Nightmare High now live!

Nightmare High, a pioneering online game for Channel 4 Education, launches today. Aimed at 11–13 year olds making the transition from junior school to ‘big’ school, and examines the personal qualities needed to help them through.

Dean Vipond was appointed by agency Somethin’ Else to design the main interface for the game, as well provide much of the information design which is delivered as the game progresses and the player’s experience increases. Oh, and the logo too!

Players play the part of someone starting at a new school, who is plunged into a scary alternate reality, featuring zombie teachers, spider-bats and giant pandas. On the way you’ll meet lots of strange characters and need to work out how best to communicate, and see behind their façades to succeed. Can players fix reality and return the school to normal?

The game is a huge production, featuring brilliant writing, some excellent Flash games by Player Three, and the (literally) fantastic illustration work of Ben Steers. It also has video interviews with celebrities talking about their experiences of making transitions in their lives.

Check it out at www.nightmarehigh.com

Can you crack The Code?

The interactive experience for BBC’s The Code is now live!

The digital component of BBC’s pioneering new three-part TV series The Code has now launched. Dean Vipond was appointed by game and storytelling experts Six To Start to provide visual and interaction design for this ambitious and exciting project. The Code encourages players to find clues in the show and online, in order to solve puzzles as part of a real life treasure hunt.

The show is all about the mathematical codes which underpin how our world works. Unlike most TV shows, the online aspect has been a fundamental element of the entire production, with TV show and game created as a single experience.

It’s been a hugely exciting and satisfying project to work on. The first episode of the TV show airs on 27th July at 9pm, but players are already working to solve various puzzles online now. Take a look, and join the treasure hunt!

Go to The Code on BBC
Follow The Code on Twitter
See The Code on Facebook

Skin up

Two sites for the new series of E4 drama Skins are now live!

Series 5 of Skins begins on E4 on Thursday 27th January at 10pm. There’s plenty of online activity to accompany the series, including two websites, produced by entertainment production company Somethin’ Else, and designed by Dean Vipond.

It must be stressed that the design of both sites is deliberately tacky! They were huge fun to design though. Please be advised that both sites contain adult humour and strong language!
 
 

The first site is for Roundview College, and is masterminded by long-term character Doug. You’ll be able to meet some new characters, learn about the college’s ‘interesting’ approach to education, and send Doug some questions. The best ones will be published on the site.
 
 

The second site is for the mildly terrifying, alpha male motivational coach Leon Levan. Learn about Leon’s philosophy, watch videos and download some motivational posters. It’s an experience, make no mistake!

A New Hope

Play Chart Wars now on Facebook! Dean Vipond has produced the logo and visual design for Chart Wars – a music charts prediction game, for entertainment production company SomethinElse.

The game is for The Big Top 40 Show, the commercial radio chart owned by Global Radio – the largest commercial radio company in the UK. Each week, players predict the top 10 tracks for the coming week, and win points for accuracy. As well as playing against your Facebook friends, a global league table keeps things competitive.

Play Chart Wars now!