Home Gaming Ouya CEO "pissed" about shipping issues

Ouya CEO "pissed" about shipping issues

1 min read
23

Remember the Ouya, that new console that was a huge success on Kickstarter?  Well, it had its official launch today, and has already sold out on Amazon.com.  However, some Kickstarter backers still haven’t received their consoles – angering CEO Julie Uhrman.

In an update on the console’s Kickstarter page, she said

“I am pissed.  Some of you have not yet received your Ouya, and to you, I apologize. I did not promise to ship to most of you before we hit store shelves. I promised to ship to all of you. I’ve been reading your comments, and we are working to solve this.”

According to Uhrman, the issue lies with the company’s distribution partners.  Despite delivering units in May, some of them still have not been shipped.  She states that Ouya has paid for shipping, and yet some deliveries still have not been completed.  Those who still have not received theirs can expect the console to arrive in 15-17 days, once it is shipped from Hong Kong.

So far, a bit of a mixed start for the Ouya.  Some Kickstarter backers who received the console were rather unimpressed with it.  Even the Amazon.com reviews highlight some problems with the device.  However, that hasn’t seemed to deter people from buying it en masse.  There is still a huge appeal for this unique little console, I just wonder if they will get it right.  

I debated for a long time as to whether I should help Kickstart it – I was certainly keen but thought I’d wait for the retail launch to get one.  I mean, they had already exceeded their goal by millions of dollars.  Suppose I’ll just keep waiting and see if I kick myself further down the line; so far, I’m not really convinced.

 

Last Updated: June 26, 2013

23 Comments

  1. Trevor Davies

    June 26, 2013 at 13:07

    I look at the Ouya as nice to have if you have money to burn & already have every other console. Sort of like a tablet.

    Reply

    • Argentil

      June 26, 2013 at 13:09

      Well, if you don’t have a tablet, maybe. The build quality of the console is not up to snuff. It also has a limited library, with no access to Google Play. The only real value it has is as an emulator, which is not something I would endorse were I them. You will find the odd individual finding a kewl application for it, I mean, someone got the Wii to run WoW.

      Reply

      • Kromas

        June 26, 2013 at 13:21

        And finally the Wii gets its first game.

        Reply

  2. Argentil

    June 26, 2013 at 13:07

    Why is he pissed? It’s been an issue for months. It’s hardly a recent happening. These Ouya people are entitled and annoying.

    Reply

  3. Styx ZA

    June 26, 2013 at 13:10

    “We are working to solve this.”
    How? Do you perhaps have a time machine? Worldwide launch has come and gone with a huge number of backers not having their consoles

    Reply

  4. brad coetzee

    June 26, 2013 at 13:25

    I thought the Ouya sounded lame from day 1. Watch the next samsung galaxy have an av out that renders the ouya pointless.

    Reply

  5. Richard Kuiper

    June 26, 2013 at 13:41

    I still haven’t received mine. This says what i think:

    http://v.cdn.cad-comic.com/comics/cad-20130626-6a124.png

    Reply

    • Trevor Davies

      June 26, 2013 at 13:49

      That made me giggle.

      Reply

      • Richard Kuiper

        June 26, 2013 at 13:50

        It made me super sad panda. Ouya was promised for March 28. Apparently mine will arrive by 9 July. Fail.

        Reply

        • Argentil

          June 26, 2013 at 14:21

          Well, they have enough units to put them out at retail. This is what’s infuriating the backers. Ouya is prioritising filling shelves, to supplying customers who have already paid.

          Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      June 26, 2013 at 13:52

      I love CAD comics! I miss Ethan and the gang though 🙁

      Reply

      • Richard Kuiper

        June 26, 2013 at 13:53

        Agreed. Can’t believe they stopped the story. Now I am stuck with Dilbert and Cyanide & Happiness

        Reply

        • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

          June 26, 2013 at 13:56

          Well at least Cyanide an Happiness is pretty cool 🙂

          Reply

        • Trevor Davies

          June 26, 2013 at 14:01

          The worst part about Dilbert: Laughing at the comic… then realising how it applies to you :/

          Reply

        • Richard Kuiper

          June 26, 2013 at 14:02

          Both are cool ye. Just miss the weirdness in Ethan’s brain

          Reply

    • R4geGam3r

      June 26, 2013 at 21:28

      That made Lol. Thanks good sir.

      Reply

  6. CaptainNemo42

    June 26, 2013 at 13:53

    The concept of the Ouya is pretty cool, the whole open source thing. But I’m not too impressed yet. If it had Google Play, then maybe.

    I do like the controller. That looks pretty sleek.

    Reply

  7. Happy Hamster

    June 26, 2013 at 13:58

    Ou yaaaaaaaaa that was supposed to be shipped already, how could i forget .Stoopid Me

    Reply

  8. Rags

    June 26, 2013 at 15:57

    I never understood the appeal of the console. Why would you boot up that thing when you probably already have a PS2/3/4, XBOX/360/ONE, Wii/WiiU?

    If you want to support indie or run roms, why not get a media pc and jam some solid games from that with a proper logitech controller instead?

    I predict that it will soon start collecting dust in some closet soon for many who purchased it.

    Reply

  9. Brady miaau

    June 26, 2013 at 17:12

    While a lot of applications are much better because of open source, that does not it in itself mean you should support this console because it is open source. You should support this console because it offers value to you.

    I am sick to teeth of dealing with rabid programmers who claim open source is the best, Linux is the best, blah blah. Why? because you get the code to the kernel, you can make changes. Right then, make some tweaks, optimize for your hardware, and recompile. What, you cannot? But that was the reason you gave that it was cool! Does it run my productivity apps? Yes, some of them. Ok, so use it. Is it easy to use for the average user? If ok, then use. But open source is not inherently better. For example, if I was looking for, say, some code to make networks out of disparate devices, I would most certainly start looking open source. Why? Because the community as a whole has worked on this and made it better.

    A tool is a tool is a tool. Does this console appear to add value to my life? No. Might it in the future. Yes.

    I will get flamed and attacked and all that. Yay.

    Reply

    • Johan du Preez

      June 26, 2013 at 17:32

      So what value to your life does your ps3 or xbox give you ? Opensource is very rugged compared to closed applications but 1 thing is true 90% of the time is that opensource is much faster.

      You realize that you can put any OS on the device so if you dont like it cause it doesnt have google play I already have a guide to get it working.

      Simple Ouya is not for idiots ….. Its a hobby machine to use as a console or a media center or whatever you feel like. If you dont have the skill to make google play work on it then yes a PS3 or Xbox 360 will be your ideal market.

      Its obvious you just dont get it …. so move along …

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        June 26, 2013 at 18:40

        I like your response, thanks. Not supporting something just because it is open source.

        Your point about open source, especially the TCP stack is well taken. I have, in my youth (I have no strength now) worked on TCP stack code, embedded stuff, no OS, and the open source stuff is WAAAAAAAY better, faster, smoother and so forth.

        The Xbox that I own gives me a media centre, ability to play commercial games, that I pay for (Mass Effect, Dragon Age) that added value to my life. If I can play games that enriched me as those two did on the Ouya, yes I will buy it. If I can play with no effort on my part, no “Circle Kick, Circle Kick, Forward Punch, open the secret area” type stuff.

        “Its obvious you just dont get what the Ouya is about there is no limitation what you can do with it” You are right, I do not get it. And I doubt I ever will. I want to come home and switch it on and play a game or watch a movie. I know several people that love to come home and tinker and play with things, build little robots and so forth. I do not.

        In no way am I saying the Ouya is not cool and that you, or other people, should not get it. I do not think it is for me, is all.

        Reply

  10. shadowtheimpure

    June 27, 2013 at 05:09

    I ordered one just today, even if it doesn’t have very many games…it is compatible with XBMC. This means it will be the best little damn media center box I’ve ever owned, especially for $100.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Ranking the best and worst video game consoles of the 2010s

We’re a month away from a new decade rolling into town, and when you look back at the last…