Elon Musk’s Twitter Mess Causes PlayStation to Remove Share Button Integration
Imagine having a website that is so popular that major video game console manufacturers include a dedicated button on their controllers just for users to post on it. Now, imagine that this whole system falls apart for no apparent reason. Well, that’s exactly what has happened with Elon Musk’s Twitter, which has now caused PlayStation to remove its Share button integration.
The Fallout of Elon Musk’s Twitter Actions
Back in April, Xbox got rid of Twitter integration, and now PlayStation has followed suit. Sony recently announced that it will no longer support posting on Twitter from its dedicated Share button on the controller. This button used to be the easiest way for players to share screenshots and video clips on social media. The reason behind this decision is the skyrocketing prices of API access to Twitter, particularly for large-scale companies like Sony and Microsoft. According to reports, the cost for these companies starts at $42,000 per month, with the highest plan reaching a staggering $210,000 per month for processing 200 million tweets. This sudden increase in costs is something these companies are not willing to pay, especially after years of using the functionality at a much lower price.
The Impact on PlayStation Users
This change has disrupted a previously symbiotic relationship between Twitter, PlayStation, Xbox, and gamers. Now, PlayStation players will have to use the dedicated PlayStation app to download and post clips, which is a much more cumbersome process. It’s doubtful that many people will bother with it, including myself. We might even see a return to the “shaky cam” era of posting console screens and videos, where users record their TV screens.
Facebook’s Opportunity to Fill the Void
It’s worth considering whether Facebook could step in and provide an alternative for PlayStation and Xbox players to share screenshots. Facebook’s Twitter-fighter Threads could potentially allow easy access for gamers to post through that platform if Twitter is no longer an option. This move could boost Facebook’s fortunes and provide at least some space for gamers to share their experiences on the internet, even though Threads is not widely adopted yet.
Twitter’s Revenue Squeeze
Elon Musk’s absurd price hikes have led many companies to abandon the Twitter API, and Sony is just the latest casualty. Twitter has been trying to find new sources of revenue after losing users and advertisers during the Musk era. Their latest scheme involves charging anywhere from $50,000 to $250,000 for defunct usernames, as Forbes first revealed.
The Irony of Elon Musk’s Gaming Enthusiasm
It’s ironic that Elon Musk himself is a huge gamer, expressing his desire to bring streaming to Twitter and constantly sharing his love for games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Diablo 4. However, it seems he may be more inclined towards PC gaming.
Conclusion
The ripple effect of Elon Musk’s Twitter shenanigans on the gaming world is palpable, with PlayStation joining Xbox in severing its Twitter integration. The exorbitant surge in Twitter’s API costs, now ranging from $42,000 to a staggering $210,000 monthly, led Sony to abandon this once seamless and beloved feature. This shift disrupts the fluid connection between gaming experiences and social sharing for PlayStation users. As Facebook eyes an opportunity to fill the void left by Twitter, Musk’s actions have inadvertently triggered a financial squeeze for the platform, altering the landscape of digital interactions. The irony persists as the gaming enthusiast Musk inadvertently reshapes social sharing dynamics in the gaming community.
Photo: Playstation.com
