- BBC launches first online multiplayer mystery and adventure game
- Original IP and a “safe environment” focus for young gamers
- “New game that puts collaboration before competition,” says BBC director
BBC Children’s has launched a new free game for its young viewers, based on original IP, and putting safe environment at the forefront.
In a move to tap into young gamers, BBC Children’s has launched the app for iOS, Android, Amazon devices as well as online.
Nightfall invites players to “work together in a safe online environment to fight off enemy character (Nags and Nightmares) who threaten their dreams.”
The game has been designed to create a positive and safe experience, and does not include loot boxed, advertisements or micro-transactions to protect players.
The game also prevents players from sharing personal information whilst interacting with one another, limiting in-game communication to pre-set “emoji” style icons rather than open text fields or voice chat.
It also prevents players from sharing personal information whilst interacting with one another, limiting in-game communication to pre-set phrases rather than open text fields or voice chats.
The creator’s mission was to design a game packed full of mystery and adventure that would unite young players with their friends in a controlled environment.
“Nightfall is a wonderful new game that puts collaboration before competition, giving young gamers the opportunity to team up and work together to defeat the enemy characters,” BBC Children’s and Education director Alice Webb said.
“It’s also been designed with safety at its heart - we’ve carefully built this game in such a way that children can feel free to play, explore and have fun with their friends online while their parents can have confidence that they’re doing so in a safe and secure environment.“
Based on an original IP, Nightfall begins with players falling asleep and entering a dream world, where they become Nightfallers, working together with fellow gamers to fight off the enemy.
It was produced for BBC Children’s by independent games studio Goodboy Digital, who have previously worked with the BBC on apps like CBeebies Get Creative and games like Doctor Who Time Vortex VR.
It is also playable on most web browsers, allowing cross-play between those on desktop and mobile devices.
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