X-Play
359708
225174563
2008-07-12T08:06:06Z
SWJS
4894775
Reverted [[WP:AGF|good faith]] edits by [[Special:Contributions/70.105.169.161|70.105.169.161]]; Rm talk on article. ([[WP:TW|TW]])
{{original research|date=January 2008}}
{{refimprove|date=December 2007}}
{{infobox television
| show_name = X-Play
| image = [[Image:New-xplay2008II.png|240px]]
| caption = Current ''X-Play'' Logo
| format = [[Video game]]<br> [[Sketch comedy]]
| runtime = approximately 20 minutes (without commercials)
| starring = [[Adam Sessler]] (1998- )<br /> [[Morgan Webb]] (2003- )<br />[[Kate Botello]] (1999-2002)<br />[[Lauren Fielder]] (1998-1999)
| country = [[United States|USA]]
| network = [[TechTV]]
| first_aired = [[1998 in television|1998]]
| last_aired = present
| website = http://www.g4tv.com/xplay
| imdb_id = 0361258
| tv_com_id = 20424
|}}
'''''X-Play''''' (previously '''''GameSpot TV''''' and '''''Extended Play''''') is a [[video game]] review [[television program|TV show]] known for its humorous skits and reviews. The program airs on [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]] in the [[United States]], on [[G4techTV Canada|G4techTV]] in [[Canada]], [[FUEL TV]] in Australia, on Ego in Israel and a new channel called Maxxx, that has replaced [[Jack TV]] for playing X-play in the Philippines. The show is hosted by [[Adam Sessler]] and [[Morgan Webb]]. Sessler is the original host of the program; he has co-hosted in the past with [[Lauren Fielder]] and [[Kate Botello]]. ''X-Play'' began on ZDTV in [[1998]] as ''GameSpot TV'' where Sessler co-hosted with Fielder for the show's first year, then co-hosted with Botello up through [[2002]]. The show was renamed to ''Extended Play'' in [[2001]] after ZDTV changed to [[TechTV]] and the partnership with [[Ziff Davis]]' [[GameSpot]] ended. Botello left in early 2002, and Sessler hosted the show by himself up until April 2003, when Webb joined the cast and the show was renamed to ''X-Play''. It is the only original TechTV show to entirely survive the May 2004 [[Mergers and acquisitions|merger]] of G4 and TechTV, and is currently the highest-rated show amongst G4 programming. <ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6357338.html?display=Search+Results&text=G4 G4’s 'Development’ Deal A Further Shift From Games - 7/31/2006 - Multichannel News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==History==
''GameSpot TV'', ''Extended Play'', and ''X-Play'' all originated in [[San Francisco]], [[California]]. Over the show's eight year history, it has gone through numerous changes, in more than just name.
===''GameSpot TV''===
In the days of ''GameSpot TV'', the show was filmed on a simple ZDTV studio set consisting of faux-brick walls, randomly positioned TV monitors, and functioning ''[[Gauntlet Legends]]'' and ''[[Rival Schools: United By Fate|Rival Schools]]'' arcade game cabinets. For the occasional special episode, filming would move off-site to another location, such as the [[Sony Metreon]] arcade, and numerous game conventions such as the Classic Gaming Expo and E3. Each episode would start off with "Game News", where Adam Sessler or prior host/co-host [[Lauren Fielder]] would give a brief overview of top news stories on the GameSpot website. Game reviews were run in a segment known as "The Grill" (games were graded on GameSpot's official .1-10.0 system), "Spotlight" showcased special content such as interviews with industry leaders and "Game Breakers". New episodes would debut on weekend mornings at 10:00 a.m. eastern.
===''Extended Play''===
When ''GameSpot TV'' converted to ''Extended Play'', the show moved entirely to the Metreon, and took on a very simple style and format. Filming consisted of co-hosts Sessler and Botello and a small single camera crew, the show featured strictly game reviews and game hints, and the 10-point grading system changed to a 5-point system. New episodes debuted once a week at 9:00 p.m. eastern. Like ''GameSpot TV'', certain special episodes would be filmed elsewhere. In August 2002, the series became a daily program with a mix of repeats and first-run episodes airing Monday-Friday at 4 p.m. ET, with the Friday at 9 p.m. berth also kept. After the departure of Botello, Sessler continued to host at Metreon by himself until the change to ''X-Play'' in April 2003.
===''X-Play'' San Francisco===
When ''X-Play'' debuted on [[April 28]]th, the show moved back to the TechTV studios from the Metreon, and Morgan Webb came onboard as co-host, leaving her previous hosting duties on TechTV's ''[[The Screen Savers]]'' and ''[[Call for Help]]''. ''X-Play'' had a larger scale than that of ''Extended Play'', but it still maintained an extremely simple and spartan style. Filming was done in TechTV's Studio B, home to the sets of ''Call For Help'' and ''[[TechLive]]''. The filming setup was increased to three cameras; a main floor camera, a [[jib (camera)|Jibcam]] for high angle shots, and a black-and-white handheld [[DV]] camera, which would be cut to suddenly and intermittently throughout episodes.
''X-Play's'' primary set consisted of a single couch, coffee table and television (with working game consoles) positioned in the middle of the large studio floor, but hosts Sessler and Webb would migrate around various areas of the studio, normally not even going to their actual set until the end of the program. Each episode would typically conclude with Sessler and Webb playing one of the consoles on the TV. The show's format consisted primarily of game reviews and previews (with some previews being conducted as live in-studio demos by Morgan and Adam), with an occasional game-related sketch thrown in for comedic value.
The ''Disembodied Voice'' was also introduced to the show at this phase in its history. This unseen [[announcer]] would begin each episode with an often over-the-top introduction to which the hosts usually responded or commented (these comments varied widely, ranging from total [[Non sequitur (logic)|non-sequiturs]] to [[Gilbert and Sullivan]] references to [[Portal:Current events|current events]]).
Unlike its predecessors, ''X-Play'' had more of an edge, containing some adult language and more mature (sometimes controversial) subject matter. As a result, it was paired in a programming block with the network's other new show, ''[[Unscrewed with Martin Sargent]]''. ''X-Play'' originally ran new episodes five nights a week at 11:30 p.m. ET, but it was moved up to 11:00 ET soon after. Many of these episodes now air on the G4 Rewind block.
===''X-Play'' Los Angeles===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Xpla.jpg|thumbnail|240px|right|G4 Studio #3: the 1st ''X-Play'' set in Los Angeles {{puic|Image:Image_name.ext|log=2007 July 17}}]] -->
[[Comcast]] purchased TechTV in May 2004 and merged it with its G4 network, necessitating a move for ''X-Play'' from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The show was filmed in a small studio set resembling a lounge or "rumpus room".
On [[April 10]], 2006, ''X-Play'' surrendered its late-night time slot, with new episodes premiering at 4 PM ET in the afternoon (usually on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays). On [[May 8]], the set was remade again removing all chairs meaning that the hosts stand throughout the entire episode.
''X-Play's'' time slot has changed twice more: on [[September 5]], 2006, new episodes were moved to 3 PM ET, then on [[November 6]], it returned to [[prime time]] (8 PM ET).
On [[March 4]], [[2007]], it had been announced that the G4 Studios in Santa Monica California would close on [[April 15]], [[2007]]. Production of G4 programs was relocated to the Studios of the E! Television Network elsewhere in the Los Angeles area. As a consequence, there were new sets designed for ''X-Play'', and many G4 employees involved in production were laid off.<ref>[http://www.g4rewind.com/2007/03/confirmed_g4_studios_to_close.html G4 Rewind: Confirmed: G4 studios to close; Operations moving to E!; Layoffs ensue<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The new E! Building set is smaller than the Santa Monica studio, thus some aspects of the studio had to be shrunk down. The logo has been retro-fitted to sit above the stage on the stage right side of the set, curtains surround the entirety of the space to create some intimacy, and instead of the video sphere, a large flat-screen monitor is placed in the background. ''X-Play'' also utilizes the video cube area of ''[[Attack of the Show!]]'''s set for some segments. In analysis and viewer mail segments, Sessler and Webb sit in orange [[recliner]] chairs as they debate or talk about the issue at hand.
On [[January 14]], [[2008]], the set, along with the show, was revamped to be aired everyday, instead of the Monday-Wednesday new episode format. This new version of the show covers more topics, including more in-depth gaming news, first looks at game demos, and game cheat-codes/strategies with Kristin Holt twice a week. It also features regular updates regarding online gamer scores, and frequently does "Top 5" countdowns that center on anything from the top-renting games to more specific topics like the "Worst Video-Game Films Not Directed by Uwe Boll." There is a new logo as well.
==Reviews==
The video game reviews on ''X-Play'' use a five-point rating scale, based on such factors as graphics, sound, gameplay, and ''playability'' (i.e. replay value). On X-Play's original TechTV homepage <ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/ Internet Archive Wayback Machine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, the ratings system was broken down in the following way:
{{cquote|
* 1 - Hated it. Do not buy this game. Not even worth the bargain bin. Run from it. Escape!! Escape!!
* 2 - Alright. These games are fun, with some good points, but nothing special. There's definitely a few specific things holding this game back. Wait until the price comes down or pick it up as renter to check out some of the things it does right.
* 3 - Good. Fun to play, pretty solid titles, with a few minor flaws. Most games will probably fall into this category. They're the games that if you like the genre, or liked other similar titles, you might consider giving it a good look. Otherwise, you might not be into it.
* 4 - Very good. Games that are at the top of all our lists, but are missing that strange intangible aura of perfection, and unfortunately that's keeping them from getting in the realm of the almighty five.
* 5 - Near perfect/perfect. If you're a true player, these games will undoubtedly be in your collection, or at the very least you'll have played them until the cartridges and CDs melted. If a game gets a 5, and you like the genre, you should buy.}}
In a 2007 episode billed as a [http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/episodes/6366/The_Out_Of_Five_Episode.html "primer on our scoring system"], Adam and Morgan further elaborated on their ratings scale:
* A score of 1 is a game that "has to produce true crappiness, [through] the full cooperation of an entire development team - level designers taking off early to attend their children's soccer games, animators getting so high during their lunchbreak that they can't operate their mouse, and of course money hungry execs who will release anything if they can dupe kids into begging their moms for it."
:''Example Given: [[50 Cent: Bulletproof]]''
* A score of 2 "is such a difficult score to give, because it requires a game that fundamentally fails, but has a barely redeeming charm which makes it untenable to give a 1; it's that ''[[Suddenly Susan]]'' cocktail of technical competence floated atop a pile of dreck."
:''Example Given: [[Genji: Days of the Blade]]''
* There are different levels to a score of 3 - "there's the 3 that's a mix of very good and very bad elements (like ''[[Blood Will Tell]]'') or 3's that have a great concept that's poorly executed (like ''[[Sid Meier's Railroads!|Railroads!]]''), and then there's those 3's that are just churned out because they know people will buy them even though there's nothing original in it (like every [[FIFA series|FIFA]] game ever)."
:''Example Given: [[Sid Meier's Railroads!]]''
* "There are really two kinds of games that get 4's regularly: these are great games with significant problems (like ''[[Dead Rising]]'') and games that are amazing but just aren't suited for everyone (the ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade|Warhammer: Dark Crusade]]'' expansion or any of the ''[[The Sims|Sims]]'' expansions are good examples)." Adam and Morgan also cited the "Nintendo DS 4," where "the games are fun and play really well, but the DS's limited graphical power keeps it from getting a 5." So far X-play has given only one DS game a 5.(The World Ends with You)
:''Example Given: [[Dead Rising]]''
* Titles that earn a perfect 5 out of 5 are "those magnificent games which, whatever minor flaws they may have, call out to us and say, 'Buy me, you must buy me' ... "
:''Example Given: [[Ōkami]]''
During this episode, the hosts also explained why they use a 5-point ratings system, rather than a 10- or even 100-point scale:
{{cquote|
'''Morgan''': Our system is better because it recognizes that scores are broad generalizations.
'''Adam''': For example, a [[Gamespot.com|popular web site]] gave ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire]]'' a score of 3.0 out of 10. They gave ''[[2006 Winter Olympics|Torino 2006]]'' a 3.9. What is the difference?
'''Morgan''': Both games suck, all the score is gonna be able to communicate to you is that the game is bad. If you want more nuance on the suckage, you have to actually go and read the review. See, in a 10-point scale, everything under 5 just means 'this game ain't worth buying', so there's no real difference.
'''Adam''': And there's no real nuance to a score difference of two- or three-tenths of a point. Our scores at least give sweeping generalizations for you to use as a guide.}}
==Trademarks and Various Themes==
''X-Play'' is popular and long-running enough for many fans to recognize certain common themes and characteristics that have recurred throughout its run.
===Dik-Dik?===
One of Adam Sessler's recurring catchphrases used to be frequently repeating the word ''[[Dik-dik]]''. He was sometimes seen wearing a ''Dik-Dik'' t-shirt, which was modeled after the [[Deere & Company|John Deere]] logo. This habit originated during a review of a video game based on the popular [[manga]] and [[anime]] series ''[[Ultimate Muscle]]'', which features a character named [[Dik-Dik Van-Dik]]. Adam Sessler has stated in interviews that he likes the phrase "Dik-Dik" because it's a subtle way to legally use questionable words on TV.
==="Morgan's not a gamer"===
It has often been called into question whether or not Morgan is really a fan of video games. Skeptics believe that she was hired simply for her looks to draw in the male demographic, while reading from a script to give the "illusion" of someone who is a knowledgeable gamer. While Morgan has repeatedly stated that she does in fact play games, the accusation has yet to dissipate.
===Interns===
''X-Play'' has its own cast of ''[[Intern]]s'' (students from local universities who have signed up with G4 to gain valuable work experience in the television production field), who are commonly used as characters on the show. When appearing on camera, they are commonly outfitted in a white undershirt with the word ''INTERN'' scrawled across the chest in black [[Sharpie]]. Their roles are not relegated to simply being on-screen comic relief, as the interns are accountable for much of the game footage used during reviews/previews. There has as of May 30,2008 not been an appearance of an intern on the new X-Play set.
X-Play interns also play a role in other behind-the-scenes work on the show's set. Some of the past X-Play interns have eventually been hired full-time within the G4 company itself. Examples include Jason Frankovitz (the first intern to be offered a full-time position, although he would leave the show in early 2005), Albert Iskander (who has worked as a Production Assistant for G4's ''Video Game Vixens'' and ''[[G4tv.com]]''), Gene Yraola (now a part of G4's Games Editorial Department, the liaison between the shows and the actual software/hardware companies), Eric Acasio (a production assistant for ''X-Play'') and Emily Mollenkopf (hired as a production assistant on ''Attack of the Show'' in 2006).
A near-complete list of interns who have worked on the show follows:
* From [[San Francisco, California]]: ''Jason Frankovitz'', ''Scott Humphrey'', ''Chris Ivarson'', ''Matt Ketterer'', ''Desiree Peel'', ''Jana Suverkropp'', ''Kevin Theobald'', ''Blake Yoshiura'', and ''Kevin Yuen''.
* From [[Los Angeles, California]]: , ''Eric Acasio'', ''Russ Brock'', ''Brian Flores'', ''Albert Iskander'', ''Issac'', ''Kenny'', ''Megan'', ''Emily Mollenkopf'', ''Geoff Pinkus'', ''Stephan'', ''Alex Villegas'', ''Chuck Wilkerson'', ''Chris Wilson'', and ''Gene Yraola''.
The ''Screaming Intern'', played by Robert Manuel, in reality is not an intern for the show, but an actual producer and X-Play intern coordinator.
===Guest appearances===
When ''X-Play'' was still a part of TechTV, personalities from other shows on the network would often make guest appearances (including [[Leo Laporte]] and ''Unscrewed's'' [[Martin Sargent]] and [[Laura Swisher]]). This continued after the merger with G4, with ''Attack of the Show!'' co-host [[Kevin Pereira]] and ''G4tv.com's'' [[Tina Wood]].
Talent from other shows within the network have also been used in the role of temporary guest co-hosts; [[Blair Butler]], [[Julie Stoffer]], and [[Kristin Holt]] have been seen to substitute for both Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb when they were unavailable.
''X-Play'' has also had [[C-list|pseudo-celebrities]] that are not affiliated with G4 (such as [[Tony Little]] and [[Kato Kaelin]]) appear on the show.
===Pop culture references===
The X-Play writers often try to keep their witticism fresh by use of [[satire]]. They will mock the latest current events, either in Hollywood ([[Tom Cruise]] and the [[Brokeback Mountain]] movie, for example), sports (the [[steroid]]s scandal in baseball or [[Ben Roethlisberger]]'s motorcycle accident), or reference to global news ([[Dick Cheney]] [[Dick Cheney hunting incident|shooting a companion]] during a hunting trip).
===Hated and disliked genres===
There are several gaming titles/genres/issues that co-hosts Adam and Morgan have pledged eternal dislike towards. These include (but are not limited to):
* [[Aquaman]]
* [[Collectible card game|Card battle games]] such as [[Yu-Gi-Oh!]].
* Games based on [[anime series]], especially [[Naruto]], [[Dragon Ball Z]] and [[Fullmetal Alchemist]] (in one episode, Adam and Morgan stated that "we don't actually hate anime games, we just hate games that suck and it just so happens that most anime games do suck"). However, [[Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3]], Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2, and Astro Boy:Omega Factor are exceptions to this category.
* ''Escort missions'', where the player is forced to keep an [[Non-player character|NPC]] character (who has its own health meter) from dying. This often proves difficult when the NPC's [[Artificial intelligence|A.I.]] is so insufficient that they continuously place themselves in harm's way (leaving the player with little or no chance to save them). However, [[Resident Evil 4]] was stated as an exception to this category, due to the many "escort" style missions in that game.
* [[Japan]]ese [[Dating sim|dating simulation games]] like ''[[Sexy Beach 2]]''
* Repetitive games like the [[Dynasty Warriors]] series
* The continuous release of ''[[Mega Man (series)|Mega Man]]'' games
* The fact that there are so many [[World War II]] strategy and [[first-person shooter]] games on the market (during the review of ''Moscow to Berlin: Red Siege'', Morgan remarked "That's it! No more World War II games! According to my contract, I only have to review 75 World War II games per year, and I already hit my quota in March!").
* Video games based on existing [[Intellectual property|IPs]] (like games based on current movies or TV shows), since they are usually rushed to the market to cash in on the latest craze and end up being painful to actually play (such as the ''[[Charlie's Angels]]'' or [[The Da Vinci Code|''Da Vinci Code'']] video games).
* ''[[Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue]]'' (Morgan has often called this the worst game ever made and questioned why it was even put for rating)
* [[PlayStation Portable]] ("Sony's sleek black mistake"), despite giving games for it like [[Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions]], [[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]] and [[God of War: Chains of Olympus]] high scores.
* [[Jonny Moseley]] and the ridiculous comments made in his video game ''Jonny Moseley Mad Trix'' (including the classic line "What if it snowed in San Francisco?").
* [[Dane Cook]] and his brand of "comedy."
* Japanese RPGs (this is Adam's personal pet peeve, as his biggest gripe is against those who claim that the ''[[Final Fantasy]]'' series is perfect in every way ... although he did openly admit that ''[[Final Fantasy VI]]'' was his favorite 16-bit RPG).
*Clones of [[Grand Theft Auto]].
===Physical abuse on set===
A recurrent theme gives ''X-Play'' an appearance of an exceedingly violent working environment. When hosts Adam and Morgan aren't depicted as "putting the [[intern]]s in harm's way", Morgan is often shown fictionally abusing Adam directly. This manifested itself in various slaps and punches whenever Adam does or says something that annoys or offends Morgan. In a "special" episode presented as a mock-documentary on the [http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/episodes/1943/Sly_Cooper_2_History_of_Violence_in_Video_Games_Full_Spectrum_Warrior_and_More.html history of violence in video games], Adam found himself the victim of various "violent attacks" and in the last scene of the episode, Morgan landed several blows on Adam with a baseball bat.
===Self-humiliation===
Adam Sessler uses a [[Self-deprecation|self-deprecating]] form of humor, in which he is the object of ridicule and derision, whether at the hands of co-host [[Morgan Webb]], himself, or others. These habits include expressing episodes of incontinence, a fudge obsession, misfortune with women, male pattern baldness, poor education/social status, and resentment over the lack of purpose in his life.
For example, Adam's masochistic comedy includes dressing in women's clothing (like a yellow [[Cheerleading|cheerleader's]] uniform, the skimpy outfit Morgan wore during her [[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] photo-shoot, and a [[tutu]]), claiming that he was a victim of [[child molestation]], stapling himself in the crotch, putting a gun to his mouth, or hitting himself in the [[temple (anatomy)|temple]] with a hammer when a game becomes too boring to play.
===Viewer mail===
Occasionally at episodes end, [[Adam Sessler]] and [[Morgan Webb]] read selected correspondence from the program viewers. On rare occasions, the chosen message will be positive. Usually, the messages are pointless queries or [[hate mail]] from viewers who felt that X-Play did not give certain games a "fair" rating.
On November 6th, 2006, X-Play gave their Viewer Mail segment a high-tech face-lift, by renaming it ''[http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/54218/ASK_XPLAY.html Video Viewer Mail]''. While previous correspondence was held via the [[Letter|written word]] or [[e-mail]], viewers can now record short clips of themselves asking questions with a [[webcam]] or video recorder.
Even with the addition of Video Viewer Mail, X-Play still retains the standard email questions as shown in one viewer mail asking Adam and Morgan why they didn't offer prizes to people who watch X-Play. They took this opportunity to inform viewers that if their Video Viewer Mails are chosen to air, they will receive a free T-shirt bearing an X-Play or G4 logo.
===Internet forum===
In addition to suffering unflattering viewer mail, Adam and Morgan are often the subject of even more ire through the show's official [[Internet forum|message board]]. The vitriol spewed forth on the forums has become so well-documented that the X-Play staff even produced a "music video" dedicated to the message board's denizens entitled "On the X-Play Boards" ([http://media.g4tv.com/audio/OnTheXPlayBoards.mp3 MP3 format]).
The song was written and performed by ''Marque Phahee and the Bling Dongs'' (X-Play staffer Mark Fahey with an acoustic guitar), ''featuring the X-Play After School Choir'' (comprised of Morgan, Adam and various X-Play characters) and is (supposedly) the lead track from the ''X-Play: The Musical'' motion picture soundtrack.
==Sketches and segments==
Various recurring segments and comedy skits have been used throughout the show's history by the ''X-Play'' writers.
{{main|X-Play's sketches and segments}}
==Recurring characters==
''X-Play'' amassed a large group of fictional characters that will appear from time to time, often to bring some humor during game reviews.
{{main|List of X-Play characters}}
==Book==
{{Infobox Book
| name = The X-Play Insider's Guide to Gaming
| image = [[Image:X-Play Guide Cover.PNG|200px]]
| image_caption =
| author = Marc Saltzman<br>X-Play Cast
| illustrator =
| cover_artist =
| country = {{Flagicon|US}}
| language = [[English Language|English]]
| series = X-Play
| subject = Video Game
| genre = Video Game
| publisher = TechTV<br>Peachpit Press
| pub_date = {{start date|2004|11|1}}
| media_type =
| pages = 480
| isbn = '''10:''' 0735714355<br>'''13:''' 978-0735714359
| oclc = 57618511
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
}}
On [[October 22]] [[2004]], TechTV (in association with Peachpit Press) published the book ''The X-play Insider's Guide to Gaming : All You Ever Wanted to Know About Video Games From G4techTV's Brutally Honest Experts''. Written by Marc Saltzman (along with the ''X-Play Cast'') and weighing in at a hefty-468 pages, the book contained game reviews, cheat codes, and Q&A sessions with the cast and crew. Adam and Morgan even went on a nation-wide book-signing tour to help promote their literary endeavor.
Copies of the book can be found everywhere from the [[Brooklyn Public Library]] to the [[University of Hong Kong]] <ref>[http://worldcat.org/oclc/57618511 X-Play insider's guide to gaming : All you ever wanted to know about video games from G4TECHTV's brutally honest experts [WorldCat.org]<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
==''X-Play: The Online Game''==
''X-Play: The Online Game'' is a short [[Adobe Flash|Flash]] game created by the [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]-based company ''Orange Design'' (graphics and audio by Sean Talley, programming by Fearghal O'Dea). In the game, you can play as big-headed versions of either Adam (whose main weapon is ''Slippy the Fish'') or Morgan (whose main weapon is her fists), as they battle [[zombie]]s, [[Piracy|pirates]], and [[Radioactive contamination|radioactive]] [[Dik-dik]]s.
==Chat==
When X-Play was still a part of TechTV, the show would host an [[online chat]] every Tuesday at 1 PM EST. After the merger with G4, X-Play's official [[Internet Relay Chat|IRC chat room]] was re-designed by Philippe Detournay and Raphael Seeqmuller using the [[PJIRC]] chat client.
On November 6th, 2006 (to coincide with the show's move to prime time <ref>[http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/662828/Pimp_My_XPlay_New_Features.html G4 - The Feed - Pimp My 'X-Play!' New Features!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>), the G4 network integrated X-Play's chat feature into the actual broadcast of each new episode. Using an idea similar to their production of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek 2.0]]'', a window covering the bottom half of the screen will pop up during reviews, and display messages typed out by G4 users on X-Play's [http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/chat.html official web site] in "real-time" (comments must be approved by a channel operator before the comments are actually aired on television).
==Podcast==
On [[November 11]], [[2005]], G4 started offering ''X-Play'' segments (reviews, skits, etc.) for free in [[podcast]] form via their [http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/podcasts/6/XPlay_Daily_Video_Podcast.xml website] and [[iTunes]] store, so that fans can view these segments at their leisure on computers and portable devices.
Adam and Morgan will often direct the viewers to download these podcasts during the broadcast (Sessler is adamant that X-Play end up getting more downloads than his "bitter rival" ''[[The Dog Whisperer]]'').
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/index.html ''X-Play'' official site]
* [http://www.iheartmorganwebb.com/?file=gameratings ''X-Play'' Reviewed Games Database]
* [http://www.amazon.com/dp/0735714355 ''The X-Play Insider's Guide to Gaming'']
* [http://www.orangedesign.com/archive/portfolio/xplay.html "X-Play: The Online Game" mirror site]
[[Category:TechTV]]
[[Category:X-Play]]
[[Category:Video game culture]]
[[Category:Television programs about video games]]
[[Category:G4 television series]]