Recording companion

1. A digital video recording method for video games, the method comprising:

on a computer gaming device configured to play a plurality of different video games, overseeing active gameplay of a video game of the plurality of different video games with a platform-level in-game recording companion that executes separately from any of the plurality of different video games;

during active gameplay of the video game, continuously and automatically buffering the active gameplay to a temporary storage buffer of the computer gaming device;

during active gameplay of the video game, receiving a command to save a segment of the active gameplay for subsequent viewing;

while displaying gameplay of the video game, displaying an interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion; and

saving the segment of the active gameplay from the temporary storage buffer to a library of the platform-level in-game recording companion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the command to save the segment of the active gameplay is received from a game controller.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the platform-level in-game recording companion is an application that runs while the video game is played.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the platform-level in-game recording companion is part of an operating system.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active gameplay is buffered in the temporary storage buffer after rendering.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the active gameplay is buffered in the temporary storage buffer before rendering.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion includes an executable start object configured to effectuate issuance of a command indicating a beginning of the segment of the active gameplay.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion includes an executable stop object configured to effectuate issuance of a command indicating an end point of the segment of the active gameplay.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion includes an executable edit object configured to effectuate issuance of a command to edit the segment of the active gameplay.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion includes an executable display object configured to effectuate viewing of the library of the platform-level in-game recording companion.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion includes an executable display object specifying a duration of active gameplay preceding the receipt of a command to save the segment.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion includes an executable display object specifying a duration of active gameplay following the receipt of the command to save the segment.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion is displayed to a side of the active gameplay.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein gameplay of the video game is displayed with full game action while the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion is displayed.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein gameplay of the video game is displayed without pausing while the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion is displayed.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein gameplay of the video game is displayed without stopping while the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion is displayed.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein gameplay of the video game is displayed in focus while the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion is displayed.

18. A video game console system, comprising:

a game controller including one or more buttons; and

a computer gaming device including:

a temporary storage buffer;

a long term storage device;

an input subsystem configured to recognize activation of each of the one or more buttons of the game controller; and

a logic machine configured to separately execute a plurality of different video games and a platform-level in-game recording companion, wherein the platform-level in-game recording companion is configured to:

continuously and automatically buffer, to the temporary storage buffer, a video of active gameplay of a currently-executing video game of the plurality of different video games;

display an interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion while displaying gameplay of the currently-executing video game; and

save, from the temporary storage buffer to the long term storage device, a segment of the video of active gameplay of the currently-executing video game responsive to the input subsystem recognizing activation of a button of the one or more buttons of the game controller.

19. The video game console system of claim 18 , wherein the interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion is displayed responsive to activation of a button of the one or more buttons of the game controller.

20. A computing device, comprising:

a logic machine; and

a storage machine holding instructions executable by the logic machine to instantiate a platform-level in-game recording companion that executes separately from any of a plurality of different video games, the platform-level in-game recording companion configured to:

oversee active gameplay of a currently-executing video game of the plurality of different video games;

during active gameplay of the currently-executing video game, continuously and automatically buffer the active gameplay to a temporary storage buffer;

during active gameplay of the currently-executing video game, receive a command to save a segment of the active gameplay for subsequent viewing;

while displaying gameplay of the currently-executing video game, display an interface for the platform-level in-game recording companion; and

save the segment of the active gameplay from the temporary storage buffer to a library of the platform-level in-game recording companion.