Ouya – The Next Big Game Console?

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have enjoyed massive success making consoles for gamers around the world, but a new challenger is approaching. Its name is Ouya, and though it might be small in size it’s looking to do big things.

Arriving on the crowdsourcing website Kickstarter with a lofty goal of $950,000, Ouya struck a chord with many gamers. In just a few short days, the Ouya team had exceeded their goal and raised over 3 million dollars to make their new console. In a little under a month, the Ouya Kickstarter raised over $8.5 million. Pretty impressive for a console without a big name company behind it. But what exactly is all the buzz about and why did so many gamers throw their money at their computer screens to see the project become a reality?

The answer is simple – games. The creators of the Ouya feel that console gaming has been neglected and aims to remedy the situation by giving small game publishers an easy to use platform to launch their games from. Every game on the Ouya will be free in some shape or form, whether it is a fully free to play game or just has a free trial or demo option.

Without a doubt another part of the console’s appeal is the Ouya’s slick look. The small chrome box packs a lot more processing power than one would expect and will be running off of the Android operating system. The controller follows classic gaming controller conventions featuring a d-pad, four face buttons, analog sticks, triggers and shoulder buttons.

The whole package is just incredibly nice to look at, and right out of the box the Ouya can be used in a variety of ways, whether by taking advantage of the video game streaming service OnLive, watching live steams of E-sport games such as League of Legends or Starcraft 2 on the Twitch.tv app, or listening to music through iHeartRadio.

Backers of the project will be receiving their consoles around March of next year, but what about the many that are waiting on the sidelines to see if the Ouya actually delivers many of its lofty promises? Gamers will just have to wait it out and see.

 

Possibly Related Posts:

• Friday Fiction: Snowfall In The Living Room
• “It Came From The Archives” Doctor Who Special Reviews: The Church on Ruby Road
• Review: Lucky Girl, How I Became A Horror Writer by M. Rickert
• Friday Fiction: Frozen Army
• Foundations: The 5 Best Artifact Cards