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
Looks like a risk
I kinda wanna get one
You have my attention...
Looks like a piece of crap that will never see the light of day. But good luck!
hurray something new to try out
Best of luck to them. Seems neat. I have the same question, how do these specs compare to Xbox 360 and PS3?
Canabalt is a fun game, by the way.
Stupid just plain stupid.
Intresting I might half to look into buying one
So basically looking at the specs this is a phone that you need to hook up to a TV to use, minus the ability to you know, phone people or move it etc.
Pass.
I appreciate what they're trying to do. I hope it's able to make an impact.
This isn't such a good idea. I mean, do we really want a FOURTH console?
Download games to what, the 8gb flash? Looks like there are a few developers on board because this is a streaming system. 8gb means one, maybe two major titles on the system at one time. Any external storage at all? SD card, external HDD?
It's a casual gaming system at best. Angry Birds and Minecraft, not Mass Effect and CoD. It's not a console, it's an Android phone that needs your TV as the screen. By the time this releases the specs on your phone will be higher than what is listed here.
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.