GGL Wire

As a very close follower of trends within the gaming media space, one particular interesting trend has stuck out to me over the past week: Kotaku, a property of the blog group Gawker Media, has gone out of their way to mention and include everything related to MTV. Now, it could be coincidence that MTV and its related media properties are particularly hot this week, but sometimes the phrase “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” comes out to actually be true.

Everyday this week there has been an increased focus on MTV and Viacom properties. With guest blogger and GameTrailers and Spike TV (both Viacom properties) correspondent Geoff Keighley taking guest editor duties all week, the co-branding is either a somewhat blatant advertising deal or an even bigger deal involving the potential sell of Gawker to Viacom — a company trying to increase its videogame presence more and more.

Is this a bad thing? I’m not sure. But considering how fickle and sensitive gamers can be to an overbearing corporate presence, an MTV infusion into Kotaku could lessen the site’s overall appeal to the hardcore. It could go both ways though. We’ve seen incredible growth of GameTrailers since MTV’s involvement, so Kotaku could be poised for the same rise with a similar infusion of Viacom dollars.

To fully illustrate the tie-in and “conspiracy theory,” if you will, here are some prime examples of just how much Viacom-related mentions there have been in just one week on Kotaku:

Nov. 5:

Geoff Keighley introduced as guest editor: Our First Guest Editor

VH1 linked article: Cellphone Gaming Down, Probably Not Out

GameTrailers Bonus Round mention: Uwe Boll Chats Up The Bonus Round

Wrap-up of Keighley’s first day: First Day, First Day Note

MTV blog mention: Pronounce Ninja Gaiden Right, You Ninja Dogs

Nov. 6:

MTV blog mention: Buzz Aldrin Dishes on Mario’s Zero G Abilities

Harmonix mention: Now That Was a Lot of Game News!

Rock Band and MTV mention: Rock Band Site Relaunched, Now MTV Flashy

Game Head plug: EA Confirms EA Chicago is Closing

New Harmonix game: Harmonix’s iPod Game Released

Nov. 7:

Bonus Round plug: Games, Games, Games

Direct Bonus Round video: Uwe Boll Further Explains Himself To Geoff

Reminder for readers to watch Comedy Central: Don’t forget to tune into Comedy Central tonight if you want to catch the Guitar Queer-o episode of South Park, featuring a Guitar Hero obsessed Stan and Kyle. Worth tuning into just for a few seconds worth of Boston pumping through your media center. A very brief preview is available online.

VH1 Rock Band feature: Rock Band VH1 Mockumentary

Rock Band interview: Does Phase Hint Where Rock Band is Going?

Nov. 8:

More GameTrailers/Bonus Round plugging: A Day Of Rock (And Jade)

Glowing Rock Band coverage: Rock Band DLC News Nothing Short Of Pants Explosion

Game Head plug: Jack Thompson Music Video! (Featuring Kotaku)

Comedy Central South Park mention: South Park Teases Guitar Hero

Spike Videogame Awards: Spike 2007 VGA Nominees Announced

Rumor spawned from GameTrailers forums: Jade In Green And White Striped Bikini

Nov. 9:

Spike Videogame Awards: Spike VGAs: Nominees Announced

Direct MTV-mentioned T-shirt for sale: You’re With Me, Leather

Mention of Keighley’s last day as guest editor: Geoff’s Last Day As Kotaku Guest Czar

As I said, this could all very well be just a coincidence. But, I think it’s something to keep an eye on as a major development in the online gaming space.