Is the Intellivision Amico a Scam? A former lawyer/accountant's take. 

Chris, if your channel is "a failed business" then it is one of the best failed businesses. I really appreciate your content. I know many others do as well. Of course that might not pay your mortgage but I wanted to share it nonetheless.

I like when someone like you takes it apart, because you're very methodical. Makes a lot of sense that you were a lawyer/accountant. All the best, hopefully this boosts you up further, and less people get robbed.

Sadly the history of lies section could of been three times as long and you would still be able to find more lies that could be added into it.

They never marketed the console to customers. They marketed the idea of the console to investors.

They only seem incompetent until you realize they took in 17 million and get to walk away scot-free.

There’s certainly no way forward that doesn’t include acquisition or bankruptcy. It’s an unfortunate disaster in its current state.

Minor correction: original retail price was stated as $140 - $180. The $250 price came later.

Multi-classing as a Game Reviewer and Lawyer certainly gives you an edge. I do hope this is an avenue to explore. You are underrated and very good at your job(s).

This is an excellent summary of this situation, well supported by observable facts, no guessing, and what I like most of all, no both-siderisms. Only Intellivision is asking for anyone's money, but they pretend as if they’re doing the world a favor and expect skeptics to bear the burden of proof.

14:45 that's Twin Peaks actress Amy Shiels pretending to be a mom with an American accent. She's from Ireland and a friend of Tommy Tallarico. Remember, Intellivision claims that their ads don't have actors. Google it.

Actually, as far as blast processing goes for the Mega Drive/Genesis, you are very much correct by stating it was a real thing. Since the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom debuted between 2 and 3 years later than Sega's 16 bit system (depending on the specific market you look at), most of the SNES's "out of the box" technical specs were quite superior. With one notable (somewhat baffling) exception: the CPU processing, or clock speed, of the Genesis/Mega Drive was noticeably faster than the Super Nintendo/Famicom. Sega's 16 bit CPU speed was 7.67 MHz, while estimates for the SNES CPU vary between 3.58 MHz, to as low as 1.79 MHz, with an average clock speed sitting at around 2.68 MHz. This difference in clock speed made games like Sonic the Hedgehog, whose whole conceit was a blue hedgehog in sneakers running like gangbusters from one end of a level to another, run much more competently on the Sega hardware. Similarly, genres like space shooters, or certain types of sports games, performed better on the Genesis. Advertisers at the time knew that 90s kids wouldn't give two hoots about "clock speed". But "blast processing"? Now you have something! Genesis does what Nintendont! (And I say this as an aging Super Nintendo nerd. :-).)

On Republic, it says "9,411 Investors in 2 campaigns" - given Republic was an extension of the Fig campaign, does the Republic $11m include the Fig $7m in its total? Also, the Fig money of $5.7m is reflected in the 2020 accounts under "Prepaid Development". However at least some of the 2021 actual debt (not the Fig money) is listed elsewhere in the filing and is about $4-5m when you look into it.

They made a shitty android phone that can run flash games. Wow.

Good to see someone who clearly knows his stuff calling this out for what it is and has been for a long time now. Great video.

Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. Always trying to stay in the lime light, whether it's a bad , good, or just plainly stupid.

It was honestly a shock seeing tommy pop up because all I ever knew him from was the electric playground

"the very channel you are watching this on is failed business but not a scam" hahahahah. nicely done. Got me to subscribe.

At this point, are there any independent voices that think that investing in this is a good idea, or that it even has a reasonable chance to succeed?

This video has aged remarkably well, this situation has only become an even bigger dumpster fire.

I love how there's so little photos that if you Google amico news. every article has the same thumbnail photos of the console but it's in different colors but it's all the same picture.....

Great video, that tank battle game looks like it's running at 15 FPS at best.

Lol. The games look like the ones you got in Kelloggs packages in the early 2000s

„Kids aren’t idiots“ Im gonna be a teacher soon and a colleague of mine recently told me a story about a bunch of boys that had PE lessons and were spraying so much of their deodorant into the air, while they were in the dressing room that they started to pass out. Their teacher came in to help them… and passed out as well. They ended up calling the fire department who got everyone out safely while wearing gas masks. So yeah, hearing the sentence „kids aren’t idiots“ kind of cracked me up lol

Love your videos Chris, so glad you’re still making them! My dad still has his original Intellivision, and when I was really young we played it together. That retro tech is super cool. So it’s crazy to learn about how they’re trying to bring it back, and that it’s 100% a scam. “Tellerico claims that the games are also NFTs” LOL so they’re incorporating another scam into their own scam?

wow, i really enjoyed this! this could be a really interesting type of series where you break down financial and/or legal aspects of games and devs. ps, any hint as to your what your next crpg is?

Would love more stuff like this, everything you do is great, but this was really special.

Intellivision probably did get $3 million from Fig/Republic, as that's the minimum guaranteed amount, as I recall. Anything beyond that is up to Fig/Republic completely, and I doubt they've recieved any.

It's a SCAMico!

"the very channel you're watching this on is a failed business" that hurt. I love your content. I hope you're doing well and will keep making content even though it doesn't pay enough. It's definitely apprechiated, I hope you know that :)

What a fucking tragedy. I used to respect Tommy, and as someone almost old enough to remember the original Intellivision, I once thought that this might be the one Android box that could. Might could. You know what I mean. Anyway, it's clear that someone took a look at the Intellivision controller and said "hey, touch-screen this up, and it's a Switch killer!". They were extremely high. As exemplified by the fact that *someone* on that team unironically believed they could demand system exclusivity. Anyway, it'll be on the blockchain, like any products that most definitely are not scams, lmao. Poor Tommy. I almost hope you were conned, so I can still kinda respect you. That MDK score was really dope.

My favorite lie was the fake gameplay video when the internet detectives found that Tommy’s control inputs didn’t match the gameplay on the screen.

Scam or not, it's definitely a joke.

I came to the channel for the insightful RPG retrospectives on games I love, but damn you really are in your element here. Pains me to see you call this channel a failed business while I'm busy updating my mental rolodex to make you an authority on several more topics. I wouldn't be mad at all if you transitioned to covering kickstarter scams and the like. You have the bona fides and unique charisma to add real input to such topics.

All your previous videos where you've offhandedly mentioned "I'm a lawyer" as part of a joke or aside were foreshadowing for this video.

"Brimming with boomer energy" :D

What's your take on Intellivision Entertainment LLC being suspended by the FTB? It coincides with the Delaware LLC formation. With its LLC suspended in California, doesn't that mean that even if Intellivision thought they had a case against Ark Electronics for the 1.2 million, they can't even sue them without first resolving their suspension?

Glad to see you never quit! I know this may not be your main thing, but your contribution to RU-vid is big enough to hope it sticks around.

Love this video, Chris you have a knack for this kind of documentation, and would love to see more.

So happy to see another upload from you. I love your videos and appreciate all the effort you put into them despite the views. You do great work!

Of course it would swing around to NFT's. How long before the next portal shows up and we can slide out of of the Dumb Timeline?

thank you for posting! hope you're doing well!

This was a great video, I’d love to see more content like this!

It was really interesting hearing about this from someone who knows what resources to look for and pull. I had no idea about your background, and it made for a really interesting perspective.

Thanks so much for such an interesting video. I appreciate the variety of content on your channel. If I was at all curious about this "game console" then I'd be 100% done with that idea after all this information xD

I just don't understand Tommy's motivation or plan here at all. It sound like it would've been way less trouble with far better odds to just start a games publisher based on the same boomer retro family-friendly nostalgia premise.

Very well put together video, sir. Thanks for your effort

this is an interesting pivot for this channel's content, one that i'm a BIG fan of

The earthworm jim running to the "boomer" line......

Very nice dive into this subject. I hope to see more like this. 👍

Chris calling your content failed business isnt true, even if it doesnt make you a huge amount of money it seems like you enjoy making videos and you are genuinely one of the best video essayists when it comes to gaming.

I've been following this since the beginning. This entire project has been one of the most insane things I've ever seen unravel. It didn't seem like a great idea from the start, but I never would have imagined it would have gone like this. It's been a very, VERY, bizarre dumpster fire to watch burn. The cultish vibe I get from the mega supporters is also weird to watch go down. It'll make for a good book/article to read when it's all said and done, that's for sure. Well done video bud.

Good bit of journalism, ty!

I seem to recall the price of the Amico was supposed to be like $180 originally, not $250. Also, in the history of Intellivision at the beginning of the video you missed the part where INTV Corp. bought the rights to the Intellivision from Mattel Electronics following the North American video game crash of 1983/1984 and then re-released the system and continued putting out new games until they went out of business in the late 80's or so.

Comments for the comment god. Engagement for his throne!

interesting video Chris!

I like this content and wouldnt mind seeing more lawer/accountant style reviews on games and consols

Tommy really is the Oof that keeps on giving, isn't he? Really enjoyed seeing your perspective and take on this!

A great summary, I'd be curious about your thoughts now we know the latest crowd funding campaign has failed and also that it seems they sold at least 2 "physical" games, despite them not being finished (Moon Patrol) and likely never will be as the developer went out of business before they sold them

I am commenting to increase engagement on this excellent video

I really appriciate this video. I have been watching the Amico since the beginning. The longer it goes on the more of a spectacle it is. But I truly appreciate the professional breakdown of this rather than some random person talk about their gut instinct or get swayed by the cult of personality. I have always believed in this saying: "Never deal with a man who deals in absolutes." The greatest, the best, the most,.... Tommy does that. thanks again.

Great content!! Thanks!

Yay Chris is back! I'm sorry to hear you view your RU-vid channel is a failed business :(

I absolutely love your videos, I’ve seen every single one and some twice over like your bawders gate retrospectives.

This...was really interesting. I appreciate the take by someone who's obviously had experience in the legal field. I was especially intrigued by the mind-boggling loan they agreed to. What did that meeting look like?

12:31 *_TO THE MOOOOOOOOooooonnn!!!_* __/O\__ [thud]

Lol Oops, Fig is too legit for Intellivision

I just found your channel and really enjoy your content(outside of your opinion on prey) I hope you stick with it.

Popcorn time, this is going to be _good._ Your word has the potential to appear as authoritative, which might finally shake the investment rats out of their stupor. Addenum: Even since this video was posted, Nick Richards, the Intellivision CFO continues to say more coked up things. It's downright _fascinating_ how he hasn't been issued a keyboard muzzle/and or gag order.

Excellent vid, as usual. I know you've talked about quitting yt in previous videos, and I wish you good fortune and happiness whatever you decide. But the platform, and - more importantly - my feed, will be worse off without you.

Hadn't even heard of this new intellivision but thank you for the insight in the situation

"Beginning to feel like a scam" = ITS A SCAM TO STEAL YOUR MONEY. Just say it bro, I appreciate you calling this out as a money grab. It'd be awesome to hear u out dissect the game publishers scams that happen all the time. We all know microtransactions are never going away (unfortunately 😕) and anyone that promises that only has a bigger scam in mind.

Incredible vid as always man

this was a great video. i first heard of this console from that earthworm jim game. glad to know that i have no reason to buy it now!

I think problems started within the first year of the announcement. In the second year is when the carrot was being dangled seeming close at times but but always out of reach as for now there's more holes and loose ends in the whole process it will simply never happen. I got my money back a few weeks ago from my Founders & VIP Preorders and am glad to out at this point before the point of no return.

Hi Chris, I don't know who described Blast-processing to you but you got it wrong. The phrase Blast-Processing was coined specifically for the Genesis in the USA and just means that the Motorola 68000 CPU in the Genesis/Megadrive runs faster than the Ricoh processor in the Super Nintendo. Nothing else. You might be getting it confused with DMA (Direct Memory Access) which allows the CPU to continue running while other chips in the console perform independent processing based on memory data, but that should never be confused with the term Blast Processing. In England, we never heard the term Blast-Processing officially, which I can only assume was either because market research in USA identified that using the term would help in Sega's "war" against Nintendo whereas the market research in Europe found that it would harm the brand to use it over here, or maybe it didn't even occur to Sega Europe to take that route in advertising for whatever reason. I will say that as a marketing strategy, arming people with false terminology disrespects customers and cheapens the company. I must admit that when I first heard the term Blast-Processing, I thought it was idiotic, childish and a term I would never use myself in conversation. Well, other than explaining its history to people. With all of that said, I wouldn't describe the Karma engine as disrespecting customers, so maybe Tommy should consider not comparing the 'Karma engine' to 'Blast Processing'. Maybe it should be called the 'Karma system' instead of 'Karma engine' since using the word 'engine' implies that it is a computer program, but that is splitting hairs and doesn't really matter. My point is that all Amico games are designed so that complete newbies can have fun playing with experienced players, which is a great idea and this is bound to work differently for every game. Giving the design philosophy a name like Karma is a good idea I think, because it genuinely does describe a specific gameplay focus, and I think it should help Amico achieve its goal of being fun for all the family

Xbox Series S + Game pass kills their entire (initial) value proposition.

Best youtuberbar none. Love your videos chris!

4:20 :( I really love your videos they make me really happy :

Great summary! Nothing new, but interesting to hear your analysis! About lag - There are videos where frame counting has been performed. 10+ frames of lag has been confirmed.

I know you consider your RU-vid channel a failed business but as someone generally your age, I enjoy the deep dive into Video Game topics that lean on your accountant and business background. Please continue to do work. Even if it means partnering with content creators in some meaningful way!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on dying light 2, if that’s your type of game

Commenting for the algorithm.

I fuckin love this channel lol

3:54 they could also afford a swoled for the same price, too

So good, mate

Even IF this console releases the support will be pulled overnight considering it wouldn’t sell because of how badly they’ve handled this and all the bad press and lies that have come with it.

Loololol they shit their pants and are walking around awkwardly

Oh gods, I was not aware of that giga boomer marketing. Oh my oh my. I'm truly not sure if I should chuckle at it or just cringe so hard that my teeth shatter. What were they thinking

Intellivision was MY system in the day, when I had to constantly defend it the console all my Atari 2600 "Toy" players. To this day (well, yesterday) I play several of the games with my 32 year old son. Tallerico was right about playing more simple games within the family, but the old version of SNAFU suits us just fine. I have bought several original consoles from eBay (as well as a retro console from Toys-r-us) that I have had to repair myself, but it was still cheaper than the new "improved" (bastardized) versions of Intellivision classic games on the Amico, (whatever price it will be IF it EVENTUALLY comes out). It's just so sad that the name of Intellivision is being shit on by this con man. George Plimpton must be spinning like a lathe.

It most definitely is. You cannot collect money on pre orders when you have no patents legally filed. Have units being in a factory being made as we have a speak. They do not even have a physical address. This to me is flat out embezzling.

what confusaes me excuses about chip shortages etc. But this was due out 2 years ago and well they havent got a OS or actuall games. Looking at the games and looking at some indie games released on every format made by one person WTF have they been doing except begging for money. As for the german thing. I live on swiss german border and trust me a lot of germans put english people to shame with their english.

Not sure why anybody would buy an Amico when they could get a Switch for around the same amount and it is pretty much THE "family-friendly" game console with most of the indie games Amico will get and quality first-party family-friendly Nintendo games. I don't see the appeal/market beyond a tiny niche of aging gamers with Intellivision Nostalgia (whose children very well could be entering college anyway). Seems to be a product desperately looking for a market that doesn't exist/is already served by other devices. Also, judging by the pretty atrocious performance in a lot of these gameplay demos, I would say the $100 production cost sounds about right. Probably using a bottom-of-the-barrel SoC to decrease costs.

GREAT piece

16:40 - The Republic campaign umbrellaed the Fig campaign and inherited those funds, plus did another round of funding that raised around $4.5M, so combined they raised $11.59M (not $11.59M + $7.1M). Also Nick responded to a comment on Republic asking about funds and said: "Funds were distributed on a rolling basis as the assigned regulatory administrators signed off on the offering so funds are actively being deployed in the company, the majority of those funds being spent on engineering, testing, regulatory and manufacturing fixtures and process engineering such as inline testing/quality control fixtures."

Sharp commentary

I could be wrong, but I feel it was due to poor management than a genuine attempt to defraud. Costs careened out of control, their funds weren't properly managed/disbursed and now their debt (north of $8 million) is insurmountable. Thanks for the video my friend, good stuff!

Didn't it just die today?

Sorry but soon as I heard the games are an NFT. Eh Fuck that 🙈😅 From what I understand, minting/creating an NFT essentially uses more electricity than a small island or city....just to make 1 NFT essentially. It is preposterous

Good video. Do you see Tommy and crew facing lawsuits after this implodes? They are 8 million in debt and haven't made 1 single functional, finished game. They also haven't manufactured a single console.

It was an utter scam from Day One! Not to mention it looks worse than most FREE Mobile games to boot. LoL.