Add a 5v5 Round-Based Competitive Mode

[hybrid marlin]

I believe Off The Grid would greatly benefit from introducing a 5v5 round-based competitive mode (similar to a Counter-Strike-style round system).

The goal isn’t to replace Extraction Royale, but to:
• Improve player retention
• Reduce burnout
• Attract new players
• Provide a lower-commitment competitive experience

⸻

Why 5v5 Round-Based?

A round system solves one of the biggest friction points in Battle Royale:

In BR:
• You die → back to lobby
• You rely on teammates to buy you back
• If they don’t, you sit and spectate. Then eventually start hating the game if you’re not a strong player because you won’t be bought back
• Matches are long commitment (15–25+ minutes)
• Getting wiped early feels punishing

In a 5v5 round format:
• You die → next round
• No buy-back economy pressure
• No teammate resentment
• Multiple chances to adapt and counter the other team
• You can get your revenge within the same match

It keeps competitive intensity high without the emotional punishment loop.

POST 2 / 3

The Buy-Back Problem (Real Player Experience)

One issue we’ve personally noticed:

Often, when a random teammate dies, squads prioritize:
• Upgrading loadouts
• Buying weapons
• Strengthening their own position

Instead of buying that teammate back.

It’s not even toxic — it’s just strategic optimization.

But from the perspective of the dead teammate:
• They feel ignored
• They feel disposable
• They feel like a burden
• They sit spectating

That experience leads to:
• Frustration
• “Why am I even playing?” mindset
• Less desire to queue again

Over time, this creates subtle churn — especially for solo queue players.

In a round-based 5v5 mode:
• No buy-back economy pressure
• No “we didn’t bring you back because it wasn’t worth it” moments
• Every player gets equal playtime across rounds

That alone improves team cohesion and long-term retention.

⸻

Proposed Mode Structure

Format:
• 5v5
• Smaller, focused maps (or contained sections of existing map)
• Best of 9 or Best of 13 rounds
• Side swap halfway

Core Design Ideas:
• Objective-based (plant/defuse or cyberlimb objective)
• Simplified round economy
• No extraction mechanics
• Fast round timers
• Combat-focused gameplay

This would:
• Highlight OTG’s gunplay
• Showcase cyberlimb mechanics in structured fights
• Reduce looting fatigue
• Keep adrenaline high

POST 3 / 3

Why This Doesn’t Fragment the Playerbase

With a smaller active population, fragmentation is a real concern.

Instead of multiple permanent modes, this could be:
• Introduced into Custom Matches first
• Then tested as a Rotating Featured Mode
• Promoted to permanent queue if engagement is strong

It only requires 10 players per match — far less than full BR lobbies — making it sustainable even with lower population.

⸻

🚨 Current Retention Friction (BR Fatigue)

Battle Royale-only structure creates:
• Long match commitment
• Early death → back to lobby
• Buy-back system creates social friction
• Random teammates feel disposable
• Loadouts prioritized over revives
• Repeated wipes feel punishing
• Emotional burnout

Many players aren’t quitting because the core gameplay is bad.

They’re quitting because the format is exhausting.

⸻

Final Thought

Off The Grid has strong:
• Gunplay
• Movement
• Cyberlimb mechanics

A round-based 5v5 mode would:
• Improve retention
• Improve onboarding
• Reduce BR burnout
• Bring in competitive players who are over Battle Royale

It wouldn’t replace Extraction Royale.

It would strengthen the ecosystem around it.

⸻

Implementation Feasibility

From a development standpoint, this could be a relatively efficient addition because most core systems already exist:
• Gunplay mechanics
• Cyberlimb abilities
• Movement system
• Economy framework
• Custom lobby infrastructure

It would primarily require:
• Creating smaller zoned map sections (or repurposing existing areas)
• Implementing round-based win conditions
• Adding basic round reset mechanics

The foundational gameplay systems are already in place — this would be more about structured rules and map zoning rather than building an entirely new mode from scratch.

[winged lagoon]

Goat idea 💡

[obsidian cairn]

Fire

[tacit nest]

yes please !!

[quaint oak]

razmr approves it

[fringe ginkgo]

Yeah great idea

[valid needle]

That's why @hybrid marlin is the goat 🐐🐐 that's a great idea

[frigid sage]

I always liked the idea of a team deathmatch. I hope they bring this.. the first team to have 25 or 30 kills or whatever amount of kills wins. Or the team who has the most kills after a certain amount of time.. great idea hopefully it will be realized 🙏🔥