Blowfish12: Game Console

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Android Powered $99 Ouya Games Console Shipped To First Supporters

A new games console which industry experts say could disrupt the industry has begun shipping to kickstarter backers who helped the Android-based project get going last year. For the rest of us, there’s an official retail release date: June 4.

Games on the system will be a fraction of the cost of traditional console games, more comparable to those found on mobiles and tablets. However, it may struggle to muscle in on a market dominated by big players such as PlayStation and Xbox, one analyst predicted.

The Ouya was financed using crowdfunding website Kickstarter, where it attracted over $8m (£5.3m) in funding from 63,416 backers.

The company has begun sending out consoles to the first supporters of the project – while other interested gamers can pre-order the device.

About 55 games will be available with today’s release, according to [Ouya founder Julie] Uhrman. The cube-shaped player uses a version of Android that requires developers to create applications and games just for the device. Games must be free, offer a free trial or have free add-ons, the company said. … Ouya plans to keep 30 percent of game sales, with developers getting the rest.

Blowfish12@2013 blowfish12.tk Author: Sudharsun. P. R.

Ouya Console Starts Shipping to Kickstarter Backers With 104 Games (mashable.com)
Android Powered $99 Ouya Games Console Shipped To First Supporters(frontpage24x7.wordpress.com)
Ouya video game console ships on June 4 (slashgear.com)
Ouya unboxing (engadget.com)
‘Disruptive’ games console launches (bbc.co.uk)
Kickstarted, $99 Game Console Ouya Will Launch June 4 (wired.com)

A $99 Android-based video game console that’s free-to-play and “built to be hacked” is currently in development, according to the tech site The Verge (via Kotaku.)

Ouya will have a “high-concept developer ecosystem that’s as free as can be,” The Verge said. The startup behind Ouya claims every customer who buys a retail box will get a software development kit, giving everyone the capability to publish games on the platform. The aim is to disrupt the console business by giving a path for indie game developers to reach gamers more easily and directly.

The console will reportedly connect to your TV. Its sleek look is the work of designer Yves Behar, the chief creative officer of wearable technology company Jawbone and designer of the One Laptop per Child XO laptop. Ex-IGN executive Julie Uhrman, former Vice President of Game Publishing at Microsoft Ed Fries, and Lab126′s Muffi Ghadiali are also allegedly working on the project.

Blowfish12@2012 blowfish12.tk Author: Sudharsun. P. R.