# Game modes in video games: the main types

> Video game modes include single-player campaign, co-op, competitive multiplayer like deathmatch and battle royale, survival, sandbox and practice.

A game mode is a set of rules for how you play the same game. The main types are single-player (a story campaign or offline play against AI), cooperative modes where players team up against the game, competitive multiplayer modes where players face each other, and open-ended modes like sandbox or creative. Many games also add practice, survival and special event modes.

## Single-player modes

- **Campaign or story mode.** A designed sequence of missions with a plot.
- **Free play or sandbox.** No fixed goals, as in Minecraft's Creative mode.
- **Difficulty modes.** Easy to hard, plus hardcore or permadeath, where dying ends the run.
- **New Game Plus.** Replay the game with your previous progress and tougher enemies.
- **Time trial or challenge.** Beat a level as fast or as cleanly as possible.

## Cooperative modes

- **Co-op campaign.** Two or more players play the story together, locally (split-screen) or online.
- **Horde or survival.** Players hold out against waves of enemies.
- **Raids and dungeons.** Group content in MMOs and looter shooters.

## Competitive multiplayer modes

- **Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch.** Score by eliminating opponents.
- **Objective modes.** Capture the flag, domination or king of the hill, and bomb modes like Search and Destroy.
- **Battle royale.** Dozens of players drop into a shrinking map and the last player or team standing wins.
- **MOBA and arena modes.** Teams fight to destroy the enemy base or win rounds.
- **Ranked vs. casual.** Ranked modes track your skill rating; casual or unranked modes have lower stakes.

## Other modes

- **Practice or training.** Learn controls and combos without pressure.
- **Limited-time modes.** Special rules during events.
- **Photo mode.** Pause the game to take screenshots.

## FAQ

**What is hard mode?**
A higher difficulty setting where enemies deal more damage, have more health or behave more aggressively.

**What are the three types of multiplayer?**
By how players connect: local multiplayer on one console or screen (split-screen or couch co-op), LAN play on a shared local network, and online multiplayer over the internet. By how they play together, modes split into co-op and competitive.

**What does Game Mode on a TV or Windows do?**
That is a different thing. TV game mode turns off picture processing to reduce input lag, and Windows Game Mode prioritizes system resources for the game you are playing.

**What game modes are in Warzone?**
Warzone is built around battle royale and Resurgence, a faster mode with respawns. Available modes rotate by season, so check the current playlist in the game.

**What types of games exist?**
Common genres include action, adventure, RPG, shooter, strategy, simulation, sports, racing, puzzle and fighting games. A genre describes the game; a mode describes how you play it.

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https://gamevoyages.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-game-modes/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-31