It’s a bad PR day for Kickstarter darling OUYA.
Yesterday the Android-powered gaming console hit store shelves and quickly sold out on Amazon and at GameStop locations. It was a clear signs that OUYA fans were hungry for the console.
However, some backers still haven’t received their OUYAs, and they aren’t all too happy about it as is evidenced by the comments on the campaign page.
A long time ago we highlighted one of the problems the situation with OUYA raises. Crowdfunders are often “buying the beta” when it comes to tech products, but this–a product hitting shelves before backers receive rewards–is kind of unheard of. It doesn’t look good.
OUYA CEO Julie Uhrman apparently understands the gravity of the situation. In a statement to backers her response was frank: “I am pissed.”
She continued, “Some of you have not yet received your Ouya – and, to you, I apologize,” she said. “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.”
More media coverage…
CNET – Dark truth about Ouya debut: Retail wins, Kickstarter loses
It should be a great day for Ouya, the tiny Android-powered gaming console that netted $8.5 million in Kickstarter funding and quickly sold out during its debut appearance at U.S. retailers Tuesday. But not all Ouya enthusiasts are smiling.
PC MAG – How Ouya Shows Kickstarter Sucks for Hardware
Don’t buy your electronics on Kickstarter. That’s the lesson from the ongoing Ouya mess, the overhyped Android-powered game console that just landed in a dozen reviewers’ offices with a sad little flutter.