Zoë Mode
Zoë Mode was a British video-game development studio created through the rebranding of Kuju Brighton.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Zoë Mode was a British video-game development studio based in Brighton, England. It originated within Kuju Entertainment, the developer formed in 1998 after Ian Baverstock and Jonathan Newth completed a management buyout of the former Simis studio from Eidos Interactive. Kuju expanded its development network during the 2000s, and in 2003 it recruited the team behind Wide Games to establish a Brighton operation. That operation was subsequently rebranded as Zoë Mode in 2007, following Kuju's acquisition by the German media investment company Catalis SE. The Zoë Mode name was used for a studio rather than for a broad consumer-goods brand. Its work concentrated on console and interactive-entertainment software, including licensed projects, family-oriented games, music and rhythm experiences, motion-control titles, downloadable games, and fitness products. The studio's first release under the Zoë Mode name was Crush, a puzzle-platform game published by Sega. The team also worked on the EyeToy line and developed software for Microsoft's Kinect motion-control platform, reflecting the studio's emphasis on accessible and physically interactive play. Zoë Mode became particularly associated with games that connected established entertainment properties or lifestyle activities with console hardware. Its portfolio included work on the Zumba dance and fitness franchise, including Zumba Fitness 2, as well as Rock Revolution, a music game developed under a deal signed in 2008. In 2009, the studio released Chime, a puzzle game produced in cooperation with OneBigGame, a nonprofit initiative that used game development to support charitable causes. It also worked on Powerstar Golf, a golf title released for Xbox One, and participated in projects involving Xbox Kinect. The studio operated within Kuju's wider collection of development teams. Other Kuju operations included Headstrong Games, Doublesix, Vatra Games, Kuju Surrey, Kuju Sheffield, Nik Nak Games, Kuju America, and Kuju Manila. This structure allowed Kuju to undertake projects across multiple platforms and genres, while individual studios retained distinct identities. Zoë Mode was therefore both a local development label and part of a larger production network rather than an independent publisher with a separate consumer distribution business. The available reference material does not identify an individual founder, a separate public listing, or a distinct corporate headquarters apart from the Brighton studio. Kuju was acquired by Catalis in 2007, and Kuju later merged with Curve Games in 2016. The sources do not document a standalone Zoë Mode operating business after the subsequent changes to the Kuju group, so the brand is treated as defunct or absorbed rather than active. Its documented legacy is as a Brighton-based developer that contributed to licensed, music, fitness, puzzle, golf, and motion-control games during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
History
Zoë Mode developed from the Brighton operation of Kuju Entertainment. Kuju itself traced its origins to Simis, a British developer established in 1989 by Ian Baverstock and Jonathan Newth. Simis produced flight-simulation software and was acquired by Eidos Interactive in 1995. In 1998, Baverstock and Newth led a management buyout of the studio, creating Kuju Ltd. Kuju expanded into a multi-studio development organization. In 2003, it hired the Wide Games team to establish a Brighton-based operation. The studio initially operated as Kuju Brighton and worked within the wider Kuju network, which also included teams in locations such as London, Surrey, Sheffield, Manila, and the United States. Kuju's projects during this period covered licensed games, Nintendo properties, music software, action titles, and games for different console generations. In 2007, Kuju was acquired by Catalis SE, a German media investment company. Around the same period, Kuju Brighton was rebranded as Zoë Mode. The new name gave the Brighton team an identifiable studio label while it remained part of Kuju's corporate structure. Zoë Mode's first release under the new identity was Crush, a puzzle-platform title published by Sega. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Zoë Mode developed or supported games across several commercially important categories. It worked on EyeToy-related software and projects using motion-control technologies, including Microsoft's Kinect. The studio also entered music and rhythm development with Rock Revolution, released Chime in partnership with OneBigGame, and worked on fitness and dance software connected to the Zumba brand. Its documented portfolio further includes work on Powerstar Golf for Xbox One. The studio's history formed part of a period in which Kuju used multiple specialist teams and labels to handle projects for platform holders, publishers, and licensed properties. Some related Kuju units were later separated, renamed, closed, or reorganized. The reference material records Kuju's merger with Curve Games in 2016 but does not provide a separate later operating history for Zoë Mode. On that basis, Zoë Mode is best classified as a defunct or absorbed development label rather than an independently active studio. Its principal historical significance lies in its Brighton base and its contribution to accessible, social, fitness, music, puzzle, licensed, and motion-control games.
- 2016
Kuju merges with Curve Games
[1]Kuju Entertainment merged with Curve Games; the available source does not specify a separate subsequent operating structure for Zoë Mode.
- 2011
Zumba Fitness 2 agreement
[1]The studio signed an agreement to develop Zumba Fitness 2.
- 2009
Release of Chime
[1]Zoë Mode released Chime, a puzzle title produced by OneBigGame for a charitable initiative.
- 2008
Rock Revolution development agreement
[1]Zoë Mode signed a deal to develop Rock Revolution, expanding its work in music-focused games.
- 2007
Kuju Brighton becomes Zoë Mode
[1]Following Kuju's acquisition by Catalis SE, the Brighton studio was rebranded Zoë Mode.
- 2007
Release of Crush
[1]Crush became the first game released under the Zoë Mode name.
- 2003
Kuju establishes a Brighton development operation
[1]Kuju Entertainment hired the Wide Games team to create its Brighton studio, the operation that later became associated with Zoë Mode.
Products and positioning
A Kuju-affiliated Brighton development studio focused on accessible console entertainment, licensed properties, music and rhythm software, fitness and dance experiences, puzzle games, and motion-control platforms.
Puzzle-platform video game · 2007
Crush
Crush was the first title released under the Zoë Mode name. It represented the studio's early work as a Brighton-based developer operating within the Kuju group and demonstrated its focus on console-oriented puzzle and platform gameplay.
Puzzle video game · 2009
Chime
Chime was a puzzle game produced in association with OneBigGame, a nonprofit initiative designed to use video games to generate charitable support. Its development connected Zoë Mode's commercial game-production capabilities with a social-impact publishing model.
Fitness and dance video game · 2011
Zumba Fitness 2
Zumba Fitness 2 was part of Zoë Mode's work in interactive fitness and dance software. The project extended the studio's experience with accessible, activity-based console games and the broader Zumba entertainment and exercise franchise.
Music and rhythm video game
Rock Revolution
Rock Revolution was a music-focused project developed by Zoë Mode under a deal signed in 2008. It belongs to the studio's broader portfolio of rhythm, music, and interactive entertainment software.
Sports video game
Powerstar Golf
Powerstar Golf was an Xbox One golf title associated with the wider Kuju development organization. It illustrates the group's expansion into sports software for newer console hardware and is among the projects connected to the Zoë Mode development history.
Motion-control video games
EyeToy projects
Zoë Mode worked on games in the EyeToy series, contributing to a category built around camera-based interaction and physical player input. These projects are consistent with the studio's later work on Kinect and other motion-oriented console experiences.
Motion-control video games
Kinect projects
The studio developed games for Microsoft's Kinect platform. The available material does not identify every individual Kinect title, but this work formed part of Zoë Mode's focus on accessible, physically interactive console software.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009OneBigGame partnership for Chime
International
Zoë Mode produced Chime for OneBigGame, a nonprofit game initiative intended to support charitable causes through game sales and participation by development companies.
Outcome. The project was released as Chime; the supplied material does not provide quantified fundraising results.
Brand decisions
2011
Agreement to develop Zumba Fitness 2Product launchBackground
Zoë Mode had developed games involving accessible and physically interactive play, creating a fit with dance and exercise software.
Action taken
The studio signed a deal to develop Zumba Fitness 2.
Aftermath
Zumba Fitness 2 became part of Zoë Mode's fitness and dance-game work.
2008
Development deal for Rock RevolutionProduct launchBackground
Music and rhythm games were an established category in console software, and Zoë Mode had experience with interactive entertainment and motion-oriented products.
Action taken
Zoë Mode signed an agreement to develop Rock Revolution.
Aftermath
The project became part of the studio's documented music-game portfolio.
2007
Rebrand Kuju Brighton as Zoë ModeStrategyBackground
Kuju was reorganizing its development operations after being acquired by Catalis SE, and its Brighton team was given a distinct studio identity.
Action taken
The Kuju Brighton studio began operating under the Zoë Mode name.
Aftermath
The studio released projects under the Zoë Mode label, including Crush, Chime, fitness software, music games, and motion-control titles.
Recent events
- 2016
Kuju merges with Curve Games[1]
M&A
Kuju Entertainment merged with Curve Games, marking a later corporate development in the group that had included Zoë Mode.
- 2011
Zoë Mode signs deal to develop Zumba Fitness 2[1]
Product launch · Other
The studio agreed to develop Zumba Fitness 2, extending its work into the fitness and dance-game market.
- 2009
Zoë Mode releases Chime charity game[1]
Product launch · Campaign
Zoë Mode released Chime, a puzzle game produced for OneBigGame, a nonprofit initiative connecting game development with charitable fundraising.
- 2008
Zoë Mode signs development deal for Rock Revolution[1]
Product launch · Other
The studio entered an agreement to develop Rock Revolution, a music-oriented video game project.
- 2007
Kuju Brighton rebranded as Zoë Mode[1]
Other · Leadership change
The Brighton studio operated by Kuju was given the Zoë Mode name after Kuju was acquired by Catalis SE.
Sources1 sources
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