GamesMaster is to return to E4 after more than 20 years off-air.
The channel is teaming up with Oculus Quest 2 from Facebook on a rebooted series which will debut first on E4’s YouTube before on TV.
The three-part series will see celebrities, gaming stars and super fans all take part in challenges, races and epic fights.
E4 share: “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.
“To introduce GamesMaster into the modern era of gaming, E4 has partnered with Oculus from Facebook to showcase Oculus Quest 2, a VR headset that will elevate the players experiences and break out of the two dimensional.”
First launching in 1992 and running for seven series, GamesMaster was the first British show dedicated to gaming and across the run, became a cultural phenomenon with names such as Ian Wright and Zoe Ball as celebrity guests and a young Simon Amstell as a hopeful contestant.
The new series will be led by Robert Florence, who will also serve as creative consultant on the show.
His co-hosts will be esports and gaming host, Frankie Ward and newcomer Ty Logan.
Host, Robert Florence said: “I’m hugely honoured that I’ve been trusted with ushering a new generation of challengers to their glory or humiliation, under the unflinching gaze of the GamesMaster.
“I look forward to finding out how much I can get away with.”
Co-Host, Frankie Ward added: “I couldn’t be more excited to be part of the GamesMaster team, especially as the one thing I love almost as much as playing games is watching other people play them – and believe me when I say I take the art of celebrating their triumphs and failures very seriously indeed…”
Co-host, Ty Logan commented: “I’m so excited to be joining the presenter team on GamesMaster.
“From being an E4 Face of the Future to fronting such a brilliant show, with this incredible team, is a dream come true. Let’s go!”
A start date is to be confirmed.
Sacha Khari, Head of Digital Commissioning at Channel 4 said: ”GamesMaster was a household name back in the 90’s and this new revamped version for social and E4 retains the elements that made this show so special, whilst also bringing it bang up to date, improving game quality and bringing in fresh and current names to tackle the trickiest GamesMaster challenges yet.”
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