BBC Multimedia

BBC Multimedia was a division of the BBC which dealt with the publishing of computer-game versions of well-known BBC television programmes.

History The Multimedia division was founded in 1995 and mostly focused on CD-ROM software for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh.

The company attended E3 2002 by announcing its first game for the Xbox, Robot Wars: Extreme Destruction, set for a November 2002 release, as well as a game adaptation of the CBBC series Ace Lightning for the PlayStation 2, with both games also on Microsoft Windows and Game Boy Advance. Other CD-ROM games announced this time were Bob the Builder: Bob Builds a Park, set for a July 2002 release and Tweenies: Messy Time, set for an October 2002 release.

In July 2002, the company launched a budget range called Favourites, consisting of pre-school games. On 5 November 2002, the company announced a Fimbles CD-ROM for a June 2003 release.

On February 6, 2003, the company announced the Ace Lightning video game for March.

At E3 2003, the company announced a video game based on FightBox for PlayStation 2, Microsoft Windows and Game Boy Advance for a pre-Christmas release window to tie-in with the show's airing. The game adaptation was one of the many side-projects done for the FightBox IP, which was mostly worked on by Runecraft. After the company went out of business, the BBC acquired the developer's offices and some of their staff, and re-structured it under the "Gamezlab" name. The company also showcased their Fimbles CD-ROM, in addition to a game based on Tiny Planets, a Bob the Builder game - Bob's Castle Adventure for a July 2003 release, and an Engie Benjy CD-ROM for a September 2003 release. In October, the company announced the FightBox video game for February 2004. On November 24, the company announced a Balamory CD-ROM for 2004.

In January 2004, Balamory was announced for the following month. A compilation release titled Playtime! was announced. In February, the company announced a video game based on Spooks for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Windows, for a late 2004 release window. On 2 November 2004, Global Software Publishing announced acquiring exclusive distribution rights to BBC Multimedia's library. This move was done so BBC Worldwide could refocus BBC Multimedia as a video game licensor instead of being a publisher. Shortly before this, BBC Worldwide closed down Gamezlab and cancelled the upcoming Spooks video game.

BBC Multimedia was closed in 2006 after sales declined in its boxed product business.

Games Game Platform(s) Release dateAttenborough's AntarcticWindows 3.1 / 95 / 981997BalamoryWindows 95 / 98 / XP2004Bill & Ben: Flowerpot Fun! Windows 95 / 982001BBC Games Collection Featuring Toybox/PlaytimeWindows 95 / 98 / XP2003 / 2005Blue PeterWindows 951997Bob the Builder: Bob Builds a Park (Published in North America by THQ)Windows 98 / Me / XP2001Bob the Builder: Bob's Castle Adventure (Published in North America by THQ)Windows 98 / Me / XP2003Bob the Builder: Can We Fix It? (Published in North America by THQ)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation2000 / 2001Bob the Builder: Fix it Fun! (Published in North America by THQ)Game Boy Color2000 / 2001Changing RoomsWindows 95 / 982000Doctor Who: Destiny of the DoctorsWindows 951997Fast Show Comedy Fun PackWindows 95 / 981999Fawlty Towers – Comedy PackWindows 95 / 982000Fimbles: Fimbling Fun Windows 95 / 98 / XP2003Gardeners' World Magazine Garden Manager with Alan TitchmarshWindows 95 / 981998GCSE Bitesize Revision: MathsWindows 95 / 982000GCSE Bitesize Revision: ScienceWindows 95 / 982000Windows 95 / 981999Key Stage 2 ReviseWise ScienceWindows 95 / 981997Key Stage 3 Bitesize Revision EnglishWindows 95 / 981999Key Stage 3 Bitesize Revision MathsWindows 95 / 981999Live & Kicking: Show MakerWindows 3.1 / 95 / 981995MastermindWindows 3.1 / 95 / 981997Noddy: Let's Get Ready for School! (Released in North America as Noddy: Playtime in Toyland) (Published in North America by Knowledge Adventure)Windows 95 / 981998 (UK) 1999 (US)Noddy: The Magic of Toytown Windows 3.1 / 95 / 98 1996Noddy's Magic AdventurePlayStation2000Noddy and the Birthday PartyGame Boy Color2000Only Fools & HorsesWindows 95 / 982000 Pingu & Friends Windows, Macintosh1999Pingu: A Barrel of Fun! Windows 3.1 / 95 / 981997Play with the Teletubbies (Published in North America by Knowledge Adventure) Windows 95 / 98 / PlayStation1998 / 2000Play with the Teletubbies 2: Favourite Games (Published in North America by Knowledge Adventure)Windows 95 / 981999 / 2001Result: The BBC Sports Quiz presented by Desmond LynamWindows 951997Robot Wars: Advanced Destruction (Published in North America by Vivendi Universal Games)Game Boy Advance2001Robot Wars: Metal MayhemGame Boy Color2000Rotten Ralph – Big Night InWindows 95 / 982000S Club 7: On The RoadWindows 95 / 98 / Me / 2000 / XP2003Shakespeare on CD-ROM: MacbethWindows 3.1 / 95 / 981995Shakespeare on CD-ROM: Romeo and JulietWindows 3.1 / 95 / 981995SMartWindows 95 / 98 / NT2000Spark Island Adventures in Literacy 7-9Windows, Macintosh1997Spark Island Adventures in Literacy 9-11Windows, Macintosh1997Spark Island Adventures in Maths 7-9Windows, Macintosh1997Spark Island Farmer Rumtums Letter Fun 3-5Windows, Macintosh1999Spark Island Farmer Rumtums Number Fun 3-5Windows, Macintosh1999Spark Island Maths Adventures 9-11Windows, Macintosh2001Spark Island Number Games 5-7Windows, Macintosh2001Spark Island Reading Games 5-7Windows, Macintosh2001Top Of The Pops: Mix FactoryWindows 95 / 981998Top Of The Pops: Mix Factory 2Windows 95 / 981999Tweenies: Doodles' BonesWindows 95 / 98, Game Boy Color2000Tweenies: Game TimePlayStation2001Tweenies: Messy Time MagicWindows 95 / 982002Tweenies: Play to the Music Windows 95 / 98 / Me / XP2004Tweenies: Ready to PlayWindows 95 / 982000Wallace & Gromit Crackin' CompendiumWindows 3.1 / 95 / 981996Wallace & Gromit Cracking AnimatorWindows 3.1 / 95 / 981997Wallace & Gromit Print-o-maticWindows 95 / 981998The Weakest Link (published by Activision)Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, PlayStation 22001Yoho Ahoy: All Aboard!Windows 98 / 20002000

Gamezlab Game Platform(s) Release dateRobot Wars: Arenas of Destruction (Published in North America by Vivendi Universal Games)Windows 95 / 98 / 2000 / Me, PlayStation 22001Robot Wars: Extreme DestructionWindows 95 / 98 / 2000 / Me / XP, Xbox, Game Boy Advance2002Ace LightningWindows, PlayStation 22002FightBoxWindows, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance2004SpooksPlayStation 2, Xbox, WindowsCompletely Cancelled

BBC Multimedia

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