Organized first-person shooter competition has long been a cornerstone of PC gaming. Countless matches have been played, friendships tested, and victories celebrated across a vast array of game modes. First-person shooters offer a versatile platform for fun, accommodating diverse formats that can suit any player's mood or group dynamic.
Now, we're setting out to determine which of these beloved modes stands above the rest. We've organized a single-elimination tournament featuring 16 of the most established and enduringly popular FPS formats, with readers like you casting the deciding votes. Round 1 is officially underway.
Round 1 Voting
Familiarize yourself with the matchups below and cast your vote for your preferred mode. Voting for Round 1 will conclude on Saturday, October 3, at 11:59 PM PDT. The more participation we receive, the more definitive our results will be, so spread the word! We will return next week with the results and the commencement of Round 2.
Team Deathmatch vs. FFA/Deathmatch
This classic head-to-head pits the coordinated efforts of a team against the unbridled chaos of individual survival. Alias: Team Slayer (Halo) versus Slayer (Halo) or simply FFA/Deathmatch.
Battle Royale vs. Extraction
These two large-scale modes have carved out significant subgenres within the FPS landscape. Battle Royale challenges players to be the last one standing, while Extraction modes focus on high-stakes objective completion and survival.
Conquest vs. Domination
Conquest, popularized by franchises like Battlefield, typically involves large-scale, vehicle-supported battles across multiple capture points. Domination, often seen in titles like Call of Duty and Team Fortress 2, focuses on smaller maps with fewer, rapidly contested control points.
Bomb Defusal vs. Hostage
These modes center around single-life elimination gameplay. Bomb Defusal, a staple in games like Counter-Strike and Valorant, requires attackers to plant a device and defenders to prevent it or defuse it. Hostage modes typically involve rescuing or protecting non-player characters.
Gun Game vs. Payload
Gun Game, also known as Arms Race or Escalation, challenges players to cycle through a predetermined weapon list with each kill. Payload modes, famously featured in Team Fortress 2, require teams to escort a cart along a track.
Infection vs. Prop Hunt
These are two distinct asymmetrical party modes. Infection typically involves a zombie-like scenario where survivors fight off an ever-growing horde. Prop Hunt turns players into objects to hide from a seeker.
VIP vs. Capture the Flag
Both modes center on protecting or retrieving a key objective. VIP Escort, seen in games like Call of Duty, designates one player as a high-value target that must be protected. Capture the Flag requires teams to steal the opposing team's flag while defending their own.
Attack & Defend vs. King of the Hill
This matchup presents a clear strategic divide. Attack & Defend modes, such as Overwatch's 2CP or Battlefield's Breakthrough, involve teams taking turns attacking or defending specific points. King of the Hill, also known as Headquarters in some titles, focuses on controlling a single, often moving, objective area.
This tournament is a curated selection, focusing on broadly popular and established formats rather than exhaustive coverage or minor variants. The goal is to celebrate the diverse and enduring appeal of FPS game modes.