BBC launches Doctor Who VR experience

The BBC has released a brand new Doctor Who virtual reality experience that allows fans to step inside the TARDIS.

Launched on May 16, Doctor Who: The Runaway is a free short that is available on a range of VR headsets.

Thirteenth Doctor Jodie Whitaker reprises her role, and the experience features new original music from series composer Segun Akinola. It has been produced by the BBC’s digital drama team, BBC VR Hub and Passion Animation Studios.

Zillah Watson, head of BBC VR Hub, said: “This is the most ambitious project yet from our team in the BBC VR Hub, and the result is a magical adventure that Doctor Who fans everywhere will simply love. It also shows the enormous potential that virtual reality has for creating new kinds of experiences that appeal to mainstream audiences.”

Doctor Who: The Runaway is available for UK audiences to download for free in two versions. The immersive interactive version is available from the Oculus Store and Vive Port for use on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive with a runtime of 13 minutes. The 360 degree video version is available to download from the BBC VR App for the Oculus Go and GearVR with a runtime of 11 minutes.

The experience is not available on PlayStation VR, which Sony announced in March had  sold over 4 million units worldwide.

Jo Pearce, creative director for the BBC’s digital drama team, says: “Fans will find themselves at the centre of this wonderfully animated story, helped by the natural charm and humour of Jodie Whittaker, in an adventure that really captures the magic of Doctor Who. Viewers truly are in for a treat – for those who ever dreamed of helping to pilot the TARDIS, this is your opportunity!”

The BBC will feature Doctor Who: The Runaway as a part of its ongoing tour of British libraries.