Razer Acquires Ouya Software Assets And Team

Razer today announced that it has acquired the software assets of OUYA, including its content catalog and online retail platform in addition to OUYA’s technical team and developer relations personnel.

Financial details of the transaction, which closed on June 12, 2015, were not disclosed.

“Razer has a long-term vision for Android TV and Android-based TV consoles, such as the Xiaomi Mi Box and Alibaba Tmall Box, to which OUYA already publishes,” said Razer Co-Founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan. “OUYA’s work with game developers, both triple A and indies, went a long way in bringing Android games to the living room and Razer intends to further that work. This acquisition is envisaged to usher more developers and content to the Android TV platform.”

Razer didn’t acquire the Ouya hardware, but it promised to “”provide existing OUYA users with a clear path of migration to the more advanced Forge TV micro-console and Serval controller bundle.”

Razer’s intention is to allow OUYA users to bring their games, controllers, and accounts to the Cortex TV platform on the Forge micro-console. Additionally, Razer is planning deep product discounts for incoming OUYA users to purchase Razer hardware, and a spate of freebies, giveaways, and promotions to enjoy on their new Forge consoles.

The OUYA store acquired by Razer will in time be re-launched as Cortex for Android TV, a premier destination for Razer Forge TV games and other content.

While Razer is not retaining interest in OUYA hardware or related other assets, it does plan to publish Android TV content and Android-based TV console games under the OUYA moniker as a separate interest.

Over the past year, Razer unveiled its Razer Forge TV, a high-performance Android TV micro-console accompanied by a gaming controller, the Razer Serval. The Razer Forge TV ecosystem is based on an open platform. Content for the micro-console is provided by Razer, partners, independent developers and publishers, and is serviced through the Google Play store.