iHeartWeekends
Today--with five days left on Kickstarter--we have some quick updates. Consider it a one-two punch. And, I’m going to get all “stream of consciousness” on you. Why? Because we’ve been talking a lot about streaming recently. First we announced that in addition to offering downloadable games through the OUYA store, we’d be streaming hundreds of games on demand through our partnership with OnLive. And today, we’re announcing streaming radio courtesy of ClearChannel’s iHeartRadio.
Here's what iHeartRadio has to say:
We are excited to share that Clear Channel’s iHeartRadio is coming to OUYA! Now we'll be able to take the experience to a whole new level, enabling OUYA to go beyond gaming and become a full service, affordable destination for people seeking great entertainment.
iHeartRadio brings users the only “all-in-one” free digital radio experience – the best live radio stations from all over America, PLUS user-created Custom Stations, like a playlist, inspired by favorite artists and songs. And the iHeartRadio HTML 5 App is a perfect fit for OUYA because it’s built for a large screen format and provides an intuitive and engaging audio and visual experience.
Brian Lakamp, President of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Digital also adds, “We are excited to be the first radio app on an up-and-coming platform like OUYA, and we share their enthusiasm for offering users an innovative and customized product experience. Our HTML 5 application enhances the listening experience by incorporating a rich and intuitive visual component, and is a perfect fit for OUYA.”
What does this mean for OUYA users?
- On OUYA, iHeartRadio allows you to FIND: The Best of Live Radio - Listen to more than 1,000 Live Stations from coast-to-coast including pop, country, urban, rock, sports, talk and college. Browse by music genre and location then hit the scan button to move from station to station within a format. Or check out our exclusive digital-only, themed stations.
- On OUYA, iHeartRadio allows you to CREATE: Custom Stations with Unprecedented Control - Simply pick a song or artist to create your own commercial-free, uninterrupted Custom Station featuring music from your favorite artists and similar ones. Choose from our catalog of over 14 million songs and 400,000 artists. And you can use iHeartRadio's exclusive Discovery Tuner to control how much variety you want in your station.
- On OUYA, iHeartRadio allows you to PERSONALIZE: Take Your Favorite Stations Wherever You Go - Log in to iHeartRadio through email or Facebook to make iHeartRadio uniquely yours. Create, save and share your stations from wherever you access iHeartRadio
*** We realize that some of you reading this from outside the US are probably saying, “Well that’s great for Americans but what about the rest of us?” Please know that we are actively reaching out to international partners as well. We won’t leave you in the cold.***
As many of you know, stream of consciousness refers to a literary technique that presents the thoughts and feelings of a character as they occur. And what’s occurring to me now is that you might like to hear something game focused too.
To that end, we’ve been overwhelmed by interest from developers eager to bring their titles to OUYA. Not all of them can act quickly enough (ahhh lawyers!) for us to announce their partnerships during our Kickstarter campaign. But that’s not slowing down the folks at U4iA. That’s right, the game industry vets who brought you Guitar Hero and Call of Duty will bring us OUYA’s first confirmed first-person shooter, Offensive Combat.
U4iA’s Founder and CEO Dusty Welch sums it up:
"Everyone here at U4iA Games is excited to bring our titles to OUYA! Given that consoles are so expensive and face an uncertain future, OUYA stands out as the perfect example of an affordable home-entertainment platform created specifically for core gamers like us. We've used our profound wisdom to create a cheeky, free-for-all shooting mash-up called Offensive Combat. Moving forward, we can't wait to bring all-new games in the Offensive Combat universe to the OUYA platform."
I don’t know about you but they had me at “cheeky, free-for-all shooting mash-up.”
With that, I’m going to wish you a happy Friday from your OUYA faithful. We’ll be working through this last weekend of our Kickstarter campaign, continuing to focus on bringing you the best gaming experience we can deliver. Some of the things I’ll be doing this weekend: thinking about the dpad design, continuing to respond to developer inquiries and prepping our new website.
And, in the spirit of James Joyce, master of the “stream of consciousness” narrative, I think I might have a Guinness as well.
- Julie
63,416
Backers
$8,596,474
pledged of $950,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Jul 10, 2012 -
Aug 9, 2012
- First created · 51 backed
- Julie Uhrman 339 friends
- Website: twitter.com
Pledge $10 or more
1770 backers
Join our wild ride. RESERVE YOUR USERNAME before the launch rush. Every little bit brings us one step closer to a new kind of console. The more we raise, the more we can accomplish. You'll get updates as we go on our journey.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $25 or more
1898 backers
Reserve your username, plus get a FOUNDER EMBLEM forever emblazoned next to your username.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $95 or more
1000 backers All gone!
GET AN OUYA: console and controller. Plus the rewards above. This is for early birds -- we can only offer a limited number at this price. (We have to ask you to add $20 for shipping outside the U.S.) Please add $30 if you want a second controller.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $99 or more
46124 backers Limited (33876 of 80000 left)
GET AN OUYA: console and controller. Guarantee we will have one available for you, before it gets to stores. Plus the rewards above. We're figuring out how many we can make! (We have to ask you to add $20 for shipping outside the U.S.) Please add $30 if you want a second controller.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $140 or more
7755 backers
Limited Edition Backer Exclusive -- Only available for our LAST week of Kickstarter. Let everyone know you are an early backer of OUYA. Get our exclusive, limited edition rich BROWN BRUSHED METAL FINISH OUYA. It’s a work of art! You’ll also get the earlier rewards. (We have to ask you to add $20 for shipping outside the U.S.) Please add $30 if you want a second controller.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $225 or more
2500 backers All gone!
Kickstarter exclusive. Reserve an OUYA plus two controllers -- each with your username ETCHED into it, so they're uniquely yours. (Same shipping costs, and you also get to reserve your username and get a founder emblem.)
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $699 or more
600 backers All gone!
Developer Special. A first-run OUYA (already rooted so you can just get going), EARLY SDK ACCESS, an extra controller, and we'll help you get started. We'll also help you promote your game for ONE YEAR, and your games will be marked with a FOUNDER EMBLEM.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $1,337 or more
226 backers Limited (174 of 400 left)
Elite Developer Special. You receive the Developer Special plus the email equivalent of a hotline into OUYA—a closely guarded email address that gives you direct access to our team and priority handling. But wait, there’s more: YOU AND A FRIEND ARE INVITED TO THE OUYA LAUNCH PARTY in Los Angeles. Warm up those biceps because you’ll be lifting a serious gift bag packed with goodies we’re keeping secret until the party.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012Pledge $5,000 or more
4 backers Limited (26 of 30 left)
For the designer's designer. WE’LL PUT YOU UP IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR A DAY WITH YVES BEHAR. Hang with Yves and his team at fuseproject, discuss the creation and development of OUYA (of course we'll give you one when they're ready), and spend time within a community of extraordinary product designers.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2013Pledge $10,000 or more
12 backers Limited (8 of 20 left)
The Angel List. The entire first production run of consoles will have YOUR USERNAME and BACKER NUMBER ENGRAVED INTO IT (and of course you'll get one). We’ll invite you and a friend to a private dinner before our launch party with our inner circle of game developers and designers. And, of course, we’ll love you forever.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013
Comments
Creator Gardar Sigurdsson on August 19, 2012
TuneIn Radio is at this time considerable better than iHeartRadio. Has anyone contacted TuneIn Radio?
Creator Daniel Desy on August 10, 2012
I'll be more than happy to ignore Clear Channel's offering. They represent the worst of what radio has to offer. It's almost a shame to have their garbage on the platform.
Creator Mason on August 9, 2012
Hey, if anyone wants a beta code to Offensive Combat here ya go. my username on there is rubixcube6.
F55B0E2F-A7BC-44F7-91FF-665FCE471A02
Creator Tom Enns on August 8, 2012
Hey everyone just figured some ppl might wanna play offensive combat but couldntget beta keys, ouyadbis doing a beta key giveaway :) we got four keys. You know where to go ;)
Creator Steve G. on August 8, 2012
If it's good, I'm down for a frantic FPS :) Hopefully it has four player split-screen, though!! The radio app sounds cool, too!
Creator Oscar Bell on August 8, 2012
This comment has been removed by Kickstarter.
Creator Oscar Bell on August 8, 2012
This comment has been removed by Kickstarter.
Creator Oscar Bell on August 8, 2012
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Creator Oscar Bell on August 8, 2012
This comment has been removed by Kickstarter.
Creator Oscar Bell on August 8, 2012
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Creator Oscar Bell on August 8, 2012
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Creator Oscar Bell on August 8, 2012
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Creator Adrian Tai on August 7, 2012
i just hope all these streaming, etc... also takes into consideration that not all countries have good internet access...
Creator MrADN on August 7, 2012
i hopre more updates, and sorprises whit cools stuff 24 yet, i hope i hope!!
Creator Thomas Würgler on August 7, 2012
Yeah, I hope there won't be silly market region restrictions. It is a hassle for people who move and ex-pats who want to use VPN-services to keep up with radio/TV back home.
Creator Adam Ithiel on August 7, 2012
iDontHeart US Only Content Providers. lol.
Hey, what are the chances we could see integration with something like SNESBox.com? It's both awesome and global :-)
Creator Laboratory on August 7, 2012
There's absolutely NOTHING appealing about being involved with Clear Channel. For a company that's trying to make themselves into another big console player by courting indies, you couldn't have picked a worse company to talk about.
It's a game console, and you sound like you're losing focus. I've already got a mess of boxes that stream crap from services. I want a box with a refined purpose and UX that is designed to that end and no other, not another shiny box that does everything. I've got too many of those in my living room already.
Creator Mitchell Winter on August 6, 2012
this looks awesome!!!!
Creator Ben Carlson on August 6, 2012
I'm just stoked that Julie is a fan of Guinness as well!!!
CHEERS!!!
Creator Rick Curbelo on August 6, 2012
Hipsters all...
Creator René Sebastian Shabastari on August 6, 2012
@Justin can't read, fair enough Troll on brotha
Creator René Sebastian Shabastari on August 6, 2012
Plus they have said multiple times that there are more developers in talks or already signed, but they are not allowed to disclose information yet. Worry not my friends, the Revolution will be Televised LOL
Creator Balentin Gonzales on August 6, 2012
So you just want to ignore the fact it already supports android games and development, the Final Fantasy, On Live, and Human Element updates all of which support the fact it is and will be a strong open source gaming console... ok.
Yes adding streaming capability is surely going to ruin everything this console is built on.
Creator Travis Donnell on August 6, 2012
I am saying there should be more updates that concern it, yes, considering there aren't any. I never stated that it should be the "only" thing they ever talk about, that was conjecture on your part.
I am sure that I speak for many, including supporters, who would agree that the excitement one feels from getting another update about a radio or movie program is the same as one felt when getting an AOL trial disc in the mail. Further, I would prefer that OUYA not be like "every other console", and the argument you make only exemplifies what I am saying.
Creator Balentin Gonzales on August 6, 2012
So what you're saying is that they're not allowed to make updates about anything but the gaming side? Or is it that you don't want to hear about anything else but their core product?
People act like they're going to completely disregard the gaming aspect of the console by adding new features, when clearly that is not the case. They're just announcing new features and people are getting upset... nice. Remember these updates don't override their original product or other updates...
Considering every other current console is adding a slew of media functions by the end of the year, working with these companies from the get go is a very intelligent move.
Creator Travis Donnell on August 6, 2012
My primary concern that I am currently struggling with is not the fact that they are skimming off the top of these companies, but that all incoming information is solely dedicated to that fact. If the original promise stands, then where are the updates concerning it? Others have stated that developers on Facebook and Twitter have promised support, but why is none of this mentioned? It is fine for them to want to make money, yes, but to devote all time and updates to it is concerning and distasteful.
Creator Balentin Gonzales on August 6, 2012
Funny, people complaining about adding functionality and versatility to a device while while making money for the creators.
Everyone needs to make a profit, and even more so if continued development is expected. If you don't support companies like Clear Channel then don't use their apps or listen to the radio. Otherwise it doesn't really matter because they're making billions regardless of what you do, and any businessman would at least consider capitalizing on the opportunity to partake.
Anyone revoking their support because of the expansions OUYA is making is just ridiculous. Society is already a slave to corporations one way or another, no need to stop supporting up and coming businesses because they want to make money.
Creator Christopher William Treadgold Edwards on August 6, 2012
all i see is the ouya getting noticed and having many wanting to back it but i guess if you want to be a baby kristopher then so be it well all get on without you
Creator Justin Call on August 6, 2012
Well put, Kristopher.
Creator Kristopher Marshall on August 6, 2012
As much as I hate to do it, I'm going to be cancelling my pledge. I just really don't like the 180 that this project feels like it's taken, going from an 'awesome game system by gamers for gamers', to a 'frat-bro catering FPS/streaming video' system. Much like SquareEnix, I feel like this project has lost touch with it's initial target and audience, in favor of easy money.
Maybe time will prove me wrong, but for now, I'll watch from the sidelines.
Creator Justin on August 6, 2012
@René - Again, you're talking nothing but nonsense. Why would you reply to a comment that discusses the ENTIRE project while only discussing ONE TIER? Do you really expect any decent conversation to come from that? At any rate, you're full of it. You flat out said they have more systems to hand out then they expected and you are flat out wrong.
"with a $90 total system build cost"
Was that supposed to be a joke? I sure hope so.
"and their lack of initiative being something you "can't stand behind"
I see the problem. You can't read. Seeing as how I never used the word initiative, don't expect any more responses from me. You're just being ridiculous.
At any rate, I stand behind my initial comment.
Creator Sam Wright on August 6, 2012
I actually like the iHeartRadio app, but I don't see why it would be a big deal, since it's a pre-existing free Android app that has minimal control requirements so translating it over to OUYA should be pretty trivial.
If you want something that'll really get people on Kickstarter excited, see if you can get Double Fine Adventure or Wasteland 2 or Shadowrun Returns ported onto it. Though in searching I see that Shadowrun Online is already supposed to be on Ouya.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1964352341/shadowrun-online…
Creator Brian Holme on August 6, 2012
4534 backers only donated
Creator Brian Holme on August 6, 2012
lol its 91% of backers pre ordered a console
Creator Brian McLoughlin on August 6, 2012
Grab a Guiness, you all earned it!
Creator Brian MacLean on August 6, 2012
Cant wait for my console
Creator Craig on August 6, 2012
@Staffan - If you do the math, you'll see that it's not.
Creator Staffan Lindberg on August 6, 2012
guys, the money collected is not donations, I bet 99% or more is preorder money for a console
Creator Adam Campbell on August 6, 2012
Good stuff so far.
I hope a nice portion of the extra funds is used for 3rd party software/game support. Would really boost the platform.
Anyway, good luck and keep the updates coming.
Creator james steele on August 6, 2012
what extra millions? its a physical good. its not like games . where once you do all the r&d the digital copying is very minimal cost. its not like printing cds. or any thing ... if there is extra its probably going to support and software not hardware upgrades.
Creator Mårten on August 6, 2012
Well I think they should use the extra millions to sponsor games to come to the platform and make a really good server backend both in Europe, Asia and the Americas. They should use the servers for driving our game-profiles and multiplayer-requests etc. Sort of like Steam for Android.
They would also profit from setting upp a couple of demands on games that are shipped to the OUYA, like:
Must have at least 15-30 minutes of playable demo.
Must support the controler in some way.
If it is a multiplayer game it must use OUYA-multiplayer connections.
I also think they should take a €100 entrance fee and 1% of sales for games that cost more than €19,50.
That way we limit the amount of SPAM-games that the Android market have now and we put a limit on how expensive games for the platform gets. Also the 1% should be used to maintain the server/store.
Also put some of the extra millions away for use in marketing in all the markets.
Creator René Sebastian Shabastari on August 6, 2012
@Justin BTW I am referring to the post where you said "EXTRA 7 MILLION DOLLARS" and their lack of initiative being something you "can't stand behind" Very Rude and silly number calling with nothing backing up those numbers you grabbed out of thin air ^_^
Creator Michael on August 6, 2012
First off, I hope you guys are reading these comments and at least entertaining the ideas. I have read quite a few great ideas to improve on your already great product. I, for one, would LOVE to be able to use other console's controllers. I am strictly a PS3 guy mostly or the fact that I personally can't stand the 360's controller. I was excited to see what you guys came up with and was a bit let down when I saw how much it resembled the 360 controller. If you really want this thing to not only survive, but THRIVE, I would add as much extras in it as possible. As many USB ports as possible, both wired and wireless internet connections, anything you can fit I would throw it in. I'm very excited about this product and just don't want to be let down. I'm pretty sure that with your goal of $950,000 and your current funding pushing $7,000,000 that the people have spoken. We want your product, we're excited about it and we want to change the face of gaming. Now with that being said I can only hope that you listen to the input from you backers. Thank you guys and good luck with everything! I'm STOKED!
-Mike
Creator René Sebastian Shabastari on August 6, 2012
@Justin I was referring to Kickstarter goal, which was $950,000, and if you look at my numbers I only used $99 dollar base purchasers, how much profit do you think they make per console ordered? Maybe $9 with a $90 total system build cost, assembly, QC, packaging and shipping all included. But since you seem to be disappointed I wanted to remind you that all those people have to get consoles and there's hardly a huge margin over. Some people upgraded to the LE but making a limited color run is more expensive for 2500+ units than for 48,500. I'll humor you and subtract all pledgers from total pledged income and you get roughly $1,000,000 over. Now let's assume half of all pledgers ordered a second controller [very plausible], which I doubt they make any money on either and the few higher tiers and that million is already completely exhausted. I don't think they have very much to play with here, just saying I don't know what you expect them to cover all those perk costs with and still FIND much extra money. You seemed very rude in your post and I am reminding you [again, this time with numbers] that I feel you are not taking into account the reality of the project needs.
Creator Ducudufru on August 6, 2012
@OUYA : Please, don't make an achievement system like the Xbox. Or at least don't force developers to add achievements if they don't want to. Give them the choice.
Creator William on August 6, 2012
OUYA is gonna be connected to the network at all times, so just use shared drives or NAS. Can't see the point of having microSD/SD slots tbh.
I'm more interested in Keyboard/Mouse support. Wireless is good for surfing, media center, etc. Wired is good for gaming. So hopefully both are well supported.
Creator Mark Stinson on August 6, 2012
I'm more inclined to ask for a 2nd USB bus port - being more flexible in purpose than a card slot. WIth just one USB bus port, the USB speed with limited to *slowest* device on the bus - like a wireless dongle keyboard. Not to mention all major consoles (new & old) have at least 2 device ports. I think a survey is in order if they consider adding an SD v USB - making sure to layout the Pros v Cons.
They'd also have to make sure there's a enough juice to the ports. The max draw per port is ~500 mA IIRC. Tons of USB devices require a second USB port for additional power. Otherwise, you'll have this ugly looking powered USB hub plugged in for external HDs, USB Keyboard & Mouse (vs flaky Bluetooth HID-like devices), etc. sitting next to your OUYA.
Creator Mike on August 6, 2012
Considering the size, there's no need to make it microSD, it can just be standard size SD. I know it doesn't make a big difference but it would allow you to get larger space for less money. Unless there's some plan to be able to pull it and put it into your phone or something.
Creator Ben Whitehouse on August 6, 2012
I second Filipe! Considering the size of this thing, a micro SD slot would be wonderful, mostly because no one wants a USB stick protruding from their pretty little OUYA box.
Creator Justin on August 5, 2012
@René - How about you check your attitude? Each pledge earns them money. I never said the 7 million was pure profit. Seeing as how they still have PLENTY of openings on those tiers, what makes you think they are unexpected? They have 42,376 limited slots left as well an opened tear special color run.
"but you forget about a whole boatload more systems than expected."
That is flat out false. They set the numbers. Please don't respond to me if you are going to pull garbage out of thin air.