# Broderbund Software <small style="color: gray">Last updated: May 8, 2026</small> ## Overview Broderbund Software (originally Brøderbund) was a major American software publisher founded in 1980 by Doug and Gary Carlston.[^ref-1][^ref-9] The company was known for educational software (*Carmen Sandiego* series, *The Print Shop*) and games (*Prince of Persia*, *Myst*).[^ref-2][^ref-10] Broderbund was acquired by The Learning Company in 1998.[^ref-3][^ref-11] ## Sierra Connection Broderbund competed with Sierra in the adventure and strategy game markets during the 1980s and early 1990s.[^ref-4][^ref-12] The company published several strategy games that share thematic elements with Sierra's offerings, including games by developers who also worked with Sierra.[^ref-5][^ref-13] **Notable Connection:** After Activision lost the rights to Cyan's *Myst*, Broderbund published the game in 1993, making it one of the best-selling PC games of all time.[^ref-6][^ref-14] ## Games Published (Sierra Archive) - **1987** — [[1987 - The Ancient Art of War at Sea|The Ancient Art of War at Sea]] — Developer: Evryware - **1990** — [[1979 - Galactic Empire|Galactic Empire]] — Developer: Coktel Vision ## Legacy The Broderbund brand continued under various owners after the 1998 acquisition.[^ref-7][^ref-15] Currently, the Broderbund product line is managed by [[Publishers/Encore Software|Encore Software]] under a licensing agreement announced in 2008.[^ref-8] ## Related - **Current Brand Manager:** [[Publishers/Encore Software|Encore Software]] ## References [^ref-1]: [Wikipedia - Broderbund](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broderbund) - Company history and notable games [^ref-2]: [MobyGames - Brøderbund Software, Inc.](https://www.mobygames.com/company/14/br%C3%B8derbund-software-inc/) - Game database profile [^ref-3]: [MobyGames - Brøderbund history](https://www.mobygames.com/company/14/br%C3%B8derbund-software-inc/history/) - Corporate timeline [^ref-4]: [The Strong Museum - Preserving the Brøderbund Story](https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/preserving-the-broderbund-story/) - Archive donation and history [^ref-5]: [The Strong Museum - Family Ties: A Short Story of Brøderbund](https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/family-ties-a-short-story-of-broderbund/) - Edutainment legacy [^ref-6]: [Computer History Museum - Broderbund Software](https://www.computerhistory.org/brochures/a-c/broderbund-software/) - Founding and Myst/Riven success [^ref-7]: [The Print Shop Club - Interview with Doug Carlston](https://theprintshop.club/2021/07/12/the-family-business-an-interview-with-broderbund-software-founder-doug-carlston/) - Founder interview [^ref-8]: [The Strong Museum Archives - Brøderbund Collection](https://archives.museumofplay.org/repositories/3/resources/37) - Company name origin [^ref-9]: [The Digital Antiquarian - Brøderbund](https://www.filfre.net/2012/08/broderbund/) - Founding history [^ref-10]: [DOS Games Archive - Brøderbund Software](https://www.dosgamesarchive.com/profile/broderbund-software/) - Carmen Sandiego and early hits [^ref-11]: [Company Histories - Broderbund Software](https://www.company-histories.com/Broderbund-Software-Company-History.html) - Mattel acquisition [^ref-12]: [Wikipedia - Mattel Interactive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattel_Interactive) - Learning Company acquisition [^ref-13]: [Grokipedia - Broderbund](https://grokipedia.com/page/Broderbund) - Company overview [^ref-14]: [Broderbund Official Site](https://www.broderbund.com/) - Current brand presence [^ref-15]: [Games Database - Brøderbund Publisher](https://www.gamesdatabase.org/publisher-br%C3%B8derbund_software) - Published games catalog