Ouya Promises Console Will Be Fixed Before June 4 Launch

[Parakeettheprawn]

I'm not that surprised, but this brings another question to mind -- if they're planning on annual releases, doesn't that mean they need to get the ball rolling? You can't say you're gonna make Ouya 1, 2, 3, etc. but then make every release buggy until the next one comes out. That gives incentive for people to wait, meaning you won't sell units.

Maybe it's because I'm tired but this seems like they are setting themselves up for a guaranteed failure, which would be a pity, considering I'd really like an open-to-indie console. I guess we've got to just hope the PS4 works out with things like Unity.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

i still think this will probably fail as a console, but mainly because of idiots expecting it to be a next-generation XBox and PlayStation beater.

That's a large part of the problem, actually. The Ouya team created a device that must compete with the other consoles. In the face of a tremendous power gap regardless of what steps they take to optimize, the game will literally live or die based on the capricious whims of a independent developers. Being utterly incapable of competing with any other device means that it will never be a significant factor when it comes to multiplaform titles and without a significant install base even a cursory attempt to port any such title would be foolish at best.

In it's favor, it has a wide variety of games featuring an overwhelming amount of shameless rip offs of a handful of successful titles all made for devices that are very much suited for shallow and brief bouts of gameplay. The only strengths of the device are price point and the potential of the platform for piracy purposes. That might be sufficient for it to become a curiosity piece for many but nothing that's going to actually get this platform to move in any volume.

 

[Monsterfurby]

I think the main problem of the Ouya is that like the PS4 and the WiiU, it doesn't offer an answer to the elephant in the room, namely the fact that the console market is one messed up landscape. I wouldn't go so far as calling it a crash (Jim Sterling), but the truth is that consoles currently survive on two propositions alone: game libraries and price. They are losing the battle on both fronts to desktop and mobile platforms.

Console designers are chasing ideas that have been tried and implemented on other platforms. They have yet to come up with something that makes home consoles a distinct experience. I am not talking about gimmicks like the second screen, social networks and so forth. Something has to happen, but I have no idea what that will be.

As for the Ouya, yeah, much of the negativity is completely unwarranted. It will probably do the things it sets out to do and do them just fine. The problem I see is: it doesn't set out to do a whole lot. It is more of a proof-of-concept than anything else of the fact that consoles could be funded via kickstarter. It's not exciting to more than a niche audience technologically, and it will never have a selection of games even remotely rivalling those of its competitors - because it's not trying to.

It's an experiment that will end with the moment the console is released. From that on forward, it will be a toy for enthusiasts only. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but people should not consider the Ouya the saviour arisen of console gaming.

Even though console gaming is in dire need of one.

Disclaimer: I am not on any side of the console wars and I consider the premise excessively silly. I'm a PC gamer as much as I am a XBOX, Wii and Playstation, or for that matter iPhone/Android gamer. Yes, I have all platforms, yes I play them depending on what I am in the mood for. Don't try to put me into a drawer, for I'm not sure I'll fit.

 

[The_Great_Galendo]

It is more of a proof-of-concept than anything else of the fact that consoles could be funded via kickstarter.

Ah, yes, I had forgotten about that. Of course, that suggests an alternate possibility to my probably-too-suspicious mind:
Step 1: Raise lots of money via Kickstarter.
Step 2: Stash large chunk of money in offshore bank account.
Step 3: Ship half-assed console developed with remaining funds.
Step 4: Declare bankruptcy.
Step 5: Point to console shipped in step 3 as "evidence of good intent" to survive resulting criminal lawsuit.

I'm not saying I think this is what they did. Honestly, I rather doubt it -- there's a lot more than a few million bucks at stake for a successful console. But if the launch is delayed indefinitely to "fix problems discovered in the development process", well, I'll start to wonder.

 

[ascorbius]

Wow, so much negativity...

I've pre-ordered my Ouya, I wasn't quick enough to be a backer - but damn, I'm getting me one.

In an age of "next gen will be always on" and costing upwards of "£400" I think I'll have one of these £80 babies instead. I can see a lot of economy struck parents thinking a similar thing.

Also, as a developer: Hobbyists can program one of these little guys.. They can't code for an X-Box or a Playstation.

Also there is a problem with coding for a phone hooked up to a tv with a bluetooth controller; You have to code the game to take advantage of the controller before it can be used - It doesn't understand the new controller by some code magic.
You have to code an Ouya game to cater for the controller too, but then you've made an Ouya game, not a generic phone game with support for controllers. Unless I'm seriously mistaken - phones with bluetooth controllers are not common and don't have any kind of market beyond a niche as generally people play mobile games on the move - and not on the tv. The Ouya is not a phone, it's a console.

So I'm going to wait till they ship the finals to customers and I have mine in my hand before I complain or pass judgement. The dev units were always going to be dev units and these guys deserve a chance.

 

[Frostbite3789]

Shame, hope it turns out well. I'd like one just for the sake of portability.

Um yeah

Does everything the Ouya does, oh and it makes phone calls as well, and guess what, fits right in your pocket can't get much more portable than that.

Don't forget that a Samsung S3 I believe it is, is actually more powerful than the Ouya.

Also there is a problem with coding for a phone hooked up to a tv with a bluetooth controller; You have to code the game to take advantage of the controller before it can be used - It doesn't understand the new controller by some code magic.
You have to code an Ouya game to cater for the controller too, but then you've made an Ouya game, not a generic phone game with support for controllers. Unless I'm seriously mistaken - phones with bluetooth controllers are not common and don't have any kind of market beyond a niche as generally people play mobile games on the move - and not on the tv. The Ouya is not a phone, it's a console.

A console that's less powerful than some phones. And does less. It's essentially Newgounds: The Console.

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Your phone can be connected to your TV and controlled via a remote controller?

The guy after me said it all really, but just to confirm, yeah it can be.

I'm pulling for the Ouya. It's a longshot, sure, but it's looking like we'll need some new options in the coming console gen

You do know that the Ouya isn't an option? If the PC was a Veyron the PS4 and Next box would be a BMW M5 and a Merc CLK Black, the Ouya on the other hand would be a Unicycle with a flat tyre.

I am sorry, I really really can not let this chance go bye unused:
"So the PC has ungodly expensive accessories, is way to powerful to use, very much overhyped, consumes more energy than a small city and will only do one thing really well and that's pretty much going in a straight line, whilst the consoles will deliver pure fun in a completely mental package of power, speed and noise, but still prove to be an irresponsible, impractical choice for your daily life?"

Also, I would rather liken the Ouya to one of those shed-built sportscars. It's an admirable feat of perseverance and dedication, yet it's very much outperformed by the "big players".

 

[Frostbite3789]

Your phone can be connected to your TV and controlled via a remote controller?

The guy after me said it all really, but just to confirm, yeah it can be.

I'm pulling for the Ouya. It's a longshot, sure, but it's looking like we'll need some new options in the coming console gen

You do know that the Ouya isn't an option? If the PC was a Veyron the PS4 and Next box would be a BMW M5 and a Merc CLK Black, the Ouya on the other hand would be a Unicycle with a flat tyre.

I am sorry, I really really can not let this chance go bye unused:
"So the PC has ungodly expensive accessories, is way to powerful to use, very much overhyped, consumes more energy than a small city and will only do one thing really well and that's pretty much going in a straight line, whilst the consoles will deliver pure fun in a completely mental package of power, speed and noise, but still prove to be an irresponsible, impractical choice for your daily life?"

Also, I would rather liken the Ouya to one of those shed-built sportscars. It's an admirable feat of perseverance and dedication, yet it's very much outperformed by the "big players".

The Ouya was planned as a shed build sportscar, but all the planning and building was done by kids who had no idea what they were doing, so they ended up with a rickety wooden pedal car.

 

[Calibanbutcher]

Your phone can be connected to your TV and controlled via a remote controller?

The guy after me said it all really, but just to confirm, yeah it can be.

I'm pulling for the Ouya. It's a longshot, sure, but it's looking like we'll need some new options in the coming console gen

You do know that the Ouya isn't an option? If the PC was a Veyron the PS4 and Next box would be a BMW M5 and a Merc CLK Black, the Ouya on the other hand would be a Unicycle with a flat tyre.

I am sorry, I really really can not let this chance go bye unused:
"So the PC has ungodly expensive accessories, is way to powerful to use, very much overhyped, consumes more energy than a small city and will only do one thing really well and that's pretty much going in a straight line, whilst the consoles will deliver pure fun in a completely mental package of power, speed and noise, but still prove to be an irresponsible, impractical choice for your daily life?"

Also, I would rather liken the Ouya to one of those shed-built sportscars. It's an admirable feat of perseverance and dedication, yet it's very much outperformed by the "big players".

The Ouya was planned as a shed build sportscar, but all the planning and building was done by kids who had no idea what they were doing, so they ended up with a rickety wooden pedal car.

So it's a TVR then?
Hur hur hur.

(Also, I don't want to be too judgemental before having seen the retail model in action, but being judgemental is just too much fun)

 

[Frostbite3789]

So it's a TVR then?
Hur hur hur.

(Also, I don't want to be too judgemental before having seen the retail model in action, but being judgemental is just too much fun)

They're making it way too easy to be judgemental. Nothing about this seems like it's going to actually be a good thing. "Play all your favorite mobile games that you play as time sinks while on the go! But from the comfort of your couch! On outdated technology for a phone even!"

If I'm doing that, why don't I just play a real game?

 

[The Apple BOOM]

So it's a TVR then?
Hur hur hur.

(Also, I don't want to be too judgemental before having seen the retail model in action, but being judgemental is just too much fun)

They're making it way too easy to be judgemental. Nothing about this seems like it's going to actually be a good thing. "Play all your favorite mobile games that you play as time sinks while on the go! But from the comfort of your couch! On outdated technology for a phone even!"

If I'm doing that, why don't I just play a real game?

But you're implying that we NEED super hardware to make a real game. Most games made right now don't really need the hardware they are on other than for graphics.

 

[Frostbite3789]

But you're implying that we NEED super hardware to make a real game. Most games made right now don't really need the hardware they are on other than for graphics.

When it can't even run something like FTL, I don't have high hopes. The only games that look any kind of interesting would be via the emulators they're advertising. And oh look I'm typing this from a computer, which can do that too. And I don't have to spend another $100 this way.

Edit: Oh and way to assume processing power is only for GRAFIX bro. Don't need it for NPC behaviors, game worlds or anything like that. Nope it's only used for the GRAFIX. (Pssst, you sound like a hipster)

 

[The Apple BOOM]

But you're implying that we NEED super hardware to make a real game. Most games made right now don't really need the hardware they are on other than for graphics.

When it can't even run something like FTL, I don't have high hopes. The only games that look any kind of interesting would be via the emulators they're advertising. And oh look I'm typing this from a computer, which can do that too. And I don't have to spend another $100 this way.

The only way I see FTL's requirements being higher than Ouya's capabilities is in processing speed, and as been brought up many times recently, most of that can be factored out due to computers also running an intensive OS in the background as opposed to dedicated consoles.

 

[ascorbius]

So it's a TVR then?
Hur hur hur.

(Also, I don't want to be too judgemental before having seen the retail model in action, but being judgemental is just too much fun)

They're making it way too easy to be judgemental. Nothing about this seems like it's going to actually be a good thing. "Play all your favorite mobile games that you play as time sinks while on the go! But from the comfort of your couch! On outdated technology for a phone even!"

If I'm doing that, why don't I just play a real game?

Please define "Real Game".

All games for the Ouya have to be compiled for the Ouya and put onto the Ouya market.
You won't be just installing the apps for your phone.
Games that do well on the Ouya will do so because they target a different demographic to the phone market.

http://ouyaforum.com/showthread.php?2068-Responses-to-the-Common-OUYA-Questions-Comments-amp-Naysayers

 

[Frostbite3789]

But you're implying that we NEED super hardware to make a real game. Most games made right now don't really need the hardware they are on other than for graphics.

When it can't even run something like FTL, I don't have high hopes. The only games that look any kind of interesting would be via the emulators they're advertising. And oh look I'm typing this from a computer, which can do that too. And I don't have to spend another $100 this way.

The only way I see FTL's requirements being higher than Ouya's capabilities is in processing speed, and as been brought up many times recently, most of that can be factored out due to computers also running an intensive OS in the background as opposed to dedicated consoles.

What can it do that a phone/my computer can't? Please enlighten me to why spending $100 is a good idea. It's a low/mid range smart phone. Or super super super super super super super super old low end computer.

Oh boy?

 

[The Apple BOOM]

I feel like I could say the same thing about mainstream consoles, but one thing we keep forgetting when we say these things is that not everyone is computer savvy. Some people are, at least to us, disturbingly unsavvy. A console is a very easy way for those people to pick up games.

On top of that, the Ouya has built in controller support for all it's games. It even comes with a controller, which no smart phones do. All games have a forced demo, so people aren't forced to buy games blindly. There are also no licensing issues, and every console, like every android phone, is an SDK.

While just looking at specs this isn't super impressive, it opens the door for indie developers to code for people who aren't tech savvy on their computers.

 

[clippen05]

Echoing what others said, the Ouya doesn't offer anything that an Android Smartphone with an hdmi out port doesn't already offer. In fact, the smartphone is actually better as you can play on your TV or play on the go. Honestly I can't understand why anyone would want an Ouya.

 

[ascorbius]

I feel like I could say the same thing about mainstream consoles, but one thing we keep forgetting when we say these things is that not everyone is computer savvy. Some people are, at least to us, disturbingly unsavvy. A console is a very easy way for those people to pick up games.

On top of that, the Ouya has built in controller support for all it's games. It even comes with a controller, which no smart phones do. All games have a forced demo, so people aren't forced to buy games blindly. There are also no licensing issues, and every console, like every android phone, is an SDK.

While just looking at specs this isn't super impressive, it opens the door for indie developers to code for people who aren't tech savvy on their computers.

This guy nailed it.


The games are free to play or try.
The API is open.
The Price point is low.
Not everyone can afford a major console, not all developers can afford to write for them.
Consoles are trying to be everything now.

Major developers are lining up to write for it, they see something beyond the AAA market.

If you have a PC, an XBox and/or a Playstation - perhaps the Ouya is not for you.. But I know quite a few families who would love a device where the kids could play the games for free and not have to worry about damaging disks.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

This guy nailed it.


The games are free to play or try.
The API is open.
The Price point is low.

Andriod Phones have all of these qualities. Jailbroken iPhones too.

Not everyone can afford a major console, not all developers can afford to write for them.
Consoles are trying to be everything now.

So are phones. And they are doing a decent job of it. Maybe not everyone cal afford a major console but damn near everyone has a smartphone that is more powerful or on par with the Ouya. Pretty much everyone has a PC as well. Taking consoles out of the equation the Ouya is still not as attractive as many devices people have in their house by pretty much default, or a pocket sized device.

Major developers are lining up to write for it, they see something beyond the AAA market.

Major developers are lining up to put out another port of the games they put out on mobile phones. Just because a major dev is working on it doesn't mean that they're going to take it for anything more than profit.

If you have a PC, an XBox and/or a Playstation - perhaps the Ouya is not for you.. But I know quite a few families who would love a device where the kids could play the games for free and not have to worry about damaging disks.

Yeah, and those kids probably have smartphones, so the Ouya's not for them either. It may seem like I'm being a major asshole, but the Ouya is a device marketed to groups of people who don't really exist in large numbers. Gamers who are willing to pay $99 for a machine that plays games that compete with games on Newgrounds, people without a PC as well as a Phone who want to game,etc. This thing isn't the most marketable or capable thing on the planet and that's why it will fail. It can't compete with phones for crying out loud simply because of portability. Like for crying out loud there are iPhone games that beat out 3DS games and compete with Vita games. If the Ouya can't do that what's the point? The Samsung Galaxy is more powerful and is cheaper with a contract. The Ouya's capabilities limited it to play casual games or well done indie games, and the well done indie games will wind up being sold on Steam/Desura/Gamersgate, etc. And the casual gaming market has shown itself to not be the best place for lasting customers. Examples include the Wii's lack of core 3rd party support due to Nintendo marketing to casuals specifically, the fall of Zynga and companies like it, the fact that Rovio has done nothing but milk Angry Birds and make more money off of stuffed animals than gaming of any sort.

The Ouya isn't going to be able to compete with anything that can be known as an electronic device that can be use to entertain.