RIM's global head of business development for games, Volker Hirsch, has told PocketGamer.biz he's unconvinced Ouya stands a chance of being a mainstream success.

According to Hirsch, the troubles many believe existing consoles are currently facing leave him unconvinced that there is a suitably big space in the market for the Android-powered device.

Single player

The main difference between Ouya and Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Hirsch claims, is that the latter two boast digital marketplaces – XBLA and PSN - that piggy back on existing mainstream platforms.

Audiences can be built through the sale of phyiscal boxed games, or other services offered to consumers, rather than just from digital game sales alone.

In contrast, Ouya is a 'single play', with its success riding solely on consumers taking to its digital marketplace.

"The hesitation to believe in the success of a single-purpose platform - which Ouya essentially is - that does not have the uber-high-end of PlayStation and Xbox going for it comes from just that: if you only do one thing, you better do it pretty effing well," said Hirsch.

"And if even the high-end consoles are being called doomed, how would a lower-end Android one have a chance?"

Games for geeks

Hirsch's comments were made as part of a PocketGamer.biz Mobile Gaming Mavens piece on the chances of Ouya's success.

Like Hirsch, many Mavens remain unconvinced Ouya has what it takes to serve a legitimate mainstream platform, though the suggestion is it may eventually lead to a wider change in the console market – one that could benefit developers currently operating on mobile.

For now, however, Hirsch said Ouya scores "high on geek points" - noting he's also "tempted to invest" - but scores far lower when it comes to "mainstream success outlook."

You can read Hirsch's comments in full over on this week's PocketGamer.biz Mobile Gaming Mavens.