City of the Daleks
June 20, 2010 4:04 PM Subscribe
"There aren't 13 episodes of Doctor Who this year, there are 17 - four of which are interactive." The first episode of Doctor Who: The Adventure, at the moment only available in the UK, has been downloaded 500,000 times in 12 days. Users outside of the UK can expect to see a paid for version in the next month, in the meantime why not try to track down one of the previous Doctor Who videogames such as Dalek Attack or Doctor Who Top Trumps.
Also, paid? They're making us pay for it but giving it away elsewhere?! Double poopy!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:08 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:08 PM on June 20, 2010
Semi-Live Blog: Doctor Who Adventures from Rock Paper Shotgun.
Conclusion:
It feels Doctor Whoy, in its verve, in its gleeful pseudo-science, its banter and its nick-of-time coincidences. Unfortunately, it’s also highly annoying – electing to substitute real puzzles with repetitive maze games and haphazard sneaking. I don’t know how complete the other episodes are at this stage (I suspect they’re pretty much done, to be honest), but hopefully they’ll build upon what’s here, and what City of The Dalek’s players have learned, rather than simply repeat it.
posted by Artw at 4:09 PM on June 20, 2010
Conclusion:
It feels Doctor Whoy, in its verve, in its gleeful pseudo-science, its banter and its nick-of-time coincidences. Unfortunately, it’s also highly annoying – electing to substitute real puzzles with repetitive maze games and haphazard sneaking. I don’t know how complete the other episodes are at this stage (I suspect they’re pretty much done, to be honest), but hopefully they’ll build upon what’s here, and what City of The Dalek’s players have learned, rather than simply repeat it.
posted by Artw at 4:09 PM on June 20, 2010
PhoBWanKenobi - Well, technically UK residents have paid for it already.
posted by Artw at 4:09 PM on June 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Artw at 4:09 PM on June 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Analysis: How Doctor Who's City of the Daleks Game Illuminates Public-Funding Conundrums
posted by Artw at 4:11 PM on June 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by Artw at 4:11 PM on June 20, 2010 [2 favorites]
So now I have to start paying extra for my Doctor Who episodes? Unfortunate.
Also, I probably shouldn't read this thread, since I'm saving yesterday's episode until I can watch the finale in one event. So, uh, yeah.
Although I really wish the show aired during the fall/winter season instead of the summer. I finally have friends who watch it as well, but we're at university and we only got to see about 3 episodes + specials before people moved back home. Now I'm back to watching them alone.
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:11 PM on June 20, 2010
Also, I probably shouldn't read this thread, since I'm saving yesterday's episode until I can watch the finale in one event. So, uh, yeah.
Although I really wish the show aired during the fall/winter season instead of the summer. I finally have friends who watch it as well, but we're at university and we only got to see about 3 episodes + specials before people moved back home. Now I'm back to watching them alone.
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:11 PM on June 20, 2010
Mmf, well, I suppose, but having already paid thirty dollars to have the privilege of downloading episodes on iTunes a month behind the UK (we just watched "Cold Blood" this afternoon, as soon as it downloaded), I can't help but find that terribly frustrating.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:13 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:13 PM on June 20, 2010
Also, I probably shouldn't read this thread, since I'm saving yesterday's episode until I can watch the finale in one event.
Well, I'm of hoping this will not become a spoiler zone for episodes I haven' watched yet, TBH, or at least if folks do post spoilers they'll at least label them and try to be a little oblique about it.
posted by Artw at 4:14 PM on June 20, 2010
Well, I'm of hoping this will not become a spoiler zone for episodes I haven' watched yet, TBH, or at least if folks do post spoilers they'll at least label them and try to be a little oblique about it.
posted by Artw at 4:14 PM on June 20, 2010
Not to worry, we still have two whole days of spoilerin' we can do in the old thread!
posted by graventy at 4:17 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by graventy at 4:17 PM on June 20, 2010
Ok I didn't realize that they were as strongly canonical as they seem. Now I really have to play them.
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:18 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:18 PM on June 20, 2010
The whole delay/license fee issue is a weird one... for instance plenty of people I know in the US who were previously happy to wait for US airings are now frantically downloading the episodes as soon as they can after the UK airing, despite the delay being reduced to a few weeks. Meanwhile there's people I know in the UK uploading it in the UK that steadfastly mainatin that BBC America shouldn't be showing it in the same week, because they paid to make the show and the Americans didn't.
posted by Artw at 4:27 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by Artw at 4:27 PM on June 20, 2010
I played the City of the Daleks, and it's really nothing to write home about. You are not so much "taken in hand and guided towards" as "shoved headfirst into" solutions to a couple of what can only be charitably called puzzles in the same way that spitting on the homeless can be called charity. What obstacles to actual progress there are equate to a poorly implemented stealth game, each implementation of which you end up running at least twice, and a couple of minigames (a "don't touch the walls" mouse game and a "match the symbol" spacies-calc type game) you will need to finish three times each. The load times are pretty shocking and the voice acting, though passable and done by the actual actors, is undercut by the pervasive sub-titles and some weird timing in the edit, which removes some of the impromptu wit and charm of the players.
On the plus side, the actual plot is pretty interesting, being a time-jumping sort of thing, and the Supreme Dalek is a nice little visual. But the game itself is a giant pain. Plus, in a game called City of the Daleks (where, in the programme, you have just been introduced to a range of coloured daleks each with a different purpose), you only ever actually get to see red drone daleks at work, which seemed a bit of a waste.
So, ultimately, for completists only. Hopefully they can make the next one a bit more of an adventure game and a little less of a chore.
posted by Sparx at 4:34 PM on June 20, 2010
On the plus side, the actual plot is pretty interesting, being a time-jumping sort of thing, and the Supreme Dalek is a nice little visual. But the game itself is a giant pain. Plus, in a game called City of the Daleks (where, in the programme, you have just been introduced to a range of coloured daleks each with a different purpose), you only ever actually get to see red drone daleks at work, which seemed a bit of a waste.
So, ultimately, for completists only. Hopefully they can make the next one a bit more of an adventure game and a little less of a chore.
posted by Sparx at 4:34 PM on June 20, 2010
Between Doctor Who and BBC news, I feel like I ought to pay the license fee. I guess paying for the games is fair. Skimming the posts doesn't tell me how much they're going to cost, although I'm sure that's someone's signal to show me where I've missed it.
/distracted by watching The Monster of Peladon on DVD with Mr. immlass
posted by immlass at 4:35 PM on June 20, 2010
/distracted by watching The Monster of Peladon on DVD with Mr. immlass
posted by immlass at 4:35 PM on June 20, 2010
PhoBWan: Just set your computer to a UK proxy server during the install process. I changed my IE settings via Internet Options -> Connections -> Lan Settings -> Proxy Server. This apparently changes it for the whole PC. Something like 91.103.185.182, port 80 should work.
posted by lholladay at 4:38 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by lholladay at 4:38 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
There is definitely a version that is obtainable not from the BBC that works outside the UK.
The game is not bad. Of the Dr Who games I've played or heard about it appears to be the best. Dr Who top trumps may as well be about trains and the late 90s game is pretty lame.
It does not have puzzles to solve like a SCUMM style game and instead there are some avoid the monsters vision games and some flash like puzzles.
Given that the BBC can licence Dr Who so that people can sell a Spinning Magnetic TARDIS without the need to pop one in every licence payers mailbox it is weird that the BBC cannot licence companies to make more Dr Who games.
posted by sien at 4:43 PM on June 20, 2010
The game is not bad. Of the Dr Who games I've played or heard about it appears to be the best. Dr Who top trumps may as well be about trains and the late 90s game is pretty lame.
It does not have puzzles to solve like a SCUMM style game and instead there are some avoid the monsters vision games and some flash like puzzles.
Given that the BBC can licence Dr Who so that people can sell a Spinning Magnetic TARDIS without the need to pop one in every licence payers mailbox it is weird that the BBC cannot licence companies to make more Dr Who games.
posted by sien at 4:43 PM on June 20, 2010
Personally I like it when the Daleks turn Bedfordshire into a giant hole to the center of the earth. Which they've done twice, the second time in colour and less convincingly. But I'm from round that way, so I would.
posted by Artw at 4:45 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by Artw at 4:45 PM on June 20, 2010
It's not so much that there's a delay--that I understand, and I think, say, a 1-2 week delay would be totally reasonable. But there's such a huge delay that reading spoilers, if you're into the show, is completely inevitable and downloading episodes illegally becomes increasingly attractive.
immlass, I haven't been able to find the price anywhere, and I've done a bit of searching.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:47 PM on June 20, 2010
immlass, I haven't been able to find the price anywhere, and I've done a bit of searching.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:47 PM on June 20, 2010
That's the weird thing though - when the delay was months long people were downloading less.
posted by Artw at 4:48 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by Artw at 4:48 PM on June 20, 2010
Which they've done twice, the second time in colour and less convincingly.
That, too, is blocked in Canada. Nooooo!
Not complaining about that fact, it's just kind of funny given the discussion about the game.
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:49 PM on June 20, 2010
That, too, is blocked in Canada. Nooooo!
Not complaining about that fact, it's just kind of funny given the discussion about the game.
posted by Lemurrhea at 4:49 PM on June 20, 2010
Hmm, really? I only started watching in the past six months or so. I imagine I would have been jumping out of my skin before (though I wonder if a year without really episodes made everyone that much more impatient.)
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:50 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:50 PM on June 20, 2010
That, too, is blocked in Canada. Nooooo!
GOOGLE ROY CASTLE!
(+ Daleks)
posted by Artw at 4:52 PM on June 20, 2010
GOOGLE ROY CASTLE!
(+ Daleks)
posted by Artw at 4:52 PM on June 20, 2010
this didn't want to install in the US even after I downloaded it from a torrent.
I was able to get a torrented copy installed without any problems; they had just packed all the game files into another installer, apparently. Mind you, this was after failing with the standard installer about a million times. I don't know why the proxies I tried didn't work.
The game itself is okay. If I played games more, I would probably have more complaints. The controls are a bit wonky, which is kind of a pain when I wind up walking straight into a Varga plant because Amy doesn't decide to start walking for two seconds after I press the button. I wish they had mixed up the minigames a bit more; I really don't need to do three don't-touch-the-walls mazes. Still, I liked the story, and it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
posted by maqsarian at 4:54 PM on June 20, 2010
I was able to get a torrented copy installed without any problems; they had just packed all the game files into another installer, apparently. Mind you, this was after failing with the standard installer about a million times. I don't know why the proxies I tried didn't work.
The game itself is okay. If I played games more, I would probably have more complaints. The controls are a bit wonky, which is kind of a pain when I wind up walking straight into a Varga plant because Amy doesn't decide to start walking for two seconds after I press the button. I wish they had mixed up the minigames a bit more; I really don't need to do three don't-touch-the-walls mazes. Still, I liked the story, and it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.
posted by maqsarian at 4:54 PM on June 20, 2010
Stories and scripts are from Phil Ford (co-writer Doctor Who 'Waters of Mars')
Yay!
and James Moran (Severance,
Yay!
Torchwood
Aww.
Children of Earth)
Oh, wait. Yay!
posted by Wataki at 4:58 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yay!
and James Moran (Severance,
Yay!
Torchwood
Aww.
Children of Earth)
Oh, wait. Yay!
posted by Wataki at 4:58 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
GOOGLE ROY CASTLE!
Actually the second Peter Cushing Who film doesn't have Roy Castle, it has Bernard Cribbins as a bumbling policeman instead.
posted by Artw at 5:00 PM on June 20, 2010
Actually the second Peter Cushing Who film doesn't have Roy Castle, it has Bernard Cribbins as a bumbling policeman instead.
posted by Artw at 5:00 PM on June 20, 2010
There's another thread? I'd love to discuss yesterday's episode in a spoiler-safe environment.
posted by schmod at 5:03 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by schmod at 5:03 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
That's the weird thing though - when the delay was months long people were downloading less.
Personally, I've enjoyed this season a lot more than previous ones. Before I'd let months go and then remember that oh, yeah, Doctor who, I should look it up on netflix. They weren't consistently good, though I did like Donna.
For me this season is different and I'm anticipating every episode. I wouldn't be surprised if more American fans are getting into message boards, which are all on UK pacing.
As far as downloading vs. watching on television - BBC American doesn't help the case by cutting down the episodes (or at least the first episode.)
posted by Solon and Thanks at 5:08 PM on June 20, 2010
Personally, I've enjoyed this season a lot more than previous ones. Before I'd let months go and then remember that oh, yeah, Doctor who, I should look it up on netflix. They weren't consistently good, though I did like Donna.
For me this season is different and I'm anticipating every episode. I wouldn't be surprised if more American fans are getting into message boards, which are all on UK pacing.
As far as downloading vs. watching on television - BBC American doesn't help the case by cutting down the episodes (or at least the first episode.)
posted by Solon and Thanks at 5:08 PM on June 20, 2010
It's not *that* spoiler-filled, really, but here's the last Dr. Who thread.
posted by graventy at 5:09 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by graventy at 5:09 PM on June 20, 2010
This is a big debate about this on the AV Club right now, as the reviews go up only after BBC America shows an episode. It's really unfortunate, since the reviews for episodes from weeks ago are being posted exactly when most Who fans have just watched the most recent episode and are pretty much biting their fists to keep from talking about it.
The AV Club is in sort of a tough spot, though, according to one of the staffers: aside from the other reasons they delay the episode reviews, they also need to keep BBC America happy to ensure that their access to screeners continue.
The policy makes sense, but it doesn't make anyone happy.
posted by Ian A.T. at 5:09 PM on June 20, 2010
The AV Club is in sort of a tough spot, though, according to one of the staffers: aside from the other reasons they delay the episode reviews, they also need to keep BBC America happy to ensure that their access to screeners continue.
The policy makes sense, but it doesn't make anyone happy.
posted by Ian A.T. at 5:09 PM on June 20, 2010
There's another thread? I'd love to discuss yesterday's episode in a spoiler-safe environment.
Not really sure that thread should be a free fire zone for spoilers either.
posted by Artw at 5:10 PM on June 20, 2010
Not really sure that thread should be a free fire zone for spoilers either.
posted by Artw at 5:10 PM on June 20, 2010
Artw: "Well, technically UK residents have paid for it already."
But isn't the overseas audience for Who 100% IT-industry emigrants who presumably pay UK taxes in addition to *cough* US taxes?
I KID. No really, I kid, you live to close to my house.
posted by mwhybark at 5:12 PM on June 20, 2010
But isn't the overseas audience for Who 100% IT-industry emigrants who presumably pay UK taxes in addition to *cough* US taxes?
I KID. No really, I kid, you live to close to my house.
posted by mwhybark at 5:12 PM on June 20, 2010
Not really sure that thread should be a free fire zone for spoilers either.
Agreed; I've seen all the episodes, so I'm fine with spoilers, but I hate to think that some people would have to avoid the thread just because they aren't amoral pirate bastards like me.
posted by maqsarian at 5:13 PM on June 20, 2010
Agreed; I've seen all the episodes, so I'm fine with spoilers, but I hate to think that some people would have to avoid the thread just because they aren't amoral pirate bastards like me.
posted by maqsarian at 5:13 PM on June 20, 2010
Anyone else remember these Doctor Who games?
posted by Monkeymoo at 5:15 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Monkeymoo at 5:15 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
But isn't the overseas audience for Who 100% IT-industry emigrants who presumably pay UK taxes in addition to *cough* US taxes?
Heh. Nope, I pay no UK taxes.
TBH given the oportunity to pay the license fee and get the full range of BBC channels I totally would.
posted by Artw at 5:22 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Heh. Nope, I pay no UK taxes.
TBH given the oportunity to pay the license fee and get the full range of BBC channels I totally would.
posted by Artw at 5:22 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure why the show would be more downloaded now than in the past -- faster downloads? a bigger audience? more people downloading TV across the board? -- but I do agree it's kind of obnoxious that the show's arriving a lot sooner on US TV than it used to, but not quite at the same time as in the UK. The gap seems inexplicable to me. The BBC must be at least somewhat aware how many viewers they're losing to torrents (and it's a shame, because BBCA is doing a much nicer job by Who than SyFy was, although it'd be nice if I could find their on-demand channel -- which I understand exists! -- anywhere in my cable system). Twenty-some-odd years ago, when Who ran in America on PBS, the lag between UK/US broadcasts led to spoilers only for the kind of really hardcore fans who went out of their way to seek them out in UK print publications that found their way over here; this is obviously a very different time.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 5:34 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by kittens for breakfast at 5:34 PM on June 20, 2010
I've said it before, but I would gladly pay the license fee to get full access to the BBC website. Streaming Doctor Who on the iPlayer would be more convenient for me than watching the show through other means, and there are plenty of other shows and games that would make the fee worth my while. I don't understand why the BBC doesn't offer this to potential customers overseas.
posted by Ruki at 5:34 PM on June 20, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by Ruki at 5:34 PM on June 20, 2010 [5 favorites]
I think assides from anything else it might put them in an awkward political position.
posted by Artw at 5:38 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by Artw at 5:38 PM on June 20, 2010
The more practical reason is probably that sorting out licensing conflicts and licensing the non-BBC stuff across markets would be an utter nightmare.
posted by Artw at 5:40 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by Artw at 5:40 PM on June 20, 2010
Oh, Rupert Murdoch would cry hot, hot tears if people in other countries were allowed to pay for BBC content. Well, considering he can't get people to pay for the crap his companies try to sell...
posted by BYiro at 5:59 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by BYiro at 5:59 PM on June 20, 2010
Yeah, I reckon he'd have his papers throw an utter shitfit.
TBH I'm suprised he doesn't go after Who more - anything successful from the BBC normally provokes a response.
posted by Artw at 6:08 PM on June 20, 2010
TBH I'm suprised he doesn't go after Who more - anything successful from the BBC normally provokes a response.
posted by Artw at 6:08 PM on June 20, 2010
Oh, Rupert Murdoch would cry hot, hot tears if people in other countries were allowed to pay for BBC content.
Well, there's BBC America -- which is a horrid way to watch the programs given the garbage they overlay on it and never mind the commercials. There's also iTunes as has been mentioned.
The real and somewhat inexplicable shame is that North America is shut out of the DVD pricing you can get literally anywhere else in the world. The BBC shop will ship to just about every country on Earth except the US and Canada. In N.A. you have to buy through the U.S. or Canadian subsidiaries which charge far, far, more. It's almost understandable in the case of the U.S., but why should Canada get a crappier deal than Australia, let alone, say, Cyprus or Thailand?
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:24 PM on June 20, 2010
Well, there's BBC America -- which is a horrid way to watch the programs given the garbage they overlay on it and never mind the commercials. There's also iTunes as has been mentioned.
The real and somewhat inexplicable shame is that North America is shut out of the DVD pricing you can get literally anywhere else in the world. The BBC shop will ship to just about every country on Earth except the US and Canada. In N.A. you have to buy through the U.S. or Canadian subsidiaries which charge far, far, more. It's almost understandable in the case of the U.S., but why should Canada get a crappier deal than Australia, let alone, say, Cyprus or Thailand?
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:24 PM on June 20, 2010
Unfortunately this game is the suck. It looks pretty but the game-play was designed by non-gamers.
I still love the Beeb though. I agree with Ruki - I'd gladly pay the license fee to get all the BBC stuff over here. Currently I have to rent a VPN to England just to make iPlayer work for TV.
posted by w0mbat at 6:33 PM on June 20, 2010
I still love the Beeb though. I agree with Ruki - I'd gladly pay the license fee to get all the BBC stuff over here. Currently I have to rent a VPN to England just to make iPlayer work for TV.
posted by w0mbat at 6:33 PM on June 20, 2010
It's almost understandable in the case of the U.S., but why should Canada get a crappier deal than Australia, let alone, say, Cyprus or Thailand?
Because we'll roll over and take it?
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:51 PM on June 20, 2010
Because we'll roll over and take it?
posted by Lemurrhea at 6:51 PM on June 20, 2010
Although US viewers don't pay the 'license fee' we do pay for cable and BBCA is not a basic cable channel which means you pay even more for the privilege of watching Doctor Who 2-3 weeks later than those in the UK.
The really painful news is that the next season of Torchwood, which will still air on the BBC in the UK, will air on Starz in the US (Starz being a premium channel like HBO). What's the point in paying for BBCA if they won't show all the BBC shows? I know there was never a guarantee that BBC shows will air on BBCA but it still feels lame.
posted by pibeandres at 6:56 PM on June 20, 2010
The really painful news is that the next season of Torchwood, which will still air on the BBC in the UK, will air on Starz in the US (Starz being a premium channel like HBO). What's the point in paying for BBCA if they won't show all the BBC shows? I know there was never a guarantee that BBC shows will air on BBCA but it still feels lame.
posted by pibeandres at 6:56 PM on June 20, 2010
I like video games a fair bit, and I do seem to know an awful lot about them.
I am in no way thrilled about the prospect of playing Doctor Who instead of watching it. Quite the opposite in fact.
posted by JHarris at 7:34 PM on June 20, 2010
I am in no way thrilled about the prospect of playing Doctor Who instead of watching it. Quite the opposite in fact.
posted by JHarris at 7:34 PM on June 20, 2010
I guess the part I don't understand, and I fully admit that I'm ridiculously naive when it comes to business dealings, is that there is a demographic who is practically begging the BBC to take their money. I want to pay the license fee rather than use torrents, and I still watch the show on BBCAmerica, too. (And right now, I'm watching The Caves of Androzani on Netflix.) I vaguely understand the licensing problem Artw mentioned, but wouldn't the extra revenue allow the BBC to pay a little more for licensing rights?
I'm also annoyed because, for as much as I enjoy BBCAmerica, I think it's horribly managed. I mean, ST:TNG? Really? That's as stupid as SyFy airing wrestling. But that's a recent problem. Do we really need a two hour block of Cash in the Attic every day? Like pibeandres said, it's not basic cable - I think we should be getting a bit more for our money. I know there's more to British TV than auction and cleaning and eating shows.
Seriously, viewers in the US want more content and are willing to pay for it. I cannot understand why the BBC doesn't want our money. And if it makes Rupert Murdoch feel any better, I'd pay for Sky, too, because they have the Terry Pratchett stuff. Hmm, that reminds me...
posted by Ruki at 7:43 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm also annoyed because, for as much as I enjoy BBCAmerica, I think it's horribly managed. I mean, ST:TNG? Really? That's as stupid as SyFy airing wrestling. But that's a recent problem. Do we really need a two hour block of Cash in the Attic every day? Like pibeandres said, it's not basic cable - I think we should be getting a bit more for our money. I know there's more to British TV than auction and cleaning and eating shows.
Seriously, viewers in the US want more content and are willing to pay for it. I cannot understand why the BBC doesn't want our money. And if it makes Rupert Murdoch feel any better, I'd pay for Sky, too, because they have the Terry Pratchett stuff. Hmm, that reminds me...
posted by Ruki at 7:43 PM on June 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Well, it works under Wine. If needed you have to set up a proxy in the registry to install, plays fine without it once installed.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:32 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by zengargoyle at 8:32 PM on June 20, 2010
Ruki, I'm pretty sure BBCAmerica doesn't _want_ to put out all that reeking effluent. They've probably tried putting the good stuff on and found it didn't get big viewer numbers, which in turn probably made the cable operators threaten to drop them or hide them in some package nobody buys.
What sucks about that is the only sane reason for even having all these channels is to provide room for niche tastes. Four broadcast networks going for the lowest common denominator is one thing, you can at least sort of understand it. But 100+ channels also going for the same lowest common denominator is perverse. But it's true, they all run the same shit. I'm old enough to remember when Bravo was an arts channel with some fucking good programs on it. Now it's all just their farty spin on the same mind-decayingly dull reality shite every other channel does.
posted by George_Spiggott at 8:41 PM on June 20, 2010
What sucks about that is the only sane reason for even having all these channels is to provide room for niche tastes. Four broadcast networks going for the lowest common denominator is one thing, you can at least sort of understand it. But 100+ channels also going for the same lowest common denominator is perverse. But it's true, they all run the same shit. I'm old enough to remember when Bravo was an arts channel with some fucking good programs on it. Now it's all just their farty spin on the same mind-decayingly dull reality shite every other channel does.
posted by George_Spiggott at 8:41 PM on June 20, 2010
I wanted to like the game as I have a huge soft spot for Sumo Digital (the developers, who rose to mild fame after their first game, a successful squeeze of Outrun 2 into the original Xbox) but I think they put their C team on it. Or their F team. Or they were trying to make a game accessible to first-time players and missed the mark a bit: it's fiddly instead of straightforward, and the puzzles don't start simple and layer on complexity in a way that feels natural, like a Popcap game, they just get longer.
The acting is a bit crap as well; Matt Smith is his usual bouncy self but Karen Gillen is phoning it in down two plastic cups connected by string. It's all a bit of a shame, really.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 11:00 PM on June 20, 2010
The acting is a bit crap as well; Matt Smith is his usual bouncy self but Karen Gillen is phoning it in down two plastic cups connected by string. It's all a bit of a shame, really.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 11:00 PM on June 20, 2010
There are walkthrough videos on YouTube if you don't want to deal with the game itself. I haven't watched them all yet. So I don't know if the games are canon in the sense that they introduce elements that will come up again in the tv show, or canon the same way that all the novels and audio plays are. That is, canon until the TV show disputes it.
posted by Gary at 1:26 AM on June 21, 2010
posted by Gary at 1:26 AM on June 21, 2010
The acting is a bit crap as well; Matt Smith is his usual bouncy self but Karen Gillen is phoning it in down two plastic cups connected by string. It's all a bit of a shame, really.
To be fair, from what I see in Confidential, Matt Smith more or less just plays himself but even larger for The Doctor - whereas Karen Gillian needs a scriptwriter for Amy Pond.
posted by Francis at 3:15 AM on June 21, 2010
To be fair, from what I see in Confidential, Matt Smith more or less just plays himself but even larger for The Doctor - whereas Karen Gillian needs a scriptwriter for Amy Pond.
posted by Francis at 3:15 AM on June 21, 2010
It is dark. You are likely to be eaten by the Vashta Nerada.
posted by panboi at 5:21 AM on June 21, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by panboi at 5:21 AM on June 21, 2010 [3 favorites]
I don't think this is worthy of another post when this one's up, so: the Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Daleks.
posted by Electric Dragon at 5:36 AM on June 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Electric Dragon at 5:36 AM on June 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
It's surprising that there are people who don't think a Dr Who game would be good. Dr Who games could be really, really good.
Imagine a SCUMM like game that was carefully directed by Tim Schafer based around the Eighth Doctor with dialogue by some of the writers of the new Doctor Who. It could be really brilliant. Alternatively you could do something similar with some of the companions.
City of Daleks is not it, but there is great potential raw material there. The engine in the City of Daleks would be fine for making something more interesting.
posted by sien at 5:38 AM on June 21, 2010
Imagine a SCUMM like game that was carefully directed by Tim Schafer based around the Eighth Doctor with dialogue by some of the writers of the new Doctor Who. It could be really brilliant. Alternatively you could do something similar with some of the companions.
City of Daleks is not it, but there is great potential raw material there. The engine in the City of Daleks would be fine for making something more interesting.
posted by sien at 5:38 AM on June 21, 2010
Gee, "City of the Daleks" is all over the torrent sites, but people outside the UK can't get it to work?
Wow... this will obviously stop people cold, amirite?!
posted by markkraft at 8:34 AM on June 21, 2010
Wow... this will obviously stop people cold, amirite?!
posted by markkraft at 8:34 AM on June 21, 2010
I couldn't even download in the UK when I tried at the official site the other week... but I was kinda super busy at the time so I didn't make an effort to get it by other means
I know there's more to British TV than auction and cleaning and eating shows. yeah there's soaps, copdoc pseudo-soaps and utterly lame 'dramas'. Who's about the only thing I'm watching at the moment.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:35 AM on June 21, 2010
I know there's more to British TV than auction and cleaning and eating shows. yeah there's soaps, copdoc pseudo-soaps and utterly lame 'dramas'. Who's about the only thing I'm watching at the moment.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:35 AM on June 21, 2010
Looks like it's letting me download now.... Oh well I was having a bit of a slack day anyway
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:37 AM on June 21, 2010
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:37 AM on June 21, 2010
Oh and talking of games I remember having this one as a kid... worth it's weight in gold on ebay nowadays.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:40 AM on June 21, 2010
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:40 AM on June 21, 2010
Jesus wept it still won't fucking install...
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:57 AM on June 21, 2010
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:57 AM on June 21, 2010
Is this where I talk about how Rory is the only character I like in the current season?
posted by edbles at 9:37 AM on June 21, 2010
posted by edbles at 9:37 AM on June 21, 2010
Is this where I talk about how Rory is the only character I like in the current season?
Yes. I like him a lot more than I expected to. He has a backbone.
It's surprising that there are people who don't think a Dr Who game would be good. Dr Who games could be really, really good.
A lot rests on the game mechanics though. Weak games don't do Doctor Who many favors.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:22 AM on June 21, 2010
Yes. I like him a lot more than I expected to. He has a backbone.
It's surprising that there are people who don't think a Dr Who game would be good. Dr Who games could be really, really good.
A lot rests on the game mechanics though. Weak games don't do Doctor Who many favors.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:22 AM on June 21, 2010
yeah there's soaps, copdoc pseudo-soaps and utterly lame 'dramas'
Don't forget panel shows!
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 10:25 AM on June 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Don't forget panel shows!
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 10:25 AM on June 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
I propose we use mouseover text to discuss spoilery speculation about the finale.
There's been a little fanwank debate on the internet suggesting that [MOUSEOVER FOR SPOILER AND SPECULATION]
Also, [MOUSEOVER FOR SPOILER AND SPECULATION]
Finally, there are some kinda spoilery but really tantalizing pictures of the Pandorica here.
posted by painquale at 12:07 PM on June 21, 2010
There's been a little fanwank debate on the internet suggesting that [MOUSEOVER FOR SPOILER AND SPECULATION]
Also, [MOUSEOVER FOR SPOILER AND SPECULATION]
Finally, there are some kinda spoilery but really tantalizing pictures of the Pandorica here.
posted by painquale at 12:07 PM on June 21, 2010
Also when did the sonic screwdriver become the magic isntant fix any dramatically convenient problem wand?
Grumble grumble Steven Moffat
posted by edbles at 12:53 PM on June 21, 2010
Grumble grumble Steven Moffat
posted by edbles at 12:53 PM on June 21, 2010
Also when did the sonic screwdriver become the magic isntant fix any dramatically convenient problem wand?
To be honest that's been a constant since the beginning of Nu Who though they have inflated it over the years, to the extent that they've had to introduce explicit restrictions on it so the writers can actually hold back the Doc at points 'What do you mean it can't do wood!'
See also - the Tardis can now apparently do anything.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:10 PM on June 21, 2010
To be honest that's been a constant since the beginning of Nu Who though they have inflated it over the years, to the extent that they've had to introduce explicit restrictions on it so the writers can actually hold back the Doc at points 'What do you mean it can't do wood!'
See also - the Tardis can now apparently do anything.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:10 PM on June 21, 2010
Honestly I’m a David Tennant and a couple of old old episodes on Netflix Who watcher, but I feel like Tennant’s sonic screwdriver was clearly an equipment scanner and unlocker. So like it could open computer doors and junk because it was hacking them. I don’t recall Tennant pointing it at a living creature to use as a medical device a la this Doctor.
posted by edbles at 1:19 PM on June 21, 2010
posted by edbles at 1:19 PM on June 21, 2010
Moffat's the guy who tries to limit overuse of the sonic screwdriver. He wrote the "it can't do wood" line; he had it break in the library episodes and the Prisoner Zero episode; he made fun of it being useless in the Empty Child episodes. RTD is the one who really ballooned its abilities. Moffat's scaling back. I can't think of anything this season it did that was really ridiculous, but maybe I'm forgetting something.
"Perception filter" is Moffat's go-to plot hole panacea of choice.
posted by painquale at 1:21 PM on June 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Perception filter" is Moffat's go-to plot hole panacea of choice.
posted by painquale at 1:21 PM on June 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
Ok well clearly what happened here was I heard his TSOYA interview decided I hated him and then the “perception filter” I had that was all Tennant and Davies can do no wrong got lifted and I suddenly started noticing sonic screwdriver nonsense. I just keep noticing Matt Smith pointing it at people’s faces to scan them which seems new (Lizard people episode, Venice episode).
posted by edbles at 1:26 PM on June 21, 2010
posted by edbles at 1:26 PM on June 21, 2010
Now that the Doctor's screwdriver is green they can make it less powerful by introducing a weakness against yellow things.
posted by painquale at 1:56 PM on June 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by painquale at 1:56 PM on June 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
Ah, see, but it already has a weakness against wood. So, you have to choose, is the Doctor Golden Age or Silver Age? He can't be both.
posted by maqsarian at 2:00 PM on June 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by maqsarian at 2:00 PM on June 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
The new ability of the TARDIS to do absolutely anything (like fearfulsymmetry says) is more over-the-top and annoying, I think. Rose destroyed all of the Daleks not in a parallel dimension just by looking into the heart of the TARDIS. And the Doctor's TARDIS is just a crummy type 40 one that he stole a millenium ago. If the Time Lords could harness that kind of power, you wouldn't expect the Time War to have gone so badly for them.
I like that they've retconned TARDISes into being organic things that are grown rather than constructed, though.
posted by painquale at 2:02 PM on June 21, 2010
I like that they've retconned TARDISes into being organic things that are grown rather than constructed, though.
posted by painquale at 2:02 PM on June 21, 2010
Of course, you're right. The Doctor can be whatever age he wants.
Now, I'm envisioning Guy Gardner as the Doctor, and it's kind of freaking me out.
posted by maqsarian at 2:21 PM on June 21, 2010
Now, I'm envisioning Guy Gardner as the Doctor, and it's kind of freaking me out.
posted by maqsarian at 2:21 PM on June 21, 2010
Fanwank: the Doctor is a perfect copy of the Other, and thus any TARDIS he steps into becomes superpowerful not because it's anything special, but because all the special features unlock just for him. Rassilon probably has a similar effect.
disclaimer: fanwank based on shaky understanding of books of questionable canonicitiness, the summaries of which I have read on wikipedia
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 2:30 PM on June 21, 2010
disclaimer: fanwank based on shaky understanding of books of questionable canonicitiness, the summaries of which I have read on wikipedia
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 2:30 PM on June 21, 2010
Speaking of computer-animated Doctor Who tie-ins....
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:13 PM on June 21, 2010
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:13 PM on June 21, 2010
....Oops; missed the dupe on preview. I flagged mine. Sorry.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:15 PM on June 21, 2010
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:15 PM on June 21, 2010
Portraits of every Doctor and companion, incomplete.
See also: Doctor Who as Cats (aka Doctor Mew)
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 12:29 AM on June 22, 2010
See also: Doctor Who as Cats (aka Doctor Mew)
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 12:29 AM on June 22, 2010
And here is The Doctor as owls (aka Doctor Hoo).
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:01 AM on June 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:01 AM on June 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
I've said it before, but I would gladly pay the license fee to get full access to the BBC website. Streaming Doctor Who on the iPlayer would be more convenient for me than watching the show through other means, and there are plenty of other shows and games that would make the fee worth my while. I don't understand why the BBC doesn't offer this to potential customers overseas.
I work at the BBC as a Webmaster and played a insignificantly tiny part in the testing of this (not enough for my liking, but timeline issues...). However, I'm not speaking as a representative, but as a techie fan.
My understanding of the reason for limiting offerings (all, not just Doctor Who productions) to audience outside the UK does largely come down to 2 things: (1) licensing, as previously mentioned, which is notoriously thorny when offerings go abroad (I was told there was something in the works, though); (2) infrastructure & resources - the network needs to be able to handle the load. In the UK alone, over half a million downloads for this 330MB game. Imagine worldwide? The current infrastructure is designed with a large margin around a high average load but this would be an exceptional load spike. Of course, it's not an impossible or intractable problem, but it's not a quick simple "hey, let's let everyone have it!" The licensing budget from above would need to shoulder the burden since saddling the license fee payers with the additional cost is not something the BBC is allowed to do. Of course, structuring that isn't simple and neither is doing it quickly. The BBC is *very* conscious about cost and transparency these days (to a point that our departmental XMas party ended up being a bit sad this year).
Anyway, the end result is that it needs to be done right, even if that means delays and unpopular grumblings from around the rest of the world. There may have been other reasons but I think these were the main ones, and I think they're pretty pragmatic.
posted by Jon-A-Thon at 6:11 AM on June 22, 2010 [5 favorites]
I work at the BBC as a Webmaster and played a insignificantly tiny part in the testing of this (not enough for my liking, but timeline issues...). However, I'm not speaking as a representative, but as a techie fan.
My understanding of the reason for limiting offerings (all, not just Doctor Who productions) to audience outside the UK does largely come down to 2 things: (1) licensing, as previously mentioned, which is notoriously thorny when offerings go abroad (I was told there was something in the works, though); (2) infrastructure & resources - the network needs to be able to handle the load. In the UK alone, over half a million downloads for this 330MB game. Imagine worldwide? The current infrastructure is designed with a large margin around a high average load but this would be an exceptional load spike. Of course, it's not an impossible or intractable problem, but it's not a quick simple "hey, let's let everyone have it!" The licensing budget from above would need to shoulder the burden since saddling the license fee payers with the additional cost is not something the BBC is allowed to do. Of course, structuring that isn't simple and neither is doing it quickly. The BBC is *very* conscious about cost and transparency these days (to a point that our departmental XMas party ended up being a bit sad this year).
Anyway, the end result is that it needs to be done right, even if that means delays and unpopular grumblings from around the rest of the world. There may have been other reasons but I think these were the main ones, and I think they're pretty pragmatic.
posted by Jon-A-Thon at 6:11 AM on June 22, 2010 [5 favorites]
(I should also add, that as a fan - and many of us here are - it does suck when things like this get in the way of the enjoyment)
posted by Jon-A-Thon at 6:30 AM on June 22, 2010
posted by Jon-A-Thon at 6:30 AM on June 22, 2010
Technically as a rogue breakaway from organised Time Lordery who has decided to go it on his own he might be more of a Sinestro.
posted by Artw at 6:42 AM on June 22, 2010
posted by Artw at 6:42 AM on June 22, 2010
Also I can now see why people want to have spoilery conversations about the finale, because wow.
posted by Artw at 6:43 AM on June 22, 2010
posted by Artw at 6:43 AM on June 22, 2010
Yeah, part one was a bit good. Seems weird to be looking forward to part two of a new Who finale...
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 10:27 AM on June 22, 2010
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 10:27 AM on June 22, 2010
I don't know; I looked forward to Journey's End, just to see what RTD would pull out of his ass to get himself out of that regeneration.
posted by maqsarian at 10:47 AM on June 22, 2010
posted by maqsarian at 10:47 AM on June 22, 2010
But, yeah, looking forward to it because you expect it to really be any good, not so much.
posted by maqsarian at 11:11 AM on June 22, 2010
posted by maqsarian at 11:11 AM on June 22, 2010
But, yeah, looking forward to it because you expect it to really be any good, not so much.
It's a mark of my faith in Moffat that I don't expect it to be an absolute bust. I'm nervous, but I don't have that steely-face, tooth-gritting feeling that I had before watching part two of all the finales for the previous seasons, or particularly before watching End of Time, having felt that the short "specials" season exposed every weakness in RTD's management of Who without emphasizing any of his virtues, such as they were. I don't know if it will be good--the constraints that RTD established for a season finale may forbid that--but I expect it to be the best finale possible within those constraints.
posted by immlass at 11:56 AM on June 22, 2010
It's a mark of my faith in Moffat that I don't expect it to be an absolute bust. I'm nervous, but I don't have that steely-face, tooth-gritting feeling that I had before watching part two of all the finales for the previous seasons, or particularly before watching End of Time, having felt that the short "specials" season exposed every weakness in RTD's management of Who without emphasizing any of his virtues, such as they were. I don't know if it will be good--the constraints that RTD established for a season finale may forbid that--but I expect it to be the best finale possible within those constraints.
posted by immlass at 11:56 AM on June 22, 2010
Wow, Jon-A-Thon, , thanks so much for your post. It makes me feel less grumbly about the matter. When they're available to the US, I'll pay for the games, and I do appreciate that they'll eventually be offered overseas. For all my grumbling, I do understand that it's a good start, and I hope that something can be worked out in the future. I also hope your Christmas parties get better!
Also, I'm really looking forward to Saturday. Like, really really looking forward to it. RTD set my expectations so low for finales that anything besides Tinkerbell Jesus is going to be absolutely fantastic to me. I'm hoping for a resolution to all the little anachronisms we've seen this season.
posted by Ruki at 9:05 PM on June 22, 2010
Also, I'm really looking forward to Saturday. Like, really really looking forward to it. RTD set my expectations so low for finales that anything besides Tinkerbell Jesus is going to be absolutely fantastic to me. I'm hoping for a resolution to all the little anachronisms we've seen this season.
posted by Ruki at 9:05 PM on June 22, 2010
Moffat's sister interviews him about the second game's launch--and his early fanfic.
Hopefully the season finale won't include a giant doomsday button.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:53 AM on June 23, 2010
Hopefully the season finale won't include a giant doomsday button.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:53 AM on June 23, 2010
Wow. If all the kids at my American grade school had been that enthusiastic about Doctor Who, I think I would have had a much better time there.
posted by maqsarian at 8:59 AM on June 23, 2010
posted by maqsarian at 8:59 AM on June 23, 2010
Well, my reset-button sense is tingling a little, but hopefully it'll be something a little better than that.
posted by Artw at 8:59 AM on June 23, 2010
posted by Artw at 8:59 AM on June 23, 2010
Huh, he kinda talks like the Doctor does. "Dont worry about being suck, stuck is fine." I wonder if he writes the Doctor in his own voice, or if he models his own speech on the Doctor's now that he's in a position of authority. Probably the latter, which is kind of charming.
posted by painquale at 9:48 AM on June 23, 2010
posted by painquale at 9:48 AM on June 23, 2010
Spacetime's Finest comics #1 featuring Batman
posted by BrotherCaine at 2:08 PM on June 23, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by BrotherCaine at 2:08 PM on June 23, 2010 [3 favorites]
Starz in the US
I wonder if this means they'll be up on Netflix's streaming service. Probably not, but it would be cool.
posted by drezdn at 4:43 PM on June 23, 2010
I wonder if this means they'll be up on Netflix's streaming service. Probably not, but it would be cool.
posted by drezdn at 4:43 PM on June 23, 2010
I wonder if this means they'll be up on Netflix's streaming service. Probably not, but it would be cool.
The rest of new Who and Torchwood is us I don't understand why this wouldn't be but just a season behind like everything else on Netflix. Or were you saying maybe they'll be up now?
posted by edbles at 9:07 AM on June 24, 2010
The rest of new Who and Torchwood is us I don't understand why this wouldn't be but just a season behind like everything else on Netflix. Or were you saying maybe they'll be up now?
posted by edbles at 9:07 AM on June 24, 2010
edbles, Netflix has a deal with Starz, where all Starz programming (movies and shows) is available for Instant Watch. For TV series this means that new episodes of Starz original series (like Party Down, Spartacus: Blood and Sand, etc.) can be streamed through Netflix usually the day after they air. So, if they fall under that deal, the new Torchwood episodes might be up for streaming every week, which would be awesome.
(I work for Netflix, but I don't know anything specific yet.)
posted by maqsarian at 10:39 AM on June 24, 2010
(I work for Netflix, but I don't know anything specific yet.)
posted by maqsarian at 10:39 AM on June 24, 2010
Oooooooh. I have paying exactly enough attention to that to do victory dances whenever I get a new Party Down episode.
posted by edbles at 12:16 PM on June 24, 2010
posted by edbles at 12:16 PM on June 24, 2010
Heres's a more direct link. Doctor Who threads everywhere!
posted by painquale at 9:31 AM on June 25, 2010
posted by painquale at 9:31 AM on June 25, 2010
BTW, in the event that you do find one of the missing episodes of Doctor Who, there is a standing reward... a full-sized dalek of your very own.
posted by markkraft at 6:41 PM on June 27, 2010
posted by markkraft at 6:41 PM on June 27, 2010
The Cybermen terrorize an isolated Arctic base. What could be better?
posted by Artw at 3:30 PM on July 1, 2010
posted by Artw at 3:30 PM on July 1, 2010
If The Thing showed up too?
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:47 PM on July 1, 2010
posted by BrotherCaine at 3:47 PM on July 1, 2010
Just played Blood of the Cybermen. I'm not really sure how, if these games are part of the "official" Doctor Who universe, that it fits with The Pandorica Opens.
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:29 AM on July 3, 2010
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:29 AM on July 3, 2010
There were some people speculating that one of the cracks may have opened up in the Arctic, and erased those Cybermen. That way, Amy wouldn't have remembered them when the Pandorica opened.
posted by maqsarian at 11:54 AM on July 3, 2010
posted by maqsarian at 11:54 AM on July 3, 2010
So the games are canon, as long as you can come up with some sort of No-Prize explanation for why they are canon?
posted by Gary at 1:34 AM on July 4, 2010
posted by Gary at 1:34 AM on July 4, 2010
Not that "canon" means a whole lot in the Doctor Who Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Universe, but when they make that claim they should at least pretend to follow through.
posted by Gary at 1:40 AM on July 4, 2010
posted by Gary at 1:40 AM on July 4, 2010
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Which is poopy.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:07 PM on June 20, 2010