Intellivision Amico Console announced - Hundreds of millions of sprites. Superior 2D than PS4 or PS5

[parallaxscroll]

It's all about 2D and it's 2 years from launch. Coming October 2020.

https://i.imgur.com/g33IDiV.png https://i.imgur.com/lW5Xu77.png

https://comicbook.com/gaming/2018/10/21/intellivision-amico-console-announced-release-date-details/


Back in May, Intellivision teased that it was working on a brand-new home console that it would soon bring to market. Fast-forward to today during the Portland Retro Gaming Expo, and it revealed said console, and has provided the first slew of details on it.

Dubbed the Intellivision Amico, the new system will notably be launching two years from now, on October 10, 2020.

Here's an early concept of what the system will look like:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dp_DnwqWsAEwhVu.jpg

A concrete price has yet to be nailed down for the system, but Intellivision has said it is aiming to come in anywhere from $149 to $179.

As you can see from the picture, the controllers actually fit into the console, and use wireless charging. Each controller will also have a 3 1/2 inch 3X2 touch screen to enable touch controls. Further, the system will be able to support up to eight controllers at one time, including mobile phones, which can act as stand-in controllers.

Meanwhile, the console has optional interactive lighting and comes packing "21st century 2D chip and architecture." What this will mean is that the system will focus strictly on 2D tech and games, and making 2D development easy, especially compared to 2D development on PS4 and Xbox One, which because they are 3D focused machines, can provide a lot of challenge in 2D development. This will also allow, according to Intellivision, better 2D work than can be achieved on the aforementioned consoles.

Speaking of games though, every single one will cost no more than $7.99 USD and no less than $2.99. Further, there will only be E-rated or E10-rated games permitted on the console, with absolutely no violent games allowed. This is being done because the console wants to pitch itself as a something "parents want to buy."

There will also be no ports allowed on the console, as quality will be more important than quantity. Additionally, there will be remade Atari and iMagic games that will be exclusive to the system. Any game that is remade will come with updated graphics, audio, added levels, and multiplayer.

The console will allow each game to create hundreds of millions of sprites, as well as have the occasional retail release, though the latter will come at a special and premium price. In other words, the system will mostly be a digital gaming platform.

The Amico will also come packing leaderboard support, as well as some type of Achievements system that will be completely unique to it.

Devs kits of the console are currently scheduled to release sometime next summer, and Intellivision will notably be paying developers to make games for the system, or in other words, provide a platform for game development with no financial risks.

And that's about all we know about the modern retro console. Intellivision has said an official press release with more details will arrive on Monday, so if you're interested in knowing more, be sure to check back then.


https://www.resetera.com/threads/intellivision-amico-announced-10-10-20-180-usd-no-ports-and-better-2d-than-the-ps4-xb1-or-ps5.76069/



* Comes out 10.10.2020, aiming for a price around $149 to $179 USD.
* Controllers fit inside the console and use wireless charging.
* Console has, optional, interactive lighting. Think the DS4 light but on the console itself. This will make the console feel alive.
* Controllers have a 3 1/2 inch 3x2 touch screen on them.
* "21st century 2D chip and architecture". Focusing strictly on 2D tech and games, they don't want 2D development to be "hard" like on PS4 or Xbox due to them being 3D focused machines.
* Will do 2D work that the PS4, Xbox One or even the PS5 can't achieve because of that "2D first" development focus.
* Hundreds of millions of sprites on their dev hardware.
* Up to 8 Bluetooth controllers will work on the console. Can also use a free phone app as well to control the games.
* E or E10 games only. No violent games permitted on the console. A system "parents want to buy".
* "When did quantity take over for quality". No ports allowed on the console.
* Keeping the previously announced 7/10+ requirements.
* Remaking Atari and iMagic games. Will be exclusive to the Amico.
* All games $2.99 to $7.99. Download only for that price.
* There will be physical special edition prints (disc based) for a premium ($30) on a game-by-game basis.
* Leaderboards based on time (weekly, monthly, all time) and space (city, country, state). Trophies/Achievements are tied to this to be unique. Users might get printable emails or patches to commemorate the accomplishment.
* Remakes of classic games will have updated graphics, audio, added levels, local/online multiplayer and "more".
* The return of Perrin Kaplan!
* They will be paying developers to make games for the Amico. There will be 0 financial risk for developers as accepted pitches will be funded by Intellivision (costs will from future royalties).
* Dev kits next Summer.

LoL Wat ???? When I read this a few hours ago, I thought it was an April Fools joke in the wrong month.

Better 2D graphics than PS4....and PS5 (which hasn't been revealed yet) ?? Well, okay then.

[Aussie2B]

This reeks of vaporware. It'll probably either never be released or it'll be released and get next to no games and be nothing like what was initially advertised. The info really makes no sense. I mean, who wants to control games with an unholy hybrid of an Intellivision controller and a smartphone? It's like the worst of both worlds. If they refuse ports and games with a Teen or Mature rating (it's also so cute and out-of-touch that they think violence is the only reason games get those ratings), it's going to have practically no games, regardless of if they offer money upfront. And what parents of children 10 and under are going to want to buy this for their kids? Parents generally don't buy weird, obscure hardware for children. And if they're going for the "Hey, remember when you played Atari or Intellivision as a kid?" angle, they're far too late for that. The average parent of a young child is too young themselves to have ever played a pre-crash system. Today's parents of young kids grew up with the likes of the NES, SNES, and Genesis. They'd sooner buy a NES or SNES Classic for their kids than a piece of obscure hardware costing $150+ that plays remade Atari games.

Also, even if some developer is all in on this, and even if it's a dedicated 2D machine, that doesn't make high-end 2D development easy. There's a reason most indies look more like a NES or SNES game than, say, King of Fighters XII and XIII. Sprite artists with those kinds of abilities are a dying breed, and it also takes a lot of time and money to push the limits of what modern consoles can do 2D-wise. I don't think anybody who would develop for this would have the skills or resources to make something that is actually beyond what the modern consoles could do.

Lastly, if they're trying to appeal to retro game collectors, a system that's predominantly digital-only isn't the way to do it.

[Scotterpop]

Haha, seriously WTF?!? What, do they only intend to sell this thing in Christian book stores? That product description is truly baffling. I�ve certainly been having some fun at the expense of the Ataribox, but this... this is just too much to process at once. It�s just wrong on so many levels!

[Greg2600]

The controller I think is a bad idea.

[Gameguy]

I'm really hoping that while there will be limited edition games available on disc, that the console will only use some type of proprietary cartridges. The actual game code will be on the discs, but the console won't be able to read the discs. It's perfect for collectors.

[bb_hood]

Whoa, a new 'console' that not Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft AND its not some crowdfunded pipe-dream.. this might actually be really cool.

[DeputyMoniker]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvEkBGUxWDE

Great interview with Tommy, the CEO.

[buzz_n64]

The controller I think is a bad idea.

I agree. Those controllers are the worst choice. Everyone likes to ridicule the Atari 5200 for its controllers, but the Intellivision had worse controllers. Standard type controllers should be bundled with the console and these style controllers should be sold separately as an option for hardcore Intellivision gamers.

[gbpxl]

They're trying to bring old technology and outdated norms into the 21st century and I hate to sound like a band wagon jumper but it has Fail written all over it. Im not a fan of that style of controller. I feel there is a reason controllers don't look like that anymore. And yeah 2D that can outperform the PS5. Okay buddy

[jb143]

Am I the only one who thinks it looks like a foot bath with a couple of early gen iPods sitting on top?

[YoshiM]

Am I the only one who thinks it looks like a foot bath with a couple of early gen iPods sitting on top?

That or some sort of lunch container.

[Nz17]

Tommy Tallarico has promised a new Earthworm Jim for Intellivision Amico.


IRVINE, CA, May 1, 2019 � In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Earthworm Jim, Intellivision Entertainment is proud to announce it has gathered together and reunited the original Earthworm Jim team to create a brand new video game adventure exclusively for the upcoming Intellivision Amico home video game console. Ten of the original programmers, artists, audio team and level designers are taking part in bringing back the uniqueness and humor of the Earthworm Jim series. To celebrate the reunion with the fans, a 20 minute live interactive simulcast streaming event will take place on Saturday, May 4th at noon pacific during the first Earthworm Jim design meeting with the original team. As part of the live simulcast, the team will engage with fans to hear their new vision firsthand, multiple original art pieces will be hand-drawn by the artists, signed by the entire team and given away to people viewing the live stream. In addition, 50 brand new posters will be signed and numbered for live chat prizes.

�We have been talking about this moment for many years, it�s a dream come true to finally get the entire team back together. We�re looking forward to sharing a small part of our reunion and initial design meeting with fans from around the world,� said Tommy Tallarico, Intellivision Entertainment CEO/President and original Earthworm Jim 1 & 2 composer and sound designer. �Intellivision Amico is designed to bring friends and families together and we are excited for fans and those just being introduced to the series to get a first look as we kick-off the design of the game.� Earthworm Jim is just one of the many new titles that will be coming to Intellivision Amico. Voted �GAME OF THE YEAR� in 1994, the last time the Earthworm Jim team worked together was in the follow up award-winning hit sensation Earthworm Jim 2 (released in 1995). Original team members including Doug TenNapel, David Perry, Tommy Tallarico, Nick Bruty, Mike Dietz, Tom Tanaka and Joey Kuras all went on to create their own highly successful companies, technology,
video games, TV shows, comic books, albums, movies, graphic novels and world touring live events.

The live stream will be at:
https://www.facebook.com/Intellivision/
https://www.youtube.com/c/Intellivision
https://www.twitch.tv/intellivisionamico/

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

I think that not allowing T-rated games is a bad idea. I'm sure they can get by fine without M-rated games though.

[gbpxl]

I just want to know if the system is functional if I dont have wiFi at home

[Aussie2B]

I'm gonna move this to Modern Gaming.

[Bojay1997]

I just want to know if the system is functional if I dont have wiFi at home

Unlikely considering all of the games are downloads.

[WulfeLuer]

The foot bath description in spot on. I don't know how those 'controllers' are supposed to work outside to using them to scream at not-Alexa to play the game for you or something.

I really have a problem with the idea of crowdfunding a console with a price tag that screams "sold at a loss." if you need to load the burden on the public, you shouldn't be doing this sort of business. There's a difference between risk and scam.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

And if they're going for the "Hey, remember when you played Atari or Intellivision as a kid?" angle, they're far too late for that. The average parent of a young child is too young themselves to have ever played a pre-crash system. Today's parents of young kids grew up with the likes of the NES, SNES, and Genesis. They'd sooner buy a NES or SNES Classic for their kids than a piece of obscure hardware costing $150+ that plays remade Atari games.

Exactly. MY parents played Atari as kids. They were born in 1968 and 1970. I was born in 1992, so I'm 26 now. Most of the kids born to the generation that grew up on Atari and Intellivision were born in the 1990 to 2005 period. Their parents are fine with them playing T-rated, and for most of them, M-rated games. Many of them are buying the games on their own dime!

Besides, this thing reeks of failure. 2D prioritizing hardware? The current systems can do 2D well enough that any improvement would be imperceptible, AND they can do photorealistic 3D. There's also so many restrictions on games for this thing that it will never be able to amass any kind of library. I see this being released and being about as successful as the Hyperscan.

The right way to do this would be like the Atari Flashback consoles, or something like the Intellivision Lives! games.

[Bojay1997]

The foot bath description in spot on. I don't know how those 'controllers' are supposed to work outside to using them to scream at not-Alexa to play the game for you or something.

I really have a problem with the idea of crowdfunding a console with a price tag that screams "sold at a loss." if you need to load the burden on the public, you shouldn't be doing this sort of business. There's a difference between risk and scam.

I thought they said they aren't crowfunding this thing? I thought they were going the traditional private funding route.

[Gameguy]

Am I the only one who thinks it looks like a foot bath with a couple of early gen iPods sitting on top?
Maybe they repurposed some old molds like the Coleco Chameleon did.

[Nz17]

I think history will remember the Intellivision Amico along the same lines as it remembers the Ouya and the Phantom consoles. If it gets released, then it will be remembered like the Ouya with its digital-only game store. If it doesn't get released, then it will be remembered like the Phantom and its non-existent game library.

[jb143]

The Earthworm Jim thread reminded me of this, but I've heard that one of the original devs is trying to revive a canceled Genesis X-Men game(X-Women) on the Amico.

[Nz17]

Remember, you can't spell Nintendo Famicom without Amico! ;-)

Seriously though, my attention was returned to the Amico - which is being designed by "new Intellivision" - thanks to the videos they have been posting recently on their YouTube Intellivision channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/Intellivision). They are sending some really mixed messages via this medium and wherever else they are re-posting these videos. On the one hand, they are claiming to be for casual gamers and local multiplayer. But their videos with their "tension-inducing music" seem to be aiming these ads and updates more at the hardcore gamer crowd with the percussion-driven, heavy musical tracks and the "We'll show you all!" attitude. Where's the emphasis on single player gaming? I spent a lot more of my time with solo gameplay than multiplayer back in the 80's & 90's and even today, and I know I'm not the only one. However while their emphasis is on local multiplayer, the videos they have shown so far of their games and remakes seem to confusingly only show single player gameplay with no multi-player footage. I understand they have a lot to prove, but I think if they want casual gamers to buy the Amico then their videos should be more like the classic Nintendo Wii advertisements from 2006 through 2009.

It seems like modern Intellivision - lead by Tommy Tallarico - is going for a combination of Nintendo's Wii with the "casual console" and Apple's classic iPod with the "simple controller" (though it is obviously also inspired by the Intellivision controller's design) for the Amico. Their goal seems for the Amico to be as accessible and popular as either one or preferably both devices. But with the Amico's Internet access requirements for purchases as well as a credit card or debit card or gift card just to be able to buy games by downloading them (even if it will work offline after the games are downloaded), I've got to wonder if it will really be enough to make the world care. It's not like physical copies of games will be sitting on store shelves to act as a form of advertising or marketing for the thing, and look at how quickly "everyone" forgot about the Ouya without physical games on the shelves to remind them. Heck, look at the money and advertising that Sony put behind the PlayStation Vita, and yet without lots of physical games sitting on retail shelves to remind people that it is still alive and getting new games, most people figured the Vita (ironically meaning "life") was dead long ago.

The reasons the Nintendo Wii was so popular for casual gaming might have been in small part thanks to a simple controller and motion controls and accessible games and local multiplayer and the "lack of DLC and in-app purchases" (although those actually existed on the Wii in a limited capacity), but the main reason was that the "smart phone revolution" where everyone had a phone that was good enough to play Wii-quality games or better hadn't happened yet... but did a few short years later, "killing" off the Wii when the general public all had smart phones and were bored of motion controlled-games. Granted, the Wii didn't really die off until Just Dance 2020 was released as the final Wii game on November 5th, 2019, but most Wii players (not counting retro gamers) had moved away from the Wii sometime around 2010.

It would be nice to play some Imagic, Atari, and Intellivision remakes, though, such as Tempest, Centipede, Adventure, Miner 2049'er, Moon Patrol, Yars' Revenge, and Thin Ice. Thankfully most of those have been announced for the Amico even if Thin Ice has not. (Thin Ice was so much fun and one of my favorite Intellivision games, so it really deserves a remake - if nothing else, please at least pay attention to that important last point, new Intellivision! ;-)) However, as some or all of these will probably be ported to PC or consoles eventually, we can likely purchase them gradually via, say, Steam in the next few years without an Intellivision Amico. And ironically, if that happens, we'll be able to play them with Steam's Remote Play Together (https://store.steampowered.com/remoteplay) to play local co-operative and competitive games with the local multiplayer portions both offline *and* online contrary to only on a couch or chairs in the same room as the Amico's designers envisioned.

[gbpxl]

Remember, you can't spell Nintendo Famicom without Amico! ;-)

Seriously though, my attention was returned to the Amico - which is being designed by "new Intellivision" - thanks to the videos they have been posting recently on their YouTube Intellivision channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/Intellivision). They are sending some really mixed messages via this medium and wherever else they are re-posting these videos. On the one hand, they are claiming to be for casual gamers and local multiplayer. But their videos with their "tension-inducing music" seem to be aiming these ads and updates more at the hardcore gamer crowd with the percussion-driven, heavy musical tracks and the "We'll show you all!" attitude. Where's the emphasis on single player gaming? I spent a lot more of my time with solo gameplay than multiplayer back in the 80's & 90's and even today, and I know I'm not the only one. However while their emphasis is on local multiplayer, the videos they have shown so far of their games and remakes seem to confusingly only show single player gameplay with no multi-player footage. I understand they have a lot to prove, but I think if they want casual gamers to buy the Amico then their videos should be more like the classic Nintendo Wii advertisements from 2006 through 2009.

It seems like modern Intellivision - lead by Tommy Tallarico - is going for a combination of Nintendo's Wii with the "casual console" and Apple's classic iPod with the "simple controller" (though it is obviously also inspired by the Intellivision controller's design) for the Amico. Their goal seems for the Amico to be as accessible and popular as either one or preferably both devices. But with the Amico's Internet access requirements for purchases as well as a credit card or debit card or gift card just to be able to buy games by downloading them (even if it will work offline after the games are downloaded), I've got to wonder if it will really be enough to make the world care. It's not like physical copies of games will be sitting on store shelves to act as a form of advertising or marketing for the thing, and look at how quickly "everyone" forgot about the Ouya without physical games on the shelves to remind them. Heck, look at the money and advertising that Sony put behind the PlayStation Vita, and yet without lots of physical games sitting on retail shelves to remind people that it is still alive and getting new games, most people figured the Vita (ironically meaning "life") was dead long ago.

The reasons the Nintendo Wii was so popular for casual gaming might have been in small part thanks to a simple controller and motion controls and accessible games and local multiplayer and the "lack of DLC and in-app purchases" (although those actually existed on the Wii in a limited capacity), but the main reason was that the "smart phone revolution" where everyone had a phone that was good enough to play Wii-quality games or better hadn't happened yet... but did a few short years later, "killing" off the Wii when the general public all had smart phones and were bored of motion controlled-games. Granted, the Wii didn't really die off until Just Dance 2020 was released as the final Wii game on November 5th, 2019, but most Wii players (not counting retro gamers) had moved away from the Wii sometime around 2010.

It would be nice to play some Imagic, Atari, and Intellivision remakes, though, such as Tempest, Centipede, Adventure, Miner 2049'er, Moon Patrol, Yars' Revenge, and Thin Ice. Thankfully most of those have been announced for the Amico even if Thin Ice has not. (Thin Ice was so much fun and one of my favorite Intellivision games, so it really deserves a remake - if nothing else, please at least pay attention to that important last point, new Intellivision! ;-)) However, as some or all of these will probably be ported to PC or consoles eventually, we can likely purchase them gradually via, say, Steam in the next few years without an Intellivision Amico. And ironically, if that happens, we'll be able to play them with Steam's Remote Play Together (https://store.steampowered.com/remoteplay) to play local co-operative and competitive games with the local multiplayer portions both offline *and* online contrary to only on a couch or chairs in the same room as the Amico's designers envisioned.
I never thought about the "physical games on store shelves to remind people that a console is alive" aspect before

Anyways Im kinda like you in that I too just want a single player experience. And I probably sound like a broken record by now buy all I ask for is a console that I can walk into a store and purchase brand new with cash, go home, and set it up and be able to play the games 100% without ever accessing the internet. Currently, I can only do that with the mini consoles, 1up arcade machines, and the plug and play handheld things, but not a fully fledged brand new console with brand new games.

Developers need to realize that not everyone has Wi Fi either due to choice or financial restraints or both. Personally, the less data that companies have on me and the less they can watch me playing a game, the better

[gbpxl]

Re-reading my last post, it sounds like the Amico will deliver on all those things. After watching the interviews of Tallarico by ReviewTechUSA, I am fully on board woth the Amico. His story is the classic about immigrants comi g here with nothing and the third generation grandchild (Tommy) going from nothing to being a multi millionaire. and he is a gamer through and through, really a treasure to the gaming industry/community

[Aussie2B]

Sounds like something Tallarico would say about himself, minus the usual Steven Tyler name-dropping.

[Nz17]

The release day for the Amico has been changed from October 2020 to April 15th, 2021.

[gbpxl]

Is anyone planning on getting an Amico?

I applaud more competition but I don't know what I would be gaining if I already own a Switch. I will see what the exclusives are and I want to know how dependent the tech will be on internet updates and connections. It always comes down to whether or not the exclusives are worth going out of your way to play

[YoshiM]

I dunno. I like the passion behind it, but Ouya also had passion behind it as well. I see these games and I'm not sure what audience it's targeted at.

The current start up reminds me of my kids' V Smile. The games, while I'm sure are tight, they just seem like games we can get on practically any device.

[Bojay1997]

I have one preordered, but I am skeptical that they are going to make the April 2021 date at this point. It sounds like they still haven't finalized the final hardware design because they can't get together in person (not sure why personal interaction would be required for engineering given some of the places I have worked and seen some very complex devices designed without anyone even being in the same country, but who knows.). I also remain concerned that there will be no truly physical games and that there is a required Internet connection to at least authorize every new game you purchase.

[Nz17]

I saw display ads for these Intellivision Amico consoles at GameStop. The price is flabbergasting. $249.99 for "Glacier White" or "Graphite Black" or $299.99 for the GameStop-exclusive "Intellivision Amico Galaxy Purple Limited Edition." Even the store's manager didn't know what these things were - I had to educate him. Now that's not to say that this is a clueless guy - I know the man personally and he's well aware of the modern gaming scene. However, according to him, the single printed advertisement for these consoles plus the entries in the GameStop computers for pre-orders are literally all that the employees know about the Amico.

$250 gets an Intellivision Amico console, 2 wireless controllers, 2 wrist lanyards, 1 power adapter, and 1 HDMI cable.

By the way, that GameStop-exclusive limited edition Intellivision Amico is $300 thanks to it including (in addition to the usual things) a $25 "Golden Ticket" Game Card and "six premium games: Astrosmash, Shark! Shark!, Skiing, Cornhole, Farkle, and a soon-to-be-announced sixth game."

However, the marketing is a bit confounding as some of it seems to indicate that the regular edition and the limited edition both include the 6 premium games. I guess I just can't be sure if it is for all consoles or just the limited edition at this time. Anyone here know for certain?

None of these consoles are going to be normally stocked by any GameStop on the shelves. See, the Intellivision Amicos are only being sold as pre-orders. The regular editions must be pre-ordered for $50. The GameStop-exclusive limited edition, however, can be pre-ordered for only 1¢! (No, I am not joking, the manager confirmed this.) The rest of the price(s) are payable at the register at or after launch.

Intellivision Amico, now launching 10/10/2021!

Source: https://www.gamestop.com/search/?q=amico

[YoshiM]

I still think about the console. Even though I've been playing in some modern game waters lately on PC, I'm still a console boy. Probably because I work on fixing computers for a living. Amico looks like it can be a lot of fun, but gor ME I can't justify it for, well, ME.

1-How much are extra controllers? I have, not counting myself, 9 potential gamers that might play this. Unlike what seems like the norm, only one out of that bunch has a smart device (a screen busted hand-me-down from their sibling's boss to play Among Us). I have a Samsung Galaxy J3 in a drawer I got for $2 and my own S8, but I'm not big on complete touch screen control.

2-Will the games entice my kids to play? They are Nintendo kids with occasional bouts of Xbox and lately freebie game play on PCs (I get recycled laptops I fix back up for online schooling and play for the kids). Not sure if it'd be worth it, though the learning stuff might be good for my younger kids-their dang V Smile is not that stable a system.

3 When would I play it? If I got it for me-not sure when I'd play it. So it'd probably just sit. The wife isn't big into games and she has bias against them. I tried getting her into Wii but she couldn't wrap her brain around the not-so-exact motions of bowling. Very much a "do the real thing" kind of person

The system excites me. Something new and different than the Mario machine or the Fortnite/Call of Duty/whatever is hip on Xbox or Playstation. But in this life, I don't think I could justify it. I'd have to play it at work, but for what it's all about (playing together) that'd be like doing karaoke by yourself. Which isn't fun. I tried.

[gbpxl]

any game console that fails to have broad appeal and a large install base is a dumpster fire.

[Gameguy]

By the way, that GameStop-exclusive limited edition Intellivision Amico is $300 thanks to it including (in addition to the usual things) a $25 "Golden Ticket" Game Card and "six premium games: Astrosmash, Shark! Shark!, Skiing, Cornhole, Farkle, and a soon-to-be-announced sixth game."
I don't like the sound of that game.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GTo1zyQXmQ

[Greg2600]

This is now a full-on mess. Tommy has stepped down as CEO though remains with the company. Phil Adam, the poor bloke roped into the Coleco Chameleon, is now in charge of this train wreck. They are seeking $5 million in funds from StartEngine, which is still not enough. They also seek $5 million from a "Regulation D model," whatever that is. The company cannot explain $1.35 million paid to Chinese manufacturer Ark Electronics USA, which never delivered hardware. They owe some investor $800K, due end of last year, which already would have been a $100 sunk cost on every unit they sold. Long term debt is over $7 million, and they recently floated selling games as NFT's to which people's heads exploded. Tommy ripped Atari Age members, and the Amico forum was abruptly removed nearly 2 months ago. They also re-incorporated to Delaware, I presume in advance of a bankruptcy filing as the courts are more lenient there to companies.

https://www.ign.com/articles/intellivision-ceo-tommy-tallarico-steps-down

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/02/debt-stricken-intellivision-asks-for-more-funds-to-last-past-july/

[Tron 2.0]

This is now a full-on mess. Tommy has stepped down as CEO though remains with the company. Phil Adam, the poor bloke roped into the Coleco Chameleon, is now in charge of this train wreck. They are seeking $5 million in funds from StartEngine, which is still not enough. They also seek $5 million from a "Regulation D model," whatever that is. The company cannot explain $1.35 million paid to Chinese manufacturer Ark Electronics USA, which never delivered hardware. They owe some investor $800K, due end of last year, which already would have been a $100 sunk cost on every unit they sold. Long term debt is over $7 million, and they recently floated selling games as NFT's to which people's heads exploded. Tommy ripped Atari Age members, and the Amico forum was abruptly removed nearly 2 months ago. They also re-incorporated to Delaware, I presume in advance of a bankruptcy filing as the courts are more lenient there to companies.

https://www.ign.com/articles/intellivision-ceo-tommy-tallarico-steps-down

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/02/debt-stricken-intellivision-asks-for-more-funds-to-last-past-july/
Can you say dead on arrival i wasn't excited for the amico anyways.Still any time any one tries to offer a alternative to modern consoles seems to be doomed every time.

[Gameguy]

If they need more funds, maybe they can get Mike Kennedy as an investor? He has experience with console development and I'm sure he has plenty of free time now.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

I'd say this shitbiscuit has a 15% chance of ever seeing the light of day.

[Gamevet]

I’ll see your bet on 15%, and raise for it to be 0%.

Why do fools back these goofy consoles? I didn’t even think that the Atari VCS would ever see the light of day, and though it is now out, this 2600 kid has no interest in paying $300 to play emulated games from my youth.

[JSoup]

Anyone who remembers the Ouya should have seen this coming a mile away, and that console actually released before dying quickly.

[YoshiM]

Anyone who remembers the Ouya should have seen this coming a mile away, and that console actually released before dying quickly.

The Ouya did have support but was a victim of mismanagement and changes in what was offered. One such change that didn’t sit well was the removal of necessary demos. It was the plan that folks could try before they buy, unlike other services at the time.

Thanks to a dedicated community, the cube still lives. Amico looks like its about to be stillborn. While it seemed like it got positive feedback from demos, I wonder if that feedback is not unlike relatives stating that they will “totally stay in touch” but never do. They like the Amico but will never buy it.

[Greg2600]

Ouya had no business plan either, which is why it flunked from day one. I bought an Ouya, as it was good for android-installed tools for multimedia. For games, it was lousy, and way, way out of date when it was released. Amico is a closed system, so in that sense, it won't be out of date for quite awhile. The pandemic certainly put a crimp on what they intended to build.

[JSoup]

Yeah, being fair the Ouya had some utility. It's still sought out for making into emulation boxes and/or media center.

[Nz17]

They should post all of the games which had been developed for the Intellivision Amico for sale to Steam, Google Play, modern consoles, etc. to recoup some losses and at least provide that much for those that financially backed the project. That would not be as good as the hardware plus the games promised, yet at least the games wouldn't go to waste that way.

[YoshiM]

They should post all of the games which had been developed for the Intellivision Amico for sale to Steam, Google Play, modern consoles, etc. to recoup some losses and at least provide that much for those that financially backed the project. That would not be as good as the hardware plus the games promised, yet at least the games wouldn't go to waste that way.

Or better yet-save a little face and make the controllers for computers. They are unique enough that maybe that would attract people to pick them up.

Or make the controllers available for the Atari VCS. Call it the Intellivision Expansion set ;-)

[JSoup]

I'd be down for a Steam release of whatever library it's got. Only reason I was even looking in the Amico's direction was for the new Earthworm Jim game.

[Gameguy]

I'd be down for a Steam release of whatever library it's got.
Do you think any of the planned games actually exist at this point? I haven't tried to keep up with the game development but I haven't heard anything related to actual game progress, as far as I know the games are still just concept pieces.


Only reason I was even looking in the Amico's direction was for the new Earthworm Jim game.
I've heard that this way planned way back before the console kickstarter occured, was this actually still being made for the Amico or was this cancelled ages ago?

Apparently there are new current Earthworm Jim comic books coming out, thanks to a recent kickstarter.

[JSoup]

I doubt much has been actually developed, particularly if there is virtually no workable hardware to develop on. As for the kickstarter, I remember it being a dual pre-order for the game and also for the EJ comicbook/artbook if you backed high enough.

[Greg2600]

I doubt much has been actually developed, particularly if there is virtually no workable hardware to develop on. As for the kickstarter, I remember it being a dual pre-order for the game and also for the EJ comicbook/artbook if you backed high enough.

I think the base games, at least a few of them, were largely completely. They weren't all that complicated to begin with, and were infamously funded by the German government after Intellivision opened a shell company there and collected a startup grant!

[JSoup]

But what does 'base games' mean? The read says 'Atari and iMagic remakes'. That could mean anything from the entire library to one or two things. The best I could find via Google was Earthworm Jim 4, which seems to have nothing else out there besides some sketches, and this video of 'in-progress demos' from over a year ago:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXVR5eV0eoY

Seems like it was going to be a whole lot of nothing right from the start.

[JSoup]

Uh-oh, spaghetti os
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/intellivision-is-trying-to-save-the-amico-by-severely-cutting-staff-and-licensing-out-its-ip/

[Niku-Sama]

big surprise eh?

[Gameguy]

Uh-oh, spaghetti os
https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/intellivision-is-trying-to-save-the-amico-by-severely-cutting-staff-and-licensing-out-its-ip/

Best part from that;

Doubt was cast over the console’s release in February, after the company cut a new investment campaign short with just $58,001 of its $5 million target raised.

[WelcomeToTheNextLevel]

Stick a fork in it, it's done. If this thing ever comes out I will eat my hat.

[JSoup]

Trademark is gone.
https://twitter.com/nintendolife/status/1543927613487550465

[Greg2600]

Trademark is gone.
https://twitter.com/nintendolife/status/1543927613487550465

Misleading headline. It's not abandoned yet, as they still can respond in the next two months or something like that.

[JSoup]

And then Nz could buy it. Make an Atari themed MAME box, call it the DigitalPress-Ganged.

[Steve W]

Apparently their office space has been cleared out and is up for rent by the landlord, so another company who doesn't mind little "running man" Intellivision guys etched into the glass everywhere can snatch that place up.

This thing could not be deader. It's a shame, I liked what they were doing with the machine, but yet again another group of people wanting to make a new console didn't realize how much money and resources it takes to get a video game system to market.

[Gameguy]

Apparently their office space has been cleared out and is up for rent by the landlord, so another company who doesn't mind little "running man" Intellivision guys etched into the glass everywhere can snatch that place up.

This thing could not be deader.
Let's not rush to conclusions, according to Greg2600 there's still hope that they'll pull through and this will still come out.

[JSoup]

Apparently their office space has been cleared out and is up for rent by the landlord, so another company who doesn't mind little "running man" Intellivision guys etched into the glass everywhere can snatch that place up.

This thing could not be deader. It's a shame, I liked what they were doing with the machine, but yet again another group of people wanting to make a new console didn't realize how much money and resources it takes to get a video game system to market.


Source, for the interested:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/07/intellivisions-offices-are-now-empty-and-available-if-you-want-them

[Greg2600]

Let's not rush to conclusions, according to Greg2600 there's still hope that they'll pull through and this will still come out.

Hey all I said was the trademark could be renewed if they desired. Could do that and still never come out, which by the way is how I've felt for awhile now. Once that article got written about their lack of progress I knew it was doomed.

[Gameguy]

It seems some internal documents concerning the Amico were leaked from a disgruntled employee. Hilarious stuff.

https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/leaked-intellivision-amico-documents-paint-grim-picture

Here's some direct links to download the documents themselves.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Intellivision_Amico/comments/wfmc7n/come_invest_in_amico/

[JSoup]

I was optimistic before, but now I think it's time for us to accept it, Greg2600. It's not going pull through and be released.

[Hep038]

Man that is one toxic reddit page... Must suck for the people who are actual fans of the product. But I guess that is Reddit for you.

[Greg2600]

I was optimistic before, but now I think it's time for us to accept it, Greg2600. It's not going pull through and be released.

I have not been optimistic about this thing for more than 2 years. Just wanted to point out that the trademark hadn't been completely given up, though now it has.


Man that is one toxic reddit page... Must suck for the people who are actual fans of the product. But I guess that is Reddit for you.

The vitriol towards this project, similarly to others in the past, both successful and unsuccessful, always shocks me. Why is there such vitriol in the gaming community? These are TOYS!!! It's not politics, it's not life or death issues, or religion. They're effing toys.

[JSoup]

I find it strange that people who have been into gaming for as long as the average user here would be asking 'why drama'. Drama runs this shit and has since the Atari days. There were likely two assholes arguing over how Tennis for Two was bullshit and that one intern was a fucking cheater while performing oscilloscope maintenance.

In this case, the vitriol is because the names SoCalMike and Tommy Talarico are at the top of the project list. Two clowns with a hiking trails length worth of failed projects and all the charisma of a Trump statue made from wet socks. This was doomed right out the gate and literally anyone with adult level object permeance knew that from word damn one. I get that folks like to jerk them off around here, but times come to call an apple an apple.

[Niku-Sama]

what gets me about this whole thing is how this thing is in dev hell while the Evercade can come out of no where, actually sell, and the handheld version seems to be getting an upgrade, all while these guys just eff up a decent name.

its gotta be some sort of money laundering/front for something.
usually when people screw up this often they dont have any one to work with after a while but these guys seem to keep getting backed for more projects that never see the light of day

[Aussie2B]

I've got the first reply in this topic, and yeah.....I called it. Not surprised by any of this. I'm more surprised that so many people actually believed in the project.

As for how somebody like Tommy Tallarico keeps getting people to work with him, he's a huge shmoozer, and he loves to name-drop Steven Tyler being his cousin. I wouldn't be surprised if the latter actually worked for him at some point in his life or if he asked his cousin for a favor at some point. With the fields he's worked in, meeting the right people at the right time gets you further than talent and experience.

[Greg2600]

I find it strange that people who have been into gaming for as long as the average user here would be asking 'why drama'. Drama runs this shit and has since the Atari days. There were likely two assholes arguing over how Tennis for Two was bullshit and that one intern was a fucking cheater while performing oscilloscope maintenance.

In this case, the vitriol is because the names SoCalMike and Tommy Talarico are at the top of the project list. Two clowns with a hiking trails length worth of failed projects and all the charisma of a Trump statue made from wet socks. This was doomed right out the gate and literally anyone with adult level object permeance knew that from word damn one. I get that folks like to jerk them off around here, but times come to call an apple an apple.

I don't know this SoCalMike but Tommy had a positive reputation in the gaming industry, he's not someone that those who have actually worked in the industry viewed as a crook. Yeah I get the drama is what the internet is, but my point was it's like every project that comes around, there's vicious hate for. Unless you stay within a small niche group only, such as flash cart makers. Though hell, Krikzz got blasted for fleeing Ukraine with Russian bombs dropping by immature douche's who were pissed he hadn't shipped their orders.


what gets me about this whole thing is how this thing is in dev hell while the Evercade can come out of no where, actually sell, and the handheld version seems to be getting an upgrade, all while these guys just eff up a decent name.

its gotta be some sort of money laundering/front for something.
usually when people screw up this often they dont have any one to work with after a while but these guys seem to keep getting backed for more projects that never see the light of day

I think they were honestly working on the product up until the pandemic. Was it along enough? Did they have a proper financial plan? Who knows at this point. The pandemic ended the project one way or the other, and Tommy and co. had to have known they were screwed, mostly out of no fault of theirs. Commissioning chips at that point was going to be impossible. Then they tried begging for more money, at which point forget it. Maybe it was never going to happen? They bit off too much here, I don't know, we'll never know.

The Evercade is based on existing hardware technology, and utilizes emulation software which already exist. The Amico crew were building something largely from scratch, it's apples and oranges.

[Gameguy]

I don't know this SoCalMike
That's Mike Kennedy, the creator of RETRO Video Game Magazine, former owner of Game Gavel, and scammer with the fake/non-existent Coleco Chameleon console. If you're unaware of who he is or what the Coleco Chameleon was, there's various threads on this forum which you can search for. It was a big deal back when it all happened and I'm surprised you're unaware of all of it.


but Tommy had a positive reputation in the gaming industry, he's not someone that those who have actually worked in the industry viewed as a crook.
Plenty of people already hated him for years. Not for scamming, but just being someone unlikable with a massive ego. People remember him from G4 when he reviewed games on a show, apparently giving bad reviews to good games because he's not skilled enough at playing games and just outright dislikes certain genres. Choosing someone already disliked to be the front face of your new product isn't the greatest move.


Yeah I get the drama is what the internet is, but my point was it's like every project that comes around, there's vicious hate for.
Most projects just seem unnecessary or exploitative, or ineptly handled. Very few seem like they're actually something useful or competently put together. When a project seems like it's creating a solution for a problem that doesn't exist, of course collectors call them out. Nobody likes being exploited. Most projects are simply a waste of time and potentially a waste of money for most of the intended targeted market.


I think they were honestly working on the product up until the pandemic. Was it along enough? Did they have a proper financial plan? Who knows at this point. The pandemic ended the project one way or the other, and Tommy and co. had to have known they were screwed, mostly out of no fault of theirs. Commissioning chips at that point was going to be impossible. Then they tried begging for more money, at which point forget it. Maybe it was never going to happen? They bit off too much here, I don't know, we'll never know.

Who knows at this point? That's literally mentioned in the documents that were leaked, the ones I mentioned in this thread. No, they didn't have a proper financial plan even before the first e-begging started. I posted an article earlier that sums up parts of the documents to make it easier to sort through, and through that article there's various other links to other things people noticed when looking over the documents.

Like noticing a mathematical "irregularity" in the Amico investment pitch. They were incompetent from the beginning, or actual frauds deliberately falsifying values at the worst.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Intellivision_Amico/comments/wgdu7s/mathematical_irregularity_in_amico_investment/

You may never know but most other people will as the information is now available publicly.

[Greg2600]

That's Mike Kennedy, the creator of RETRO Video Game Magazine, former owner of Game Gavel, and scammer with the fake/non-existent Coleco Chameleon console. If you're unaware of who he is or what the Coleco Chameleon was, there's various threads on this forum which you can search for. It was a big deal back when it all happened and I'm surprised you're unaware of all of it.

Plenty of people already hated him for years. Not for scamming, but just being someone unlikable with a massive ego. People remember him from G4 when he reviewed games on a show, apparently giving bad reviews to good games because he's not skilled enough at playing games and just outright dislikes certain genres. Choosing someone already disliked to be the front face of your new product isn't the greatest move.

Most projects just seem unnecessary or exploitative, or ineptly handled. Very few seem like they're actually something useful or competently put together. When a project seems like it's creating a solution for a problem that doesn't exist, of course collectors call them out. Nobody likes being exploited. Most projects are simply a waste of time and potentially a waste of money for most of the intended targeted market.

Who knows at this point? That's literally mentioned in the documents that were leaked, the ones I mentioned in this thread. No, they didn't have a proper financial plan even before the first e-begging started. I posted an article earlier that sums up parts of the documents to make it easier to sort through, and through that article there's various other links to other things people noticed when looking over the documents.

Like noticing a mathematical "irregularity" in the Amico investment pitch. They were incompetent from the beginning, or actual frauds deliberately falsifying values at the worst.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Intellivision_Amico/comments/wgdu7s/mathematical_irregularity_in_amico_investment/

You may never know but most other people will as the information is now available publicly.

First off, Mike Kennedy had zero to do with the AMICO project or Intellivision, so other than to compare him to Tommy, his name has no relevance to the project. I personally am not a TT fan, never have been, but I also didn't hate on the guy. He had a lot of old industry support and friendships, as did the others who worked at the head of the AMICO project. Frankly, if you examined any project or company like this, you might *gasp* at the holes in planning or financing. Quite a lot is done with risk. Higher the risk, higher the reward. Honestly this entire thing bores the hell out of me. I'm of the opinion that had it came out at retail, I probably would have bought one to give it a whirl. I don't do kickstarters anymore almost never, I find them useless. I have pre-ordered many homebrew hardware after it's been shown to work. My point remains that I truly don't understand the need by many in the game fandom (no one here) to waste their time lampooning these projects. Frankly the Pat Contri videos were simply cringeworthy. Enough already.

[Gameguy]

First off, Mike Kennedy had zero to do with the AMICO project or Intellivision, so other than to compare him to Tommy, his name has no relevance to the project.
I never said he did. :?

You said you didn't know who that was so I just gave information on who he is. Of course, now I actually spent time researching and there are some connections between Mike Kennedy and Intellivision CEO Phil Adam, apparently Mike Kennedy considers him a personal friend, and Phil Adams was the "VP of Business Development" for the Coleco Chameleon.

Here's a transcript of an interview Mike Kennedy gave where he mentions Phil Adam and calls him a personal friend.
https://www.retrogamingroundup.com/documents/transcriptions/2013_06_Jennel%20And%20Rebecca_Transcript.pdf

And here's where Intellivision Amico CEO Phil Adam had direct involvement with the Coleco Chameleon. It's funny how someone directly involved with the Coleco Chameleon console is now involved with this failed Intellivision console.
https://i.imgur.com/44MoEy3.png

I'm not saying Phil Adams is a scammer, just that he has direct connections to Mike Kennedy and the Coleco Chameleon. I didn't even know this until researching now, I never said they were connected previously.

There was also a forum post elsewhere where Phil Adam is given credit for helping educate Mike Kennedy on how to turn his idea into an actual product, good work right there. This was posted right before the Chameleon was revealed to be a scam, and the original post is gone or unviewable so I can't post a link to it here. All I can find is a crappy video still showing it so I'm not bothering to post it.


I personally am not a TT fan, never have been, but I also didn't hate on the guy. He had a lot of old industry support and friendships, as did the others who worked at the head of the AMICO project.
Personally I didn't know who he was outside of hearing him involved with the Amico, I've only looked into him now. Most information I can find about him online basically calls him a douchebag. I've never met him so I wouldn't know, he just talks trash a lot in interviews and seemed to make up a ton of incorrect information about the Amico he was promoting.


Frankly, if you examined any project or company like this, you might *gasp* at the holes in planning or financing. Quite a lot is done with risk. Higher the risk, higher the reward.
I'd be more willing to believe the financing was normal if it wasn't tied to a company that went bankrupt during development of it's very first product. These are supposed to be well experienced professionals too, not just young adults fresh out of high school or college just trying to start something out of their basement or garage.


Honestly this entire thing bores the hell out of me. I'm of the opinion that had it came out at retail, I probably would have bought one to give it a whirl. I don't do kickstarters anymore almost never, I find them useless. I have pre-ordered many homebrew hardware after it's been shown to work. My point remains that I truly don't understand the need by many in the game fandom (no one here) to waste their time lampooning these projects.
For me, money isn't as disposable as it is for other people. I wouldn't just buy something for hundreds of dollars just to "give it a whirl", I would have to do research to verify and decide if it's worth spending the money on, and do I really need it or actually want it enough to justify the purchase. I know plenty of people are ok with going to a casino and losing thousands of dollars and just consider it fun, but that's not me.

I barely knew any of the behind the scenes stuff until now, I never usually bother to do so much searching with random kickstarter projects but it seems like I have to give explicit evidence on why I don't support projects that seem outright sketchy when introduced. Maybe I'm just not as much of an optimist as you are. I just want to verify if a product or project is worth supporting before I throw money at it or hype it up like it's the next great thing. Maybe some people want to warn others before they invest in something sketchy thinking it'll be a sure thing, plenty of people lose money on these failures and scams.


Frankly the Pat Contri videos were simply cringeworthy.
Pat Contri is cringeworthy. I don't like him much in general as he comes across as irritating to me for whatever reason.

[Aussie2B]

Skepticism about this project I understand, but I don't get the hate and anger either. I mean, nobody was forced to put any money down for it. Don't like what you see? Then don't give it a cent and move on. You haven't been slighted by the mere existence of the project. But this is what modern times are all about. Everybody is divisive and raging about everything, and gamers in particular are, or have become, some of the most hateful malcontents I've come across. I know a ton of people who like retro and modern games just the same as me but won't refer to themselves as "gamers", not anymore at least, just because it has such a negative connotation now that they don't want to associate with. I remember when gamers used to get online to talk to other gamers about what they loved and were excited about and, generally, what brought them joy. Now gaming discussion is mostly people just talking about what they dislike ad nauseam. Having a baby and having a lot less time for interacting with people online has honestly been great for me.

[Greg2600]

I never said he did. :?

You said you didn't know who that was so I just gave information on who he is. Of course, now I actually spent time researching and there are some connections between Mike Kennedy and Intellivision CEO Phil Adam, apparently Mike Kennedy considers him a personal friend, and Phil Adams was the "VP of Business Development" for the Coleco Chameleon.

Here's a transcript of an interview Mike Kennedy gave where he mentions Phil Adam and calls him a personal friend.
https://www.retrogamingroundup.com/documents/transcriptions/2013_06_Jennel%20And%20Rebecca_Transcript.pdf

And here's where Intellivision Amico CEO Phil Adam had direct involvement with the Coleco Chameleon. It's funny how someone directly involved with the Coleco Chameleon console is now involved with this failed Intellivision console.
https://i.imgur.com/44MoEy3.png

I'm not saying Phil Adams is a scammer, just that he has direct connections to Mike Kennedy and the Coleco Chameleon. I didn't even know this until researching now, I never said they were connected previously.

There was also a forum post elsewhere where Phil Adam is given credit for helping educate Mike Kennedy on how to turn his idea into an actual product, good work right there. This was posted right before the Chameleon was revealed to be a scam, and the original post is gone or unviewable so I can't post a link to it here. All I can find is a crappy video still showing it so I'm not bothering to post it.


Phil Adam was one of many who were duped by Mike Kennedy; that might have been motivation for getting the AMICO project off the ground for Phil and others.


I'd be more willing to believe the financing was normal if it wasn't tied to a company that went bankrupt during development of it's very first product. These are supposed to be well experienced professionals too, not just young adults fresh out of high school or college just trying to start something out of their basement or garage.

For me, money isn't as disposable as it is for other people. I wouldn't just buy something for hundreds of dollars just to "give it a whirl", I would have to do research to verify and decide if it's worth spending the money on, and do I really need it or actually want it enough to justify the purchase. I know plenty of people are ok with going to a casino and losing thousands of dollars and just consider it fun, but that's not me.

I barely knew any of the behind the scenes stuff until now, I never usually bother to do so much searching with random kickstarter projects but it seems like I have to give explicit evidence on why I don't support projects that seem outright sketchy when introduced. Maybe I'm just not as much of an optimist as you are. I just want to verify if a product or project is worth supporting before I throw money at it or hype it up like it's the next great thing. Maybe some people want to warn others before they invest in something sketchy thinking it'll be a sure thing, plenty of people lose money on these failures and scams.


I should have said, give it a whirl and then sell it!! Trust me, when they sold out and never made more, people would want one. It's a game console, pretty sure I would have made my money back the way eBay is these days. I actually shared your skepticism, that's why I didn't go near the crowd funding or pre-orders for this thing. Anyway, in terms of "experienced professionals" this is really where a lot of these projects go off the rails. They are NOT people who have spent much if any time running software/hardware businesses. I'm not sure if AMICO had anyone who was, like I said, didn't pay it a lot of attention. They likely did not.

[Gameguy]

Skepticism about this project I understand, but I don't get the hate and anger either. I mean, nobody was forced to put any money down for it. Don't like what you see? Then don't give it a cent and move on. You haven't been slighted by the mere existence of the project.
So if you saw someone actively being scammed by someone else, you'd just ignore it and mind your business as you personally weren't being affected?

I personally wouldn't care so much if these types of projects weren't being publicly funded. Just wait for a review of the completed project and make a decision. If you're asking for other peoples' money up front when you don't have anything tangible at that point, that bothers me. If you're asking for money up front, there's going to be people more critical of what you're producing and of your development process. Plenty of completed projects still took years too long to actually get released, people who funded those projects still remember that. I think people openly point out visible warning signs with these projects the same way consumer affairs shows try to warn others of avoiding scams. These projects make the hobby look bad.


I know a ton of people who like retro and modern games just the same as me but won't refer to themselves as "gamers", not anymore at least, just because it has such a negative connotation now that they don't want to associate with.
That includes me. The idea of a "gamer" is basically someone who plays either FIFA or Fortnite for 12 hours a day, every day. Video games aren't my entire life, and I play them far less now than I ever used to.


I remember when gamers used to get online to talk to other gamers about what they loved and were excited about and, generally, what brought them joy. Now gaming discussion is mostly people just talking about what they dislike ad nauseam. Having a baby and having a lot less time for interacting with people online has honestly been great for me.
There's just far less to talk about now with video games. There's really no more "hidden gems" waiting to be discovered as it's all been discovered and talked about endlessly online, there's few lost/unreleased games that are being found now, most information about older games' development has been openly discussed online by the original programmers, etc.

It used to be that I could find a bunch of cheap games and just start playing them to discover a new game I would like, something I never heard of previously, but that doesn't happen anymore. Really the main way to find games now is to fully research a title to find something you want, then pay full retail for it, usually online and shipped directly to you. There's just less to be excited to talk about these days related to the hobby. Most talk about older consoles is related to emulation or modifying hardware in some way.

Plus looking at modern games, there's very little I look forward to anymore. Modern games by large studios are mostly online focused, digital download only, endless DLC, crammed with loot boxes and microtransactions, etc. I just don't like what video games are anymore from most studios. And plenty of independent releases are are like this Amico project, just kickstarted with questionable unproven developers, or are just cheap ripoffs of other better games. Plus there's plenty of talk about abuse of employees in the industry now, it's not the fun industry to be in anymore. There's lots of things to dislike with the hobby these days.


I should have said, give it a whirl and then sell it!! Trust me, when they sold out and never made more, people would want one. It's a game console, pretty sure I would have made my money back the way eBay is these days. I actually shared your skepticism, that's why I didn't go near the crowd funding or pre-orders for this thing. Anyway, in terms of "experienced professionals" this is really where a lot of these projects go off the rails. They are NOT people who have spent much if any time running software/hardware businesses. I'm not sure if AMICO had anyone who was, like I said, didn't pay it a lot of attention. They likely did not.
Ok, that's fair. Planning to sell it off makes sense. Though I'm not sure if you'd make a profit on it, there's a good chance it'll still be a loss after you played with it. Or are consoles like the Ouya collectible and valuable now? I really don't keep up with modern consoles or independent projects like this, I just don't find them interesting like with older hardware.

Phil Adam was the president of several large video game companies including Spectrum Holobyte and Interplay, you would think that's enough experience to run a software business today. Or at least to know if a company you work for as CEO isn't being run properly and to leave as fast as you can from it.