OUYA – The Open Source Console

Kickstarter has really been giving some projects a lot of momentum lately, but I’ve never seen anything like this fundraiser for OUYA, an open source console that could change the way we play video games on our televisions forever. The project was fully funded within 24 hours, but contributors didn’t stop anywhere near the original $950,000 goal – last I checked at 9 PM, Pacific Standard time, the total had already surpassed $1,900,000!

The idea to create an open source console may appear to be quite simple on the surface, but with the right planning, functionality and execution this could bring massive changes to the way games are made and distributed. All in all, this could be absolutely brilliant for small developers and indie game creators all over the world.

So, if you’re a gamer, should you support this project? Watch the video and hear some of the details:

I only have a few reservations about this Kickstarter. Once the OUYA is up and running, will there be folks ready and standing by to work on updates/patches/etc. to correct any missing functionality or errors that are discovered post-launch? Games are ever changing and the console will need to be adaptable to keep up with those improvements and alterations. Furthermore, how would they deal with transactions for games that have stuff you can purchase? If they’ve got substantial plans for these potential snags in the future, then I think this console could be pretty damn awesome!

As for the controversy – not only are they supporting international players with completely open region settings, but they’re also letting hackers and mod-ers have free reign with the console… this could definitely get interesting!

So, what do you think? The future of gaming? Highly controversial? Sound off in the comments below!