Global Eagle Deal will See Passengers Look for Carmen Sandiego In-Flight
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Global Eagle and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt unite to make finding video game super-spy Carmen Sandiego a whole lot easier on board.
When it comes to iconic Latina antiheroes, it’s practically impossible to top the cool-factor staying power of everyone’s favorite super-spy, Carmen Sandiego. Launched as an educational, geography-themed video game series in 1985, the Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? edutainment franchise has won over 125 awards (including three Emmys) and spawned everything from video and board games to movies, TV shows, toys and even jewelry.
And now, thanks to a new licensing agreement between Global Eagle and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), the spy you love to chase is coming to the hospitality market, which includes cruise ships and airline in-flight entertainment screens around the globe.
Relaunched earlier this year by Netflix as an über-hip animated TV series (and upcoming feature film) starring Jane The Virgin’s Gina Rodriquez as a kinder, gentler version of the titular baddie, Sandiego also recently re-emerged on the publishing front as well, thanks to HMH’s new bilingual book and audio book series.
But perhaps the coolest take-away from this deal for gamers is that Global Eagle will be bringing a new, optimized-for-travel version of the Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? video game to the airline, maritime and hospitality markets later this year.
“As a globe-trotting super-thief, Carmen Sandiego knows her way around ships and planes, and this custom game for world travelers is an ideal way to introduce her to a new generation of fans while celebrating her computer game roots.” – Caroline Fraser, HMH Productions
“The new Carmen Sandiego game has been specifically created for onboard playing,” said Dina Dumenko, Global Eagle’s Head of Games Strategy. “By correctly advancing through multiple layers of trivia questions, passengers will be able to unlock clues about her whereabouts in their quest to find Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?“
Played more than 150 million times each year on more than 105 airlines, Global Eagle video games tap into the growing global games market of roughly 2.2 billion players. And even without the built-in nostalgia factor, a fun, timeless title like Sandiego seems like a natural fit for the leading connected content company for aviation and maritime.
“It is fitting that the inspiring young woman who explored the world is now going to be traveling onboard planes and ships to all corners of the world courtesy of our customers,” said Global Eagle President, Per Norén. “Carmen Sandiego further solidifies Global Eagle’s games leadership in a global gaming market of more than $108 billion.”
Caroline Fraser, head of HMH Productions, and the executive producer of the new Sandiego series on Netflix, seemed to agree. “As a globe-trotting super-thief, Carmen Sandiego knows her way around ships and planes, and this custom game for world travelers is an ideal way to introduce her to a new generation of fans while celebrating her computer game roots,” said Fraser.
Global Eagle’s announcement regarding Carmen Sandiego Hasbro and Sanrio follows news about in-flight games licensing agreements with well-known brands in August 2018.