{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/mouse--family-chords","type":"mechanic","id":"mouse--family-chords","lang":"en","title":"Combinations and modes","summary":"A button combination or selected mode changes the next click’s meaning. Day of the Tentacle applies an item through a selected verb.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/mouse--family-chords/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/mouse--family-chords.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/mouse--family-chords.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Mouse interactions","Input and gestures"],"sourceIds":["source-796ac91c3a695e59"],"sources":[{"id":"source-796ac91c3a695e59","title":"Day of the Tentacle Remastered","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/388210/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"Multiple signals form a single command or change the meaning of subsequent input."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-chords-variants\"></a>\n\n- Click modifier. Action: Hold Shift, Ctrl, Alt or Cmd and click. Usage: Alternate command, adding a choice, special order. Conditions: Purposes vary by platform; important commands must be detected. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-01\"></a>\n- Modifier with movement. Action: Hold key while moving or dragging. Usage: Axis constraint, fine mode, temporarily disable snapping. Conditions: Display active constraint until action completes. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-02\"></a>\n- Simultaneous pressing of buttons. Action: Press two buttons with a valid time overlap. Application: Special command, joint action of two hands, opening of adjacent cells. Conditions: Set a window of simultaneity and an alternative to a complex combination. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-03\"></a>\n- A button as a modifier of another button. Action: Hold one button and press another. Application: Change fire while aiming, additional tool command. Conditions: Not to be confused with simultaneous pressing: the order is significant here. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-04\"></a>\n- Rocker gesture. Action: Hold one button, press another; reverse order gives another command. Application: Back/forward, two linked actions, fast navigation. Conditions: Hidden combination requires training and reassignment. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-05\"></a>\n- Keyboard movement with mouse. Action: Move with the keys, move the mouse independently. Application: Shooter, action, control of the character and the direction of the tool. Conditions: Provide for a player who is uncomfortable with simultaneous control of both hands. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-06\"></a>\n- Holding a button with movement. Action: Press the mode button and move the mouse. Application: Rotate the camera instead of a pointer, panorama instead of a selection. Conditions: The pointer and tooltip should convey a new meaning to the movement. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-07\"></a>\n- Mode until explicit exit. Action: Click to turn on the tool, then use it in a series of actions. Application: Construction, painting, measuring, assigning orders. Conditions: You need a visible active tool and a single exit command. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-08\"></a>\n- Radial menu with release. Action: Press, point at a sector, release to select. Application: Quick selection of an item, emotion, squad command. Conditions: The center is convenient to use for cancellation; short click can show menu. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-09\"></a>\n- Independent parallel actions. Action: Hold one button, use the other independently. Application: Defend and shoot, hold the grip and control the tool. Conditions: Check the combinations on the target mice and process all releases. <a id=\"variant-mouse-05-10\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"mouse","id":"family-chords","title":"Mouse interactions","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/mouse/#family-chords","categoryIds":["section-1"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Combinations and modes","description":"A button combination or selected mode changes the next click’s meaning. Day of the Tentacle applies an item through a selected verb.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/adventure-day-of-the-tentacle-07.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"crop":{"x":180,"y":0,"width":1080,"height":810},"game":"Day of the Tentacle Remastered","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/388210/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/388210/ss_9eefffbc6bf66978cb5b8570665b09774d4f604a.1920x1080.jpg?t=1731602439","credit":"Double Fine Productions / Shiny Shoe","rights":"Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.","caption":"The Use action and separate inventory items","alt":"The Use action and separate inventory items","markers":[{"x":42,"y":80,"label":"Item-use action"},{"x":63,"y":81,"label":"Inventory item"}]},"tips":["Keep the active mode visible and provide a simple way to leave it."],"examples":[{"title":"Day of the Tentacle Remastered","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/388210/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/mouse"}}