Social Video

With the release of the new app Vine, I began thinking about how social media has been changing rapidly. Vine if you are unaware is basically a video version of Twitter. One of the cool features about Vine is that it lets you start and stop your 6 second video. This means you can easily show multiple images and clips, or use it to make a crude stop motion animation like the one I did below:

Aquabat playing PAC-MAN

So what does this mean for arcade gaming? I can see this being very useful for short game clips. Anyone can now record a 6 second clip of the tail end of a high score and publish it online in seconds. The interface is easy and the uploads are quick, even over a weak 3G signal. You can also have your video post right to Twitter as well. Facebook posting is also possible, but I haven't tested it yet due to some reported issues. If you are worried about YouTube subscribers, the app has you covered. All your uploaded clips are saved to the camera roll on an iPhone. You can easily place a series of clips into iMovie and publish them from your phone to YouTube.
So what does this have to do with arcades? Is it just for media/press coverage? How about bringing the arcade scene together? Imagine, people being able to show off an arcade in small video in seconds. People communicating through social media and sharing high score clips, play through clips, hidden secrets, etc. How about two people competing in two separate arcades across the country at the same time? You get a high score, video the score with you in the shot, send it off to Twitter. Your buddy then beats it, and sends it right back at you. How about sharing arcade locations? You could even combine this technology with high score sharing technology like Aurcade has been working on. Imagine an arcade tournament supported cross multiple arcades like the one here:

Aurcade Event

But, you can now connect score sharing and gameplay clips instantly. Arcade manufacturers overall have been slow on tackling Internet connections and online high score saving. Thanks to new social media technology, why don't we take it into our own hands? Or we can continue to make goofy videos like this

Losing at PAC-MAN