News
Intellivision announces new gaming console
IRVINE, CA, May 29, in the year of our Lord 2018
– Intellivision® Entertainment is proud to announce that it will
bring the concept of SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE, FAMILY & FUN back into
homes across the world with the introduction of a brand new home
video game console. The original Intellivision system generated
many “firsts” in the video game industry including the first
16-bit gaming machine, the first gaming console to offer digital
distribution, the first to bring speech/voice to games, the
first to license professional sports leagues and organizations
and the first to be a dedicated game console and home computer.
Originally released in 1979, due to its popularity it was
remarkably retailed across 3 decades and quickly sold millions
of units. The new Intellivision system (name TBA) will carry on
the company tradition of “firsts” with its new concept, design
and approach to gaming.
Video Games Live™ creator and 30 year video game industry
veteran Tommy Tallarico has been named President of
Intellivision Entertainment as the company turns its focus on a
rebranding and reimagining for the 21st century while still
paying homage to its legacy roots. “I grew up playing
Intellivision with my parents and younger brother,” says
Tallarico. “It was always my favorite system because the games
were cutting edge, yet fun and simple to play so our entire
family could enjoy them together. I find those important
elements to generally be lacking from our industry with the
current modern gaming consoles. Our goal is to change that by
focusing on bringing all age groups and levels of gamers and
non-gamers together while introducing new generations of people
to the legacy success of the Intellivision brand.”
Original Intellivision team members will also play important
roles in the creation, development, software and design of the
new platform. Intellivision Entertainment Chairman Steve Roney
and Intellivision Entertainment Vice President of Technology
Bill Fisher have been involved with Intellivision since 1981.
Both Steve and Bill were programmers and designers for some of
the first home video games to ever have voice/speech (Space
Spartans© & B-17 Bomber©). Other Intellivision members include
original Game Design & Development Group Leader David Warhol,
known for designing and producing over 25 Intellivision titles
as well as designing, programming and composing for the first
home console video game to ever have wall-to-wall continuous
music (Thunder Castle©). Eight year Intellivision veteran and
Vice President Emily Reichbach Rosenthal will be heading up the
Licensing Division, and longtime Intellivision contractor, tech
guru and historian Paul Nurminen has been named Vice President
of Product Development.
INTELLIVISION FACTS & FIRSTS
• Intellivision was the first 16-bit game console, a full 2
generations before it became the industry standard.
• The original Intellivision system was so popular that it sold
across 3 decades (1979 – 1990).
• The Intellivision control disc was the predecessor to what
later became the industry standard directional pad (D-Pad). It
was also the first game console to allow for 16 directions while
offering 4 action buttons and a 12-button keypad, which opened
up greater game play options and control.
• The Intellivision was the first video game console that had a
built in PAUSE feature.
• The very first video game to have speech/voice was the 1979
Intellivision release of Major League Baseball.
• Intellivision was the first console which incorporated
professional sports licensing for its sports games, the boxes
were emblazoned with official logos from Major League Baseball
(MLB), National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League
(NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Professional
Golfers’ Association (PGA), North American Soccer League (NASL),
Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), American Backgammon
Players Association (ABPA), the United States Chess Federation
(USCF) and the U.S. Ski Team.
• Intellivision had the largest home console software library in
the world with the release of their cross-platform "System
Changer" device that allowed Atari® 2600 games to be played on
the Intellivision system.
• 30 years ahead of its time, the Intellivision was the very
first game console to offer digital distribution of video games
through the PlayCable service. The PlayCable adapter connected
to the Intellivision cartridge port and allowed the downloading
of games through a cable TV subscription. New York Yankee legend
and Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle was the TV and print ad
spokesmen for the product which was released in 1981.
• With the release of the Keyboard Component, Intellivision
became the first video game system that was able to be used and
turned into a home computer.
• The Intellivision game Utopia© was the very first “real time
strategy” and city building/god game.
• Intellivision was responsible for the first “Console War” when
it launched a national ad campaign against then rival Atari®, by
using side-by-side comparisons with journalist George Plimpton
as its spokesman.
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