The BBC has announced that a new Doctor Who Adventure Game – The Gunpowder Plot – will be available to download via the Doctor Who website from 31st October 2011.

The Doctor Who Adventure Game: The Gunpowder Plot features a star-studded cast, including Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Ralf Little as Guy Fawkes, Phil Daniels as Town Crier, Emilia Fox as the 14th Plotter and CBBC presenter Chris Johnson as Barnaby. It will offer players a unique experience of one of the most important and memorable moments in British history.

Ralf Little, who plays Guy Fawkes in the game, says: "It is a way of bringing the story alive to, probably, millions of kids who are aware of the name Guy Fawkes because of November the 5th, but not actually really understand what the historical significance is behind it."

Written by Phil Ford, voice directed by Gary Russell and produced by a team drawing on the very best talent from TV and the games industry, the Adventure Game was executive produced by Steven Moffat, Piers Wenger, Beth Willis and Anwen Aspden, alongside Charles Cecil, one of video gaming's most revered creators. The game is being developed by independent UK game development studio Sumo Digital Ltd.

Commissioned by Victoria Jaye, Head of IPTV and TV Online Content, BBC Vision – in collaboration with Controller of BBC Learning, Saul Nassé – the game provides audiences with a unique way to learn about one of the most significant periods in British history, through an interactive experience of one of the UK's best-loved programmes. The last four-game series, released in 2010, exceeded all expectations with more than 2.8m downloads requested so far.

Victoria Jaye says: "We're always looking at ways to bring Doctor Who stories to life for the audience beyond broadcast television, seizing the creative potential of digital platforms to delight fans with new ways to engage with characters and story worlds."

The game will be available for UK households on PC and Mac as a free download from the Doctor Who website.

[Source: BBC Press Office]

The BBC have confirmed the new Adventure Game will be released this October and is called The Gunpowder Plot.

It's the most ambitious Adventure Game to date and stars Matt Smith as the Doctor, Karen Gillan as Amy and for the first time, Arthur Darvill as Rory Williams. This new, dazzlingly epic story gives you the chance to battle aliens in London, 1605. But as well as extra-terrestrial monsters, you'll meet Guy Fawkes (visualisation above) and really get a feel for what was happening at this incendiary moment in Britain's history. It's your chance to virtually step back in time, chat to famous figures and participate in one of the most notorious plots the world has ever known.

The BBC Doctor Who website are delighted to say that The Gunpowder Plot also sees the return of two old enemies... more about them soon! Right now they can confirm that this, the fifth Adventure Game, was written by Phil Ford (Doctor Who: The Adventure Games, The Sarah Jane Adventures and co-writer of The Waters of Mars) and produced by Gary Russell. The executive producers are Steven Moffat, Piers Wenger, Beth Willis, Anwen Aspden and Charles Cecil.

The Gunpowder Plot will be the most advanced of the Adventure Games so far. Gamers will be able to play as the Doctor, Amy and Rory, exploring the immersive environments of this historic period. The adventure will feature multi-linear gameplay, even more sophisticated puzzles, and a complex lighting system specifically designed to recreate the atmosphere of 17th Century London. And for the very first time, the introduction of portal technology will enable gamers to experience for themselves that the TARDIS really is bigger on the inside...

To accompany the game, BBC Learning will be offering teachers an online resource pack containing unique, downloadable assets to support History and Literacy in the classroom. And in the adventure itself you'll be meeting not just the main figures from the plot, but everyday Londoners who lived through an exciting, dangerous and fascinating era.

The Adventure Games have received over 2.6 million download requests since the launch of the first adventure, City of the Daleks, which SFX called 'the best Who game to date.' The series was a finalist at the Develop Awards and nominated at the Banff World Media Festival for Best Branded Entertainment.

As always, the Adventure Game will be free in the UK and we'll be giving you more information soon. The Gunpowder Plot explodes in approximately three months time. It may not rhyme, but remember, remember... October!

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]

It's been confirmed that Piers Wenger, one of Doctor Who's three executive producers, is leaving the BBC.

Piers succeeded Julie Gardner as Head of Drama for BBC Wales and shortly after became executive producer of Doctor Who, taking an active role in the casting of Matt Smith as the Doctor. He also served as executive producer on Doctor Who: The Adventure Games and Doctor Who Confidential. Away from the TARDIS he worked on Ashes to Ashes, Christopher and His Kind and the relaunch of Upstairs Downstairs.

In March 2010 Piers stepped down as Head of Drama but remained at BBC Wales where he continued as creative leader for a number of key shows, including the award-winning Eric and Ernie.

He commented, 'It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to Doctor Who and BBC Drama, and all of the extraordinary people who I have worked with there.' Piers is leaving the BBC to join Film4 and everyone in the Doctor Who team would like to wish him the very best of luck in his new role.

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]

The fourth and final episode of Doctor Who: The Adventure Games, Shadows of the Vashta Nerada, is now online.

Following on from the ending of third episode TARDIS, it features a plot surrounding a real-world conspiracy and is set in a seabed colony called Poseidon.

The game was initially due to be released on Christmas Day, but as an early treat, fans can now download the episode for both PC and Mac for free from the BBC Doctor Who website.

[Source: BBC Doctor Who website]

The fourth and final episode of Doctor Who: The Adventure Games will be released on Christmas Day, it has been confirmed.

Titled 'Shadows Of Vashta Nerada', it will feature the first appearance of the shadow monsters since their debut in 'Silence In The Library' and 'Forest Of The Dead'.

Following on from the ending of third episode 'TARDIS', it will feature a plot surrounding a real-world conspiracy and is set in a seabed colony called Poseidon.

"We’ve gone all-out for the season finale. 'Shadows of the Vashta Nerada' takes place entirely underwater - something which would be impossible for the TV series, as water is so expensive," said executive producer Steven Moffat.

"It’s thrilling, terrifying, educational and fun. Just steer clear of those shadows..."

UK licence fee payers can download the episode for both PC and Mac for free from the BBC website.

[Source: Digital Spy]