CNET Networks Acquires Metacritic

CNET Networks, Inc, owner of popular consumer game website GameSpot, have acquired Metacritic, Inc., creator of the Metacritic.com website, for an undisclosed sum. Metacritic provides weighted 'Metascores' and summaries of what the top critics are saying about the latest films, videos, music, books, and video games, in a similar way to game-related website GameRankings, which is also owned by CNET, does specifically for the game space. It's currently unclear how or if GameRankings will be integrated alongside Metacritic. CNET has announced that, in addition to supporting the ongoing development of the metacritic.com Web site, which will continue to be run by its founders, the company plans to integrate relevant metacritic.com content into its games and entertainment properties, including GameSpot. "We continue to build out world class entertainment properties, immersing our users in authentic and unique interactive content experiences. A key part of our strategy is providing easy access to valuable opinions from our own editorial experts, from our passionate users -- and now thanks to metacritic.com -- from the most highly regarded critics in entertainment media," said Vince Broady, senior vice president of CNET Networks' Games & Entertainment division.