Open Fortress Game Modes
An overview of all Open Fortress game modes — Deathmatch, Duel, MCTF, Team Deathmatch, Arsenal, and Domination — with map prefixes and player counts.
Open Fortress Game Modes
Open Fortress ships with six distinct game modes, each with its own map prefix, ruleset, and recommended player count. The server's active mode is determined by the map you load — the map prefix tells the game which mode to run.
Mode Overview
| Mode | Map Prefix | Min Players | Max Players | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deathmatch | dm_ |
2 | 24+ | Free-for-all kills — everyone vs. everyone |
| Duel | duel_ |
2 | 2 | 1v1 combat on small arenas |
| Merc CTF | mctf_ |
4 | 16 | Capture the Flag as the Mercenary class only |
| Team Deathmatch | dm_ |
4 | 24+ | Team-based version of Deathmatch |
| Arsenal | dm_ |
2 | 16 | Gun Game — cycle through weapons on each kill |
| Domination | dm_ |
4 | 24 | Control point variant |
Deathmatch (DM)
The flagship mode of Open Fortress. Pure free-for-all — respawn immediately on death, score points by fragging other players. Maps prefixed dm_ are designed for open combat with multiple paths and good flow for individual play. Use mp_fraglimit in server.cfg to end the round when a player reaches the kill target.
+map dm_crossfire
Duel
1v1 combat on compact maps. Duel maps are small by design — tight corridors and close-range encounters that test individual skill. The server queues players into 1v1 matches while others spectate and wait their turn.
+map duel_arena
Merc Capture the Flag (MCTF)
CTF with a twist: all players are locked to the Mercenary class. MCTF maps (prefixed mctf_) are designed around the Mercenary's movement and weapon set. Standard CTF rules apply — retrieve the enemy flag and return it to your base.
+map mctf_2fort
Only three MCTF maps are in the official rotation as of 2024, so MCTF servers typically run a smaller map pool.
Team Deathmatch
Team-based scoring on standard dm_ maps. Players split into teams; the team with the most kills at the end of the time limit wins. A good option if your community prefers cooperative play over full FFA.
Arsenal (Gun Game)
Each kill advances the player to the next weapon in a fixed sequence. The first player to cycle through all weapons wins. Arsenal runs on standard dm_ maps. This mode rewards adaptability — you can't specialize in a single weapon.
Domination
A control point variant. Teams capture and hold control points on the map to accumulate score over time. The team that holds the most points for the longest wins. Plays on maps with designated capture zones.
Setting the Starting Map
Specify the game mode at server launch by choosing the appropriate map:
./srcds_run -console -game open_fortress -port 27015 \
+maxplayers 24 +map dm_crossfire
For Duel servers, set a lower player count:
./srcds_run -console -game open_fortress -port 27015 \
+maxplayers 8 +map duel_arena
Map Rotation by Mode
If you're running a Deathmatch server, keep your mapcycle.txt to dm_ maps only. Mixing prefixes in the rotation will cause the server to load a map with the wrong game mode logic active, which can produce unexpected behavior.