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Every Counter-Strike 2 game mode is set by two numbers: game_type and game_mode. Competitive is game_type 0 and game_mode 1, Casual is 0 0, Wingman is 0 2, Deathmatch is 1 2, Arms Race is 1 0, and Custom is 3 0. On a FREAKHOSTING server you can pick a mode with a tile in Server settings, or set the numbers yourself in Startup or the console.

CS2 game modes and their values

game_alias is a shortcut that sets both numbers at once. Valve documents it for the five modes shown.
Some older lists also give values for CS:GO modes, such as Danger Zone (6 0), Guardian (4 0) and Co-op Strike (4 1). Valve’s game mode documentation marks those as CS:GO modes, so they don’t work in CS2. Demolition (1 1) is also marked as a CS:GO mode there.

How to change the game mode on your server

1

Open Server settings

Click Server settings under COUNTER-STRIKE 2 in the sidebar.
2

Pick a tile

Under Game mode and map, click a tile. The panel shows a short summary of the mode.
CS2 game mode tiles in Server settings: Casual 20 players, Competitive 10, Wingman 4, Retakes 7, Arms Race 16, Demolition 16, Deathmatch 16 and Custom 64, with the Start map and Workshop map fields below

Game mode tiles in Server settings

3

Save

Click Review and save, then Save changes. The new mode takes effect when the next map loads.
For a combination without a tile, click Other values (game_type and game_mode).
Choose one place for the mode. If Server settings and the Game Type / Game Mode startup variables say different things, set both to the same values so the server always starts in the mode you expect.

How many players does each mode need?

The tiles in Server settings show the player count each mode is designed for: Your real limit is your Player slots, which is set by your plan.

Which mode should I use for a PUG or scrim server?

Use Competitive (0 1). For ready-up, knife rounds and pauses, add the MatchZy plugin. For a 2v2 server, use Wingman (0 2).

Frequently asked questions

What is the command to change the game mode in CS2?

Type game_type <number> and game_mode <number> in the server console, then changelevel <map>. For example game_type 1, game_mode 2 and changelevel de_dust2 starts Deathmatch.

Why didn’t the game mode change?

The mode only applies when a map loads. Change the map, or restart the server after saving.

Is free-for-all deathmatch a separate mode?

No. Use Deathmatch (1 2) and add mp_teammates_are_enemies 1 to server.cfg.

What is game mode Custom used for?

Custom (3 0) gives you a blank set of rules. Community game modes and plugins often use it.

CS2 server guide

Every Counter-Strike 2 guide in one place.

Change the game mode

Step-by-step in the Game Panel.

Retakes server

Retakes with the plugin or the built-in mode.

CS2 server commands

More console commands.

MatchZy

Scrims and PUGs.
Checked against the official Valve Developer Community game mode documentation and CS2 dedicated server documentation on 29 October 2026. Steps may differ slightly if the game changes.


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Last Updated: October 2026