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Garry's mod Gamemodes

Updated July 02, 2026
Garry's Mod
Garry's Mod: Game Modes | GameServerKings KB

Garry's Mod: Game Modes

GMod's identity is its game modes. This guide covers the two most popular in depth (DarkRP and TTT) and points to the rest. Complete Getting Started first, and set up Workshop and Fast Downloads since most game mode content comes from the Workshop.

Setting the Game Mode

Set the game mode in the Startup tab, then restart. Built-in and common options:

  • sandbox (default)
  • terrortown (Trouble in Terrorist Town)
  • darkrp (the most popular RP framework)
  • prop_hunt
  • murder
  • deathrun
  • jailbreak

Custom game modes go in garrysmod/gamemodes/<name>/ and are selected by name in the Startup tab.

DarkRP is a roleplay framework with jobs, money, jails, and shop systems. It is the backbone of most GMod RP communities.

Installing DarkRP

  1. Set the game mode to darkrp in the Startup tab.
  2. Download the DarkRP framework from github.com/FPtje/DarkRP (or use the Workshop version via a collection).
  3. Upload it to garrysmod/gamemodes/darkrp/.
  4. Restart.

DarkRP Modification (Required for Customization)

You do not edit the DarkRP framework directly. Instead, you use DarkRP Modification, a separate addon that holds your custom jobs, shipments, and entities so your changes survive DarkRP updates.

  1. Download DarkRP Modification from github.com/FPtje/darkrpmodification.
  2. Upload it to garrysmod/addons/darkrpmodification/.
  3. Edit jobs, shipments, and config in garrysmod/addons/darkrpmodification/lua/darkrp_customthings/.
  4. Restart.

Common DarkRP Addons

Most DarkRP servers run dozens of community addons:

  • NLR (New Life Rule) systems: Enforce the roleplay death rule
  • F4 Menu replacements: Custom job and shop menus
  • Custom shipments, entities, and NPCs: Weapons dealers, drug labs, printers
  • Hitman and mob job systems
  • Pointshop 2: Cosmetic in-game store

Pack creators on the Workshop bundle many of these. Browse the GMod Workshop's DarkRP category and add the ones you want to your Workshop collection (see Workshop and Fast Downloads).

A Note on DarkRP Money and Persistence

DarkRP stores player money and data in a database. For a small server it uses SQLite by default. For larger or multi-server setups, point it at MySQL via the panel Databases tab (see How to Create a Database) so data persists reliably and can be shared.

TTT (Trouble in Terrorist Town)

TTT is a hidden-role game where Innocents, Detectives, and Traitors compete. The base game mode ships with GMod.

Setting Up TTT

  1. Set the game mode to terrortown in the Startup tab.
  2. Add TTT maps to your Workshop collection (start with ttt_minecraft_b5).
  3. Restart.
  • Custom Roles for TTT: Adds Jester, Vampire, Glitch, and dozens of other roles. The big one for modern TTT servers
  • TTT Equipment Menu Overhaul: Cleaner shop UI
  • Pointshop or Pointshop 2: Cosmetics bought with credits earned across rounds
  • Custom weapons and traitor weapons: Expand the arsenal
  • TTT2: A community rewrite of TTT with a richer role and addon ecosystem (an alternative base, not just an addon)

Other Game Modes

  • Prop Hunt (prop_hunt): Hide-and-seek where one team disguises as props. Use ph_ maps
  • Murder (murder): One murderer, one armed bystander, everyone else unarmed. Use mu_ maps
  • DeathRun (deathrun): One activator triggers traps against runners. Use deathrun_ maps
  • Jailbreak (jailbreak): Guards vs prisoners roleplay. Use ba_jail_ maps

Each is selected by game mode name in the Startup tab and paired with its prefixed maps from the Workshop.

Custom Game Modes

To run a community game mode not in the defaults:

  1. Download the game mode (often distributed via Workshop or GitHub).
  2. Upload it to garrysmod/gamemodes/<gamemodename>/.
  3. Set the Startup game mode field to match the folder name.
  4. Add any required maps to your Workshop collection.
  5. Restart.

Common Issues

  • DarkRP customizations disappear after an update: You edited the DarkRP framework directly instead of using DarkRP Modification. Move your jobs and shipments into the darkrpmodification addon.
  • Game mode loads but maps are wrong: The game mode needs its prefixed maps (rp_, ttt_, ph_, etc.) in your Workshop collection. See Workshop and Fast Downloads.
  • TTT roles not appearing: Custom Roles for TTT (or TTT2) is not installed, or not in the collection.
  • DarkRP money resets: Database not persisting. Confirm SQLite is writing, or move to MySQL for reliability.
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