GameSpy, IGN Agree to Merge

GameSpy Industries, an Irvine-based Web site and software developer for the video game industry, will merge with IGN Entertainment.

Financial details of the deal, expected to close early next year, were not disclosed.

IGN operates a Web site that offers free and subscription-based news on the video game industry. GameSpy, which also sells subscription content, develops software tools for online games used by publishers such as Microsoft Corp.

Mark Jung, chief executive of IGN, is expected to be the CEO of the combined firm, which would be based in San Francisco. GameSpy founder Mark Surfas would be the new company's chief strategy officer.

Alex Pham