The Doctor Who MMO online role-playing game, Doctor Who: Worlds In Time is to cease operation on 28th Februay 2014, with full service shutdown on 3rd March 2014.

The announcement came in the form of an email to current players and newsletter subscribers, as well as a notice on the site which reads:

"We are sorry to report that Doctor Who: Worlds in Time will discontinue service on Monday, March 3rd, 2014 at noon PST.

As of today, January 14th, 2014, the game will no longer be accepting transactions from players. Existing players are welcome to use their earned in-game currency over the next two months. Customer support and game maintenance will be available through the shutdown date.

We want to thank the loyal players of Worlds in Time for supporting the game through its years of operation."

In the game, players were able to control the player and the TARDIS as they complete challenges set by The Doctor to save the universe from various enemies. Players were able to solve puzzles to complete some of the tasks. In most of the adventures, players were also paired up with other controllable players, or with other real-time players if you chose to join a team to complete the mission.

[Source: BBC Worldwide]

Leading up to the San Francisco Game Developers Conference (GDC), BBC Worldwide today announced a major new partnership with game developer Three Rings to create BBC Worldwide's first ever free-to-play multiplayer online game centered around the blockbuster drama television show, Doctor Who.

For the first time ever, players from around the world will be able to follow in the footsteps of the eccentric and brilliant Doctor by travelling through time and space, exploring new worlds and encountering many alien races, both friend and foe. Titled Doctor Who: Worlds in Time, the game allows players to enter the TARDIS and be set a challenge by the mysterious Time Lord to help him defend civilized culture against infamous Doctor Who enemies.

Robert Nashak, EVP Digital Entertainment at BBC Worldwide says:

"Doctor Who: Worlds in Time will be a free-to-play multiplayer online game that invites players to save the universe by using their wits to solve time-bending puzzles and pulse-pounding challenges. Three Rings is the ideal team for this groundbreaking creative partnership. Not only are they visionaries in the online gaming space, they are lifelong Doctor Who fans with a passion for delivering the level of quality that our players will expect and deserve."

Daniel James, CEO Three Rings says:

"Three Rings is delighted and honored to have the opportunity to create an online game based on Doctor Who. Our goal with 'Words in Time' is to capture the imaginative spirit and depth of the series, whilst being fun and easy to play for all ages."

Doctor Who: Worlds in Time is developed to be both highly engaging and fun, allowing players to socialize and foster genuine cooperation, building a global community where fans worldwide will now be able to experience first hand the exciting action and adventure synonymous with Doctor Who. Development is well underway and is expected to launch later this year.

[Source: BBC Press Office]