670°

G4 Canceling X-Play, Attack of the Show. Gaming Programming Nixed, Source Says

Kotaku:G4—the network once known as the go-to destination for video game-friendly programming—is ending its gaming programming. The network is informing its employees in meetings today.

nrvalleytime4189d ago

and good luck to everyone who might lose their jobs because of the news.

MAJ0R4189d ago

Hopefully they will find jobs at real gaming places. Tech TV was the original channel before it became G4TV and was bought out by people who only care about money. Definitely sucks...

darthv724189d ago

ZDTV or TechTV before it merged to become G4.

Personaly, after the merge is when i felt things went downhill. I understand the difference in generations that watch the various programs but the attitudes on programs like AOTS was very unprofessional as compared to a show like ScreenSavers.

I liked X-Play but you just started seeing more and more commercials and less of the actual show content. When they did away with Icons was a big loss for me anyway.

You never like to read about people losing their jobs but their drastic changes in programing and the lack of professionalism is what hurt them.

EVILDEAD3604189d ago

Gamers didnt support those shows anyways. There is no unity in gaming anymore. If there was ever an article about that station it was always negative responses that ruled the day.

It was inevitable that the ratings would plummet. Because the average gamer never knew when to actually catch the shows the liked. It was always repeats of 'Ninja' etc. As a whole gaming is divisive. No one even cared about Adam until he left. People whined about Kevin until he left. Everyone whined about the females on there as well.

Name a gaming site on the internet and it's the same thing. It's crazy that not ONE show or ONE format could last in this day and age for gaming.

Which was telling when MS and the industry went with Spike over G4 for many of the big events..namely the VGAs and E3 for MS.

Always thought it was a great concept as a channel. Too bad there was never enough content to make G4 must watch television all the time.

Evil

scotchmouth4189d ago

They probably need more time slots for episodes of cops

pixelsword4189d ago

I didn't like those shows, watched them for a little while, but stopped.

Blacktric4189d ago

G4 will only air Mountain Dew, Doritos, Halo and Call Of Duty commercials from now on.

darthv724189d ago

yeah the concept was good. Although I think what happened was the attempt to be young and hip with the new G4 was the turn off for many. The immature antics were detracting from the seriousness of the content. Or at least the attempt to be serious when it came to guests that were on to discuss new projects.

I liked the old ZDTV/TechTV. AudioFile, Icons, ScreenSavers and the early Xplay where they showed more gameplay instead of trying to be sarcastic (oops, not trying, they were).

It was like, management came to adam and morgan and said they needed to up their rudness and sarcasm levels.

The addition of non gaming or tech related programming didnt help. Although, i did enjoy ninja warrior once in a while.

JoySticksFTW4189d ago (Edited 4189d ago )

"They probably need more time slots for episodes of cops"

Don't forget Cheaters

Aw, HufandPuf down below beat me to it :)

But I used to love Icons and Portal

Persistantthug4189d ago

I never really hear any real complaints about them.

greenpowerz4189d ago (Edited 4189d ago )

G4TV shows died because they didn't pay attention to the change in gamer pop culture.

Nerds, gamers and techies have changed and adults(hosts) acting like loser kids from the 90's turned people off.

Nerds, gamers and techies are much more mainstream as being smart has become the new cool and or norm vs (nerdom)

Their behaviour is patronizing to people watching.

Too many ways of getting the info/news/opinions from alternate sources to keep slapstick shows alive. The shows never matured/grew-up.

The slow down in game releases is effecting things as well.

Their style is a relic of the past and doesnt really fit today's audience. Nerds/gamers/techies go to the gym, go clubing, go on dates, and are metro sexual now and have blended into the mainstreme.

Nerds/gamers/techies have moved towards the mainstreme and the mainstreme has moved towards the demos mentioned above.

SilentNegotiator4189d ago (Edited 4189d ago )

@EvilDead

Actually, no one supported it because it sucked.
They were out of touch.

Not because of a lack of unity of gamers.

zeeshan4189d ago

COPS/CHEATERS TV it is then. Oh and lets not forget LOST/HEROES re-runs. Wow! This is like the END of G4TV isn't it? At least to us gamers!

One good thing that I can see coming out of this is at least I won't have to watch and listen to Sara Underwood! I mean, that woman is soooo annoying!

Dee_914188d ago

well g4tv been dead to me since dtv and g4 couldnt come to an agreement.i guess all we have now is my avy.... goodtimes

subtenko4188d ago

Shoulda never changed from G4 Tech Tv. They were at their prime back then with shows like Judgement day, the humor added was somewhat like a Mega64-esq feel. They had really interesting people there who are all doing different things now.

People like Chris Pirillo, so many funny and awesome moments,lol. Plus it was back in the 90's right? The 90's were a one of a kind time no doubt.

+ Show (11) more repliesLast reply 4188d ago
Arcanine4189d ago

Thats that's what you get for putting on stupid police shows

SilentNegotiator4189d ago

....and hello 24/7 Cops and Cheaters network.

gintoki7774189d ago

don't understand how one can watch - _ -

Blasphemy4189d ago

Called it! I said this when Kevin Pereira left that the show would be cancelled soon. That guy was Attack of the show without him what do you have?

MEsoJD4189d ago

G4 and tech tv have been dead for a long time.

Syntax-Error4189d ago

Everyone blaming the programming, the shows, the hosts, the gaming community and YOU'RE ALL WRONG! I knew this was happening back in April because my sister in law works as the wardrobe designer for AOTS and X-PLAY. Morgan Webb was even at her wedding. I asked her about Sessler leaving and she said they didnt renew his contract because they are changing the entire channel. They have a new CEO and he doesn't like the format. He wants a more Lifestyle type channel instead. He said that station isn't making money in it's current format and he doesn't want to continue any of the programming. He's starting from scratch. Quit speculating because only one person can change an entire station and drop it's top rated shows.

BELIE7ER4189d ago

The infomation you gave was helpful but the insult was not.

TheDivine4189d ago

The problem isnt that gaming and tech shows cant have an audience its that their shows suck/sucked. I want real previews, good reviews not by immature fake gamers who are 40ish and act 12. Show cool tech stuff, movie news, exc. Cops, cheaters, campus pd, and ninja crap isnt going to get ratings. Theirs a huge audience of people like us they just went after the 12 year olds instead. Show the history of gaming, go back and do a full hour on why FF rocks or just on how FF7 made a huge impact. show hidden gems like Okami and interview the developers. That indy game movie did well and g4 could have also but one 30 minute show that gives a couple crappy reviews on popular titles without going into depth isnt what i want and i think most agree with me. AOTS is alright but it isnt done well enough and its too forced to be funny most of the time. Sucks for the employees but all the personalities will easily find work and production peeps can work on the new stuff hopefully. It does need to change as its a dead fish right now, anythings better imo.

Dee_914188d ago

lmao... i like how he said every one is wrong and blaiming the wrong thing then go on to blaim basically the same thing he said wasnt to blaim.
obvious tween is obvious

Flewid6384188d ago

The information you gave sounds like what everyone has already been saying on this thread.

The shows aren't good, so the CEO is changing them.

What are you telling us that hasn't been already said?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4188d ago
DeadlyFire4189d ago

I never expected GTTV to outpace G4TV. Wow.

So they will be renaming that channel to Japanese game show TV soon right?

gintoki7774188d ago

I rather watch Japanese game shows than Cops and cheaters

synce4188d ago (Edited 4188d ago )

RIP? G4 died many years ago

Wagz224188d ago

G4TV has unfortunately been life support for a while.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4188d ago
nrvalleytime4189d ago

Sad day. I used to really enjoy watching those shows - hope that everyone involved lands safely in other jobs.

Xenial4189d ago

G4 was dying anyway; after Adam Sessler & Kevin Preira left, it went down-hill.

marioPSUC4189d ago (Edited 4189d ago )

Its been dying since they re-branded it G4tv and took away so many of their good shows except for AOTS and Xplay, the deathblow was when Kevin and Adam left.

Silly Mammo4189d ago (Edited 4189d ago )

So is G4 going to just be a network of reality show reruns? Not exactly gripping television

lashes2ashes4189d ago

No worse. It is being rebranded to be like spike tv, this macho men tv shit is so stupid luckily girls know all men are not like what spike tv thinks we are. The rumor is they are going to partner with maxim or esquire and call it Gmen tv.

attilayavuzer4189d ago

That whole macho, Spike TV, man-cave thing went out of style in 2010.

Eldyraen4189d ago (Edited 4189d ago )

Agreed. If that last part is true though its just sad.

pixelsword4189d ago

With the words "man-cave" being thrown around, I wonder what the "G" in "Gmen TV" stands for.

BlackPrince 424189d ago

It's supposed to merge with Esquire magazine or something and become a men's TV network.

It's going to be called G4Men.

camel_toad4189d ago

G4TV is going to be renamed COPS.

AzaziL4188d ago (Edited 4188d ago )

That's all TV has become, every single channel is being filled with Reality garbage, even the educational channels have become nothing more than watching pawn shops, people driving trucks, and honey boo boo.

It's a disgrace and it all feels like it's being shoved down our collective throats. I honestly wouldn't order cable tv if I moved on my own, it's a complete waste of money.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4188d ago
3-4-54189d ago

Kevin knew. And so it finally happens.

oONinjavitiSOo4189d ago

You are correct. He was even talking about it somewhat on "The Joe Rogan experience" podcast.

Show all comments (151)
70°

What the game industry must do to prevent occupational burnout

Game industry working conditions are improving, but occupational burnout still runs amok. Studios and workers have the power to slow it down.

Read Full Story >>
gamedeveloper.com
anast1d 16h ago (Edited 1d 16h ago )

Quite being abusive to the workers and hold management accountable.

370°

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Has Reportedly Sold About Half of What FF7 Remake Did in the Same Timeframe

The acclaimed open world action RPG is "underperforming" where its sales are concerned, according to industry analyst Daniel Ahmad.

Read Full Story >>
gamingbolt.com
raWfodog2d ago

“Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Has Reportedly Sold About Half of What FF7 Remake Did in the Same Timeframe”

Makes sense to me since the current PS5 base is about half of what the PS4 base was when FFVII Remake released.

There were about 113 million PS4’s in consumers hands worldwide in 2020 when FFVII Remake was released (towards the beginning of COVID lockdown no less).

PS5 sales currently sits at about half of that (50-something million. We are not in COVID lockdown so many people are not as bored as they were 4 years ago and not in a rush to buy every video game coming out at release. Some PS4 owners may not have upgraded to PS5 yet and therefore can’t buy the sequel yet. And, of course, some who played Remake just might not be interested in Rebirth.

It just seems pretty disingenuous for an analyst to ‘analyze’ a situation when there are so many mitigating and unequal factors involved.

OtterX2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Yes, this and also finishing part 1 of the Final Fantasy Remake trilogy weighs heavily on it too. There's always a huge percentage of gamers who never finish the games they purchase. It's not always due to lack of enjoyment, but also life priorities etc. But factor that into the knowledge that Rebirth is a straight continuation of the story, and enjoyment lies heavily on having finished the first, you can begin to understand why not as many players jumped in. But absolutely too, the lesser install base of the PS5 played a huge role!

jjb19811d 22h ago

I started the game when it came out, played about 2/3 of the way through and finished the rest in the last month before rebirth came out. There are just too many games and too much adulting to do.

Eonjay1d 8h ago

It sold about half... with about half as many PS5s available as PS4 had when it launched in 2020. So... the tie ratio is about the same. As PS5s continue to sale it should eventually match Remake. It's a really good game.

fr0sty1d 7h ago

I think there's going to be another wave of buyers that purchase the game once the third part of the trilogy is released, especially if they release it as a bundle.

jambola2d ago

Excuse me sir
Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad said this 🙄

Obscure_Observer1d 23h ago

"Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad said this 🙄"

That guy is director of research & insights at Niko Partners.

https://nikopartners.com/

But he shouldn´t be trusted according to some "trust me bro" N4G random. Smh

1d 21h ago
Barlos1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

Obscure Observer, so by your logic, we should also trust Pachter? Come on, it's like you're not even trying any more.

MrNinosan1d 12h ago

@Obscure
"We cover China, Chinese Taipei, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam."

Yepp, very trusted and the biggest areas for videogame sales.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 12h ago
Tody_ZA1d 19h ago (Edited 1d 19h ago )

@raWfodog You'd think an analyst would catch these facts, but just goes to show what gaming analysts are made of. We've only in the last year moved to PS5 only games, in addition to the install base cross-gen has been around for years. There are a lot of PS4 players still over there. It's amazing when people compare things whilst isolating all the significant facts.

And Rebirth being a direct sequel is also valid: anecdotally, I've just started FF7 Remake a week ago and I'm loving it, on Chapter 8, but I'm obviously not going to buy Rebirth until I complete the story which will take time.

Ironmike1d 9h ago

But it's hasn't sold as much the articles om Google stating bit so what if it hasn't the game is still great better than remake which tailed of in middle-of-the- game

TheEroica1d 14h ago (Edited 1d 14h ago )

Apologists always know what to say... 👍
Is it possible to squeeze in one more excuses for FF7 sales? Go for it!

Tody_ZA1d 10h ago (Edited 1d 10h ago )

@TheEroica Understand the meaning of the words you use or don't use them. An apologist argues in defense of something controversial or problematic. Pointing out relevant facts that an analysis or article did not take into account is constructive feedback and discussion. There are great movies, games and other forms of art that don't sell as expected, but later gain financial success.

Example? The Godfather Part 2 underperformed financially compared to its predecessor but is widely hailed as one of the greatest films and sequels of all time and is still influential to this day. And no, I'm not comparing Final Fantasy 7 to the Godfather, before you draw that strawman. There is one loose similarity however in that Rebirth is also overwhelmingly acclaimed and considered superior to the first.

Given the decision to split Final Fantasy VII into three separate games, of which Rebirth released exclusively for PS5 leaving the PS4 install base behind, and the final installment due in 2027, the sales performance is a bit more of a conversation than you're trying to make it out to be.

Crows901d 12h ago

Didn't even mention price increases across the board for all games...this causes all people to be more picky and limit game purchases

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 1d 7h ago
GoodGuy092d ago

Unfortunate but it's the reality of sequels. And I simply just don't hear much people talk about rebirth and even remake as these titles just seem too hard to get into with many newcomers and old fans that are upset with the many changes.

Eonjay1d 8h ago

The games are really good and both acclaimed and Rebirth is even better than Remake with a 90+ metascore but if you don't want to 'hear' the praise... you probably wont.

TheProfessional1d 8h ago (Edited 1d 8h ago )

It's kind of ridiculous how some people here are just making stuff up to explain the low sales. Just because you bought the game and you like it doesn't mean it sold better than it did. Same with FFXVI.

rpvenom23h ago

For me its cause now that i know it releases on pc.. id rather play it with mods on my pc than my ps5

Battlestar232d ago ShowReplies(8)
gold_drake2d ago

well, according to some other reports, it had 2.1 mio. players in the first week.

so, who to believe now.

ZeekQuattro2d ago

It's safe to say if it sold that Square would of made a sales milestone announcement like they did with past FF entries or other IPs in general. They did a FF16 sales update within 2 weeks after it launched for instance.

gold_drake2d ago

there is no way this game hasnt already sold more than remake.

there doesnt need to be an announcement for everything, especially not if they released several updates amd the ultimania.

people are too obsessed with sales

CrimsonWing692d ago

I think there’s a reason we haven’t seen a celebratory tweet from Square on the sales. It came out on Feb. 29th and it’s Apr. 13th right now… that ain’t a good sign. I think this one can reach 3 mill at some point but will be behind Remake, which when it comes to business, that ain’t good.

Show all comments (79)
90°

Josh Sawyer, Pentiment Director, Comments on Industry Burnout Issues

Josh Sawyer tweets: "I believe burnout has already replaced crunch as the primary hazard of the game industry. Managers are setting teams up to fail and devs are getting ground up as collateral damage. I have suffered from burnout myself. It's no joke. Thanks to @thewritegame and @Eeoor for the talk.

As with crunch, it's likely that managers may acknowledge creating the circumstances leading to burnout but will not take the necessary steps to change them. It's important that devs continue to talk to and support each other and to apply pressure until change is effected."

anast3d ago

Typically burnout comes from abusive management.

N3mzor3d ago

"Flood has replaced the faulty dam as the primary hazard of the valley"