Content Focus: Torchwood game
The format
As the BBC promotes Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood from BBC3 to BBC2, its makers hope to reward fans and attract more casual viewers with an online game.
It takes the form of a narrative treasure hunt, with a new instalment appearing online after each episode airs on BBC2. Users are greeted by Torchwood character Ianto Jones, played by Gareth David-Lloyd, who fills them in on their latest mission.
What follows is known in the games community as an ARG, or Actual Reality Game, with video clips featuring Torchwood team members Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) and Toshiko Sato (Naoki Mori), interspersed with text, stills and prompts to search for clues on YouTube and spoof sites set up especially for the game.
The approach is similar to the BBC's recent Spooks online game and involves the user as one of the team with the strapline “Torchwood needs you”.
Who's behind it?
BBC multiplatform drama commissioner Martin Trickey ordered the game from BBC Wales. Jo Pearce is executive producer with Mat Fidell as producer. It was penned by Torchwood writer Phil Ford and script edited by Brian Muchin.
Where can I see it?
www.bbc.co.uk/torchwood
Why does it suit the platform?
“Now we know who our audience is, we want to be more experimental with what we offer them,” says Pearce. She says its strength is its mission-based narrative drive, which captures the look and feel of the TV show. “It's about trying to defeat evil aliens, which is a very clear goal that you can weave into a game quite easily.”
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