BBC releases app for its first multiplayer game aimed at young players

The BBC has launched apps for its first multiplayer game Nightfall, as the broadcaster continues to look towards serving audiences online.

Landing on iOS and Android, the free game does not include loot boxes, ads, micro-transactions nor the ability to chat, in a bid to protect young players.

The only means of communication between users are pre-set emoji-style icons.

Nightfall first arrived on desktop through web browsers last year, sending gamers into a dream world where they must work together to fight off the enemy characters – Nags and Nightmares – who threaten their dreams.

People have the choice of signing in using a BBC account to keep track of progress, or they can opt to play as a guest.

The game was developed for BBC Children’s by independent games studio Goodboy Digital, who have already worked together on titles including the CBeebies Get Creative app and Doctor Who Time Vortex VR.

“Nightfall is a wonderful new game that puts collaboration before competition, giving young gamers the opportunity to team up and work together to defeat the enemy characters,” said Alice Webb, director of BBC Children’s and Education.

“It’s also been designed with safety at its heart – we’ve carefully built this game in such a way that that children can feel free to play, explore and have fun with their friends online while their parents can have confidence that they’re doing so in a safe and secure environment.”