Um, Did Anyone Buy An OUYA?

[Zap!]

I've been playing Pixner a lot. Really cool retro-type game.

http://offgame.org/jeux/pixner/capture/1.png

[bb_hood]

I've been playing Pixner a lot. Really cool retro-type game.

http://offgame.org/jeux/pixner/capture/1.png

why does that guy need 4 keys to open one door?

[Zap!]

why does that guy need 4 keys to open one door?

Well, my front door has two locks so that's two keys, I guess the bad guy was paranoid and wanted four locks.

[Steve W]

My Ouya came in the mail yesterday. It's a unique little system, I'm still getting the hang of it. So far My Nuclear Octopus is one of my favorite games. I've finally gotten the Atari 2600 emulator to find all the ROMs I put on a USB flashdrive, and there's a few interesting games available. I just want to know at what point will they get some of the really big names in Android OS games to port their stuff over.

[PreZZ]

Finally bought it this weekend on amazon Canada for 69$! Playing 16:9 hd sonic 2 and sonic cd on my tv will be great, i already bought those on playstore.

[Daria]

I've been playing Pixner a lot. Really cool retro-type game.

http://offgame.org/jeux/pixner/capture/1.png

So is it coincidence that this game looks like CastleQuest, or is it a clone?

Edit: Watched a video. Seems like they play nothing a like.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

So is it coincidence that this game looks like CastleQuest, or is it a clone?

Edit: Watched a video. Seems like they play nothing a like.

Looks like a cross between Lode Runner and Castle Excellent/CastleQuest, definately my cup of tea. I plan to be buying an OUYA since I am interested in indie/retro gaming and am not particularly enthralled with modern stuff at the moment.

Does Sonic CD on that console happen to feature both versions of the Soundtrack?

[PreZZ]

Finally received my ouya last week, and so far I really enjoy it. I think I have the newer version because all the problems i read online about Wi-Fi not working is not an issue at all. Never got a single disconnection and I installed the android version of xbmc gotham and IT IS AWESOME. Free nhl games in hd, all tv series and movies with istream, im cutting cable tv and save 80$ a month so my ouya is paying by itself! The controller is decent but lags a little, not as good as ps and xbox but overall ok, it really looks good. The only problem i have with the hardware is the usb socket, it has problems detecting stuff but i put an unplugged usb hub and all 4 slots work perfectly. I also enjoy the games, i bought a couple and I can see myself playing games in a decade when friends come at home. Brought my ouya at my dads and we played 4 player games and we had a blast playing bombsquad, towerfall, no brake valet and hidden in plain sight. The games are very simple and easy to pick up and play, even with people who dont play games. I rooted the console and im able to load modern combat 4 and blitz brigade and they look decent on the tv but i cant get the controllers to work properly, but gt racing 2 works perfectly. The library reminds me of the c64 days, so if you enjoyed it I think you will love the ouya, highly recomended.

[ProjectCamaro]

I'm just going to leave this here...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/03/07/hit-kickstarter-video-game-console-ouya-is-basically-dead/

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'm just going to leave this here...

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/03/07/hit-kickstarter-video-game-console-ouya-is-basically-dead/

*sigh* Let's review this, shall we?

>Back when Ouya was all the buzz, generating hype alongside millions in cash from both Kickstarter backers and VC funding, I couldn’t quite decipher what the point really was. A console that plays mobile games on your TV? With a controller?

Is this guy fucking retarded? The point of the Ouya was to have a console indie developers can make games on that doesn't rely on the heavy fees associated with the big companies, allows retro gamers a place to enjoy all their games in one place with its many emulators, and yes. A place where gamers can play their touch screen based games with an actual physical controller and on a tv, not a tablet/phone. We're off to a real great start here. The writer of this article doesn't even know what the Ouya is.

>How would that ever drum up the install base necessary to lure developers away from the much more lucrative mobile business? How would anyone really make money on this, when gamers typically play mobile games on their mobile phones and tablets, and full-fledged console games on traditional consoles?

because hardcore gamers want controllers, not touch screen based crap. because touch screen mobile games are limited in what they can do effectively because touch screen controls are limited to one action at a time, sometimes two, but can't do what controllers do. Yes, there are controllers for mobile devices, but it's always awkward, and leaves you frustrated to the point where you either give up on playing with the controller or give up playing on the touch device entirely. Also, the Ouya isn't intended to compete with the full fledged consoles. It exists in its own bracket of microconsole where again, the aim is to make indie games for gamers.

>Well, early reviews for the system were far from stellar, and game developers reported that for all their effort, it was pretty much impossible to make any money. The promised hackability of the Ouya didn’t do much for it, either—and neither did various emulators that played, among other things, old Nintendo games.

Early units had problems, but those have been ironed out and the current Ouya and future versions are far superior. To continue to attack the Ouya for it's early problems shows a lack of understanding. Impossible to make money? Isn't this......the universal problem for android/ios? This guy makes it sound like it's something specific to Ouya. Also, how you make money is make good games that people want to buy. Durr. Promised hackability didn't do much for it? Wrong again. It allows people to do things like put on an Ouya overclock, sideload tons of additional apps and games. The various emulators for Ouya are among its best features.


Goddamn this guy is an idiot.

[Tanooki]

Yeah he's stupid and going off some bad/old information. One thing I know for certain is that for all the bullshit boxes being peddled online like the amazon one and the mad cats thing, Ouya costs less and I've seen a retail presence at a few stores which says a lot for casual consumer availability and awareness. With it at $99.99 it comes in under that mythical $100 barrier where people consider it a budget purchase for fun now and again. They do have that going for them, plus it does advertise you can get a lot of free stuff with it too due to their old free game/free demo stance they took.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

Glad to see you guys are defending it from the tabloid sensationalism trying to declare it as already dead. People are shitting on OUYA left and right but there are many who staunchly defend it despite it having a somewhat rocky start. I am still interested in getting one eventually. They want it to gain traction over time and from what I've seen they still seem to be the most strongly supported and well-designed open-source console on the market. N-Vidia Shield and Amazon Fire TV do not look like my cup of tea, to be honest.

[Bojay1997]

I backed the Kickstarter and even bought the white 16GB version last Christmas. Having said that, I agree with the article in that there is no real mass consumer market for what Ouya is selling. Most gamers are not all that interested in playing mobile games on a television. Similarly, most gamers have little interest in another platform for indie games, especially when so many are available on PCs, mobile devices and lots of other platforms, often with higher performance hardware to back them up. Ouya is a niche product and while it has a small but loyal fanbase, it certainly didn't reach anywhere near the heights that the hype surrounding the Kickstarter and eventual launch would lead one to believe was inevitable.

[Greg2600]

Forbes, Yahoo, Motley Fool, many websites post these doom articles daily on all subjects including gaming. My opinion is that they are only there to solicit views, and thus generate ad revenue for the website. Motley Fool I swear posts a new article daily about how Gamestop, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, or all of the above, will be out of business in 4 months.

Now, that being said, I've recently had a miserable experience with the Ouya, following the Chupacabra update. My side-loaded apps are mostly crashing, rendering the device kind of useless for someone like me. I've used it far more as a media device than gaming.

[PreZZ]

Anyone tried the playcast beta? It's very impressive, works perfectly and its made with the ouya controller mapping. Its not working on wifi but I had an old powerline in a closet and it works. You can play full version of lego Batman 2 and splinter cell conviction for free and it feels right, i tried onlive sideload and playcast is 100x better, if you have unlimited internet ouya is really awesome. Cant wait for steam streaming on android devices!

[BlastProcessing402]

Well, my front door has two locks so that's two keys, I guess the bad guy was paranoid and wanted four locks.

My front door has two locks, but they both use the same key, as does every other entrance to the house. And what's with this keys disappear when you use them crap? I've never had a key do that.

:ass:

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Glad to see you guys are defending it from the tabloid sensationalism trying to declare it as already dead. People are shitting on OUYA left and right but there are many who staunchly defend it despite it having a somewhat rocky start. I am still interested in getting one eventually. They want it to gain traction over time and from what I've seen they still seem to be the most strongly supported and well-designed open-source console on the market. N-Vidia Shield and Amazon Fire TV do not look like my cup of tea, to be honest.

My problem is that what this guy is saying is either nonsense or flat out lies. It isn't people who don't like the Ouya. But all of these editorials on the Ouya are written by people who have no real idea what they're talking about.



I backed the Kickstarter and even bought the white 16GB version last Christmas. Having said that, I agree with the article in that there is no real mass consumer market for what Ouya is selling. Most gamers are not all that interested in playing mobile games on a television. Similarly, most gamers have little interest in another platform for indie games, especially when so many are available on PCs, mobile devices and lots of other platforms, often with higher performance hardware to back them up. Ouya is a niche product and while it has a small but loyal fanbase, it certainly didn't reach anywhere near the heights that the hype surrounding the Kickstarter and eventual launch would lead one to believe was inevitable.

You sir just wrote the better critical analysis than that Forbes writer. Congratulations.

The Ouya is most definitely a platform for indie games, but saying it's an outlet for mobile games on a television is a misleading statement to make. Saying that makes people think that it's Angry Birds and Flappy Bird on the tv. While yeah, there's shit like that from the most talentless of indie developers, the Ouya has a sizable library of retro style games from platformers to shooters to RPGs. These sorts of games originated on consoles to begin with, and fit the Ouya much better than any tablet, phone, or PC.

I think that if people realized there were many truly EXCELLENT retro style games on Ouya rather than just the notion that its got a bunch of Angry Birds and Flappy Bird clones more people would be open to it.

Also, it infuriates me when articles talk down about the Ouya's hardware specs. The Ouya is plenty powerful for what it needs to be. If it had beefier specs, the price would jump way up, and it wouldn't actually benefit the games on the system.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

I got an OUYA this past week and have been really enjoying it for everything it offers. It gives you a great deal for such a small price and to my knowledge, stuff like Amazon FireTV or NVidia Shield don't have the same free-to-play philosophy or even financial headstart from supporters that OUYA has had. They also don't, to my knowledge, have the freedom to root or mod the system without voiding the warranty. That, and I don't think that tablet gaming is fun, despite some people saying it can do everything OUYA does. I got the original model and like most people the only gripe I have about the controller is the somewhat awkward trigger buttons but it didn't strike me as overbearing. Coffee brewed slowly is considered the best so OUYA moving up slowly in terms of what they're trying to accomplish could only pay off, ignoring what the naysayers have said, and staying honest to their clique who understands what it is for and wasn't looking to the mainstream for guidance, such as the typical bullshit journalists buffeting people with "OUYA is dead!" trash.

[MarioMania]

Did they come out with a firmwear that killed off playing USB Controllers like the SNES USB Controller?

[Manhattan Sports Club]

Did they come out with a firmwear that killed off playing USB Controllers like the SNES USB Controller?

I just tried it and they work OK.

I think OUYA is doing a good job of maintaining the open source freedom of PCs while still keeping the convenience of consoles a priority. I bought Sonic CD, Sonic 4 Episode I, and Pizza Boy, for $2.99 each. I'm really enjoying them.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Did they come out with a firmwear that killed off playing USB Controllers like the SNES USB Controller?

...WHAT?

if anything, the firmware updates have improved compatibility. You can now even navigate the UI menu with an OEM SNES controller connected with a USB adapter. You can't deselect items, but you can at least use the dpad and select choices with the X button.

[Greg2600]

USB controllers have good results, unlike Blutooth

[Satoshi_Matrix]

bluetooth controller lag isnt an issue if programmer account for it. Firmware updates have largely made input lag a thing of the past on Ouya, and what does remain is almost entirely the fault of the individual programmer who made the game you're having lag with, not the Ouya itself.

I use my Ouya every single day. If lag was a general global issue that plagued everything, I'd be the first to complain about it.

[YoshiM]

I swung by Target yesterday to see if they maybe had an Ouya that I can set up for my wife. I found the display but they were all sold out. Just two controllers were there.


That was neat to see.

[Tanooki]

I've never seen the system sold out before, well picked over, but not gone, but the controllers seem to go missing more since people will pick up at least one extra. The 2 Target's around here just have them on a low shelf in the gaming area near all the PC stuff and cheap or used last gen console games rack so they're visible. I Hope they keep developing it after the news over the last few months of them trying to fracture the market by making their own marketplace which is just a dumb bad idea with already googleplay, amazon, and even madcatz getting in on the racket since you can't cross share the stuff despite it all being on android.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

must be nice to see the Ouya in stores at all. It just isn't in Canada. I thought there was a chance when Target bought out Zellers, but nope.

[buzz_n64]

Reading Rainbow Limited Edition Ouya (4 days left)
http://www.ouya.tv/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ouyaSmallLevar.png

"Hey this is Bob.

Today we’re going to help bring Reading Rainbow back – and we’re going to have fun doing it! We’ve joined with four of the top-earning Kickstarter campaigns of all time to show our support for a super-special cause. We’re creating a READING RAINBOW LIMITED EDITION OUYA in wondrous sky blue! What’s more, LeVar Burton will sign the first 500 consoles personally before shipping to backers!"


https://www.ouya.tv/take-a-look-its-in-a-b-ouya/

[josekortez]

I will probably download Fotonica later today, which is 50% off this weekend. It appears to be a first person endless runner that looks like Rez wireframe graphics. I was also astounded that Pier Solar HD is coming to Ouya before it comes to Xbox Live. Shocker.

[Tupin]

I got one of these, it sadly has gone unused for a few months. Definitely need to get back into it because it does have a lot of good content now.

[PreZZ]

Ouya is one of the best purchase I have ever made, if you manage to set up xbmc properly you get so many tv channels, movies and tv shows that you can cut the cable. I did. All I want to watch, when I want, without commercials. And all NHL games!

[Atarileaf]

My only complaint with xbmc is the horrible buffering, even with our very speedy internet access which works great with other services like netflix.

[josekortez]

I'm late to the party - does XBMC only play videos from a video library or can it be used to play videos from the Internet? Sorry but I can't find a good wiki online to explain it in layman's terms.

[PreZZ]

@atarileaf try to set 0 cache in tweaks of istream maintenance add on it helps the buffering a lot, I also use powerline adapters. And joe it gets shows from internet, but you can also stream your own librAry too.

[josekortez]

I thought I should mention a few sales to the die-hard Ouya owners. Fotonica is $2.50 and Goblin Quest: Escape is $2 through the end of today, October 7th and Towerfall: Ascension is $10.04 through October 14th.

[Atarileaf]

@atarileaf try to set 0 cache in tweaks of istream maintenance add on it helps the buffering a lot, I also use powerline adapters. And joe it gets shows from internet, but you can also stream your own librAry too.

that worked thanks :)

[PreZZ]

Also dont Forget to clear the cache often in istream maintenance add on (and others you watch too) because thats a garanteed bufferfest if you dont.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

I still see myself as an apologist of the Ouya faith. And I have yet to fully utilize the machine! They remain loyal to their followers. I will probably pick up the full version of Crystal Picnic next for $2.99!

All the imitators like GameStick and the others are not catching on because they didn't have the proper strategy and planning that OUYA has. I hope they will stick it through and continue to slowly build an entourage. Even the Nvidia Shield doesn't have alot of the same philosophy as OUYA does which makes it so great.

[Steve W]

I haven't used my Ouya in a while either. I'd really like to get MAME4Droid running properly on it, but it doesn't seem to like 90% of the ROMs I try to use.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

I haven't used my Ouya in a while either. I'd really like to get MAME4Droid running properly on it, but it doesn't seem to like 90% of the ROMs I try to use.

I didn't hear about that. It's certainly not without its faults but there's plenty of room and community for improvement.

Another defense I'll make of the OUYA is this: Although I still think a solid desktop or laptop PC is the best platform to have around, you must consider how Android branching out as a new major OS and catering to its own exclusive releases will not be made irrelevant by such a machine. Second, I think tablets are just the pagers/beepers of this generation. I don't see them perfecting the touch-screen capabilities much more, despite all the amazing technology we have, unless they start integrating more interaction via pen accessories. The reason I say this is because both finger and website sizes (or arrangements) vary so much that it's difficult to make a one size suits all approach. And come on, how many Android devices can you name that are NOT tablets, much less ones that had the kind of backing or clever strategy that OUYA has? Nvidia Shield is close but is still missing some of the community ideals.

Try as you might, there is no excuse to defend tablets by making the case that the HDMI and USB connections offer TV and controller experiences in the same context of OUYA. The inherent evils of touch-screen tablets remain and tablets of this sort are almost unanimously designed to be navigated with the screen, not a controller. That usually only works inside of a game application. And the idea of buying a touch-screen tablet to use a remote on it is not only inconvenient but paradoxical.

[Bojay1997]

I didn't hear about that. It's certainly not without its faults but there's plenty of room and community for improvement.

Another defense I'll make of the OUYA is this: Although I still think a solid desktop or laptop PC is the best platform to have around, you must consider how Android branching out as a new major OS and catering to its own exclusive releases will not be made irrelevant by such a machine. Second, I think tablets are just the pagers/beepers of this generation. I don't see them perfecting the touch-screen capabilities much more, despite all the amazing technology we have, unless they start integrating more interaction via pen accessories. The reason I say this is because both finger and website sizes (or arrangements) vary so much that it's difficult to make a one size suits all approach. And come on, how many Android devices can you name that are NOT tablets, much less ones that had the kind of backing or clever strategy that OUYA has? Nvidia Shield is close but is still missing some of the community ideals.

Try as you might, there is no excuse to defend tablets by making the case that the HDMI and USB connections offer TV and controller experiences in the same context of OUYA. The inherent evils of touch-screen tablets remain and tablets of this sort are almost unanimously designed to be navigated with the screen, not a controller. That usually only works inside of a game application. And the idea of buying a touch-screen tablet to use a remote on it is not only inconvenient but paradoxical.

Millions of people game on tablets everyday. As such, there is a massive install base and that's not going to go away anytime soon. Tablets also have the advantage of being highly portable and including their own screen. There are also tons of tablets that can output to television screens and that can be controlled with external controllers just like the Ouya. The Ouya is a niche product and despite some early successes, the general impression I get from other Ouya owners is that they use them for emulation or XBMC boxes, i.e. applications that will never result in any revenue to Ouya or developers outside of the initial purchase. I suspect the rumors of Ouya seeking a merger or acquisition by a larger tech company are probably accurate as they have likely burned through most of their funding at this point and have little revenue to show for it. I backed the Ouya Kickstarter, I actually bought one of the white limited editions and the Reading Rainbow edition, but there is no way you will ever convince me that it's anything other than a niche product that will always be admired by a small but dedicated group and will eventually disappear from the market as the company behind it runs out of cash.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

Millions of people game on tablets everyday. As such, there is a massive install base and that's not going to go away anytime soon. Tablets also have the advantage of being highly portable and including their own screen. There are also tons of tablets that can output to television screens and that can be controlled with external controllers just like the Ouya. The Ouya is a niche product and despite some early successes, the general impression I get from other Ouya owners is that they use them for emulation or XBMC boxes, i.e. applications that will never result in any revenue to Ouya or developers outside of the initial purchase. I suspect the rumors of Ouya seeking a merger or acquisition by a larger tech company are probably accurate as they have likely burned through most of their funding at this point and have little revenue to show for it. I backed the Ouya Kickstarter, I actually bought one of the white limited editions and the Reading Rainbow edition, but there is no way you will ever convince me that it's anything other than a niche product that will always be admired by a small but dedicated group and will eventually disappear from the market as the company behind it runs out of cash.

Millions of people also smoke cigarettes. That doesn't mean anything about the merits of it. I also addressed many of those things in my post.

Again, controllers tend to be horrible for navigating web sites and many non-game software. It doesn't matter if it is made for Wii or even a system like OUYA. That is something I prefer to save on the PC.

As as alternative view, you can also see OUYA as opening the gateway for future innovators to improve on the concept. Almost every product that ever failed was not in vain since it showed people a living example of what went wrong. The Odyssey 1 was a huge failure, but did that stop people from creating consoles as we see today? No! Even if OUYA fails in its current iteration, someone will likely use it as the basis for a future product. In that sense, people would be buying a spiritual successor to the OUYA. Also, OUYA's plan was to begin small and develop a dedicated following, not start off as some monstrous blockbuster. Often the more rewarding stuff takes more time to fully appreciate and consume. It's like real food vs. junk food. I'm not saying that all mainstream stuff is trash, but they could take a few cues from OUYA.

The fact that it is rootable means the hardware can be re-used by other developers (i.e.; Google, Desura) to install a similar service and OS in case OUYA themselves goes out of business, both now or in the future! That extends its lifespan. Think Win/Mac/Linux on PC. The OUYA also makes itself proof that an affordable package (flexible console+controller) can be produced at this price and can be of interest to future investors or manufacturers. Of course, you can go back to the fact that tablets are rootable, but OUYA made itself moddable outside of the box and is documented. And again, I continue to declare my disdain for the inherently problematic concept of touch-screen tablets.

[Bojay1997]

Millions of people also smoke cigarettes. That doesn't mean anything about the merits of it. I also addressed many of those things in my post.

Again, controllers tend to be horrible for navigating web sites and many non-game software. It doesn't matter if it is made for Wii or even a system like OUYA. That is something I prefer to save on the PC.

As as alternative view, you can also see OUYA as opening the gateway for future innovators to improve on the concept. Almost every product that ever failed was not in vain since it showed people a living example of what went wrong. The Odyssey 1 was a huge failure, but did that stop people from creating consoles as we see today? No! Even if OUYA fails in its current iteration, someone will likely use it as the basis for a future product. In that sense, people would be buying a spiritual successor to the OUYA. Also, OUYA's plan was to begin small and develop a dedicated following, not start off as some monstrous blockbuster. Often the more rewarding stuff takes more time to fully appreciate and consume. It's like real food vs. junk food. I'm not saying that all mainstream stuff is trash, but they could take a few cues from OUYA.

The fact that it is rootable means it can be used by other developers (i.e.; Google, Desura) to install a similar service using the same hardware in case OUYA themselves goes out of business, or even now! The OUYA also makes itself proof that an affordable package (flexible console+controller) can be produced at this price and can be of interest to future investors or manufacturers. That extends its lifespan. Of course, you can go back to the fact that such a thing is possible with tablets, but OUYA made itself moddable outside of the box and is documented. And again, I continue to declare my disdain for the inherently problematic concept of touch-screen tablets.

Your smoking analogy is totally irrelevant. You claimed that tablets were somehow the pagers of modern technology, the implication being that they are some stopgap measure toward some other better technology. I disagree. Tablets will continue to get smaller and cheaper and more reliable and accurate. As the new Shield tablet demonstrates, they will also be customized for gaming. Tablets are also great at both gaming and navigating websites. That's something I can't say for a set top box like the Ouya.

While I agree that the concept of the Ouya (a lot cost Android gaming platform that can be played with controllers on a television) spurred action on the part of other companies including NVidia, ultimately, the Ouya has fallen far short of its promise. Like I said, most of us who own them have used them for things like emulation or XBMC. These are not things that most consumers want or need and they don't generate revenue for either hardware manufacturers or software developers. As such, Ouya's features and open ended nature essentially destroyed any real possibility of financial success.

I believe it's very unlikely that anyone will continue the Ouya as a separate platform once the company folds or is acquired. It's already underpowered compared to the competition and frankly, as Gamestick and Fire TV showed, the market for low cost Android gaming boxes is not all that large and certainly not expanding in a way that can sustain growth.

As a classic gamer and collector, I think the Ouya is a neat little marker on the road, but I never bought into the hype and I frankly have never been that impressed with either the technology or the management behind it.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

Your smoking analogy is totally irrelevant. You claimed that tablets were somehow the pagers of modern technology, the implication being that they are some stopgap measure toward some other better technology. I disagree. Tablets will continue to get smaller and cheaper and more reliable and accurate. As the new Shield tablet demonstrates, they will also be customized for gaming. Tablets are also great at both gaming and navigating websites. That's something I can't say for a set top box like the Ouya.

I don't see how being smaller will help improve accuracy. I said in one of my previous posts that it seems inherently flawed to think you can get one-size-fits-all accuracy when for one, people have fingers of varying sizes, and the items that can be clicked on will not always appear the same in every browser, especially small ones, which could lead to some people clicking the wrong thing. I have this problem on an Android tablet that has a clunky interface. Yes, there is room for improvement. But I think part of it could be achieved through pens. And that's not always ideal for games that require both hands.


While I agree that the concept of the Ouya (a lot cost Android gaming platform that can be played with controllers on a television) spurred action on the part of other companies including NVidia, ultimately, the Ouya has fallen far short of its promise. Like I said, most of us who own them have used them for things like emulation or XBMC. These are not things that most consumers want or need and they don't generate revenue for either hardware manufacturers or software developers. As such, Ouya's features and open ended nature essentially destroyed any real possibility of financial success.

Most consoles in this day and age should be things no one wants or needs. Consoles were generally about convenience but now the divide between the two (console and PC) is not that great. Thus, it's pointless not to invest in either a decent laptop or desktop instead. OUYA maintains both PC flexibility and the traditional convenient access of a console. On the other hand, OUYA lacks graphical power, but with it was made with a retro/indie 'gameplay-over-graphics' philosophy.


I believe it's very unlikely that anyone will continue the Ouya as a separate platform once the company folds or is acquired. It's already underpowered compared to the competition and frankly, as Gamestick and Fire TV showed, the market for low cost Android gaming boxes is not all that large and certainly not expanding in a way that can sustain growth.

As a classic gamer and collector, I think the Ouya is a neat little marker on the road, but I never bought into the hype and I frankly have never been that impressed with either the technology or the management behind it.

Some truth to this. I never said it was not possible that the OUYA can or will fall apart sooner or later, but honestly I think the same about the console market in general.

[Bojay1997]

I don't see how being smaller will help improve accuracy. I said in one of my previous posts that it seems inherently flawed to think you can get one-size-fits-all accuracy when for one, people have fingers of varying sizes, and the items that can be clicked on will not always appear the same in every browser, especially small ones, which could lead to some people clicking the wrong thing. I have this problem on an Android tablet that has a clunky interface. Yes, there is room for improvement. But I think part of it could be achieved through pens. And that's not always ideal for games that require both hands.



Most consoles in this day and age should be things no one wants or needs. Consoles were generally about convenience but now the divide between the two (console and PC) is not that great. Thus, it's pointless not to invest in either a decent laptop or desktop instead. OUYA maintains both PC flexibility and the traditional convenient access of a console. On the other hand, OUYA lacks graphical power, but with it was made with a retro/indie 'gameplay-over-graphics' philosophy.



Some truth to this. I never said it was not possible that the OUYA can or will fall apart sooner or later, but honestly I think the same about the console market in general.

I think you just have a badly made Android tablet. I own several iPads, an NVidia Shield tablet, a Surface and an Amazon Fire HD and I have never had an issue tapping the wrong thing and I have fairly meaty fingers. I also don't think stylus control is coming back even though the NVidia Shield Tablet did come with one.

Not everyone wants a PC, even if the price gap between a PS4/Xbox One and a PC is closing or is virtually non-existent. In fact, I know a lot of people that don't have laptops or PCs at all anymore and instead they own a WiFi router, a tablet and a console. That allows them to do basically everything they need to do which is surfing the Internet, watching streaming video services and playing games. People are also buying Chromebooks or similar laptop/tablet hybrids. I also know a couple of friends who don't do any word processing at home anymore and just do whatever typing they need to do at work, so they have no use for a PC or laptop.

I don't think the Ouya fills a niche many ordinary consumers want to have filled. For classic gamers, it definitely has an appeal, but as I've said repeatedly, emulators don't generate revenue and therefore are not sustainable as a basis for a viable consumer product.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

I think you just have a badly made Android tablet. I own several iPads, an NVidia Shield tablet, a Surface and an Amazon Fire HD and I have never had an issue tapping the wrong thing and I have fairly meaty fingers. I also don't think stylus control is coming back even though the NVidia Shield Tablet did come with one.

Not everyone wants a PC, even if the price gap between a PS4/Xbox One and a PC is closing or is virtually non-existent. In fact, I know a lot of people that don't have laptops or PCs at all anymore and instead they own a WiFi router, a tablet and a console. That allows them to do basically everything they need to do which is surfing the Internet, watching streaming video services and playing games. People are also buying Chromebooks or similar laptop/tablet hybrids. I also know a couple of friends who don't do any word processing at home anymore and just do whatever typing they need to do at work, so they have no use for a PC or laptop.

I don't think the Ouya fills a niche many ordinary consumers want to have filled. For classic gamers, it definitely has an appeal, but as I've said repeatedly, emulators don't generate revenue and therefore are not sustainable as a basis for a viable consumer product.

I have no problem admitting that you're right in some respects. I have a poorly designed Zeki tablet. So my experience is definitely flawed a bit, but I still believe that there are some things that I would not want to use on a touch screen. I DO use word processors as a writer, so that would be a no-no for me. I enjoy my laptop for that. I'm also skeptical of how programs for editing various media would fare on that. Definitely not for me.

[TheChristoph]

So how has the emulation scene come along on the Ouya? I've been looking some stuff up and most things I'm finding are from like mid-2013. Do the classic emus have the modern accoutrements like HQ filters, fast forward, shaders, all that fun stuff?

[calgon]

So how has the emulation scene come along on the Ouya? I've been looking some stuff up and most things I'm finding are from like mid-2013. Do the classic emus have the modern accoutrements like HQ filters, fast forward, shaders, all that fun stuff?

Yes, most have plenty of options. I really should play mine more.

[kainemaxwell]

I really still want one for the retro scene.

[Tralornik]

The biggest issue I see with the Ouya is (by all indications) that they are out of the hardware game... so no updated hardware (heck, the original system is apparently no longer even being made).
(LINK to Ouya exiting hardware article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2454752,00.asp )

Without new hardware, the platform will likely slowly die out.

Of course, I hope I am wrong, but even if other vendors use the Ouya software platform (which I think is Ouya's current business plan), I doubt the any new hardware systems will be as open and flexible, which would kill one of Ouya biggest strengths.

Speaking of which, does any know if the new Mad Katz system (released under the "Ouya Everywhere" brand) is as flexible as the original Ouya:
LINK to Mad Katz release article: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2014/03/mad-catz-m-o-j-o-micro-console-gets-price-drop-ouya-game-support/

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Well, that article makes conclusion leaps based around Ouya's focus on branching out to cast as wide a net as possible, even for non-Ouya owners. Considering that the article is old as well, it doesn't mean Ouya 2 is scrapped. At least, I sure as hell hope that isn't the case.

Ouya should be doing BOTH software and hardware. Lots of new quality software for the existing Ouya is very important, but so is an upgrade in the Ouya hardware but Q1 or Q2 at the latest next year.

I love my Ouya, but there's no getting around the fact that its based on antiquated hardware, and most indie devs aren't as crafty about getting around system limitations as seasoned vets. While there will be a few Ouya games that wow us as time goes on, the level of most games on Ouya will not rise with the current hardware, and in fact, it will only mean new, awesome Android games won't be possible to put on Ouya because the hardware is lacking.

Add to that the needed hardware changes - more than one USB port, maybe even make them USB 3. Ship a controller with an off switch and one with rear shoulder triggers as good as the big boy consoles. Larger storage (Ouya 2 should have 32GB instead of 8GB) and if needed, keep the Tegra 3 for full backwards compatibility with existing Ouya software.

I use my Ouya with XBMC a lot, and it sucks that I'm limited to running content only at 720p with average bitrates. The Ouya just isn't powerful enough to handle the full 1080p content I want it to.

As far as I'm concerned, the Ouya 2 is already overdue. I don't only hope for it, I champion it. Ouya, bring out new hardware and I'll help convince thousands to jump on board with it. We need Ouya 2.

[calgon]

I wouldn't even mind a "deluxe" ouya with just extra USB ports and a redesigned controller. That said I never got the sense they sold well enough to warrant a ouya two or any improvements to the original hardware.

[Tanooki]

You're not wrong really. They sell well enough just to keep them at a limited level at certain retail stores (like Target) but the deluxe model with more space on it I think was an online only offer. They saw I think the writing was on the wall so they came up with that farce of a concept of making Ouya into a digital store front like Google Play/Amazon store which was just dumb as it just divides the market further and you can only get away with that only so many times and they don't have the millions/billion of google and amazon to play in that space against them. Ouya itself is a solid concept but they need to either upgrade the hardware to keep up or get out.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

You guys all know I'm a firm Ouya supporter. I just love the thing.

I would totally buy a "deluxe" Ouya with at least two USB ports and possibly a redesigned controller. But even having to use an USB hub and an external drive, I still love the thing.

And that's why I've been doing an updated look at the Ouya web series and and ending it with what I've wanted to do since I started this updated look at the Ouya series - talk about ten of my favorite games!

here are what I currently consider the ten best games available on Ouya.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G25uMOn5hU

[Tanooki]

I think Ouya would bolster some credibility with people if they'd be more consistent in what their plans are both for the hardware, and that talk of being another me-too googleplay/amazon shop. The hardware itself is not bad, but it could stand for an upgrade, and not just the deluxe one hiding on their website only. I think if they'd bump the hardware up a bit to like a Nexus 7 2013 level or a little nicer than that perhaps, multiple USB ports, SD(normal, micro, mini) slot on it for various uses, and find a way to make it more tempting for people to port their android projects to it they'd make some headway. If a company as lame as madcatz known for their trashy hit and miss console accessories can pull off what they're doing I'd hope to think Ouya could better themselves. I didn't buy one for the longest time thinking they'd get a version 2 out to iron out some concerns and kinks and it never happened.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I hope that will happen, I really do. Ouya needs to continue what they're doing AND push ahead with a fully backwards compatible Ouya 2.

I recently learned the Madcatz Mojo has come down to about $145. It does a lot of things design wise better than Ouya - offers a Tegra 4 chipset, 16GB internal storage, two USB ports (one of which is USB 3.0!) a micro SD card slot, and has a controller with Start and Select buttons. What I don't like about the Mojo is that apparently it isn't nearly as open source as Ouya is, with Ouya supporting nearly every USB controller ever made, including the Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers and the Ouya allows you to sideload pretty much anything.

Ouya needs copy all of these smart moves Madcatz did and maintain their open source nature of the current Ouya.

Just thinking of a K1 powered Ouya with at least 16GB internal storage, a standard micro SD card slot for storage expansion, at least two USB ports (make one of them USB 3.0!), an improved controller that has Start and Select, an on/off switch and redesigned triggers, is fully backwards compatible with all current Ouya software AND is still open source to allow any controller or sideloaded app to work........that's my dream console.

[Tanooki]

Your dream Ouya, I think I'd buy that too.

I won't buy the existing unit as it's just lacking, badly compared to what other people have got out there now and for not much more money. I'd take the Madcatz over theirs anytime even with the $45 higher price because of what more the hardware has going on in it.


I'd just like to see a system where I can take anything my Google Play store bought playing Nexus7 can do, and do it on the TV with a native system. A lot of the games my tablet has do support a controller (hid and/or moga) so it could work out pretty nicely. If someone hacked a system or had a controller setup accepting of the pS4 controller so touch games could be interpreted that would be excellent.

[Bojay1997]

So, I just received an e-mail from the Reading Rainbow Kickstarter and apparently, the sky blue Ouya that many of us pledged for will never be made and instead Ouya is offering the standard grey Ouya as a replacement and a $10 game card. Pretty disgusting that Ouya didn't honor their promise and it's a pretty good sign that they are done with the hardware side of the business.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Don't leap to conclusions. It could be any number of things, like a refusal from their manufacturer.

[buzz_n64]

So, I just received an e-mail from the Reading Rainbow Kickstarter and apparently, the sky blue Ouya that many of us pledged for will never be made and instead Ouya is offering the standard grey Ouya as a replacement and a $10 game card. Pretty disgusting that Ouya didn't honor their promise and it's a pretty good sign that they are done with the hardware side of the business.

That's bullshit! I was holding out from getting the blue Ouya for the proposed Ouya 2, now neither one of them are going to be made. I've lost respect for them now. Many people pledged just to receive that version. I would get my money back.

Soon there will be another console to come down the road with a similar concept, but more powerful hardware, that's when I'll open up my wallet.

[Tanooki]

Feeling entitled to a blue system aside, that set of dudes who started up Ouya fucked over reading rainbow. That'll take some good funding out of their pocket towards getting books to little kids who can't get their own. I just looked it up and the Ouya was a $250 pledge and 155 of those were made. If one were to assume the total and absolute worst and everyone pulled their support because of it that's almost $39000 they denied children who need books.

Ouya can fucking die. I'll just see how that Madcatz thing works out or whoever shakes something out better down the road.

[Bojay1997]

Feeling entitled to a blue system aside, that set of dudes who started up Ouya fucked over reading rainbow. That'll take some good funding out of their pocket towards getting books to little kids who can't get their own. I just looked it up and the Ouya was a $250 pledge and 155 of those were made. If one were to assume the total and absolute worst and everyone pulled their support because of it that's almost $39000 they denied children who need books.

Ouya can fucking die. I'll just see how that Madcatz thing works out or whoever shakes something out better down the road.

It's more than that because they sold it as an add-on pledge as well and many more people bought 1-2 units at $150 each as add-ons to whatever they pledged. The RR Kickstarter rep reached out again and said they are going to go back to Ouya and see what can be done. The general consensus on the Kickstarter comments section is that most people who pledged for an Ouya would want a refund if the sky blue version was not available.

[Bojay1997]

Don't leap to conclusions. It could be any number of things, like a refusal from their manufacturer.

Ouya promised to manufacture and have them delivered by December 2014. Apparently they wouldn't even respond to Reading Rainbow until today about what was going on. Sounds like this was purely Ouya's issue and not some outside issue with a supplier.

[Tanooki]

Damn so it could be far higher than the nearly 40K. I hope people go for their throat and if possible Reading Rainbow too if they can in a way that keeps them looking friendly and clean.

[Manhattan Sports Club]

I'll confess, this Reading Rainbow thing is a serious blow to the company. I never expected OUYA to become a giant (again, that's not what they intended, contrary to some sources) but this is just a joke. However, I didn't invest a single cent into this Kickstarter, thankfully.

[kai123]

I know the Ouya was cheap but I have a Shield handheld that I got for $200 when it was new and I love that thing. Super powerful portable and supports HDMI out and usb OTG. I am pretty sure you can get them cheaper on Ebay now. Plus they have hacked the remote play from the PS4 and it works pretty damn well. I love it.

[Tanooki]

This thread got me thinking and I just did one of those write ups on the Ouya and it's failure while inspiring other systems since to do things far better like that MOJO mad katz put out.

[Bojay1997]

Update on the Reading Rainbow Ouya situation. Today they sent out an e-mail offering backers of the RR Kickstarter who selected an Ouya for their pledge reward the option of a refund or a "new" Ouya signed by Levar Burton, second controller and $10 game credit when the "new" Ouya is released at some point in the future. Apparently, they (the Reading Rainbow Kickstarter team) now claim that Ouya gave them a firm deadline of the end of last Summer for when production on the old Ouya would end and because they missed it, it wasn't possible to order the small quantity (500) sky blue Ouyas. I have opted for a refund as it won't be a special color and I don't really care about Levar Burton's autograph, but it's interesting to hear that there may be a "new" Ouya coming down the pipeline at some point in the future. I also apologize for blaming Ouya when it appears as though it was the Kickstarter team from Reading Rainbow that missed the deadline.

[wizardofwor]

I did get one...two as a matter of fact. I love them...that is after you navigate them and figure out the emulation (which is not self-explanatory). It's a little clunky, but, if you want to emulate classic games on your TV, it's worth the $100.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Use the rob brolgia .emu series. present the others don't even exist. that's how you get the most out of the Ouya's emulators.

[Tanooki]

Agreed that guy knows his stuff. I've got his port of SNES9Xex+ on my nexus 7 and it's fantastic. I put Civilization SNES on there about a week ago and I noticed the thing supports the mouse and man it works SUPER well to the point I feel like I'm using an official touch based Civ port to Android.

[Ponyone]

I got a gamecube controller working on an amazon fire tv. It's some super heavy Macgyver ish you probably could not understand

https://youtu.be/SEDBEqxh5xo

[kainemaxwell]

Part of me still wants one

[BlastProcessing402]

I don't really care about Levar Burton's autograph

http://i.imgur.com/K0bpLBt.jpg

That's your opinion and you're like entitled to it, but like wow man.