Ouya's Free the Games Fund will now require a lower project minimum, a specific number of backers and revised exclusivity on Ouya-funded titles, according to an announcement from CEO Julie Uhrman.
Free the Games kicked off in July. At the time of its launch, the program supported registered Ouya developers by offering $50,000 to $250,000 to titles launching on Kickstarter between Aug. 9 and Aug. 10. To be eligible, campaigns had to reach their funding goal and raise a minimum of $50,000. Under the program's new rules, projects need only raise $10,000, but require a minimum of 100 backers. Ouya-funded projects will also require exclusivity to the console; one month is required for every $10,000 given by Ouya for up to six months. According to Uhrman in the video above, changes were made based on feedback received from the community.
"We hear you loud and clear that the program isn't working," Uhrman said. "Regardless of my best intentions, there's just too many loopholes."
"... 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."
The Ouya program has been the source of some controversy following strange activity on its first two success stories — Elementary, My Dear Holmes and Gridiron Thunder. Both games achieved their funding goal with the help of newly minted backers with no previous records of funding projects, which in turn drew skepticism from the community. Uhrman added her voice to the mix then as well, stating that the response "surprised" Ouya.
In the video above, Uhrman adds the Gridiron Thunder developers have since pulled away from the fund after raising "enough money from Kickstarter to launch it on their own."
