Red Faction Multiplayer Guide

''NOTE: While much of the information in this article will carry over to PlayStation 2 multiplayer, the focus is PC multiplayer. This is because PlayStation 2 multiplayer is limited to botmatch and 2-player splitscreen (no online), only offers Deathmatch, and contains very few maps compared to the PC version.''

Red Faction multiplayer at its core is a competitive arena-based FPS. That said, it differs in a few fundamental ways from most other arena games - notably the armor system, movement mechanics, and of course the presence of GeoMod technology. This article will cover the main aspects of RF's multiplayer component, including the vast degree of innovation the community has shown since the game's original release in 2001.

Gametypes

 * Deathmatch (DM) - Standard free-for-all arena deathmatch. Each frag adds 1 to the individual player score, and each suicide subtracts 1.
 * Team Deathmatch (TDM or TeamDM) - Standard arena deathmatch, but with two teams rather than free-for-all. Each frag adds 1 to the individual player score and team score. Each suicide subtracts 1 from the individual player score, but not the team score. Winning team is determined by team score, when either the frag or time limit is reached.
 * NOTE: Team-specific respawn points are respected in Team Deathmatch if the server is running Dash Faction or Pure Faction. If the server is running an official version, team flags on respawn points are ignored and each player's spawn point is determined randomly as in normal Deathmatch.


 * Capture the Flag (CTF) - Standard arena capture the flag. Each frag, flag return, or flag capture adds 1 to the individual player score. Each suicide subtracts 1. Each flag capture adds 1 to the team score. Winning team is determined by team score, when either the capture or time limit is reached.
 * Rail-Only CTF - Normal CTF, but the only available weapon is the Rail Driver. Though not literally implemented in the game as a gametype distinct from normal CTF, Rail-Only CTF has become a very popular "gametype" within the online community.
 * Deathrun (RUN) - Though not literally implemented in the game as a gametype distinct from DM, deathrun/run maps have become an extremely popular "gametype" within the online community. "Run maps" are race or obstacle course maps where the goal is normally to have fun with friends and race to the end of the course.