Ouya project hits $5m on Kickstarter, devs details 'anti-piracy' system

[garyopa]

Also, they denied that they've looking for funding outside of Kickstarter.



'Ouya will be just as secure as any other Android-powered device'... so, not as 'hackable' as we thought...

As the upcoming "Ouya" $99 Android console project hits $5m, developers give more details about it.

First, when asked if five million dollars could fund the launch of the system, CEO of Ouya Julie Uhrman responded the following:

"We've raised enough to build a great product, just as we planned. Part of what we're doing is creating something that shows in gaming 'less is more' -- we don't need custom chips, or expensive first-party games, we just need to make an open system that supports great games. More certainly helps, though: the more we raise, the more we can create a great service for game developers, with better tools, and more gamers for them to reach with their games. More game developers means more, better games - and that's better for gamers."

Now, according to her, the "OUYA will be just as secure as any other Android-powered device", so, piracy won't run rampant, even if its a 'easily' hackable device.

"OUYA will be just as secure as any other Android-powered device. In fact, because all the paid content will require authentication with OUYA's servers, we have an added layer of security. Hacking and openness are about getting what you want to do with the hardware. Rooting the device won't give you any more access to the software."

When asked about the fact that the firm said Minecraft would be on the system -when it was never shown running, nor had it been confirmed by Mojang- she said:

"No, we haven't tested Minecraft on our hardware," said Uhrman. However, "Mojang approved everything we said in our video, and clarified... that if we build the product as promised, Minecraft and other Mojang games will be on it. Notch has also personally supported the Kickstarter with a very generous pledge."

"We have tested a handful of games," Uhrman noted. "Including Shadowgun as we showed in our video."

Also, there was a rumor floating around saying that the firm is seeking venture capitalist funding alongside its Kickstarter campaign.

Well, they have denied it:

"Let me be clear, Ouya is not seeking additional funding outside of Kickstarter,” a statement from the company issued to MCV and Develop reads. “Our priority now is to continue to focus on building a great game console while engaging in our ongoing Kickstarter campaign.

"Our intent in going to Kickstarter was to raise money that would take us from functional prototype to product on the market."

"With respect to our funding, we have been candid in disclosing an early round raised through friends and family that included backing from investors like Digg founder Jay Adelson, Flixster founder Joe Greenstein, and Jawbone founder Hosain Rahman.

"We do not intend to engage in any conversations related to funding while we are on Kickstarter. And, it's not like we are going to start speed dialing VCs as soon as the Kickstarter campaign ends. Once our Kickstarter campaign closes funding our priority will be getting Ouya to market, and delivering the best game experience possible. Fundraising will not be top of the list.

"Unfortunately, I think this rumor sprung from a misunderstood answer during an interview and we are trying to contact the reporter to clarify."

And finally, Eurogamer has shared in an Article a few very interesting thoughts about the device.

According to them, the 'free-to-play' description of the upcoming Ouya games isn't totally accurate...

First of all there's the use of 'free to play', with specific reference to popular examples of this model like Triple Town, League of Legends and Team Fortress 2. It's claimed all games on Ouya will be free to play. This is not the case. A game with a demo, according to the Ouya definition, is free to play. The phrase refers to a specific business model, and Ouya gives appropriate examples, but then... it's just not borne out.

Well, there you go. Are you still interested on it?

NEWS SOURCE #1: Ouya responds to skepticism (via) EuroGamer
NEWS SOURCE #2: Ouya denies fundraising claims as project hits 5m (via) MCV UK

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

[billysastard]

because all the paid content will require authentication with OUYA's servers

that is a very good reason right there to NOT buy it, if it does ok then fine, if however it fails then what happens to all the games you paid for once they cant authenticate them?

[msanchez]

that is a very good reason right there to NOT buy it, if it does ok then fine, if however it fails then what happens to all the games you paid for once they cant authenticate them?

That's easy to answer... just ask a ubisoft employee... or customer.