Dreadnought Design Limited: Ivor the Engine railway adventure launched as an iPhone game

Dreadnought Design, the innovative mobile games design studio behind the re-launch of Ivor the Engine to mobile gaming platforms, today announced the release of their Ivor the Engine game app for Apple’s iPhone.

In Ivor and the Dragon, which was originally launched as an iPad game in April 2011, players immerse themselves in a Welsh railway adventure with Ivor the Engine and his driver, Jones the Steam. Together they must solve a series of puzzles along the famed Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited railway, as featured in the BBC TV series, in an adaptation of an original story by the late Oliver Postgate.

The game features Peter Firmin’s original character artwork newly restored and rendered as high-definition graphics for the very first time. Along with Ivor’s original music by Vernon Elliott, Dreadnought Design’s Ivor and the Dragon iPhone game promises to bring an exciting railway adventure story in the authentic Smallfilms style to children and adults of all ages.

Oliver Postgate’s son, Daniel Postgate, says: 

“My father’s wish was for all the Smallfilms materials to eventually be made available online for everyone to enjoy again, so when we were approached by Dreadnought Design last year, the timing seemed to be perfect for development to begin. Peter Firmin and I are very excited about the launch of this game on the iPhone as well as the iPad, and are delighted that Dreadnought Design have managed to keep the authenticity of the series while managing to bring it back for today’s market.” 

A series of interactive storybooks based on original Ivor the Engine stories are also under development and will be released under the newly created Smallworlds brand. 

“This is just the start of an exciting year for Smallfilms,” added Daniel. “There is a lot more to come, and from some other familiar faces too, so watch this space!”

Ivor and the Dragon Game for the iPhone on iTunes

UK Link: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ivor-the-engine-for-iphone/id...
Price £1.79

US Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ivor-the-engine-for-iphone/id...
Price $2.99

Ivor and the Dragon Game for the iPad on iTunes

UK Link: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ivor-the-engine/id400910512?m...
Price: £2.99

US Link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ivor-the-engine/id400910512?m...
Price: $4.99

Press Information available at http://www.ivortheengineonline.com/press

iPhone game reviewers are invited to make contact for an iTunes promo code

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:

About Smallfilms

Smallfilms is a British company that made animated television programmes for children, during the 1950’s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It was a partnership between Oliver Postgate (writer and narrator) and Peter Firmin (model-maker and artist). Several very popular series of short films were made using stop-motion animation, including The Clangers, Noggin the Nog, and Ivor the Engine. Another Smallfilms production, Bagpuss, came top of a BBC poll to find the favourite children's programme.

Ivor the Engine captured the hearts of the British public in black and white in the 1950s and 1960s and again in colour in the 1980s through a series of innovative 5-minute cut-out card animation films, which were screened by the BBC. His adventures along the Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited railway were born of the imaginings of Oliver Postgate, who holidayed on occasion in North Wales.

About Dreadnought Design

Dreadnought Design is an independent video games studio based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. It was formed in 2010 by John Thornewill who returns to games design after a 20 year absence. Dreadnought Design is possible due to the growing market for apps allowing the resurgence of the small independent developer after 20 years of being locked out by huge-budget console based games developers.

About Coolabi

Coolabi specialises in the ownership, development and creative management of high quality children's and family brands and intellectual property. The current portfolio includes Poppy Cat for Nick Jr, Purple Ronnie, Scarlett & Crimson, The Large Family and Dead Gorgeous. In addition Coolabi also licenses rights to selected brands, including Bagpuss, Clangers, and Ivor the Engine. For more information and a background on the company visit www.coolabi.com. 

CONTACT INFORMATION – MEDIA & BUSINESS INQUIRIES ONLY

Name: Mr John Thornewill
Title: Founder and CEO
Company: Dreadnought Design Limited 

Telephone Number: +44 (0) 1438 829 260
E-mail: info@dreadnought-design.com
Web Address: http://www.ivortheengineonline.com

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