We already talked to you about Ouya and what it proposed: being a desktop console, based on an Android OS, in which you can freely run and develop any game born for said system. Something that, a priori, looked more than good; Well, a new console is always well received since it leads to greater competition between companies and this should benefit the user. Furthermore, he put on the table really cool ideas, like being able to enjoy free-to-play games like the well-known League of Legends or streaming services like Twitch.tv.
Days after the first rumors and rumors, the team behind Ouya jumped to the fore and exposed ideas and functionalities of their new project. People like the one behind the project and their ideas made disappear, to a certain extent, the fear of a new commercial failure like Phantom was in its day and the suspicions that all this would remain in borage water. It was also clear, days later, that the support from future buyers is total.
Through a crowfounding on Kickstarter, the aim was to raise $ 950.000 to launch a first batch of consoles and accelerate promotional topics and, above all, contact with companies for future developments. Thus, the success was total and in the first 24 hours the target figure was far exceeded. Right now, in the absence of days to finish the term, they have little left to reach five and a half million dollars.
The fact is that behind a good idea, massive support and professional and entrepreneurial people embarked on the project, there is also certain black spots worthy of comment. Perhaps what has most caught people's attention is being able to enjoy all the games for free. And it is true, but not everything is as they paint it. If one pays attention to the information and program of Ouya and its developers, it is stated that all titles available for the console will have a free demo available. Or, what is the same, you will have to pay for the games as we have done so far.
As it is also true that the list of titles that we could see is still very green. Another point to comment on would be the technical section; I read forums, websites and blogs where people think they will be able to enjoy games of the technical caliber of Skyrim or Battlefield 3, to name two famous titles. That is literally impossible knowing that everything will run on a Tegra 3. It is undeniable that it is a great processor, but it is for smartphones. Therefore, it will be difficult to enjoy leading titles in this regard. Although, watch out, I don't think Ouya was born with that idea. The project claims to be a showcase with easy access and fewer obstacles for all types of independent developers. And, yes, I am attracted to a lot.
I have commented on the dangerous resemblance to the Phantom failure that Ouya seemed to have detached from. But the statements by Julie Uhrman, founder of the project, in which she affirms that her project on Kickstarter was nothing more than a claim to attract the attention of potential investors and demonstrate that they have a good user base, they have not sat down entirely well. Something logical knowing that the money you have invested in something that, as promised, would begin to be produced shortly and at the beginning of next year could be in our homes, it is nothing more than proof that the project has a future and viability.
Right now the situation of the console is uncertain. Their support from users, as we say, is undeniable. But it seems that what really matters in the end, investors, is yet to come. I am not saying that this is something crazy, because the creation, production and distribution of a console as it promises to be Ouya they are worth much more than four million dollars. I just think that they should have started with private investment and with a relatively established base and future, move on to crowfounding.
Personally, I don't think they are handling this issue in the best possible way. Half truths in specifications and available games, dates uncertain, promises that they do not even know if they will be able to fulfill, etc. I already said, it seems to me a more than interesting project if we consider that its main purpose is to be a device open to everything and everyone. Those of you who expect a fierce competitor to the current or future generation consoles, you should get that idea out of your mind. Anyway, it seems that still There is a long way to go. We will have to be attentive to how things progress.
More information - Ouya, Android-based video game console, Ouya on Kickstarter