Freak Show (CD-ROM)

***Freak Show*** is the first video game by *The Residents,* released in 1994 on both Windows & Mac, based on their 1990 album of the same name.

## History

In 1989, The Residents began working on a multi-media project titled '*Freak Show*', focusing on several freaks living with a Freak Show. The project started life as an album, and evolved into a live show, a graphic novel and a *CD-ROM*.

Around 1993 The Residents became interested in the concept of producing a video game around Freak Show, they had previously attempted to produce a video game in 1983 based around the *Mark of the Mole* album, but it remained un-produced.

The group contacted the Voyager Company, who had began working in CD-ROM again, and asked if they'd produce their Freak Show game.

The Residents worked with collaborator *Jim Ludtke* to model and animate the game throughout most of 1993.

The game was finally released in 1994, and was highly praised all around, the original album was re-released as the soundtrack to the game.

In 1995, '*Freak Show Live*' was created, and drew heavily from the game.

## Gameplay

In the game you would see the freaks do their act, and then find your way into their trailers, where you find more about their existence, watching fully voice acted motion comics of the Graphic Novel and music videos. The Residents themselves appear in the game, visiting their trailer will show you their music videos and play excerpts from their albums.

## Credits

* **Written By**: The Residents
* Directed By: The Residents & Jim Ludtke
* **Programmed By**: Roger Jones
* **Published by**: The Voyager Company
* **Executive Producer for Voyager**: Michael Nash
* **Voyager Technical Director**: Morgan Holly
* **Voyager Production Coordinator**: Mikki Halpin
* **Music Written & Performed by**: The Residents
* **Mixed by**: Tony Janssen & The Residents
* **Produced by**: The Cryptic Corporation
* **Published by**: Pale Pachyderm Publishing
* **Featuring the voices of**: Diana Alden, Laurie Amat, Steven Kloman, Tony Janssen & The Residents
* **Animation & Design by**: Jim Ludtke
* **Package Design**: Rex Ray
* **Packaging Art**: Jim Ludtke
* **Additional 3D modelling**: Phill Simon
* **Herman's Family Photo Album**: Pore Know Graphics
* **Picked Punks Research & Realisation**: Pore Know Graphics
* **Harry the Head comic art & story**: Brian Bolland
* **Wanda the Worm Woman Portrait & Bedspread**: John Bolton
* **Herman The Human Mole comic art & story**: Richard Sala
* **Mickey the Mumbling Midget Comic art**: Savage Pencil
* **Harry the Head Directed by**: The Residents & Jim Ludtke
* **Animation by**: Jim Ludtke
* **Wanda the Worm Woman Created by**: Jim Ludtke & Nelson, Thundergod of War
* **Herman the Human Mole Created by**: The Residents
* **Benny the Bump Created by**: Pore Know Graphics, Jim Ludtke & Nelson, Thundergod of War
* **Mickey the Mumbling Midget Created by**: Pore Know Graphics from art by Savage Pencil.
* **Jelly Jack Created By**: Jim Ludtke, Lior Saar & Nick Phillip
* **The Third Reich 'N' Roll Directed by**: The Residents
* **Hello Skinny Directed By**: Graeme Whifler
* **Its' a Man's Man's Man's World Directed by**: The Residents
* **Its' a Man's Man's Man's World Music by**: J. Brown
* **Earth vs the Flying Saucers Directed by**: The Residents
* **One-Minute Movies Directed by**: The Residents & Graeme Whifler
* **Don't Be Cruel Directed by**: The Residents
* **Don't Be Cruel Music by**: Blackwell
* **Eloise Directed by**: The Residents
* **Cube E Directed by**: The Residents
* **The Mole Show Directed by**: The Residents
* **The 13th Anniversary Show Directed by**: The Residents

## See Also

* Freak Show (Album)
* Freak Show (graphic novel)
* Freak Show Live
* Gingerbread Man
* Bad Day on the Midway