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Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

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Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#21

Post by FreeKill »

chucknelson wrote: post #11
hkmurakami wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I personally think that this is the greatest value that kickstarter has brought us. We now have the option to forego the traditional cycle of [product development -> promotion -> sales] and instead pursue a [promotion -> sales -> development] path, which reduces the risk of irrecoverable sunk costs significantly. In a way, it shifts "risk" from the producer to the consumer.

It's also one of the worst things about kickstarter. The risk is moved to us, the consumer, and if it falls through, kickstarter isn't doing anything about it. We've basically funded some employee salaries, etc. with nothing to show for it. I do think kickstarter is great, though.

Very true. I do think in some circumstances it's valid for the consumer to take on the risk. There are a lot of fan projects out there where, from a profit perspective, it just doesn't make sense for a large backer to take a risk bringing it to market. However, if fan interest is high enough and potential customers are willing to put their money where their mouth is, so to speak, it's an interesting option.

I'd personally love to see Kickstarter take it a step further and offer incentives where the backers can become more like Angel investors, but I'm sure there are a lot of difficulties involved in that...

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#22

Post by StavrosK »

xaro wrote: post #20
StavrosK wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It actually cost $0, as I already have one of each. Are you saying that none of the OUYA backers has an Android phone or tablet?

The thing is, I have a $200 phone that has Android but isn't very powerfull. I don't own a tablet, buying one would cost me $200. For $100 they are offering me a console that I could also use as a TV media center. I think you are narrowing your view to people that own multiple gadgets, in my country that isn't the norm and I know that a cheap console could have a huge impact here.

Hmm, I see. I should watch the video, I have a feeling it'll clarify everything.

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#23

Post by nimblegorilla »

naner wrote: post #15

If they take the $5mil and are unable to deliver, that might be the beginning of the end of crowdfunding.

If they don't deliver hopefully it will just open up new ways of vetting projects that raise six-figures or more.

If they do deliver will that finally be enough to silence the crowdfunding naysayers?

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#24

Post by Terretta »

FreeKill wrote: post #21
chucknelson wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's also one of the worst things about kickstarter. The risk is moved to us, the consumer, and if it falls through, kickstarter isn't doing anything about it. We've basically funded some employee salaries, etc. with nothing to show for it. I do think kickstarter is great, though.

Very true. I do think in some circumstances it's valid for the consumer to take on the risk. There are a lot of fan projects out there where, from a profit perspective, it just doesn't make sense for a large backer to take a risk bringing it to market. However, if fan interest is high enough and potential customers are willing to put their money where their mouth is, so to speak, it's an interesting option. I'd perso…

Kickstarter is perfect for products that fall into the "disposable income" budget.

They're perfecting the definition of "disposable", with products that fall into a range of "If this turns out, I'll be in on it, if it doesn't, I'm out x-hundred bucks, so what?".

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#25

Post by Terretta »

flexd wrote: post #10
StavrosK wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It actually cost $0, as I already have one of each. Are you saying that none of the OUYA backers has an Android phone or tablet?

Are you easily able to connect your mobile phone to your TV? And does anyone even make games for phones that would benefit from being on a TV? I think OUYA could change how the platform gaming landscape looks like, and it certainly won't hurt for more competition to enter that market, hopefully putting some pressure on the existing companies.

> Are you easily able to connect your mobile phone to your TV?

Yes, Google Galaxy Nexus HDMI Dock.

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details/HDMI_Portrait_...

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#27

Post by objclxt »

SteveJS wrote: post #26
naner wrote: post #15

If they take the $5mil and are unable to deliver, that might be the beginning of the end of crowdfunding.

Will anybody even agree on what successful delivery looks like?

What is a successful delivery? I guess that depends. I would say a successful delivery is releasing the product. Given they've got a very aggresive schedule and are promising delivery for September 2012, I'd say a successful delivery would be getting the product out to backers before the end of the year (ie, the holidays).

I do think they are setting themselves up for some serious pain - it's very difficult to turn down money. I think originally Ouya had a 5,000 limit on the $99 reward. Now they are offering 80,000, and the estimated delivery date hasn't changed. If their delivery was to slip (not all that surprising) the number of vocal angry customers who maybe don't fully understand the nature of Kickstarter funding is going to be much greater.

Good luck to them - but it's important to go into this sort of thing with some sense of proportion. Even the best intended and funded projects can and do go a bit awry on the way to delivery. Just look at the team behind Ouya - their designer, Yves Behar, is a talented man, but two of his most well known projects (OLPC and the Jawbone Up) had significant delivery issues.

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#28

Post by rhinosix »

chucknelson wrote: post #11
hkmurakami wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I personally think that this is the greatest value that kickstarter has brought us. We now have the option to forego the traditional cycle of [product development -> promotion -> sales] and instead pursue a [promotion -> sales -> development] path, which reduces the risk of irrecoverable sunk costs significantly. In a way, it shifts "risk" from the producer to the consumer.

It's also one of the worst things about kickstarter. The risk is moved to us, the consumer, and if it falls through, kickstarter isn't doing anything about it. We've basically funded some employee salaries, etc. with nothing to show for it. I do think kickstarter is great, though.

One of the flaws Kickstarter projects is they have very limited testing phases.

Projects start with an almost-ready prototype which just needs a few touches before it goes into production. But in those final stages, like with anything, there are unforeseen obstacles and problems that come up. Backers have been given a release date, they've paid their money, and product development is very public.

After a product has "finished" development it needs lengthy and rigorous testing, rethinking and redevelopment. Large numbers of users are very quick at finding bugs the devs never noticed. Sometimes products just aren't ready to be released - they need more time and money put into them. Private companies have the advantage of being able to push back release dates, or cancelling the project without ever announcing it to the public.

A lot of Kickstarter comments are from people who paid X dollars, the release date has passed, and they want their product NOW. Or they've received their product, but it has some kind of flaw.

If I was going to back a project I wouldn't do it with the intention of pre-ordering a working product. I would pay as much as I was willing to lose on a project I believe in - I see myself more as a supporter and beta-tester to get the product to where it needs to be.

Maybe Kickstarter projects could elect to add a testing phase? A dev could ask for initial funding to produce a limited number of beta products, which would be sent out to selected testers who use the product, submit issues, and give feedback. After the bugs are worked out the product goes into full production. It could involve the community more in the development process, shift the expectation of receiving a perfectly working product, and improve the quality of the product.

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#29

Post by jluxenberg »

From the founder's description of the console:

"Let’s open this sucker up!...We’re handing the reins over to the developer with only one condition: at least some gameplay has to be free."

They aim to produce an open platform for TV gaming that puts requirements on how games are distributed. What?! Doesn't sound "free" to me.

Re: Ouya Approaches $5 Million In Backing, Attracts 5x Goal (So Far)

#30

Post by potatolicious »

nimblegorilla wrote: post #23
naner wrote: post #15

If they take the $5mil and are unable to deliver, that might be the beginning of the end of crowdfunding.

If they don't deliver hopefully it will just open up new ways of vetting projects that raise six-figures or more. If they do deliver will that finally be enough to silence the crowdfunding naysayers?

How do we vet them, beyond "is a scam"?

There are plenty of well-meaning people who want to do a lot, but are incredibly poorly positioned to do it. Or do we want to limit crowdfunding to near slam-dunk ideas?

I think it's a problem that Kickstarter has brought out a lot of very, very green entrepreneurs with little experience actually shipping product. But what can we do about it without throwing the baby out also?

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