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.

nrvalleytime4200d ago

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

MAJ0R4200d 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...

darthv724200d 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.

EVILDEAD3604200d 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

scotchmouth4200d ago

They probably need more time slots for episodes of cops

pixelsword4200d ago

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

Blacktric4200d ago

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

darthv724200d 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.

JoySticksFTW4200d ago (Edited 4200d 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

Persistantthug4200d ago

I never really hear any real complaints about them.

greenpowerz4200d ago (Edited 4200d 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.

SilentNegotiator4200d ago (Edited 4200d ago )

@EvilDead

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

Not because of a lack of unity of gamers.

zeeshan4200d 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_914199d 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

subtenko4199d 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 4199d ago
Arcanine4200d ago

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

SilentNegotiator4200d ago

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

gintoki7774200d ago

don't understand how one can watch - _ -

Blasphemy4200d 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?

MEsoJD4200d ago

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

Syntax-Error4200d 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.

BELIE7ER4200d ago

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

TheDivine4200d 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_914199d 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

Flewid6384199d 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 4199d ago
DeadlyFire4200d ago

I never expected GTTV to outpace G4TV. Wow.

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

gintoki7774199d ago

I rather watch Japanese game shows than Cops and cheaters

synce4199d ago (Edited 4199d ago )

RIP? G4 died many years ago

Wagz224199d ago

G4TV has unfortunately been life support for a while.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 4199d ago
nrvalleytime4200d ago

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

Xenial4200d ago

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

marioPSUC4200d ago (Edited 4200d 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 Mammo4200d ago (Edited 4200d ago )

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

lashes2ashes4200d 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.

attilayavuzer4200d ago

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

Eldyraen4200d ago (Edited 4200d ago )

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

pixelsword4200d ago

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

BlackPrince 424200d 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_toad4200d ago

G4TV is going to be renamed COPS.

AzaziL4199d ago (Edited 4199d 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 4199d ago
3-4-54200d ago

Kevin knew. And so it finally happens.

oONinjavitiSOo4200d ago

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

Show all comments (151)
280°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv721d 6h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle17h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic188115h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio14h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning7710h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga17h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv723h ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

shinoff218316h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga15h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan11h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit4h ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus2310h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv729h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3h ago
purple10120h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos19h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-9h ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac18h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad18h ago(Edited 18h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple10118h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos17h ago(Edited 17h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic16h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead9h ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 9h ago
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140°

Why Monopolies In Gaming Must Not Be Allowed

As of right now, there are no monopolies in the games industry, and for the sake of the medium as a whole, they never should either.

thorstein1d 5h ago

Shouldn't be allowed in any field.

Inverno1d 1h ago

And yet the biggest tech companies in America are essentially that. They buy up all the small comps only to kill them off and steal what they have, and if they can't buy em they bleed them to death.

jwillj2k41d ago

Eventually they’ll realize the value is with the employee not the company. Buying an IP means nothing if the people who contributed are let go. They’ll get it one day.

MrCrimson23h ago

tech is different because they buy threats and then kill them. Twitter bought Vine and did nothing with it. Despite people seemingly liking it. Could've had tiktok a decade before bytedance. go figure.

Zenzuu1d ago

Monopolies shouldn't be allowed regardless. Not just for gaming.

MrCrimson23h ago

They buy IPs not talent. That's why these buyouts never work and the IPs die. Right now it's too expensive to develop games - but I expect that to shift maybe as AI tools can make it easier. The best games have been indie games for awhile as big developers fuck their ips to death with "games as a service" -

70°

The INDIE Live Expo 2024 event is to feature over 100 game titles

INDIE Live Expo, Japan’s premiere online digital showcase series , will debut never-before-seen games & content updates across more than 100 titles on May 25th.