Lets talk OUYA

**WILL** · 18-07-2013, 11:16 PM

Configuring my OUYA to compile to wasn't overly easy, I'll admit. But thankfully they did eventually provide instructions on the developers section of their website. (link)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=454JFvFTxww

They aren't 100% glitch free. Some places they use the wrong names and your configuration might not match up exactly with what it details, but with a little trial and error you get there.

Well *I* managed to at least so what's your problem?

(Those that have worked with me in the past know I hate dev tool setups.)

Both Paul and I have Oxygene for Java building and deploying Subject 33 directly onto the console for testing now.

The console isn't 100% perfect either. Far from it. It's clunky and the controllers are probably the worst part of the system's problems. But it's not a total write-off and it will get better with time.

There is still lots of potential there and it is still very open in a way that no other console has been since before OUYA popped it's head out. Apple and Google have played a part in this too I think. You'll notice that Sony and Nintendo are noticing the trend and have been trying to approach their own developer strategies in a similar way.

Now if I had to make a list of the console's problems:

WiFi antenna sucks causing poor wireless networking connectivity.
Probably due to some oversight, you are required to enter credit card information before you are allowed to get access to the console upon start-up.
Controllers have really bad lag depending on where you sit from it and often "run away" on you, probably due to poor bluetooth reception as well.
UI is really vanilla and needs a lot of features, I mean a lot! Not a huge problem yet, but it will be once more games show up.

The really good points about it:

PS3, XBox 360 and even Wiimote controllers supported!
Great emulation machine. I was able to emulate all the NES, SNES, Genesis, GBA, PlayStation 1 and GBC games in my collection.
Followup from the first, the console acts like a USB drive when hooked up to your computer. You do NOT need to install the drivers for this to work.
Some really smart indie games are starting to arrive. Deep Dungeons of Doom, Hidden In Plain Sight, ittle Dew, Tower Fall, League of Evil, etc...
It's hackable so you can fix some of these issues by reading threads in the unofficial OUYA forums (link)
Dude you can self publish your own games on a friggin' popular game console! And you aren't restricted by a teir system like on iTunes App Store.
...and most importantly you'll be able to get and play Subject 33 by Red Ant Games.

**paul_nicholls** · 19-07-2013, 06:04 AM

Stalagflight on Ouya is rather neat...hard, but retro with atari sounds it seems

**Darkhog** · 19-07-2013, 04:13 PM

Atari sounds? Not so much. More like NES/Famicom sounds since Atari games didn't have any music and (I think, may not be right) Atari didn't have noise generation support, only square wave.

Anyway, great game, I hope it'll find its way to PC.

**WILL** · 20-07-2013, 01:40 AM

Depends on which Atari you are talking about no? I never had one of the old Atari machines, I was an Intellivision kid. But I know that there were several models so I'm sure that there had to be some sound improvements from system to system. Actually there is an Atari emulator for the OUYA in the store.

I saw that one and it looked neat, but to be honest, I just didn't have the heart to play anymore endless run games. Having both an iPhone and 2 iPads, I've had my fill of 'em.

I wonder if many people would be interested in a competition where they would get their game ported to the OUYA as the top prize? Such an idea would be an easier sell if I could get RemObjects in on the event too. See if they will do another promotion.

Making a game for the console is pretty exciting. I would love to see more people joinning us in putting their games on here.

I'm also anxious to see what Dan has up his sleeve.

**WILL** · 20-07-2013, 02:00 AM

Actually you know what game might be great on the OUYA. Mini Racing Online by kotai.

I wonder how well online games would work on the console. So far all the games I've been seeing are a lot of "offline" single and multi-player games.

**WILL** · 21-07-2013, 10:35 AM

So far I know that Paul and myself are working on a project. Dan seems to be working on something--looks pretty cool too. Jason Farmer is also playing with it, a past community member and past PGD Annual competition 1st place winner if anyone recalls.

Anyone else working on a project or just tinkering?