Ouya external funds controversy – Video Games Update
There have been reports that the team behind the Kickstarter project Ouya, which is for a $99 Android based console, might be looking for additional funding apart from its Kickstarter page.
The controversy started when Ouya’s CEO, Julie Uhrman stated in an interview with Develop-online.net that, “We have a lot of support from the investor and entrepreneur community. We raised money initially from individual investors.”
This news apparently outraged gamers and fans as many now believe that the team behind the project might already have the necessary funding from private investors and the Kickstarter page is just a sham to make a quick buck or almost $5 million. According
to the Kickstarter project page which has managed to raise an insanely large amount of $4,959,891 with twenty-two days still to go until the fan funding ends. The project is likely to cross $10 million if the funding pace keeps up.
After the complaints and much rage from the project funders, Uhrman has denied the claims and has stated that, "Let me be clear, OUYA is not seeking additional funding outside of Kickstarter. Our priority now is to continue to focus on building a great game
console while engaging in our ongoing Kickstarter campaign.”
She also clarified her previous statement and said, “With respect to our funding, we have been candid in disclosing an early round raised through friends and family…” She believes that the rumour started when fans took what she said in a previous interview
out of context.
It is a relief to know that Uhrman is serious about Ouya development but the question remains, console development is no easy matter and the amount that the Ouya team will raise from Kickstarter will not be nearly enough to get console production going.
Although, $5 million might be a huge sum when it’s from fan donations but its mere pocket change for the already established console makers like Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo and not nearly enough to release a console worldwide.
Then there is also the fact that the team will have to give out free Ouya consoles to backers who have donated $95 or more setting back the team around $3.5 million. The Ouya Kickstarter project is still underway with 22 days still to go until the backing
stops and the project is funded.
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