Switch Lights

The lights are on

GameInformer

What's Happening

hirschsc commented on Jellosnake's post about re: Silent Hill HD Collection Receives Patch.
lenn_eavy commented on Jim Reilly's post about Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD Coming To PC.
Charley commented on Kyle Hilliard's post about Saw Writers Taking On God Of War Movie.
SpiderRyno commented on Kyle Hilliard's post about Rumor: Halo 2 Anniversary Edition May Be In Development.
Chance commented on Bryan Vore's post about Angry Birds Trilogy Announced.
FreeInforMan commented on Jeff Cork's post about Next Rocksteady Batman Game Set In Silver Age?.
Jellosnake commented on Kyle Hilliard's post about Silent Hill HD Collection Receives Patch.
Mule commented on Steveman18's post about re: Mass Effect 3 'Earth' DLC Details.
mat898 commented on Kyle Hilliard's post about Saw Writers Taking On God Of War Movie.
janderson4318 commented on Kyle Hilliard's post about Saw Writers Taking On God Of War Movie.
Neverpraying commented on FreeInforMan's post about re: Nightwing And Cyborg Join Cast Of Injustice.
Ace Delos Santos commented on Ben Reeves's post about Nightwing And Cyborg Join Cast Of Injustice.
FreeInforMan commented on Ben Reeves's post about Nightwing And Cyborg Join Cast Of Injustice.
Salt AU commented on Jim Reilly's post about LucasArts Creative Director Quits.
FreeInforMan commented on Ben Reeves's post about Nightwing And Cyborg Join Cast Of Injustice.

Ouya: A New Console For Under $100

News

by Jim Reilly on July 10, 2012 at 06:52 PM

44,235 Views

247

Update: It only took eight hours, but the project reached its Kickstarter pledge goal of $950,000.

-----------------------------------------------

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

● Enclosure opens with standard screws

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

Email the author Jim Reilly, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, Ouya

Comments

sort by date:

by In Soviet Russia Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:22 AM

Hm seems interesting. I'm not familiar with all these specs but how does this compare to the 360 and PS3 memory wise, graphic wise, etc?
by tootiled Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:23 AM

Awesome. Great specs for the price.
by Master of Unlocking Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:23 AM

How do you pronounce that?
by Darth-Carbonite Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:25 AM

Not to shabby under the hood, but will anyone actually make games for it......
by Arcade Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:27 AM

The revolution will be televised! Can't wait to participate and witness the evolution of video games! See yall on the other side!
by ocdfreak Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:28 AM

I smell a failure, to be honest. It seems like a console with little to offer is a market saturated with great games. I hope to be proven wrong, but I'm very wary to support this. It appears to be the console equivalent of that indie band you and your friends started in high school. How is that going now? What? You spent money recording an album, and nobody bought your music? But you were great, and had none of that corporate crap! You should be a millionaire by now!
by The Murph Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:28 AM

I like the look of the controller.
by ShintoWave Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:30 AM

waste of time
by brettph3lps Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:33 AM

This could spell trouble for the Wii U, but probably not.
by The Destroyer Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:33 AM

Hm...meh, I'm already buying Wii U day one.
by reggiep Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:34 AM

That controller is going to be rough for people with color blindness (which is why Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo label buttons beyond just color). Based on that alone, I'm guessing these people lack imagination and attention to detail and I wouldn't bother investing. Besides that, console success is always based on software. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have the clout to get developers on board. I doubt these guys do. But I wish them luck.
by The Brain Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:37 AM

This will go down in flames, screaming while it peels it's own face off. If you know from the GIO community you know I have an unhealthy obsession with Indies. This could be a great vehicle for the little guys, but this will certainly fail. Hopefully I'm wrong and I get to pick up an affordable Indie-box that actually has a future.
by Dustin G Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:39 AM

Seems like a reasonably spec'd platform especially for the price. The lack of a large HDD concerns me especially with the type of games they are obviously wanting to attract.

While I sincerely doubt anything would replace my PS3 and Xbox, at $100 I could definitely see it as a third console to use for the kind of games it is marketing.

Edit: Had a second look at that controller, it looks a lot like the boomerang prototype from the PS3, IMO it does need a significant redesign and some kind of marking for the buttons wouldn't hurt other than circles.

Also I really dig the included dev kit and ability to root and mess with the system without being punished for it. If nothing else maybe it will do well enough with modding that Sony and Microsoft will finally give in and make a steamworks like platform for games. I'd say Nintendo but lets be honest we can't even get real online out of them.
by Zimxiii Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:40 AM

This looks really interesting, just hope it comes out with a good line-up of games and maybe Ot will he a day one for me. And that touchpad controller, looks awesome but looks as if it can get in the way of playing games like touching it on accident.
by nickpeck35 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:40 AM

ios and andriod games are passable on the handheld devices, but will look like crap on the big screen. Not to mention the $2 games are very shallow and really aren't worth the money. These types of games are only "fun" in the way of being short time killers and will NEVER stand up to the main consoles. Waste of time and money if you ask me. Those crappy games are ok on my phone and tablets but that's about it.
by Kamen Rider AE86 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:44 AM

Wonder how they'll do if it launches.
by Salt AU Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:44 AM

Sorry but I really can't see someone taking on the big boys Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. Good luck though I guess, they'll need it.
by volsfan00014 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:51 AM

With the open root code and focus on allowing anyone to develop any game for free, this could open up game modding on the console.
by BombasticTaylor Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 08:54 AM

Has a modern look to it but I'm not getting this. I can't see it doing too well but you never know.