Xplay

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Television program

title: "Xplay" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1998-american-television-series-debuts", "1990s-american-television-talk-shows", "2000s-american-television-talk-shows", "2013-american-television-series-endings", "2020s-american-television-talk-shows", "2021-american-television-series-debuts", "2022-american-television-series-endings", "american-television-series-revived-after-cancellation", "american-english-language-television-shows", "g4-(american-tv-network)-original-programming", "impact-of-the-columbine-high-school-massacre", "infotainment", "techtv-original-programming", "television-shows-about-video-games", "television-shows-filmed-in-los-angeles", "video-game-culture", "video-game-journalism", "x-play"] description: "Television program" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xplay" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Television program ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox television"]

FieldValue
imageXplay 2021 logo.png
writerMike Demski (2008–2013)
director{{plainlist
starring{{plainlist
countryUnited States
languageEnglish
num_episodes1,300
executive_producerWade Beckett (2006–2012)
producer{{plainlist
editor{{plainlist
cameraMultiple-camera setup
runtime{{plainlist
companyG4 Media, LLC
network{{plainlist
first_aired
last_aired
first_aired2
last_aired2
::

| image = Xplay 2021 logo.png | caption = | writer = Mike Demski (2008–2013) | director = {{plainlist|

  • Annaliza Savage (1998–2003)
  • Karsten Bondy (2003–2005)
  • Paul Bonanno (2005–2007)
  • Alan Wu (2008–2013) | starring = {{plainlist|
  • Adam Sessler
  • Lauren Fielder (1999)
  • Kate Botello (2000–2002)
  • Morgan Webb (2003–2013)
  • Kristin Adams (2006–2011)
  • Blair Herter (2009–2013)
  • Alex Sim-Wise (2010–2011)
  • Froskurinn (2021–2022)
  • The Completionist (2021–2022)
  • The Black Hokage (2021–2022) | country = United States | language = English | num_episodes = 1,300 | executive_producer = Wade Beckett (2006–2012) | producer = {{plainlist|
  • Annaliza Savage (1998–2003)
  • Matt Keil (2004–2013) | editor = {{plainlist|
  • Justin Dornbush (lead)
  • John R. French (lead)
  • Sam Goldfien
  • Matt Korb
  • Will Simpson
  • Brian C. Sullivan | camera = Multiple-camera setup | runtime = {{plainlist|
  • 22–25 minutes (1998–2013)
  • 44 minutes (special episodes)
  • 120 minutes (2021–22) | company = G4 Media, LLC | network = {{plainlist|
  • ZDTV (1998–2000)
  • TechTV (2000–04)
  • G4techTV (2004–2005)
  • G4 (2005–13, 2021–22) | first_aired = | last_aired = | first_aired2 = | last_aired2 = Xplay is an American television program dedicated to video games, blending in-depth reviews, comedic skits, and industry news, which primarily aired from 1998 to 2013 across two networks. Originally launched as GameSpot TV on ZDTV (later rebranded as TechTV), the program premiered on July 4, 1998, and featured hosts Adam Sessler and Lauren Fielder, focusing on gameplay previews and critiques. In 2001, following the end of its partnership with Ziff Davis' GameSpot and TechTV's rebranding, the program adopted the name Extended Play before settling on X-Play in 2003. Sessler continued as the lead host, joined by co-hosts such as Kate Botello (2000–2002), Morgan Webb (2003–2013), Kristin Adams, and Blair Herter in later seasons.

The series moved to G4 in 2004 after Comcast's acquisition and merger of TechTV with the gaming-focused network, where it became a flagship program until its conclusion in 2013 amid G4's rebranding efforts. Over its primary run, it produced more than 1,300 episodes. It briefly revived in 2021 on a rebooted G4 network, with returning host Sessler and co-hosts Froskurinn, The Completionist, and The Black Hokage, alongside reboots of companion shows like Attack of the Show!, but the network shut down less than a year later in October 2022 due to low viewership.

History

Original series

Preceding the launch of ZDTV on May 11, 1998, a program by video gaming website GameSpot was projected for a mid-summer release. GameSpot TV premiered on July 4, 1998, airing 30-minute weekly episodes that previewed and reviewed video games, featuring GameSpot editors such as Jeff Gerstmann and Greg Kasavin. The show's quirky set, with a chained link fence and flaming TV screens, gave a gritty vibe, though early viewership was low, with co-host Adam Sessler estimating around 10,000 per episode. The show secured notable interviews, including one with Gabe Newell about Half-Life. The Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999, lead to death threats against Sessler and a restriction on depicting gun violence on the show, which limited coverage of certain titles such as Grand Theft Auto III.

ZDTV was acquired by Vulcan Ventures in November 1999, and the network rebranded to TechTV in August 2000. On February 17, 2001, GameSpot TV was retitled Extended Play to distance it from the GameSpot branding, and it became part of TechTV's live broadcasting endeavor, which resulted in a high turnover rate. Extended Play survived post-9/11 economic cuts and layoffs that affected other programming. With the April 28, 2003, premiere of TechTV's late-night programming block, Extended Play was revamped, retitled X-Play and moved to this block, upon which it became the network's top-rated program. Because X-Play aired at a later time slot than its predecessors, it featured more risque language and subject matter, and the previous gun violence restriction was lifted.

In May 2004, Comcast acquired TechTV from Vulcan, and merged it with its video game network G4 to form G4techTV. The acquisition led to staff layoffs and a poorly handled transition that strained relations with the new owners. G4techTV would revert to G4 in February 2005. The crew's resistance to G4's culture inspired a creative peak, though a costly musical episode flopped. The limitations of television were highlighted by the rise of streaming platforms like YouTube and issues like the E3 2006 broadcast, which was interrupted by ads and FCC-mandated breaks, notably cutting off the Halo 3 reveal. From this point forward, X-Play struggled with declining ratings, exclusive content battles, and the inability to compete with instant online content.

On March 4, 2007, it was announced that the G4 studios in Santa Monica would close on April 15. Production of G4 programs was relocated to the studios of the E! Television Network situated elsewhere in the Los Angeles area. As a consequence, new sets had to be designed for X-Play, and many G4 employees involved in production were laid off. Tensions rose between G4 and E!, who clashed over cultural differences. In December 2008, the show aired X-Large one-hour episodes for the month. Economic factors forced G4 to contract X-Play's schedule back down to only three original episodes per week, starting on March 2, 2009; in addition, the show's timeslot was moved out of prime-time to 6:30 p.m. EST and a number of X-Play staff members were laid off.

On October 26, 2012, G4 announced that X-Play would cease production after 2012. The program ran for a total of approximately 1,300 episodes.

Revival

In July 2020, G4 teased a revival of the network, set for a 2021 launch. Later on November 24, 2020, G4 released A Very Special G4 Reunion Special, which featured former X-Play hosts Adam Sessler, Morgan Webb, and Blair Herter (who is one of the key people behind the re-launch), as well as correspondent Kristin Adams. On January 28, 2021, G4 announced that X-Play (alongside Attack of the Show!) would return with it. On February 12, 2021, G4 announced that Adam Sessler would return to host. The revival premiered on November 19, 2021, broadcast live on G4's Twitch and YouTube channels. Unlike the previous iteration, the episodes were two hours long (they were later cut down to 30-minute episodes on G4's cable channel). The revival was canceled in October 2022 when it was announced that month that G4 would shut down for the second time, with its final episode airing on October 20.

Format and content

Xplay primarily centers on reviews, tips and tricks, and previews for contemporary PC and console video games, as well as competitions, strategies, industry news and gossip. The program's reviews were initially provided by GameSpot and its sister site VideoGames.com.

Hosts and staff

Adam Sessler was the host of the program for the bulk of its original incarnation. Previously, he had worked two-and-a-half years in a bank's credit department while moonlighting as an actor on a public-access San Francisco program, Chip Weigh Magnet Down. Through a friend's connection, he learned about a hosting opportunity for GameSpots program. Though out of touch with gaming, Sessler prepared for the audition by memorizing the titles Resident Evil 2 and Final Fantasy VII but botched the latter during the audition. Auspiciously, the audition director, who also ran the public-access station, recognized Sessler from his comedic sketches, particularly his Michael Flatley impression. She asked him to perform it, and this serendipitous moment landed him the hosting role, a break Sessler attributed to pure luck. Throughout GameSpot TVs production, Sessler honed his skills and gaming knowledge, covering titles like Banjo-Kazooie and Spyro the Dragon.

Sessler's first co-host was Lauren Fielder, the editor-in-chief of GameSpots sister site VideoGames.com and executive producer of *PlayStation Underground*s weekly radio show, which was hosted by VideoGames. Fielder moved to a correspondent role in September 1999. Kate Botello, previously co-host of The Screen Savers, became Sessler's co-host on April 29, 2000, and departed on March 29, 2002. Morgan Webb became Sessler's co-host in May 2003 after previously serving as an associate producer on The Screen Savers. In April 2012, it was announced that Sessler would no longer be part of G4. Sessler and Morgan Webb reunited for Bethesda Softworks' press conference at E3 2016. The program was originally produced and directed by documentarian Annaliza Savage, who served in this position until 2003.

The revival was co-hosted by Sessler, Froskurinn, The Completionist, and The Black Hokage. During a "Gaming Grievances" segment in a January 2022 episode, Froskurinn criticized the network's viewers, alleging a sexist backlash against her, particularly for not being as "bangable" as former G4 hosts Morgan Webb and Olivia Munn, who she claimed were objectified and harassed as "fake gamer girls." She made further allegations of dehumanizing comments and unconscious biases targeting her for being a woman in gaming, despite reading the same scripts as Sessler. Her remarks were shared on G4's Twitter and supported by Sessler. Following significant layoffs at G4 in September 2022, Froskurinn was let go from the network after Comcast bought out the remainder of her contract. Some speculated that her exit was linked to a September 15 tweet where she posted an "I survived" meme, seen by some as insensitive after the layoffs.

References

References

  1. Stone, Martha. (May 8, 1998). "ZDTV launches Monday". [[CBS Interactive]].
  2. Schreier, Jason. (March 20, 2013). "Internet Killed The Video Star: The Extraordinary Journey Of Adam Sessler". [[Gawker Media]].
  3. Saracevic, Alan T.. (November 19, 1999). "Allen's VC firm buys ZDTV in S.F.". [[The San Francisco Examiner]].
  4. Saracevic, Alan T.. (August 21, 2000). "Behold: Digital cable's ZDTV rechristened techtv". [[The San Francisco Examiner]].
  5. Weigel, Ray. (February 13, 2001). "TechTV | ''Extended Play'' Is Born". TechTV.
  6. Weigel, Ray. (February 18, 2001). "TechTV - The Add On Pack - 02/17/01 - Game Engines A Go Go". [[TechTV]].
  7. Sessler, Adam. (May 23, 2014). "Memories Of My 16-Year Career In Video Games".
  8. (May 10, 2004). "Comcast Completes Acquisition of TechTV". [[G4 Media (TV company).
  9. (January 11, 2005). "Video Game Television - Shifts Into Overdrive in '05 with Two New Series ''Formula D'' and ''Girls Gone Wired''". [[G4 Media (TV company).
  10. "G4 Rewind: Confirmed: G4 studios to close; Operations moving to E!; Layoffs ensue".
  11. Sliwinski, Alexander. (September 2, 2008). "''X-Play'' extends to one hour in December".
  12. Crecente, Brian. (February 17, 2009). "Cuts Hit ''X-Play'', Show Drops to Thrice Weekly [Update]".
  13. (October 26, 2012). "G4 Cancels Flagships ''Attack Of The Show'' And ''X-Play''".
  14. Skrebels, Joe. (July 24, 2020). "G4 Teases a Return in Some Form".
  15. (November 24, 2020). "A Very Special G4 Reunion Special | Full Video".
  16. (July 24, 2020). "Long-Dormant Gaming Network G4 TV Teases 2021 Relaunch by Comcast Spectacor".
  17. (January 28, 2021). "Welcome the Return of Attack of the Show and X-Play in Summer 2021".
  18. (February 12, 2021). "Huge G4 Talent Announcements! Hosts Confirmed!".
  19. (October 12, 2021). "G4 Sets Relaunch Date for Linear TV and Streaming".
  20. (October 16, 2022). "Comcast Pulls Plug On G4 TV, Ending Comeback Try For Gamer-Focused Network". Deadline.
  21. "Program Descriptions". ZDTV.
  22. "Program Descriptions". ZDTV.
  23. (November 1998). "Gaming On the Air". [[Ziff Davis]].
  24. Krach, Josh. (June 6, 2002). "''Play'' lets the games begin". [[The Bryan-College Station Eagle]].
  25. Vance, James. (April 2, 2006). "Low profiles, high numbers". [[Tulsa World]].
  26. (September 29, 1999). "''GameSpot TV''". [[ZDTV]].
  27. "Lauren Fielder". [[ZDTV]].
  28. "Kate Botello's a Gamer". [[ZDTV]].
  29. Botello, Kate. (March 29, 2002). "TechTV | A Fond Farewell from Kate Botello". [[TechTV]].
  30. Marx, Tracey. (April 24, 2003). "Who's That Girl?". [[TechTV]].
  31. (April 25, 2012). ["Adam Sessler Out At G4 UPDATE]".
  32. North, Dale. (June 2015). "Former ''X-Play'' hosts Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb will reunite at Bethesda's E3 press conference".
  33. (April 18, 2001). "Annaliza Savage". [[TechTV]].
  34. "''Extended Play'' > About Us". [[TechTV]].
  35. Gach, Ethan. (January 12, 2022). "G4 Host Slams ''Xplay'' Audience's Sexist Expectations".
  36. (September 20, 2022). "''Xplay'' Host Frosk Out At G4 A Week After Layoffs [Update: Pereira Departs]". Kotaku.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

1998-american-television-series-debuts1990s-american-television-talk-shows2000s-american-television-talk-shows2013-american-television-series-endings2020s-american-television-talk-shows2021-american-television-series-debuts2022-american-television-series-endingsamerican-television-series-revived-after-cancellationamerican-english-language-television-showsg4-(american-tv-network)-original-programmingimpact-of-the-columbine-high-school-massacreinfotainmenttechtv-original-programmingtelevision-shows-about-video-gamestelevision-shows-filmed-in-los-angelesvideo-game-culturevideo-game-journalismx-play