IGN Entertainment launches Imagine | GamesIndustry.biz

IGN Entertainment has launched Imagine, an analytics platform that combines culture intelligence with cognitive AI to analyse and target specific audiences.

The platform launched in beta last week, with a full launch planned for early 2026. It consists of two main components: Imagine+ and Imagine Audience.

Imagine+ leverages audience data from across IGN Entertainment’s various brands to build ‘culture maps’, providing detailed information on entertainment consumption. For example, the data can show where there is an overlap between audiences for particular films or games.

The audience data is pulled from the various brands owned by IGN Entertainment (of which GamesIndustry.biz is one), as well as other properties owned by parent company Ziff Davis. IGN Entertainment’s global monthly audience across web, video, podcasts, and social media is around 500 million.

Imagine Audience then uses cognitive AI to build, validate, and size precise audience segments, which can then be targeted with campaigns.

A key strength of the system is its ability to function in real-time. For example, by analysing visits to various ‘game help’ pages across the IGN network, Imagine can see which games users are playing at any given moment.

“Cultural intelligence without action is just noise,” said Karl Stewart, SVP of marketing at IGN Entertainment, in a press-release statement.

“Artificial intelligence without culture is just automation. Imagine brings them together, uniting cultural intelligence with cognitive AI that understands, reasons, and learns, to power smarter campaigns.

“This platform is built for marketers who want to move with fans, not behind them.”