Just when you thought Ouya's business strategy couldn't get any more confusing. Today, Ouya announced that it will be partnering with Mad Catz and its MOJO Android-powered microconsole. This deal is part of Ouya's new "Ouya Everywhere" program which will bring Ouya games to other licensed hardware platforms. The MOJO will be the first.
"Up until now, the game console experience has been locked inside a box," said Julie Uhrman, CEO and founder of Ouya. "Together with the hardware veterans at Mad Catz, we end that. Today's announcement signifies the inception of a truly open platform where independent developers can bring their creations to the platforms where gamers actually play: everywhere."
Basically, this means that Ouya is now trying the strategy that Valve is attempting with Steam Box and that the doomed 3DO tried years ago, licensing itself out to third-party manufacturers. In addition the library of Android games that MOJO already plays (most of which aren't compatible with the Ouya), it will be able to play Ouya-exclusive titles.
The MOJO will also be getting a price drop to $199.99.
Source: Joystiq
Our Take:
I have no idea what Ouya is doing. Basically, this partnership seeks to bring Android gaming to...an Android gaming device - one that is already compatible with thousands of games from Google Play store. While I can see the Ouya exclusive being a good move for Mad Catz, it seems to devalue the Ouya itself, as you can now play those games on a more powerful system with a better game library and better controller (though it is more expensive).
