Ouya company founder Julie Uhrman revealed that the Android-powered microconsole will begin shipping with a redesigned controller later this year as work begins on a hardware revision due in 2014.

The new controller will address many issues customers cited with the original model, offering textured thumbsticks, more responsive triggers, and face buttons that no longer become stuck in the peripheral's faceplate. The improved controller may be difficult to spot at retail, however, as Ouya packaging will not reflect whether the redesigned accessory is included.

"The feel of the controller today is actually probably a lot better than in June," Uhrman told Polygon. "Our goal is to build a great controller. We wanted to build something that was ergonomic, that had great weight, that had a great feel, that offered developers a different way to develop games by including a touch pad in the design."

Uhrman additionally states that an improved version of the Ouya console itself is set to launch next year, delivering on the company's promise to launch revised hardware annually. The new console will feature backward compatibility with existing marketplace games, though hardware specs and a release date were not announced.Ouya 2.0 launching next year, improved controller planned for current version originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Oct 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments