The document discusses Android as an operating system for mobile devices that was introduced as a rival to Apple's iOS. It notes that Android allows open development of games and apps without approval, while consoles like Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 require approval. The author has been learning the Stencyl game engine to develop 2D games for Android and the upcoming Ouya console. They need an Android phone to test games, and hope to alter controls of early games for compatibility with Ouya's controllers before its release.

1. By: Your son, Matthew

2.  Android is an operating system(1) for mobile devices, such
as cell phones and tablets, and will be the operating system
for OUYA (the console we bought)
 It was introduced by many technology companies as a rival
to the Apple operating system for iPods and iPads. These
companies are headed by Google, Sony, Dell, HTC,
Motorola, and T-Mobile
 (1) Operating System – The systems of which a piece
technology runs on. For example: Windows 7, Windows
XP, Windows Vista, Apple OS. Android is just one meant
for non-computers (cell phones / tablets / consoles)

3.  Games that run on one operating system can’t run on other
operating systems unless you tweak it
 For instance, I’d never be able to run a game on an Apple
computer that was made for a Windows one
 Much the same, you can play games meant for previous
systems of the same type on current ones
 Example: You’ll be able to play games for Android Cell Phones
on the Ouya when it comes out

4.  When the Ouya comes out it will unprecedented.
 Today’s systems (Wii, Playstation 3, Xbox 360) all require
approval for games to be developed by their respective parties
(Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft). If you don’t get their approval,
you aren’t allowed to make games.
 Android devices allow the users to freely make games, or any
other apps for that matter, without approval. You are allowed
to sell them directly through the Android market. If they are
illegal, they are likely to get taken down. But other than that,
you can mark them up for any price you want and sell them.

5.  Games are made on Game Engines. Many simple ones
are free. For instance, the one used to make Angry
Birds is free. Many more advanced ones are free for 3D
games as well. Many even more advanced ones are
made specifically for games by major gaming
companies.
 Over the last three months I have been familiarizing
myself with two free Game Engines. One of them is
meant for 3D games and the other is meant for 2D
games. More than likely I’d be making 2D games for
cell phones, tablets, and Ouya.

6.  Stencyl is a 2D Free Game Engine. This Software will
soon offer the ability to directly publish to Android
systems.
 They offer many pre-built game levels to learn how to
use the program to make your own games.
 They have a “Success Stories” part of their website. It
has 5 games listed that have made the creators
$10,000+ and had over 1,000,000 plays. Not bad for a
Game Engine that was released publically 45 days ago!

7.  I need a cell phone that runs Android to test out that
games I will be making. It’d be pointless to make
games for a product and I wouldn’t be able to test
them.
 Without a cell phone, I’d either have to give up this
idea completely or wait till Ouya comes out to test it on
there…

8.  The Ouya hasn’t published their SDK(1). They say all games
that work on Android devices now will work on the Ouya,
but many people speculate the controls will need to be
configured to the Ouya.
 This means that any games I make now that work on
Android will work on Ouya, but the controls will need to
be altered for the controllers of the Ouya instead of the
touch screen/keys of a cell phone.
 This means that since I’m getting the Ouya before it hits
store, I’ll be able to (hopefully) alter the products before
Ouya hits store so that they can be bought the day of.
 (1) SDK – Software Developer Kit – What they give us to
help us make Apps.

9. Me + =
+ +
=
$$$? Yes.  ? Yes.