Ouya's $1 million 'Free the Games' fund to boost Kickstarted games
Ouya has announced a new fund that will aid Kickstarter projects headed for the diminutive console. Called "Free the Games," the $1 million fund will match Kickstarter funds ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for eligible games. Naturally, Ouya expects something in return: Eligible games must agree to be exclusive to Ouya for six months.
So long as the qualifying Kickstarter launches between August 9, 2013 and August 10, 2014, and achieves a minimum goal of $50,000, Ouya will match the total raised up to $250,000. Furthermore, the most successful Kickstarter project to take part in the Free the Games program will receive an additional $100,000. The fund will continue to support projects until the money runs out. Interested developers can find out more about the program on the Ouya website.
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our exhaustive Ouya review coverage right here.
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OUYA Announces $1 Million Free the Games Fund to Further Unlock Creativity and Kickstart Game Creators
One Year after Record-Breaking Kickstarter Campaign, OUYA Helps Transform Ideas into Reality for Crowdfunding Game Creators with Exclusive Matching Funds Program
LOS ANGELES – July 18, 2013 – One year ago, OUYA took Kickstarter by storm with a new way to play video games. Today, OUYA begins its next chapter with the announcement of the OUYA Free the Games Fund, a first-of-its-kind program to support Kickstarter crowdfunded game development, with $1 million in matching funds. The funds will enable developers to bring new and exciting games exclusively to OUYA. More than 20,000 registered OUYA game developers, plus tens of thousands of other game creators, could have access to matching funds – from $50,000 up to $250,000 – for OUYA-bound games launched on Kickstarter between August 9, 2013 and August 10, 2014.
"There are two reasons why OUYA is on retail store shelves today: we had an innovative idea to build an affordable and open game console for the television, and we found fans who supported our idea and provided the funds to make it happen," said OUYA CEO and Co-Founder Julie Uhrman. "Since then, we've seen dozens of great games launch on Kickstarter, and now we are in the enviable position of being able to give back AND secure the best, exclusive games for OUYA."
The OUYA Free the Games Fund will ensure a steady stream of inventive and creative content for OUYA fans for years to come. Some of the most popular OUYA games began as Kickstarter projects, and found their initial fans and funding there, such as Fist of Awesome (I Fight Bears) and Saturday Morning: RPG (Mighty Rabbit Studios), and upcoming games Broken Age (Tim Schafer and Double Fine Productions) and Whispering Willows (Night Light Interactive).
To be eligible for the OUYA Free the Games Fund, game projects must meet the following requirements:
Game projects must launch on Kickstarter on or after August 9, 2013, and conclude by August 10, 2014.
Games must meet their Kickstarter funding goal and raise a minimum of $50,000 to be eligible for matching.
Once successfully funded via Kickstarter, OUYA will match 100% of the total funds raised up to $250,000.
Game creators must make their game exclusive on OUYA for a minimum of six months beginning on the date the title becomes available for download on OUYA.
And, for the game that raises the most via Kickstarter by the end of the program, the developer will earn an additional $100,000 Rock Star bonus from OUYA.
For more details, visit www.ouya.tv/freethegamesfund
OUYA launched on Kickstarter.com on July 10, 2012, and quickly broke previous crowdfunding records ultimately topping out at just over $8.5 million. OUYA recently launched in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. for just $99.99, promptly selling out at many locations. With a current library of more than 230 free-to-try games and media apps streaming in 1080p HD, it is the most affordable, accessible, and innovative new video game console on the market today.
About OUYA
OUYA is building a new kind of video game experience for the television. Created in 2012 by video game industry veteran Julie Uhrman, OUYA is enabling any game developer to bring their most exciting, creative, and inventive game play experiences to life – in 1080p HD – for $99, and all games are free-to-try for consumers. Uhrman and an initial team of game developers and industry advisors brought the concept to life with the help of award-winning designer Yves Behar. OUYA is available in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Visit ouya.tv for more information.
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