Intellivision Amico - Tommy Tallarico introduction + Q&A

35 minutes ago, Retroexcellence said:

I hope GameStop is still around when this launches on 10/10/2020. I have trade credit to use up on this

Hmmm maybe use it up for something else. Not too sure about their financial health 

15 minutes ago, Loafer said:

Hmmm maybe use it up for something else. Not too sure about their financial health 

I think they will last at least through the next console generation. There is usually a bump in sales when new consoles launch. They will probably continue to reduce number of stores though.  If Sears and Kmart can stumble along for the past 15 years, GameStop should last at least 2 more

1 hour ago, Retroexcellence said:

I think they will last at least through the next console generation. There is usually a bump in sales when new consoles launch. They will probably continue to reduce number of stores though.  If Sears and Kmart can stumble along for the past 15 years, GameStop should last at least 2 more

Yep - Removing write-downs of bogus things like “goodwill”, GameStop lost about $30 million last quarter, that projects to $120 million a year. However they have $450 million ish in cash so yes they should be able to go 3+ years assuming sales don’t improve with the new consoles and cost cutting measures (like closing hundreds of stores) don’t have any effect. They should be able to slow losses so 5+ years isn’t unreasonable (and who knows maybe they can turn things around).

6 hours ago, Retroexcellence said:

If Sears and Kmart can stumble along for the past 15 years,

Those two didn't stumble along. They were deliberately dismantled by a Wall Street Hedge fund, saddled with outside debt and bled dry of any value, for the highest extraction of wealth the hedge fund could legally get away with.

Tomorrow is our one year countdown to the launch! We have some cool things planned. Stay tuned!

On 10/4/2019 at 9:58 AM, imstarryeyed said:

Tommy those a great commandments, as long as they are stuck to, Amico will be an amazing experience.  My opinion, put these in stone and hit anyone who tries to break them with the stone commandments!

 

Can you elaborate on #4? How does the Intellivison Quality scale work? Can you cite classic intellivison games that would fit on that scale? 

 

I honestly wish all game companies would have had this types of commandments, we would have to ensure soo much less garbage.. at least Amico is going the right direction.

This is our internal scale.  We never want to put out anything mediocre.  Obviously this is a very subjective thing.  Some of The Commandments are for us to abide by as best we can.

On 10/4/2019 at 1:22 PM, ASalvaro said:

it would be great if there were some physical media in stores at launch..there was nothing cooler than going to the store and buying a new system and picking out the first games you wanted to buy with it 

Absolutely!  Count on it!

On 10/4/2019 at 5:03 PM, JDog514 said:

Just to be clear can we use the controller either vertical or horizontal for every game or will it be up to the game maker? Thank you very much. 

Depends on the game.  Some will use both ways... others just one way.

On 10/4/2019 at 7:20 PM, Swami said:

This is sounding like a pretty cool controller. Maybe they can re-purpose the old model for us old-timers as a PC and Intellivision console controller...or the new controller, I'm fine with either.😁

The new controllers have both WiFi & Bluetooth... so we could easily make them compatible with PC, mobile devices, etc. 

On 10/5/2019 at 11:13 AM, mr_me said:

So if you were to use buttons in an Amico two button action game; which two buttons do you use?

 

-----------

I think most would agree that the button selection in intellivision vectron and bomb squad could have been better.

So far we've been either holding it horizontally (so it's not an issue) or using one of the side buttons and/or the screen for the 2nd button.  Works great.

On 10/5/2019 at 11:38 AM, MarioMan88 said:

Hello Tommy!

 

Have you and your team given any consideration to what type of retail box we can expect with the arrival of the Amico? I’m 45 and loved the boxes the Intellivision, Atari and the NES. Seems in the last years the boxes have become incredibly drab. The Xbox and PlayStation are some of the most boring boxes consoles have been retained in, IMO.

 

Maybe those consoles don’t need to “jump” out at prospective buyers...their brand and system capabilities are firmly established. With your emphasis on fun, family entrainment hopefully we have some families depicted as such! This may stand out not only to us nostalgic, collector type folks, but as a marketing ploy to grab those BBB(Bed Bath Beyond) Moms. 
 

Anyways would like to know your thoughts on this. Thanks and really appreciate your passion toward the project and anxious to see it come to fruition.

Great question.  I think you're the first person to ask me about that.  Yes!  We have been working on packaging for about a month now and just like everything else we're doing... it's super unique and really cool!  Won't be sharing that info til 2020 though.

On 10/6/2019 at 1:49 AM, ColdCoffee said:

Is a new R-Type shooter still happening for Amico at launch? Who the developers on it? 

Not sure if it will be on launch.  We are shooting for launch... but won't be 100% confirmed til next summer.

On 10/6/2019 at 4:16 AM, roots.genoa said:

Probably Tozai (R-Type Dimensions), founded by a former producer at Irem who is involved in the Amico.

Tozai aren't developers.  They are the publishers and hold certain rights (they own Boulderdash for example!).  We are very good friends with them and you'll notice Tozai president Scott Tsumura in our original Launch Video from last year.  We are working on a bunch of really cool stuff with them as they are our Japan liasons.  Going to be a LOT of super cool surprises coming out over the next year.  I believe the folks here are gonna LOVE it. 

 

On 10/6/2019 at 9:17 AM, GrudgeQ said:

Been playing around holding the OG Intellivision controllers in horizontal & landscape positions and I can see where shoulder style buttons make a lot of sense. Might hurt compatibility with the handful of Intellivision games that didn't just mirror the buttons like B-17, Utopia, etc - but I doubt it will be a huge deal. Much better for the controller to evolve and the idea of shoulder buttons will bring more familiarity with existing gamers. The controller has changed so much from the OG however, with the thicker body, rounded edges, clicky, recessed buttons (a big improvement in my book - I like positive feedback) and disk & touch screen being pretty flush on the surface - I can really only guestimate what it will be like. Any OG controller hate needs to be cast aside and this version judged on it's own - really a totally different beast.

 

Oh and we need to take up a collection and get Tommy a better web cam so he can leak stuff in high def 😂

 

 

 

I have a 4K webcam... (I used it in the Earthworm Jim stream)... but I forgot one of the cables at Intellivision and this interview was done at my house at night... so I had to use my crappier laptop camera. 

Tommy: looking forward to the 1-year countdown celebration.... today especially after reading the latest on the Atari VCS sh*tshow.  

Not paying the designer for 6 months when collecting 3M of money from the clients.  Jeezus 

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

Absolutely!  Count on it!

 

I accidentally hit the wrong button up there,I loved what you said!

I really want to go in a store,find a display and buy one of each of whatever console and games that are there on 10-10-2020. Awesome!👍😀

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

They are the publishers and hold certain rights (they own Boulderdash for example!).

Interesting you mention Boulder Dash. Is this a hint?

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

The logo is different. Is this the final version?

2 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

The M still looks like a twerking butt sticking up. Grab! 🤗

2 hours ago, Papy said:

Interesting you mention Boulder Dash. Is this a hint?

Everything I say typically has some kind of "hint" in there. 

1 hour ago, Papy said:

The logo is different. Is this the final version?

Yep!  Nice catch.  Was wondering if someone was going to pick up on that.  The way it animates is really super cool and has been testing off the charts with kids & moms!  More info coming tomorrow.

3 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

I have a 4K webcam... (I used it in the Earthworm Jim stream)... but I forgot one of the cables at Intellivision and this interview was done at my house at night... so I had to use my crappier laptop camera. 

 

We will take 'em any way they come. Most importantly you had the HyperX Quadcast to pick up the "Gadousgh Doosgh"s clearly

i was thinking how cool Pac Man would be if one person was Pac Man with each of your friends being the ghosts chasing you 

but then again you can also do this with Lock N Chase 

4 hours ago, ASalvaro said:

i was thinking how cool Pac Man would be if one person was Pac Man with each of your friends being the ghosts chasing you 

but then again you can also do this with Lock N Chase 

Gba linked to game cube forvanpacmsn game where you.played Pacman.in first person and gbs cobtroller the ghosts.that would be cool in Pacman.  Egat if you were able to have a partner that could controll bonuses and your pill location's. 

9 hours ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

On 10/5/2019 at 11:38 AM, MarioMan88 said:

Hello Tommy!

 

Have you and your team given any consideration to what type of retail box we can expect with the arrival of the Amico? I’m 45 and loved the boxes the Intellivision, Atari and the NES. Seems in the last years the boxes have become incredibly drab. The Xbox and PlayStation are some of the most boring boxes consoles have been retained in, IMO.

 

Maybe those consoles don’t need to “jump” out at prospective buyers...their brand and system capabilities are firmly established. With your emphasis on fun, family entrainment hopefully we have some families depicted as such! This may stand out not only to us nostalgic, collector type folks, but as a marketing ploy to grab those BBB(Bed Bath Beyond) Moms. 
 

Anyways would like to know your thoughts on this. Thanks and really appreciate your passion toward the project and anxious to see it come to fruition.

Great question.  I think you're the first person to ask me about that.  Yes!  We have been working on packaging for about a month now and just like everything else we're doing... it's super unique and really cool!  Won't be sharing that info til 2020 though.

 

For box design ideas, I suggest this instructional video...