GMA 2011 FINALISTS: Games Website

There are just over five weeks to go until the biggest night of the year for the UK’s games media. In the run-up to the big event on Wednesday October 26th at Vinopolis, we’re providing a series of features profiling those media brands and individuals in the running for an award.

CVG
The most successful 12 months in CVG’s online history has been marked by a bold red-top redesign that truly reflects the site’s ballsy, uncompromising personality. In addition to its trademark super-fast news trigger, standout editorial successes on CVG this year have included its hugely successful E3 coverage (including its first ever E3 awards) and, of course, its W.R.O.N.G campaign – giving those that unfairly point the finger of blame at video games the public roasting they doubtlessly deserve. CVG is the world’s oldest games publication, and enjoys its 30th anniversary this year.

Eurogamer
"Eurogamer.net is the largest independent games website in the UK. This year it moved to a large new office in the centre of Brighton, strengthened its team with established talent like GMA winner Martin Robinson and enjoyed great traffic growth. Above all Eurogamer is still fiercely passionate about video games and has published over 4,000 reviews in 12 years."

GameSpot
GameSpotUK entertains and connects the UK’s largest community of dedicated gamers with thousands of video game reviews from expert editors, previews of the hottest upcoming games, downloads, videos, game guides and breaking news. A market leader in its field with 4.6 million unique users in the UK, GameSpotUK is 100 per cent dedicated to video gaming and covers every aspect of the video gaming world, making it the interactive community of choice for people who are passionate about gaming.

Gaming Union
A cross venture between editors in the UK and North America, Gaming Union has grown from strength to strength since its inception in April 2009. Only a few months later, Gaming Union attended its first major trade show in E3 and since then editors have travelled the world attending events such as GamesCom and the Tokyo Game Show. The site even become a media partner with the Montreal International Game Summit. It all points towards a very positive future for Gaming Union.

God is a Geek
GodisaGeek.com is one of the fastest growing online publications in the UK. It is headed up by a team of committed and talented editors, with staff who each have a unique voice on the industry they love. Bringing news, previews and reviews as well as exciting features you won’t find elsewhere such as the Hall of Fame, Geek in the Tubes and The Vault, with even more exciting content on the horizon. The team claims its key values are honesty, integrity and to always provide original content to its readers.

IGN
Since opening its London office in 2006, IGN has offered publishers the chance to engage the largest audience of gamers in the UK. The editorial team produce best in class news, features, reviews and video created for a UK audience but with global appeal, broadcasting a distinctly British voice to the worldwide IGN community of 23 million. The inaugural IGN People’s Choice Award at gamescom 2011 was recognised as the world’s most popular video game award – with over a quarter of a million gamers voting.

The Sixth Axis
TheSixthAxis was set up just over four years ago by two friends who wanted to write about their new PS3s. Since then, it’s changed a fair bit, growing and moving from a single platform of interest to covering all current platforms. The team claims it has always tried to present a kind of informal, lighthearted and occasionally humorous look at the industry it loves and that is reflected back by our fantastic active community. We like to think we’re a kind of ‘gamer’s voice’ style of outlet and we enjoy the discussion as much as the experience,” they say.

VideoGamer.com
Founded in June 2004, Pro-G Media publishes VideoGamer.com, one of the largest online video games websites in the UK. The site delivers high quality gaming editorial to a global audience, with comprehensive news, informed reviews, compelling features and in-house produced video content in unparalleled HD quality. VideoGamer.com content is also syndicated to the Video Games channel on Virgin Media, further extending the site’s readership.

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The Games Media Awards 2011, in association with Grainger Games, take place on Wednesday October 26th at the super chic Vinopolis venue near Borough Market. Greg Davies, top stand-up and star of The Inbetweeners, will be the host for the evening.

Grainger Games has signed up as headline sponsor of the event, with other sponsors already signed up including Microsoft, Codemasters, EA, Sony, Ubisoft, Nintendo, OnLive, Namco Bandai, Trion Worlds, Gamescom, Nordic Games, Konami, Sega, NC Soft, Rising Star Games, Green Man Gaming, Games Tribe, 2K Games and Venatus Media.