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In an email sent to those who have pre-ordered the console directly from Intellivision, CEO Phil Adam lists a number of steps the company is taking in an attempt to reach the finish line and launch the system.
Most notably, Adam notes: “We have dramatically reined in operating costs, which unfortunately required a significant reduction in staff.
“Our resources are focused on engineering and testing to ensure we have a quality system, as we cannot succeed by producing anything less.”
Adam also states that Intellivision is licensing out its legacy IP to developers who want to release games on other platforms, claiming such licensing deals “will help fund [the] continued development of Amico”.
“A broader distribution of Intellivision classic IP will also help raise awareness of Intellivision while not directly competing with Amico because of Amico’s unique controllers and family-focused gaming adaptations,” Adam says.
Further trouble for the company has come in the number of customers attempting to cancel their pre-orders and have their initial payments refunded.
“We are slowly processing refund requests,” Adam says. “The public’s uncertainty of our status in the last few months have understandably led to an influx of pre-order refund requests.
“Because of reduced staff and financing requirements for continued operation, our responses to and processing of these requests has been delayed. Rest assured that our intention is to honor all refund requests.
“We will allocate a portion of all new funding and staff time to winding down the refund queue, while our primary focus is funding and completing a quality product ready for manufacturing.”
For now, Adam says Intellivision is still pressing ahead with plans to eventually release the console, stating that the company has started a test production run of consoles “that includes every aspect of the product including packaging”.
“It is critically important to show to our current/future investors, partners, and customers that we have built a sound platform that delivers on the in-home family experience, which requires our immediate focus on value engineering and hardening of the platform,” he says.