The ABC Has Pulled The Plug On ‘Good Game’ After 10 Years On-Air

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Published

January 31, 2017

Sad news, gamers and TV fans. The ABC has brought the axe down on the hugely beloved and enduring ‘Good Game,’ bringing to an end a pretty remarkable 10-year run on air.

The show announced that they would not be returning in 2017, as a result of two “key presenters” leaving the production at some point over the show’s summer break. The show was at pains to stress that spinoff show ‘Spawn Point‘ will continue on, but will be undergoing a format review as the way audiences consumes gaming news shifts to a more bite-sized, purely-online format.

Official statement. pic.twitter.com/siWZRaPYiF

— Good Game (@GoodGameTV) January 31, 2017

“Sad news. After the program’s summer break, two of the key presenters of Good Game announced they were leaving to pursue other opportunities.

In light of this major setback, and changes in the way audiences are choosing to get their information about gaming, the ABC has decided to end the long and successful run of the show. We plan to continue Spawn Point in a new format.

We expect to retain all the remaining Good Game team.

The ABC would like to acknowledge the wonderful work of Janet Carr and all of the Good Gamers. Any show that makes it to a 10th birthday is something to be proud of. Good Game pioneered video game TV. Its commitment and innovation has been repeatedly and appropriately awarded. The show has had a tremendous run and plenty of adventures, none of which would have happened without the ongoing love and support of you, the GG community.

Thank you.”

The current Good Game web-series ‘Pocket‘ has also been cancelled, in line with today’s announcement.

Pocket has been cancelled as well. https://t.co/z9Uksub5H5

— Marf (@JLaG013) January 31, 2017

Show hosts Stephen “Bajo” O’Donnell and Stephanie “Hex” Bendixsen have both taken to social media since the official announcement. O’Donnell, who started with the series back in 2007, has already confirmed that he, and fellow show presenters Gus Ronald and Angharad Yeo, be staying on with the ABC and ‘Spawn Point‘.

Hey gang, to clarify I’m still with the ABC and Spawn Point will continue with @angharadyeo myself and @DARRENgg #ggtv

— Steven O’Donnell (@bajopants) January 31, 2017

And @goosemangus ! https://t.co/XidSbXZbrC

— Steven O’Donnell (@bajopants) January 31, 2017

Bendixsen, however, appears set to move on from her life at Aunty, if the tone of her Instagram post is anything to go by:

There are no words to describe how upsetting it is to share this news with you today. Good Game is the place I truly discovered who I was. Found strength and confidence in myself and what I loved to do. The incredible team I’ve worked with have been my family. The show has provided ten, incredible years of a love and passion for gaming, and I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of this wonderful family for seven of them. Rest assured, there is a brilliant team still at the ABC who are ever-committed to making Spawn Point the best possible show it can be for gamers by gamers – for younger viewers on ABC ME. This whole journey has been SO special and in the last month incredibly emotional. I count myself lucky to retain such strong, life-long friendships with Bajo and everyone on the team. The future holds some pretty big changes for me, however I’m eternally grateful for every blissful experience both online and IRL that I’ve had in my seven years on the show. Thank you for watching and supporting myself and the team for all these years. It means more than you can ever know. Hex out. ??

A photo posted by Stephanie Bendixsen (@hexsteph) on Jan 30, 2017 at 4:17pm PST

“There are no words to describe how upsetting it is to share this news with you today.

Good Game is the place I truly discovered who I was. Found strength and confidence in myself and what I loved to do. The incredible team I’ve worked with have been my family. The show was provided ten incredible years of a love and passion for gaming, and I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of this wonderful family for seven of them.

Rest assured, there is a brilliant team still at the ABC who are ever-committed to making Spawn Point the best possible show it can be for gamers, by gamers – for younger viewers on ABC ME.

This whole journey has been SO special, and in the last month incredibly emotional. I count myself lucky to retain such strong, life-long friendships with Bajo and everyone on the team.

The future holds some pretty big changes for me, however I’m eternally grateful for every blissful experience both online and IRL that I’ve had in my seven years on the show. Thank you for watching and supporting myself and the team for all these years. It means more than you can ever know.

Hex out.”