Springtime has always been a major time for video game fans. For decades, E3 showcased a slew of new titles that wowed (and sometimes disappointed) gamers worldwide. The pandemic changed the landscape of gaming with E3 going digital in 2021 before bidding farewell. Summer Game Fest, which was founded by Geoff Keighley, would eventually become the premiere video game event in June. While Summer Game Fest has been gatekept from small press and the public, IGN wanted to do something that brought gaming fans together under one roof.

Over the weekend, the first-ever IGN Live took place at the Magic Box at The Reef, and hundreds of fans came out to see some major names in gaming, film, and TV such as Borderlands director Eli Roth, WWE superstar Mia Yim (Michin), Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov, and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer. Across the hall, fans were able to play a slew of recent titles such as Big Kitty Little City, Persona 3 Reload, and Another Crab’s Treasure as well as reminisce about the old days thanks to a section of retro arcade titles.

When IGN stated they would have over 9,000 prizes and giveaways, they weren't lying as prizes were tossed into the crowd in between panels. Some prizes included game codes, action figures, and even some sneakers. The event also allowed fans to take on IGN staff members in various video games; Yim, who appeared at NXT Battleground over the weekend, also got into the competitive spirit by facing fans in a game of WWE 2K24.

Overall, the first IGN Live event felt like a grand mashup of E3 and San Diego Comic-Con. The vibes were high all weekend with fans walking away with a plethora of prizes and some new titles added to their wishlist. Our photos from IGN Live can be seen below. VODs from the event can be found here.