July 21, 2004

By: Dan Barber
Website: http://www.1st-in-games.com

Spooks revealed as multi-format computer game

BBC Worldwide will develop and publish PC console games based on the hugely successful drama, Spooks – a Kudos production for BBC ONE. BBC Multimedia, BBC Worldwide’s software publishing business, is set to take the BAFTA-award winning series to PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC.

It's the first time a BBC drama has been developed into a computer game. The multi-format title, developed by BBC Multimedia’s in-house studio, Gamezlab, will be launched in the UK in Autumn 2004, and will feature all the main characters from the TV series.

BBC Multimedia will be announcing International distribution partnerships for the games over the coming months. With a script by TV show writer Steve Bailie, Spooks will see games players control the main MI5 agents from the series in a quest to thwart an international criminal conspiracy; action will take place in a range of locations in the UK and abroad; and the game will task the player with completing a variety of Spook-like operations – from surveillance to code-breaking, stealthy tailing of suspects and the dramatic cracking of criminal cells.

The game launch will coincide with Spooks’ third television series, due to air in the autumn on BBC ONE. TV drama Spooks is a Kudos production for BBC ONE. The third series is produced by Andrew Woodhead and the executive producers are Jane Featherstone and Simon Crawford Collins for Kudos and Gareth Neame, Head of Drama Commissioning for the BBC. Spooks was created by David Wolstencroft.

Also writing for the series are Simon Mirren, Matthew Graham, Steve Bailie, Ben Richards and Howard Brenton. As well as receiving a best drama BAFTA, Spooks has been aired to critical acclaim in the US. The A&E Network broadcast the first two series, and is set to run series three.

Dave Lee, BBC Worldwide’s Director of Multimedia, said: The rich and engaging world of Spooks makes ideal material for a game. Added to this, the support and contribution of the show’s production team will help the development of a truly involving title that I expect to appeal to fans of the series as well as the wider computer gaming community.

Stephen Garrett, Joint MD, Kudos Film & Television Ltd, said: As a TV producer it’s thrilling to find an internationally successful show like Spooks starting to develop a life of its own. With its potential for stealth and complex problem solving, Spooks seems a natural for the world of computer gaming, a world that until now television drama propositions have not really been able to inhabit.

As the team works to thwart the activities of terrorists operating within the UK, they must also battle with the dangerous and psychologically demanding aspects of their work and the effect it can have on their personal lives.

Kudos Film and Television: Makers of Spooks is a dynamic UK independent production company, highly regarded in the British film and television industry. Led by Joint Managing Directors Stephen Garrett and Jane Featherstone, Kudos prides itself on its investment in new talent and its ability to make distinctive, original and award-winning film and television drama.

Spooks has consistently attracted high ratings and critical acclaim across the world, and the third series is currently in production in the UK.

The DVD of series one was released in America in January. Kudos’ reputation is exemplified by its portfolio of award-winning productions: Channel 4 drama Psychos; the International Emmy award-winning children’s series The Magician’s House; highly-acclaimed feature film Among Giants; and the Grammy-nominated film about Radiohead, Meeting People Is Easy.

BBC Multimedia: the software publishing division of BBC Worldwide publishes console and PC games, as well as interactive entertainment products for mobile and other platforms. In addition, BBC Multimedia creates children's and reference titles for PC and consoles.

All the company’s interactive products are developed with an emphasis on innovation, entertainment, creativity, learning and the quality the BBC is renowned for.

About The Author:

Dan Barber is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-games.com.  Great games for the entire family for hours of fun or competition. We feature all your favorites.