Kotaku is reporting that by the end of the year G4 will be cancelling both of the remaining video game shows on the network X-Play and Attack of the Show. Other than Spike TV, G4 was the only channel to cover video games in a somewhat legitimate way. Rumor has it that NBC Universal who owns G4 wants to take the channel in a different direction. Supposedly they want to turn G4 into a ”Esquire” or “GQ” channel that will focus on the modern male instead of geek culture.
The shows will air until December, ending with some send off shows that will include guest stars. There were hints of G4 going in a different direction when earlier this year they let go one of the biggest and most trusted names in gaming Adam Sessler. In response to these events Sessler has recently tweeted out: “My thoughts are with my friends at G4. Best wishes and all the confidence your talents will carry you.”
What this will mean for their gaming centered website as well is not known at this time. But I would guess that it two will be getting a major overhaul as well.
G4 was launched all the way back in 2002 after buying the rights to Tech TV, which most people agree was the better channel because it had a lot more programming geared towards video games.
For me the G4 brand has been going downhill for a while, the website use to host a show called Feedback which was great for a while. But then they started changing the people on the show and it just wasn’t the same and then earlier this year it was cancelled. Then Sessler left and we lost Sessler’s Soapbox and him hosting Feedback and X-Play.
At this point I think it would be safe to assume that within the next year G4 will no longer be covering video games in any aspect. I know that a lot of people don’t like the channel, but it is one of the biggest forms of video game coverage we have. That will leave Spike TV as the only television channel that covers video games and E3 now. Even if you don’t like the shows, this is not healthy for our industry overall, we need more television coverage not less and losing G4 video game coverage will be a blow to the industry.
G4′s official statement just released:
“G4′s two longest-running and defining series, Attack of the Show! and X-Play, will be ending their run at the end of 2012. Both shows will include original episodes through the end of the year, and will look back at theirmost memorable moments as we lead up to their final episodes. A rotating lineup of guest co-hosts including John Barrowman, Michael Ian Black, Josh Myers, Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel and Horatio Sanz will join AOTS hosts Candace Bailey and Sara Underwood, and X-Play hosts Morgan Webb and Blair Herter as part of the farewell shows.”
