Madeline (video game series)

Madeline
Series logo
Genre(s)	Educational, adventure
Developer(s)	Vortex Media Arts
Publisher(s)	Creative Wonders (ABC/EA 1995–1997) (The Learning Company 1998) (Mattel Interactive 1999)
Creator(s)	Ludwig Bemelmans (franchise) Greg Bestick (video games)
Artist(s)	Laurie Bauman (original design) Annie Fox (original design)
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
First release	Madeline and the Magnificent Puppet Show: A Learning Journey NA: November 15, 1995
Latest release	Madeline 1st and 2nd Grade Math NA: July 12, 1999
Parent series	Madeline

Madeline is a series of educational point-and-click adventure video games which were developed during the mid-1990s for Windows and Mac systems.^[1][2] The games are an extension of the Madeline series of children's books by Ludwig Bemelmans, which describe the adventures of a young French girl. The video-game series was produced concurrently with a TV series of the same name, with characters and voice actors from the show.

In each game, Madeline guides the player through educational mini-games. Activities include reading comprehension, mathematics, problem-solving, basic French and Spanish vocabulary, and cultural studies. Each game focuses on a different subject. Although the series is set primarily in Madeline's boarding school in Paris (and its surrounding neighborhoods), some games are set in other European countries.

The series was conceived by Creative Wonders president Greg Bestick and developed by Vortex Media Arts. It aimed to provide educational material to preschool and early-elementary-grade girls with a recognizable, appealing character. Educators, parents, and children were consulted during the series' development. The first game, Madeline and the Magnificent Puppet Show: A Learning Journey, was released in the fall of 1995 to coincide with the premiere of The New Adventures of Madeline animated television series. The series has eight games and two compilations.

The games were published by Creative Wonders, The Learning Company (formerly SoftKey) and Mattel Interactive. They were developed in association with DIC Entertainment, which held the rights to the game and the TV series. Creative Wonders and the Learning Company conducted several promotional campaigns for the games. The series was commercially successful, with individual games frequently appearing on lists of best-selling games. It was generally well received by critics for its focus on education and its animation style. In 1998, Creative Wonders was purchased by The Learning Company (formerly SoftKey), and in 1999 the series was discontinued when Creative Wonders was dissolved and demand lessened for children's point and click games.^[3]