Gaming Today Interviews "X-Play" Executive Producer, Wade Beckett, on Upcoming Changes to the Show

If you’re a gamer and you’ve ever been left alone with a TV set at some point in the past few years, odds are you’ve seen G4TV’s X-Play. The show, known for on-target game reviews and hilarious comedy sketches featuring hosts Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb, has been around long enough to change their format, title, and even network before. And now, the series’ producers are ramping up for another big change to make the program into a half-hour of solid, current gaming news starting January 14th. I spoke with executive producer for X-Play, Wade Beckett, today over the phone about what sort of changes you can expect to see and generally why this may soon be the best source for witty and informative gaming news on your TV. Full transcript of our conversation after the break.

GT: First off, can you explain to me what sort of changes you’ll be putting into X-Play with the overall format?

The biggest change is that we’re going to be far more topical, going to a show that tapes every single day and that airs every single night of the week. In the past, we’ve kind of been hampered by the fact that we pre-tape stuff, but now we’re going to be able to get to things in a much more timely manner. which also gives us the opportunity to have a lot more hands-on demos which we’re really excited about, We’re getting people to show off their games far in advance of anything we’ve done in the past.

The other thing is we’re expanding. We’ve always done funny reviews and previews, but we’re going to be covering pretty much everything that goes on in the world of video game. We want to be there to cover that, so we’re going to be getting out there, traveling a lot more to the developers to bring people coverage beyond just reviews.

GT: So it’s kind of going to be more like the recent specials you’ve done with games like Mass Effect and Call of Duty 4?

Exactly, that’s a great example of the direction we’re going — lots more one-on-one stuff. We’re going to be able to take viewers out there and get out in the field a lot more.

GT: Are there going to be any basic changes to the look of the show? Is the set going to be revamped?

Absolutely. We’re going to unveil a brand new set which is really awesome and brand new graphics for the show. We’re really ramping up the re-launch. It’s going to be great!

I don’t know if you saw the press release, but Kristin Holt is also going to be folded in. We’re going to feature her every single week with new strategy guides that you’ve seen in the form of “Cheat!” these past years on G4. We’re really excited to have Kristin be a part of the show now.

GT: The press release said segments like “Cheat!,”"The MMO Report,” and such were going to be included now. How often are you planning to run those segments?

We will definitely have new content every single day. Once you get into a rhythm, a couple days a week you’ll have your “Cheat!” day; a couple days a week you’ll have an “MMO Report” day. On certain days of the week, you’ll get those new pieces that will now be a part of the show.

GT: Is all that still going to leave room for the usual game reviews?

Absolutely. Fans have come to enjoy the brutally honest video game reviews, and that’s still the heart of the show. We’ve talked to a few fans out there who asked, “Is X-Play still going to be fun?” We’re absolutely still going to be fun. Humor and comedy are still a big part of the show. I don’t know if you saw the Super Mario one hour special, with the trailer for “Super Mario Massacre” — we’re going to have comedy pieces, but they’ll be much bigger-budget and highly-produced comedy packages.

GT: Are you going to continue to do the occasional special episode, like another musical perhaps [pictured left]?

We will definitely still be doing special episodes. Absolutely.

GT: Well, anything else you’d like to add?

We’re pretty excited. We’re going to be making some more announcements soon. We’re getting really excited about being able to bring new stuff every day. If they have screenshots, if they have trailers, if they have new stuff to unveil, we’re going to be available to react to things in a far more timely manner now. Then we can give it to the fans on a daily basis instead of them having to wonder, “When was this episode taped?” So we’re really excited about that.

GT: Well, good luck with all those changes and everything. I’m looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with.