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Android game consoles maybe not dead: Razer Acquires Ouya software assets
I wasn't even aware that Razer had an Android gaming division, but apparently it does:
It has bought the software assets of Ouya; and it has acqui-hired the company's technical and developer relations teams to expand Razer's Android TV gaming business, specifically around its Forge TV console and the Cortex gaming platform.
One thing I found odd about the deal: This is only for the software side:
Notably, Razer is not acquiring the hardware part of Ouya's business, specifically the microconsole and controller that helped make Razer's name in the first place.
Isn't Razer mostly know for its gaming hardware? I'm surprised that they wouldn't acquire both sides - unless they really feel that their Android device is that far ahead of Ouya's (which is entirely possible, given the Ouya was a Kickstarter thing to begin with [raised $8.5 million] and as far as I know hasn't had a hardware refresh yet).
The Register explains that Razer has acquired Ouya's employees and assets, but not its hardware division, and will be displacing the Ouya console with its own Android box, Forge TV. It costs $99 or $149 with a controller, the same as Ouya. Methods of migrating to Razer services as well as discounts will be offered to Ouya users. Shaun Nichols notes that this deal comes as China finally ends its 15-year console ban, and a low-cost Android option may gain traction in that market.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by LoRdTAW on Tuesday July 28 2015, @01:51PM
I have used Razer hardware in the past and from my experience, they arent all that great. I had one of their optical mice, forget the model, and the buttons failed after only a year. Their biggest strike is the ruination of the Nostromo gaming pad that was originally made by Belkin. They released a new version of the N2 and switched out the Belkin software for their own which was unable to import your old profiles. The new software also had zero support for the old Nostromo forcing you to upgrade as the Belkin drivers did not work on Windows 7 64bit. Even if you had a classic nostromo N2, it was trash if you were running Win 7 64bit.
They buy out hardware makers, discontinue/ruin the product and then force you to buy new Razr hardware after they drop support for their acquired products. Fuck you.
(Score: 2) by Rivenaleem on Tuesday July 28 2015, @03:34PM
I have a Nostromo too, and can't imagine playing games without it. In fact, the only games I play without the Nostromo are ones that support the 360 controller. I've played years of WoW, hot-key-mashing, and a few other MMOs and RPGs where the keypad gets quite a mashing. It is still as responsive and springy as ever and I've never had issues with the software. I do admit I did not have a belkin device and issues with importing profiles, so I can't speak to that.
There are some improvements that could be made to the software, like the ability to hard-change the default keys for new profiles, but overall I've been very happy with my purchase.
However, one anecdote does not good data make.