Longtime X-Play host departs after almost 14 years.
G4, ostensibly the world's most popular gaming TV network, tends to polarize gamer opinions. According to the network, its online presence is the "most trusted videogame website" (complete with some data to back it up), but bring it up on a forum, and responses will range from entertaining to exploitative to embarrassing. Regardless of personal feelings about G4, however, gamers could always count on one thing: the quick wit and strong opinions of X-Play cohost Adam Sessler. Now, after almost 14 years on the job, Sessler is ready to move on, possibly as a result of a contract dispute and some negative feelings towards his former employer.
Details from both Sessler and G4 are fairly scarce, with both sides simply confirming that Sessler is no longer affiliated with the TV station he helped pioneer. His last episode of X-Play aired today, and now, according to his representative, "Adam intends to stay in front of the camera and continue as a key voice within the games industry." In addition to a few Hollywood projects, where he will assist both on- and off-camera, "He also sings and is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs." While Kotaku reports that Sessler likely left due to issues with his G4 contract, no further information is available on his reasons for departure at this time.
Sessler has been involved with G4 in one capacity or another since 1998, back when X-Play was a GameSpot feature called GameSpot TV. If you've been following games journalism for any substantial period of time, you'll probably be familiar with Sessler's dry, often sardonic sense of humor, his excellent vocabulary, and his knack for talking about games in the same sentence and with as much gravitas as Italian Renaissance art or global economics. His sometimes harsh appraisals of the gaming public rub some fans the wrong way, but he is quick to back up his opinion with facts and encourage respectful dialogues among fans with differing opinions.
Love him or hate him, Sessler is one of the most well-known and experienced games journalists in the business right now, and we almost certainly haven't seen the last of him. Wherever he goes next, we wish him the best and sincerely hope that G4 fans have stopped giving him a hard time about Killzone 2. If you want evidence that Sessler is out to improve both games journalism and gaming forums, look no further than that video.
Longtime X-Play host departs after almost 14 years.
G4, ostensibly the world's most popular gaming TV network, tends to polarize gamer opinions. According to the network, its online presence is the "most trusted videogame website" (complete with some data to back it up), but bring it up on a forum, and responses will range from entertaining to exploitative to embarrassing. Regardless of personal feelings about G4, however, gamers could always count on one thing: the quick wit and strong opinions of X-Play cohost Adam Sessler. Now, after almost 14 years on the job, Sessler is ready to move on, possibly as a result of a contract dispute and some negative feelings towards his former employer.
Details from both Sessler and G4 are fairly scarce, with both sides simply confirming that Sessler is no longer affiliated with the TV station he helped pioneer. His last episode of X-Play aired today, and now, according to his representative, "Adam intends to stay in front of the camera and continue as a key voice within the games industry." In addition to a few Hollywood projects, where he will assist both on- and off-camera, "He also sings and is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs." While Kotaku reports that Sessler likely left due to issues with his G4 contract, no further information is available on his reasons for departure at this time.
Sessler has been involved with G4 in one capacity or another since 1998, back when X-Play was a GameSpot feature called GameSpot TV. If you've been following games journalism for any substantial period of time, you'll probably be familiar with Sessler's dry, often sardonic sense of humor, his excellent vocabulary, and his knack for talking about games in the same sentence and with as much gravitas as Italian Renaissance art or global economics. His sometimes harsh appraisals of the gaming public rub some fans the wrong way, but he is quick to back up his opinion with facts and encourage respectful dialogues among fans with differing opinions.
Love him or hate him, Sessler is one of the most well-known and experienced games journalists in the business right now, and we almost certainly haven't seen the last of him. Wherever he goes next, we wish him the best and sincerely hope that G4 fans have stopped giving him a hard time about Killzone 2. If you want evidence that Sessler is out to improve both games journalism and gaming forums, look no further than that video.
Ah, they've moved on from Killzone 2. Now they were attacking him for Uncharted 3 last I checked. Some dispute over how he didn't find it as good as UC2, and the fans went ballistic.
Holy shit. That's kind of awesome. I look forward to seeing what he does next. I've never been keen on the idea of giving G4 ratings when I want to get the latest word from Mr. Sessler.
He finally left. Awesome, totally support this. Ever since G4 went to shit after merging with Tech TV Sessler has looked more and more dead behind the eyes. It's pretty evident he was just tired of their shit... at least in my mind.
Fappy: He finally left. Awesome, totally support this. Ever since G4 went to shit after merging with Tech TV Sessler has looked more and more dead behind the eyes. It's pretty evident he was just tired of their shit... at least in my mind.
Every time I saw him on air or on G4 over the past few years, I seriously thought he was gonna be in the news the next day for offing himself.... He has hated himself for years if his expressions and actions on camera are at all indicative of his mental state.
Xiado: Hire him, escapist. Get this guy before it's too late, he was one of the only reasons I went on G4, and probably my favorite person in the industry.
Xiado: Hire him, escapist. Get this guy before it's too late, he was one of the only reasons I went on G4, and probably my favorite person in the industry.
I'll second that!
I don't think escapist could afford him....maybe penny arcade could though
wow so now i have zero reason to go to g4tv.com now since there wont be any sessler soapbox....
all well cant wait to see what he gets to do next, i am sure someone will pick him up for something.
also as much as a love sessler, am i the only one that gets incredibly distracted from that crap on his face recently? seriously that's the oddest looking facial hair I have ever seen =p
It was very clear for the past few years that the web presence and the TV presence of G4 were completely different animals. Most of the hate G4 was getting was squarely directed at the TV side. The web side, which Sessler was the dominant force behind, was easily one of the best sources for gamers on the web. Great stuff and it will be interesting to see what comes next. I can't see Morgan Webb sticking around with Sessler gone and who knows who will be driving things in the future.
Either way, Sessler deserves a ton of respect for everything he's done for the industry and I know I'll probably be following him around to whereever he ends up next.
I quit paying attention to G4 quite some time ago, Sessler's soapbox was really the last thing that held any interest for me, I think he has a good head on his shoulders, and in all honesty gave G4 its last remaining shred of credibility. I jumped that ship years ago in favor of this site, I feel you get a better discourse on the topic here than at G4. I hope Sessler finds some where that he can be honest in his views on the subject, because he does know a lot on the topic. I am willing to admit I don't agree with him ALL THE TIME. In fact, giving Fable 2 game of the year over Fallout 3 REALLY irked me... But hey its a review, and you can't agree with everyone on everything.
Well, there goes any of my reasons why I still occasionally check on G4. Now it's just another generic game site.
I really can't wait to see what he does next. I'm definitely gonna keep an eye on whatever he does, because he was the only reason to check in on G4. He was a damn good journalist.
And I also support trying to hire him for the Escapist. Granted, it's understandable if the odds are slim and you don't get him, but damn, wouldn't it be so bloody awesome? Two awesome sources for gaming, joined into one! :D
War Penguin: Well, there goes any of my reasons why I still occasionally check on G4. Now it's just another generic game site.
I really can't wait to see what he does next. I'm definitely gonna keep an eye on whatever he does, because he was the only reason to check in on G4. He was a damn good journalist.
And I also support trying to hire him for the Escapist. Granted, it's understandable if the odds are slim and you don't get him, but damn, wouldn't it be so bloody awesome? Two awesome sources for gaming, joined into one! :D
agreed. However, if it was a contract dispute that came up, I interpret that to mean $$$ issues. And though a quality site, The Escapist is not financially the most fluid.
I remember seeing that, or something similar some time ago, I love him to be honest. As it's said, I don't think the Escapist rakes in enough cash to hire him, but it would be pretty cool, though you've already got Yahtzee for game reviews.
good to see him finally get the hell out of dodge. ive always liked hearing his opinion on games and the industry, but it has become surrounded by all the other crap G4 has shamed itself by airing.
now maybe ill have the moral security in knowing that i can listen to sessler without giving G4 ratings :)
War Penguin: Well, there goes any of my reasons why I still occasionally check on G4. Now it's just another generic game site.
I really can't wait to see what he does next. I'm definitely gonna keep an eye on whatever he does, because he was the only reason to check in on G4. He was a damn good journalist.
And I also support trying to hire him for the Escapist. Granted, it's understandable if the odds are slim and you don't get him, but damn, wouldn't it be so bloody awesome? Two awesome sources for gaming, joined into one! :D
agreed. However, if it was a contract dispute that came up, I interpret that to mean $$$ issues. And though a quality site, The Escapist is not financially the most fluid.
I'd be willing to put in an extra buck in my pubclub subscription for this to happen. Maybe... <_<
I am happy to hear that Adam Sessler finally left G4. He was the only reason I kept watching G4 for as long as I did. I still can't believe how G4 butchered TechTV in a few short years.
Xiado: Hire him, escapist. Get this guy before it's too late, he was one of the only reasons I went on G4, and probably my favorite person in the industry.
Yes! Escapist, go hire him damnit! I freaking loved him on X-play and it would be a fucking gem to have him here on the Escapist. :D
Well better late then never (leaving G4 I mean) I have been watching him since 2002 or so and I do respect him and how long he worked with TechTv and G4 and look forward to see what he does next.
As for G4, they are probably going to lose more viewers but I hope that they can find someone to help boost their ratings and not just there for comedy purposes.
MrBrightside919: Adam Sessler deserves a lot better than G4 (the horrid thing it has become)...i've followed him since the days of Extended Play on Tech TV (RIP)...
Here's to greener pastures for you, Sess...
Oh man, I used to tape Extended Play if I was going to miss it. I loved that show, and Adam Sessler was amazing. Then X-Play came, and it was still amazing. But like so many others, the show slowly lost its way in my eyes, and I felt so bad that Adam and Morgan had to stay on the show. Adam seemed to want so much more--or maybe that was just me thinking for him.
This is shocking news. I'm sure Adam will be able to find a new job no problem--and probably already has offers on the table--but still, X-Play without him...hard to imagine. Not that it matters. I haven't watched the show in years, but still. Just...wow. I'll miss him. Hopefully he'll still do his little Soapbox thing whenever he starts his new position.
Wait I just watched and listened to the video twice now. When did he do this?
Not in that video, but the reporter says hes trying to improve gaming journalism and yet...
Spoiler: Click to 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
I'll miss Adam Sessler i didn't agree with him all the time on his reviews. But I love him so much thanks to extended play. I love his soapbox,xplay and when he use to host "freedback"
now I have no reason to watch xplay unless morgan is still on it and they hired blair herter as co-host
Wait I just watched and listened to the video twice now. When did he do this?
Not in that video, but the reporter says hes trying to improve gaming journalism and yet...
fuck that's a whole lot of 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
WRPG: Save the world = best story ever made JRPG: Save the world = JRPG cliche would not play again
You know, I agree with you about how Sessler is regarding JRPGs, but that's his prerogative. He dislikes them, I don't. On the whole I still think he's probably one of the best guys in the video game journalism industry and I wish him the best of luck. He was funny and insightful, even if he really hated one of my favorite genres.
Wait I just watched and listened to the video twice now. When did he do this?
Not in that video, but the reporter says hes trying to improve gaming journalism and yet...
fuck that's a whole lot of 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
WRPG: Save the world = best story ever made JRPG: Save the world = JRPG cliche would not play again
You know, I agree with you about how Sessler is regarding JRPGs, but that's his prerogative. He dislikes them, I don't. On the whole I still think he's probably one of the best guys in the video game journalism industry and I wish him the best of luck. He was funny and insightful, even if he really hated one of my favorite genres.
Sorry, I never found him funny. Saw a ep and my head hurt afterwards. And I can't find him insightful espesially since he has clear hatred for a genre just because its the cool thing to do.
Xiado: Hire him, escapist. Get this guy before it's too late, he was one of the only reasons I went on G4, and probably my favorite person in the industry.
I'll second that!
I don't think escapist could afford him....maybe penny arcade could though
Simple, get rid of MovieBob, add Adam Sessler and his soapbox to the Escapist! Problem solved!
(seriously, just getting rid of MovieBob alone would be a plus! XD)
Adam Sessler Leaves G4
Longtime X-Play host departs after almost 14 years.
G4, ostensibly the world's most popular gaming TV network, tends to polarize gamer opinions. According to the network, its online presence is the "most trusted videogame website" (complete with some data to back it up), but bring it up on a forum, and responses will range from entertaining to exploitative to embarrassing. Regardless of personal feelings about G4, however, gamers could always count on one thing: the quick wit and strong opinions of X-Play cohost Adam Sessler. Now, after almost 14 years on the job, Sessler is ready to move on, possibly as a result of a contract dispute and some negative feelings towards his former employer.
Details from both Sessler and G4 are fairly scarce, with both sides simply confirming that Sessler is no longer affiliated with the TV station he helped pioneer. His last episode of X-Play aired today, and now, according to his representative, "Adam intends to stay in front of the camera and continue as a key voice within the games industry." In addition to a few Hollywood projects, where he will assist both on- and off-camera, "He also sings and is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs." While Kotaku reports that Sessler likely left due to issues with his G4 contract, no further information is available on his reasons for departure at this time.
Sessler has been involved with G4 in one capacity or another since 1998, back when X-Play was a GameSpot feature called GameSpot TV. If you've been following games journalism for any substantial period of time, you'll probably be familiar with Sessler's dry, often sardonic sense of humor, his excellent vocabulary, and his knack for talking about games in the same sentence and with as much gravitas as Italian Renaissance art or global economics. His sometimes harsh appraisals of the gaming public rub some fans the wrong way, but he is quick to back up his opinion with facts and encourage respectful dialogues among fans with differing opinions.
Love him or hate him, Sessler is one of the most well-known and experienced games journalists in the business right now, and we almost certainly haven't seen the last of him. Wherever he goes next, we wish him the best and sincerely hope that G4 fans have stopped giving him a hard time about Killzone 2. If you want evidence that Sessler is out to improve both games journalism and gaming forums, look no further than that video.
Source: Kotaku
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