Jane Austen Facebook game 'Rogues and Romance' to be released by BBC

BBC Worldwide has announced plans to bring the literary world of Jane Austen to life in a Facebook game.

Jane Austen's Rogues and Romance is an interactive game that follows the path of Pride and Prejudice characters Elizabeth and Mr Darcy after they are married.

Created by Legacy Interactive, the adventure game will involve players managing their position in Regency-era society by leaving calling cards, attending and hosting receptions, and pursuing courtships.

Each player will have their own manor house to manage, and they will be able to indulge their passion for fashion with a choice of various costumes.

Jane Austen's classic works have spawned various adaptations and incarnations over the years, including the 1995 movie Clueless being loosely based on Emma, and 2009 novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies bringing the undead to the famous story.

However, Jane Austen's Rogues and Romance will mark the first time the author's works have inspired an online social game.

BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment & Games executive vice president Robert Nashak said: "Social interaction is at the core of Austen's work and we felt that was a concept we could explore that had a natural synergy with Facebook. Rogues and Romance is a fun romp of a game that celebrates the world of Jane Austen."

Legacy Interactive chief executive Ariella Lehrer added: "I am a 'Janeite' of long standing and thrilled to be able to translate my secret obsession into a fun social game.

"We are determined to deliver an experience that passionate Austen fans will love, as well as game players who know of Austen but have never read her novels."

Jane Austen's Rogues and Romance is set to launch on Facebook this spring.

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