Adam Sessler’s Redemption Arc: Calling Out Alyssa Mercante as 'Too Extreme'... Even for Him
Adam Sessler, former co-host of the iconic (and unfortunately ill-fated) Xplay on the G4 network, has been a divisive figure in the gaming community in recent years... To put it nicely. Once heralded as a voice of reason in televised video games journalism, Sessler’s fall from grace seemed spectacular, with public meltdowns left and right, and rants leading many (including myself) to question his sanity.
But in an EXTREMELY unexpected twist, it seems now that Sessler might be embarking on his redemption arc. His latest comments on BlueSky about Alyssa Mercante, the controversial former cam girl and Kotaku journalist, suggest that even he has reached his limits when it comes to what he’ll tolerate—and Alyssa is already somehow... well past them.
The Conversation on BlueSky
The discussion began innocently enough with a post from Rick, known for his Bloodborne fandom, reminiscing about the rise and fall of once-beloved gaming blogs and Kotaku, specifically:
Rick, who persistently remembers Bloodborne @bricked.bsky.social "That Joystiq clown from last night had me thinking of the rise and fall of once beloved game blogs and Kotaku absolutely takes the all-time cake of lamentable failure. Up through the Totilo era it was actually a badge of honor for a studio to have a puff piece written about them there."
Sessler chimed in, taking his own shot at Kotaku:
Adam Sessler @adamsessler.bsky.social "My god yes, it was where the conversation for the day started. They would drive me nuts frequently with their takes but they were for real and not the stinking site of shit and supposition it decayed into."
This prompted Daryl Best to steer the conversation toward Alyssa Mercante, formerly one of Kotaku’s most controversial figures:
Daryl Best @darylbest.bsky.social "Well look at bullshit Alyssa merchant put the publication through. By supporting anti-Semitic morons on Twitch. And that whole shit show over there..."
Sessler, admitting he was initially unaware of Mercante’s long and storied history, quickly ramped up the rhetoric as he looked deeper into her 'track' record:
Adam Sessler @adamsessler.bsky.social "I actually don’t know anything about her. I paid no attention to the bullshit factory that is enthusiast press after new-G4 fell apart. Is she part of that Jew-hating collection of illiterates like Maddy Myers?"
Daryl elaborated on Mercante’s controversies, including allegations of anti-Semitic behavior and internal conflicts at Kotaku:
Daryl Best @darylbest.bsky.social "She supported a lot of anti-Semitic b******* on Twitch with support Palestine and the Hezbollah b*******. That higher-ups forced her to buy out her contract (IE get fired). Then there's another battle on whole DEI stuff with YouTube Grifters that brought a lot of negative attention."
Sessler, now fully engaged, didn’t hold anything back at this point:
Adam Sessler @adamsessler.bsky.social "Doing some digging myself and, good god, how long did they let her fly her national socialist colors? F*** the gaming press five times more than they already should have been f***ed."
The exchange concluded with Daryl commenting on Mercante’s ongoing legal battles referencing her lawsuit against me for daring to actually cover gaming news for the gamers, which have become a sideshow in itself:
Daryl Best @darylbest.bsky.social "It's a whole shit show. I'm wondering if she even has a shot of winning that lawsuit she has going against one of YouTubers? Regardless, it's like watching a slow-motion train wreck happen."
A Remarkably UNEXPECTED Twist
Sessler’s willingness here to go against Alyssa Mercante's controversial approach is notable for a few reasons. It highlights his disdain for what he calls the "bullshit factory" of gaming press, a sentiment I and many gamers out there have shared more and more in recent years, but few prominent figures have actually openly expressed. Adam's extremely unfiltered critique of Mercante suggests that even someone as far "off the deep end" as Sessler... has to draw the line somewhere—and Mercante is well past it. There is definitely comedy to be found here.
The Bigger Picture
Sessler’s comments resonate with much of the gaming community here because they mark that very rare moment of clarity from someone whose recent public persona has been anything but grounded. For many in the gaming community, this moment feels like a glimmer of hope that even the most seemingly completely lost figures in gaming can rediscover a semblance of reason eventually.
The Mercante saga has become emblematic of broader issues in gaming journalism that I've touched on quite a bit in recent months, where a controversy often overshadows actual credibility. Sessler’s push back against Mercante here—and Kotaku, by extension—feels like a much-needed check on an industry plagued by narcissism, hypocrisy, ideology, and a departure from its authentically raw journalistic roots.
Maybe sanity is returning after all? Let's not get too ahead of ourselves. I'd hate to build this all up just to be let down once again...
Perhaps Sessler’s redemption arc is just beginning though.
And if Adam Sessler—once thought to be irreparably "off the rails" throughout the entire community—can see through all the nonsense, maybe there’s hope for the rest of the lost journos someday as well... Given that you're willing to forgive and move on.
...That may just be a bridge to far for most folks at this point.
~Smash
I didn't realize Daryl Best was so eloquent and rational. Good to see it!