Earlier today, a Kickstarter appeared, showcasing a new console that was ready to televise the console revolution. Less than 24 hours after its inception, the OUYA Kickstarter reached its $950k goal. Although the funding is still active for another 29 days, the backers have already spoken. By offering reward tiers geared toward gamers and developers alike, OUYA is pandering directly to the community as a whole. The new console is priced at $99 and attempts to make homebrew gaming a little easier.
It's rare that any device highlights the phrase "Hackers welcome." but OUYA isn't your typical console. Normally, gamers need MacGuyver to help them take apart and successfully root a console, but the Kickstarter explicitly states that OUYA is built for customization. Running the Android 4.0 OS, there is a definite appeal to gamers who play emulated titles on their PCs or Macs, but have yet to crack open a console and tinker around.
If you compare the specs of OUYA to the Xbox 360, you'll notice that for $99, you are getting quite a deal. Here are the specs:
– Tegra3 quad-core processor
– 1GB RAM
– 8GB of internal flash storage
– HDMI connection to the TV, with support for up to 1080p HD
– WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
– Bluetooth LE 4.0
– USB 2.0 (one)
– Wireless controller with standard controls (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, a system button), a touchpad
– Android 4.0
The biggest concern is that Android users typically do not spend money on applications or games, finding other ways around the conventional route of shelling out cash. If this trend continues on OUYA, developers may not hit it rich with a killer idea. At the same time, this opens up the opportunity for devs to make console titles and give them away for free without dealing with licensing, retail, and publishing fees.
There's a lot of potential in this device. Bringing accessibility to the lay-gamer will make rooting and emulating an easier process while providing the creative freedom to make this console anything you want it to be.
Via Joystiq
