Ouya re-works controversial Free the Games Fund as Gridiron Thunder pulls out
Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman has issued a video statement regarding the company's controversial Free the Games Fund, which was geared towards investing in new indie projects, such as recently funded Gridiron Thunder. The scheme will now undergo a revision.
In the clip, Urhman said of the incentive, "The program wasn't perfect, we're fixing it, and if it's still not perfect, tell us and we'll fix it again. But I think it's important to note that we're not going to pull this program. We think great games can be found by you, the gamer, who loves Ouya, who wants to see something special on it."
The revised scheme does away with the minimum required funding amount of $50,000 before studios are eligible for the program. Studios now only need to raise $10,000 before becoming eligible. A minimum of 100 backers is also required for eligibility, which stems fro the fact hat Gridiron Thunder raised a significant amount without that many backers. The game's funding was then deemed suspect by gamers.
Games backed by the fund must now remain Ouya exclusive for one month for every $10,000 donated by the company, up to a total of six months.
Uhrman said of exclusivity, "We're gonna allow you to launch on the PC at the same time, because you said that's where your audience is. We're also going to remove the $100,000 bonus to the campaign that raises the most money, because you said it just wasn't in the spirit of the fund, and we agree."
She added that the developers of Gridiron Thunder have also pulled out of the campaign as they now have enough money of their own to fund the project.
What do you make of the above? Is this a better program? Let us know below.