We reported a rumor regarding the possibility of third person gameplay in Infinity Ward’s upcoming shooter Modern Warfare 2 less than an hour ago. The main supporting elements at that time consisted of supposed leaked in game video and a screen capture of what appeared to be a game mode selection screen.

In addition to the above, we’d like to now add a promotional email from G4TV’s X-Play to the mix, and ultimately a confirmation from Infinity Ward community manager, Robert Bowling, that seals the deal.

A recent PR email sent to Ripten from G4TV teasing Modern Warfare 2 Exclusives on X-Play, the promotional copy promises a look at MW2 “never before seen Co-op play from two wildly different perspectives”. And just when it looked like G4TV was going to be on the hook for spilling the beans, Infinity Ward’s Community Manager, Robert Bowling, came to the rescue by confirming the game’s third person mode outright.

According to Bowling, Modern Warfare 2 will in fact contain a third person mode available in private matches only. “It’s not something you can toggle on and off in ANY game,” Once initiated, it will force that view on all players in that private match until the next match. He added that this will be “another cool way to play the game,” and that you will “still have the option to play gametypes normal as well.”

That said, you can catch what will surely be a pretty in-depth preview of Modern Warfare 2 complete with team interviews and looks at several gameplay modes (and their perspectives) on G4TV’s X-Play at 6:30PM on G4TV or G4TV.com.

Well, here it is. X-Play’s Adam Sessler, after being challenged on his Game of the Year pick of Fable 2, goes on Attack of the Show to debate the GotY live with Kevin Pereira, the man who called out Sessler and said that Fable 2 was “a terrible, terrible choice”. Video follows.

Wow, that was weak. I expected a little better than this. I mean, they only talked about Fallout 3 versus Fable 2, and Kevin made such ridiculously stupid “points” that it almost wasn’t even a debate. Sessler won by far, but that still doesn’t mean Fable 2 should have been game of the year. What do you all think?

Source: G4

Kevin Pereira, co-host of G4’s Attack of the Show, apparently did not agree with the X-Play choice of Fable 2 as the Game of the Year, citing LittleBigPlanet, Fallout 3, and Left 4 Dead as better choices. At the end of this evening’s show, in fact, Pereira called out Adam Sessler specifically and demanded he defend his choice and said X-Play’s choice was “a terrible, terrible mistake”. Video follows.

While I don’t think it was that bad a choice, I personally would have picked Fallout 3 over Fable 2, but Sessler has a good point in that Fable 2 is much more accessible to a wider audience. And I think Kevin Pereira is kind of a tool, so I’m not quick to want to agree with him on anything. Let’s just see what happens when these two clash.

G4 TV has announced a special hour long holiday episode each Tuesday throughout the month of December. Some of the show highlights promised include a buyers guide for upcoming titles, bargains, staff picks, and a list of games you’ll be sure to hate — a perfect substitute for coal. Hit the jump for the full holiday infused announcement. Ho. Ho. Ho.

G4 PRESENTS “X-PLAY” SPECIAL HOUR LONG EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH DECEMBER

Beginning With “X-Play’s Holiday Buyer’s Guide” on Tuesday, December 2, 2008

“X-Play’s Holiday Buyers Guide” – Tuesday, December 2 at 8pm ET/PT
Current economic conditions are putting a squeeze on everyone’s holiday budget. Savvy gamers are looking for values and this year’s most comprehensive guide for gaming values is presented by “X-Play” in a special one-hour episode dedicated to saving you money and time!

“X-Play’s Holiday Buyers Guide” will discern what’s hot, what’s not and the best bargains in video games this holiday season. Viewers will get the inside scoop from “X-Play” gaming experts who spent countless hours weeding through thousands of offers, to deliver the very best in one comprehensive show, including:

* The Best Bargains for Your Wallet – Less green in your pockets this year? Let “X-Play” tell you where to spend your hard earned money. What games will give you the most fun, most hours of play and replay ability for your pennies? FIND OUT!

* Best Games for New Gamers – Mom bought you your first XBOX? Finally picked up that Playstation 3 for yourself? Let Adam and Morgan tell you what games you need to get you started and really break in that rig!

* Best PS3, Xbox 360, Multiplatform, PC, Online/MMO, Wii, DS, PSP, and PS2 Games – Platform wars continue. What games are exclusive to which platforms, which games can be played on all of them? Sift through the confusion and get the real deal.

* X-Play Staff Picks – “X-Play” staff…the ones behind the scenes of your favorite video game show give you their best picks

* Games for Gamers You Hate – Why waste money on coal in that stocking? Stick one of these stinker games in their instead.

* Holiday Staff Greetings – Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season…meet the peeps that make your gaming experience so wonderful with an awesome show every day!

If you’re anything like me, you love to watch behind-the-scenes footage of pretty much anything. The making of a Snickers bar? Sign me up! Alright, that might be a bit much, but this Monday’s X-Play at 8pm EST promises an all access pass inside Epic Studios with insight into the making of Gears of War 2 plus tons of exclusives, interviews, and the first look at the game’s two minute cinematic intro. Mark and Cliff share an office — who knew?

Hit the jump for the G4TV video preview.

As promised earlier, tonight’s episode of X-Play asked the questions that eager E3 09 anticipators wanted answered. Will bikini-clad booth babes be running rampant through each of the four massive halls the LA Convention Center has to offer, or will we be once again treated to a substandard event.

Hit the jump, and let Adam Sessler work his interrogation magic, while you frantically search for a sharpie to mark “vacation” across your first few days of your June 2009 calendar.

So, let’s recap. Richard “you can call me Dick” Taylor, Sr. EV of ESA Communication and Reasearch, goes head to head with Adam “my back is feeling much better” Sessler.

As it turns out, the June 2nd through 4th dates were apparently selected in an effort to stay out of the way of development cycles and allow retailer to make informed decisions for the holiday season. I guess Best Buy needed a little extra time to pick and choose their exclusives.

The event will once again not be open to the public. How are you feeling about that? In order to get in, media will be asked to fork over “proof points” like W2s and a pay stubs. Why stop there Dick? How about some of that felt-like material from the inner surface of our cubical wall? And what if you’re a blogger, who makes a living burning the midnight oil, searching for news in the deepest and darkest of places? Well, according to Richard, those patrolling the blogosphere will be handled on a “case by case” basis. Whatever that means.

Bigger booth sizes are something the organization realizes needs to happen, and they are working on the specifics. In terms of the Convention Center itself, it appears that we’lll once again have access to all four halls, however, after some double talk concerning “turn styles flipping over” Mr. Taylor stated that, while the event will be much bigger than last year, it still won’t be as big as the old E3.

Why so change-ious? (see what I did there?) After each show the ESA conducts a survey, poling those who attended, and with emphasis, Richard admits that there was “some very clear direction” that came out after this past show — get out, really?

What about the companies that bailed on the show, like Lucas Arts? Short answer, they are welcome, but the ball is in their court. He then proceeded to describe E3 as the “preeminent gaming event” — I wonder if he really believes that?

How about the “bells and whistles” as Adam put it. Can we expect to have see booth babes and loud music? Richard’s response cited the event’s standards in terms of noise etc, which he claims have always been in place, but as for “the models”, he says that they are encouraging each exhibitor to create their own brand as they see fit. So there you have it. If you don’t see half naked women, blame it on Nintendo. Don’t let your loyal, and admittingly horny, gaming audience down Reggie!

The interview wrap up consisted of Richard babbling on about the Video Game Voters Network, essentially asking us all to rally against our government in the name of video gaming. Shameless plug? Maybe, but the man did answer our questions.

Breaking E3 09 news just hit our overflowing inbox here at Ripten. If the previous X-Play E3 09 announcement regarding the event’s return to its roots, as well as the LA Convention Center, had you reaching for your gaming stash (don’t pretend you have no clue what I mean), then prepare to light up again tonight at 8PM EST.

Tonight’s episode of X-Play on G4TV, welcomes the ESA, and promises answers to the following E3 09 questions available after the jump.

• Who will be able to attend?
• Will there be Booth Babes? Yes or No?
• What made the ESA decide to return to the “old E3″ format, and away from the smaller, more “personal” E 3?
• What’s the response been like so far from fans, press, and the game companies involved?
• Will the general public be allowed to attend?
• How will you be able to decide which sites and bloggers receive credentials?

That last one is toughie. So remember, tons more information on the next E3, tonight at 8PM EST on X-Play. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. As for the unemployed booth babes, wait for it …. wait for it … *ring-a-ling-a-ling* … “hello?” … *click* … Oh well, sit tight Bambi.

The latest edition of Sessler’s Soapbox courtesy of our friends over at G4TV features a visibly in pain Adam Sessler juggling everything but the kitchen sink as he shares his impressions and overall score for the just released Fable II. Here what Adam has to say after the jump.

Extra extra, read all about it. G4TV’s X-Play has just announced the return of E3 to the LA Convention Center. In addition, they shared the following details:

• The event will run June 2nd-June 4th at the LA Convention Center.
• It still won’t be open to public, but ESA has plans to help increase attendance.
• Unemployed booth babes waiting by the phone will have to sit tight for now.

I guess this news is better than finding out the event would be held in an LA In-N-Out Burger, but there’s still a lot of questions left to be answered. Higher attendance numbers could be a good thing, assuming the event is set up properly, and as for booth babes — I won’t be holding my breath for anything remotely close to this.

Check out the video segment highlighting the announcement after the jump.

Morgan Webb of G4’s X-Play gives us a little preview and some interesting info on Blizzard’s upcoming World of WarCraft expansion Wrath of the Lich King. Spoiler alert: Arthas is really a good guy and Death Knights are Paladins in disguise.

Seriously, though, there are some spoilers in the video, so carefully consider whether or not you want to ruin the excitement of starting a Death Knight by knowing what happens ahead of time. You’ve been warned.