Attract Mode Is Back
Today‘s date, aka August 6, 2022, marks the ten year anniversary of Attract Mode’s relaunch. And as previous noted, a LOT has happened since then. Below is the introductory blog post by Adam Robezzoli, followed by my first blog post for “Attract Mode version 2.0”, published on August 6, 2012 as well.
After too long an absence, Attract Mode is back — and sporting a fresh new design courtesy of Cory Schmitz! Why have we been gone so long?
A little history:
I launched Attract Mode almost four years ago as an online shop and blog focused on video game culture. Early on I was fortunate to collaborate with Eric Nakamura and Giant Robot on the artxgame project, teaming up artists and indie game makers to create small games for exhibition in a gallery setting.
Not long after, Matt Hawkins joined Attract Mode and helped us do even more cool projects, like the Heavenly Symphony show at Babycastles. During this time, a bunch of other incredible people helped mold Attract Mode in their own ways, making it much greater than anything I could have hoped to achieve on my own.
Then the website database crashed.
And the site stayed down for the past year and a half while Matt and I worked on more important things in our lives. We still kept up with a few projects like the bi-monthly Game Nights at GR2 and Comics vs Games in Toronto, but I just didn’t have it in me to resurrect the site. Shipping products and managing the store took up way too much of my personal time, and the inventory took up way too much of my dining room.
Then earlier this year, the fine crew at Fangamer offered to manage the entire shop if I relaunched the site. I still wasn’t all that interested in running Attract Mode as a business though, so Matt and I decided to open this thing up and make it a collective. The same people who helped make Attract Mode what it is are now members that will be contributing directly to the site and any other endeavors. (Check them out in the left sidebar!)
Now that Attract Mode is no longer my thing but our thing, I’m excited to see where it goes!
Heading to Seattle, for Penny Arcade Expo? Good. Why? Because on Saturday night, September 1st, will be Attract Mode’s next live event! We’re teaming up with Fangamer to throw a party that will seriously have it all…
For starters, why wait in line for hours at the show, for just a taste of the hottest indie game on the horizon, when you can play Super Time Force all night long? And making its debut on US soil is Cumulo Nimblers, the breakout hit of our Toronto event, Comics vs. Games.
Plus we’ll have plenty of decks of the Game Developers Conference sensation, the Meta Game, on hand also. But what about music? Well, how does the 8bit rockstar known as Danimal Cannon and underground hip-hop sensation Mega Ran both sound?
Though what both Fangamer and Attract Mode are mostly known for is the celebration of the world of games via artwork. For VERSUS, we asked our friends to create their most eye-popping and soul-stirring creations yet. The line-up includes:
Alex Griendling, Andy Webb, Ann Kornuta, Ashley Davis, Asif Siddiky, Aurdey C.T, Camille Young, Campbell Whyte, Chris Furniss, Corey Lewis, Daniel Bressette, Daniel Dessault, Drew Wise, Farel Dalrymple, Georgina Chacon, Hilary Florido, Jacob Ferguson, Jay Roeder, Jon Kay, Jon Magram, Jonathan Griffiths, Jovo Ve, Jude Buffum, Kaigetsudo Kamishimo, Kari Fry, Kris Mukai, Kyle Fewell, Laura Wilson, Lindsay Collins, Maré Odomo, Matt Cummings, Marty Elmer, Mikey Mann, Mikko Walamies, Mitch Loidolt, OMOCAT, Sean Husbands, Stephanie Hans, Steve Courtney, Toby Jones, and Zac Gorman
Every piece from every artist, be it original or limited edition reproduction, will be available for purchase. You’ll fall in love with something you see, guaranteed. There will also be a selection of goods from both FG and AM to supplement your shopping.
The address? 1927 Events, located at 1927 3rd Ave, just a few blocks away from the convention center. And what time? 7:00pm-11:00pm.
Indie games! Chiptunes! Beautiful artwork! All for just FIVE DOLLARS. Cost of admission includes complimentary appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages. For those interested in something stiffer, there’s also a bar handy. You see, we have everything covered.
Get ready Seattle and PAX Prime, for Fangamer VERSUS Attract Mode
Oh, and for those who like them, we finally have a Facebook events page. Also, please note that you do not have to be a PAX attendee; the party is open to the public.
“Tickets” will be sold at the Fangamer booth, on the show floor, beforehand. Otherwise, one can be purchased at the door, the evening of.
