What does YouTube and gaming have in common? Well, nothing really… yet.
But a patent application from Google suggests that may be changing. The patent (titled “Web-Based System for Generation of Interactive Games Based on Digital Videos”) was actually filed much earlier this year, but offers an interesting peek at what Google might have in store.
What the patent is actually suggesting is a bit hazy and up for interpretation, but sounds like it’s hinting at ways to link videos together to create various narrative alternatives and scenarios for the user. Or, at the very least, making it easier for users to collaborate in doing so.
In fact, videos/interactive experiences like this already exist on YouTube, including an interesting “Choose Your Own Adventure” concept. Our own Anthony Burch even used this YouTube functionality to design an interactive review for the Wii version of Mad Dog McCree.
But the patent could suggest bigger plans than what’s already available online… or it could be mean nothing at all. But we’d keep our eyes peeled anyhow; the idea of an interactive Tonetta experience is just too exciting to ignore.
Google Might Get Into Hosted Gaming Via YouTube [Bnet via Slashdot]