The Ouya has caused quit the commotion in the video-game industry since it’s announcement only a few weeks ago. This small little box promises to completely revolutionize console gaming. Using the Android operating system, it offers a completely “hackable” and open market means of developing, giving way more power to the “indie” guys. Oh and a small side note here, all the games are free. Free!? I know, that’s the same question I was asking myself when I first heard about it. In a world filled with over priced initial purchases and paid DLC, it’s quite refreshing to hear the term “free” associated with a video game console. Of course these games will borrow from the business models of popular free-to-play titles, such as League of Legends and Team Fortress 2.
Some groundbreaking news released from Kotaku.com today proves the demand for the Ouya. Apparently the Ouya’s Kickstarter page surpassed it’s goal of $950,000 in under eight hours. Truly a tremendous feat. The console and it’s controller are slated for release in March of 2013. If you’d like more information on the Ouya or a list of the technical specifications, visit the link above to the Kickstarter page.
We want to know what you think. Should companies such as Microsoft and Nintendo be worried about the Ouya? Or should major developers start considering adapting the free-to-play business model?
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As someone who has actually given to this project, yeh I think they should be a little worried. If the games are done right then this will be amazing. LoL does the money thing perfectly. There’s no btw, it’s “hey I’d like my guy to be a giant crab!”, and you can do that. The problem will be the shovel-ware that will flood this box. There will be a lot of crap on this box, but the gems will be worth the price of admission.
Lol, just wait till this has a steam app and a usb port for a mouse/keyboard/hdd and this will sell to the moon!
With open Android support, the sky is the limit. As long as developers take the time to make games worth playing, I think it will do exceptionally well. Hopefully the bigger companies like Microsoft and Nintendo will take not of this shift in gaming.
This is what gamers have been waiting for this console is going to shake things up for the big guys I can’t wait for the release. Oooooh yeah
Exactly. The Free-to-play market is huge and it’s amazing to see someone taking Android to something much more than cell phone gaming. I’m definitely excited.
“We are blown away by your support. With your help, we just raised $2 million. And it’s only the first day.”
And they are easily on their way to $3 mill on their second day and now asking fans what they want in the system. This is only looking better for the company; Kickstarter is such a fantastic idea.
It makes me feel all warm ad tingly inside knowing people are willing to shell out money to support a good cause.
After downgrading from Steam to Xbox Live (yeah I went there!), I’m genuinely excited to see Ouya’s appearance even at the announcement/fundraiser level. I hope Microsoft in particular is terrified. While Steam is majority free in the DLC department, Microsoft is charging sometimes $20 and upwards for the same content, often nothing more than a few weapons or a map pack. It’s getting ridiculous, and hopefully Ouya’s release will help curb this.
You cut me deep…. I do appreciate the level of freeness on Steam. The DLC epidemic is getting outrageous. Personally I just don’t support it in most cases. I still love my Xbox, but I am very excited for the Outs and I do hope this shifts Microsoft’s business model a little.