Ouya Android Gaming Console gets Backing from Square Enix, Vevo and Onlive

You may have heard the rumblings created by the upcoming Android-based console known as Ouya which is being funded via crowd-sourcing website Kickstarter. The device has now just received the backing of one of the world’s biggest video games developers as well as offering a special limited edition model of the natty console.

Square Enix has announced its support to the Ouya console and have pledged to provide its Final Fantasy III game as a launch title for the device’s March 2013 release date.

Users will be able to plug the $99 (£63) Ouya directly into their TVs and enjoy a range of titles and Vevo music on their HD televisions.

Ouya exceeded its funding target within a day of the project being announced in July. In total, the console has so far received more than $6m.

The console’s TV connectivity may be especially appealing to publishers, IHS Screen Digest analyst Piers Harding-Rolls told the BBC “The landscape for devices that are connected to the internet and that enable playing of games on the TV is evolving rapidly,” before going on to say “Ouya is only one of many different connected TV devices that are emerging as alternative or incremental distribution channels to the dedicated consoles. Traditional games publishers such as Square Enix are keen to diversify into these new channels if the investment is minimal as it represents a low opportunity cost that might have significant upside.  As such it is very likely other publishers will also be looking closely at the Ouya platform as a potential distribution partner.”

For now Square Enix, also known for its Dragon Quest and Tomb Raider titles, plans only to release its 1990 classic role-playing game on the console, but it did say it was considering creating more content in future.

Ouya was still proud to bag the Final Fantasy title: “This will be the first time gamers outside of Japan can play FFIII on their televisions through a console,” Ouya’s creator Julie Uhrman said in a post.

Gaming service Onlive, which offers a cloud gaming platform, has also announced its support for Ouya as has music content provider, Vevo. Both will offer their content and services to the console from the very start.

Limited Edition Console

Ouya has just announced a limited edition brown metal version will help you add to its collection on Kickstarter.

With a colour chosen by designer Yves Behar himself, the brown metal edition console is available to pre-order for US$140 and should be out around the same time as the regular silver Ouya console.

Have you pledged any money to this project? Have you opted to get the limited edition console? Let me know your thoughts.