Many British children that attended primary school during the 1980s and 1990s will remember an educational computer software title named Granny's Garden, an adventure game created by 4mation for the (now archaic) BBC Micro that served as an introduction to computers - it also happened to be absolutely terrifying.

Those millions of youngsters would be forgiven, then, for suffering unexpected and unpleasant flashbacks today at the announcement that the BBC is said to be planning another foray into the world of videogames.

GamesIndustry.biz reports that the Beeb isn't interested in hardware this time around however, but that the firm's media boss, Simon Nelson, is expected to reveal plans for gaming in the BBC's new media portfolio at next week's Edinburgh Interactive Festival.

The BBC currently offers games via its CBBC and CBeebies channels, as well as Flash-based distractions on its official Web site. It also launched its on-demand TV service, iPlayer, last week, which many speculate could be utilised for any future gaming venture.

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