PC Gamer readers have spoken, decisively eliminating several popular FPS modes in the second round of the "greatest FPS mode of all time" tournament. Over 2,500 votes were cast, with classic team-based modes largely prevailing over newer or more competitive formats.
Round 2 Results
Team Deathmatch secured a significant 82% majority over Battle Royale. Conquest also advanced with 63% of the vote against Bomb Defusal. Payload proved stronger than Infection with 77% of the vote, and Capture the Flag earned 71% against Attack & Defend. These results indicate a strong preference among PC Gamer readers for established, accessible team-based gameplay.
Staff Reactions and Emerging Trends
While the votes were clear, some staff expressed surprise at the outcomes. Tyler Wilde noted that many advancing modes, such as Team Deathmatch, Conquest, Payload, and Capture the Flag, generally avoid putting individuals on the spot in the way that modes like Infection, Battle Royale, or Bomb Defusal can. He highlighted that these popular modes typically feature unlimited respawns or team-wide win conditions, contrasting with the intense, last-player-standing scenarios found in others.
Ted Litchfield found the continued strength of Payload "vexing," questioning its dominance over other modes he deemed equally or more classic, like Capture the Flag. Evan Lahti, however, felt that while Capture the Flag had its peak in earlier eras of gaming, it might not hold up as well in a modern context compared to modes like Bomb Defusal, which he praised for its enduring competitive viability despite being asymmetrical.
Round 3 Matchups
The tournament now moves into its third round, featuring the following matchups:
Team Deathmatch vs Conquest
This semifinal pits the quintessential intimate team-based experience against a large-scale territory control mode. Team Deathmatch, often referred to as Team Slayer in Halo or Warfare in titles like Hell Let Loose, focuses on fast-paced, direct team confrontation. Conquest, seen in games like Battlefield, emphasizes strategic control of multiple map objectives.
Payload vs Capture the Flag
The other semifinal presents two objective-based modes centered around moving an item or object. Payload involves teams escorting a payload along a predetermined path while the opposing team attempts to stop them. Capture the Flag requires teams to infiltrate the enemy base, steal their flag, and return it to their own base, all while defending their own flag.
Voting for Round 3 closes on Sunday, November 8 at 11:59 PM PDT. The winners of these matchups will advance to the finals.