Raise your hands, class. How many of you have heard of Twitter? Now, how many of you actually have a Twitter account? Less hands I see. Well, shame on you. Twitter, in a nutshell, is a social networking site of sorts but without all the profile jazz. It allows users quick updates under 140 characters per post, replies to other users, and direct private messages. You can use Twitter any way you see fit, but let’s be honest. We enjoy games here, so what other way to use and abuse Twitter than video games? I’m going to let you in on some Twitter secrets.
One of the best features about video games and Twitter is that you can get game news faster than other people. If you “follow” the right people and companies, you can see news before most major game sites even post about it. Quick example: Bethesda announced the Fallout Vegas game. You can really be on the up-and-up with news. Plus, most updates give a link to their site with more information.
Not only can you get fast game news, but you can also track how game development is progressing. This is not always the case, as you cannot control what the developers “tweet” (if they do at all). Two examples come to mind. By following IsaacClarke, you constantly get updates about the progress of Dead Space: Extraction. Secondly, by following DylanCuthbert from Q Games, you can hear how the new PixelJunk: Shooter game is progressing.
The best secret about Twitter and video games? The swag! People give away so much stuff on Twitter, it’s disgusting. Every Friday, SEGA gives away merchandise to its followers such as comics, T-shirts, games and action figures. Usually, once or twice a day, MajorNelson from Xbox tosses out some free codes to download games. Personally, I have won a few different forms of DLC for games and a free year to Club Pogo–and I plan to win more.
Twitter is really a hidden gem–a diamond in the rough, if you will. Yes, I’m sure it was made as a “social network” site, but it can really be a powerful tool if used correctly. I have talked to some people who are “in the business” whom I’d, normally, have no way of contacting outside of Twitter. You owe it to yourself, as a gamer, to sign up and start following. You will be pulled into this Twitterverse.
(Originally posted at www.kezins.info)
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