OUYA: A New Kind of Video Game Console Kickstarter Project

Were you aware that there was some serious disruption at the core of big corporate gaming? Earlier today, the OUYA video game console project launched. Less than 24 hours later, they have raised over $2,000,000 (over double their goal) making it the eighth Kickstarter project to reach over a million bucks and gave it the biggest first day for a Kickstarter project ever. What kind of project could get this kind of cash this quickly? A pretty darn spectacular one, that’s what.

The OUYA (pronounced OOO-Yah) is a supremely powerful, $99 dollar, HD, hacker friendly, Android based video game console that handles exclusively free-to-play games and is built with indie developers in mind. The controller is shiny with the standard selection of buttons (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, a system button) and has a very special touch pad in the center (a touch screen without the screen). I would love to talk more about it, but you are better off just reading the Kickstarter page and watching the project video yourself.

Let me just say though what a game changer this could be. What the OUYA people were looking for was a sign from the gamers, from the indie developers, that change was needed and change was due. There is no question that they got the answer they were looking for – and in just a few short hours. I look forward to seeing the dollar number at the end of this Kickstarter project. I’m sure execs from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are currently paying close attention and shaking in their boots.

Lego Legend of Zelda Reaches 5000 Supporters on Lego Cuusoo!

Lego Cuusoo blows my mind. It’s a totally incredible concept. Fans put their models on the website and if their idea gets 10,000 supporters, Lego reviews the concept and makes it a set (if the idea is doable). It’s basically Kickstarter without having to put any money down. So far, Lego Minecraft Micro World and two Japan models have stemmed from Cuusoo with Lego Shaun of the Dead in review.

Looking through the site you will find tons and tons of amazing models and concepts. Some of the most supported projects include Lego Back to the Future and Lego Modular Western Town. But of all the projects (with a substantial number of supporters) Lego Legend of Zelda I found by far the coolest. Today, the Lego Legend of Zelda project has acquired 5000 supporters (half of what they need for Lego to pitch this product to Nintendo). With 5000 supporters, Lego designers will now start building concepts for possible Zelda sets.

As you can guess, I find this all extremely exciting and I wish this project the best of luck as it travels to the 10,000 supporter goal! And, if you are reading this and haven’t yet, go create a Cuusoo account and support some projects!