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Video games developers from the Yorkshire region have collaborated to create a video game version of BBC TVs smash-hit Little Britain – one of the most successful comedy programmes in recent times.

Pictured (above and below): Former 1970s Doctor Who Tom Baker - who provided the voice of the narrator in both the Little Britain radio and television series - reprises his role for the new console game.

Gamerholix

Little Britain: The Video Game is the brainchild of Leeds-based Gamerholix, who not only masterminded the initial concept, but also designed and produced the game, outsourcing the developmental duties to Sheffield-based Gamesauce.

Gamerholix specializes in the design and development of original games and games based on licensed properties. Managing Director Elliot Gay, who has 25 years games design and production experience, is also Chairman of Game Republic – a regional alliance of high-tech companies operating in the computer and video games business.

Gamerholix and Gamesauce, both founder members of Game Republic, are not the only companies who have contributed to this cross-developed project, however and it was very much a case of “Computer says yes” for two other members of Game Republic, as well. Wakefield-based Pit Stop Productions were approached to write the music and record the voices of the show’s actual stars: Matt Lucas, David Walliams and Tom Baker; while Bradford-based Four Door Lemon created the sound engine for the game.

Characters

Charles Cecil, the celebrated game developer and Managing Director of York-based Revolution Software also helped direct the development of the game that sees players reacquaint themselves with a slew of favorite characters such as such as Lou and Andy, Dafydd Thomas, Vicky Pollard, Marjorie Dawes, Emily and Florence, Mr. Mann, Judy & Maggie and Letty. Instantly recognizable, the game’s characters have all been lovingly modeled and hand animated to match their real-life counterparts.

All of the usual Little Britain-ers use their familiar catchphrases in the game - recorded by Lucas, Walliams and narrator Tom Baker - with the aim of capturing the essence and humour of the TV show.

The game include the following favourite character cathphrases:

Lou and Andy – “If you have a verruca and would like to share it with others why not pop down to your local swimming pool”

Vicky Pollard – “It’s a school day so Vicky Pollard has taken herself off to the park.”

Mr. Mann – “Toys in Britain are sold in Toy Shops. This isn’t a Toy Shop it’s a real shop!”

Emily and Florence – “Men dressing up in women’s clothing is in my view a disgusting perversion, yes I am sitting here in bra and panties but I draw the line there!”

Daffyd Thomas – “In the small mining village of Llandewi Breffi lies the home of homosexual gay Daffyd Thomas.”

Judy and Maggie – “One thing this country does better than all the others is fetes."

Narrator - "Today in the charming village of Pox the ladies of the Women’s Association are judging the food.”

Letty – Moonwhile in Slut, Letty is admiring her froggy ornaments.”

Little Britain: The Video Game is a fun collection of mini-games presented in the style of an episode from the TV show. To win, players must work their way through a series of specially created sketches that feature plenty of scripted input from Matt Lucas and David Walliams themselves, until the credits roll at the end. As you’d expect, Tom Baker narrates throughout so fans of the series can enjoy a truly authentic Little Britain experience.

“This is the first in what we hope will be a long line of commercially successful games using our new business model,” said Elliot Gay, Managing Director of Gamerholix. “After winning the contract to develop the title, Gamerholix led and coordinated an initiative to involve as much regional talent as possible. And, in outsourcing much of the work to Yorkshire-based companies such as Gamesauce (development), Pit Stop Productions (music and voice recording), Four Door Lemon (sound engine) and Revolution Software (consultancy), we hope to raise industry awareness of the Game Republic brand, as well.”

Franchise

Bryan Reynolds, Managing Director of Gamesauce added: “Being such a well loved and high profile franchise, the Gamesauce team were delighted to be chosen to develop the multiformat Little Britain game. We're now looking forward to using the robust and proven technology on further titles in the coming year.”

A W-Kat poll carried out last year - of 6000 UK schoolchildren - showed that Little Britain was the second favourite brand after The Simpsons for 10-12 year old boys, showing a younger audience is now also enjoying Little Britain alongside a loyal adult and teenage following.

The following links may also be useful for fans of Little Britain:

The Official Little Britain website from the BBC

The Official Tom Baker website

Get Little Britain at the BBC Shop

The Official Little Britain store

Game Republic

Get Little Britain on your mobile

Game Republic receives funding from Yorkshire Forward and is part financed by The European Union.

Little Britain: The Video Game is published on Mastertronic’s Blast! label – a game company aimed exclusively at the younger children's market – and goes on sale for PlayStation2 and PC 2 February, priced £19.99, with the same title available for the PlayStationPortable (PSP) following in Spring.

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