The Ouya, a pioneering gaming console, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary today, June 25, 2023. In this article, we reflect on its legacy as a system that sought to disrupt the market with a unique approach.
Like many failed console projects, the Ouya was both ahead of its time and lagging behind. Launched a decade ago, it was an independently developed console that received funding through a successful Kickstarter campaign. Despite the questions and criticisms that arose, there was also excitement surrounding the potential of such a console. What could the independent-focused gaming community achieve with this platform?
Costing only $99, the Ouya was a micro-console built on Android architecture. Its appeal lay in its affordability and the fact that every console doubled as a development kit. With some technical knowledge, anyone could start creating their own games for the platform. The console promised accessible developer tools, an exclusive library of indie games, and a bridge between the mobile and console worlds.
Before its release, academic Ian Bogost argued that the allure of the Ouya was not in the physical device itself, but in the satisfaction of supporting a hypothetical console that aimed to disrupt the industry. When the Ouya finally hit the market, it received a lukewarm reception. The console struggled, eventually being acquired by Razer and fading away slowly. The Ouya’s eulogy often revolves around its failure, moving from being one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns to being overshadowed by subsequent, larger projects. In a way, Bogost was right. The Ouya ultimately failed because its purpose had already been fulfilled before it even went on sale. Even the original Kickstarter video presented a grand vision of industry disruption, bringing mobile games to the big screen, and empowering small developers to compete with giants. The future was supposed to be encapsulated in this small box. The original Ouya packaging even included slogans such as “and so begins the revolution” or “thank you for believing”.
However, the beauty of the Ouya lay in its smallness. While the creators’ grand vision went unrealized, they succeeded in building an affordable and open-source platform for unconventional games. In a humorous piece for the now-defunct Killscreen, Zack Kotzer highlighted that the Ouya excelled in providing games to play while high. He mentioned rain simulators, surreal journeys through empty seas, and absurd valet parking simulations – games that don’t need to be everything, but are something.
Even the most notable success of the Ouya, the multiplayer fighter game Towerfall, exemplifies this sense of smallness. The game faced criticism upon its release for lacking online multiplayer capabilities. However, this complaint, while understandable, missed the mark. Towerfall thrived on the thrill of close calls, shouting at the TV, and filling a room with laughter. While an online multiplayer lobby could capture some of that feeling, it could also create distance. Towerfall’s strength lies in the frenzy of a weekend gaming session or the occasional match played over the years. Unlike many multiplayer games that demand significant time commitments, Towerfall remains small – just like the Ouya itself.
Although the Ouya allowed for small-scale projects and provided development tutorials, its pitch aimed slightly higher. Shortly after the console’s launch, the Ouya team introduced a $1 million funding campaign. Independent games funded through Kickstarter could receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds from Ouya in exchange for a six-month exclusivity contract. This policy generated controversy, with some developers accused of artificially inflating their Kickstarter campaigns to gain access to the promised funds. Changes were made to the policy based on developer feedback, but it showcased the scale of Ouya’s ambitions. Indie hits like Super Meat Boy or even Towerfall were the desired goal. The smaller games on the fringes of the Ouya marketplace received less institutional support. Kotzer aptly stated, “better anarchy than antiquity”, a warning that has since become a prophecy.
Regrettably, the Ouya operated within a closed ecosystem. When it was announced that its online infrastructure would be shut down, preservationists rushed to save the games that would otherwise be abandoned due to lack of official support. The Ouya fared relatively better in this regard, as it was built on Android architecture, which is not a niche or locked environment like Dreams or Game Builder Garage or Mario Maker. However, losses and abandonments still occurred.
Ironically, it is the personal computer that has filled the void that the Ouya attempted to occupy. Portable PCs like the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally are highly accessible for game development. A larger percentage of people now own a laptop or computer for school or work purposes. Itch.io, a website and desktop client that launched just months before the Ouya, has become the primary platform for publishing games, participating in game jams, and exploring unconventional, intriguing creations – even while high. The cultural influences that shaped the Ouya, as well as those it helped shape, persist to this day.
One distinction is that personal computers, even affordable ones, can be substantially more expensive than the Ouya, both in terms of hardware and software. Today, you can find an Ouya on eBay for prices ranging from $50 to $200. Another distinction is that personal computers, with a few exceptions, are produced by large hardware companies. While the Ouya received institutional support, it was intended to be an independent console. It’s important to note that the Steam Deck is the latest and most successful endeavor in Valve’s long history of hardware manufacturing attempts. With Valve’s substantial financial resources, they can afford multiple failures until they find a breakthrough. The Ouya did not have that luxury. The vision of a truly independent gaming console is now farther away than ever. Even successors like the Playdate find themselves catering to a more niche audience compared to the Ouya’s intended reach.
The video game industry is often unsustainable. From its environmental impact to working conditions to the scale of large-budget projects, the industry cannot infinitely scale upwards, no matter the ambitions of CEOs and studio heads. The Ouya’s central failure perhaps lies in its ambition, the grand scale it aspired to achieve. Yet, its success may be found in establishing a model for a different kind of gaming ecosystem. The Ouya is not the only small console with significant dreams to be consigned to history’s dustbin. However, like these other consoles, the Ouya points us towards alternative histories and potential futures. It is now possible to hack your Ouya, connecting it to a new community-run server to download and play games. After its tumultuous history, the Ouya remains a small, independent, and living entity. It is my only wish that more people could partake in this experience.
The products mentioned in this article were hand-picked by our editors. GameSpot may earn a commission on purchases made through these product links.
Denial of responsibility! SamacharCentrl is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
