This annual Video Game Hall of Fame Award honor will recognize the most memorable and innovative video game franchises in history.  The inaugural recipient, “The Legend of Zelda,” is one of the most influential and beloved gaming franchises of all time.  The legendary series will take its rightful place as the first entry into the Video Game Hall of Fame, with a special tribute at the 2011 “Video Game Awards” (#VGA) – the network’s ninth annual live televised event to celebrate the best in games.

What’s up next for Gears Of War developer Epic Games? Find out first (or watch here for a teaser) at the 2011 Video Game Awards Saturday December 10th at 8p ET / 5p PT only on SPIKE.

Telecasting from Los Angeles, CA and featuring some of the most notable names in video games, Hollywood, music, sports and more, the two-hour event honoring the outstanding achievements within the video game industry over the past year will premiere LIVE on Spike TV, MTV 2 and Spike.com on Saturday, December 10 at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT.

The 2011 “Video Game Awards” will feature world premieres of the most anticipated games of 2012 and beyond.  In addition to the previously announced exclusives debuts of BioWare’s next project, the next “Alan Wake” game and “Metal Gear Solid: Rising,” this year’s viewers will get the first look at footage from “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6 Patriots,” “Transformers: Fall of Cybertron” and Most Anticipated Game nominee, “BioShock Infinite.”

For the first time, Viacom Media Networks will broaden the reach and impact of the 2011 “VGAs” by simultaneously airing the show LIVE on both Spike TV and MTV2, as well as on Spike.com.  Internationally, the “VGAs” will air in over 100 countries and territories around the world.  In addition, the show will include unique interactive opportunities only available to viewers during the initial live broadcast.  Further details will be announced in the weeks to come.