Doctor Who: Worlds in Time launched in full

After being available on a preview basis since December, BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games have announced the full launch of Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, the first-ever browser-based, free-to-play multiplayer online game based on the programme.

Created in partnership with Three Rings, the award-winning developer of persistent online worlds Puzzle Pirates and Spiral Knights, the game transports fans and gamers alike on a journey throughout the boundless Doctor Who universe.

Doctor Who: Worlds in Time offers something for everyone, including an intriguing narrative for sci-fi followers and serious gamers and stimulating missions for game enthusiasts looking for a quick pick-up-and-play game. After preparing the TARDIS, players travel to various immersive worlds (including Ember, Mars and New New York) and work together to defend civilization against infamous villains (including the Weeping Angels, Cybermen, Daleks, Autons, Oods and Zygons) bent on creating chaos and destruction in the universe. Since the open preview launch in December 2011, the BBC and Three Rings have worked to make more Doctor Who environments available, as well as introduce additional virtual items and create deeply engaging communal features.

“We’ve developed Worlds in Time with the goal of becoming the largest online community for Doctor Who fans, while also being a fun, compelling and immersive gateway into the world of Doctor Who for all gamers,” said Robert Nashak, Executive Vice President, BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment and Games.

While Doctor Who: Worlds in Time is free-to-play, players can enrich their gameplay and hasten their progress through the purchase of Chronons, which help them to customize their avatars, complete mini-games, build new contraptions and more.

"I have been a fan of Doctor Who since I was a child, so developing this game with BBC Worldwide is a dream come true," said Daniel James, CEO of Three Rings Design, Inc. "Like the Doctor, we have our own mission, to provide Doctor Who fans an experience matched only by the wondrous TV series, and casual gamers a warm opportunity to discover the marvelous world for themselves. It's exciting to see the Doctor Who universe come to life in such a unique way."

Doctor Who, one of BBC Worldwide's flagship brands, is the longest-running science fiction series in the world and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2013. It's the story of the Doctor, the mysterious traveler in time and space, who has saved the universe so many times. The Doctor is a Time Lord, one of a legendary race of powerful beings whose job it is to observe and record, but never interfere. 2011 was the biggest year ever for Doctor Who on BBC AMERICA with record ratings and mass critical acclaim. The series broadcasts in more than 70 million homes and On Demand across all major digital platforms.

The game can be played at http://www.doctorwhowit.com/.

(Source: BBC Media Centre)