July 13th, 2012 
Bruce McGee 
Another week another Wonderpod. The usual suspects are back for episode 118. This weeks show is talk of video games, game consoles and a little vaudeville thrown in. Listening to this episode is an excellent way to end your week. Now if you’ll excuse the crew, the siren song of the Steam sale is calling.
RDR Shenanigans kick off the show
valuing camaraderie
The BWO invades and we talk punch out
Rockstar will chuck you in the pool for cheating
MS might by Activision/Blizzard. The world trembles
The Ouya console (no super hype here)
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I'll have to agree with the idea that hacking is a term that needs to be changed. I think modding is a better suited terminology.
I'l openly say it. I have backed up the idea of Ouya and chipped in $129.00 (an extra thirty for another controller).
I think that knowing it's an android OS, it will have the potential to be just more than a gaming console. It could allow for "apps" (if you will) so you can watch netflix on it just like the other consoles and perhaps do more things on there. Perhaps you can read your kindle on the tv while you're laying in bed about to pass out. Who the heck knows. Hell, read comics too while you're at it. Or… porn.
To be honest, I still don't understand the kick-start thing completely. Is there a FULL guarantee that IF this becomes the next "Phantom" (never comes out) that those that donated money, no matter how much, will get their money back? If "yes" then I understand peoples enthusiastic donations. If "no" I think its a tad foolish to give money to something that is both only a concept and will also be competing in an already overcrowded video game market. This new conceptual console sounds cool "in theory", however that's all it is right now, theory. To be honest I have so many game systems already , and all the new consoles are coming in the next couple years. Plus , iOS has more apps and games than you could count, many are free.
Don't get me wrong here. I am very interested in the future for this prototype. Will it will see the light of day? Will it retain that original price point? Will there be any new/ different/ original / fun games on it that make it WORTH buying ad mist all the existing systems/ platforms and developers? This will be a great story to follow! And who knows, just maybe, it will be a great system, if it comes out.
From Kickstarters Terms Of Service "Kickstarter does not offer refunds. A Project Creator is not required to grant a Backer’s request for a refund unless the Project Creator is unable or unwilling to fulfill the reward." I have seen some projects that promise to refund money if they project isn't completed. But it all depends on how the individual kickstarter is set up.
Part of me tend's to agree with you that investing or donating in Hardware is a crap shoot and perhaps a bit foolish. The other part of me says that someone gave Job's and Gates money when they were starting out with a high risk of never seeing a dime of it. The difference here is the people donating have no ownership stake in the company which makes me shy away from kick starters like Ouya. Hardware is difficult to bring to market and there is a large risk it's backers may never see anything out of it.
I have donated money to one game currently being made and could potential give some to another. If they succeed I get a free game and if they fail I am out an amount of money I can live with. Still this service isn't for everyone. Knowing humanity like I do I suspect that we will see law suits and attempts to shut kickstarter down if one of these massive projects fail.
Anything you invest in in a sense like this is a risk. It's no real difference than investing into a business that is starting out and being guaranteed a small ownership or owning stocks of a business in the market. Always a risk. It's whether or not you can handle the worst case scenario.
Because Ouya has achieved their pledge they will proceed to charge everyone when the kickstarter finishes. However, like I said, its a risk to chip in anyhow.
It is a donation, not an investment. You will receive absolutely NO return if this company succeeds . Will you receive a dividend check every quarter? Will your 130 turn into 1300 by next year? No.
I am not saying that helping out a company with a donation is a bad idea, but it is no investment. Make no mistake, they only want your money, not your partnership in the company if it becomes successfully. In essence you have prordered a new system, in advance, with the hopes it comes out. It’s a pretty cool idea, and people can do what they want with their money. However I will donate my earned money to charity, and INVEST in companies with the hopes of a return personally .
Patman, I'm not saying that I am now a part owner or have any shares or any financial benefit from this company since I gave them some of my money. I am ABSOLUTELY not saying that.
What I am saying is that I chipped in and if everything goes as planned, then the company will uphold their end of the deal and continue with their plan and ship me one of their systems. I feel confident they will do that because they obviously raised MILLIONS on top of whatever money they have them self for this product. Shoot, let's say they didn't hold true to their word and didn't send out all the systems to the people they said they will give them to for helping them out? That's just bad for business and word will spread quickly about how they short changed those who took a risk with their money.
Bad rep through word of mouth through customers is crippling for business. I honestly believe that they will hold up their part of the deal.
Sure I used terms that would be associated in trading stocks and such, but it was the only analogy I could come up with. I am comfortable with the risk of never seeing the hundred dollars I give them again. Not even in a tangible product form. I am completely content with that.