14 DAY TRIAL // Ouya, the intriguing console project that promises to deliver a different type of experience by focusing on free-to-play games and an open nature with modders and hackers, was released on popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter yesterday and now, in around 24 hours, has managed to rake in over $2.6 million (€2.1 million).
Consoles aren’t that popular nowadays, given the resurgence in PC gaming and the growing interest in mobile platforms like smartphones or tablets.
In order to fix this, the team behind the Ouya project proposes a paradigm shift, where the console is cheap and its nature is completely open both to developers and to regular users who can modify it in any way they want.
“Ouya is a new game console for the TV, powered by Android. We've packed this little box full of power. Developers will have access to OUYA's open design so they can produce their games for the living room, taking advantage of everything the TV has to offer. Best of all, OUYA's world-class controller, console, and interface come in one beautiful, inexpensive package. All the games on it will be free, at least to try,” the team said.
In order to transform the project into a reality, the Ouya team set up a Kickstarter page, where potential customers could support it by pre-ordering devices.
While the initial goal was a lofty $950,000 (€774,000), a lot of people became interested in the new console and donated over $2.6 million in just 24 hours.
As you can imagine, this outpour of support has definitely impressed the Ouya team.
“Do you realize what you've done? You proved consoles aren't dead. You shocked the world. And us! We are blown away by your support. With your help, we just raised $2 million. And it’s only the first day,”
There are still 28 days in which people can pledge their support for Ouya so you can bet that more and more gamers might become interested in the new console. You can check out all the details about the device on its Kickstarter page here.