Skyward Sword: Nominated for Spike TV Game of the Year

New York, NY, November 3, 2011 – This December, put your game on pause and prepare for an out-of-this-world glimpse at the future of gaming when Spike TV presents the 2011 “Video Game Awards” (#VGA). Today, Spike TV announced that Mark Burnett, the acclaimed producer of “Survivor,” “The Voice,” “The Apprentice,” the “63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards,” the “MTV Movie Awards” and the “People’s Choice Awards,” will serve as executive producer of the 2011 “VGAs” telecast. The “VGAs” will recognize the best games of the year and present exclusive world premieres of what’s next when the show premieres LIVE, coast-to-coast on Saturday, December 10 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on Spike TV in high-definition.

“We’re thrilled that Mark Burnett has signed on to lead the ‘VGAs,’” said Casey Patterson, executive producer of the “VGAs” and executive vice president of event production for Viacom Media Networks Entertainment Group. “Mark’s bold producing style is a perfect fit for gamers, and his tremendous vision and unparalleled energy will take the show to a new level.”

“I am so excited to be working with Spike on the ‘VGAs,’” said Mark Burnett. “I have teenage boys so video games are already a part of my life. They kick my butt in ‘Black Ops’ on a regular basis, but now are letting me win in hopes of seeing some of the world premieres before the show. We are going to have a lot of fun.”

This year’s show will once again deliver on its promise of exclusive world premieres and information from the most anticipated games of 2012 and beyond. Guests include legendary game designer Hideo Kojima who will reveal the truth about “Metal Gear Solid: Rising” with a spectacular world premiere, the announcement of a new project and new studio from BioWare, creators of Most Anticipated Game of the Year nominee “Mass Effect 3” and the return of XBOX hero “Alan Wake” in an all-new adventure. Additional information and the first visuals from some of these world premieres can be found exclusively in the December issue of “Game Informer” magazine.

Additionally, Spike TV is proud to announce the nominees for two of the night’s most prestigious categories, Game of the Year and Most Anticipated Game, with a comprehensive list of nominees to be revealed in the coming weeks. They are as follows:

GAME OF THE YEAR
Batman: Arkham City
Portal 2
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME
BioShock Infinite
Diablo III
Halo 4
Mass Effect 3
The Last Guardian

Fans can cast their vote for Most Anticipated Game starting today at VGA.Spike.com.
For the first time, Viacom Media Networks will broaden the reach and impact of the 2011 “VGAs” by simultaneously airing the show LIVE on both Spike TV and MTV2, as well as on Spike.com. Internationally, the “VGAs” will air in over 100 countries and territories around the world. In addition, the show will include unique interactive opportunities only available to viewers during the initial live broadcast. Further details will be announced in the weeks to come.

Mark Burnett, Casey Patterson and Carol Donovan will serve as executive producers of Spike TV’s 2011 “Video Game Awards.”

The presenting sponsors for the 2011 “Video Game Awards” are the all-new Chevy Sonic, Dr Pepper TEN and KFC Hot Wings. Energizer® Ultimate Lithium is the associate sponsor, with AXE and Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol serving as digital sponsors.
Spike TV is available in 99.8 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is http://www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.