Ouya teams with Xiaomi to bring video games to China
Hundreds of Ouya games could soon be available on Xiaomi's streaming boxes and smart TVs.
Video game company Ouya is going overseas. The gaming startup has stuck a deal with Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, according to Reuters.
The partnership entails Ouya bringing its games to Xiaomi's streaming boxes and smart TVs, according to Reuters. While the fine print of the deal is still being discussed, it's looking like Ouya will get a dedicated channel on Xiaomi devices.
"For the likes of Xiaomi's MiTV, its set-top boxes and other Android set-top boxes that are entering the market, this could be a turning point... in bringing great content and developers to gamers and into a region that they have never had access to before," Ouya Chief Executive Julie Uhrman told Reuters.
Ouya came on strong into the gaming scene when it launched via Kickstarter in 2012, selling a $99 console that plugged into a TV. It's since courted thousands of developers to create hundreds of games for its app store. The company's sales have been weak, however. But, it's possible a launch in Asia could help the company jumpstart its popularity.
Xiaomi is one of the world's biggest smartphone sellers. Earlier this month, a report by Canalys showed that Xiaomi now tops Apple and Samsung for smartphone sales in China. On top of smartphones, the company is branching out to make other products, like its smart TV and streaming boxes.
Ouya's partnership with Xiaomi is one of many the game startup has struck. The company has been making deals with several device makers through an initiative it calls "Ouya Everywhere." Last month, Ouya revealed it partnered with Wikipad -- a device maker that sells tablets designed for video games -- to bring its games and content to a wider audience.