activated by default also on single player modes? I suppose it will be, but... is this really a good idea? Wouldn't that make the online rankings a bit boring? Maybe you could disable it by default or create a separated ranking for "professional players" without Karma Engine.

Good questions !

Karma engine could probably be only for multiplayer.

When playing solo, maybe choosing a difficulty level. So for rankings, you would have those on Easy Mode and those on Normal mode !?

29 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

I have yet to download the Breakout Demo.  Is the control only with a mouse?  What if you don't have/use one?  Can the keyboard be used?

Not seems to work without one ! 🤨

7 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

Since we are seeing a demo of Major League Baseball, I hope they just stick to using the team names only and not the player names.  I don't want to see Intellivision fall into a trap that EA set with releasing a new game each year with updated rosters.  I would be surprised if Intellivision went that route.  Stick to simple game play that is fun and it will be a winner!

That reminds me of my absolute loathing for voice acting in classic graphic adventures, that sometimes leads me to discard the CD version (with lots of bugs corrected) and do a lot of crazy stuff to finish the disk versions (manually patching, mixing several patches, altering files, downloading save files...).

14 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

Since we are seeing a demo of Major League Baseball, I hope they just stick to using the team names only and not the player names.  I don't want to see Intellivision fall into a trap that EA set with releasing a new game each year with updated rosters.  I would be surprised if Intellivision went that route.  Stick to simple game play that is fun and it will be a winner!

Having the player's name would require a separate deal from the Players Associate but like you I think it is better without it. It just dates the games, which is great if you are EA trying to suck money out of people for the same game with some skinning & a new rosters each year but that is everything the Amico isn't. 100% - stay with simple and (somewhat) timeless.

11 hours ago, RxScram said:

I'm not involved in the development of Breakout, but all of our games utilize our Karma engine, which has adaptive difficulty... so that people who don't play as well or react as fast will get advantages... such as bigger paddles. There will also be smaller paddles for the player who is doing great (in multiplayer) to try to keep things equal. 

I just read this message, which opens the previous page. RxScram was answering someone who wanted his 6yo son to be able to play Breakout with a bigger paddle after trying the single player demo. This seems to point out that Karma Engine will be a thing in single player modes.

However, the message posted by Intellivision Master just after this one shows a reply where Tommy said that Karma Engine will not be available on single player.

I guess we will have to wait for RxScram and Tommy to clarify. 🤓

On 4/14/2020 at 12:45 PM, Tommy Tallarico said:

Here's a question that was asked over at Intellivision Invasion on Facebook that I thought some of the folks here may find interesting...

 

Q:  Does anyone know if the Amico's Karma Engine is an option that can be turned off? While i like casual gaming with friends and family, there are definitely times that i like to be competitive and don't want the cpu to cheat for and/or against me.

 

A:  The quick answer is YES! Each game is a little different and sometimes it's not just a simple ON or OFF. For example... in Shark! Shark!, the person in last place will always get a "hint" of which clam will be opening next (their controller will buzz and it will show the clam on your controller screen). Things like this can not be turned off.

 

Also... to be clear... the CPU doesn't have Karma when you are playing single player. It's only used in couch co-op situations... typically for folks in last place.

16 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

28 minutes ago, atarifan88 said:

Since we are seeing a demo of Major League Baseball, I hope they just stick to using the team names only and not the player names.  I don't want to see Intellivision fall into a trap that EA set with releasing a new game each year with updated rosters.  I would be surprised if Intellivision went that route.  Stick to simple game play that is fun and it will be a winner!

Having the player's name would require a separate deal from the Players Associate but like you I think it is better without it. It just dates the games, which is great if you are EA trying to suck money out of people for the same game with some skinning & a new rosters each year but that is everything the Amico isn't. 100% - stay with simple and (somewhat) timeless.

I agree with you both !
I remember when playing tecmo bowl a long time ago ! I was always choosing the Atlanta Falcons because of Deion Sanders !
After the kick, I almost returned everytime the ball to the goal zone ! It was not fair for the others ! I prefer to have every baseball player (or any sports) with the same skills.

The different skills should come from the human playing the game ! (For sports game)

You can't always tell from the trailers which mostly catering to the retro crowd at this point, but it is pretty obvious there is a secret "Department of Delight" at Intellivision.  The goal is to make the Amico as fun and approachable as possible. Here are just some of indications:

Controllers can be customized (decorated?) for each individual (see Ask Tommy section):

Blowing out your birthday cake candle

Cute animated logo & "Amico!" voiceover

The Amico light show on the console & controller:

Clear Wonka references

I think Tommy wants some of that delight when the Wonka factory turned out to be a candy wonderland. It isn't just a game console, it is a friend you are happy to see each day:

Tommy,

I look forward to the UI video tomorrow.  Can't wait.

well the karma engine seems to be a vast improvement over the Intellivisions original karma system, which if you had brothers was, 1) them smacking your glasses off you face so you couldnt see much or 2) the worst off all Karma correction, the nut punch. Nothing allowed someone to start scoring easier in games like basketball etc then that dreaded #2.

42 minutes ago, LePionnier said:

After the kick, I almost returned everytime the ball to the goal zone ! It was not fair for the others ! I prefer to have every baseball player (or any sports) with the same skills.

 

I always like a fair playing field, but I think perhaps to add some variety perhaps if each game character/players had say 4 attributes, and each team gets the same amount of total pool of points to divide up among a team as they see fit, that could allow variety while still keeping things level.   It would also allow you to "create" a few of you favorite players if not by name but by attributes. 

1 minute ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

I always like a fair playing field, but I think perhaps to add some variety perhaps if each game character/players had say 4 attributes, and each team gets the same amount of total pool of points to divide up among a team as they see fit, that could allow variety while still keeping things level.   It would also allow you to "create" a few of you favorite players if not by name but by attributes. 

Yeah ! The idea is that both players could have the possibility to have the same attributes if they want !

Also, we can ask the question if a baseball team will have better attributes than another on MLB Intellivision Baseball ? 🤔

1 hour ago, atarifan88 said:

I have yet to download the Breakout Demo.  Is the control only with a mouse?  What if you don't have/use one?  Can the keyboard be used?

Your computer doesn't have a pointing device e.g. trackpad?  If it only has one of those ibm pointing stick nubs, it won't play very well but should still work.

1 hour ago, IntelliMission said:

I don't really plan to play the single player modes, but I personally prefer them without the Karma engine (even if the game destroys me every time).

 

But this is an interesting design choice. I guess some games will be more difficult than others (the ones more aimed to hardcore/retro fans will be harder). I remember they already said that the first player modes will ALWAYS start super easy on the first levels so hyper casual and non gamers will not be scared. It makes sense!

 

I also remember (this was months ago in this same thread) to think "I hope hardcore gamers don't get too bored on those first easy levels".

 

Another approach for single player modes would be to use an infinite lives system so that every single attempt can finish the game if the player spends some time, with lives wasted seriously affecting the final score for the rankings.

I like user selectable difficulty levels but I heard that will be discouraged.  The implementation of the "karma engine" is up to the designer of each game.

1 hour ago, atarifan88 said:

Since we are seeing a demo of Major League Baseball, I hope they just stick to using the team names only and not the player names.  I don't want to see Intellivision fall into a trap that EA set with releasing a new game each year with updated rosters.  I would be surprised if Intellivision went that route.  Stick to simple game play that is fun and it will be a winner!

Like Grudge mentioned, I don't think EA sees changing rosters as a trap; more like a gravy train.  I heard they are not licensing player names for Amico mlb baseball. 

Players with unique characteristics suggests a game that's more simulation with a management element to the game.  It reminds me of the Intellivision Slam Dunk update to the NBA Basketball cartridge.  It has all those interesting management features but they're not fun for me.  Same thing with Intellivision World Series Baseball which is a statistics based simulation.  There was a simple hockey game on PC called Face Off that had one coaching feature I liked.  You had to rotate lines or guys would get tired.

1 hour ago, atarifan88 said:

Since we are seeing a demo of Major League Baseball, I hope they just stick to using the team names only and not the player names.  I don't want to see Intellivision fall into a trap that EA set with releasing a new game each year with updated rosters.  I would be surprised if Intellivision went that route.  Stick to simple game play that is fun and it will be a winner!

I have a feeling this is the way to go.  Tommy's already mentioned they need to show all players on base (steals, picking off runners, maybe forcing a balk?).  So the perspective is going to get no closer than the diamonds, and at that perspective, it looks a bit unnecessary to show player names/numbers.  They could breakaway for at-bats but it's not needed, I think the focus is less on precision hits and more on the variety of play beyond making contact. Even that allows for inside, outside, curves, fastballs, and variations paying attention to the shadow or ball arc, plus timing the hit will of course matter, so it's not like the player has almost no input in getting a hit.

I'd also prefer they don't get a contract with the MLBPA.  Cost, updates, or some trade mechanic, or something to make a mess of just playing ball.  Plus, I kinda don't want to be disappointedly reminded that every decent Mets player of the last whenever is scoring a zillion runs, pitching 14 perfect games in a row while blindfolded, on any other team because the Universe hates my Mets.  

29 minutes ago, bigdaddygamestudio said:

well the karma engine seems to be a vast improvement over the Intellivisions original karma system, which if you had brothers was, 1) them smacking your glasses off you face so you couldnt see much or 2) the worst off all Karma correction, the nut punch. Nothing allowed someone to start scoring easier in games like basketball etc then that dreaded #2.

CurlyQ... CurlyQ, your assistance is needed in aisle 5:  nuts, nut boxing, and assorted nut punches.

26 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

About to start our big global B3 Biennale live interview and broadcast. Willem Dafoe and Terry Gilliam finished earlier. We're next! Starts at noon pacific. Watch it live on Facebook or Vimeo!

 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/b3live

 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1074157683047878&ref=notif&notif_id=1602595198527208&notif_t=live_video

just watching.

29 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

About to start our big global B3 Biennale live interview and broadcast. Willem Dafoe and Terry Gilliam finished earlier. We're next! Starts at noon pacific. Watch it live on Facebook or Vimeo!

 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/b3live

 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1074157683047878&ref=notif&notif_id=1602595198527208&notif_t=live_video

I always thought Tommy was super passionate about Amico, then I listen to Hans speak. The passion of this team is unreal.

1 minute ago, Intymike said:

just watching.

Nice to see a two way interview with Tommy and Hans Ippisch

31 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

About to start our big global B3 Biennale live interview and broadcast. Willem Dafoe and Terry Gilliam finished earlier. We're next! Starts at noon pacific. Watch it live on Facebook or Vimeo!

 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/b3live

 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1074157683047878&ref=notif&notif_id=1602595198527208&notif_t=live_video

This is great Tommy.  Thanks for sharing.  

Shhhh, Sven could have mentioned me as someone who knows the Intellivision in Germany.   

below is a link to a YouTube video I posted about the Intellivision 10/10 Event and the Amico in general.

https://youtu.be/QNo1vKPDBVo

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

About to start our big global B3 Biennale live interview and broadcast. Willem Dafoe and Terry Gilliam finished earlier. We're next! Starts at noon pacific. Watch it live on Facebook or Vimeo!

 

https://vimeo.com/showcase/b3live

 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1074157683047878&ref=notif&notif_id=1602595198527208&notif_t=live_video

Tommy just described the Amico controller buttons as "big, deep dish buttons" - I am suspecting he *might* be Italian 😜

2 minutes ago, GrudgeQ said:

Tommy just described the Amico controller buttons as "big, deep dish buttons" - I am suspecting he *might* be Italian 😜

Where are the breadsticks?  Lol.