Kotaku: zoe mode

Zoë Mode Sets Up Home In London

Mike Fahey — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:40:00 MDT

Ah, my darling Zoë Mode. I knew Brighton was too small for you. You're a big city girl, with hopes and dreams that Brighton just couldn't contain. The rebranded Kuju Brighton is launching a new studio in London in order to make room for the influx of talent the rhythm game developer has seen since they unveiled their adorable mascot last year.

“Since we re-branded last year we have had an enormous interest in the studio from both publishers and new recruits” says Ed Daly, Studio Head. “Following on from our huge growth in Brighton where we are now approaching 150 staff, we felt the time was right to open a second studio. This will enable us to take on more projects and staff without losing the intimate company culture that is so central to our approach”.

The new studio will hit the ground running, with two projects lined up for the new team, overseen by current Zoë Mode Brighton executive producer Nick Rodriguez.

Zoë Mode® Announces New London Studio

Following their hugely successful first year since Kuju Brighton rebranded, music and party game specialist Zoë Mode is pleased to announce the formation of Zoë Mode London. Launching on 1st September 2008, the studio will be based near the south bank of the Thames in central London and will be led by Nick Rodriguez, currently Executive Producer at Zoë Mode Brighton.

“Since we re-branded last year we have had an enormous interest in the studio from both publishers and new recruits” says Ed Daly, Studio Head. “Following on from our huge growth in Brighton where we are now approaching 150 staff, we felt the time was right to open a second studio. This will enable us to take on more projects and staff without losing the intimate company culture that is so central to our approach”.

With two projects already lined up and a core team established from the Brighton studio, Zoë Mode London is set to grow quickly.

Nick Rodriguez, Studio Head London;
“London has been a development hub for the games industry for many years now, which means that there’s a fantastic pool of talent here to join our new studio. We’re looking for staff in all disciplines and we’re really excited about the opportunities that being in London present to us”.

For more information about Zoë Mode London and details of positions available please visit: www.zoemode.com

Zoë Mode Revealed As Rock Revolution Dev

Mike Fahey — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:40:00 MDT

Konami's answer to Rock Band - Rock Revolution - is being developed by a playful blonde girl sticking out her tongue. Brighton's Zoë Mode studio have been announced as the developers behind the latest ensemble rhythm game, set to go up against Rock Band and Guitar Hero: World Tour in an all-out battle for the space in your living room reserved for plastic instruments.

Formerly Kuju Brighton, Zoë Mode has been responsible for several rhythm-action games over the past few years, including Dancing with the Stars and Singstar, in collaboration with Sony London Studio. The cheeky blonde's official website also indicates that they are working on five unannounced music and party games on top of Konami's Rock Revolution. That's one busy cute blonde right there.

Zoë Mode to develop Rock Revolution [GI.biz]

Gallery: Crush at the Fair

Mike Fahey — Wed, 23 May 2007 12:20:55 MDT

Remember awhile back when I wouldn't shut up about SEGA's innovative PSP platformer Crush? The game is actually hitting stores next week, and when I saw this latest batch of screenshots I found myself pondering what had caused me to stop thinking about it. The answer? Super Paper Mario. I guess suddenly switching between 2D and 3D worlds didn't seem quite so groundbreaking once I witnessed Mario doing it. Way to kill a buzz Nintendo.

I'm still excited that the game is coming out mind you, especially after these shots of the fairground levels put to rest any fears I had about lack of level variety. It's just the little new game dance I do at the store might be just a tad less enthusiastic for it. Michael Fahey

Gallery: New Crush Screenies

Mike Fahey — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:20:46 MDT

Sometimes I wish they wouldn't show you movies or screens from a game until a good week or so before the release date. That way you'd only have a few days to be excited, and didn't find yourself slowly starting to grow bored with each bit of new media released. So far I've seen a ton of screenshots, a handful of videos, and read at least three press releases regarding Zoe Mode's innovative new 2D/3D platforming hybrid for the PSP, as well as hearing the developer talk about the game during GDC. Stop teasing me already!, you little minx! Michael Fahey

Kuju Brighton Becomes Zo Mode

Mike Fahey — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:24:43 MST

In a move as quirky and odd as their upcoming PSP title Crush, Kuju's Brighton Studio has been renamed Zo Mode and given a mascot in the form of a blonde girl with her tongue sticking out. Seriously. I have no clue here.

We've created Zo Mode; she is the personality that reflects our in-house philosophy of accessible, fun gaming for everyone."

So she's accessible to everyone and fun. I think I knew her back in high school. Big hit at parties, much like Kuju Brighton's previous games for the PS2, like the Eyetoy Play and SingStar titles. So I suppose it makes sense in a gonzo marketing sort of way. Hit the press release after the jump for more of an explanation of why the game studio is now a playful blonde chick. Michael Fahey

Zo Mode

From today Kuju's Brighton studio is reborn as Zo Mode.

Zo Mode's Studio Head Ed Daly elaborates, "This studio has had great success over the last three years focusing on fresh gaming experiences for new audiences. We've shipped several very successful, high quality titles and grown to 100 staff and now the time is right to rename the studio. We've created Zo Mode; she is the personality that reflects our in-house philosophy of accessible, fun gaming for everyone."

Since setting up in 2003 the teams from Zo Mode have worked on EyeToy : Play 3, EyeToy : Play Sports, SingStar : Rocks, SingStar :Anthems & SingStar : Legends, all in collaboration with Sony London Studio.

Ed Daly continues, "Zo allows us to have some fun with the image of the studio but of course what matters most is the games we make. We have built up a great team, a really diverse crowd for a game developer, and an internal culture that reflects the fun and creative values that come through in our games. By taking control of the public face of the studio we will be able to reinforce this unique identity and specialist expertise further."

Zo Mode remains a part of Kuju Studios which continues to provide corporate support, and opportunities to share technology and collaborate with the other Kuju studios.

Although very different to the party games developed with Sony, the first title to be released under the new name will be CRUSH , recently announced by SEGA Europe Ltd, another fresh and original title from the studio now known as Zo Mode. www.zoemode.com