THE highly anticipated crowd-funded Ouya Android videogame console yesterday hit the market in the US and almost instantly sold out.
Ouya is a gaming console project on crowd-funding site Kickstarter that raised $US8.5 million and became the second most highly funded project on the site ever. It was launched in July last year by gaming industry identity Julie Uhrman.
"Unreal," Ouya said in a message fired off on Twitter. "Ouya has officially sold out on amazon US and UK."
While the consoles powered by Google's Android software remained available at the Ouya website and elsewhere for $US99, prices for consoles were already being bid up in auctions online at eBay.
"The journey has just begun," Ouya said. "Thanks to everyone who has supported us."
Retailers selling the device in the US include Best Buy and GameStop, Ouya said.
Eagerly anticipated Ouya consoles are out to shake up a videogame market dominated by Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo.
The Android-powered devices plug into televisions and were launched with more than 150 games that provide some degree of free play.
Los Angeles-based Ouya was a Kickstarter hit, attracting millions of dollars in funding from a roster of investors that includes Jawbone founder Hosain Rahman.
Kickstarter.com lets entrepreneurs reach out to the masses for pooled funding for creative projects. Ouya backers were promised consoles, but online reports indicated some had not received them yet.
Ouya consoles come with a single controller, which sell separately for $US50 each.
Ouya hit the market as Sony and Microsoft prepare to release next-generation PlayStation and Xbox videogame consoles. The third big player in the market, Nintendo, released a new Wii U console late last year.
