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.
