Journey developer Kellee Santiago joins Ouya
Ship date set for 28th March for Kickstarter backers.
Journey and Flower developer thatgamecompany's co-founder Kellee Santiago has officially joined up with upcoming Android console manufacturer Ouya to lead developer relations.
Her official title will be Ouya's developer's best friend (DBF), according to Ouya founder Julie Uhrman on the console's official site. We presume this means she'll be around to chat with when developers go through breakups or their pets die. Or maybe she'll help them get their projects on the console. Something like that.
"Ouya gets it. This is the first console company that really understands how important it is to remove the barriers to development. By freeing up the development process, Ouya is opening up new doors in console gaming," said Santiago.
Santiago may be full-time for Ouya, but there are plenty of others developing for the Ouya. Notable examples include Portal and Quantum Conundrum designer Kim Swift, who's developing a new, unannounced exclusive title for the upcoming console.
"We truly feel that this platform will give us the freedom to fully realize the funky, unique game we have in mind," said Swift. "Though the title will definitely appeal to core gamers in terms of skill and difficulty, it really has a completely unexpected, imaginative slant that's totally at home on this console. Expect an official announcement soon!"
Equally exciting is that the creators of the excellent Papo & Yo will be releasing an adventure puzzler to Ouya this autumn that's specifically designed to take advantage of the console's unique controller that has a touchpad and buttons (granted the PS4 will have the same, but Ouya announced that one first).
Likewise, Red Orchestra 2 and Killing Floor developer Tripwire Interactive is working on an unannounced Ouya-exclusive title, as well as bringing PC puzzler The Ball onto the Android platform.
Finally, Grand Theft Auto and Crackdown creator Dave Jones and his team at nWay are bringing its action-RPG ChronoBlade onto Ouya.
Elsewhere, we now have an official ship date for Ouya consoles pre-ordered by Kickstarter backers. On 28th March the consoles will begin heading out to those early adopters. "Might take a few weeks to get to everyone. We have a lot of Ouyas to ship!" noted Uhrman, so hold your horses.
