G4TechTV Changes Name Back, Adds New Series

After recently acquiring larger-distributed channel TechTV, the video game TV channel G4, owned by Comcast, transitioned its name to G4TechTV. However, the cable network will soon return to its original name -- or a variant thereof, as the official new title will be "G4 - video game television" -- and its original focus on video games. Some of the more general technology- and computer-related shows will be cancelled as part of this change, and G4 will be launching two new shows as replacements. Interestingly, neither new show is strictly about games, but takes developments in the world of games as a starting point to launch somewhat related programs. "Formula D," described as "the first-ever series to showcase the world of drift racing," takes its inspiration from recent drift-heavy racing games such as OutRun 2, Burnout 3, Initial D, and Ridge Racers, but is less about those games than the real-life sport and its participants. The other show, "Girls Gone Wired," focuses on the female form of women within the games. Along the lines of the recent Playboy spread of virtual characters, the program takes the form of a beauty pageant where all of the contestants are game characters competing in categories like "Sexiest Voice" and "Most Likely to Kick Enemy Ass." The changes to G4TechTV's name and debut of the new shows will go into effect on February 15th.