Mode (video game)
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Multimedia, Interactive media |
| Founded | 1990s |
| Founder | Jeff Green (writer/director) |
| Fate | Software holdings transferred to Hoffmann + Associates |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
Key people | Jeff Green (writer/director), Alfredo Coppola (producer) |
| Products | Mode (1996), Midnight Stranger (1994) |
Mode (1996) represents the second full motion video (FMV) interactive multimedia title on CD-ROM resulting from the collaboration between writer/director Jeff Green and Animatics Multimedia Corporation.
History
Building on the global acclaim of their debut project, Midnight Stranger (1994), the creative team secured a partnership with Corel that included production support and publishing rights. This alliance provided a larger budget and facilitated the development of an accompanying online experience known as "Club Mode". The release of Mode was planned as part of Corel's strategic push into multimedia entertainment under its CD Home Collection brand. Nevertheless, following an unfavorable critique in PC Gamer magazine, Corel decided to discontinue the full launch of Mode, disbanded the division responsible for it, and transferred its software holdings to Hoffmann + Associates based in Toronto.
Plot
The narrative unfolds through the player's first-person perspective, starting with infiltrating an exclusive gathering centered on fashion and art, hosted by anarchist artist Vito Brevis. The central intrigue explores Vito's genuine motives—while he presents a cynical, anarchistic front, there is a suggestion he may be conducting a covert supernatural ceremony. Gameplay emphasizes emotionally charged interactions with various guests to cultivate a feeling of intimate connection.
Gameplay
Similar to Midnight Stranger, Mode utilizes video-driven storytelling paired with an emotional continuum interface called the Mood Bar for character engagement instead of traditional text menus or itemized choices. This bar spans from red (indicating negative reactions), through blue (neutral), to green (positive), reflecting authentic social exchanges and enhancing role-playing complexity. Although the interface appears seamless visually, player decisions typically align with specific response zones featuring different likelihoods.
Released across three CD-ROMs, Mode offered a greater volume of content than its predecessor but employed embedded small-frame video overlays within still images—generally animating only the speaking character’s head and upper torso—to optimize disk space usage. This approach allowed for considerably more interactive elements and narrative variety within the constraints of CD-ROM technology. While recognized for its innovative design, some criticism was directed at occasional mismatches between motion segments and framing.
Cast and crew
- Writer and director — Jeff Green
- Producer — Alfredo Coppola, Animatics Multimedia Corporation
- Publisher — Corel Corporation
- Team — Video Producer: Jeff Lively; Multimedia Producer: Don Aker; Art Director: Tero Hollo; Music Composers: Tim Kohout, Dan Proulx; Director of Photography: Scott Plante, Visualeyes Productions; Associate Producers: Christine Doyle, Krista Thompson; Production Manager: Sonja Kruitwagen; Production Coordinator: Eileen Keefe; Sound Technician: Eldy Gouthro; Digital Media Specialist: Warren Hodgson; Animation and Effects: Teddy MacLeod; Digitizing Technician: James Hall; Graphic Designer: Jim Dicker; Gaffer: John Oliver; Key Grip: Michael Tien; Props Supervisor: Jean-Sébastien Busque; Props Assistant: Kent Osgood; Wardrobe Coordinator: Celine Richardson; Head Dresser: Sheila Snapper; Makeup Artist: Samantha Caldwell; Hair Stylist: Lawrence Finnie; Body Painting Artists: Jef (Krunchie) Harris, Sylvie Rochon
- Principal Cast — Chip Chuipka (Vito Brevis), Natalie Grey (Charity Flame), Daniel Richer (Riel Attaychek), Quinn (Ed Cheminoma), W. David Watson (Jack Neetch), Gloria David (Mia Tesla), Alexandre Lincourt (Hercule Anaste), Katja Dolleato (Bela), Luigi Saracino (Killer Klown), Nathalie Coutu (The Dome Lady), Kent Rowe (Tuba), Cynthia Smith (Sheeva)
- Additional Performers — The Ambient People (Denise, Hound, Robin, Alex, Chrystine), Johnathan Parker, The James Sisters, Dirt Farm, Tim Kohout and associates
- Body Paint Models — Vanessa LaBelle, Meriel Meeks, Karan Friis, Jamie Durie
- Barrett Palmer Models — Nicole Harod, Sara Ducharme, Erin Downie, Parnille Holt Sawaya, Silvia DiNardo, Isabelle Mousseau, Sandra Guerard, Angela Selkirk, Alana Husson, Maganda Lumbu, Erin Binks, Joni-Sarah White
Awards
- 1996 — Mode was shortlisted for the Macromedia People's Choice Award at the 1996 Macromedia International User's Conference
- 1997 — Club Mode achieved finalist status at the International Digital Media Awards during Multimedia '97
Reception
Designed to spearhead Corel's venture into multimedia entertainment through its CD Home Collection, Mode encountered harsh criticism in PC Gamer magazine. As a result, Corel opted not to proceed with a full product launch. Nevertheless, the title received positive feedback from other reviewers and cultivated a dedicated global following. Edited gameplay videos uploaded to YouTube from 2012 to 2014 have collectively amassed over 100,000 views.