It’s game on for OUYA which todayconfirmed the new video game console will launch in the United States, Canada, and the U.K. on June 4, 2013, for $99.99. OUYA upends the current console model by being open to any game developer who wants to create and publish games for the TV. For gamers, this means they can now download any game they choose, and try it for free — no more discs to buy and no more risk of paying for games you don’t love.
This concept has earned OUYA widespread support from developers of all kinds and gamers — both of whom have shared their feedback on what they wanted in a game system, along with millions of dollars in crowdsourced funding. Tens of thousands of OUYAs were sold in its first month when announced in 2012. OUYA will begin shipping units to its early backers today as part of a preview program leading up to the June retail launch.
Featuring vivid HD graphics, immersive sound, and a gamer’s controller, OUYA delivers a unique platform for enjoying games of every genre, from racing to shooter, action-adventure to RPG, and platformer to puzzle. More than 8,000 game developers worldwide are currently developing games, from a wide range of established and up-and-coming developers, including Square Enix, Inc., Double Fine Productions, Tripwire Interactive LLC, Vlambeer, Phil Fish’s Polytron Corporation, and Kim Swift’s Airtight Games.
“Nine months ago, we shared an idea for an immersive, beautiful and powerful game console that generated an outpouring of support from game developers, gamers, technology enthusiasts, and more. With that, we set out to bring the OUYA concept to life, and today, we’re delivering,” said Julie Uhrman, CEO of OUYA. “We’re giving early backers the first look at the final OUYA console and controller, and we look forward to their continued input as we gear up for the official launch at retail on June 4.”
