GunGames: Call of Duty Gun Game Comes to Minecraft Servers
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to blend the fast-paced gunplay of Call of Duty with the blocky world of Minecraft, the GunGames plugin delivers exactly that. Created as a Bukkit plugin, GunGames brings the iconic Gun Game mode to multiplayer servers, turning ordinary PvP into a frantic race to cycle through an arsenal of weapons. Although the original developer has moved on and no longer provides updates or support, the plugin remains a nostalgic favorite for server owners who want to offer something completely different from standard survival or minigames.
What Is GunGames?
GunGames is a server plugin that creates dedicated arenas where players compete in a Gun Game match. In this mode, every participant starts with the same basic pistol. Each time you eliminate another player, your weapon automatically upgrades to the next tier. There are five unique guns, and each one has two levels: the first level is a single-shot variant, while the second level turns it into a fully automatic version. That means you have ten distinct weapon stages to climb. The first person to reach the tenth gun and score a kill with it wins the entire match.
The tension comes from the constant threat of losing progress. Originally, players could knife each other to downgrade an opponent’s gun level, but this feature was removed because it proved too overpowered. Now the focus is purely on aggressive gunplay, and with the added ability to toggle unlimited ammo using the /gg useammo command, server admins can tailor the experience to their community’s taste.
How GunGames Works
Every arena operates independently, and the maximum number of players is determined by the number of spawn points you set up. Once enough players join, the game can be started manually or automatically. The plugin tracks each player’s current weapon level, and kills are rewarded instantly. The weapon progression is linear, so there is no picking and choosing—you must work your way through every stage. This design keeps matches short, intense, and highly replayable.
Because the plugin is server-side, all the heavy lifting happens on your Minecraft server. Players simply join an arena and start shooting. No client-side mods are required, which makes it accessible for anyone using a standard Minecraft client. That said, if you want to streamline the process of getting plugins onto your server or manage multiple game modes, you might find it helpful to use a modern launcher. For instance, this mod can be easily installed via the foxygame.net launcher — a convenient, flexible, and modern Minecraft launcher where you can download mods right from the menu, though the plugin itself still needs to be placed in your server’s plugins folder.
Setting Up GunGames on Your Server
Getting GunGames up and running is straightforward if you follow the steps carefully. The plugin is no longer officially supported, so you will need to rely on the existing documentation and community knowledge.
Installation
Start by downloading the GunGames.jar file and placing it inside your server’s plugins directory. The typical folder structure looks like this: [ServerRoot] -> [Plugins] -> [GunGames.jar]. After that, restart your server or use a reload command. Once the server is back online, typing /gg will show you a list of available commands. Anyone with the appropriate admin permissions will see the full administrator command set.
Creating Your First Arena
To build an arena, you need to define its boundaries and spawn points. Here is the process:
- Type
/gg giveaxeto receive a special axe. Left-click and right-click with this axe to set the minimum and maximum corners of the arena. Temporary gold and diamond blocks will appear to show your selection. - Stand on the spot where you want the first spawn point, then run
/gg createarena [ArenaName]. This creates the arena with one spawn point. - Add more spawn points by moving to new locations and typing
/gg addspawn [ArenaName]. Each spawn point increases the player capacity by one. - Set the lobby location—where players wait before a match—with
/gg setlobby [ArenaName].
Remember, the lobby area is not protected by GunGames itself. You will need a separate protection plugin like WorldGuard to keep it safe from griefing.
Adding a Sign Wall
A sign wall lets players see arena status and join games at a glance. To create one, get the sign region selector by typing /gg signaxe. Left-click the first sign and right-click the last sign in the region. Then issue /gg setsigns [ArenaName]. The region must contain only signs—any air or other blocks will cause an error. Once set, the signs update automatically, showing a dark red “GunGames” header and live player counts or status messages.
Commands and Permissions
GunGames comes with a robust permission system that lets you control who can manage arenas, join games, or use admin tools. Below are some of the key permissions:
- GunGames.cmd.help.admin – View the administrator command list.
- GunGames.cmd.help.default – View the basic command list.
- GunGames.arena.create – Create new arenas.
- GunGames.arena.delete – Remove existing arenas.
- GunGames.arena.join – Join an arena.
- GunGames.arena.leave – Leave an arena.
- GunGames.arena.start – Force-start a match.
- GunGames.arena.stop – Force-stop a match.
- GunGames.arena.giveaxe – Receive the boundary selection tool.
- GunGames.arena.addspawn – Add spawn points to an arena.
- GunGames.arena.setlobby – Set the lobby location.
- GunGames.arena.setsigns – Define sign regions.
- GunGames.arena.signaxe – Receive the sign region selector.
- GunGames.gun.useammo – Toggle unlimited ammunition.
Assign these permissions to your staff and players as needed to keep the game fair and well-managed. The plugin also includes a demonstration video and source code, though the original author has made it clear that no further updates will be released.
Why GunGames Still Holds Up
Despite being an older plugin with no active support, GunGames offers a polished Gun Game experience that many modern minigame servers still emulate. The progression system feels satisfying, the arena creation tools are intuitive, and the sign integration makes it easy for players to jump into a match. Server owners who enjoy tinkering with classic Bukkit plugins will find it a rewarding addition to their lineup.
If you are running a small community server and want a quick, action-packed minigame, GunGames is a solid choice. Just be prepared to handle any bugs yourself, as the original developer has stepped away. With a little patience, you can have a fully functional Call of Duty-inspired arena up and running in no time.