G4, IGN Head to E3

G4 has formed a partnership with IGN Entertainment Inc., the online network for gamers and their lifestyle, to co-produce coverage of this year’s E3, the world’s largest video-game convention, taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center May 18-20.

Officials from G4 and IGN will work together to create news and entertainment packages from E3, including product introductions, “first looks,” expert commentary and analysis, executive interviews and celebrity appearances.

G4 and IGN.com (www.ign.com) will produce programming throughout each day of E3, live from the show floor and via a specifically designed set. Video highlights of the joint coverage will also appear on G4.com (www.g4tv.com) and IGN.com.

On May 17 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. (EST), G4 and IGN will deliver news roundups and press conferences the day before the exhibit begins, including announcements from Microsoft Corp. (the next-generation “Xbox”), Sony Corp. and Nintendo of America Inc.

Together, G4 and IGN will co-produce E3 ’05 Live, which will combine G4’s daily live program, Attack of the Show!, and review skein X-Play to bring viewers and online visitors the best of the show.

In the same time slot the following day, the partners will provide the audience a look at new game titles and systems.

Throughout the convention, G4 also plans to break from its regularly scheduled programming to bring viewers “top-of-the-hour” breaking news, with information also accessible via IGN.com.

“G4 could not be happier about joining forces with IGN, one of the video-game industry’s most influential and credible media companies,” CEO Charles Hirschhorn said in a prepared statement.

“We believe that by working together, we can reach the largest possible TV and online audience and provide the most up-to-date, comprehensive information and analysis, bringing the best of E3 directly to gamers,” he added.