Independent Amico Discussion Thread

[+Tommy Tallarico]

20 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

I think it is cool that the FE sold out but it was only 2600 and geared towards the retro heads. It is a great start but needs a lot more. In this case it is probably easier for us to get behind it but the audience he is wanting will require more. We remember playing with our families back in whatever day we come from. Mobile casuals and family upstarts who didn't grow up gaming don't have that type nostalgia for gaming with family and friends in the living room squished in front of what would in today's standards be a tiny tiny TV.

 

That's how I took it, but I also think that is going to be a big hurdle.

 

 

I've spoken about this before... VC's and investors don't just give out millions of dollars based on guesses or my word.  They want cold, hard data.  And we have loads and loads of it.

 

I constantly talk about massive focus testing by 3rd parties, due diligence companies hired to find flaws... Yet we always pass with flying colors.  Anyone can view the thousands of positive YouTube & social media comments from non-gamers, family folks, people young, old and in between all excited that Amico is coming and that they've been waiting for something like this for years.

 

So I'm not sure how much more info folks want here.  But it's all just talk on both sides at this point anyway and it really doesn't matter what side anyone is on. 

 

You either root for the underdog looking to break the norms in the industry in hopes of bringing family and friends together... or you don't.

[MrBeefy]

1 minute ago, SegaSnatcher said:

 

Yes a congratulations is in order for the sell out, but I do too believe there are easily 2600+ hardcore INTV fans out there, so right now that only demonstrates that hardcore INTV fans are willing to actually purchase it.  The true test is getting the people outside the hardcore fanbase interested and that will definitely require a lot of work.  June can't come soon enough as I'm extremely interested to see the advertising campaign they have planned.  I'm going to assume we'll get videos with families together on the couch playing different kinds of games. Basically the kinds of videos we saw with the Wii and Wii U.  

I think Amico needs that one game at launch that will drive sales like Wii Sports did for Wii.  It really can take one game to make a system successful out the gate.  SMB for NES is another great example. 

Yeah I think the morning show idea is a great way to reach a lot. It will be interesting to see the marketing. I wonder if in some ways it will look like a 'completely different' system with the adds geared towards the casuals.

 

There have been hints as to lawn games. Do you think that would be enough to have Wii Sports magic?

 

 

 

 

[+Tommy Tallarico]

1 minute ago, MrBeefy said:

Yeah I think the morning show idea is a great way to reach a lot. It will be interesting to see the marketing. I wonder if in some ways it will look like a 'completely different' system with the adds geared towards the casuals.

 

There have been hints as to lawn games. Do you think that would be enough to have Wii Sports magic?

 

 

 

 

 

Local morning shows, mall tours, in store demos, mom & family influencers and big Hollywood/celebrity endorsements along with heavily targeted Facebook & Instagram advertising is where the focus of our marketing dollars are going. 

 

Not even including the massive amounts of mainstream PR because of our unique approach and Family Friendly differentiater.

 

Yes... we have a much different approach than the normal console manufacturers... because its a different kind of system targeted at a different demographic.

 

[SegaSnatcher]

4 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Yeah I think the morning show idea is a great way to reach a lot. It will be interesting to see the marketing. I wonder if in some ways it will look like a 'completely different' system with the adds geared towards the casuals.

 

There have been hints as to lawn games. Do you think that would be enough to have Wii Sports magic?

 

 

 

 

Absolutely, if INTV can get a spot on a morning show and demonstrate how great the Amico is for families the Moms of the world will take notice.  If you can convince the Moms then you have a great chance of success, no question.  

Just gotta choose which games to show off wisely.  

[MrBeefy]

37 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

I've spoken about this before... VC's and investors don't just give out millions of dollars based on guesses or my word.  They want cold, hard data.  And we have loads and loads of it.

 

I constantly talk about massive focus testing by 3rd parties, due diligence companies hires to find flaws... Yet we always pass with flying colors.  Anyone can view the thousands of positive YouTube & social media comments from non-gamers, family folks, people young, old and in between all excited that Amico is coming and hoe they've been waiting for something like this for years.

 

So I'm not sure how much more data folks data want here.  But it's all just talk on both sides at this point anyway and it really doesn't matter what side anyone is on. 

 

You either root for the underdog looking to break the norms in the industry in hopes of bringing family and friends together... or you don't.

That's great you have the data, but we don't. I think that's where some of the issues talking about Amico is. That's great you pass with flying color and YOU have the data. Some people have more of a Missouri approach in that you need to show me. Doesn't mean they do want it to flop. Just means they don't have the same information. It would be like me handing a group of teenagers a test about Chemistry, but my class was about History. There is definite answers to the Chemistry on the test but if I didn't give them the information and only taught History, I can't expect them to know it? Hope that makes sense. 

 

Also if that is the biggest hill we see or can think of and your focus testing shows otherwise, be excited. It is going to be fun ride for sure.

 

I would hope they wouldn't just hand out money based on guesses. If they do introduce me to them I got some ideas that need funded....

 

 

 

Edited February 4, 2020 by MrBeefy
Double negative. Good thing I'm not an English teacher.

[MrBeefy]

3 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

Local morning shows, mall tours, in store demos, mom & family influencers and big Hollywood/celebrity endorsements along with heavily targeted Facebook & Instagram advertising is where the focus of our marketing dollars are going. 

 

Not even including the massive amounts of mainstream PR because of our unique approach and Family Friendly differentiater.

 

Yes... we have a much different approach than the normal console manufacturers... because its a different kind of system targeted at a different demographic.

 

Well I would expect a different approach for a console looking at a different market than what we've been use to in recent history.

[MrBeefy]

4 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Absolutely, if INTV can get a spot on a morning show and demonstrate how great the Amico is for families the Moms of the world will take notice.  If you can convince the Moms then you have a great chance of success, no question.  

Just gotta choose which games to show off wisely.  

Night Stalker and Astrosmash would probably not be my first choices.

 

Breakout is in my opinion the best of all shown so far. Moon Patrol is hard for me to judge yet other than it looking cool.

 

This is where a game like horseshoes/bowling/cornhole/etc would show off better.

[SegaSnatcher]

3 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Night Stalker and Astrosmash would probably not be my first choices.

 

Breakout is in my opinion the best of all shown so far. Moon Patrol is hard for me to judge yet other than it looking cool.

 

This is where a game like horseshoes/bowling/cornhole/etc would show off better.

You know what kind of game I think would be great for Amico and families?   You ever play WarioWare Gold for 3DS?  Something like, but where everyone can play together would be great.  

Its basically a collection of mini game challenges that requires you to react extremely fast before the time runs out. Super addictive. 
 

 

[+Swami]

23 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

That's great you have the data, but we don't. I think that's where some of the issues talking about Amico is. That's great you pass with flying color and YOU have the data. Some people have more of a Missouri approach in that you need to show me. Doesn't mean they don't want it to flop. Just means they don't have the same information. It would be like me handing a group of teenagers a test about Chemistry, but my class was about History. There is definite answers to the Chemistry on the test but if I didn't give them the information and only taught History, I can't expect them to know it. Hope that makes sense. 

 

Also if that is the biggest hill we see or can think of and your focus testing shows otherwise, be excited. It is going to be fun ride for sure.

 

I would hope they wouldn't just hand out money based on guesses. If they do introduce me to them I got some ideas that need funded....

 

 

 

So, is this idea that he needs 10's of thousands of people "backing the system" over nine months before launch for this to succeed and the Amico will only get this by releasing a lot more big info now? I suppose that would be nice, but I don't think the people pushing this idea are marketing experts. I'm going to assume IE knows more about this than the armchair experts. If the Amico is much less than stellar, releasing more info now is unlikely to help. I think it shows these people have a lot of interest in the system already in that they are clamoring for more information.

[MrBeefy]

5 minutes ago, Swami said:

So, is this idea that he needs 10's of thousands of people "backing the system" over nine months before launch for this to succeed and the Amico will only get this by releasing a lot more big info now? I suppose that would be nice, but I don't think the people pushing this idea are marketing experts. I'm going to assume IE knows more about this than the armchair experts. If the Amico is much less than stellar, releasing more info now is unlikely to help. I think it shows these people have a lot of interest in the system already in that they are clamoring for more information.

I think you are missing the point that they have the data and we don't. So, when it comes to discussions it becomes a, "You are wrong, or a you don't have the data." arguement. 

 

Also not sure where I said he needs it before release. Didn't say he needs to release it now either. Just mentioned what I thought would be a hurdle and pointed out that the data he spoke of isn't something we have. (Hence the Chemistry/History reference).

 

Best consumers want more information and to be informed of their purchases. Unfortunately, you can look at the Atacoshoebox as a great example of not doing research/waiting for more information before giving away your money.

 

In case you didn't know Missouri is the Show Me state. So that wasn't a reference in actually showing it. I wouldn't expect that honestly.

[+Swami]

4 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

I think you are missing the point that they have the data and we don't. So, when it comes to discussions it becomes a, "You are wrong, or a you don't have the data." arguement. 

 

Also not sure where I said he needs it before release. Didn't say he needs to release it now either. Just mentioned what I thought would be a hurdle and pointed out that the data he spoke of isn't something we have. (Hence the Chemistry/History reference).

 

Best consumers want more information and to be informed of their purchases. Unfortunately, you can look at the Atacoshoebox as a great example of not doing research/waiting for more information before giving away your money.

 

In case you didn't know Missouri is the Show Me state. So that wasn't a reference in actually showing it. I wouldn't expect that honestly.

I do get that and he has shared a lot of that data. Like you said, I don't expect them to upload it all to some website for review like no other company does.

 

You were replying to my statement about Tony, who said he has to release more big info if instead of trickling it, and others who repeatedly ask for the same thing over and over, so that was what I was to what I was making a reference.

 

Yes, I know Missouri is the show me state. I am a mid-westerner. There is also a town on the border of Texas and Arkansas called Texarkana. 

[MrBeefy]

7 minutes ago, Swami said:

I do get that and he has shared a lot of that data. Like you said, I don't expect them to upload it all to some website for review like no other company does.

 

You were replying to my statement about Tony, who said he has to release more big info if instead of trickling it, and others who repeatedly ask for the same thing over and over, so that was what I was to what I was making a reference.

 

Yes, I know Missouri is the show me state. I am a mid-westerner. There is also a town on the border of Texas and Arkansas called Texarkana. 

Ah I get where you are coming from with the Tony thing now. Yeah that is a consequence of the drip method vs holding your cards closer until one big reveal. In the long run he will need too or else some customers will pass it up. I didn't really see it as there HAS to be  big reveal NOW.

 

In a way for the casuals there has been zero reveal. All of Tommy's push right now has been to predominantly retro nostalgic gamers and has been trickling information to that demographic. My wife would have zero clue and not even know of Amico if it wasn't for me liking retro games and being an AA member. So when you think of the casuals they will need a bigger reveal as they've had less than us.

[+Swami]

6 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

Ah I get where you are coming from with the Tony thing now. Yeah that is a consequence of the drip method vs holding your cards closer until one big reveal. In the long run he will need too or else some customers will pass it up. I didn't really see it as there HAS to be  big reveal NOW.

In the long run.

6 minutes ago, MrBeefy said:

In a way for the casuals there has been zero reveal. All of Tommy's push right now has been to predominantly retro nostalgic gamers and has been trickling information to that demographic. My wife would have zero clue and not even know of Amico if it wasn't for me liking retro games and being an AA member. So when you think of the casuals they will need a bigger reveal as they've had less than us.

Tommy seems perfectly fine with that until the big advertising starts in the summer. I'm sure some will be thinking the reveals aren't big enough and fast enough even then in June, July, August. Can't please everyone.

[SegaSnatcher]

9 minutes ago, Swami said:

In the long run.

Tommy seems perfectly fine with that until the big advertising starts in the summer. I'm sure some will be thinking the reveals aren't big enough and fast enough even then in June, July, August. Can't please everyone.

Do you think INTV would benefit getting a head start before Sony and Microsoft start marketing their next gen systems hard over the summer too?   The media is gonna have their hands full over the summer and some things might get lost in all the noise.  I know Amico isn't competing with those systems directly, but it will be competiting in terms of video game news outlet articles and just general social media engagement.

Edited February 4, 2020 by SegaSnatcher

[+Swami]

5 minutes ago, SegaSnatcher said:

Do you think INTV would benefit getting a head start before Sony and Microsoft start marketing their next gen systems hard over the summer too?   The media is gonna have their hands full over the summer and some things might get lost in all the noise.  I know Amico isn't competing with those systems directly, but it will be competiting in terms of video game news outlets and just general social media engagement.

I think people have short memories, and kids even more so, probably, when it comes to consumerism, so, it could be less advantageous to release too much information before all the noise from the other three systems.

[+Tommy Tallarico]

1 hour ago, MrBeefy said:

 

Also if that is the biggest hill we see or can think of and your focus testing shows otherwise, be excited. It is going to be fun ride for sure.

Have you seen any of my interviews?  I'm VERY excited.  

[+Tommy Tallarico]

1 hour ago, MrBeefy said:

Night Stalker and Astrosmash would probably not be my first choices.

 

Breakout is in my opinion the best of all shown so far. Moon Patrol is hard for me to judge yet other than it looking cool.

 

This is where a game like horseshoes/bowling/cornhole/etc would show off better.

As I've said a million times... we haven't even begun to show the titles that we'll be promoting to mom's & families.  Not a single one.

 

 

[+Tommy Tallarico]

1 hour ago, SegaSnatcher said:

You know what kind of game I think would be great for Amico and families?   You ever play WarioWare Gold for 3DS?  Something like, but where everyone can play together would be great.  

Its basically a collection of mini game challenges that requires you to react extremely fast before the time runs out. Super addictive. 
 

 

 

My mom would never play that game.  Grandparents would never play that game.  Non gamers are very highly unlikely to play a game like that.  As I've said a million times... folks need to step outside their own bubbles and realize that what hardcores think is ""casual" is not considered casual by non-gamers.  It's the reason some folks here find it difficult to understand what we're doing and why others are so excited about what we're doing.

 

 

[+Lathe26]

Following up on earlier MJR comments: he has had an early look at the Amico.  He is currently cautious and taking a wait-and-see attitude (not raving or bashing it).  He he's being interviewed on another channel and talks about the Amico around 10 minutes in (at 9:54)

 

 

[+Swami]

10 minutes ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

My mom would never play that game.  Grandparents would never play that game.  Non gamers are very highly unlikely to play a game like that.  As I've said a million times... folks need to step outside their own bubbles and realize that what hardcores think is ""casual" is not considered casual by non-gamers.  It's the reason some folks here find it difficult to understand what we're doing and why others are so excited about what we're doing.

 

 

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say that half the games do appear to be retro-gamer based and are family/multi-player intended as well. You might say the same thing about moms, grandparents and casuals about Night Stalker or Astrosmash as about WarioWare. Do you think WarioWare is too complex by comparison?

[+Lathe26]

... and here MJR talks briefly about previewing the Amico under NDA at E3 2019 (at about 11:05).

 

 

[SegaSnatcher]

1 hour ago, Tommy Tallarico said:

 

My mom would never play that game.  Grandparents would never play that game.  Non gamers are very highly unlikely to play a game like that.  As I've said a million times... folks need to step outside their own bubbles and realize that what hardcores think is ""casual" is not considered casual by non-gamers.  It's the reason some folks here find it difficult to understand what we're doing and why others are so excited about what we're doing.

 

 

Fair enough, but Warioware is far from a hardcore game.   A game like that doesn't require a big learning curve in terms of control.  If you have a way to try it I highly recommend it, you might be surprised how addictive it is.  A lot of the games are as simple as hitting a single button at the precise time, or on the Amico controller could be as simple as just pressing the touchscreen.

There is also a release for the GBA that is great too.  Extremely kid/family friendly.  

[+Tommy Tallarico]

1 hour ago, Swami said:

I'm going to play devil's advocate here and say that half the games do appear to be retro-gamer based and are family/multi-player intended as well. You might say the same thing about moms, grandparents and casuals about Night Stalker or Astrosmash as about WarioWare. Do you think WarioWare is too complex by comparison?

Yeah.

 

None of the games we have shown so far are going to initially appeal to our target audience.  I've only shown the games we have to give "red meat" to the only folks who are paying attention at this point (and that we're spending zero money to get in front of).  Imagine the pushback I'd be getting if I showed a bunch of hyper-casual games over the past year. 

 

I don't think the WarioWare gameplay is necessarily too complex... I would contend that the characters and presentation do not appeal to most folks.  Even hardcore PS & XBOX users can't stand the over the top kiddie style stuff that most of the Nintendo 1st party games tout.  There's a reason why Nintendo has taken a backseat to Sony.  I'm not bashing Nintendo (I always need to say that because folks will try to twist my words)... it's just a fact that they have a certain style that caters well to a certain audience.  That audience is not the 3 billion folks who are playing mobile.  I believe Nintendo knows and caters to their audience better than any company!  Period.  They know and respect their audience better than anyone and should be commended.  They are a $40 billion company for a reason.  They are the best of the best (in my opinion) for a reason.  But the numbers and data proves that more people prefer what Sony is offering... then Nintendo.  Again... not a knock on Nintendo... just data.

We feel we are going to offer something totally different to both Sony & Nintendo.  Our focus isn't on the 200 million hardcore gamers that Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft and now Google (not really) are fighting for.  We're taking a completely different approach and we're not presenting or doing games like the others.  You won't see WarioWare type presentations on Amico.  And that's fine.

 

It cracks me up when folks say that our graphics and games look like mobile games as if it's a bad thing.  So, it's bad that our games look like the games that 94.3% of all people around the world play everyday and they are comfortable seeing and playing?  OK!  Thanks!

I realize and appreciate that some hardcores find it difficult to see outside their own bubbles.  I get it.  Disagreeing with our overall vision is totally fine. 

 

I just find it interesting and hilarious how certain folks feel the need to tear me and the console down and tell me how wrong I am, how stupid we are, how much the machine and games suck, how we have no right to censor horrible things people say on our own social media pages, how the only reason someone would like the machine is if I paid them off, ignore the fact that Nintendo games show nudity and rape, call me a liar, etc. 

All because we want to create something affordable, unique and different that brings family and friends together.  HOW DARE I!!

Wishing the underdog well but disagreeing with the vision is one thing.  Constantly trying to figure out new ways to tear us down and cry foul is another.

 

[+Tommy Tallarico]

Just got an email forwarded to me from someone (whom I don't really even know that well) showing me an e-mail that he received from Tonytgd.

In the e-mail Tony says that I "buy off my critics" and he was trying to get more information about it.

Good luck with that bud.  Great way to spend your time.

 

Just wanted you to know that the folks you're contacting think you're tactics are seedy and unprofessional as well.

Happy hunting!

 

[Spriggy]

On 2/3/2020 at 12:01 PM, CPUWIZ said:

I am getting quite tired of this shit, why go into a thread, that is about bananas, when you clearly don't like bananas?  I may have to pull out the big hammer instead.

 

It's actually about bacon here boss. 😎

 

 

7 hours ago, CPUWIZ said:

Yeah, I am about to put some boots on.

 

@Tonytgd  

 

 

 

5 hours ago, ColecoJoe said:

5 hours ago, MrBeefy said:

Not bacon, but I like where your mind is at.

 

Ewww boys.  Get a room!