Hey you! Yeah, you, the one complaining that G4 has lost touch with its roots, and that you're more likely to see a re-run of C.O.P.S than an interview with Ken Levine. This one is for you.
X-Play has officially revealed an enhanced format, one that will have the show airing every weeknight at 8 pm, and concentrating on comprehensive videogame industry coverage. They're talking news, game demos, interviews, and of course, the series' trademark reviews. The new format comes with an all new look, along with some new features, as well and Kristin Holt delivering cheating snakes the goods with a "Tips and Tricks from 'Cheat'" segment.
Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb will unveil this baby on Monday, January 14, when the show makes its premiere on G4. The show's Web site will also transform into a beautiful butterfly, ushering in the new "X-Play Gaming Update Blog," which will be crushed under the force of Destructoid's major industry presence.
Just kidding, guys -- we love ya', and are setting our DVRs as this post goes live. Press release after the jump.
“X-Play” Jumps to the Next Level with New Enhanced Format Emphasizing Daily, Comprehensive Coverage of the Videogame Industry
New Episodes Featuring Daily Videogame News, Reviews, Interviews, Demos and More Premiere on G4 January 14, 2008 at 8 pm ET/PT
LOS ANGELES, December 12, 2007 – First came the next-generation consoles. Then, the next-gen games. Now, gamers have a next-gen TV series. “X-Play,” the most-watched videogame series on television, will unveil an all-new and expanded format in 2008 that adds breaking news, demos, videos, interviews and more to the series’ celebrated reviews. The updated “X-Play,” featuring an all-new look and all-new content, premieres Monday, January 14, 2008 at 8 pm, only on G4.
New, half-hour episodes of “X-Play” will premiere every weeknight at 8 pm, giving viewers a comprehensive update on each day’s videogame-related developments, along with a wide range of new features, including behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at games in development; interviews with industry luminaries; live, hands-on demonstrations of games before they hit store shelves and in-depth analysis of the latest videogame trends.
"Over the past few years, the videogame industry has evolved at a rapid pace" said Neal Tiles, president, G4. “The all-new ‘X-Play’ will provide greater depth of coverage, furthering its role as television's most watched resource for videogames."
Hosts Morgan Webb and Adam Sessler, who have earned a reputation for delivering smart, entertaining and on-target reviews, will continue as “X-Play” hosts. As part of the series’ relaunch, Adam Sessler has also been named G4’s Managing Editor, Games Editorial, making him responsible for the show’s overall editorial focus.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the direction ‘X-Play’ is taking,” said Adam Sessler, host, “X-Play.” “Reviews will still be a big part of the show, but now we’re going to make sure that viewers are also updated regularly on everything else going on in the world of video games.”
“The games, the consoles, the companies and even the players are constantly evolving. So is ‘X-Play,’” said Morgan Webb, host, “X-Play.” “Every day, we'll give gamers the stories behind the games they love.”
In addition to the expanded focus on news and industry trends, new “X-Play” segments and features will include:
• Tips and Tricks from “Cheat!” – “X-Play” will include integration with “Cheat!,” G4’s videogame tips and tricks series. Each week, host Kristin Holt will deliver the latest updates on achievements, unlockables, level guides, secrets and other cheats from the most popular new games.
• “The MMO Report” – The updated “X-Play” format also includes regular updates from the massively multiplayer online universe. Casey Schreiner, host of g4tv.com’s “The MMO Report,” will update viewers on the hottest MMO news and trends. Complete episodes of “The MMO Report” will continue to air on g4tv.com.
• “X-Play” Gamer Challenges – Viewers will have a chance to win prizes and compete for gamer pride in an ongoing series of game challenges.
• Hands-On Demos – Gameplay demos will give viewers an exclusive sneak peek at the hottest new games before the titles hit store shelves.
The “X-Play” Web site will undergo significant updates as well, including a new and improved “X-Play” videogame review database featuring thousands of game critiques. A new “X-Play Gaming Update Blog,” with up-to-the-minute gaming news, previews and exclusives will also launch, along with a wide variety of more behind-the-scenes features, game trailers and gameplay videos than ever before. “X-Play” will also retain its cutting-edge interactive elements that allow viewers to communicate directly with hosts and other “X-Play” fans. Featured on-screen elements will include live updates highlighting the world’s leading gamers as tracked by Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo on their respective consoles.
Contest:
6:23 PM on 12.12.2007
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RIP TechTV.
Let alone Morgan webb...is just annoying.
RIP Early years of G4 and RIP TechTV.
Wait that didn't sound right D:
Man I miss TechTV.
Tommy Tallarico is a huge douche bag and Judgment Day/Electric Playground both sucked balls.
for reviews? Yes. for the Comedy? no.
X-play had its funny moments and whatnot but the reviews were more trying to get people to laugh then being completely serious about the games. Maybe it's me. But I just never liked X-play. I really just ignored it once Adam constantly kept talking about hating RPGs. I hate sports games but that doesn't mean I'd be completely biased on a review.
Goddamn G4.
I'm SO confused.
You uh... you think G4 was well-done to begin with?
Comcast bought out TechTV specifically because G4 was a terrible channel with terrible shows, and wanted to both eliminate the competition and get some people who actually knew what the fuck they were doing into the channel. Except they mis-managed that into the steaming rectal discharge on the air today, mostly by firing those selfsame employees of TechTV.
Only in comparison to what it is now did the original G4 look good, and even then, it's a frail, sickly-looking kind of good.
SHUTUP ABOUT TECHTV IT IS GONE
This could be bearable if the damn chat/news thing that covers a quarter of the screen goes away. It's okay for AOTS (which I hate anyway) but there is precious game below the chat that I want to see! Thank god for DVR.
I don't think a simple gaming show will stop the complete bitching. It's a small start in reverse, but a single show won't turn many heads. X-play especially won't do such a thing.
@Techno Mage
Yes G4 was a actual good channel in its beginning. For the fact it was a channel that dealt with games pretty much 24/7 and kept you updated on most of the current gaming. Let alone shows like Icons (Well..the original Icons.) Did pretty damn good on getting the history for gaming be it game series, important people in the industry, or just companies in general. It pretty much lost that when they didn't maximize their new Tech TV merger. Which pretty much killed whatever good was left in the channel.
And Morgan Webb is a man.
but would you still do her. i would...
Rot in hell, Comcast and G4.
Maybe it's because I stopped taking them so seriously, or maybe because it's like one of the only gaming related programs still on G4 these days, but whatever the cause, I eventually came to find them to be less abrasive than I did back when I first discovered the network on a trip around the world to find China.
Maybe this new format will be cool, maybe not. Morgan Webb still won't be sexy though. Never.
LOL.
Make that shit clap, and bring back Victor Lucas.
i love x play as well but they rerun to much so all you really have to do to get the game reviews you want is visit the website
ever so often
this would be great if it was an hour long show but cramming all that into 30 mins takes away from what xplay is and thats a review show
and aots already does all these things to an extent
if its only 30 mins all there doing is adding a half hour to aots and showing less reviews
if they plan to do this right then they need to make it an hour which wouldn't be a problem because they already air 2 half hour xplays in that time slot
instead of this crap just show aots then xplay then cheat and they will have the same results
by the way what ever happen to there spaceballs cartoon that was supose to air?
and @corneliuscack...I miss Portal every single time I turn on G4, realize nothing of substance is on (because Ninja Warrior and X-Play are not on), and proceed to switch channels.
Is it me, or does he treat all of his co-hosts like shit? And for that matter, do you guys get the feeling that they're all incredibly uncomfortable to be working with him?
Seriously, she sounds way to arrogant when she reviews and the few times she plays on camera, she's horrid.
She's only there because someone took a look at that dumpy looking girl on Screensavers and said "with long hair and some makeup, she could be very pretty", VOILA.
Not to mention their terrible reviews, a couple where its so blatantly obvious they didn't even finish the game.
I suppose I should also start hating the only real representation of the gaming industry on cable so I look saavy too!
Insert long, drawn-out argument here.
:P
@Vanilla Gorilla:
G4 DOES NOT represent the gaming industry. They are just more commercialized shit that doesn't represent us at all. They're as bad as Spike, which is fucking horrible.
@Kennigit:
Epileptic Gaming IS horrible.
Also, Attack of the Show fucking sucks and I hate everyone on that show.
Nice try, X-Play but Victor and Tommy's shows will always be better in the long run. 10 years on the air is proof of that.
I've never liked that guy. His attitude always sucked, and he just seemed to be trying to hard. I don't care that he made music for some games back in the day, it didn't give him a free pass to act like an out of control dick, nor did it make any of the crap he said any easier to swallow. Yet he was a dick, and he seemed to operate on the misguided notion that everything he said was gold.
Meh.
Victor on the other hand was a classy guy, and definitely easy to like. Unfortunately he was saddled with Tommy, which had the effect of bringing the whole experience down.