Episode 1 Ludus

Am I shiny, though? You've got to tell me

if I'm shiny, seriously. Oh, hi!

I'm Ludus and I'm the bad guy, yeah!

I've turned the friends and family

of three earth-twerps into holograms. I know!

Horror show!

The earth-twerps are now flying to the levels of Ludus,

to play my games and

rescue their loved ones.

You want to play too? Then download my free app from the CBBC website.

Time to take on the levels of Ludus!

Welcome on board the Herculean,

Ludus' premier spaceship.

I'm the ship's computer, and your guide

through the levels of Ludus.

My data processing is detecting the presence of three gamers

from the Earth location of Hackney.

Gamer number one, Danita.

Ten Earth years old.

A feisty and confident gamer.

Gamer number two, Iris.

In Year 6 and a self-confessed drama queen.

Gamer number three, Deqwan.

Also ten. An expert gamer and break dancer.

Gamers, you have been experiencing hypersleep

and are now flying through deep space.

We don't have much time before your mission begins.

Prepare for your briefing!

Your mission is to rescue your friends and family

who have been turned into holograms by Ludus.

LUDUS CACKLES

To rescue them, you must visit six levels,

each with a different game to play.

Win and you will save your friend in a holobox to download on Earth.

Lose and they'll be uploaded into Ludus' game for ever.

Time to find out who you're playing to save.

Danita.

My brother Adriel and my sister Vanessa.

Deqwan.

My brother Leqwan and my sister Shantivia.

Iris.

I'm playing for my sister Edie

and my brother Franklin.

Are you ready to take on the levels of Ludus?

-ALL:

-Yes!

Then, pilot, let's fly to Level 1.

MONKEY HOWLS

-ALL:

-Aargh!

It's nearly time for Level 1.

Download my app and play along.

Download the app now. Game begins shortly.

We are now docking at Level 1.

This is a multiplayer game.

Prepare to disembark.

Collecting data.

Team spirit - 95%.

Confidence levels - 89%.

Team status - ready.

What's this before my eyes?

Three earth-twerps hoping to play my games

and win back their friends and family.

So, have you got what it takes?

I have got a bit of pizzazz on me.

Pizzazz shimazz. Blah, blah, blah.

-This guy's weird.

-I know.

A logically sound argument, young lady.

THEY LAUGH

Now, let's get this show on the rocket launcher!

This game will make your head spin.

Catapult your coloured ticks into the turning wheel

and light up your section.

Fire a tick into your friend's section - ow -

and the light goes out.

You have 60 seconds to light up all the sections.

Win and you'll save one of your precious earth-twerps.

Lose and they'll be uploaded into my game, for ever!

So, who are you going to play for first?

Will it be Danita's brother Adriel or sister Vanessa?

Deqwan's twin brother Leqwan

or sister Shantivia?

Or Iris' twin sister Edie

or brother Franklin?

-Frank.

-Franklin, OK.

-DANITA:

-We want to play for Franklin.

Take you place at the table.

You have 60 seconds to win back Iris' brother.

Are you ready at home?

The game begins in three, two, one...

Go!

DING

CRASH

DING

Annoyingly, they're off to a good start.

Iris got her pink tick in there,

but so did her friend Danita, so it doesn't count.

Ha, ha, ha!

We can do this.

Yes!

Deqwan has his yellow section lit up!

-IRIS:

-Guys, I've only got one more. Don't get it in mine.

Come on, Danita.

Danita!

Danita keeps firing her tick in the wrong section.

Ha, ha!

Sorry.

Come on, guys.

Are you doing any better at home?

Someone keeps on...

We're running out of time, guys!

Deqwan is taking over the blue catapult!

Five, four, three, two...

Don't, don't, don't...

..one.

LUDUS LAUGHS

Gamers, you have lost.

That was amazing! How do you feel?

I'm angry with you, so...

Nothing I like more than an angry earth-twerp.

You know, I think we're going to be BFFs.

Oh, please! Not in a million years.

I told you this would happen.

Your gameplay was lame.

Iris, your brother

is stuck in the game.

ALL: Oh, no!

Commiseration, gamers.

But all is not lost.

You still have five of your friends and family to win back.

MONKEY HOWLS

Pilot, let's fly to Level 2.

The next level is a single-player game.

Attempting to select player.

Extreme physical movement detected.

Selection process tricky.

Iris selected.

Standing by.

I think I have it.

We are now docking at Level 2.

Iris is a strong swimmer

and loves chicken nuggets and pizza.

But that's absolutely no help to her now.

Well. Look at you, Iris.

I just got your brother!

Are you sure you're ready for Level 2?

Umm, one minute...

Yes.

OK, let's run the rules for Level 2.

You will see a series of eight bugs.

You have to memorise them,

then pick them out of the crowd

in just 60 seconds.

Make a wrong choice and the bugs will scramble.

Win and you'll save one of your precious earth-twerps.

Lose and they'll be uploaded into my game, for ever!

So, who are you going to play for?

Will it be Danita's brother Adriel or sister Vanessa?

Deqwan's brother Leqwan or sister Shantivia?

Or your twin sister Edie?

Vanessa.

Oh, not even your own twin!

Take your place at the table.

You have 60 seconds to win back Danita's sister.

Are you ready at home?

The game begins in three, two, one...

go!

Iris needs to concentrate

and memorise all eight bugs.

But does she have

a big enough brain?

Probably not.

-Oh, she got it right.

-Yes!

Second bug.

That one's actually my cousin Graham. He's hilarious.

Third bug.

Did you get that one right at home?

Fourth bug.

Fifth bug.

She got that one wrong.

And that one. Ha, ha, ha!

Ten...

She's got two more bugs to find.

..seven, six...

One more bug to find.

..four, three, two, one.

Gamer, you have won.

Oh, no!

How did you do that?

Cos I'm just so amazing.

Well, you won Vanessa back.

You can now collect your holobox and return to the Herculean.

Congratulations, gamers, you've won.

Iris, pass Danita her sister.

You can now load your sister into

the holoport to download later.

Pilot, we are ready for takeoff.

I can confirm the Herculean is

presently hurtling towards Level 3.

# You called, I missed it

# You called, I missed it... #

In preparation for the next team game, the gamers

are engaged in what appears to be a team bonding exercise.

# How ya doin'? # Sorry you can't get through

# Why don't you leave your name and your number

# And we'll get back to you... #

Most peculiar.

ALARM BLARES

The Herculean is approaching the docking station.

Gamers standing by.

Hey, earth-twerps!

Now, look, guys, I'm going to have to level with you here.

Me and Iris became pretty good friends on that last level.

No, we didn't.

-Liar.

-DANITA:

-Your pants are on fire.

Er, I think you'll find I don't wear pants.

-ALL:

-Eurgh!

Let's see the rules!

In this game, you need to crack the code by dragging

four bugs into the code breaker.

If the bug is placed in the code correctly, it'll turn green.

The right bug in the wrong place turns orange.

And a totally wrong bug turns red.

You've got 60 seconds to get four greens.

But, if you lose,

I'll upload your precious earth-twerp into my game

for ever!

So, who are you going to play for?

Danita's brother Adriel?

Deqwan's twin brother Leqwan or sister Shantivia?

Or Iris' sister Edie?

-IRIS:

-Shantivia.

-DANITA:

-Edie!

-IRIS:

-Shantivia.

-DANITA:

-Cos we've all had one of our siblings.

-Oh, yeah.

-Shantivia.

We're going with Shantivia.

Shantivia, I fear you're doomed!

Take your place at the table.

You have 60 seconds to win back Deqwan's sister.

And are you ready at home?

The game begins in

three, two, one,

go!

BUZZER

Four orange. That means four right. Fluky.

But in the wrong place, woo-hoo-hoo.

Yeah, there.

-ALL:

-Yeah!

Gamers, you have won.

-In your face!

-In your face!

I think we should play again, that was way too quick.

-No!

-I disagree.

-DANITA:

-Too late, we've already won. No excuses.

You can now collect your holobox

and return to the Herculean.

-ALL:

-Yay!

Congratulations. You won.

Who was the best in that game?

-All of us.

-All of us.

But mostly Deqwan.

Really?

Yes, Deqwan, you are awesome.

Thank you.

Time to load your sister into the holoport to download later.

Pilot. Let's fly to Level 4.

You are almost halfway through your mission.

To celebrate this, cake has been provided.

You are free to enjoy the cake...

after you have completed the next level.

Iris, please confirm you understand the instructions.

I am detecting a missing slice of cake.

Houston, we have a problem.

ALARM BLARES

Oh, hey, earthlings!

Heaps of you are loving playing along on my app -

the one on the CBBC website that you can play on your phone,

on your tablet, or on your desktop.

I mean, sure, it's probably

the best app you'll ever play,

but still, I am so thrilled and humbled that you are loving it.

I don't know what to say!

Really.

I don't know what to say.

Let's move on.

The next level is a single-player game.

Deqwan selected.

Deqwan loves to break dance,

but can he bust a move against Ludus?

Yo, earth-twerp-arooney!

-Are you good with numbers?

-Yep.

Do you fancy a really, really difficult numbers game?

No. Not really.

Uh-oh, tough luck, kid.

Here are the rules.

This game is a really difficult numbers game.

First, tap the numbers on screen in order,

from lowest to highest.

Then you gotta add the numbers together with your brain

and drag them over to the correct total.

You need to get it right four times in 60 seconds.

But, if you lose, your precious earth-twerp will be

uploaded into my game

for ever!

So, who are you going to play for?

Danita's brother Adriel?

Your twin brother Leqwan?

Or Iris' twin sister Edie?

Edie.

Good choice.

Take your place at the table.

You have 60 seconds to win back Iris' sister.

And are you ready at home?

The game begins in

three, two, one,

go!

He's tapped the numbers in the right order,

but can he do the math?

WOO-HOO

Oh, he was right!

He needs to get three more right.

Um, 17...

WOOHOO

He still needs to get two more right,

and the clock's ticking.

Um...

20, 26.

WOO-HOO

Oh, he only needs to get one more right!

OK, so...

-26...

-26 plus nine...

Divide by 40, you carry the three.

It's all over the two.

You could take the integer, of course and...

Ten, nine, eight...

Yes!

Gamer, you have won.

Why, this is scandalous!

You can now collect your holobox

and return to the Herculean.

Yay, we've got Edie!

# Edie's back

# Edie's back... #

Whoopee!

Iris, load your sister into the holoport,

and let's continue with your mission.

Pilot, let's fly to Level 5.

You still have two people left to save.

So far, I can confirm you have saved

Vanessa,

Shantivia

and Edie.

Unfortunately, Iris' brother Franklin wasn't so lucky,

and is stuck on Level 1.

The next players have been selected.

It's a two-player game.

We are now docking at Level 5.

Well, well.

You two look like serious competitors.

Are you sure you're ready for Level 5?

-BOTH:

-Yes!

OK, let's run the rules.

In this game, you must work as a team and use your bats

to stop your precious tick

from hitting the spiky walls.

Too easy? Sure it is.

That's why my bugs will be flash mobbing you.

You have 60 seconds.

If you hit the spikes more than five times, you will lose

and your precious earth-twerp will be uploaded into my game

for ever!

So, who you going to play for?

Danita's brother Adriel?

Or Deqwan's twin brother Leqwan?

Leqwan.

He looks nice,

but I look spectacular!

THEY LAUGH

Gamers, take your place at the table.

You have 60 seconds to win back Deqwan's brother.

And are you ready at home?

The game begins in

three, two, one, go!

Here come my bugs!

HORN HONKS

Yeah, mind the spikes, Danita. Ha ha!

-HORN HONKS

-Ha, ha, Deqwan!

They've hit the spikes twice.

Oh, and here come my bugs.

Love those guys, they're doing so well.

Hey, how are you doing at home?

Better than these loudmouths, huh?

Come on. We can do this.

Whoa, spike! That's three.

-BUGS:

-Ow! Ow!

Ho ho, spiked four times!

HORN HONKS

Ha, ha! That's five hits.

If they touch the spikes again, they'll lose.

-It's going to rebound off the aliens, so...

-Yes.

Ha, ha!

Gamers, you have lost.

What a catastrophe!

I told you this would happen.

Your gameplay was lame. You've lost.

Your brother is stuck in the game.

-IRIS:

-Guys, you lost!

-DANITA:

-Chill, chill! It's OK, it's OK.

Bad luck, gamers.

But don't be too disheartened.

We did our best.

Affirmative. Your mission continues.

You still have one of your family members to win back.

Pilot, we have zero time to lose.

Attention! As the downloading process has started,

could all gamers check their holoboxes are properly installed

and holograms are safe and well.

It's on 55% so far.

Edie, what's up?

One level remaining

and one more chance to save a friend.

Danita, it's time.

Please stand by.

Danita likes bike rides, but she doesn't like Ludus.

Oh, hi, Danita.

Are you doing some kind of dancing?

You look like a pigeon in a paddling pool.

It's not dancing!

Ha, sure, kid.

OK, let's run the rules.

In this game, you need to identify the number of ticks

that fly into the middle of the screen.

Ticks that fly out don't count.

And don't count the bugs.

Once you've counted the ticks,

press the correct number on the screen.

You need to get four answers right in 60 seconds,

but if you lose, your precious earth-twerp

will be uploaded into my game

for ever!

There's only one person to play for.

Who is it?

My brother Adriel.

Gamer, take your place at the table.

You have 60 seconds to win back your brother.

And are you ready at home?

The game begins in

three, two, one,

go!

Oh, she got it right.

Well, still three more to go.

Oh, that's right as well.

Yeah, but she still needs two more.

Ha, ha!

Bugs did really great on that one.

They love this game, they're always telling me,

"Can I do that game?"

I'm like, "Guys, just work hard and maybe you can."

Oh, she's good.

She only needs to get one more right now.

Come on, bugs. I believe in you.

Oh, I don't believe it!

-Gamer, you have won.

-Yeah!

How did you do that?

Cos I'm awesome.

Were you counting?

-Maybe.

-Well, that's cheating!

How's that cheating?

You just...you're not supposed to count.

You can now collect your holobox and return to the Herculean.

-ALL:

-Yay!

-DEQWAN:

-Well done!

-Well done!

-DANITA:

-High-five, people.

# Danita, go, go, Danita... #

I love that song.

# Danita, go, go, Danita... #

Welcome back, bro. Welcome back.

You have played six levels

and won back four holoboxes.

Unfortunately, Iris' brother Franklin

and Deqwan's brother Leqwan

have been uploaded into Ludus' game.

You must now face Ludus one more time

to win your own ticket home.

MONKEY HOWLS

Fly at warp speed to the Final Level.

Hold tight.

-ALL:

-Aaargh!

We are now docking at the Final Level.

Ludus is waiting for you.

Team status for final game.

Nerves - 47%.

Team Spirit - 89%.

Well, ha-ca-diddly-doo, earth-twerps.

Take some deep breaths.

The atmosphere up here is 80% pure nastiness.

And that's because

it's time for the final game!

Here's how it's going to go down.

One of these ticks is your return ticket home.

Who knew?

All you have to do is remember where the ticket is hidden.

If you pick the right tick,

you'll win a return ticket home

and go back to Earth, hooray.

But if you pick the wrong tick,

you will be stranded here in the levels of Ludus for ever!

And here's the twist -

you'll become property of Ludus Enterprises

and have to mop my walkway for all eternity.

Got it?

Take your place at the table.

Danita to go first.

It's time to mix the ticks.

Do you know which one it is?

-ALL:

-Yay!

How did you manage that?!

Oh, my gosh, I'm so happy about that!

Ha, ha! I don't have to see you again!

Yes!

Yeah, well, I'm pleased you're going home!

Deqwan, let's see what you're made of.

It's time to mix the ticks.

Do you know which one it is?

Go on, guess.

EVIL LAUGHTER

Ha, that's fantastic!

Yeah, it was the one to the left, you bozo!

Iris, do your finest.

Let's see if you can lose, too.

Time to mix the ticks.

Do you know which one it is?

-EVIL LAUGHTER

-No, no!

Iris, this is fantastic!

Don't even talk to me.

Danita, you may have won a ticket home,

but in my eyes you'll always be...

a loser!

OK, say your goodbyes. Get outta here!

Bye!

Winning gamers must board the Herculean immediately for departure.

Iris and Deqwan,

you've lost!

So, by the powers invested in me,

blah de blah de blah de blah,

you must stay on the levels of Ludus

for all eternity and mop my walkway

for ever!

Any last words?

I'd rather eat sprouts all day than work for you!

Danita, please present your ticket.

Congratulations.

You are a champion gamer.

You have rescued four of your friends and family.

The Herculean will now take you home to Planet Earth.

Bye.

Woo, that was a whole heap of fun with a side order of ditty japes!

Join me next time when I'll be meeting

three more brave earth-twerps

and watching their faces as I upload their

friends and family into my game, ha!

Until then, goodbye.

See ya later, Ludus! I'm going home!

Did you play along at home?

How did you do?

Why not download my free app from the CBBC website

and play along next time?

Ha, ha.