The Carmen Sandiego franchise began in 1985 as a computer game series created by Broderbund. It features the titular character, a master thief who travels the world, stealing cultural treasures while evading capture. The games focus on geography and history, encouraging players to solve clues and track down Carmen and her henchmen. Over the years, the franchise expanded to include animated television series, books, and merchandise. The most recent adaptation is a Netflix animated series that debuted in 2019, reimagining Carmen as a more complex character with a focus on her motivations and adventures.