How to change the game mode on a CS:GO server
Switch your CS:GO server between casual, competitive, wingman, deathmatch and arms race using game_type and game_mode, and customise each mode.
Updated · 2 min read
CS:GO picks its game mode from two values: game_type and game_mode. Set them as launch options (or in your Startup settings if your template has variables for them) and choose a map that fits the mode.
Game mode values
| Mode | game_type | game_mode |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | 0 | 0 |
| Competitive | 0 | 1 |
| Wingman | 0 | 2 |
| Weapons Expert | 0 | 3 |
| Arms Race | 1 | 0 |
| Demolition | 1 | 1 |
| Deathmatch | 1 | 2 |
| Custom | 3 | 0 |
Setting the mode
Check your server's Startup settings for game type and game mode variables. If they exist, set the two numbers there and restart.
If they don't, you can switch at runtime from the console:
game_type 0
game_mode 1
map de_mirage
The new mode takes effect when the map changes, so always change map (or reload the current one) after setting them. Values set this way reset on restart unless they're also in your startup settings or server.cfg.
Maps that fit each mode
- Competitive, Casual, Wingman: defuse (
de_) and hostage (cs_) maps. Wingman works best on small 2v2 maps such asde_shortdustandde_lake. - Arms Race and Demolition: maps like
ar_shoots,ar_baggageandde_lake. - Deathmatch: works on most defuse maps.
Customising a mode
Each mode has a config file in csgo/cfg/, such as gamemode_competitive.cfg. Don't edit those directly, because game updates can overwrite them. Instead, create a matching _server file, which runs after the default and overrides it:
csgo/cfg/gamemode_competitive_server.cfg
Example for a relaxed 5v5 with friends:
mp_maxrounds 24
mp_overtime_enable 1
mp_freezetime 10
mp_roundtime_defuse 1.92
mp_buytime 20
mp_autoteambalance 0
mp_limitteams 0
sv_alltalk 0
Other mode files follow the same pattern: gamemode_casual_server.cfg, gamemode_deathmatch_server.cfg, gamemode_armsrace_server.cfg.
Practice and retakes
For practice servers, combine casual or competitive with cheat settings in the console:
sv_cheats 1
mp_warmup_end
mp_roundtime_defuse 60
mp_buy_anywhere 1
sv_infinite_ammo 1
sv_grenade_trajectory 1
mp_restartgame 1
Turn sv_cheats back to 0 for normal play. Retakes, executes and similar community modes are usually SourceMod plugins. See SourceMod and Metamod.
Still stuck?
If the mode doesn't change, make sure you changed map afterwards. Ask in the Schokr Discord if it still won't switch.