Mastering Game Modes and Settings for Ultimate Chaos

Williams-blogger

 

Introduction: The Heart of Chaos Lies in the Settings

While the art and prompts often steal the spotlight, the game modes and settings in Gartic Phone are the hidden levers that control the game’s tempo, tone, and total absurdity. Whether you’re in the mood for cooperative storytelling, anarchic drawing sequences, or fast-paced chaos, understanding these modes is essential to shaping the kind of game night you and your friends will never forget.

In this section, we’ll cover:

  • A breakdown of all official Gartic Phone modes and what makes them unique

  • How each mode changes the player experience

  • Recommended modes based on group size, vibe, and skill level

  • Deep dives into advanced settings and custom rules

  • Strategy tips for different modes

  • How to create custom games with layered chaos

  • Advanced player roles: Game Host, Chaos Generator, Comedic Relief

Let’s unlock the full potential of Gartic Phone by mastering every switch and dial it offers.

🧭 Official Game Modes Explained (Default List)

Let’s begin with the core game modes. Gartic Phone offers several built-in modes that rotate how drawing, guessing, and storytelling take place.

1. 📖 Normal Mode

Description: The classic telephone game. Players alternate between writing prompts and drawing what others wrote.

Sequence:
Prompt → Drawing → Guess → Drawing → Guess → …until the end.

Best For:

  • First-timers

  • Balanced storytelling/drawing

  • Laughs from gradual misunderstandings

Strategy Tip:
Start with detailed but funny prompts. The more specific, the more things unravel.

Chaos Factor: 🌪️ Moderate. Misinterpretation grows naturally.

2. 🕒 Speedrun Mode

Description: Everything is on a tight timer—drawing and guessing alike.

Sequence:
Same as Normal, but with strict time limits.

Best For:

  • Experienced players

  • High-pressure hilarity

  • Games where people don't overthink

Strategy Tip:
Stick to basic shapes and visual shorthand (like arrows or symbols). Clarity > detail.

Chaos Factor: 🌪️🌪️ High. Mistakes happen fast and frequently.

3. 🧠 Secret Mode

Description: Players cannot see what they’re drawing—lines are invisible until submitted.

Sequence:
Prompt → Drawing (invisible lines) → Guess → Repeat

Best For:

  • Friends who love challenges

  • Creative thinkers

  • Giggling at unintentional monstrosities

Strategy Tip:
Mentally sketch the image before starting. Use confident strokes to reduce spaghetti-like messes.

Chaos Factor: 🌪️🌪️🌪️ Maximum. Pure guesswork, accidental masterpieces, and comedic horror.

4. 🧃 Knock-off Mode

Description: Players must copy previous drawings from memory as quickly as possible.

Sequence:
1 full drawing → copies with decreasing time → final guess

Best For:

  • Testing memory

  • Artistic players

  • Seeing drawings degrade over time

Strategy Tip:
Prioritize the “soul” of the image—facial expressions, key props, core layout—over detail.

Chaos Factor: 🌪️🌪️ Gradual collapse leads to hilarity.

5. 🧍‍♂️ Animation Mode

Description: Players create short frame-by-frame animations together.

Sequence:
First player draws a scene → next player adds new frame based on previous → ends in a short animated GIF.

Best For:

  • Storytellers

  • Artists

  • Collaborative creativity

Strategy Tip:
Add motion lines, small changes per frame, and predictable actions (like walking, falling, clapping).

Chaos Factor: 🌪️🌪️ Creative rather than chaotic—but still leads to laugh-out-loud results.

6. 🎨 Drawing Only

Description: No writing, just drawings—players interpret previous drawings with more drawings.

Sequence:
Draw → Draw → Draw → Repeat

Best For:

  • Silent play

  • Fast games

  • Drawing challenges

Strategy Tip:
Use as much symbolism as possible. Clarity is king.

Chaos Factor: 🌪️ High. The longer the chain, the more off-topic it gets.

7. 📝 Compliment Mode

Description: Players complete each other's drawings in parts—great for surprises and wholesome play.

Sequence:
Line-by-line contribution without knowing the full picture.

Best For:

  • Drawing collabs

  • Silly, strange creatures

  • New players

Strategy Tip:
Add expressive, exaggerated lines. It makes the final result more interesting.

Chaos Factor: 🌪️🌪️ Gentle chaos—often leads to funny combinations.

8. 🎬 Solo Mode

Description: You go it alone—write, draw, guess, and complete the chain yourself (or replay saved chains).

Best For:

  • Practicing

  • Creating chains for others to review

  • Streamers/Youtubers creating content

Strategy Tip:
Try writing increasingly surreal prompts. You’ll forget them halfway through and guess incorrectly—leading to fun results.

Chaos Factor: 🌪️ Solo chaos—usually introspective and silly.

🎯 Custom Game Settings: Dials for Chaos

Every official mode can be customized further using sliders and toggles. Here’s what you can tweak and what they affect:

⏱️ Timers:

  • Drawing Time: Increase for artists, decrease for chaos.

  • Guessing Time: Force snap judgments for more errors.

🎭 Visibility Settings:

  • Turn Off Previous Drawing: Makes it harder to base guesses/drawings on context.

  • Blind Drawing: Like Secret mode, makes all strokes invisible.

🎉 Fun Toggles:

  • Add Background Music: Changes mood. Can add pressure or chill.

  • Random Start Player: Removes predictability.

  • Max Chains: Make shorter or longer rounds depending on time.

👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 Player Count Adjustments:

  • More Players = longer chains

  • Fewer Players = more turns per person

🧙‍♂️ Advanced Mode Combinations (Expert Chaos Recipes)

Try mixing modes or rules like ingredients to create special experiences:

🔄 Chaos Loop

  • Mode: Knock-off

  • Settings: Invisible drawing, reduced time every round

  • Result: Unrecognizable drawings by the end

🎞️ Masterpiece Animation

  • Mode: Animation

  • Settings: Extra time per frame

  • Result: Collaborative cartoon madness

🦗 Silent Telephone

  • Mode: Drawing Only

  • Settings: Turn off previous drawing view

  • Result: A total narrative breakdown—what starts as “penguin on beach” ends with “alien crab performs surgery”

🪞Double Trouble

  • Mode: Normal

  • Settings: Clone the chain and run two in parallel (use private browser + alt player or with even # players)

  • Result: Compare how two chains diverge from the same start

🧩 Choosing Modes for Different Group Sizes

PlayersRecommended ModesNotes
3–5Animation, Compliment, NormalShort chains, more art per person
6–10Knock-off, Normal, SpeedrunIdeal size for chaos
11+Drawing Only, Secret, AnimationMaximize misinterpretation

🎭 Player Roles and Group Dynamics

In larger games, players naturally fall into roles. Here’s how to spot—and encourage—them:

🎤 The Host (You, probably)

  • Sets up games

  • Explains the rules

  • Introduces new players

  • Sets the vibe

🤡 The Chaos Generator

  • Writes wild prompts ("Shrimp learning kung fu in Atlantis")

  • Purposely misinterprets drawings

  • Adds spice

🖌️ The Artist

  • Produces quality drawings

  • Usually misinterpreted anyway

  • Becomes legend in the final slideshow

📜 The Storyteller

  • Tries to make coherent sense

  • Adds emotion or drama to prompts

  • Helps steer the narrative

🤖 The Randomizer

  • Says they’re “just guessing” but always ends up accidentally hilarious

Tip: Embrace these roles—they add flavor to every game.

🧠 Strategic Mode Selection Based on Vibe

MoodSuggested Mode(s)Why
Chill & ChatCompliment, Drawing OnlyMore time to talk, less pressure
Wild ChaosKnock-off, SecretMaximum misinterpretation
Stream or PartyAnimation, NormalEntertaining to watch
CompetitiveSpeedrunGreat for fast, energetic players
ExperimentalCustom MixUse multiple toggles for new experiences

📈 Hosting the Ultimate Gartic Game Night

To run a memorable Gartic Phone session:

  1. Start with Normal Mode – warm-up round.

  2. Rotate Hosts – let others choose chaos.

  3. Mix up modes – 2–3 different types per session.

  4. Theme rounds – “Animal Chaos,” “Pop Culture,” “Movie Scenes.”

  5. Slideshow Review Party – screen share and react together.

  6. Save Best Chains – screenshots, exports, or replay in Solo mode.

Add:

  • A scoreboard for silly awards (best guess, most creative prompt, worst drawing).

  • Fun punishments (loser has to write the next chaotic prompt).

🏁 Conclusion: You’re the Chaos Architect

Modes and settings are more than menu items—they’re your toolkit for crafting comedy and chaos. When used right, they elevate Gartic Phone from a funny game to a legendary night full of laughs, inside jokes, and unforgettable slideshows.

Whether you're orchestrating a horror-animation marathon or turning your group into amateur philosophers with abstract prompts, remember: every setting twist adds a new flavor to the game.