Mad Catz's M.O.J.O. Microconsole Costs $250, Opens for Preorders

The M.O.J.O., an Android-based but TV-connected microconsole developed by gaming-peripherals manufacturer Mad Catz, will cost $250 when it goes on sale in December, the company announced today. That puts it near the high end of competing Android gaming devices, closer to the portable $300 Nvidia Shield than the TV-connected $80 GameStick or $100 Ouya. The M.O.J.O.'s website is now accepting preorders ahead of its Dec. 10 launch date, although the company said in a press release that the microconsole will only be available "in limited quantities" at that time.

P-I-N-G-O And Pingo Was Its Name-O

What is Pingo you ask? Well it's an addictive and fun game that is a poker, bingo hybrid. Pingo uses a standard 52-card deck, on a 5 5 grid. Points are generated by getting poker hands within the grid in any direction, including vertical, horizontal and diagonal. Pingo's early inception includes two game-play modes, Casual that will let you play through all cards without the restraint of time and Speed Mode which will garner more points and multipliers the quicker you play them. If you are like me and aren't the best with poker hands, fear not, there's also a few tutorial levels to point you in the right direction.

Pingo was developed by Eve Park and her 1-Pup Games developing team for the OUYA. If you are unaware of the OUYA it's the upcoming Android based console that not only boasts a low-cost for consumers but is also very indie-developer friendly. The mobile games we love so much will finally make their way to the big screens of our TV's through OUYA. There will also be the added bonus of having a controller.

Pingo is also currently a contender in the OUYA Create Contest. Pingo is one of 166 games vying for the title of OUYA Create Contest winner. Please check out the video after the article, it will help Eve (AKA The Girl With The Blue Hair) and her developing team at 1-Pup Games in bringing one of the most addictive games better and more content.

I was able to test out the Pingo Demo and was immediately hooked. Growing up one of my early gaming addictions was the AOL game Slingo, I continue to play Slingo to this day on my smart phone. Pingo is a game that bears a few similarities but yet still manages to be fresh and unique. Fans of Windows Solitaire games and of course Slingo will love Pingo.

So go ahead and check out the video below. Not only will you be helping out a fellow Geek but I think you might just enjoy learning about a game that everyone will be playing in the near-future.

Ouya’s ‘Free the Games’ Pledges $1 Million for Crowdfunded Ouya Titles

Ouya has announced a new fund that will aid Kickstarter projects headed for the diminutive console. Called "Free the Games," the $1 million fund will match Kickstarter funds ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 for eligible games. Naturally, Ouya expects something in return: Eligible games must agree to be exclusive to Ouya for six months. So long as the qualifying Kickstarter launches between August 9, 2013 and August 10, 2014, and achieves a minimum goal of $50,000, Ouya will match the total raised up to $250,000. Furthermore, the most successful Kickstarter project to take part in the Free the Games program will receive an additional $100,000. The fund will continue to support projects until the money runs out. Interested developers can find out more about the program on the Ouya website.

Read the full story at Joystiq.