IGN, owners of annual pro-gaming tournament IPL and biggest games site in the world, have been acquired by publisher Ziff Davis.
Ziff have been in the print business since the 1920s, when they published aviation magazines and collections of ‘humorous verse’. Current and arguably more relevant publishings include PCMAG.com and Geek.com, while notable former Ziff sites include FileFront and 1UP – the latter of which will be brought back under the publisher’s banner in the new deal.
Ziff hope to combine IGN’s video know-how with their experience in data analytics. Here’s a statement from IGN:
“Ziff Davis shares similar roots with IGN, evolving from a traditional print business into a successful digital business. As the games media space continues to evolve, and audiences continue to seek new ways to consume content, we’re excited to be working with a partner focused on delivering strong editorial content across all platforms.
“IGN’s audience of millions of passionate fans – including the largest audience of gamers online – coupled with Ziff Davis’ excellent monetization track record, will form the foundation for a very powerful media brand.”
Ian Chambers, international VP of IGN, said: “Joining Ziff Davis’s world-class digital media portfolio further strengthens IGN and AskMen’s growing presence in international markets. Alongside our local teams in the UK and Australia, we have developed a global network of expert publishing partners that deliver locally relevant content in 10 languages and over 40 countries.
“By combining our forces we will reach a greater audience of males 18-34 than ever before.”
Young men, running the world. A new age.
No specific word on what this’ll mean for the future of IPL. The Pro League’s sixth annual event comes to Las Vegas’ Cosmopolitan in March, and will feature tournaments in League of Legends, StarCraft 2 and Shootmania.