BBC Worldwide and Skype have today announced the launch of the first-ever Doctor Who Bot.
The Doctor will open the TARDIS doors and invite players to help him save the universe in an exciting interactive digital experience titled The Saviour of Time.
In a world first, users get the opportunity to be the Doctor’s companion as the bot immerses them in a specially-written six-part Doctor Who adventure.
Players will experience the Doctor communicating with them directly and setting them challenges that can only be solved by the best companions.
Launching across multiple territories today, the bot includes challenges, logic puzzles and quizzes revolving around the search for a mysterious artefact known as the Key To Time.
Scattered throughout time and space, users must locate all six segments of the key and restore it in order to save the universe.
Following the launch today, a new chapter will be released every Sunday shortly after episodes of Doctor Who series 10 air on BBC One, ABC (Australia), BBC America (USA), Space (Canada), and in other key international markets.
Jaclyn Lee-Joe, chief marketing officer at BBC Worldwide, said: “It’s hugely exciting to be launching a Doctor Who Bot on Skype, which gives us the opportunity to deliver a new form of digital storytelling with our cutting-edge brand.
“Through this new innovation, we get to experience first-hand how bots can help deliver digital first content and immerse audiences, old and new, in the Doctor Who universe like never before.”
Steven Abrahams, group product manager of studios and strategic partnerships at Skype, said: “Our goal is for everyone in the world to experience the best Skype has to offer, and the Doctor Who bot with BBC Worldwide brings a range of new features and functionality. We’re excited to see the bot bring users and fans one step closer to meeting the iconic Doctor.”
The bot will feature exclusive voice-over of 12th Doctor Peter Capaldi, and is creatively developed by writing talent Joe Lidster (The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood).
To add the Doctor Who Bot manually, users need to search for ‘Doctor Who Bot’ in the Skype Bot Directory, read the bot’s profile and terms, and then click ‘Add to Contacts’. To see new updates as they begin to roll out, users need to be on the latest Skype app for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or web.
