Channel 4 and Rumpus Media is to make Rob Beckett’s Playing for Time, a new comedy entertainment series which looks at video games throughout the decades.

The four-part series sees Rob Beckett and a host of celebrity guests including Josh Widdicombe, Rachel Riley, Asim Chaudhry and Scarlett Moffat travel back to the 1980s. As with all time travel adventures, the aim is to return to the present day but, to do so, they will have to complete a level of an iconic game in each decade so they can make it back to 2018.

Over the course of each episode Rob and his guest will be led through the eras by the comedian Kerry Godliman who will play the important role of time lord of the space time continuum. They will stop off in the 1980s, the 1990s and the noughties where they’ll dress in the fashions from that era – such as the New Romantics through to grunge in the 90s –  all whilst sharing stories and reminiscing about the movies, music and crazes from each decade and hopefully returning to the present day.

Specialist gaming retailer GAME Retail is partnering on the series and will be bringing the show to life and celebrating the series with a full channel content and retail activation plan including key gaming influencers from their Player One Talent programme. The partnership was brokered by 4Sales.

Rob Beckett said: “If you think being paid to play classic computer games sounds like the best job in the world...that's because it absolutely 100% is! I had so much fun playing with old friends like Sonic, Mario and Lara Croft.”

Jonny Rothery, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Formats and Music comments, “Gaming is obviously a hugely popular part of our culture and this series takes a unique and engaging look at how gaming has evolved over the last four decades. We are looking forward to teaming up with Game and a time travelling Rob to make Playing for Time a reality.”

Emily Hudd, Joint Managing Director, Rumpus Media added, “We are delighted to be taking a trip down memory lane with Rob, Game and Channel 4 for what promises to be a funny gaming show and, more importantly, an opportunity for Rob to beat his all-time top score on Donkey Kong.”

Natalie Amosu, Chief Marketing Officer, GAME Retail added, “The show showcases the entertainment of gaming, highlighting the social fun of playing together with friends. As a business built by Gamers for Gamers, this is our DNA, community is the heart of everything we do at Game, so naturally we jumped at the opportunity to work with Rob and Channel 4 on a show that celebrates this.”

Rob Beckett’s Playing For Time was commissioned by Jonny Rothery, Commissioning Editor for Formats at Channel 4. The Executive Producer for Rumpus Media is Emily Hudd and Iain Wimbush and it will air this Spring.