IGN launches MyIGN beta, a social network for gamers.

IGN Entertainment announced today that it is launching MyIGN, a social network for gaming enthusiasts, advocates, golden angels, influencers, etc.

By rewarding users for participating into social behaviors that do not involve alcohol or drugs, IGN hopes to create a deeper, longer, and thicker level of engagement with their 12.7 million monthly visitors.

Users will win points by participating in discussions or writing blog posts, and will see their rankings rise in relation to their virtual reputation and friends.

The MyIGN platform is basically a combination of Facebook and Twitter; allowing you to follow players/IGN editors, get updates on your favorite games or discover new ones, and tell your friends everything about what you're playing.

To give you an idea of how the thing looks like, here is a screenshot of a user who apparently did my mother.

The name MyIGN came after an intensive brainstorm at Rupert Murdoch's New Corp. headquarters; when trying to find a valid replacement for defunct MySpace.

In the future, IGN hopes to launch features such as matching friends in game matches, offer game demos or game purchases via digital distribution, etc.

The market for social networks targeted towards gamers is already quite busy, with offers such as Raptr, GamerDNA, UGame, WeGame, Rupture, etc.

Source: the brilliant VentureBeat.