Garry's Mod started as a physics sandbox and turned into one of the most creative multiplayer communities on PC. The trick is that almost everything you play in GMod is a gamemode made by the community. Join two servers and you can be running a burger shop in one and hunting a hidden traitor in the other. Knowing the gamemodes is the first step to finding a server you will actually enjoy.
DarkRP: city life roleplay
DarkRP is the most famous GMod gamemode. You pick a job, such as citizen, police officer, gun dealer, medic or gangster, and live in a city with other players. You earn money, buy property, run a business and get into trouble. Most servers have a mayor who sets laws, and rules about when you are allowed to attack someone.
Two rules you will hear on almost every DarkRP server: RDM (random deathmatch, killing without a roleplay reason) is not allowed, and the New Life Rule means that after you die you forget what happened and should not go straight back. Read the server's rules before you start; DarkRP admins take them seriously.
Trouble in Terrorist Town (TTT)
A group of innocents has a few hidden traitors among them. Traitors try to kill everyone without getting caught, innocents try to work out who they are, and a detective has tools to help. It is a game of trust, lies and panic, and it is just as fun to watch as to play. TTT servers usually have rules against killing without evidence, so pay attention to who did what.
Prop Hunt
One team turns into objects, chairs, barrels, plants, and hides around the map. The other team has a limited time to find them, and shooting the wrong object costs health. Simple, funny and perfect for short sessions with friends.
Murder
One player is the murderer, one has a gun, and everyone else is a bystander collecting clues. Characters have random names and colours, so you have to read behaviour, not nicknames. Rounds are short and very tense.
Sandbox and building servers
The original GMod: spawn props, weld them together, build machines, cars and contraptions. Sandbox servers often add prop protection so others cannot wreck your builds. Some run building contests or flood modes where you build a boat and then fight on the water.
And many more
Deathrun, Jailbreak, zombie survival, racing modes and dozens of others exist. If a server lists a gamemode you do not know, join and watch a round. GMod players are used to explaining things.
Missing textures and ERROR signs
If you see purple and black checkerboards or big red ERROR models, you are missing content. Many maps and models use textures from Counter-Strike: Source, so many servers expect you to have that content. Servers may also download addons from the Steam Workshop when you join; let them finish. If a server asks you to subscribe to a collection, do it before joining to save time. Never install files from a random website to fix this.
How to choose a GMod server
- Gamemode first. Decide what you want to play: roleplay, a party game or building.
- Rules and staff. On roleplay servers especially, clear rules and active admins make the difference between fun and chaos.
- Download size. Some servers have huge addon lists. If your connection is slow, look for lighter servers.
- Fair shop. Cosmetics and VIP slots are normal. Weapons or money that put paying players far ahead are a red flag.
Find your server
On the Garry's Mod server list you can filter servers by gamemode and see whether they need extra addons, then read votes and reviews from real players. Start with a TTT or Prop Hunt server to learn the basics, and move on to DarkRP once you feel at home.
