---
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
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
---
# Combinations and modes

id: mouse--family-chords
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/mouse--family-chords
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/mouse--family-chords/

A button combination or selected mode changes the next click’s meaning. Day of the Tentacle applies an item through a selected verb.

## At a glance

![The Use action and separate inventory items](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/adventure-day-of-the-tentacle-07.webp)

[Day of the Tentacle Remastered](https://store.steampowered.com/app/388210/) · Game imagery © its respective rights holders. Publisher-distributed Steam screenshot; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.

1. Item-use action
2. Inventory item

- Keep the active mode visible and provide a simple way to leave it.

- [Day of the Tentacle Remastered](https://store.steampowered.com/app/388210/)

## How it works

Multiple signals form a single command or change the meaning of subsequent input.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-chords-variants"></a>

- 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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>
- 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>

## Context and limits

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.

## Connected materials


## Sources and 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.

- [Day of the Tentacle Remastered](https://store.steampowered.com/app/388210/) (id: source-796ac91c3a695e59)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors