America's Most Wanted, Carmen Sandiego is Heading To A City Near You in Broderbund Software's New "Where In The USA Is Carmen Sandiego?"; A rich, electronic database and the ACME Internet Headquarters provide kids exciting opportunities to explore the USA and learn more about each state's geography, history and people.

NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1996--Carmen Sandiego(TM) is on the loose and targeting the USA's most prized possessions. It is up to Gumshoes, ages nine and up, to stop her crime spree. In Broderbund Software's (NASDAQ:BROD) new "Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego?(R)", kids build knowledge of America's cultural and geographic diversity first-hand as they search for Carmen Sandiego and her V.I.L.E. gang. Breathtaking 360-degree scrolling landscapes of 51 locations, over 200 animated characters and regional American music bring this thrilling adventure to life. Starring as "The Chief" in this new program is Lynne Thigpen, the popular actress from the Emmy Award-winning PBS television gameshow "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?(R)"

"Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego?" is the second title in the new generation of Carmen Sandiego software. The new "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?(R)" shipped to stores in August.

"Carmen Sandiego has become a true American icon. It was only appropriate we put her in the setting of our great country," says Ken Goldstein, Executive Publisher at Broderbund. "Using the latest technology to deliver the awesome sites, sounds, and history of America to kids has been a very rewarding experience."

As kids travel from the nation's capital to Yosemite National Park, or from New Orleans' French Quarter to the Kennedy Space Center in search of their suspect, they learn about American geography, history, music, and famous people. The State-A-Base(TM) electronic database allows kids to strengthen their research skills as they explore 51 video clips, maps, flags and essays from Grolier's Children Press that highlight each state's geography, economic resources, historic sites, landmarks, and celebrated people. All this incredible information is accessible through an easy keyword search capability. Kids will also experience the cultural diversity of the United States by listening to regional music on an antique American juke box.

As kids advance through 8 levels of difficulty and 40 cases, they will be encouraged to call on the ACME Good Guides(TM). The guides will give them informative tours of each location providing valuable information that can be used in future cases. Each ACME Good Guide has a wealth of expertise in areas ranging from fine arts, culture and philosophy to geology, economics and engineering.

Popular television and movie actress Lynne Thigpen stars as "The Chief" in the game as well as in the PBS Emmy Award-winning gameshow "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" Ms. Thigpen's credits include television appearances on "L.A. Law," "The Cosby Show," "Roseanne" and movie roles in "Bob Roberts," "The Paper," "Blankman," and "Just Cause," among others.

Educational Benefits

"Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego?" has been designed to build kids' knowledge of U.S. cities, states and regions, in addition to strengthening their deductive reasoning skills, map reading abilities, electronic database research skills, and book referencing skills. The Explore Mode(TM) allows kids to use the program separately from the game so they can conduct research for school assignments using the State-A-Base database, take a tour from one of the ACME Good Guides, and explore the World Wide Web through the ACME Internet Headquarters(TM). Included in each product box of "Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego?" is "The World Almanac(R) of the USA(TM)."

ACME Internet Headquarters

For gumshoes who want to do some exploring on the World Wide Web to exotic ports o' call there is the ACME Internet Headquarters. Players of "Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego?" can look up additional information on U.S. cities and states, access travel maps, check out a kid's geography and travel page, or visit "Virtual Hawaii!" If the player wants to explore locations around the world, there is access available to the CIA World Factbook, world maps, a global travel guide, and more. Gumshoes can even send e-mail messages to "The Chief!" The ACME Internet Headquarters address is www.broderbund.com/Carmen.

History of Carmen Sandiego

Debuting in computer software in 1985, Carmen Sandiego has pioneered the educational software segment. There are currently six different Carmen Sandiego titles in the popular software series, including the Carmen Sandiego Junior Detective Edition(TM) for five to eight year old children; they can be found in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. These successful software programs have been spun-off into two Emmy-award-winning television shows, "Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?(TM)" now in its fourth season on the Fox Kids Network, and the PBS show, "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?(R)" now in its fifth season.

With over 5 million copies sold worldwide, Carmen Sandiego educational software has been the recipient of over 60 awards including the 1995 Software Publishers Association Excellence Awards for Best Early Education and Best Secondary Education Programs, 11 Emmy Awards, 1995 Parents' Choice Award, Parenting Magazine's 1995 Software Magic Award, and 1996 Newsweek Editors' Choice Award.

Availability and System Requirements

"Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego?" is currently shipping to stores with a approximate street price of $40. It will require at least a 486 33MHz, Window 3.1, 8MB RAM, 3MB hard disk space, double speed CD-ROM drive, Windows compatible sound device and an SVGA 256-color 640 x 480 display (also supports thousands of colors video mode, if available, to provide extremely realistic video). Macintosh users will need at least a 20 MHz 68040, System 7.0.1, 8MB RAM, 2MB hard disk space, (Power Macintosh requires 12MB RAM), double speed CD-ROM drive 13" monitor with 256 color display, (also supports thousands of colors video mode, if available, to provide extremely realistic video).

Broderbund Software, Inc. develops, publishes and markets a diversified line of consumer software for use in homes, schools and small businesses. Since its founding in 1980, Broderbund has pioneered innovative award-winning products that take advantage of the latest technologies. Broderbund has a successful track record of identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends through its studio development approach. Broderbund's web site is located at: http://www.broderbund.com.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, Where in the USA is Carmen Sandiego?, Carmen Sandiego Junior Detective Edition, Broderbund, ACME Internet Headquarters, State-A-Base, ACME Good Guides, Explore Mode, and the character Carmen Sandiego are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Broderbund Software, Inc. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Broderbund Software

Shannon Jamieson, 415/382-4567

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or

Dana Henry, 415/382-3238

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