Background .281983.E2.80.931985.29 Carmen Sandiego

the original game idea started in 1983 broderbund programmer dane bigham, wanting take idea of text adventure games colossal cave adventure create menu-driven interface played on apple ii computer. initial work done broderbund s rubber room artists, gene portwood , lauren elliott, creating game player chase down various crooks. broderbund co-founder gary carlston suggested changing concept focused on geography, anticipating shipping copies of world almanac let players research clues , find right answers geography questions.

as bigham not thrilled direction, focused more on interface, , carlston hired david siefkin write game s story. siefkin came idea of player tracking down numerous criminals, , developed several criminal personas, including carmen sandiego. other staff found name mysterious , exotic, in addition being female character use attract younger women game. siefkin s script, expanded out idea of criminal organization v.i.l.e. - villains’ international league of evil – , acme detective agency – acme joking considered initialism company makes . core gameplay established, having player acme recruit chase down underlings within v.i.l.e., following geography-based clues complete search, , working ranks in acme until tasked go after carmen herself. game proved successful, unexpected educational market, became staple in many classrooms.