Now this is how to do a Kickstarter. Today’s craze on Kickstarter is OUYA, a new game console for the TV — and it’s powered by Android. Oh, and it met its $950 thousand goal in less than 24 hours.
Now, before you go bashing it because it’s Android-powered, just give me a minute here. This project needs to happen. It’s what consoles need. Like I said last week, I still don’t agree that mobile is the future of gaming, and the people behind OUYA feel the same way. Julie Uhrman, the founder of OUYA, grew up gaming on a television, and some of her best memories of gaming happened in the living room.
Think about it. I grew up with consoles. There’s something about having four or more people huddled around a television, yelling when someone snipes someone else or takes the lead in a racing game. Mobile is making a gamer-on-the-go that’s disconnected from a genuine, intimate gaming experience. Yes, creative developers are making mobile and social games because it’s more affordable and developer-friendly. The current state of consoles aren’t as friendly as they should be, but OUYA plans to change that.
They want to hand the reigns over to the developer, and I’m all for that. They’re all about making games less expensive to make and buy. I know I’m tired of paying $60 for half-assed console games. The only condition is that some of the gameplay has to be free — whether it is a free demo with a full-game upgrade, in-game items, or subscription. What I love is that anyone can make a game, because every OUYA console is a dev kit. I have no idea how to develop a game, but I could sure as hell try if I wanted to. OUYA is an open design, and hackers are welcome here.
Gamers should be embracing this with open arms. Think about all of the possibilities. You can root the OUYA with no void to your warranty, you can create your own peripherals, connect via USB or Bluetooth; there’s literally no end to the creativity, and it’s all encouraged.
What else can you do? Watch Twitch.TV on your OUYA through 1080p. Move over honey, I’m gonna watch a League of Legends tournament on the 55-inch tv tonight; forget watching it on my PC. OUYA’s specs include a Tegra3 quad-core processor, 1GB of RAM, HDMI connection with 1080p support, wireless controllers, USB 2.0, and Android 4.0.
I could not be more on-board for this. You won’t have your big names of Halo and Call of Duty, but you’ll get creative developers with an open source console. We could see some big and unique games come to this. Just taking some of your favorite mobile games and bringing them to a television and living room setting will change the whole dynamic. Minecraft and Canabalt are two examples. But it’s so much more than that. Really good games could be made for cheap. The next big RPG or third-person shooter could be free with some cheap payment options. And all of this on a $99 console.
The OUYA is exactly what gaming needs. Mobile isn’t the future of gaming; a cheap, open-source console with free-to-play games that’s easy and inexpensive to develop for and is hacker friendly is the future. And the reality is, it looks like it’s going to happen. In my honest opinion, I think there’s a shift in the gaming world coming, and it doesn’t go by Xbox 720 or PS4 or iPhone 5s — it goes by the name of OUYA. It may not take over, but it’ll sure as hell live side-by-side with the big boys.
“The OUYA is exactly what gaming needs. Mobile isn’t the future of gaming; a cheap, open-source console with free-to-play games that’s easy and inexpensive to develop for and is hacker friendly is the future. ”
AHAHAHAHAHAHAH your a big a joke as the system
its a non starter, thats basically already forgotten
I’d like to know your thought process behind this comment. The Kickstarter already raised almost $2 million. How is that a non-starter? And every gaming site on the Internet is posting articles about the OUYA right now. How is it already forgotten?
You confuse me, good sir.
1) Its not going to be sold in stores
2) No game company is going to support it
3) Its a kickstarter projects with means they have limited funds, distribution channels ect
its the news of the day, its cute. Its nothing any gamer would care about
1) Says who?
2) Several game companies are already supporting it. Sure, they’re mostly indies, but that’s the charm of the OUYA. Indie devs are going to swarm to the thing because of how accessible it is to them.
3) Minecraft had “limited funds, distribution channels, etc.” at first. Mojang’s done quite well for itself since then.
1) Says the fact that without physical media or a name, or any kind of collateral gamestop wouldnt carry it, a walmart woulnt carry it. Its not going to be carried anywhere
2) Nobody is supporting it with games. And I doubt once indies find out nobody is paying for there games they will stop supporting it to
3) Yeah because a game sold online is the same as a SYSTEM. I mean, your not only comparing apples and oranges, your comparing a boulder to caviar
Look I get your probably a small site, you want hits, you need to say some outrageous things. But be honest. Those who support the kickstarter get the systems. Nobody else will
Your logic is totally flawed and flat out wrong.
1)They already said they’re meeting with stores and distributors. The selling point is going to be its price and that people already want it. Stores will see that and pounce.
2) By big game companies I’m assuming you mean publishers. Smaller but talented devs are going to love this thing, and already love the concept. If people are purchasing it, they’ll make games for it. And if it is Android-based, it’ll get any games that go to the Android store anyways.
3) They have over the amount of funds they requested. The funds will definitely be there.
I really don’t understand the reasoning behind anything you say. And I’ve been called worse than a joke. You should put on your big boy pants and think of something more clever.
The only flawed logic is your own
1) Pretending to meet with them, and having them laugh you out the door are different things. It wont be in any legit store. Price is a great selling point if you have compelling games, otherwise it means nothing. How do we know people want it? Because of the kickstarter where fake accounts and numbers makes the number of successful fundings go form 25 percent to 7 percent?
2) I am sure they will love not making a dime when its hacked immediately and nobody pays for a game.
3) Again we dont know that
Its a nonstarter. A nonsense diversion thats a cute thing until the wii u launches this year
It’s worth noting that GameStop has, in the past, sold standalone devices with only a small selection of games built into them. As has Wal-Mart. And there’s always Amazon. Worst case scenario, they’ll be able to sell it on their own site and ship it to you (seeing as this is a thing that does happen).
This gaming generation has already seen a tremendous reformation in the size and shape of indie gaming. Development and distribution is already possible through digital channels; Ouya just brings that to your television with less overhead than even something like OnLive.
20 years ago………
that isnt a way to make yourself known or sell mass units
which is why I am saying its a non starter
Not 20 years ago. I’m talking maybe five. With Wal-Mart, today. Thinkgeek, as well, carries stuff like that. I know there was an Atari joystick sold at GameStop that included a collection of built-in Atari games.
The point is, this is a system that already has a tremendous degree of investment; of those invested, hundreds want development units, and thousands want a console to play early, before it hits stores. Selling the system doesn’t seem like it’s going to be the problem OUYA will face.
Oh so you mean you want the system in the shit bin?
thousands aint enough to be a success which is what I am saying. And I guarentee you the only store it might sell in is radio shack.
Dont believe me?
How about the fact that pretty much every other game news site and its users have panned it as worthless already
Actually, if anything, they seem ridiculously excited about it. In fact, the major game news sites were the ones pushing it in the first place. It’d be awfully silly for them to flip-flop like that, wouldn’t it?
And, no, I don’t want the system “in the shit bin.” The point is that retailers have demonstrated that they have a place for standalone hardware.
“The OUYA is exactly what naming needs.” Now THAT’s a joke.
You know I really believe gaming is going to die at some point. It’s fanfare will lose steam and when that happens. It’ll return to core nerdy gamers. Now we have this new cute console concept because of the stronghold Ouya developers think Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony has on the market. I predict we’ll get so many watered down cookie cutter quick buck games that no one will give a sh** about gaming. I surely miss the old world. So let me get this right ouya a open source hackable console that you want me to use my credit card on to buy games. I guess we learned not from Sony security issue. I see people hacking the thing putting Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft games on it and Ouya getting into patent issues. Goodluck with the thing if it succeed fine and if it doesn’t I won’t lose sleep either. This may be may last round in gaming anyway. It just not what it used to be.
What I would like is a unified system that plays all games from angry birds to halo to god of war. Not a 10th console to play the same games I already freaking own. Thanks but no thanks. WiiU, Wii, PS3, PS4, Xbox360, 720, Onlive, Valve ?? and don’t forget Ouya anyone.
1) Any company that says, “Look, we made $2 million in 24 hours” is going to be taken seriously by most retailers.
2) Hacking could potentially be a problem. But I think the success of the kickstarter is a pretty good early sign of goodwill on the part of the players. I mean, people tend to feel a bit worse about stealing an indie game than they do stealing a game like Call of Duty. And they should. Unless they are completely soulless.
3) They’ve made like double the amount they requested already. And there are 29 more days for them to raise even more money.
4) (Yes, there’s a 4 now. Deal with it.) Do you work for Nintendo?
1) No they wont, not even close. You need real collateral
2) you dont know kickstarter like i do
3) Again, irrelevant we dont know the details of this opperation
4) wow a 4 hole indie games on other platforms…..wow
1) What sort of collateral are we talking here? Gold? Jewelry? Garden gnomes?
2) Do you cuddle?
3) We know dollar amounts. $2 million is a lot.
4) What?
1. They have Mojang interested, which is a big plus. If they can get Minecraft on there, then that’ll be a fantastic start for them. I’d buy OUYA for Minecraft.
2. Are you the Kickstarter Captain? The site hasn’t been around long enough for anyone to claim to *know* Kickstarter.
3. We don’t know all the details yet, but the fact that they’ve gotten that much support in 24 hours, faster than even the Double Fine Kickstarter is a fantastic sign for the company.
4. Your number 4 makes no sense.
What we SHOULD be discussing is the name! OUYA. I FEEL SO WEIRD ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE READ IN AN AL PACINO VOICE ALA HIS CHARACTER FROM SCENT OF A WOMAN.
Minecraft is one of the games they specifically mention in their video, I believe. I expect a happy dance of some sort, Jenni.
Also, thanks to your commentary on the name I am now creeped out and don’t know that I’ll be sleeping tonight.
I bet I can make your nightmares tonight even more unpleasant.
Think of that Sonic the Hedgehog Hello Kitty stuffed today that was announced today. Now think of Silence of the Lambs. Now think of the Sonic the Hedgehog Hello Kitty yelling “OUYA!” at the top of its lungs, voiced by Al Pacino.
I’d leave the lights on.
Aaaaand I’m up writing articles all night.
1) Yeah because people dont have micraft on the pc right or xbla?
2) I kind of am as I am involved in over 10, talk to the creators and they will tell you how shitty it really is
3) your right we dont know………again your comparing apples with turtles…….A weird console like thing vs a game from a legend. Most kickstarter flop……your focusing on the donations, but at the end we wont know how many are still there and what would that amount to cost wise? 100 systems?
Apples to turtles? I love that phrase. I hope you don’t mind if I steal it.
Y’know, I kinda like this troll. Can we keep him? I promise to teach him proper grammar and spelling. We can dress him in a Fluttershy hoodie from WeLoveFine.com and keep him in your basement.
Not my basement though. I don’t like him THAT much.
1. And the people who don’t have an Xbox 360? Hell, I bought Minecraft for my tablet and I’d jump on a Vita or 3DS version if one showed up.
2. 10? How many funded? I’m having a hard time imagining anyone giving money to a person who can’t spell and use proper punctuation.
3. You do realize Double Fine is a company and not a game. And the game they are making thanks to Kickstarter is a new and original project.
4. You didn’t respond to my #4. Kinda feeling a little sad about that.
1) Thats kinda sad
The sign of a person with no argument is when they start insulting internet grammar
Kickstarter only worked for double fine because they had a legend attached to it. Ive been told by more than 3 creators that its next to impossible otherwise
which is sort of what happened here.
“which is sort of what happened here.”
Uh… No. They actually outpaced the Double Fine Kickstarter. They also demolished the Penny Arcade Kickstarter, which launched today as well: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/575109064/penny-arcade-sells-out
They seem to have had the optimal Kickstarter experience, actually.
comparing a game kickstarter to this is ridiculous
A Kickstarter is a Kickstarter. Its success is measured by whether it hits its goal (and by how much it surpasses it) seeing as that’s the point at which the individuals who started the Kickstarter are guaranteed to get their money. So, they’re getting paid. It was a successful Kickstarter. That’s about all there is to it.
1) A company has to have assets, they can back up in case the stock in the stores becomes worthless, so the retailer doesnt sue the bajesus out of the company
The company has done the design work already. The Kickstarter funding is for production. Do you really think they don’t have any other capital if they’ve already got hardware prototypes built, etc.?
design work is as simple as a computer program
No, I mean physical design work. As in they’ve built the thing.
ok so they are building them for those who supported the kickstarter
They built the prototype and designed the software already, though. That’s man-hours and supplies, all of which cost money already, showing that there’s existing capital of some degree.
they built an imaginary prototype with imaginary software…….
It hasnt been seen in any form of actual practice
It is funny people are this dellusional though.
They demonstrate the prototype in their video, show some of the physical design process, etc.
If your best argument is “it’s probably fake,” which it seems to be, you’re going to have a hard time convincing anyone.
videos not live huh
I dont have to convince anyone most people already are calling bs
Are you suggesting they should bring it to you, personally, and demonstrate it in front of you? Do you truly feel that this is a reasonable request?
if they want to mass market sell it they better be prepared for live demos
let me guess your the 3 operators of this site and your on the attack huh>
Nah. We’re just having fun.
the funny thing is Ive gotten out of this is its going to have 4 games from other platforms built in and its going to reside in the shit bin of walmart
I don’t know that it’s the “future” of gaming by any means. It’s not as if indie developers aren’t developing and publishing creative, innovative, and low-priced games as it stands now, most just aren’t on console. And now with Steam Greenlight, we’re sure to see an even greater influx of indie content in the near future.
They’ve got some great developers saying nice things about the system, but until gamers are saying nice things about the games, Joe Nobody is not really going to care. And while making it open-source and available for all to develop seems attractive, if it quickly becomes a box overloaded with shovelware, people aren’t going to want to wade through it all to find the diamonds in the rough.
I expect it’ll find a niche market similar to OnLive, but a lack of big-budget high-quality gaming experiences will keep it from reaching the sort of mainstream success necessary to be “The Future of Gaming.”
The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it’ll do even better in those areas, but for now it’s a fantastic way to organize and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod’s strengths are its web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perhaps it is your best choice.
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