Ouya Attempts Gaming Console Revolution, Develops $99 Android Based System

Startup OUYA wants to take gaming to a whole new level and they plan to reach their goal by offering a $99 gaming console that is based solely on the Google Android operating system.

OUYA’s system will be open to any developer which means it can be hacked to add new features and device support as required.

The new platform is currently listed as a Kickstarter project and the company set a goal to raise $1 million to get off the ground. Extra money raised by OUYA will be use those funds to develop new Android-based games for the platform.

The systems open source development could help it quickly gain a developer following, app creators often like to tinker with new systems and see what they can create, when that platform has the chance to attract an entirely new audience to their work developers tend to adopt the technology very quickly.

Not only will OUYA offer a ton of Android applications, it will carry a bunch of games users can play for free while relying on in-app purchases to turn a profit.

Because the $99 gaming console is based on Android it will also have other features which will be added at the time of launch and likely developed by app creators looking to turn the system into a home multimedia offering with plenty of new features.

The system will also look amazing thanks to a design handled by Yves Behar, a PayPal and Jawbone designer with a flair for creating beautifully crafted devices.

Julie Uhrman, CEO of OUYA listed some of the platforms specs for Business Insider:

“You’re looking at a quad-core CPU, a Tegra 3 GPU, a minimum of 8GB of flash memory and 1GB RAM minimum.”

At the time of this posting OUYA has raised $1,878,141 from 15,021 backers.

Here’s are the Ouya’s main specs:

• Tegra3 quad-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB of internal flash storage
• HDMI connection to the TV, with support for up to 1080p HD
• WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth LE 4.0
• USB 2.0 (one)
• Wireless controller with standard controls (two analog sticks, d-pad, eight action buttons, a system button), a touchpad
• Android 4.0

Here’s a video explaining the OUYA’s unique gaming system: