Kickstarter OUYA Console Project Unites Developers, Embraces Hackers for $99

OUYA is kind of a weird name for a game console but we might be hearing it more and more soon enough. OUYA could turn into an iconic name like Xbox or PS3. I’m talking about a new Android based console that could potentially change the console market as we know it. Not only can it change the industry but it could be a hint as to what may come from the big 3 in the next generation.

Casual games are what you think of when you think mobile games. The fact is that most mobile games now are shifting focus and you’re seeing bigger titles on those devices. Infinity Blade, Angry Birds, and N.O.V.A are just a few big games that make it to mobile devices and do really well in sales for their developers. What would be cool is if you could play some of those games on a TV, with the surround sound and HD video.

The UI might look familiar

That’s what OUYA sets to accomplish. OUYA will be a gaming console fueled by the Android OS to give gamer’s the ability to enjoy casual games and more on their TV at home, with a controller. The best part about this console is that anyone can develop for it and not have to worry about certification, licensing fees, or any other road blocks. The console comes with a free SDK which will allow any developer to get their games out there on the Android marketplace with ease.

In the video below, get a look at some of the minds behind the console and their vision:

Hackers can tweak this console however they want it. The interesting thing about that lies with the software itself. There’s a centralized team working on this but there a lot of talented developers out there that aren’t necessarily in the spotlight yet, but could be with the help this console. I think that OUYA will bring console gaming to a whole new level with it’s $99 price point and ease of development alone.Here are the specs for the console:

• 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 OUYA console with controller

The specs look promising and the Android platform could work well with it. It’ll be interesting to find out what kind of games we’ll eventually see on the console and how much power it has compared to other consoles on the market.

This is a Kickstarter project after all and the goal was to raise $950,000. That goal has already been meant is in the $3 million range right now so who knows how awesome this console could turn out to be. If you’re wondering what the next generation would be like, this might be a step in that direction.

With your help, we need to:

• Convert our prototype to production-ready models and get all the regulatory approvals (yeah, we need these to sell them)
• Deliver developer kits (for early developers so we can have games on day one, though every console will include an SDK once we launch)
• Place our first production orders (we are working with a manufacturing firm with lots of game hardware experience, but we need to know how many to make!)
• Ideally, fund some initial game development (i.e., 1st-party games)

And if you’re international, we want your help too…gaming is global, and we willget you OUYA. We still have a lot to figure out in regards to rights and countries, but it can be done. Look what we’ve accomplished already!

Games will be available in all genres

If you’re looking for the next big thing, help the OUYA project. I honestly think this could be really great for the industry as a whole. Bringing the flexibility of the mobile game market a putting that on a console is what developers want so I think we’ll see a ton of games on the service.

All the games will also focus on a free-to-play model and apps like Twitch.TV will be available for download.

Check out the Kickstarter page below to take a look OUYA’s message and the power already behind the project. Out of all the tired and usueless projects there may be on the site, this one is not one of them. It’s an idea that has legs and could quite literally give “power to the players”.

OUYA Kickstarter project page