Preloaded creates 1066 battle game

Digital consultancy Preloaded has created a computer game, 1066, that will run alongside an eponymous TV series in March.

Preloaded was appointed directly in September and started on the concept of the game, for Channel 4 and production company Hardy Pictures, before development began in November.

Preloaded creative director Phil Stuart says, ‘We still had to go through a first round until we were given the commission. They didn’t just give us the budget.’

Stuart says Preloaded was briefed to ‘bring the three main battles of 1066 alive, with educational relevance and ensuring historical accuracy’.

Research in schools revealed that the 12- to 16-year-old male target audience ‘enjoy killing things and playing games like World of Warcraft,’ Stuart says. This led to the development of a turn-based and scroll-based strategy game played in real time.

Preloaded, which is responsible for the concept and development of the game, worked with Hardy Pictures’ art department to ensure the replication of authentic artefacts from the show. Hardy pictures created the identity and Sliced Bread Animation provided the animation.

The Web-based game will be available through a link on the Channel 4 website and syndicated on other gaming sites when it launches in March.