January 15th, 2008 · 2 Comments (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2008/01/the-new-x-play-debuts-with-a-thud.html#comments)

by Lono (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/author/lono/)

http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/411.jpg (http://sarcasticgamer.com/wp/index.php/2008/01/the-new-x-play-debuts-with-a-thud.html/411jpg/)


I’ll admit it, I’m a huge fan of X-play. I’ve been watching this show since it was on TechTV, way back when they taped the show in San Francisco. Way back when Morgan Webb was still nerdy and Adam Sessler was still extra nerdy.


Over time, X-Play has changed things up a bit. A new set piece, a new intro, a new announcer, etc. This past Monday, they decided to change it all.


Let’s just say that I wasn’t pleased with the outcome.


Check out why, after the jump.



First off, there wasn’t one review to be found. I understand that there’s a bit of a lull in gaming news right now, but the Bourne Supremacy Demo is the best X-Play has to offer? It really felt like Attack of the Show 1.5 and not X-Play. Let ATOS deal with that demo crap. I wants me some reviews. That’s why I watch the show in the first place.


Secondly, the interview with the Microsoft Executive. It was just bad. Really bad. Could it get anymore scripted. I mean really. That looked more rehearsed than the Apollo Moon Landing. (That’s a joke people, save your conspiracy hate mail) It was more forced than a Paris Hilton Charity Fundraiser. There’s no other way to describe it. Save the interview crap for AOTS. I wants me some reviews.


Third, please don’t make Adam Sessler read news anymore. He looks more stiff than Olivia Munn attempting to crack a “gamer” joke. Sessler has always been way better in his “off the cuff” style of delivery. Making him stand there and read news was a really bad and generally uncomfortable idea. For everyone.


Finally, please don’t get me started on the Mass Effect, Office spoof. I usually enjoy their brand of humor. Whether it’s drunk Link or Zombies at work, I usually find their stuff to be funny. You’d think that combining the Office with Mass Effect would be comedy gold. Think again. When you’re punchline is a tired “Dick in a Box” joke, it’s time to find new writers that aren’t aping everything else on TV, or the internet for that matter.


My only atta boy? Incorporating a “Cheat” segment into the broadcast. It actually felt natural and I liked the segment. Maybe it was because it was about Call of Duty 4… I dunno.


Is this really going to be what their show is about now? Industry interviews and Cheat tips? Didn’t they already have a show like that? Wasn’t it called Electric Playground? Didn’t that show get cancelled?


Stick with what got you there X-Play. I wants me some reviews.

I agree completely. We don't need an AOTS ripoff. I liked X-play for the reviews, especially the really bad ones, they were funny, and informative!

Here in the UK the only thing we get is GamerTV on Bravo every now and then and the new channel Xleague.tv which is alright but shows truck racing half the time.

Consider yourselves lucky :)

I rarely watched X-Play for a while. Now, I don't watch that show at all.

Ah, I remember TechTV. That was such a good network until it got bought by G4. First they cancelled The Screensavers (Kevin Rose is my hero, sorry Lono), then they screwed up Cheat, and now this? I am disgusted.:mad:

Leave Olivia Munn alone! She's hot. Umm I mean she's good.

Leave Olivia Munn alone! She's hot. Umm I mean she's good.

Hot, maybe. But she reeks of 'I want to move onto a acting job'

Seriously everyone? I guess I'm in the minority here but I have yet to watch any video game related show and enjoyed it. Sure there are some choice episodes here and there, maybe even some great quotes or game footage, but never consistently and never all that entertaining.

"Sessler has always been way better in his “off the cuff” style of delivery."
^ Better as in less boring? I'd rather listen to a 15 year old EB clerk prattle on about a game then listen to Sessler.

If you watch the shows and enjoy'em, good on ya. I'm not hating. But until I see one of these shows put actual live and breathe gamers on air and do actual in-depth reviews, with scoops and exclusive game footage, I'd rather just get the exact same info from a million other places.

AOTS, X-Play, whatever - I don't get it.

Seriously everyone? I guess I'm in the minority here but I have yet to watch any video game related show and enjoyed it. Sure there are some choice episodes here and there, maybe even some great quotes or game footage, but never consistently and never all that entertaining.

"Sessler has always been way better in his “off the cuff” style of delivery."
^ Better as in less boring? I'd rather listen to a 15 year old EB clerk prattle on about a game then listen to Sessler.

AOTS, X-Play, whatever - I don't get it.

I like AOTS but it's more of a games/movies/comics/tech show. Never been a big fan of the comedy skits but I think the Loop is one of the best segments for that type of show.

I've never been a fan of Xplay. I like Adam Sessler but not on the show. I think he does a much better job when he is interviewed or doing coverage.

The best show for Video Games was Judgement Day. It had two opinions of one game like a Siskel and Ebert style. Plus they would throw in peripheral talk as well. They took it off G4 but I thought I heard that it was coming back.

Im half and half on this issue. i do like X-play but i think the new format is ok but they need to go back to reviews and the old humor stuff they do best. i guess since no decent games were out now not allready reviewed thats why they didnt have any and the mass effect skit was ok to me. i just hope it keeps the same humor levels as before and less new content

Im with Pacman on this. I'll stick to podcasts as I had always been intending to.

I just caught the re-run, and i must say that X-Play’s credibility seems to be receding faster than Sessler’s hairline….. Ba-Zinggg!!!

I just caught the re-run, and i must say that X-Play’s credibility seems to be receding faster than Sessler’s hairline….. Ba-Zinggg!!!

Let's keep the low blows out of this....