A 

game mode is a distinct configuration that varies gameplay and affects how other game
mechanics behave. A game with several modes will present different settings in each one, changing
how a particular element of the game is played. One of the most common examples of game mode
is the single-player versus multiplayer choice in video games, where multiplayer can further
be cooperative or competitive.
Common game modes include a Time Attack Mode, in which the player tries to score, progress or
clear levels in a limited amount of time. In Marathon Mode the goal is to clear a certain number of
levels or challenges in a continuous streak without losing.
Changing modes while the game is ongoing can be used as a means to increase difficulty and
provide additional challenge, or as a reward for player success. Power-ups are modes that last for a
few moments or that change only one or a few game rules; for example power pellets in Pac-
Man give the temporary ability to eat the enemies for a few seconds.
Other examples include the availability of a sandbox mode without predefined goals or progression.
The division of game content in stages or chapters, where each stage expands the rules that a
player can use with respect to the previous stage, increases game complexity, and variety. If the
game advances through these stages by moving through different areas, these areas are
called levels or maps; if the character unlocks new abilities through activities or rewards, they
receive a currency called experience points. These points can be used to upgrade or augment
various pre-determined abilities.
A game mode may restrict or change the behavior of the available tools ( e.g. play with
limited/unlimited ammo, new weapons, obstacles or enemies, a timer, etc.), establish different rules
and game mechanics (e.g. altered gravity; win at first touch in a fighting game; play with some cards
face-up in a poker game) or even change the overall game goals (following
a campaign, story or character's career vs. playing a limited deathmatch or capture the flag set).

Victory conditions[edit]
Victory conditions control how a player wins the game. Examples of victory conditions include the
necessity of completing a quest in a role-playing video game,[10] or the player being suitably trained in
a skill, as is the goal of a business game.[11] Some games also feature a losing condition, such as
being checkmated in chess, or being tagged in tag. In such a game, the winner is the only remaining
player to have avoided loss. Games are not limited to one victory or loss condition, and can combine
several of these at once.[12]

See also[edit]
 Ludology
 Game clock
 Kingmaker scenario
 Pie rule
 Gamification - adding a (sometimes very small) amount of game mechanics to a non-
game website, piece of software or activity
 Dynamic game difficulty balancing, a technique to change game mechanics based on
the player's ability
 Ludeme, an atomic piece of gameplay