Adam Sessler Leaves G4

The X-Play Host is parting with the network after 14 years.

Adam Sessler, host of X-Play and editor-in-chief of game content for G4, has left the cable channel after 14 years. Rumors indicate that his departure was due to a contract dispute and the departure may not have been amicable. Kotaku originally heard this news a week ago but it was not confirmed until Sessler's representative released the following statement today:

Television personality Adam Sessler and TV network G4 are parting ways, with Adam's last episode as host of G4's "X-Play" airing on the network today, Wednesday, April 25. Adam has been hosting the show since it first aired as ZDTV's "Gamespot TV" in July 1998 and he also served as Editor In Chief of games content at G4. His current projects include starring as himself in the Summer 2012 movie "noobz" and consulting with a film production company on theatrical feature adaptations of video games. Adam intends to stay in front of the camera and continue as a key voice within the games industry. He also sings and is available for weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Sessler has been the host of the channel's show, X-Play, since 1998 when it was originally called GameSpot TV (later known as Extended Play on ZDTV/Tech TV). X-Play currently has Blair Herter, Kristin Adams and Jessica Chobot as correspondents as well as Sessler's co-host since 2003, Morgan Webb. Recently in 2008, he was promoted to Editor-in-Chief of Game Content for the network.

Twitter has seen some acknowledgement of his departure, most notably Dave Jaffe of God of War and Twisted Metal fame and fellow G4 host Kevin Pereira. Adam Sessler himself posted the following on Twitter today:

Thank you to everyone with your exceedingly kind wishes and thoughts, I think I'll finally take a nap...

#Adam sessler #G4 #Departure #X-play

Travis Hawks Senior Editor

04/25/2012 at 11:35 PM

The Sess and Gamespot TV reminded me that I loved gaming as I left my collegiate hermitage. I haven't watched the show in a while, but I always respected Sessler's opinions.

Mongoose

04/26/2012 at 02:42 AM

14 years is a long time to be doing something. Heck, there's probably some veiwers who aren't old enough to remember his debut...

there's always streaming media though. So can we count on Pixl Bit to pick up the slack. A video live show? Just sayin'..

Anonymous

04/26/2012 at 04:38 AM

Adam is the show with all his insight and up front reviews, comments, and especially his fun personality I wish Adam a brighter future. Thanks Adam

Angelo Grant Staff Writer

04/26/2012 at 12:40 PM

I think this is really good news actually.

Sessler was rather typecast while he was with G4, and I personally can't stand G4 in general for many of the same reasons I can't stand IGN anymore. I have no doubt he'll say involved in the games industry, but parting ways with G4 will really give him an opportunity to better himself. He's an intelligent, knowledgeable man who can do better than that.

Here's hoping he hits the ground running, drops the spaz act, and starts something bigger and better than G4 that shines a better light on gamers in general.

Michael117

04/26/2012 at 03:05 PM

I started watching the Sess around 2005 when I found out about the show and the network as a whole. It was known as Xplay by then and Webb had been on for like two years, but it was very different from what it is today. I have a lot of fond memories of those earlier days because Sess and Webb looked like slobs all the time and the show was much more campy. They did comedy bits in practically every episode, the sets were much more loungy with furniture, they slipped in a review, and it was just great. It was definitely a gaming show, but it wasn't about previews, demos, gameplay footage, teasers, trailers, and all kinds of the things they have now. In 08 or 07 they changed the setup and tone to be very sleek, clean, less comedy, less cursing, they now stand proper in front of the camera, and nowadays there's much more actual game content lol, but it's just not as enjoyable for me. The Sess was the reason I started keeping up with the show and the network in the first place. He's old enough to be my dad but I relate to him greatly and respect him.

Over the years I've had problems with the network. I respect Morgan Webb, she knows what she's talking about, but she's a bit harsh and I don't always agree with her. I like Attack of the Show but I thought it was going to be a gaming show as well when I first started watching it. It's more of a pop culture and tech show. I like Kevin's personality and humor so he's kind of been an anchor for that show, but there have been co-hosts that come and go which I hated. Like Olivia Munn, no matter how hot she was, I couldn't stand her. They've had a largely male audience and they certainly pander to them. Even with all that said about the network, Sess has always been the anchor that kept me coming back and let me know that somebody respectable and loveable was at the top of the food chain over there and could have his voice heard.

In the past couple years I have been loosing interest in X-Play and I honestly haven't watched it consistently for like two years. Back in the day it was a part of my daily routine, I always made sure I didn't miss it, but now it's just noise to me somehow. The only times I have to watch the show for sure is when they cover GDC or E3. Those events are my superbowl, so I still plan around those events and make sure I catch every minute of G4 coverage that I can, but throughout the rest of the year I'm just transient when it comes to watching X-Play anymore. Now that Sessler is leaving I'm not sure what I'll do about it. I'll check in from time to time to see how Morgan is doing and what they do with their hosting duties and staff.

Even though I've been transient with X-Play lately, the things I do always keep up with weekly have been Xplay's Feedback podcast and Adam's personal video blog called Sessler's Soapbox. Sess use to host the Feedback podcast and he did an excellent job of keeping it on track, voicing his thoughts, letting others voice theirs, and dropping random literary quotes that nobody understood. Sess left the podcast a few months ago and I was pretty sad about it, but I still keep up with the cast because it's still pretty good. It basically seems like Sess has been slipping out of the network for a while and it's been coming in increments.

I just wonder what he has planned, and whatever he has planned, I hope he gets into it quick so I can follow him and keep up with his stuff. He's not only a great and knowledgable gaming enthusiast but he has the writing skill, intelligence, eloquence, and humor to back it all up. He's great in front of the camera, he was their best reviewer IMO, he was a great lead on the podcast, and he interviews developers very well and has a good reputation out there amongst his peers.

PixlBit