2G20 - 4: Ouya

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:32 pm

It’s 2G20, a stupid year, so why not go back in time and talk about the Ouya.

Actually I was just thinking about it and how it got so much Kickstarter money but then it was apparently a crap product that nobody wanted.

But you’d think someone would try something like that again, and try to do it better? Has someone? The concept was obviously popular, it was just the execution where everything fell apart.

Discuss.

Damien · Post by **Damien** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:05 pm

I can barely remember what it was.

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:37 pm

The Ouya (/ˈuːjə/ OO-yə), stylized as OUYA, is an Android-based microconsole developed by Ouya Inc. Julie Uhrman founded the project in 2012, bringing in designer Yves Béhar to collaborate on its design and Muffi Ghadiali as VP of Product Management to put together the engineering team. Development was funded via Kickstarter, raising US$8.5 million, becoming one of the website's highest earning projects in its history.

Quick Facts: Manufacturer, Type ...
Units started to ship to Kickstarter backers in March 2013 and were released to the general public in June 2013. It features an exclusive Ouya store for applications and games designed specifically for the Ouya platform, of which the majority are casual games targeted at or used by a mass audience of casual gamers. Out of the box, Ouya supports media apps such as Twitch and the Kodi media center. It runs a modified version of Android Jelly Bean, with rooting being officially encouraged. The console's hardware design allows it to be easily opened up, requiring only a standard screwdriver for easy modding and possible hardware add-ons.

All systems can be used as development kits, allowing any Ouya owner to also be a developer, without the need for licensing fees. All games were initially required to have some kind of free-to-play aspect, whether that be completely free, has a free trial, or has purchasable upgrades, levels, or other in-game items. This requirement was later removed.

Despite the successful Kickstarter campaign, sales were lackluster, causing financial problems for Ouya Inc. and forcing the company to wind down the business. Its software assets were sold to Razer Inc., who announced the discontinuation of the console in July 2015. Razer continued to provide software support for existing Ouya units until June 2019, when it shut down Ouya storefront, services and accounts, making most apps on the console unusable. The Ouya has since been considered a commercial failure.

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:39 pm

Honestly a lot of this still sounds cool, except the original free-to-play requirement, since free-to-play usually means money-baiting trash.

Vibing_V · Post by **Vibing_V** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:43 pm

I vaguely remember this but had completely forgotten about it.

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:46 pm

I’m here to post that I don’t care much for this hot topic

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 10:48 pm

ENGAGE WITH IT

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 12:48 am

I don’t really care about the Ouya. It seemed overhyped and overhyped for a good long time. So far I think it has served its purpose as a cool way to experiment with an emulator.

In fact it was an overhyped game console in that it was an early attempt to bring console gaming to the PC, but it didn't seem to work out. It was not a good enough product to sell many consoles and it has been an early failure as a consumer product.

I have no idea why Ouya got as big as they did. There's a lot of confusion and lack of knowledge of Ouya out there; I'm the least qualified to talk about it to help people. However, here's what I know about Ouya from my knowledge. It's a console designed with the first-person shooter genre in mind. It's very good at first person shooters. I'm a long time fan of first person shooters, and I've played a lot of them. And it's been a really good product.

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:10 am

I think this AI is full of crap!

eightman · Post by **eightman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:53 am

needed killer app. Towerfall was fun but didn't cut it and was released on everything rlse.

Basically not much different from it or any other tv android box.

Controllers were kinda meh from what i remember.

Basically, get a tv box, bluetooth controller, and you're set. Or download retro controller based games on your actual console.

Technically speaking nvidia shield pretty much ended up doing the same stuff just better without all the extra crap that didn't add anything.

Damien · Post by **Damien** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 9:19 am

I remember seeing it in GAME and that you could play Final Fantasy III (mobile version) on it. Was never interested in it though.
Guess Apple Arcade is the most recent similar idea.

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:18 am

Except Apple Arcade doesn’t have the “it’s also a devkit with no extra cost” element.

Damien · Post by **Damien** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 1:18 pm

Ouya (oh yeah)!

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:59 pm

We will revive the Ouya with all the enthusiasm of this hot topic!

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:14 pm

Ou no!

Lord Golbez · Post by **Lord Golbez** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:57 pm

Why are people talking about this console again?

eightman · Post by **eightman** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 6:02 pm

WaWard wrote:Ou no!

What about Uno?

I find all the rule variants irksome

WaWard · Post by **WaWard** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 7:44 pm

Lord Golbez wrote:Why are people talking about this console again?

I can only presume fei is the last person to be drunk

Fei Ayanami · Post by **Fei Ayanami** » Sat Aug 01, 2020 3:26 am

Lord Golbez wrote:Why are people talking about this console again?

It crossed my mind for some reason while I was chatting with d in iMessage so I thought “bet everyone on SG is dying to discuss the Ouya”