Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Announces the Release of The Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? for Facebook


BOSTON — February 2, 2011 — The Learning Company, a division of global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), today announced the upcoming launch of two new Facebook games: The Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? The well-loved educational classic The Oregon Trail will be available on Facebook today. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? is scheduled to launch on February 9.

The Oregon Trail on Facebook updates the iconic game with all new graphics and online social game play. For the first time, users will be able to coordinate in real-time with Facebook friends as they travel back to 1848 to pick a profession, assemble a party, load their wagons and set off on the Trail.

The availability of The Oregon Trail on Facebook is the latest evolution of the timeless adventure. The game that was created forty years ago and developed initially as a board game, has become one of the most popular educational games of all time and now includes a fan base that crosses generations. To find out more about the game, please visit www.OregonTrail.com, or to view the game trailer, visit www.YouTube.com/TheLearningCo.

In Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, Facebook users go undercover as ACME Detective Agents on the hunt for Carmen Sandiego, the leader of the international crime syndicate known as V.I.L.E. Together with their Facebook friends, players travel the in-game world to follow clues, solve cases and help ACME’s Chief track down Carmen’s Henchmen.

As with The Oregon Trail, the nearly thirty-year-old Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? has stood the test of time and transformed across numerous channels; from computer and video games to television and books. To find out more about the upcoming game, visit www.facebook.com/CarmenSandiego, or to view the game trailer, visit www.YouTube.com/TheLearningCo.

“Both of these games hold a special place in the hearts of millions of people who grew up playing them in the classroom and at home,” said Tony Bordon, President of The Learning Company. “Social gaming presents a wonderful opportunity to re-introduce these beloved icons. Bringing The Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? to Facebook allows us to reach these fans while offering a newly enhanced game play experience for long-time enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”

The Learning Company focuses on reaching parents and students with fun and engaging products that build upon the skills and lessons being taught in the classroom and at home.

Both games were developed in collaboration with Waltham, Massachusetts-based Blue Fang Games.

“The Blue Fang team is absolutely thrilled to work with HMH to bring these beloved games to Facebook,” said Eduardo Baraf, Studio Director of Blue Fang. “The Oregon Trail and Carmen Sandiego offer original and iconic experiences that we are updating and extending with new social features that make both games more engaging than ever before.”

For more information about the upcoming Facebook games, please visit www.OregonTrail.com and www.facebook.com/CarmenSandiego.


About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global education and learning company that is leading the way with innovative solutions and approaches to the challenges facing education today. The world’s largest provider of educational products and solutions for pre-K–12 learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt develops and delivers interactive, results-driven learning solutions that advance teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Through curricula excellence and technology innovation, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt collaborates with school districts, administrators, teachers, parents and students. Today, HMH education products and services are used by 57 million students throughout all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries. With origins dating back to 1832, the Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. For more information, visit www.hmhpub.com.