The lights are on
Update: It only took eight hours, but the project reached its Kickstarter pledge goal of $950,000.
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A new startup is looking to battle Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo in the living room with a brand-new console with an inexpensive price point.
Ouya, built on a custom-based Android operating system targeted to launch early next year, is open to any developer looking to publish a game. The developers also set pricing; the one catch is that every game must have a free portion available, whether through a demo or free-to-play model. The console also supports other Android apps, such as TwitchTV, which comes included.
Though some private funding has been secured already, the company has set up a Kickstarter page asking for an additional $950,000. You can visit Ouya's page right here.
So far, no games have been confirmed, but a number of notable developers are already praising the device, such as Mojang, the developer behind Minecraft, Brian Fargo of inXile Entertainment, and Jenova Chen of thatgamecompany.
Below are the current hardware specs.
Console
● Tegra 3 -- Quad-core processor
● 1 GB LPDDR2 RAM
● 8 GB on-board flash
● HDMI connection to the TV at 1080p HD
● WiFi 802.11bgn
● Bluetooth LE 4.0
● Enclosure opens with standard screws
Controller
● Wireless controller with 2.4Ghz RF
● Standard game controls (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, a system button)
● Touchpad, for porting mobile games more easily
● 2x AA batteries
OS and software
● Android 4.0
● Custom TV UI
●Integrated custom game store -- find and download games (and other apps)
● Includes SDK for game development
● Ability to root device without voiding warranty
Interesting. I'm glad we see more companies plunging into the console world, especially with it's unique ideas.
I'm not sure they're looking to compete with Sony and Microsoft, or even Nintendo, but I do think they can tap into a unique market. Particularly the indie market, but also the app market.
This console (read "large tablet") may be the thing i need to get my 4 year old off my PS3 so I can play Skyrim,ACIII, ect. Not a bad price but I dont see it holding its own with the big 3. Seems more like compitition with the iPad, but for a bigger screen.
Wow, this is practically freeware. Impressive a console would go this far.
Sounds interesting, would end up being a popular platform for indie and smaller developers. But I just don't see the big publishers latching onto it unless it sells a billion units. Which it won't do without the big developers backing it.
This is pointless unless they can reel in some higher caliber games... and the timing is *** too because both the next-gen xbox and playstation come out next year and will make the specs on this thing look like absolute ***
This looks pretty cool but I'm not going to get it. But getting apps to play on your tv is pretty cool and it costs about half as much as my ipod.
I feel like this would be a decent space for indie games, but then again, I don't know how many people will buy a completely unknown console.
i would buy it :) looking foward to it
looks nice
do not want
Looks like it could potentially be good, but they're a little late to the game. People are going to be skeptical unless they can really impress before release.
I shall nickname this new console the Shiny Phantom.
But seriously, it's pronounced, oh yeah! But with a Boston accent.