Doctor Who returns to Sheffield (29/09/2010)
Doctor Who fans the world over will be once again be playing the Doctor and Amy on further adventures across time and space, as the BBC confirms that it has recomissioned Sheffield-based videogames developer Sumo Digital to create further ground-breaking Doctor Who: The Adventure Games for release in 2011. With over 1.6m downloads across the first three episodes, Doctor Who: The Adventure Games have captivated families up and down the country. The final episode in this first series - to be released later this year - will take players to a whole new world as the Doctor and Amy face one of executive producer and show-runner Steven Moffat's most original creations.
Series two will once again be executive produced by the BBC Wales TV series team of Steven Moffat, Piers Wenger, Beth Willis, along with Anwen Aspden (BBC Wales Interactive) alonside one of videogaming's most revered creators, Charles Cecil (MD of York based Revolution Software and Screen Yorkshire Board member). Doctor Who: The Adventure Games are being created in conjunction with leading British videogame developer Sumo Digital, and form an integral part of the Eleventh Doctor's second series.
''This incredible success for the first Doctor Who adventure game is proof again of the strength and talent of Yorkshire's games industry," said Jamie Sefton, Sector Manager of Game Republic at Screen Yorkshire. "Sheffield's Sumo Digital won the pitch to develop the first series of the game against more than a dozen other games companies from around the world, so it's a fantastic achievement."
Matt Smith and Karen Gillan will reprise their virtual roles, providing full voice-overs and likenesses once again - but will also be joined by additional members of the Doctor Who cast. The second series will be written by established Doctor Who writers and fill form part of the "canon" of Matt Smith's Doctor.
Series two promises to be bigger, better and more spectacular than ever. "Winning the contract to develop Doctor Who: The Adventure Games was a real testament to the skill, passion and creativity of the entire Sumo Digital team," says Paul Porter, Studio Head, Sumo Digital. "We're delighted that the popularity and critical acclaim has encouraged the BBC to continue these ground-breaking adventure games, and look forward to making series two even more spectacular than the original."
"Given the success of the first series, we'd be daft not to recomission," says Simon Nelson, head of multiplatform in vision, BBC. "But it's not just about the numbers; the feedback we've had has been overwhelmingly positive. Our audience has been introduced to a new form of drama - and, for many, these have been the first computer games they have downloaded. We've set new standards in audience participation - and we think we've really helped push the concept of families actively playing together. I can't wait to see what the team does next."
"The audience reaction to the first series has been incredible," adds Anwen Aspden, executive producer, BBC Wales Interactive. "But we want to outdo the first series in every way. We want to take players on journeys which will bring the show to life like never before, and once again offer outstanding interactive drama to fans of all ages."
More information about the second series of Doctor Who: The Adventure Games will be revealed soon.
Episode four of series one will be available for download from the BBC website at no additional cost to UK licence fee payers later in the year. For all episodes, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/theadventuregames
