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