Tuesday, July 10th 2012
OUYA: A Hacker-Friendly Android Console
A new Kickstarter project is making waves, by proposing an open-source, hacker-friendly platform using Android as its backbone. "OUYA" merges the "satisfying" experience of a console with the developer-friendly nature of the Android marketplace. The project is seeking nearly a million dollars in funds, but it's already managed to reach more than half its lofty goal within just a day. The project's goal is $950,000, a figure it's likely to hit. It's been less than a day, and it's hit more than $590,000. That's no doubt because the higher dollar amounts, $95 and $99, offer the console itself as a reward. So far, the project hasn't outlined any stretch goals, but they seem likely. The funding will go towards converting the prototype to production models with approvals from regulatory agencies, development kits, production orders, and possibly some first-party game development. It also claims that games will be required to offer a free element, be it a demo or the full game with microtransactions. OUYA has already specified its technical specs, including a Tegra3 quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, 8 GB of flash storage, an HDMI connection, and Android 4.0. The controller looks fairly standard for consoles, with eight action buttons, two analog sticks, a D-pad, and the addition of a touch pad.
Source:
Shacknews
36 Comments on OUYA: A Hacker-Friendly Android Console
EDIT: HERE is the kickstarter page and it's already funded! :toast:
At least the storage.
Other than that, I like it.
I however, will use my SGS3 as a make shift console. MicroUSB to HDMI, bluetooth KB/mouse and/or controller.
:D
I'm debating whether to pledge for one of these...
**EDIT**
going through Mindweavers link, looks like it's already 500k past it's goal.
example : capcom releases SF4 super turbo platinum edition.
8 characters to play with, 32 available via micro-transactions.
LC
i see this as awesome, i own an xperia play and gaming on android has gotten very good and with nova 3, asphalt 7, shadowgun...graphics are looking better and better, and thats running on my single core, old ass gpu just fine. tegra 3 will still have plenty of growing room.
the things i hope they add, sd card, and analog triggers for racing games
What console in every console 5 yr appox. cycle could have not used more RAM?
And it's at 3.3 million...wow!
I really like the concept of this console. The specs may be weak, but I don't think the developer thought that they would get this much support from the community. An unknown company putting out a low-spec gaming console for $99 should be sending some sort of message to the big boys of the business.
AFAIK there is no cost for the SDK and every console can be used as a DevKit, which by itself is pretty amazing. The have a good business model for a niche market. I'm excited to see what is in store for it. I agree that it needs more RAM, but it's a $99 console, money needs to be saved somewhere.
Also, the amount of Crapware that'll be available for Ouya is going to be epic. I'm very sure we'll see some real gems though.
RAM is not a big deal on this platform. they'll run out of storage, CPU and GPU powre before 1GB is a problem.
the big deal here is android, and that the controller has a touchpad - you can play angry birds, chuck on a BT headset and use teamspeak for android, playback every media file you want under the sun (because you'll always be able to slap in any android media software you want)
This is what people want. a cheap console with every game free2play/having a demo, WITH free, third party extras (read: everything android)