It’s 
hard not to be impressed with the Ouya so far.
First unveiled in July, it’s a full-fledged home console system powered by the Android OS. Every Ouya is a developer’s kit, turning every owner into a potential developer for the system. It costs $99, hooks up to your TV, comes with a gamepad, and is the size of a Rubik’s Cube. Pretty compelling stuff.
Despite 
plenty of leaks, Microsoft has yet to officially confirm that it’s working on the next Xbox. But the first one may already have been sold.
An eBay auction over the weekend found a buyer for a purported Xbox ‘Durango’ Development Kit — a system game developers use to create games for the upcoming console. The buyer, who remained anonymous, shelled out $20,100 for the kit, which apparently looks like a black computer tower.
Another 
month, another batch of bad news for the game industry.
July continued the industry’s ugly retail decline, with sales of video game software falling 23 percent compared to last year, according to The NPD Group.
The 
developers of indie game darling Fez have a problem: there’s a major bug in their game. But they’re not going to fix it — and they say that’s Microsoft’s fault.
Released in April on Xbox Live, Fez garnered terrific reviews from critics. But as players explored the game, they found a number of issues. Save files were being corrupted and the game was crashing regularly. A fix was issued last month, but it was quickly yanked because it reportedly caused even more problems.
Less 
than nine months after Gears of War 3 hit store shelves, the next installment of the series is set to make its debut.
Microsoft and Epic Games will formally reveal the next Gears of War on Monday, June 4th, during Microsoft’s annual E3 press conference. The big question is: What system is it for?
Every 
Thursday, I join Chris Salcedo and Lori Lundin on the mid-day edition of America’s Radio News Network to discuss trends and news in the technology and video game space. (Dana Mills sat in for the vacationing Lori today.) This week’s topics were Microsoft’s $99 Xbox 360 offer – and the strings attached to it, shocking statistics on Facebook privacy and a look ahead to next week’s Facebook IPO – and exactly how rich it will make Mark Zuckerberg.
It’s 
hard to keep a secret in the video game world.
Microsoft’s confirmation this week that it will offer the Xbox 360 for just $99 (with a $15 per month Xbox Live subscription) was a bit anti-climatic after the news leaked last week. But spoiled surprises don’t necessarily negate a move’s impact.
After 
a week of speculation, Microsoft has formally announced plans to offer a subscription-based Xbox 360/Kinect bundle requiring a two-year paid commitment.
Customers will pay $99 for a 4 GB Xbox 360 and Kinect up front, then will pay $15 per month for the next two years. They’ll enjoy an Xbox Live Gold subscription during that time period, but no additional functionality in the service.
The 
price of the Xbox might be about to come way, way down. But you’ll end up paying more for it.
Confused? You’re not alone.
As 
the Xbox 360 enters what appear to be its swansong years, Microsoft might find that there’s no such thing as a smooth finish.
A U.S. International Trade Commission judge has ruled that the console infringes on four patents held by Motorola, reports Bloomberg. Worst case scenario? It could result in a blockade of Xbox 360 consoles imported to the U.S.
Chris Morris: Journalist 