OUYA: The Android Game Console

OUYA, the Android based game console is set for launch this coming June, and there is a quite a bit of discussion as to the extent OUYA will affect the console competition. Back when OUYA was still a Kickstarter, it received more than $8.5 million in funding. There are already multiple game publishers lined up to deliver content, including Square Enix and NAMCO Bandai. OUYA CEO and creator, Julie Uhrman has promised that there will be games of all genres, such as shooters, platformers, arcade games, sports games, and indie games. She hopes that by combining a console format with the easily accessible open mobile SDKs, OUYA will help all developers and individual hackers "bring their craft to the world."

What Gamers can Expect

Costing only $99, OUYA will have a Tegra 3 quad core processor, which is comparable to recent smartphones. The main difference now, is that you can put a controller in your hand, and view the games on a large screen. It will have apps, music streaming capabilities, entertainment apps, and more. OUYA's official site currently says its partners include VEVO, iheartradiom TuneIn, XBMX, Plex, Twitch.tx, and OnLive.

The partnership made last summer with OnLive is one that will be particularly interesting to see how the service gets integrated into the console. The market of cloud gaming services is still trying to find its way into the console marketplace, and OUYA may be able to help open the door. Even Sony bought out Gaikai last summer with anticipation of the rise of cloud gaming, so OUYA definitely isn't alone.


Another bonus for gamers is that all games are free-to-play, although there will be in-game items and a paid version after the free trial. You can expect to see many indie games, but also some AAA titles such as Final Fantasy III (remastered for HD graphics). There will also be some exclusives, the first of which is being developed by Robert Bowling, who helped develop some of the titles in the Call of Duty franchise. It will be a prequel to the game Human Element.

A Completely Open Gaming Console

Taking Apart OUYA

One feature about OUYA that has many people excited is the fact that it is completely open. This means that any developer can make games for OUYA without paying any kind of fee, including licensing, retail, publishing, etc. OUYA is a development kit itself, and anyone with one has the potential to develop their own games for it. Because of this, you can definitely expect to see content being delivered not only from game developers, but also from any hacker out there with the time and skills needed to create their own content.

The custom OUYA SDK is literally built right on top of the standard Android platform. Anyone who designs their own games can choose where to price their product, as long as the initial download is free. As the creators of OUYA state, "OUYA is built to be hacked." You can root the device, open it up, add on your own peripherals, and more, all without voiding your warranty.

Technical Specifcations

Console

• Tegra 3 Quad Core Processor
• 1 GB LPDDR2 RAM
• 8 GB internal flash storage
• HDMI capabilities
• WiFi capable
• Bluetooth LE 4.0
• Ethernet port
• Micro USB port

Controller

• Wireless controller with 2.4Ghz RF
• Standard game controls (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, system button)
• Touchpad, for porting mobile games more easily
• 2x AA batteries

OS and Software

• Android 4.0
• Custom TV UI
• Integrated custom game store - users can search for and download games and apps
• SDK included for game development
• Ability to root device without voiding the warranty

If you are interested in picking up an OUYA, Amazon is now accepting pre-orders (Coming June 2013).

Check out the OUYA Kickstarter promo video below!

So what are your thoughts on OUYA? Will you be picking one up? How about developing your own content? Let us know in the comments below.

Posted in: android, games, ouya, rooting