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Ouya Android Game Console Launches, Quickly Sells Out
Ouya, the Android-based game console that arose out of a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, officially launched today. The $99 device quickly sold out at a number of retailers, including Amazon and GameStop. "According to Ouya, the console currently has more than 170 downloadable games, as well as a built-in software development kit that enables people to create and test titles right from the hardware." Many reviews of the console suggest the controllers are not very good, and there are reports that the Wi-Fi connectivity can be flaky. There's also a lot of commentary about Ouya that clearly came from unrealistic expectations of what a $99 device can provide. Most of the backers from the Kickstarter campaign have received their consoles, but some are still waiting as Ouya tries to sort out shipping problems with DHL.
This thing costs $400 less than the XBox?
Why get a Honda Fit when you could get a Pontiac Aztek?
Everything is better with chainsaws.
Heh. I used to have this daily ritual that started when I bought a complete piece-of-shit rice cooker from Walmart. I'd walk to Walmart, rice cooker in hand, to get a replacement unit. Walk home, plug it in, and poof! Rice cooker go boom. I think this kept up for just over a week before they finally got sick of me (and lord knows who else) and pulled all the things off the shelves.
The replacement (an Oster or some such) never failed me.
But can you run any game you want, any emulator you want, or write any game you want on an old XBox? Not really. Yes, it's a niche, but and important one that is not being served by the current console makers. That's why Ouya's been so popular so far. It fills a need that the console makers refuse to satisfy.
1. Your cell phone doesn't have a 360-like controller.
2. Your cell phone likely won't play games on your TV.
3. Every game on the OUYA can be tried for free. You don't have to put a credit card in to start downloading apps from the store.
4. Your cell phone can't be a dedicated media center.
5. Mother-fucking-Towerfall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es-okjDMAbI
Consider that many people consider $99 media center appliances to be a good bargain. Now consider a device at the same price that includes a gaming controller and plays games. That somehow makes it less viable?
http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.