GamesMaster
Image: Channel 4

Update #2: Channel 4 has finally confirmed reports that it is rebooting the classic UK video game-based TV show, GamesMaster (thanks, Eurogamer).

The show will initially premiere on E4's YouTube later this year and will be followed by a televised run on E4, Channel 4's youth-focused channel. The project is being described as a "social-first partnership" with Facebook's Oculus Quest 2 platform.

In a press release, Channel 4 said:

The series will see celebrities, gaming stars and super fans all take part in challenges, races and epic fights. Through virtual battles across a range of games, the competitors will try everything in their power to claim a legendary Golden Joystick Trophy. But whilst they play, they'll be watched over by the all-knowing GamesMaster, famously portrayed in the original by Sir Patrick Moore.

It hasn't been confirmed who will be stepping into Dominik Diamond's role and presenting the new show, or who will be playing the title role made famous by the late Sir Patrick Moore, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 89.

Diamond has recently joined forces with Read-Only Memory to produce a book that covers the history of the show.

Update #1 [Thu 2nd Sep, 2021 12:05 BST]: Our friends over at VGC have spotted an advert published by Future which is looking for contestants for a 'landmark video gaming TV series'. While GamesMaster isn't mentioned specifically, it's highly likely that it's the show in question.

A user called Albert Bankolé posted the casting call on GameFAQs, but was quickly deleted by a moderator. A similar post appeared on UK forum Rllmuk.

A quick Google search reveals that Bankolé has worked as a casting producer on TV shows such as Hot Property and World War True.

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Original Story [Mon 8th Feb, 2021 09:00 GMT]: If you're from the UK and are over the age of 30, then chances are you'll vividly recall tuning in to Channel 4's GamesMaster TV show back in the '90s.

A truly revolutionary piece of television programming, the show was based around a series of challenges where members of the public and celebrities would take on the top video games of the day in front of a live audience in the hope of claiming the iconic Golden Joystick. The format would also include reviews, previews, tips and features.

The show ran from 1992 to 1998, and was hosted (for the most part) by Dominik Diamond (Dexter Fletcher, who recently directed the Hollywood movie Rocketman, was the host for one series). Astronomer and TV presenter Sir Patrick Moore was famously cast as the all-knowing "GamesMaster", despite knowing precious little about video games. A magazine was spun-off from the show and would remain in print until 2018.

The new show – which has been pitched to potential advertisers – will be spread across Channel 4's E4 channel, YouTube and social media. Five celebrities will compete across three television episodes.

GamesMaster
Image: Channel 4

The pitch reads as follows:

They’ll undergo challenges, races and fights in virtual battle across all genres of gaming under the watchful eye of the all-knowing GamesMaster.

Each week at least one celeb will be eliminated…Over the three episodes, five will become one and the winner will be crowned.

They’ll play each other at everything from iconic classics to brand new releases. We’ll also be serving tonnes of extra gaming-themed content to our audiences to keep them coming back for more.

Interestingly, an image located on Channel 4's website shows Patrick Stewart of Star Trek fame, hinting that he could be filling the shoes of the late Patrick Moore. However, no mention is made of Stewart in the pitch document.

GamesMaster
Image: Channel 4

If you're interested in the history of GamesMaster, check out the Under Consoletation podcast, which runs through each episode of the series.

This article was originally published by nintendolife.com on Mon 8th February, 2021.

[source videogameschronicle.com]