Crowd-funded videogame console due in June
The crowd-funded Ouya videogame console seeking to shake up a market dominated by Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo is gearing up for a US debut in June.
The team behind Ouya on Tuesday began taking online pre-orders for the Android-powered devices that plug into televisions and announced that several major retail chains will add the consoles to their shelves.
"Because of the support for Ouya you showed, some of our favorite stores are going to carry Ouya when it officially launches to the public in June," startup founder Julie Uhrman said in a message at the Kickstarter website.
Retailers selling the device will include Amazon, Target, Best Buy and GameStop, Ouya said.
Kickstarter.com lets entrepreneurs reach out to the masses for pooled funding for creative projects.
Los Angeles-based Ouya was a Kickstarter hit, attracting millions of dollars in funding from a roster of investors that includes Jawbone founder Hosain Rahman.
Ouya consoles are priced at $100, while controllers featuring touchpad technology along with toggles were priced at $50 each.
Ouya is set to hit the market as Sony and Microsoft prepare to release next-generation PlayStation and Xbox videogame consoles. The third big player in the market, Nintendo, released a new Wii U console late last year.
(c) 2013 AFP
