To be powered by Tegra 4 by release and direct access to all android services including Google Play and Tegra Zone, this presents serious threat to Ouya, Game stick and Project Shield with a good strategy and a global presence.
I have high hopes and continue to back Ouya but what will Boxer8 be able to do to fight off the threat of a more powerful console with access to more games and software immediately?
This is an open question. I personally believe Ouya has more potential as its an optimised console and not just a phone in a box, with a stock OS (i.e free to play requirement, optimised controls). However, that potential needs to be exploited.
How do you think our beloved console will fair? What do you want Ouya to do in terms of stratgy in order to be the number 1 and dominant force in Android console gaming?
FYI OUYA renamed themselves from Boxer8 to OUYA Inc. a while back.
Apparently, OUYA originally went to google about getting the play store on the OUYA and got told no, because it didn't have touch screen capability (the controller touch pad wasn't enough). I guess google have changed their policy on this.
Some games don't make sense to put on Google Play. For example, putting your local multiplayer game on Google play, most people who happen across it will be on mobile, and probably won't understand why the game is asking them to get 4 people all crowded round one tablet or smartphone screen. Another area where OUYA has an advantage over Google Play is in store curation. If you're in the OUYA Discover store, you've got a better chance at getting your game noticed. If you're in Google Play, you'll likely get lost in the millions of other apps that don't support controllers. It'll probably only be big name games like GTA or Shadowgun that'll get picked up by mojo users
There are other things as well, such as games getting cut off by overscan or looking really low res when blown up to full size on an HD TV
In other words, there are enough things that differentiate the OUYA from mojo (or any other of its rivals), and it's up to OUYA to emphasise those. They've already started to do that with the local multiplayer trend. The vast vast majority of consumers have no idea what a microconsole is, nor have ever heard of OUYA, Gamestick or any of the others. If OUYA can build itself in consumer's minds as "The OUYA" rather than "one of a number of similar products called..." then it probably doesn't matter if there are other rivals arguably offering a different (better?) proposition.
Another thing to consider as well with the Mojo is that it is likely to be priced significantly higher due to using Tegra 4 and the manufacturers having to get a return purely from the hardware (since they don't get any of the google play sales).
(also, as it happens, I covered this very subject in my blog only a couple of days ago. Feel free to check it out: http://www.crystallinegreen.com/?p=826 /shamelessplug )
The M.O.J.O. (why do MadCatz do that?) is not definitely using the Tegra 4 yet. It is currently being investigated. There is no decision yet on the processor. With price they have to be careful. The Tegra 4 SoC is at a premium price right now because it is brand new, yet they still need to remain price-competitive against the other Android game consoles.
This is why I said they plan to by release. Which they said. I find it unlikely they'll release a console they market as what will be the most powerful microconsole using last years chips. Tegra 3 is already quite far behind rival tech.
For the target price, Tegra 4 should cost close to what its predecessor did before. The console probably will be a bit more expensive but it will make sense for the specs. That's unavoidable yet MadCatz expect to eclipse the competition based on that.
I think exclusives are becoming increasingly more important, especially in-house ones that can be easily funded and don't present a financial risk to 3rd parties - given that most of the time they would rather release on multiple systems. I would.
As a marketable gaming platform it I'll need some big hitters as now the platform is looking mostly like a library of smart phones games (but not even the full portfolio). This was expected but the problem can yet be resolved if Ouya tap into some of those funds.
Yes, we need to see the experiences truly enabled by the platform. The touch controls, the networking, the graphics. Bluetooth connection to other devices (smartphones/tablets) could offer something interesting in games. We need the defining racer, the defining platformer game, the defining FPS all with gorgeous 3d visuals
I think Ouya could take the fight to WiiU right now as one of the outsider console devices, that could see runaway success with he right games and low price. Wiiu is more powerful and has Nintendo games, Ouya is cheaper and more flexible and with the right games and apps could be a strong third choice games/media device in the shops.
People's first criticism of Ouya is often "wait, it doesn't play my android apps from google play?" but I think having a dedicated store is a serious advantage for Ouya because the games will be tailored to the platform -- it's more a communication problem than a product problem.
And it's not like it's impossible for Ouya to play regular Android apps, either (they should be mentioning this in interviews etc). I think so far Ouya is in a good position vs the rest of the android console competition.
I dont get the appeal of google play access AT ALL.
Why do you want it?
Nearly all google play games lack gamepad support.
They expect touch and touch only.
This makes moyo pointless.
Google Play access isnt necessary and doesnt have Ouya's advantages, I'm not asking for it am I? But its important to mention when it comes to marketing advantages the competition has. Afterall the two consoles are staking success on two different things but they will want to leverage the best of both worlds where possible.
Ouya has a lot of smartphone ports but only a drop in the ocean compared to what we see on google play. Therefore it would be better to see the console define itself by exclusives alongside the select smartphone games repurposed and optimised for the console. Edit: Mojo is providing full access to Google Play and all games and they provide the facilities for both controller play and touch screen play - though skipping on customised software or special monetisation models.
FPS and Racer genres are famous for their graphics, which is not OUYA's strong suit. Why try to compete directly with other consoles? I'm hoping OUYA provides alternative FPS games that aren't just the usual zombie/whatever else apocalypse or military shooter, but bring different worlds and stories to light than what we see elsewhere. If by racer, you mean split screen mario kart style, then great!
With things like connecting second screens (smartphone/tablet) or even motion controllers, that stuff will come in time, but the issues to do with connecting and performance using generic API's and technology that wasn't necessarily designed to work with each other are probably not cost effective to solve for small teams with limited budgets. It's going to take time for hobbyists and enthusiasts to get to grips with that stuff
I believe in great multi genre gaming across multiple platforms.
Ouya isnt the strongest piece of tech but its capable of modern shaders and nice lighting as we've seen in the best examples on mobiles or even the Playstation Vita which is a reasonable comparison to make for a multi-core mobile console. Games can happily look sub-360 or sub-PS3 on a shader level all the same. This is widely considered an acceptable level of graphical presentation without blockiness, poor textures and environments that possess realistic material properties.
But that's not necessarily the main point. I think many would like to play fresh games in genres like FPS or racing too and it doesn't mean trying to top Crysis graphically in that process.
Yet a good driving game (whether that's GT like or PGR like), Kart games or good multiplayer shooters, could be crucial to attracting a major part of the gaming public.
Tl;dr I'm all in.
I think the Ouya could kick ass in anything given the right focus and ambition and I do want to see it successful and give the industry a reason to back this small, open, optimised android console.
Lets see a game like Uncharted Golden Abyss or Killzone Mercenary alongside the quirky games, then there's a top prospect booster.
Its just my opinion, but I can see big things for the console. A bit of an in-house show reel wouldn't go a miss at all and make a strong initial example of what can be played and what can be made.
I agree with your second point on the trials for a small game dev team to implement.
Though again, it would be great to see Ouya, who now have at least triple the Kickstarter funds help develop unique frame-works that can be plugged into to other platforms like an Android phone/tablet.
Take inspiration from smart-glass. The platform is definitely flexible enough to achieve this and well within Ouya's engineering capabilities. I think being able to interface with games/software and double up on information display would be a major draw. People will see the Ouya advert and think "oh cool I can use my nexus with this!" And for me as a gamer or would be developer I can get excited about utilising these features...
ItsJustAC
London, EnglandPosts: 66Member
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Apparently, OUYA originally went to google about getting the play store on the OUYA and got told no, because it didn't have touch screen capability (the controller touch pad wasn't enough). I guess google have changed their policy on this.
Some games don't make sense to put on Google Play. For example, putting your local multiplayer game on Google play, most people who happen across it will be on mobile, and probably won't understand why the game is asking them to get 4 people all crowded round one tablet or smartphone screen. Another area where OUYA has an advantage over Google Play is in store curation. If you're in the OUYA Discover store, you've got a better chance at getting your game noticed. If you're in Google Play, you'll likely get lost in the millions of other apps that don't support controllers. It'll probably only be big name games like GTA or Shadowgun that'll get picked up by mojo users
There are other things as well, such as games getting cut off by overscan or looking really low res when blown up to full size on an HD TV
In other words, there are enough things that differentiate the OUYA from mojo (or any other of its rivals), and it's up to OUYA to emphasise those. They've already started to do that with the local multiplayer trend. The vast vast majority of consumers have no idea what a microconsole is, nor have ever heard of OUYA, Gamestick or any of the others. If OUYA can build itself in consumer's minds as "The OUYA" rather than "one of a number of similar products called..." then it probably doesn't matter if there are other rivals arguably offering a different (better?) proposition.
Another thing to consider as well with the Mojo is that it is likely to be priced significantly higher due to using Tegra 4 and the manufacturers having to get a return purely from the hardware (since they don't get any of the google play sales).
(also, as it happens, I covered this very subject in my blog only a couple of days ago. Feel free to check it out: http://www.crystallinegreen.com/?p=826
/shamelessplug )
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With things like connecting second screens (smartphone/tablet) or even motion controllers, that stuff will come in time, but the issues to do with connecting and performance using generic API's and technology that wasn't necessarily designed to work with each other are probably not cost effective to solve for small teams with limited budgets. It's going to take time for hobbyists and enthusiasts to get to grips with that stuff
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