Riverdeep, Inc. (NASDAQ: RVDP) and BAM! Entertainment (NASDAQ: BFUN) today announced they have entered into an exclusive agreement to extend the award-winning Carmen Sandiego brand to the video game market. The first Carmen Sandiego video games are scheduled to be in stores for the 2003 holiday season.

In 1985 Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? exploded on the software scene. The Carmen Sandiego software series became a huge success, selling more than 6 million units and winning more than 120 awards and accolades. Five years later, Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego debuted on television. Once rated as the #1 show on PBS for kids ages six to eleven, Carmen Sandiego earned six Emmy awards and went on to appear in an animated series on the Fox network. Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego became the first Saturday morning children's show to win the "Outstanding Animated Program" Emmy. In addition to computer software and television, Carmen Sandiego can be seen in animated videos and at planetarium shows and its popular theme song is played in symphonies nationwide.

"We are excited to team up with BAM! to bring Carmen Sandiego to the video gaming world," said Eric Stone, Riverdeep's executive vice president and general manager for Learning Company products. "Her mysterious and clever nature has intrigued kids for many years," continued Stone. "She's not an evil villain, but she is certainly a prankster, and a character we feel will transfer very well to gaming platforms."

"BAM! is constantly looking for new ways to deliver solid content to the expanding, all-ages gaming audience, and Carmen Sandiego is a natural fit," said Bernard Stolar, president and chief operating officer of BAM! Entertainment. "Carmen Sandiego is a well-established brand, standing the test of time and various line extensions beyond her PC roots. I believe it is the perfect property to bring to gaming consoles and a new generation of players."

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