Is Twitter The Next Big Gaming Platform?

Games are taking over online, so it was really only a matter of time before they came to Twitter. And thanks to Twitter's latest updates to its Twitter Cards, we may see an influx of gamers looking to strike gold early on. Gamasutra shared an interesting view of the possibilities Twitter cards offer for gamers, specifically the deep-linking capabilities: Deep-linking enables creators to initiate custom events within their game when the user clicks the link. This opens up several new possibilities. Here are a few: Gifts and Rewards - unlock an item, virtual currency, or other game content to the referring or referred users. In-App Purchase Offers - present exclusive or discounted content available for in-app purchase. Invites - invites can be explicit (“play with me!”) or embedded within the core game loop as players post a challenge (“I just beat your score, sucka!”), inform friends it’s their turn (“your turn to draw something”), and other re-engagement mechanics. UGC - display a video replay[2], high-score, customized avatar, and other user-generated content. Although this is feasible by simply linking to the web, typically fidelity is often lost depending on the type of content shared, and referred users don’t have a means to interact with the content. And we’ll see a gazillion of other (more) creative mechanics. Many of these will be repurposed from traditional Facebook games in addition to new innovations unique to the Twitter platform. "Crazy," you say? "IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN," you scream!? Well, it already IS happening, dear - and you really shouldn't shout like that. We told you about one role-playing game already in play, called Tweeria, the “lazy Twitter MMORPG.” It requires little from the Twitter user, beyond setting up the account initially. Every time you tweet, your alter ego finds adventures, kills monsters or gets items. And then there's War Cluster to consider. "Twitter’s first real-time massive multiplayer online space strategy game" is still in development stages, but it's coming. Oh, yes. And those are just two readily apparent examples, we're guessing there are more. So what do you have to say for yourself now, ye of little faith? Have you seen new games sprouting up on Twitter? Do you think we will? (We will, be patient.) The better question is - should Facebook be worried? (Image from Shutterstock)

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Is Twitter The Next Big Gaming Platform?

Mary C. Long

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Mary C. Long