Long gone are the days of Crowdfunding and console development Tegra Android, Ouya has completely transformed its business model by becoming a platform for independent game Google Play. Today she gathers the fruit of his work with a new partner: Alibaba.
We do not know the details of the contract, which now links the Chinese giant online sales and the platform but the sum is considerable given the structure of the platform game. With 10 million dollars in his pocket, the future leads to the brand.
Ouya is this small console through the mill of a successful Crowdfunding with many promises: Tons of exclusive independent games, guaranteed to test before playing and a new small box from year to year to keep rhythm and evolution of Android titles.
On these promises, none has actually been held. The Ouya has been delivered but the little sister who was released a year after the end never emerged. The catalog is well developed but exclusive blockbusters were quickly spread to other faults sufficient sales platforms Ouya. The playable demo system has also been shelved…
Only rumors lately, Ouya sought funds in China with telecom giants. Finally it is Alibaba follows the adventure of a box that has change the model to survive. Ouya is now no longer synonymous with material but became an independent game platform accessible to individuals and also backed by various brands like Xiaomi Asia or Mad Catz in the US and Europe.
Alibaba will probably get its own Android machines and they then enjoy the Ouya catalog. Difficult for the brand to remain confined only to US market and the European market is now investing much by traditional consoles various solutions to slip under his TV.
I would not be surprised to learn that the $ 10 million will be used only to experience the online game service brand and their hardware developments are finalized. With this sum Ouya has a small war chest from which to view the future with confidence ahead and develop new activities.
There is much talk of Ouya as a PC game streaming system and maybe the money will be used to develop this kind of ancillary service. With a system like this and why not an offer to lease or video streaming, Ouya can continer its transformation and find new sources of revenue.
It will in any case be quick, the arrival of Android in TV mass or the development of the Amazon Fire TV solution quickly crush this type of competition. 10 million dollars will not face the weight to Google and Amazon.