Dr Who Adventure game now available

[Threepwood4Life]

Someone at BBC has made a boo boo lol

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/theadventuregames/download/cityofthedaleks

Its not suppose to be available till Saturday but its up on the site for download. Folks in the US won't be able to download it until July.

[Nimeni]

Yeah, I'm disappointed, being in the states and whatnot. I had been told the game was free, but it talks about it being available for purchase. Is it free in Britain but not in the states? Sad day.

[Threepwood4Life]

Yeah, I'm disappointed, being in the states and whatnot. I had been told the game was free, but it talks about it being available for purchase. Is it free in Britain but not in the states? Sad day.

Its free in the UK but as you said there will be a pay charge for the US.

[Friar]

Yeah, I'm disappointed, being in the states and whatnot. I had been told the game was free, but it talks about it being available for purchase. Is it free in Britain but not in the states? Sad day. Well, we payed for it with our License fees. At least you guys are still getting it!

[Nimeni]

Hopefully it won't be too much. Have they put a price on it, yet? I'd like to play, but I have to admit it's frustrating to think of paying for a game that others are getting free.

Edit: What do you mean license fees?

[taumel]

What's weird is that not even the interviews (Charles Cecil) are available outside the UK. Oh well, give it a day and it will be on the net.

[Zonino]

Well spotted there Threepwood4Life! I had actually forgotten this was coming out :P

[Friar]

Hopefully it won't be too much. Have they put a price on it, yet? I'd like to play, but I have to admit it's frustrating to think of paying for a game that others are getting free.

Edit: What do you mean license fees?

Click Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_licence#United_Kingdom)
In the UK, we pay £145 annually per household for a TV license. This funds all the BBC channels, and the BBC radio channels. In return, programmes are aired without advert breaks (only trailers for programmes appear between programmes), and the money has also been used to fund the digital switchover. This TV license fee is compulsory if you own a TV in the UK.

[Nimeni]

Ahh. I see. I suppose that evens things out a bit, then.

[puzzlebox]

Thanks for the heads-up, Threepwood4Life. :)

This TV license fee is compulsory if you own a TV in the UK.

I find it kind of odd that you can not own a TV (and not pay the licence fee) and just watch a lot of BBC content on iPlayer... but it's the people who own TVs who fund that service.

[Mr Nutt]

Thanks for the heads-up, Threepwood4Life. :)



I find it kind of odd that you can not own a TV (and not pay the licence fee) and just watch a lot of BBC content on iPlayer... but it's the people who own TVs who fund that service.

Actully I think it says something somewhere on BBC iPlayer that your not allowed to watch it without one. Well that or it was just talking about the live feed.

[Ribs]

I definately didn't use a proxy to download this right now.

[Alcoremortis]

How is this different from purchasing cable in the US? Because you can't watch BBC America unless you have purchased the channel.

[puzzlebox]

Actully I think it says something somewhere on BBC iPlayer that your not allowed to watch it without one. Well that or it was just talking about the live feed.

That would just be the live feed. From the TV licensing people (http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/):


You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.


And from the BBC iPlayer terms and conditions (http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/about_iplayer/termscon):


You may not watch television programmes using BBC iPlayer on any device (including mobile phones, laptops and personal computers) at the same time (or virtually the same time) as the programmes are being broadcast, simulcast or otherwise made available to members of the public on television unless you have a valid television licence.

How is this different from purchasing cable in the US? Because you can't watch BBC America unless you have purchased the channel.

It's not purchasing the channel, it doesn't matter whether you want to watch the BBC or not - it's a fee you pay just for owning a TV.

[Friar]

How is this different from purchasing cable in the US? Because you can't watch BBC America unless you have purchased the channel.
Well, by my understanding, Cable is similair to satellite TV (we don't get Cable as such, just the normal 4/5 terrestrial channels in some areas still, plus digital/satellite TV). Given that they have subscription fees tied in with them aswell, or require you to pay for the box, or even both, i think it's still fair that we get it for free and you lot don't. Provided that the overall cost isn't too great. (i would say maybe $20 tops, for all 4 episodes)

Anyway, just completed the first episode. It turned out much better than i expected, but i does focus a little too much on the stealth side. Here's hoping the next episode features more puzzles and running!

[Alcoremortis]

It's not purchasing the channel, it doesn't matter whether you want to watch the BBC or not - it's a fee you pay just for owning a TV.

There are maybe twenty free channels in America and the rest you have to pay for. So if you want to watch most TV, you have to pay for cable. I used BBC as an example because BBC is one of the many channels that we have to pay for in order to watch it. I guess I was saying that in America we would still have to pay to watch Doctor Who with a cable subscription and then also have to pay again if we want to play the game.

[Ribs]

There are maybe twenty free channels in America and the rest you have to pay for. So if you want to watch most TV, you have to pay for cable. I used BBC as an example because BBC is one of the many channels that we have to pay for in order to watch it. I guess I was saying that in America we would still have to pay to watch Doctor Who with a cable subscription and then also have to pay again if we want to play the game.

Or, you could, y'know, use a proxy. Like some of us. *whistles*

[Alcoremortis]

Believe me, I'm considering it. I need to figure out if it will even run on my computer first, though.

[Remolay]

Or, you could, y'know, use a proxy. Like some of us. *whistles*

If only there was some way we in America could get the games...

[The Highway]

Its free in the UK but as you said there will be a pay charge for the US.

That's the biggest load I've ever heard. There's no particular difference between british internet and us internet, so why can't people not-in-the-uk download it? this is just going to encourage piracy. Even if they made it cost money for US citizens but they could buy it on the same day, there wouldn't be as much piracy as there is going to be now.

[taumel]

Oh well, at least Mac users, unless they use some BootCamp/Virtualisation/Whine on their Mac should wait some more time, until it's June 15:

*snip*
All Downloads

All available Adventure Games downloads are listed below.
The download should take around 10-20 minutes. The Mac version will be available from June 15.
When the download window appears, click Save to save the game installer file to your computer. You can choose where to save the file - the Desktop is a good choice. When the download is complete, go to your Desktop (or wherever you saved the file) and double-click on the Installer to install the game.

City of the Daleks



Download Windows Version (330MB)



Episode Two

Coming Soon.
*snap*

[Threepwood4Life]

That's the biggest load I've ever heard. There's no particular difference between british internet and us internet, so why can't people not-in-the-uk download it? this is just going to encourage piracy. Even if they made it cost money for US citizens but they could buy it on the same day, there wouldn't be as much piracy as there is going to be now.

Well this is what it says if you live outside the UK

"Outside the UK

If you live outside the UK, the first Adventure Game will be available to purchase in early July. We will have more information shortly on release dates and where you can buy them, so watch this space!

If you are in the UK and are seeing this message, you may need to contact your ISP. Please see the Help section below."

[IronCladChicken]

To be fair - US TV stations often don't allow UK viewers to watch clips of their shows online (& definitly not the entire episodes) - I just see a Hulu style 'your in the wrong country' message.

(Though curiously Hulu and suchlike work without issue in Hong Kong - It's just Europe they hate :) )

[Molokov]

Hmm... might have to see if I can download it *while* I'm in the UK (which won't be until August). Then again, it's more than likely got some online protections so that even if you get the program outside the UK, you won't be able to play it unless you've paid for a license key.

[Pinchpenny]

I do think there's a false sense of entitlement running through discussions I've read here (and on other forums). As Friar has said, we've already paid for this game through the license fee. There's no reason why we should be covering the costs for you.

Regardless, I've just finished downloading and I'll let you know what I think when I'm done.

[Tor]

I think it would be perfectly all right if the game was free to license payers and available to others for a fee. I'm not as happy with a 'free to UK IP-addresses' approach on the other hand. The internet is a communications network which is international and open in nature, and I dislike artificial limitations imposted on content like that.

With the IP-based approach, UK citizens who don't pay the license, foreigners visiting or residing in the UK, and anyone using a proxy server will get the game for free. Likewise, UK license payers temporarily residing abroad will not get access. That hardly seems fair.

If the intention behind the download restrictions is to make the game free for license payers, then they should implement it that way, not just use a Geo IP filter.

[Darth Marsden]

Hey, you Americans get all the best TV shows, games and movies first. Surely you can give us this one?

Anyway. My verdict? 6/10.

It's very short (it took me an hour), far too much emphasis on stealth (seriously), dry voice acting (as I predicted), mini puzzles were very simple (felt like a flash game half the time) and it's way too easy to get killed (I died twice, and I'm an 'expert gamer').

But hey, what do you expect from a free game?

[coolsome]

Im stuck on that annoying puzzle guding the chip through the eletric maze with out touching I hate stuff like that stupid eletrick thinks its sooo bad

[Mr Nutt]

Well I found the controls a bit stiff, the puzzles way too easy and to me the stealth parts seemed pointless, but other then the gameplay the voice acting sometimes didn't really match up. Hopefully the next episode will at least be abit more challenging (and have less to do with stealth seriously whats up with all the stealth I thought I was playing Doctor Who: The Adventure Games not Doctor Who: Deadly Shadows).

[Friar]

Im stuck on that annoying puzzle guding the chip through the eletric maze with out touching I hate stuff like that stupid eletrick thinks its sooo bad
You do that puzzle three times!

Anyways, whatever happened to the "You can literally walk into the tardis and see it's bigger on the inside, without load screens"feature that triggered the BBC to choose Sumo as the dev? The TARDIS was locked for almost the entire episode, and it certaintly wasn't explorable.

[coolsome]

You do that puzzle three times!


thats it I quit Im gona find out how it ends on youtube or summit

I really cant do it i been on the first one for hours! this would make a very boring tv episode.

[JedExodus]

That's the biggest load I've ever heard. There's no particular difference between british internet and us internet, so why can't people not-in-the-uk download it? this is just going to encourage piracy. Even if they made it cost money for US citizens but they could buy it on the same day, there wouldn't be as much piracy as there is going to be now.

Because the BBC (including this game presumably) is funded by the TV Licence fee that peeps in the UK pay, so in essence we've already paid for it. Boom!!

[FitzoliverJ]

I'm in the UK, but the website just crashes before it even gives me the chance to try and download it.:mad:

[JedExodus]

I think it would be perfectly all right if the game was free to license payers and available to others for a fee. I'm not as happy with a 'free to UK IP-addresses' approach on the other hand. The internet is a communications network which is international and open in nature, and I dislike artificial limitations imposted on content like that.

With the IP-based approach, UK citizens who don't pay the license, foreigners visiting or residing in the UK, and anyone using a proxy server will get the game for free. Likewise, UK license payers temporarily residing abroad will not get access. That hardly seems fair.

If the intention behind the download restrictions is to make the game free for license payers, then they should implement it that way, not just use a Geo IP filter.

It's the easiest solution to something that's new ground for the BBC at this time, asking for TV Licence details would be very hard to check and timely so the service to the public would be a bit poo. Some non licence payers will get it surely, but non licence payers are watching TV right now, end of the day they get caught and end up with a hefty fine. Most people pay their TV licence down the local post office, it's just not equipped for the digital landscape

TL;DR - TV Licence is hard to track digitally

[jannar85]

Hoho.. Game worked perfectly fine until I got in control. Mouse goes crazy, and makes the camera spin around and around and around.. Anyone know how to fix this?

[Tor]

It's the easiest solution to something that's new ground for the BBC at this time, asking for TV Licence details would be very hard to check and timely so the service to the public would be a bit poo.
We use a license-funded system very similar to the BBC, and we have a unique license payer id number printed on every bill that comes in the mail. I'd assume BBC used something similar... and if they do, it should be a simple matter to make a system to verify the id via the web. (The information exists in a database somewhere, so it's "only" a matter of fetching it) That doesn't mean it actually is simple though, if the infrastructure does not exist they'd have to write something from scratch. You're probably right about their reason for using Geo IP filtering, but I think it seems a bit lazy :) (I'm a software engineer, so I tend to find room for improvement in every IT system I see)

[stemot]

We use a license-funded system very similar to the BBC, and we have a unique license payer id number printed on every bill that comes in the mail. I'd assume BBC used something similar... and if they do, it should be a simple matter to make a system to verify the id via the web. (The information exists in a database somewhere, so it's "only" a matter of fetching it) That doesn't mean it actually is simple though, if the infrastructure does not exist they'd have to write something from scratch. You're probably right about their reason for using Geo IP filtering, but I think it seems a bit lazy :) (I'm a software engineer, so I tend to find room for improvement in every IT system I see)

The Doctor Who website is aimed at children, as are these games (you#ll realise this when you play it), so having such a strict security system to download the games would lock most children out from playing it.
They've done it in a manner that tries to stop the people that shouldn't be getting it for free from getting it while making the whole thing unnoticible for the young audience.

[Tor]

Video games... for children!? :eek:
Seriously though, I didn't realise Doctor Who was aimed at people of the young persuasion.

Heck, I sometimes forget that children even exist.

[stemot]

Video games... for children!? :eek:
Seriously though, I didn't realise Doctor Who was aimed at people of the young persuasion.

Heck, I sometimes forget that children even exist.

Although Dr Who is enjoyed by many adults all over the world, the creators of the new series have been very careful to make sure that it's primarily a show for minors, what with the action figure and clothing merchandise etc.

[coolsome]

I just cannot do thoes maze things with out touching the sides so Il either get someone to do it 4 me or just watch the ending online XD

[Darth Marsden]

I just cannot do thoes maze things with out touching the sides so Il either get someone to do it 4 me or just watch the ending online XDDon't worry - you're not missing much.

Find it odd that you can't do that puzzle though. There's no time limit, so you can go as slowly as you like, and you can drop and pick up the item as many times as you like, so I shouldn't have imagined it would be all that hard to do.

The trickiest puzzle, for me, was the one where you have to match symbols, but that's mostly because I can't tell one symbol for another. Oh well!

[coolsome]

Don't worry - you're not missing much.

Find it odd that you can't do that puzzle though. There's no time limit, so you can go as slowly as you like, and you can drop and pick up the item as many times as you like, so I shouldn't have imagined it would be all that hard to do.

The trickiest puzzle, for me, was the one where you have to match symbols, but that's mostly because I can't tell one symbol for another. Oh well!

it tryed going realy slow but screwed up right at the end and was to annoyed to start from the begining and im useing touch pad ad my finger slips sometimes XD

[Friar]

Although Dr Who is enjoyed by many adults all over the world, the creators of the new series have been very careful to make sure that it's primarily a show for minors, what with the action figure and clothing merchandise etc. There has always been that aspect to doctor who. In fact, it was originally an educational show, with as many accurate(ish) history episodes as Sci-Fi episodes.

@sailorcuteness: If you are using a touch pad (like me) try only using little strokes, so you only move it a little bit each time. That way you maintain more control.

[JedExodus]

Just cleared it there, it wasn't too bad for a first effort, though if they're gonna do stealth sections there really needs to be better controls. I'm assuming the upcoming episodes will be a bit more taxing as I assume this is really just to break ground with people who've never played this sort of thing before

[coolsome]

I kinda doctor would wack amy around the way like sam does to max

[Darth Marsden]

Just cleared it there, it wasn't too bad for a first effort, though if they're gonna do stealth sections there really needs to be better controls. I'm assuming the upcoming episodes will be a bit more taxing as I assume this is really just to break ground with people who've never played this sort of thing beforeYou know you can use the WASD controls to move, right? I don't think it's actually mentioned anywhere, but I tried it and was pleasantly surprised to find that it works.

[Toast_Burner]

That's the biggest load I've ever heard. There's no particular difference between british internet and us internet, so why can't people not-in-the-uk download it? this is just going to encourage piracy. Even if they made it cost money for US citizens but they could buy it on the same day, there wouldn't be as much piracy as there is going to be now.

We pay the BBC £145 a year (its compulsory if you want a TV). it would be unfair for you to get it for free.

[The Highway]

I kinda doctor would wack amy around the way like sam does to max

To violence against women, the Doctor says no.

[JedExodus]

You know you can use the WASD controls to move, right? I don't think it's actually mentioned anywhere, but I tried it and was pleasantly surprised to find that it works.

My left hand was occupied with my face sunk deep into it when a stealth section came up, or realising the only traditional adventure game puzzle in it was "use sonic screwdriver on everything!"

So, no, I didn't realise :o

[The Highway]

My left hand was occupied with my face sunk deep into it when a stealth section came up, or realising the only traditional adventure game puzzle in it was "use sonic screwdriver on everything!"

So, no, I didn't realise :o

oh god, this sounds so fail. I WANT TO REVIEW IT NOOOOOOW! Maybe I can contact the BBC...

[JedExodus]

oh god, this sounds so fail. I WANT TO REVIEW IT NOOOOOOW! Maybe I can contact the BBC...

I'd go to Sumo Digital, the BBC won't associate with filthy forrins' :p

It'd just be quicker to go to them chaps who are dedicated to the game than the Beeb who have their fingers in many pies. Though i dunno if Sumo are actually allowed to sort you out

[The Highway]

I'd go to Sumo Digital, the BBC won't associate with filthy forrins' :p

It'd just be quicker to go to them chaps who are dedicated to the game than the Beeb who have their fingers in many pies. Though i dunno if Sumo are actually allowed to sort you out

;) cheers

[floweroftheforest]

Hoho.. Game worked perfectly fine until I got in control. Mouse goes crazy, and makes the camera spin around and around and around.. Anyone know how to fix this?Same for me.
Doctor who just spins around crazily and I can't control him either with the mouse or wasd keys.
Oh! well.

[PressidentMax]

I've just completed City Of The Daleks, it has an epic ending, Since I'm Brittish I'll be getting Episode 2 by the time u lot get 1! And you'll be paying for it, it's only fair, we do pay for a TV License, which includes, TV, Radio, BBCIplayer (Unless you have a proxy...), and now even a game series!
Plus You got AAI, AA, S&M, before us, so you can stop moaning.

[coolsome]

I've just completed City Of The Daleks, it has an epic ending, Since I'm Brittish I'll be getting Episode 2 by the time u lot get 1!

http://www.hollow-hill.com/sabina/images/simpsons-haha.jpg

is that what your trying to say?

[Alcoremortis]

I'd like to reiterate that in America, although we don't pay a license fee, if we want to watch most channels (BBC is one of them) we have to buy a cable subscription from one of many companies. From AT&T, for instance, the basic cable subscription costs $39 a month, which is $468 a year. This is quite a bit more than 145 pounds a year, no matter how you slice it.

[JedExodus]

I'd like to reiterate that in America, although we don't pay a license fee, if we want to watch most channels (BBC is one of them) we have to buy a cable subscription from one of many companies. From AT&T, for instance, the basic cable subscription costs $39 a month, which is $468 a year. This is quite a bit more than 145 pounds a year, no matter how you slice it.

We have cable and satelitte and all that crap as well, it costs extra as well on top of the licence fee you have to mandatorily pay for the basic service. But at least the BBC doesn't shove advertising down your throat I guess

[puzzlebox]

I'd like to reiterate that in America, although we don't pay a license fee, if we want to watch most channels (BBC is one of them) we have to buy a cable subscription from one of many companies. From AT&T, for instance, the basic cable subscription costs $39 a month, which is $468 a year. This is quite a bit more than 145 pounds a year, no matter how you slice it.

I see what you're saying - it's not very fair, especially if some of the BBC Worldwide/America/whatever subscription funds flow back to the BBC (which they almost certainly do). Geographical location is a pretty blunt instrument to use in restricting downloads, but it's probably the best the BBC could come up with in the circumstances.

[Wapcaplet]

TL;DR - TV Licence is hard to track digitally
Pfft. The Ministry of Housinge was using cat detector vans 30 years ago -- how can the Beeb not have come up with digital license licence detector vans by now?

[PressidentMax]

http://www.hollow-hill.com/sabina/images/simpsons-haha.jpg

is that what your trying to say?
No, But you all ways get games before us, so I'd shut up if I were you.

[coolsome]

No, But you all ways get games before us, so I'd shut up if I were you.

Well Im from England and get them the same time as you. So Id shut up if I where you.

[DoctorDodge]

I know this game will very probably suck, like most games based on tv/films do, but it still sucks that i'm unable to play it due to a bloody black screen! BBC bounders! And you told me my 6 year old pc could play it! :mad:

This, plus the fact that i can't play Sam and Max: Season 3, tells me i need a new pc!

[floweroftheforest]

Same for me.
Doctor who just spins around crazily and I can't control him either with the mouse or wasd keys.
Oh! well.Cranking up the screen resolution is helping slightly.
Maybe I'll have to experiment a bit more.
All in all though there is no way that I'd want to pay for this game as the control system seems to be a mess.

[Fury]

Free in UK but not anywhere else.

So somewhere, there's a version of these games without anti-piracy.

Well, I'm gonna play it eventaully, but I'm not gonna pay for a freeware game. Especially a license like Doctor Who, which is making a fortune as it is.

[stemot]

Free in UK but not anywhere else.

So somewhere, there's a version of these games without anti-piracy.

Well, I'm gonna play it eventaully, but I'm not gonna pay for a freeware game. Especially a license like Doctor Who, which is making a fortune as it is.

How does that make any sense? It's not freeware. The only reason us in the UK don't pay for it is because we already paid for it's development. Also, you don't feel the need to pay because it's a successful franchise? All those people getting done for movie piracy will have to use that in court. Some of you people have a strange sense of entitlement.

[PressidentMax]

Well Im from England and get them the same time as you. So Id shut up if I where you.
But I didn't reallise you were English too, what am I? A mind reader?

[coolsome]

But I didn't reallise you were English too, what am I? A mind reader?


You don't have the Playing cards?

[PressidentMax]

Nah, some stupid space Gorilla nicked 'em!

[Mr Nutt]

So does anyone have any idea how they plan to release the other episodes? (You know like how Telltale release an episode once a month.)

[LuigiHann]

http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2010/06/analysis_how_doctor_whos_city_of_the_daleks.php

This is an interesting article. While some of the chat in this forum had lead me to not want to bother with the game, the idea that the exploration element is strong makes me want to try it