Bournemouth University student invents new Doctor Who computer game

Digital Media student Doug Inman, 28, with his lifesize Dalek which features in a video game he has produced. Pictured with him are other Bournemouth and Poole College students displaying their final projects Digital Media student Doug Inman, 28, with his lifesize Dalek which features in a video game he has produced. Pictured with him are other Bournemouth and Poole College students displaying their final projects

A DALEK has invaded Poole.

But don’t panic – it’s just part of a new interactive game, and K9 is here to protect us.

BA media production student Doug Inman is the brains behind the out-of-this-world Doctor Who adventure which sees players flying the Tardis and picking up parts of the sonic screwdriver in order to rescue the Doctor from the Pandronica.

The 28-year-old Bournemouth University student, who built the 5ft 2in Dalek himself, said: “There’s a physical board on a table with miniature Tardis’s to move around, a bit like Trivial Pursuit.

“Then onscreen there’s interactive dice and players have to face challenges. It’s all introduced by the characters.

“I just wanted to include as many elements as possible to push myself.”

Swanage-based Doug, who hopes to work in television production, began making Daleks seven years ago and has three under construction at the moment.

He uses fibreglass to make the monsters over several months and scours shops for parts. Other model makers use wood or plastic.

“I was brought up on Doctor Who,” he said. “And always wanted a Dalek as a kid.

“When I was seven or eight my dad took me to see Doctor Who being filmed in Warmwell, near Dorchester, and I got to meet Sylvester McCoy. Now I run conventions and have met him several times.”

The final degree exhibition, including films and animation, is on show at Bournemouth and Poole College, in North Road, until Friday.

Programme leader Rob Forrester said: “If Doug’s smart he will push this game. No other Doctor Who merchandise out there has as good a concept and he could make a lot of money.

“We train our students to be good freelancers who can adapt.”

Former pupils have gone on to work on the Harry Potter films.

Comments(15)

super_soup says...
1:16pm Wed 25 May 11

I went to BU and studied Software Engineering. It makes my blood boil when ill-informed commentators (see any comments about other BU stories) make sweeping generalisations about the institution.

So, before you all start with your 'mickey mouse degrees,' drunken student' rants...for once can we celebrate the University and accept that there are good and innovative things going on there.

Tezza1965 says...
5:04pm Wed 25 May 11

The words nerd and geek spring to mind! But fair play to the bloke I hope his game is a success. However, anyone who spends goodness knows how much time making his own Dalek is seriously in need of a girlfriend!
Just joking ok, no offence intended!

CuteLioness says...
8:03pm Wed 25 May 11

I'd like to point out, Tezza1965, that I am this lovely "geek"'s girlfriend, and I'm very proud to be. So there. ;P

Yoda123 says...
8:48pm Wed 25 May 11

Given his obvious accomplishments this guy is about as far as from being a geek as it gets. Building a prop as complex as a Dalek takes real dedication, and he has turned his passion into not just a university project but also a career. Good on him I say, and to hell with the mickey-takers.

wonkywilly says...
8:55pm Wed 25 May 11

I had a sink blockage. Went to B&Q - nothing! Now I know where all the sink plungers go.

s-pb2 says...
9:43pm Wed 25 May 11

Wow pretty impressive looking dalek! Well done sir, and good luck with the game. Kids will love it

Tezza1965 says...
10:10pm Wed 25 May 11

CuteLioness wrote:
I'd like to point out, Tezza1965, that I am this lovely "geek"'s girlfriend, and I'm very proud to be. So there. ;P
Yeah ok Doug!
The only girlfriend you have is a picture of Billie Piper on your wall!
lol

CuteLioness says...
10:18am Thu 26 May 11

Hi again Tezza. Thanks so much for your last comment. I'm now pinching myself to make sure that I actually do exist. ;)

In all seriousness, I don't think you realise how hurtful that was. I'm a real person and just like you have about Doug, I could jump to conclusions about you. For example, I could perhaps hypothesise that you might be a bit of a lad, boorish, likes his beer and goofy and can be often seen propping up the bar at his local pub and taking the mickey out of his mates. I could guess that you might be called Terry (but Tezza to your lads) and that you're 45 or thereabouts. I could also, from your comments, perhaps surmise that you would only ever watch Doctor Who for the totty, and even then might be a bit cagey about admitting it.

However, I don't for a second assume I am right about all of this, the reality might be very different. So please don't make assumptions about me or my man (who, incidentally, had nothing to do with this post either) which are upsetting, and quite frankly, just plain wrong.

Professor Zaroff says...
11:10am Thu 26 May 11

Computer Games and Dalek props? Pah - I created real fishpeople. In Atlantis.

nathuk says...
11:22am Thu 26 May 11

Please stop this unnecessary bickering.

This exhibition is showcasing ALL of our work - not just the Dalek Dr.Who game.

You should come along after 6 to see the other pupils exhibiting their work as we have put a lot of work into our degree, and exhibition spaces.

CuteLioness says...
11:28am Thu 26 May 11

Nobody ever said it wasn't Nathan. It looks like a great exhibition from the pictures I have seen. Best of luck with it all. :)

nathuk says...
12:19pm Thu 26 May 11

Thanks Sophie :)

You making an appearance later?

poolebabe says...
12:20pm Thu 26 May 11

Well done, it's nice to hear of good things happening locally like this. Congratulations to you. Nothing wrong with nerdy at all. "Nerds" make the world go round. It's funny to me, that the one's who consider themselves un-nerd-worthy, snigger at those who are smarter, more successful and undoubtedly happier than they are, all to avoid being "nerdy" Well if laughing at the good fortune of others gives them five minutes of laughs, then the "nerds" have served them yet again. I would rather be a nerd myself, than a sheep! Nerds unite! :D

CuteLioness says...
4:39pm Thu 26 May 11

Sadly I'm up the other end of the country at the moment dude. But I'm thinking of you all and hoping it goes well. :)

Tezza1965 says...
9:34am Fri 27 May 11

CuteLioness wrote:
Hi again Tezza. Thanks so much for your last comment. I'm now pinching myself to make sure that I actually do exist. ;)

In all seriousness, I don't think you realise how hurtful that was. I'm a real person and just like you have about Doug, I could jump to conclusions about you. For example, I could perhaps hypothesise that you might be a bit of a lad, boorish, likes his beer and goofy and can be often seen propping up the bar at his local pub and taking the mickey out of his mates. I could guess that you might be called Terry (but Tezza to your lads) and that you're 45 or thereabouts. I could also, from your comments, perhaps surmise that you would only ever watch Doctor Who for the totty, and even then might be a bit cagey about admitting it.

However, I don't for a second assume I am right about all of this, the reality might be very different. So please don't make assumptions about me or my man (who, incidentally, had nothing to do with this post either) which are upsetting, and quite frankly, just plain wrong.
Oh please I'm joking ok! Get over it!

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