Social Media
Ongoing coverage on Social Media.
Latest coverage
Persona 4 Revival is a faithful JRPG remake because the original's only gotten more relevant: "We live in an…
Persona 4 producer Kazuhisa Wada stated that the upcoming remake, Persona 4 Revival, will remain faithful to the original game's themes, which he believes have become even more relevant today. He explained that the game's focus on confronting inner psyche and looking beyond public perception resonates strongly in the current social media-driven age. The goal is to enhance immersion with updated visuals rather than altering the core narrative.
Nitter goes dark as X Corp. sends cease-and-desist letters over alleged scraping
X Corp. has issued cease-and-desist letters to Nitter, a project that allowed users to view X posts without an account, demanding its instances and code repository be taken down by August 25. The letters cite unlawful use and circumvention of X's API and data scraping in violation of various laws. This action follows previous API restrictions in 2024 and is part of a broader trend among major platforms to block third-party readers.
Instagram’s New ‘First Draft’ Tool Builds Your Reel Before You Start Editing
Instagram has introduced a new 'First Draft' tool designed to automatically trim video clips and remove pauses, creating a rough cut for Reels. This feature aims to simplify the editing process for creators and keep them within the Instagram app. The tool is rolling out first to iPhone users and is part of Meta's broader strategy to enhance in-app creation capabilities.
Instagram adds feature that automatically trims clips for Reels
Instagram has introduced a new feature for Reels that automatically trims video clips, simplifying the editing process for users. This tool, referred to as 'First Draft,' aims to streamline content creation on the platform.
Vine reboot Divine is now open to everyone, no invite code required
The social media platform Divine, a reboot of Vine, is now accessible to all users without requiring an invite code. The platform features over 2 million videos from Vine's original archive.
Reddit is experimenting with video and audio versions of posts
Reddit is testing new features that allow users to create and consume posts in video and audio formats. This initiative aims to enhance user engagement by enabling richer forms of conversation on the platform.
Marvel’s Wolverine Is Another Victim Of The Internet’s Endless Gaming Negativity
The upcoming game Marvel's Wolverine is facing online criticism, with some labeling it 'dead on arrival' due to its linear single-player design. Insomniac Games' community director James Stevenson has spoken out against the toxic algorithms on platforms like X that amplify negativity, impacting developer mental health and creating a distorted perception of player sentiment. Despite the online discourse, early previews suggest Wolverine will be a strong addition to Insomniac's library, with a limited-edition PlayStation 5 bundle also announced.
Social media star Sterre Meijer on getting her own skateboarding game, online hate, and, weirdly, being mistaken for AI
Social media star Sterre Meijer has become the face of Skatesterre, a new arcade skateboarding game developed by Goon Squad and published by Headup. Despite not being a gamer herself, Meijer was heavily involved in the character's design, ensuring it reflected her personal style. The game aims to offer a more feminine representation in the male-dominated skateboarding genre and is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
YouTube is raising its monetization bar to 8,000 watch hours from February 1
YouTube is significantly raising its monetization requirements for creators, doubling the required watch hours to 8,000 over the past twelve months, effective February 1. For Shorts-first channels, the requirement increases to 20 million qualified Shorts views within the last 90 days, up from 10 million. Existing YouTube Partner Program members are unaffected by these changes.
Japan asks US to stop using Mario, Pokemon and others in social media posts
Japan's government has requested that the Trump administration cease using popular intellectual properties such as Mario, Pokemon, and Naruto in social media posts. The Japanese Ministry expressed concern that such usage could potentially harm the value and reputation of these beloved brands.
Evening Metaverse
Japan has reportedly requested that the US cease using Nintendo's intellectual property, such as Mario and Pokemon, in social media posts. Separately, Prime Video announced a November 18th release date for Madden.
Nikita Bier steps down as Head of Product at X
Nikita Bier has announced his departure as Head of Product at the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Bier stated that he is stepping down to return to his role as a poster and expressed confidence in the current leadership to elevate X further. He highlighted the platform's unprecedented growth in users and engagement, along with the launch of nearly 30 new products aimed at protecting the integrity of the 'town square'.
Evening Metaverse
The Walt Disney Company and TikTok have announced a new global content-sharing deal for short-form content. Meanwhile, Reddit has signaled upcoming changes to its old.reddit.com interface.
Snapchat (SNAP) Q2 2026 earnings results beat revenue expectations
Snap Inc. reported Q2 2026 financial results exceeding revenue expectations with $1.599 billion, surpassing the $1.53 billion forecast. The company also saw a reduced net loss and an increase in adjusted EBITDA to $249 million, indicating positive financial momentum. Snapchat anticipates Q3 2026 sales to range between $1.7 billion and $1.74 billion.
Evening Metaverse
MySpace is reportedly being relaunched, with speculation that it could be positioned as an all-AI social media platform. The article also briefly mentions Hughes filing for bankruptcy due to losses in its GEO business.
Netflix in August: franchise overload, two new horrors, and a nine-year-old movie about a corpse
Netflix's August lineup features a heavy emphasis on franchises like Fast and Furious and Child's Play, alongside critically acclaimed films such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Eighth Grade, and Swiss Army Man. The month also introduces two new horror originals, The Last House and The Whisper Man, and an adult animated series from Ricky Gervais.
Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google face wrongful death lawsuit from four US families
Meta, TikTok, Snap, and Google are facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by four US families. The Social Media Victims Law Center accuses the companies of creating addictive and dangerous platforms.
Snapchat Pulls the Plug on Fully AI-Made Videos in Spotlight [Updated]
Snapchat has updated its recommendation system to exclude videos entirely generated by AI from its Spotlight feature. The company aims to prioritize authentic creativity from real people, drawing a distinction between fully AI-generated content and AI-assisted content. This move follows similar industry discussions and actions by platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn regarding AI-generated material.
As Grand Theft Auto 6 hopefuls grow anxious for a gameplay trailer, AI GTA6 slop is getting millions of views on social media
As anticipation for Grand Theft Auto 6's official gameplay trailer grows, AI-generated "slop" videos are accumulating millions of views across social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Despite their popularity, these AI creations are met with largely negative sentiment from viewers, with many criticizing the artificial nature and perceived low quality of the content. Rockstar Games has reportedly begun issuing DMCA takedowns for some of these AI videos, a move welcomed by fans eager for authentic game footage.
Evening Metaverse
Roku has increased the prices of its streaming sticks by up to 60 percent. Meanwhile, Facebook is shifting its classic feed to a TikTok-style format, a move that is unlikely to significantly impact TikTok's user base.