Okay, admit it! I use IGN. I use the site a fair amount actually. Probably more than most people I know. Not just for video games, but occasionally for TV and movies as well. (PROTIP: Don't read IGN's spoiler-filled TV reviews until after you've already watched the episode.) I also follow IGN's Twitter account, IGNcom.

But until a few days ago, I had never thought about my relationship in IGN. On August 6 IGN ran a contest through Twitter. The tweet in question read:

Want a Droplitz PSN code? Random RT of this post gets it! Closing at 12:01 PM PST. #iloveign

So by retweeting (reposting another user's message), you're entered to win a copy of Blitz Arcades' new puzzle game Droplitz. I did just that, and then watched as my friends did the same. Then I saw Jensonb, the rebel that he is, post this:

#ihateign (Yay for random acts of inconsequential defiance/rebellion)

For those of you not familiar with all of Twitter's weird conventions, #iloveign and #ihateign are hashtags, which help give context to tweets and facilitate searches for specific topics.

But what is the purpose of the #iloveign hashtag? It could make it easier to find all the contest entries among other replies and retweets, but why use #iloveign? Why not an alternate hashtag that's more contextually relevant? Are they testing what length IGN's readers will go to in order to promote the site? Trying to create a trending topic to gain even more visibility and even more popularity?

But I don't love IGN. I don't even have an account. IGN's just another site that I happen to use from time to time. Do I love IGN? No. And most of the people using the #iloveign hashtag probably don't either. It's hard to love IGN when things like #iloveign exist.

They're giving away a free code.....generally people who enter WANT the code...if they get it from IGN, im sure they'll be happy...hence the iloveign. It's called humour ;D
 
Why make a fuss about something so completely and utterly trivial? it's a hashtag...nothing more....it says NOTHING about you..or IGN....get over it. 

I can't believe we live in a world where the word "retweeting" is part of everyday vernacular. 

I have no idea what this thread is about...someone please explain it to me.

I feel indifferent about IGN.  It's just another site I go to occasionally for gaming.  As for Twitter, I just don't give a shit.

" They're giving away a free code.....generally people who enter WANT the code...if they get it from IGN, im sure they'll be happy...hence the iloveign. It's called humour ;D 
 
Why make a fuss about something so completely and utterly trivial? it's a hashtag...nothing more....it says NOTHING about you..or IGN....get over it.  "

" I can't believe we live in a world where the word "retweeting" is part of everyday vernacular.  "

Someone should start a hashtag thats #98.97ofIGNisads

I used to blog on IGN under the name Nate_Is_A_Noob. I would basically point out all Nate Ahearn's faults and inadequacies.
 
Good times :D

I do see what you mean; it is not proper for a site to promote itself in such a way. However, I must say that, for a contest, Twitter accounts will make you do things far worse just to get entered into the contest. I used to try to do a lot of Twitter "RT'ing" contests but now I gave up. They aren't worth it and they already shred more of your self-dignity away from you.....what's left from Twitter itself.

I don't love IGN, but I love Jason Ocampo. He was one of my favorite editors back in the day and he's the reason why I follow IGN PC religiously.

Sounds like a typical radio show contest where they usually ask the winner "What radio station do you LOVE?" "I love 109.4, The Mooing Cow!"
 
Twitter is a foreign and scary concept to me.

I like IGN actually.
 
Their community should die, but I love IGN itself.

I don't really read IGN, but I would have had no problem retweeting with that hashtag if I was actually interested in the game.

jensonb  
 

" jensonb  
 
"

I use IGN sometimes, for the TV info basically. The latest news on Curb I got form there, and stuff like Dexter. 109.4 The Mooing Cow should 100% definately be a GiantBomb radio show. Wan-Ooooh-Nein! Point Fooour! The Moo-ing Coooow.

"jensonb  
 
"

IGN certainly is an organized and neat site. I occasionally visit it for things like reviews, previews, and certain videos which I can't find anywhere else. It has it's moments, such as it usually posts it's reviews before anybody else, right on release date. But other than that, Giant Bomb is for me. No, I don't love IGN. But I like it .

" I can't believe we live in a world where the word "retweeting" is part of everyday vernacular.  "

igndotcom.info = All you need from IGN

" @JJWeatherman: Then why not just subscribe to the RSS feed? "

you can't spell ignorant without IGN (don't actually believe this)