New Merchandise Launch

Plus a Red Dwarf XI mobile game!

It's time to prise open your dusty old wallet and break out the dollarpounds, as we're delighted to announce that UKTV have partnered with Grant Naylor Productions to develop a brand new range of Red Dwarf XI merchandise!

It's hard to remember a time when the words "Red Dwarf" weren't also synonymous with the words "t-shirt". Ever since the show's earliest days, fans of the series have been marked out by their propensity for wearing shirts (often black ones) emblazoned with imagery and slogans - from the original and all-time-classic "Smeg Head" and "Twat It" designs, all the way through to... well, any one of the unfathomably large array of official shirts that have been issued in the years since.

And there weren't just t-shirts, either: but also mugs, keyrings, bobbleheads, models, glove puppets, badges, and all manner of other collectables. For a while, you could even buy a wide range of items directly from a dedicated online store. But the merch ground has lain fallow since this last closed down, so we're thrilled that UKTV have stepped in and taken up the baton to get some new goodies out.

Produced in conjunction with Matrix Designs, who have a long track record of providing fantastic merchandise for a wide variety of different TV shows and other properties, the new range will be available from a new online Red Dwarf store, which will open for business on Thursday 15th September - just in time for the new series' online premiere!

At initial launch, the range will include several different t-shirts, with designs ranging from the classic-style Red Dwarf XI graphic, to a lovely rendition of the JMC logo, and a brilliant Starbug "Owners Workshop Manual". There are a couple of Rimmer-specific items for the Chris Barrie fans among you, and - we're particularly excited about this one - a "Kryten costume" long-sleeved tee! There are also some designs relating to the content of upcoming episodes, but until those eps have aired we don't want to spoiler you just yet!

If you want more than just t-shirts, then you can also get your hands on other items of clothing including trucker caps and a "Third Technician" JMC crew hoodie. Plus there is - of course - a brand new mug (we always like to have a mug) alongside tote bags, posters, badges, postcards and keyrings. All in all, it's a pretty smegging excellent lineup - we can't wait to show you the full range, but you'll have to come back when the store opens to see how it's all looking!

"I'm really looking forward to working with Matrix developing some official merchandise for the fans," says co-creator Doug Naylor. "For too long pirate merchandise has ruled the waves. No more, me hearties! I'm also thrilled to be working on a Red Dwarf XI game. If I get time between playing it to release it, Red Dwarf fans might get to play it too."

Hang on, a Red Dwarf XI game? Oh, sorry, yes, we meant to mention that as well. We've lost count of the number of times people have asked us about the possibility of a Red Dwarf videogame - but with the exception of the 2003 mobile phone game Simulants Revenge, and our own online Flash-based Polymorph, it's never quite managed to become a reality. Until now.

Red Dwarf XI is a brand new game for Android and iOS devices, again launching to coincide with the new series (but this time, on the TV broadcast date of 22nd September). The game, developed by GameDigits Ltd, will see players take control of Red Dwarf and Starbug, on a quest to explore as far into deep space as possible - with a wide range of minigames helping to boost your progress. Best of all, after the game's launch it will update on a regular basis with content relating to each new Red Dwarf XI episode!

With proper high-res graphics (you can actually fly Starbug! In 3D!) and exclusive written material from Doug himself, Red Dwarf XI promises to be the game we've been waiting for all these years. You'll be able to get it from iTunes and Google Play for a wide range of phones and tablets upon its launch, and we'll bring you further news on pricing and availability when we have it.

Phew. With all of this brilliant new tie-in stuff going on, it's almost easy to forget just how close we are to getting actual new Red Dwarf episodes, to boot. It all kicks off in less than a week's time: can you believe we've got there this soon?

The new Red Dwarf merch store will launch on 15th September at shop.reddwarf.co.uk!

All Red Dwarf XI/XII news: