What if your game mode was a random selection with the maps, weekly rotated. Still all one rank, just more play options. So maps A,B,C,D with game modes 1,2,3. So when you start a game you don’t know which map or mode. The same would happen in arena.
Recently I’ve been thinking of different game modes, and there are plenty of other suggestions. Usually the issue is the rankings. If you have lots of game modes and each has its own ranking, that’s lots of mount ego’s and you end up with the problem that you divide the player pool, so there are less and less players in each game mode.
If the game modes were also selected weekly, then new modes could be added in the same way new maps can be. You’d need clear indicators to the mode you’re playing, but that could be mood lighting, or level themes (e.g. replace the desk images with metal looking versions)
It’s just more phobies, as long as the modes don’t stay too far from the original concepts, then it shouldn’t take too much to explain the new rules, in the same way you get used to new level features like booster tiles, movers, and fire.
Perhaps it’s only brought in after you’ve reached a certain level, i.e. when the game starts to feel a little samey. Similar to how large maps are introduced.
Also you can easily help players learn the rules of the game modes by offering challenges, particularly if those challenges only appear when you reach the required level.
How would you feel if you had to play a game mode that you didn’t enjoy?
Should you be allowed to opt out of specific modes?