Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

• Over half a million download requests in the first 12 days
• bbc.co.uk/doctorwho reports week-on-week increase of 67 per cent
• Steven Moffat to unveil episode two next week

The first episode of Doctor Who – The Adventure Games received 524,299 download requests in the first 12 days of availability, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has today announced.

In addition, the website has reported a week-on-week increase in unique UK visitors of over 67 per cent in the full week the game was available.

The game features performances from Matt Smith and Karen Gillan – and Doctor Who head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat believes their on-screen chemistry is part of the reason why families up and down the country are taking to these Adventure Games so enthusiastically.

Steven says: "Matt Smith has conquered space, now he's conquering cyberspace. The way the games capture the look and feel of the TV series is amazing. Matt Smith walks like a drunken giraffe on-screen and also in-game – it's a virtuoso virtual performance, and one I'm delighted is proving to be so popular. Just worried I won't get any writing done, what with playing the game all the time.

"Karen is a staggering companion – literally, have you seen her when the TARDIS shakes? – and her personality is perfectly captured in these episodes. There are some genuinely funny lines between the two, so we've really brought the TV series into the control of families up and down the country. Half a million download requests in 12 days – amazing."

The figures have been revealed as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ prepares to unveil episode two at a special Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning event in Scotland next week. Steven Moffat and others involved in the production and development of the Adventure Games will showcase the next instalment to around 150 kids on Tuesday 22 June 2010 – complete with some of the Doctor's most fearsome enemies.

A second event in the afternoon will be streamed live to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Doctor Who site, offering the public the opportunity to see a presentation by revered videogames creator Charles Cecil, writer Phil Ford and Nicholas Briggs, who provides the voices of the Daleks and Cybermen – and anyone in the UK with a web connection will be able to view it live at bbc.co.uk/doctorwho from 2pm.

"To say we're thrilled that we've received in excess of half a million download requests within the first 12 days is an understatement," says Simon Nelson, Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Multiplatform in Vision.

"The project has been a real labour of love from the whole Doctor Who and multiplatform teams, so we're delighted the reaction has been so strong. The response has been tremendous – with almost universal praise from Doctor Who fans. It's clear we've got people playing these 'interactive episodes' who wouldn't ordinarily play through a computer game – and the opportunity to actually be the Doctor is hugely appealing.

"Whilst the 67 per cent increase in UK visitors to the Doctor Who website is a combination of factors – not least the excellent Vincent Van Gogh section which complements episode 10 – the Adventure Games page was a significant destination. With episode two just around the corner, we're looking forward to even more people enjoying these adventures – and can't wait to see the reaction to the unveiling next week."

Notes to Editors

Doctor Who – The Adventure Games episode two will be unveiled next week in Scotland on Tuesday 22 June 2010. The afternoon presentation can be viewed live from 2pm at bbc.co.uk/doctorwho.

Anyone wishing to send questions for the afternoon session can email thedoctor@bbc.co.uk with "Q&A Questions" in the heading.

MO