Intellivision lines up Mattel and Sesame Workshop partnerships for its gaming system reboot Amico

Intellivision Entertainment, the video game industry pioneer and team behind the upcoming Intellivision Amico launch, has detailed significant additions to its game portfolio, as well as new licensing partnerships with the likes of Mattel and Sesame Workshop.

The latest partnerships were revealed in a virtual press event hosted by Tommy Tallarico, CEO of Intellivision Entertainment, who has made it his mission to bring families back into ‘community gaming’ through the Amico system, the modern reboot of the iconic Intellivision video game console. The console is scheduled for release in April 2021.

Tallaric revealed an extensive list of new Amico games, including Earthworm Jim 4, and new partnerships with Mattel to launch a racing game based on its popular Hot Wheels franchise, Sesame Workshop to develop a suite of educational Sesame Street games, and USAopoly (The Op) to bring interactive versions of its board games Telestrations and Blank Slate to life on the platform.

These announcements come on the heels of recently announced licensing deals with brands such as Major League Baseball, Evel Knievel and The American Cornhole League.

“The magic of Intellivision Amico is that it will bring families and friends together around gaming – something that the world could always use more of – and these new games and partnerships will be a critical part of that,” said Tallarico.

The company also announced its growing network of global retail and online partners including GameStop, Amazon, and Walmart.com among others. The new games and partnerships reinforce the conviction of Intellivision’s mission to reignite the family- and group-oriented benefits of multi-player gaming that were so prevalent at the dawn of the gaming era.

Finally, the company announced that, after painstaking efforts to overcome the myriad of obstacles and constraints imposed by the global pandemic, Amico’s target launch date will shift from October 10, 2020, to April 15, 2021.

“Despite unprecedented challenges, the accomplishments and progress made by our internal team, plus our incredible network of developers and partners, is nothing short of amazing,” said Tallarico. “Our primary focus is delivering a quality product, and we remain steadfast in our mission to bring family fun back to gaming with Intellivision Amico’s launch.”

Earthworm Jim 4 brings the legendary multi-award-winning side-scrolling game back exclusively for Amico, while  Intellivision and Sesame Workshop announced a series of educational titles that will utilize the unique Amico touch screen controllers, motion controls and couch co-op for the entire family to join in the learning and fun.

Meanwhile, Hot Wheels has ignited the challenger spirit around the world since the brand’s introduction in 1968. In a statement, Intellivsion said it was ‘beyond excited to have this spectacular brand be a part of the game repertoire, and it will challenge parents, kids and fans alike as they race to the finish line.’

‘Through its partnership with The Op, Intellivision will offer the laugh-out-loud party game, Telestrations. Families will be able to experience the joy of laughter and miscommunication while they sketch and guess silly drawings and words. Never before brought to the digital era, this party game will allow for entire families, from children to grandparents, to share a laugh and enjoy the fun,’ said the firm.

‘Another terrific board game coming from The Op to Amico is Blank Slate. This party game allows families to get in sync with one another as they attempt to fill in the blank with just one word to complete the phrase. When players guess the same word, they receive extra points. Blank Slate only takes moments to learn and its simplicity makes it fun for players of any age.’

 

Video game industry pioneer Intellivision lands licensing deals with Major League Baseball and Evel Knievel

Recognised by many as the pioneers of the video game industry, Intellivision Entertainment LLC has detailed a raft of new licensing agreements with a focus on sports-themed games that include Major League Baseball, Evel Knievel, and the American Cornhole League.

The new slate of partnerships now bring a portfolio of US-centric, yet highly recognisable, brands to Intellivision Amico through a series of officially licensed games.

“My early memories of playing the original Intellivision Major League Baseball game with my dad and brother helped inspire our vision to launch Amico,” said Intellivision CEO and president, Tommy Tallarico. “Looking to the future, Intellivision is proud to offer a wide breadth of content for everyone in the family to enjoy, from favourite sports and recreational games to thrilling, daredevil action. We continue to diversify our portfolio and gameplay experiences for Amico.”

The licensing deal between MLB and Intellivision comes 41 years after the two groups launched their first partnership. The historic collaboration represented the first video game license with a professional sports league – a pioneering trend in the industry that Intellivision embraced across almost every sport.

Intellivision’s Major League Baseball game was the first home video game to feature spoken voice (e.g. “YER OUT!”). The original Major League Baseball is the best-selling Intellivision game of all time with approximately one in three Intellivision households owning the title.

Bringing yet another first to the baseball video game industry, Intellivision’s MLB licensed game will introduce a competitive play option. This option will allow multiple players to join in the fun and set up head-to-head competition in different ways or all versus the computer. All 30 current MLB teams will be featured.

“Baseball video games have brought family and friends together for more than 40 years. Our renewed partnership with Intellivision continues that tradition with simplicity and fun for the whole family,” said senior vice president, games and VR, Jamie Leece.

“We look forward to joining Intellivision with the shared mission of bringing family and friends together with the love of the game and passion for our sport.”

Next up, and paying homage to the Knievel legacy, Intellivision is working with the Evel Knievel Family and Barnstorm Games to bring a multiplayer game to the Amico platform. The updated version of the Evel Knievel game will feature enhanced graphics, sound, and art, plus a variety of multiplayer options utilizing Amico’s unique controllers.

In addition to new levels and gameplay features, more action such as the Skycycle X-2 rocket that was used in his infamous Snake River Canyon jump in 1974 will be added.

“My dad was a larger than life character who was a hero and inspiration to millions of people,” said Kelly Knievel, son of Evel Knievel. “We are excited to work with Intellivision to keep his legacy alive, introduce his bold spirit to a new generation of fans, and take the thrill of the jump from the arena to the living room on Amico.”

Finally, developed exclusively for the Amico system with some of the world’s greatest professional cornhole players, the American Cornhole League, which has been broadcasted on ESPN since 2016, is bringing America’s fastest-growing recreational sport into the living room.

With the intention of providing a game for everyone in the family, regardless of skill level, users can utilize the unique Amico controller with touchscreen and motion controls. Gameplay is available in career, arcade, multiplayer, or free play mode and features over 100 unlockables, multiple challenges, skill levels and ways to play – no summer BBQ picnic required.

“We are thrilled to work alongside Intellivision and some of the world’s greatest players and to bring cornhole to the Amico console,” said Stacey Moore, commissioner and founder of the American Cornhole League.

“We cannot wait for people to experience throwing ACL virtual bags in the comfort of their own home.”

Intellivision is currently working on many more exciting partnerships in preparation for the Amico system launch. For more information please visit www.IntellivisionAmico.com.

 

Video game industry pioneer Intellivision lands licensing deals with Major League Baseball and Evel Knievel

Recognised by many as the pioneers of the video game industry, Intellivision Entertainment LLC has detailed a raft of new licensing agreements with a focus on sports-themed games that include Major League Baseball, Evel Knievel, and the American Cornhole League.

The new slate of partnerships now bring a portfolio of US-centric, yet highly recognisable, brands to Intellivision Amico through a series of officially licensed games.

“My early memories of playing the original Intellivision Major League Baseball game with my dad and brother helped inspire our vision to launch Amico,” said Intellivision CEO and president, Tommy Tallarico. “Looking to the future, Intellivision is proud to offer a wide breadth of content for everyone in the family to enjoy, from favourite sports and recreational games to thrilling, daredevil action. We continue to diversify our portfolio and gameplay experiences for Amico.”

The licensing deal between MLB and Intellivision comes 41 years after the two groups launched their first partnership. The historic collaboration represented the first video game license with a professional sports league – a pioneering trend in the industry that Intellivision embraced across almost every sport.

Intellivision’s Major League Baseball game was the first home video game to feature spoken voice (e.g. “YER OUT!”). The original Major League Baseball is the best-selling Intellivision game of all time with approximately one in three Intellivision households owning the title.

Bringing yet another first to the baseball video game industry, Intellivision’s MLB licensed game will introduce a competitive play option. This option will allow multiple players to join in the fun and set up head-to-head competition in different ways or all versus the computer. All 30 current MLB teams will be featured.

“Baseball video games have brought family and friends together for more than 40 years. Our renewed partnership with Intellivision continues that tradition with simplicity and fun for the whole family,” said senior vice president, games and VR, Jamie Leece.

“We look forward to joining Intellivision with the shared mission of bringing family and friends together with the love of the game and passion for our sport.”

Next up, and paying homage to the Knievel legacy, Intellivision is working with the Evel Knievel Family and Barnstorm Games to bring a multiplayer game to the Amico platform. The updated version of the Evel Knievel game will feature enhanced graphics, sound, and art, plus a variety of multiplayer options utilizing Amico’s unique controllers.

In addition to new levels and gameplay features, more action such as the Skycycle X-2 rocket that was used in his infamous Snake River Canyon jump in 1974 will be added.

“My dad was a larger than life character who was a hero and inspiration to millions of people,” said Kelly Knievel, son of Evel Knievel. “We are excited to work with Intellivision to keep his legacy alive, introduce his bold spirit to a new generation of fans, and take the thrill of the jump from the arena to the living room on Amico.”

Finally, developed exclusively for the Amico system with some of the world’s greatest professional cornhole players, the American Cornhole League, which has been broadcasted on ESPN since 2016, is bringing America’s fastest-growing recreational sport into the living room.

With the intention of providing a game for everyone in the family, regardless of skill level, users can utilize the unique Amico controller with touchscreen and motion controls. Gameplay is available in career, arcade, multiplayer, or free play mode and features over 100 unlockables, multiple challenges, skill levels and ways to play – no summer BBQ picnic required.

“We are thrilled to work alongside Intellivision and some of the world’s greatest players and to bring cornhole to the Amico console,” said Stacey Moore, commissioner and founder of the American Cornhole League.

“We cannot wait for people to experience throwing ACL virtual bags in the comfort of their own home.”

Intellivision is currently working on many more exciting partnerships in preparation for the Amico system launch. For more information please visit www.IntellivisionAmico.com.