How to Change the Gamemode on a S&box Server

Changing the gamemode on your S&box server can seem daunting at first, but it’s actually just as easy as changing a single line of text.

S&box treats gamemodes and maps as downloadable packages rather than static folders. When you point a server at a package identifier, the server pulls the required files from sbox.game and launches them together. Physgun’s Gamepanel hides the command‑line fiddling, letting you swap gamemodes and maps with a few clicks.

In this guide you’ll learn how to locate the correct package identifiers, enter them in the Physgun panel, switch maps, and verify that everything restarted correctly.

What a Gamemode Actually Is in S&box

Package‑based - Every gamemode lives in a package that includes scripts, assets, and often a default map.
Combined launch - The server starts with a single string that names the gamemode package followed by the map package.
Automatic download - As soon as the server boots, it contacts sbox.game and pulls any missing packages, so you never need to upload files manually.

Because of this design, changing a gamemode is essentially a matter of swapping one identifier for another.

Finding the Right Package Identifier

From the S&box Web Portal

Open the S&box package browser and find the gamemode you want. Pay attention to the URL of the gamemode (for example, https://sbox.game/facepunch/sandbox).
The URL after the domain is the raw identifier path, such as facepunch/sandbox.
Replace the slash with a period: facepunch.sandbox.

That string is the gamemode identifier you’ll paste into Physgun.

Tip: Keep a small text file with the identifiers you use most often; it saves hunting them down each time.

Getting a Map Identifier

The process mirrors the gamemode lookup:

https://sbox.game/thieves/rpdowntown3t

becomes

thieves.rpdowntown3t

You can mix and match any gamemode with any map, provided the map is compatible with the gamemode’s ruleset.

Opening the Physgun Control Panel

Log into your Physgun account and navigate to Gamepanel.
Select the S&box server you want to edit.
Click the Server Options tab. This is where all S&box‑specific fields live.

The panel shows a field labelled Game; this is the only place you need to edit for a gamemode change.

Editing the Game Field

The Game field expects a single line formatted as:

<gamemode_identifier> <map_identifier>

Both parts are required; omitting the map will cause the server to fall back to the default sandbox map.

Example: Switching to the Sandbox RP Downtown map

Locate the Game input box.
Replace its contents with:

facepunch.sandbox thieves.rpdowntown3t

Click Save.

If you only want to change the map while keeping the same gamemode, just replace the second token.

Note: The gamemode identifier must appear first, otherwise the engine will treat the whole string as an unknown package and revert to the vanilla sandbox.

Applying the Change - Restart the Server

Saving the field does not instantly reload the new content. You need a full restart:

In the same Server Options view, hit Restart (or use the global Restart Server button).
Wait for the “Downloading packages…” progress bar to disappear. S&box will fetch any new packages the first time they are referenced.
Once the server reports “Online”, join it to confirm the new gamemode and map are active.

If the download stalls, check the server console for error messages. Missing or mistyped identifiers are the usual culprits.

Verifying the Result In‑Game

When you connect:

The loading screen should display the new map’s name.
Gameplay mechanics (e.g., RP rules, weapon load‑outs) should reflect the chosen gamemode.
Open the console (~) and look for a line like Loaded package facepunch.sandbox. This confirms the engine recognized the identifier.

If you still see the default sandbox, double‑check the Game field for spacing errors or stray characters.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Symptom	Likely Cause	Quick Fix
Server stays on vanilla sandbox	Identifier contains a slash (`/`) instead of a period (`.`)	Replace `/` with `.`
Console shows “Package not found”	Typo in the identifier or the package has been removed from `sbox.game`	Verify the URL on the S&box website and copy it again
Map never loads, but gamemode does	Map identifier missing or wrong	Ensure a space separates gamemode and map, and both identifiers are valid
Server crashes on startup	Incompatible gamemode/map combination (e.g., a PvP map used with an RP‑only gamemode)	Test the pair on a local dev server first, or choose a map known to work with the gamemode

Advanced: Editing Startup Parameters Directly

If you run a self‑hosted or VPS based dedicated server outside Physgun, the same identifier string can be passed as a launch argument:

+game facepunch.sandbox thieves.rpdowntown3t

Place this in your server’s startup script or config file. The +game flag works exactly like the Game field in the panel, but gives you the flexibility to script automatic rotations or integrate with other server‑management tools.

When using Physgun, you generally won’t need this, but it’s handy knowledge if you ever migrate to a VPS or bare‑metal setup.

Changing a gamemode on an S&box server via Physgun is a matter of finding the correct package identifier, entering it in the Game field, and restarting. The platform’s package system eliminates manual uploads, while the Physgun Gamepanel provides a clean UI for quick swaps. Follow the steps above, keep an eye on the console, and you’ll be able to rotate between sandbox, RP, or any community mode with confidence.