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| X-Play (2003) When X-Play debuted on April 28th, 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 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-sequiturs to Gilbert and Sullivan references to 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. 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 6th 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. 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 14th 2008, the set, along with the show, was revamped to be air 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." In addition, it showcases a new logo as well.
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