Over 1,000 Developers Interested in Making Ouya Games

[Sarah LeBoeuf]

Over 1,000 Developers Interested in Making Ouya Games

More than 50 distributors worldwide are hoping to carry Ouya when it launches.

The massive Kickstarter success [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/118982-Ouya-Kickstarter-Ends-with-900-of-Goal-Raised] of the Android-based Ouya console has left gamers divided. Some are excited for the console's potential and comparably low price tag. Others have dismissed it as nothing more than a box that can play smartphone games on a television, with no real potential for greatness. No matter what your feelings on Ouya are, game developers are apparently excited about it. According to Ouya, it's been approached by over a thousand developers since its Kickstarter campaign ended.

Ouya's Julie Uhrman also announced that more than 50 distributors "from all around the world" had applied to carry the console, though she didn't specify whether any big-name retailers were among them. The company has expanded its ranks, naming former IGN president Roy Bahat chairman of the board and hiring Steve Chamberlin of Trion and EA "to run our engineering." Additionally, Raffi Bagdasarian, formerly of Sony Pictures Television, will "lead software product, including user experience and our services for game developers."

It sounds like Ouya is receiving a lot of support from the industry, but I'm sure backers would like to hear some more specifics, like which developers have shown interest and when the console might be available. In the meantime, gamers can continue to predict whether Ouya will be a massive, industry-changing success or colossal, embarrassing failure.

Source: Kotaku [http://www.ouya.tv/ouyas-army-expands/]

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[Fappy]

I'm still holding out hope for this. If it performs well and makes people happy we may be looking at a better industry.

 

[Zombie_Moogle]

Quoted from Wikipedia
"In marketing terminology, a killer application (commonly shortened to killer app) is any computer program that is so necessary or desirable that it proves the core value of some larger technology, such as computer hardware, gaming console, software, a programming language, software platform, or an operating system. In other words, consumers would buy the (expensive) hardware just to run that application. A killer app can substantially increase sales of the platform on which it runs."

This is what the Ouya will need. Something big. Something everyone will have heard of after it hits.
Portable Consoles used to be the only show in town for mobile gaming, then Angry Birds happened; Sony & Nintendo have been waking up in cold sweats since
Ouya has Final Fantasy III secured as a launch title, so they've got a core demographic of people who will buy them day 1 anyway.

Then again, it's android based, so Netflix & Hulu support shouldn't be far off. It's already got Onlive. With proper marketing, it could sell well on it's alternative uses & low cost

 

[Croaker42]

I'm still holding out hope for this. If it performs well and makes people happy we may be looking at a better industry.

Agreed.
Its good to see another party step into the console ring. With the developer support they already have, this little 99$ console could rock the market.

Going to be fun to watch.

 

[Rainboq]

If they play their cards right, the Ouya could be a strong contender in the upcoming console cycle, but that's a big if, then again, the idea of the 'people's console' could be a huge thing for them. It's time for the waiting game.

 

[newwiseman]

My only hope is that the Ouya becomes a baseline for app, or at least game, development on android. One of the biggest problems with android is the fragmentation and diversity of the specs that all the different devices have. For the average consumer they don't understand if they can even run an app until after they've purchased it.

If the Ouya can become a minimum spec sheet for phone development I see only good things in the future.

I bought mine just to work as a cheap htpc for my other TV, a focus on gaming is a bonus.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

50 =/= Over 1000...

Regardless, this is good news. I hope this thing sells well.

 

[StriderShinryu]

Given what the machine actually is, I'm not surprised it's garnering developer interest. Not that it's bad, but it's the sort of thing that will likely be extremely easy to just port your iOS, Android or PC indie games over to with no extra fuss. If you can do so, why wouldn't you?

 

[Pebkio]

Wait... what? Android is an OS for mobile platforms... right? Yeah, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices. Why would that make a good console?

No really, why would it make a good console?

If I remember correctly, Android is Linux based, is this really going to be a Linux console? Aren't we just talking about a PC now? Except worse because you can't upgrade the hardware? Okay, so it's a PC designed for specific use... just like any other console?

I don't get the fervor, I really don't.

 

[dangoball]

50 =/= Over 1000...

Regardless, this is good news. I hope this thing sells well.

And distributor =/= developer. No error in them numbers.

I'm still curious if it's gonna be available in my country without having to buy from Germany or import from UK. Never was much of a console player, but this certainly looks to have a lot of potential for fun.

 

[cidbahamut]

Wait... what? Android is an OS for mobile platforms... right? Yeah, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices. Why would that make a good console?

No really, why would it make a good console?

If I remember correctly, Android is Linux based, is this really going to be a Linux console? Aren't we just talking about a PC now? Except worse because you can't upgrade the hardware? Okay, so it's a PC designed for specific use... just like any other console?

I don't get the fervor, I really don't.

People are projecting their hopes and dreams onto a new console without stopping to take a minute to actually think about what the console and the project could realistically deliver.

The tears to come are going to be delicious.

 

[SextusMaximus]

50 =/= Over 1000...

Regardless, this is good news. I hope this thing sells well.

Distributers =/= Developers

 

[Pebkio]

People are projecting their hopes and dreams onto a new console without stopping to take a minute to actually think about what the console and the project could realistically deliver.

The tears to come are going to be delicious.

Yeah, I guess. I must've missed the big moment that makes people love this console over the other consoles. Maybe because it's new?

I don't even understand what hopes and dreams you're talking about... because the things I've seen promised from this console is the same crap I see already on other consoles. Netflix and Hulu are already available on the 360, what is so special about having non gaming stuff on a gaming console? It boggles my mind.

---

So I decided to look up the facts, and I found a fact-sheet from the press kit. Here are a few things I saw that (might?) be different:

Ouya is:
"Open to any developer to publish a game - unlike any of the current game consoles"
(I wasn't aware that only a select group of publishers were allowed on Microsoft of Sony's console)
"All games are free-to-play (with in-game items, paid version after free trial, etc.)"
(Aside from the MMO possibility, that's standard demo-work)
"For Hackers - built to be hacked"

This last one basically means that it's easy to root, comes with a debug console, and is easy to open with standard equipment. There was also something in there about customizable user-interfaces but I'm guessing that'll be "customizable to a point".

The free-to-play is also not as exciting as you think because it's what we see on phones today. The only difference from regular consoles is that it'll download the whole game with most of it locked away behind a subscription service. And even if they don't go all corrupt with subscriptions for offline games, the pricing will remain the same. It'll be no better, and has the possibility of being worse, than the XBLA system.

As for the "anyone can publish" thing, I've seen it before... with Apple. Ouya will have one publisher and that publisher will be Ouya. Developers submit their IP to Ouya who then publishes that IP for a fee. Games will be presented as apps. This sounds fine until you remember that developers usually rely on Bethesda or EA because those companies give them investment money to start a project. Kickstarter could change all that, so this is the only thing I'm actually a bit excited for.

Except that whole "you can hack us all day and night - no penalty" thing might scare some developers away. The real success is if they can get more than flash-like games for their console, and I don't see why AAA would hop on board.

It's interesting though, I'll give it that. Still, I don't think it's the game-changer everyone is calling for.

Edit: It also relies on the success of kickstarter in general... and the jury is still out on that. I like kickstarter, but it's going to fail hard if even 10% of the projects don't deliver.

 

[Judgement101]

I believe this will be the first Kickstarter scam. They have promised over 100,000 Ouyas to the people that have pledged enough money and even with their massive success, I think that the manufacturing of all those "pre-orders" may cause them a lot of financial strain.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

Wait... what? Android is an OS for mobile platforms... right? Yeah, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices. Why would that make a good console?

No really, why would it make a good console?

If I remember correctly, Android is Linux based, is this really going to be a Linux console? Aren't we just talking about a PC now? Except worse because you can't upgrade the hardware? Okay, so it's a PC designed for specific use... just like any other console?

I don't get the fervor, I really don't.

People are projecting their hopes and dreams onto a new console without stopping to take a minute to actually think about what the console and the project could realistically deliver.

The tears to come are going to be delicious.

Yeah, this Ouya thing is another sample of people throwing money at something they don't understand.

 

[gardian06]

...
So I decided to look up the facts, and I found a fact-sheet from the press kit. Here are a few things I saw that (might?) be different:

Ouya is:
"Open to any developer to publish a game - unlike any of the current game consoles"
(I wasn't aware that only a select group of publishers were allowed on Microsoft of Sony's console)

they are called Software Development Kits (SDK), and for the major consoles XBox-X, PSX, NintendoThing they require to either purchase in terms of Sony (the price is not to be disclosed to the public), or the game submitted for approval, and then given a Dev-Kit for that tittle (Nintendo), or similar to before but like a rental (Microsoft). these dev-kits will be similar to the base system that was released for that console, and should be used to test against, and on (this is why no matter how many times they release the 360/PS3 it won't be that much different then the gen 1), and has some extra features that are locked away, or excluded on the actual system. it also has the possibility to directly accept drivers for peripherals, or output console logs to external system, and saying anything more would vialate NDA.

"All games are free-to-play (with in-game items, paid version after free trial, etc.)"
(Aside from the MMO possibility, that's standard demo-work)
"For Hackers - built to be hacked"

This last one basically means that it's easy to root, comes with a debug console, and is easy to open with standard equipment. There was also something in there about customizable user-interfaces but I'm guessing that'll be "customizable to a point".

yes, and no: what they are talking about is not "rooting the system" (it might already grant root access) they are talking about trading out hardware, and it is using the Android frame work for the customization, but yes if they do include bloatware it will still be there.

The free-to-play is also not as exciting as you think because it's what we see on phones today. The only difference from regular consoles is that it'll download the whole game with most of it locked away behind a subscription service. And even if they don't go all corrupt with subscriptions for offline games, the pricing will remain the same. It'll be no better, and has the possibility of being worse, than the XBLA system.

not necessarily, and your idea is way off base. in order to have a demo on a service like XBLA it must be submitted separately, and downloaded separately by the user. granted most of the time the "demo" is just the first level or so doesn't mean you have the entire game on your system for the sole reason that if you do want to go all supper hacker you might be able to get the files, and depending on the system/language decompile, and release your own "version", but this is usually a lot more of a headache then is worth, and even then sometimes it is comical to even watch.

As for the "anyone can publish" thing, I've seen it before... with Apple. Ouya will have one publisher and that publisher will be Ouya. Developers submit their IP to Ouya who then publishes that IP for a fee. Games will be presented as apps. This sounds fine until you remember that developers usually rely on Bethesda or EA because those companies give them investment money to start a project. Kickstarter could change all that, so this is the only thing I'm actually a bit excited for.

no think the Android market place, so its not so much submitting it to a "single" publisher, but instead releasing it into the wild for sale.

Except that whole "you can hack us all day and night - no penalty" thing might scare some developers away. The real success is if they can get more than flash-like games for their console, and I don't see why AAA would hop on board.

It's interesting though, I'll give it that. Still, I don't think it's the game-changer everyone is calling for.

Edit: It also relies on the success of kickstarter in general... and the jury is still out on that. I like kickstarter, but it's going to fail hard if even 10% of the projects don't deliver.

and in your previous post about it being Linux, and just a glorified computer. Someone doesn't really understand Android. Android is a derivative of Linux, but only to the point of the kernal everything after that is a framework that has less to do with Linux then the IPhone does. granted yes they are taking a frame-work that was originally designed for a phone, and connecting it to the tv, but isn't most invention/innovation taking something that already exists, and either modifying, or re-purposing it. complaining that they are taking something that is made for one thing, and using it for another is like complaining that Computer Science uses binary, or that cellphones even exist.

 

[Pebkio]

yes, and no: what they are talking about is not "rooting the system" (it might already grant root access) they are talking about trading out hardware, and it is using the Android frame work for the customization, but yes if they do include bloatware it will still be there.

They, in fact, mention rooting the system in the fact sheet. I doubt they'll have root access and all the options grant forthwith as they're trying to sell to the common consumer. Still, it'll probably be pretty easy to unlock. Still, moot point, we're both right, basically. I only posted this bit because I didn't want to look like I was flat-out ignoring some things you said.

not necessarily, and your idea is way off base. in order to have a demo on a service like XBLA it must be submitted separately, and downloaded separately by the user. granted most of the time the "demo" is just the first level or so doesn't mean you have the entire game on your system for the sole reason that if you do want to go all supper hacker you might be able to get the files, and depending on the system/language decompile, and release your own "version", but this is usually a lot more of a headache then is worth, and even then sometimes it is comical to even watch.

Okay, yeah, the demo system on XBLA is separated from the actual purchasing system. The Ouya won't be. Ups and downs on both sides. For instance, I don't really want to download 10 gigs just to test out a game. But on the flip side, the confusing set up you mentioned.

By the way, if you want to hack a console, easier just to download a pre-built external because programming on a computer is always easier. I don't see that changing on this console. I don't do this myself, but I know the theory.

no think the Android market place, so its not so much submitting it to a "single" publisher, but instead releasing it into the wild for sale.

No, you happen to just be wrong on this one. If you want to be able to publish anything to the Android Market, you have to pay that initial fee of $25. And you aren't paying into the wild. You are paying, specifically, Google. Yes, Google runs the Android Marketplace, meaning that you send your app to them and they publish it on their marketplace. I actually had to go research that quite a bit.

Don't believe me? It's right here. [http://www.google.com/mobile/android/market-tos.html]

and in your previous post about it being Linux, and just a glorified computer. Someone doesn't really understand Android. Android is a derivative of Linux, but only to the point of the kernal everything after that is a framework that has less to do with Linux then the IPhone does. granted yes they are taking a frame-work that was originally designed for a phone, and connecting it to the tv, but isn't most invention/innovation taking something that already exists, and either modifying, or re-purposing it. complaining that they are taking something that is made for one thing, and using it for another is like complaining that Computer Science uses binary, or that cellphones even exist.

Built ground up from the Linux kernal still makes it a Linux system, even if it's more proprietary (finally remembered the word I was going for). But didn't you know? Xbox 360 is really a glorified PC too.

Comparing the very basis of digital language to a complex set of protocols designed to interface software, hardware, and the user (what an OS is and does) is pretty bad form. But, I will admit I was being a bit facetious. Obviously they wanted to build the console up around the marketplace idea. I get that now.

Not a bad idea; but as I stated in the quote you had used, this attempt to circumvent classic means of game publishing depends on kickstarter being successful and AAA developers getting on board.