Ouya Releases Open Source Game Console And Development Platform [VIDEO]

Start-up gaming console developer Ouya announced this month their new game system.

This hardware allows gamers to play mobile apps and games on their big-screen TVs.

For the first release, only games which are powered by Google’s Android software are supported. Ouya’s goal with this new portable video platform is to bring the gaming experience from the small cell phone screen to the main entertainment hub of the house.

Android game developers have been at a disadvantage in the first-person game area when compared to Sony and Microsoft systems. The Android programs were developed for handheld devices which have smaller screens and lower-performance processors needed to extend battery life.

Also, it’s very rare for an Android-developed hardware  platform to have dedicated graphical processors (GPU) or large, fast memories. Apps for mobile devices were also created with user controls featuring touch-screen swipes and taps, sometimes coupled with inputs from the position sensors for tilting motions.

With a dedicated gaming console, the game developers will have to modify their code to support the hardware interface and features. The cost to create a unique console version of each game is outweighed by the user experience of using physical buttons and triggers to control the action.

Of course, it’ll be hard to compete with established products like Nintendo Switch and 2DS XL handhelds.

Based in Santa Monica, CA, Ouya is pricing their console at $99. The controllers work over a wireless connection to the game cube, which is connected by wire to the TV. For multi-player action, up to four controllers can be simultaneously connected to the console.

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Ouya is promoting a unique platform which is radically different from the incumbents. From their discover page on the website:

Every game is free to try

Yes, you heard right. We don’t think you should buy games or in-game items unless you absolutely love them. If you fall head-over-heels for one of them, all you’ll need is a valid credit card, debit card or redeemable code. You’ll never be charged unless you choose to make a purchase.

Much more than just gaming

All that 1080p goodness isn’t just for gaming. OUYA brings all your favorite apps to the big screen, streaming shows, movies, and music directly into the living room. We’ve already partnered with Twitch.tv, Crunchyroll, iheartradio, TuneIn, XBMC, Plex and Flixster and are adding more to our list daily.

It’s what’s inside that matters

We’ve outfitted OUYA with NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage (expandable via USB). So don’t hold back. Whether you use WiFi or Ethernet, download games or stream your favorite videos or music apps in beautiful 1080p HD. And since OUYA is the first totally open video game console, we welcome you to unscrew it and have a look around.

Start coding. Get famous

If you’re the kind of person that has that killer game locked inside you, you can build games for OUYA, too. Our tools are free and come with every OUYA—no more excuses

The market will decide if the fast-action titles, which have always been played via a computer or dedicated TV attached console (e.g., XBox, Playstation, Wii), can support another platform. If early sales are any indication, the first run of Ouya consoles sold out in minutes of being available on Amazon, this may be the next thing for gaming.

(Image Credit – Ouya )

(Video Credit – Ouya )