Future in discussions to relaunch industry’s favourite TV show
GamesMaster could be back on TV in time for Q4, with a new series on a terrestrial channel.
The brand is in the process of being re-invigorated, having been acquired by Future late last year. Previously the firm simply published a magazine under licence from Double Act Films (the company owned by GamesMaster’s original producer, Jane Hewland) and was prevented from doing anything online or on-screen.
In the last few months, however, with the shackles off, Future has been talking to production companies, TV networks, publishers and even potential presenters. It is understood that one terrestrial channel has shown considerable interest and is already looking at an early evening slot.
The original GamesMaster was last on Channel 4 in February, 1998. There have been some half-hearted re-runs on Challenge TV, but with little publicity, relevance or, inevitably, viewers.
New GamesMaster would retain some of the elements of the original format, but will be a different proposition, focusing on big new releases, upping the production values, and benefiting from cross-promotion across the Future network.
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In a neat dovetailing of skills and opportunity, GamesMaster looks like returning as Future unveils its own video reviewing capabilities as part of First Play (its interactive PSN-distributed show) and the plan is for that element of GamesMaster to be created in-house.
From a marketing point of view the industry is bound to be salivating. Don’t be surprised to see the series sponsored by one of the biggest retailers, while publishers will be clamouring to have their products featured and as a targeted advertising slot it’s a bullseye.
Future Publishing’s James Binns told MCV:
“GamesMaster was fun and inclusive. No games show before or since has come close to what it achieved. It’d be great to bring it back.”
The presenter slot is the subject of fevered discussion within Future (and elsewhere). MCV understands that a few approaches have been made, but a replacement for Dominik Diamond is yet to be appointed. If anyone’s wondering, yes, Diamond himself has been ruled out.
Although he remains a more likely option than Dexter Fletcher.
GamesMaster magazine will relaunch in May. Future won’t create a website for the brand as it doesn’t wish to complicate a strategy that includes CVG, GamesRadar and Edge Online, but it will look at podcasts and utilising social networking sites.
Comments
Host
Bagsy the job!
Gamesmaster
ok, I'll be the Patrick Moore replacement.
Sorted.
.
"Diamond himself has been ruled out."
In which case it shouldn't happen. By all means, Future, make a games TV show- I'm surprised it's taken you this long. But GM was very much The Dominik Diamond Show- anything else just isn't the same.
Start a new brand, or even use an existing one, CVG TV, GamesRadar TV- hell, I'll even watch Edge TV. Just leave GM alone!
New host
Iain lee of "the 11 o'clock show" fame would be ideal to host the new show. He's funny as he'll a bit mental and loves video games.
His show on absolute radio shows his talent
presenter
IAIN LEE OR DANNY WALLACE...that is all
The holy grail?
Being old enough to remember and appreciate the original, this certainly does fill me with excitement. Mainstream TV needs a credible, accessible tv show to cover games in the same way that music and movies garner coverage.
Gamesmaster in its original form was very much of the time and Dominik was key to that. With my nostalgic head on, it'd be lovely to see him back but in the present day, but that format is probably not relevant nowadays.
It'd be fantastic to see a game show with balance. Accessible enough to a very broad mainstream audience whilst engaging enough to a more knowledgeable core gamer. It is very difficult to please everyone (especially core gamers) but the tone and approach that Charlie Brooker took with Gameswipe was close to getting that balance right.
If they can secure this terrestrial evening slot, we can probably finally say that the industry has arrived.
Dear God No
Iain Lee lost my respect last year with the whole watchdog PS3 stunt. Plus he is a known 360 fanatic. I feel he wouldn't be as biassed as a show like that needs!
Oh dear...
We're talking about a potential presenter for a mainstream tv show not interviewing for a forum moderator. Everyone is entitled to an opinion! That's like saying Gary Lineker can't front Match of the Day because he is a Leicester fan. It's called being professional.
What's the point?
Don't get me wrong I loved the original but really, doesn't everyone get their info online these days? Isn't this going to be more of a nostalgia trip for the older guys & girls? That is when we actually have time to watch TV what with all the other demands on our time.
I'm trying to think what the show could deliver that I could not get in a more convenient form someplace else... tips & cheats - nope. Reviews - nope. Interesting features - maybe, but very hard to pitch to both young & old audiences. Kids facing off against each other - ok that's fine, but we had GamesWorld for that.
I'm happy to be proved wrong but I don't know what it can offer nowadays to make me tune in, bar the nostalgia...
Another pointless remake
Just because something was once good does not mean it can be great a 2nd time around!!!
Gamesmaster only worked because there was no internet of sorts around when it first premiered so actually seeing games running was a huge novelty.
Nowdays there is almost no call for any games show like this of any kind at all, totally and utterly pointless
Some memories should be kep as that...... memories
I'd rather watch Hollyoaks..... Yeah that's right, i said it!!!!
Hollyoaks!
Hollyoaks!!??!! sorry i went a bit dizzy there!!
I think it would be great to bring this show back, shame the original line up wouldn't be involved but i still think it would work, keep in mind there are some people, somewhere, maybe, who don't have the internet as yet.
No really, there are people out there who don't.
Anyone else would be retarded
Iain Lee is obviously the best choice. If this doesn't happen then someone would have seriously fucked up.
NO IAIN LEE
Iain Lee would be the worst possible job (well next to Dave Berry) He juse turns everything to crap and knows nothing about gaming, just listen to his MS Podcast if you need proof.
It'd be MUCH better off presented by someone popular like Rab Florence form Video Gaiden, ot those two from Xleague, Guru Larry & Wez, they were awesome.
Hell, even Violet Berlin would be infinitly better than Lee.
Iain Lee
I know it's not very fashionable to say so, but I like Iain Lee. He'd do a job. Besides, for it to work you'd need a proper TV professional. Though the Gaiden boys could certainly pull it off.
IAIN
iain is the only option
A Notable Mention
I think we're all forgetting something here. Gentlemen, i give you - EMILY BOOTH (formerly of BITS fame)...
Dom Diamond
No... no.... no.... he must play a part in the new show if they do bring it back.... perhaps as the Games Master, nice twist I think....
They can leave out Patrick Moore though... he was just insulting to all gamers....
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get a gamer as the shows presenter... GAMER first... presenter second...
Jason Bradbury
I think he would be quite a good choice.
Definitely Jason Bradbury
Jason knows his stuff and has the right personality to front the new show. I have started a group on Facebook urging people to get him as the new face of Gamesmaster.
Dominik Diamond
No Dominik .... I No watch ... Simples!
He is the only man for the job!
Emily Booth!
+1 for boofy...
Get Dominik Back
I think Gamesmaster would be great if it returned, but let's face it Dominik Diamond would be the icing on the cake. He made Gamesmaster what it was back in the 90's whos to say a new face could take over the franchise as such. But for die hard fans and continuity Diamond is a must.
Is there an update to this, any idea what's going on....?
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