Traditionally G4 has been the public's main source for Live E3 coverage, even hosting full episodes of their shows and conducting interviews on the showroom floor. Now that the network is closing its doors, gamers will need another outlet for live coverage so Spike TV has just announced they will be stepping up as the official live broadcaster of E3 2013.

G4 has been slowly making its way out for a while. The network had all but lost touch with its gaming and technology roots, inexplicably incorporating shows like Cops and Cheaters into its schedule. It's safe to assume the ruling powers knew little about the demographic they were trying to reach - or overextended by reaching into other demographics. The departure of Adam Sessler was the final nail in the coffin for many and faith in the network was all but lost. By the end of this year, G4 will be a distant memory. While the decline was frustrating, as it was the only television network solely targeted toward gamers, through it all they still provided an important service: live coverage from E3.

Many of you are thinking, "How is Spike TV different from G4?" And that's a valid question because really, it's hardly different at all. Spike TV airs a lot of the same programming G4 does, most likely due to G4 attempting to appeal to Spike viewers (a.k.a. young men). In turn, Spike has been incorporating gaming based programming into their schedule, even hosting an annual video game awards show, which has steadily grown in popularity. Both networks' views on gamers and their culture may be a bit skewed, but they both provided an important look into what was really happening in the industry. But why, exactly, is a live broadcast so important?

As gamers, we are naturally social creatures. The stereotype of being shut-ins, living in our mom's basement and being socially awkward is a myth... mostly (I live upstairs). The truth is, we love being social and we can discuss our interests and opinions on games with others until we're blue in the face -- whether it be in person or online. Gaming, traditionally, is very social by nature. We play together in arcades, we play together at home and now we play together online, but nothing brings us together more than discussing the future of the industry, which is why gaming news and coverage is so very dear to us. Since the Electronics Entertainment Expo isn't a public event, there are millions of gamers who are absolutely dying to know what goes on within the walls of the Los Angeles Convention Center at every minute of every day of the event. No, it's not all booth babes (it's also booze). A huge amount of exclusive first looks and announcements happen at the expo, so it's kind of a big deal. This information is dished out by the press, which is all well and good, but what people really want is to be there themselves.

This is why a live broadcast is so crucial, it provides an opportunity to feel the madness of the expo firsthand -- the beautiful, beautiful madness. The expo is for gamers and that extends beyond gaming press, media and other industry folk. Live broadcasts are the next best thing for many. It's an opportunity to feel close to the action and involved. It also drums up excitement for the products presented, which turns into sales when those products are released. Everyone wins.

And gamers will want to be especially close this year since there will be two new consoles to experience: the PS4 and the Xbox One.

As for the broadcast itself, Spike is collaborating with Game Trailers TV and will include hosts Geoff Keighley, Amanda Mackay, Daniel Kayser and Katie Lenendoll, all of who will be covering breaking news, as well as showing off exclusive trailers and conducting on-site interviews.

Spike's "E3 All Access Live" will start its coverage on Spike TV Monday, June 10.

So, readers, does this ring true with you? Is live coverage important to you? What do you think about Spike TV taking over the reins? Let us know in the comments below.

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Source: BWW