Jump to content

Minecraft server: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
No edit summary
Line 4: Line 4:
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
A '''''Minecraft'' server''' is a player-owned or business-owned multiplayer [[game server]] for the 2009 [[Mojang Studios]] video game ''[[Minecraft]]''. In this context, the term "server" often colloquially refers to a [[Computer network|network]] of connected servers, rather than a single machine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins-Laflamme |first=Simon |author-link=Hypixel |title=What are Hypixel Admins even working on? |url=https://hypixel.net/threads/what-are-hypixel-admins-even-working-on.1225215/post-10147114 |access-date=2020-10-29 |website=Hypixel Forums |date=July 11, 2017 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117000537/https://hypixel.net/threads/what-are-hypixel-admins-even-working-on.1225215/page-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Players can start their own server either by setting one up on a computer using software provided by Mojang, or by using a hosting provider so they can have their server run on dedicated machines with guaranteed uptime.<ref name="multiplayerservers">{{Cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |title=Blocks with friends: How to run your own Minecraft server |last=Hutchinson |first=Lee |date=September 10, 2012 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115100732/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> The largest and most popular server is widely accepted to be the well-known minigame server [[Hypixel]].<ref name="variety">{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |title=Creators of Popular 'Minecraft' Server Announce New Game 'Hytale' |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=December 13, 2018 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022409/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="riotgames">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |title=Riot Games Leads Investment in Hypixel Game Studio |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=December 13, 2018 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221000646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |url-status=live }}</ref>
A '''''Minecraft'' server''' is a player-owned or business-owned multiplayer [[game server]] for the 2009 [[Mojang Studios]] video game ''[[Minecraft]]''. In this context, the term "server" often colloquially refers to a [[Computer network|network]] of connected servers, rather than a single machine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collins-Laflamme |first=Simon |author-link=Hypixel |title=What are Hypixel Admins even working on? |url=https://hypixel.net/threads/what-are-hypixel-admins-even-working-on.1225215/post-10147114 |access-date=2020-10-29 |website=Hypixel Forums |date=July 11, 2017 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117000537/https://hypixel.net/threads/what-are-hypixel-admins-even-working-on.1225215/page-3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Players can start their own server either by setting one up on a computer using software provided by Mojang, or by using a [[Internet hosting service|hosting provider]] so they can have their server run on dedicated machines with guaranteed uptime.<ref name="multiplayerservers">{{Cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |title=Blocks with friends: How to run your own Minecraft server |last=Hutchinson |first=Lee |date=September 10, 2012 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115100732/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> The largest and most popular server is widely accepted to be the well-known minigame server [[Hypixel]].<ref name="variety">{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |title=Creators of Popular 'Minecraft' Server Announce New Game 'Hytale' |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=December 13, 2018 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022409/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="riotgames">{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |title=Riot Games Leads Investment in Hypixel Game Studio |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=December 13, 2018 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221000646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |url-status=live }}</ref>


''Minecraft'' multiplayer servers are controlled by server operators, who have access to server commands such as setting the time of day, teleporting players and setting the world spawn. The server owner (or users that have access to the live server files) can also set up and install plugins to change the mechanics of the server, add commands among other features, and can also set up restrictions concerning which [[username]]s or [[IP address]]es are allowed or disallowed to enter the server.<ref name="multiplayerservers"/>
''Minecraft'' multiplayer servers are controlled by [[Sysop|server operators]], who have access to server commands such as setting the time of day, teleporting players and setting the world spawn. The server owner (or users that have access to the live server files) can also set up and install plugins to change the mechanics of the server, add commands among other features, and can also set up restrictions concerning which [[username]]s or [[IP address]]es are allowed or disallowed to enter the game server.<ref name="multiplayerservers"/>


Multiplayer servers have a wide range of activities, with some servers having unique premises, rules, and customs. [[Player versus player]] (PvP) combat can be enabled to allow fighting between players. Custom plugins and mods can be used in servers to allow actions that are not normally possible in the [[Vanilla software|vanilla]] form of the game.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} There are also several modifications of the server software that allow crossplay between the Java and Bedrock editions of the game.
Multiplayer servers have a wide range of activities, with some servers having unique premises, rules, and customs. [[Player versus player]] (PvP) combat can be enabled to allow fighting between players. Custom plugins and mods can be used in servers to allow actions that are not normally possible in the [[Vanilla software|vanilla]] form of the game.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} There are also several modifications of the server software that allow crossplay between the Java and Bedrock editions of the game.
Line 15: Line 15:
In 2013, Mojang announced ''Minecraft Realms'', a server hosting service intended to enable players to run server multiplayer games easily and safely without having to set up their own.<ref name="polygonrealms">{{Cite news |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |title=Minecraft Realms hopes to make an increasingly complex game more family-friendly |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=March 18, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321113627/http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |title=Minecraft Realms is a subscription service for families that will "bring in more money than the game itself" |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=March 14, 2013 |work=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=December 2, 2019 |archive-date=July 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719142423/http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike a standard server, only invited players can join Realms servers, and these servers do not use IP addresses. At [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016]], it was announced that Realms would enable ''Minecraft'' to support [[cross-platform play]] between [[Windows 10]], [[iOS]], and [[Android (system)|Android]] platforms starting in June 2016,<ref name="polygonplatform">{{Cite news |url=http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |title=Minecraft gets cross-platform play later this year |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=June 13, 2016 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=June 13, 2016 |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616111115/http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> with other platforms releasing over the next two years.
In 2013, Mojang announced ''Minecraft Realms'', a server hosting service intended to enable players to run server multiplayer games easily and safely without having to set up their own.<ref name="polygonrealms">{{Cite news |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |title=Minecraft Realms hopes to make an increasingly complex game more family-friendly |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=March 18, 2013 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321113627/http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |title=Minecraft Realms is a subscription service for families that will "bring in more money than the game itself" |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=March 14, 2013 |work=[[PCGamesN]] |access-date=December 2, 2019 |archive-date=July 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719142423/http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike a standard server, only invited players can join Realms servers, and these servers do not use IP addresses. At [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016]], it was announced that Realms would enable ''Minecraft'' to support [[cross-platform play]] between [[Windows 10]], [[iOS]], and [[Android (system)|Android]] platforms starting in June 2016,<ref name="polygonplatform">{{Cite news |url=http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |title=Minecraft gets cross-platform play later this year |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=June 13, 2016 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=June 13, 2016 |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616111115/http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> with other platforms releasing over the next two years.


In June 2014, Mojang began enforcing the [[End-user license agreement|EULA]] of [[Minecraft: Java Edition]] to prevent servers from selling [[microtransactions]], which many players thought unfairly affected gameplay,<ref name="rps" /> such as [[pay-to-win]] items,<ref name="polygonnotch">{{Cite news |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/18/5819274/mojang-multiplayer-servers |title=Why some fans are battling with Notch over Minecraft changes |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=June 18, 2014 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913050649/https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/18/5819274/mojang-multiplayer-servers |url-status=live }}</ref> only allowing servers to sell cosmetic items.<ref name="eula">{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/why-minecrafts-new-eula-is-good-for-the-community/ |title=Why Minecraft's new EULA is good for the game |last=Savage |first=Phil |date=June 18, 2014 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126192826/https://www.pcgamer.com/why-minecrafts-new-eula-is-good-for-the-community/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many servers were shut down due to this.<ref name="kotaku">{{Cite news |url=https://kotaku.com/the-uncertain-future-of-minecrafts-independent-servers-1790360981 |title=The Uncertain Future of Minecraft's Independent Servers |last=Guthrie |first=Robert |date=December 21, 2016 |work=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204151616/https://kotaku.com/the-uncertain-future-of-minecrafts-independent-servers-1790360981 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2014, Mojang began enforcing the [[End-user license agreement|EULA]] of [[Minecraft: Java Edition]] to prevent servers from selling [[microtransactions]], which many players thought unfairly affected gameplay,<ref name="rps" /> such as [[pay-to-win]] items.<ref name="polygonnotch">{{Cite news |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/18/5819274/mojang-multiplayer-servers |title=Why some fans are battling with Notch over Minecraft changes |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=June 18, 2014 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913050649/https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/18/5819274/mojang-multiplayer-servers |url-status=live }}</ref> only allowing servers to sell cosmetic items.<ref name="eula">{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/why-minecrafts-new-eula-is-good-for-the-community/ |title=Why Minecraft's new EULA is good for the game |last=Savage |first=Phil |date=June 18, 2014 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126192826/https://www.pcgamer.com/why-minecrafts-new-eula-is-good-for-the-community/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many servers had to close due to this change since they could no longer cover the costs of their game servers because they stopped receiving money from player's pay-to-win purchases.<ref name="kotaku">{{Cite news |url=https://kotaku.com/the-uncertain-future-of-minecrafts-independent-servers-1790360981 |title=The Uncertain Future of Minecraft's Independent Servers |last=Guthrie |first=Robert |date=December 21, 2016 |work=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204151616/https://kotaku.com/the-uncertain-future-of-minecrafts-independent-servers-1790360981 |url-status=live }}</ref>


On September 20, 2017, the ''Better Together Update'' was released for Bedrock codebase-derived editions of the game, which added multiplayer servers, along with six official featured servers: [[Mineplex]], Lifeboat, CubeCraft, Mineville City, Pixel Paradise, and The Hive.<ref name="techcrunch">{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/11/minecraft-is-now-available-for-cross-play-on-any-device/ |title=Minecraft is now available for cross-play on any device |last=Shieber |first=Johnathan |date=June 11, 2017 |work=[[TechCrunch]] |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126192837/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/11/minecraft-is-now-available-for-cross-play-on-any-device/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On September 20, 2017, the ''Better Together Update'' was released for Bedrock codebase-derived editions of the game, which added multiplayer servers, along with six official featured servers: [[Mineplex]], Lifeboat, CubeCraft, Mineville City, Pixel Paradise, and The Hive.<ref name="techcrunch">{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/11/minecraft-is-now-available-for-cross-play-on-any-device/ |title=Minecraft is now available for cross-play on any device |last=Shieber |first=Johnathan |date=June 11, 2017 |work=[[TechCrunch]] |access-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126192837/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/11/minecraft-is-now-available-for-cross-play-on-any-device/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


On July 27, 2022, player chat reporting was added as a part of "The Wild Update", 1.19.1. This allowed players to report abusive chat messages sent by other players, and players could be banned from multiplayer as a whole for violating Microsoft's community standards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedberg |first=Mikael |date=2022-07-27 |title=Minecraft Java Edition 1.19.1 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901221701/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |work=Minecraft |publisher=Mojang Studios}}</ref>
On July 27, 2022, player chat reporting was added as a part of "The Wild Update", 1.19.1. This allowed players to report abusive chat messages sent by other players directly to Mojang, and players could be banned from playing on multiplayer servers as a whole for violating Microsoft's community standards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedberg |first=Mikael |date=2022-07-27 |title=Minecraft Java Edition 1.19.1 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901221701/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |work=Minecraft |publisher=Mojang Studios}}</ref>


==Management==
==Management==
Line 26: Line 26:
== Software ==
== Software ==
{{Unsourced section|date=August 2023}}
{{Unsourced section|date=August 2023}}
Vanilla server software provided by Mojang is maintained alongside client software. While servers must update to support features provided by new updates, many different kinds of modified server software exist. Modifications typically include optimizations, allowing more players to use a server simultaneously, or for larger portions of the world to be loaded at the same time. Modified software almost always acts as a base for plug-ins, which may be added and removed to customize server functionality. These are typically written in Java for the ''Java Edition'', although JavaScript and PHP are used in some ''Bedrock Edition'' software. As the vanilla software for ''Bedrock'' is made compatible with only Ubuntu and Windows, modifications may allow for added compatibility.
Vanilla server software provided by Mojang is maintained alongside client software. While servers must update to support features provided by new updates, many different kinds of modified server software exist, such as Bukkit, Spigot<ref>{{Cite web |title=SpigotMC |url=https://www.spigotmc.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 October 2023 |website=SpigotMC}}</ref> and PaperMC<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://papermc.io/ |access-date=2023-10-20 |website=PaperMC |language=en}}</ref>. Modifications typically include optimizations, allowing more players to use a server simultaneously, or for larger portions of the world to be loaded at the same time. Modified software almost always acts as a base for plug-ins, which may be added and removed to customize server functionality. These are typically written in Java for the ''Java Edition'', although JavaScript and PHP are used in some ''Bedrock Edition'' software. As the vanilla software for ''Bedrock'' is made compatible with only Ubuntu and Windows, modifications may allow for added compatibility.


Vanilla and modified servers alike communicate with the client using a consistent protocol but may have vastly different internal mechanisms. Certain server software can allow for servers to be linked, allowing players to dynamically cross worlds without "signing out". In a similar vein, due to close feature parity between up-to-date editions of the game, ''Java'' servers may utilize a [[proxy server]] to communicate with both protocols, allowing players of the ''Bedrock'' edition to join.
Vanilla and modified servers alike communicate with the client using a consistent protocol but may have vastly different internal mechanisms. Certain server software can allow for servers to be linked, allowing players to dynamically cross worlds without "signing out". In a similar vein, due to close feature parity between up-to-date editions of the game, ''Java'' servers may utilize a [[proxy server]] to communicate with both protocols, allowing players of the ''Bedrock'' edition to join.


== Notable servers ==
== Notable servers ==

Revision as of 14:22, 20 October 2023

A Minecraft server is a player-owned or business-owned multiplayer game server for the 2009 Mojang Studios video game Minecraft. In this context, the term "server" often colloquially refers to a network of connected servers, rather than a single machine.[1] Players can start their own server either by setting one up on a computer using software provided by Mojang, or by using a hosting provider so they can have their server run on dedicated machines with guaranteed uptime.[2] The largest and most popular server is widely accepted to be the well-known minigame server Hypixel.[3][4]

Minecraft multiplayer servers are controlled by server operators, who have access to server commands such as setting the time of day, teleporting players and setting the world spawn. The server owner (or users that have access to the live server files) can also set up and install plugins to change the mechanics of the server, add commands among other features, and can also set up restrictions concerning which usernames or IP addresses are allowed or disallowed to enter the game server.[2]

Multiplayer servers have a wide range of activities, with some servers having unique premises, rules, and customs. Player versus player (PvP) combat can be enabled to allow fighting between players. Custom plugins and mods can be used in servers to allow actions that are not normally possible in the vanilla form of the game.[citation needed] There are also several modifications of the server software that allow crossplay between the Java and Bedrock editions of the game.

History

Multiplayer was first added to Minecraft on May 31, 2009, during the Classic phase of the game.[5] The oldest server map is called "Freedonia", in the Minecraft server MinecraftOnline. The server and map were created on August 4, 2010, within the first hour of Minecraft multiplayer being released.[6]

In 2013, Mojang announced Minecraft Realms, a server hosting service intended to enable players to run server multiplayer games easily and safely without having to set up their own.[7][8] Unlike a standard server, only invited players can join Realms servers, and these servers do not use IP addresses. At Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016, it was announced that Realms would enable Minecraft to support cross-platform play between Windows 10, iOS, and Android platforms starting in June 2016,[9] with other platforms releasing over the next two years.

In June 2014, Mojang began enforcing the EULA of Minecraft: Java Edition to prevent servers from selling microtransactions, which many players thought unfairly affected gameplay,[10] such as pay-to-win items.[11] only allowing servers to sell cosmetic items.[12] Many servers had to close due to this change since they could no longer cover the costs of their game servers because they stopped receiving money from player's pay-to-win purchases.[13]

On September 20, 2017, the Better Together Update was released for Bedrock codebase-derived editions of the game, which added multiplayer servers, along with six official featured servers: Mineplex, Lifeboat, CubeCraft, Mineville City, Pixel Paradise, and The Hive.[14]

On July 27, 2022, player chat reporting was added as a part of "The Wild Update", 1.19.1. This allowed players to report abusive chat messages sent by other players directly to Mojang, and players could be banned from playing on multiplayer servers as a whole for violating Microsoft's community standards.[15]

Management

Managing a Minecraft server can be a full-time job for many server owners. Several large servers employ a staff of developers, managers, and artists.[13] As of 2014, the Shotbow server employed three full-time and five part-time employees. According to Matt Sundberg, the server's owner, "large server networks are incredibly expensive to run and are very time consuming [sic]."[16] According to Chad Dunbar, the founder of MCGamer, "it really costs to run networks above 1000 concurrent players." This includes salaries, hardware, bandwidth, and DDoS protection,[17] and so monthly expenses can cost thousands of dollars.[13] Dunbar stated that MCGamer, which has had over 50,000 daily players, has expenses that can be "well into the five-figure marks" per month. As of 2015, expenses of Hypixel, the largest server, are nearly $100,000 per month.[17] Many servers sell in-game ranks, cosmetics and passes to certain minigames or gamemodes to pay for its expenses.[13][10]

Software

Vanilla server software provided by Mojang is maintained alongside client software. While servers must update to support features provided by new updates, many different kinds of modified server software exist, such as Bukkit, Spigot[18] and PaperMC[19]. Modifications typically include optimizations, allowing more players to use a server simultaneously, or for larger portions of the world to be loaded at the same time. Modified software almost always acts as a base for plug-ins, which may be added and removed to customize server functionality. These are typically written in Java for the Java Edition, although JavaScript and PHP are used in some Bedrock Edition software. As the vanilla software for Bedrock is made compatible with only Ubuntu and Windows, modifications may allow for added compatibility.

Vanilla and modified servers alike communicate with the client using a consistent protocol but may have vastly different internal mechanisms. Certain server software can allow for servers to be linked, allowing players to dynamically cross worlds without "signing out". In a similar vein, due to close feature parity between up-to-date editions of the game, Java servers may utilize a proxy server to communicate with both protocols, allowing players of the Bedrock edition to join.

Notable servers

The most popular Java Edition server is Hypixel, which, released in April 2013, has had over 20 million unique players.[3][4] In 2021, CubeCraft Games, released in December 2012 on Java Edition and in 2018 on Bedrock Edition,[20] had over 30 million unique server connections, and a peak player count of more than 57,000 concurrent players.[21] Other popular servers include MCGamer, released in April 2012, which has over 3.5 million unique players;[17] Wynncraft, released in April 2013, which has over 1 million unique players;[22] and Emenbee, released in 2011, which also has over 1 million unique players.[23][24] As of 2014, servers such as Mineplex, Hypixel, Shotbow and The Hive receive "well over a million unique users every month", according to Polygon.[11]

List

  Mojang-featured server

Name Inception date Notes Ref.
2b2t December 2010 An anarchy server; there is no officially set list of rules, allowing the use of cheats and obscene language ingame. Its map is one of the longest-running server maps in the game. [25][26][27]
Autcraft 2013 Dedicated to be a safe haven for children with autism. [28]
Build the Earth March 21, 2020 Dedicated to recreate the planet Earth in 1:1 scale, including man-made structures. [29][30][31]
CubeCraft Games December 21, 2012 Started in 2012 in Java Edition, hosting a handful of minigames such as EggWars (MoneyWars), SkyWars and Lucky Islands. CubeCraft opened on Minecraft Bedrock Edition in 2018 as a Mojang-featured Minecraft server. [32][33][34][35][20]
Digital Jesuit November 2019 Created by Catholic priest Robert Ballecer as an organized secular Minecraft server for a less toxic gaming experience. [36][37][38][39]
Dream SMP April 24, 2020; Ceased operations on April 9, 2023 (2023-04-09). A private survival multiplayer server owned by the YouTuber Dream and played on by many prominent Minecraft content creators. It is divided into factions and includes heavy roleplay, streamed live on YouTube and Twitch. [40][41]
Hermitcraft April 2012 A private, invite-only server and is one of the most well-known. Members are called "hermits" and make content on various platforms, mainly YouTube and Twitch. Hermitcraft has been featured by Mojang during various events in the past. The server is also known for working with various charities such as SOS Africa, the Gamers Outreach Foundation, and the Make a Wish Foundation. [42][better source needed][43]
The Hive February 24, 2013 A minigame server created in 2012. Originally a Java server, it has since become exclusive to Bedrock Edition after closing its doors to Java players. [44][45][46]
Hypixel April 13, 2013 Minecraft's most popular server, founded by Simon Collins-Laflamme and Philippe Touchette, and contains a prominent number of game modes. [10]
MinecraftOnline August 4, 2010 Created in August 2010 and opened to the public after two days of testing, MinecraftOnline is the oldest survival server, containing the oldest running server map that has never been reset. Sources conflict on whether MinecraftOnline, Novylen, or nerd.nu should be deemed the oldest Minecraft server. [47]
Mineplex January 24, 2013; Suspended operations on May 16, 2023 (2023-05-16). Minigame server. In 2015, it held a Guinness World Record for the most popular Minecraft server at the time. [46][48][49][50][51][52][53]
nerd.nu June 2009 One of the two oldest Minecraft servers. The map has been revised at least 26 times, and sources conflict on whether nerd.nu or MinecraftOnline is an older server, creating a major dispute within the community.
The Uncensored Library March 12, 2020 A server and map released by Reporters Without Borders in an attempt to circumvent censorship in countries lacking freedom of the press. It has received significant press coverage. [54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]
Wynncraft April 2013 Server that functions as a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. [64]

References

  1. ^ Collins-Laflamme, Simon (July 11, 2017). "What are Hypixel Admins even working on?". Hypixel Forums. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Hutchinson, Lee (September 10, 2012). "Blocks with friends: How to run your own Minecraft server". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Fogel, Stefanie (December 13, 2018). "Creators of Popular 'Minecraft' Server Announce New Game 'Hytale'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Jarvey, Natalie (December 13, 2018). "Riot Games Leads Investment in Hypixel Game Studio". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 21, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  5. ^ Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer's Edition. Macmillan - Guinness World Records. September 1, 2015. p. 114. ISBN 978-1-910561-13-3. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  6. ^ Avard, Alex (September 27, 2017). ""Welcome to Freedonia": Minecraft's oldest server is still a mind-boggling menagerie of marvel and wonder". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  7. ^ Crecente, Brian (March 18, 2013). "Minecraft Realms hopes to make an increasingly complex game more family-friendly". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  8. ^ Peel, Jeremy (March 14, 2013). "Minecraft Realms is a subscription service for families that will "bring in more money than the game itself"". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on July 19, 2016. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  9. ^ Frank, Allegra (June 13, 2016). "Minecraft gets cross-platform play later this year". Polygon. Archived from the original on June 16, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  10. ^ a b c Macgregor, Jodie (December 20, 2018). "Hytale is a Minecraft follow-up that remembers the minigames". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Campbell, Colin (June 18, 2014). "Why some fans are battling with Notch over Minecraft changes". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  12. ^ Savage, Phil (June 18, 2014). "Why Minecraft's new EULA is good for the game". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d Guthrie, Robert (December 21, 2016). "The Uncertain Future of Minecraft's Independent Servers". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  14. ^ Shieber, Johnathan (June 11, 2017). "Minecraft is now available for cross-play on any device". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  15. ^ Hedberg, Mikael (July 27, 2022). "Minecraft Java Edition 1.19.1". Minecraft. Mojang Studios. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Marinconz, Steve (June 17, 2014). "Why People Are Mad About Minecraft's New Changes". Kotaku. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Wiltshire, Alex (September 15, 2015). "The Future Of Minecraft's Biggest Servers". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  18. ^ "SpigotMC". SpigotMC. Retrieved October 20, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Home". PaperMC. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  20. ^ a b @CubeCraftGames (December 21, 2021). "ITS OUR 9TH BIRTHDAY! We would love to know some of your favourite memories playing on the server! Let us know by using #CubeCraft9!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Younisco (February 2, 2022). "What's new in 2022?". www.cubecraft.net. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Velasco, Carl (May 22, 2017). "A Game Within A Game: 'Wynncraft' Is An MMORPG Inside 'Minecraft'". Tech Times. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  23. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 23, 2019). "Minecraft players write touching tributes on in-game signs for "amazing" server owner who died of cancer". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  24. ^ Horti, Samuel (March 24, 2019). "Minecraft players build touching tribute to server owner who died of cancer". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  25. ^ Kiberd, Roisin (September 23, 2016). "There's an alternative Minecraft server without any rules". The Independent. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  26. ^ Kiberd, Roisin (September 15, 2016). "The Minecraft Server That Will Kill You 1,000 Times". Newsweek. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  27. ^ Paul, Andrew (October 5, 2015). "The Worst Place in Minecraft". Vice. Archived from the original on October 14, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  28. ^ Winkie, Luke (March 26, 2020). "Meet the dad who quit his job to run a Minecraft server for autistic kids". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  29. ^ Prescott, Shaun (March 30, 2020). "A 1:1 scale model of Earth is possible in Minecraft, with mods and your help". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  30. ^ Clayton, Natalie (March 28, 2020). "Minecraft mod recreates the Earth to scale – and now it wants players to fill in the gaps". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  31. ^ Gault, Matthew (April 2, 2020). "Thousands of People Are Building a 1:1 Recreation of Earth in 'Minecraft'". Vice. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  32. ^ "CubeCraft Forums". cubecraft.net. October 20, 2013. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  33. ^ "Best Minecraft servers 1.19: Survival, Skyblock, Bedwars, Factions, and more". Rock Paper Shotgun. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  34. ^ "CubeCraft Server!". minecraft.net. April 25, 2018. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  35. ^ "CubeCraft Games | Marketplace". minecraft.net. October 17, 2022. Archived from the original on October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  36. ^ Robert Ballecer [@padresj] (August 31, 2019). "Ok... I want to spin up a few servers in the Vatican for gamers who want a little less "toxic" and a bit more community. What should be my first server?" (Tweet). Retrieved October 5, 2020 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Meisenzahl, Mary (December 5, 2019). "The Vatican started a 'Minecraft' server and it was immediately attacked, according to the priest that set it up". Business Insider. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  38. ^ Macgregor, Jody (December 3, 2019). "The Vatican's Minecraft server is overwhelmed by demand and DDoS attacks". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  39. ^ "Minecraft trolls target Vatican server with DDoS attacks". Metro. December 4, 2019. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  40. ^ Arsach, Steven (January 25, 2021). "Minecraft's top streamers are taking over the internet with their exclusive roleplaying server called Dream SMP". Insider. Archived from the original on March 18, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  41. ^ D'Anastasio, Cecilia (January 12, 2021). "In Minecraft's Dream SMP, All the Server's a Stage". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  42. ^ Rothery, Jen (January 8, 2021). "The best Minecraft YouTubers". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on April 15, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
  43. ^ Hjorth, Larissa; Richardson, Ingrid; Davies, Hugh; Balmford, William (2020). "Metagaming and Paratextual Play". Exploring Minecraft. Palgrave Macmillan. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59908-9_5. ISBN 978-3-030-59908-9.
  44. ^ "Best Minecraft servers 1.16.5 - Survival, Skyblock, Bedwars, Factions, and more". Rock Paper Shotgun. March 22, 2021. Archived from the original on September 29, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  45. ^ "Enter The Hive". Minecraft.net. October 16, 2018. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  46. ^ a b Campbell, Colin (June 11, 2017). "Minecraft is going totally cross-platform". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  47. ^ Avard, Alex (September 27, 2017). ""Welcome to Freedonia": Minecraft's oldest server is still a mind-boggling menagerie of marvel and wonder". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  48. ^ James, Ford (June 11, 2017). "Mojang to partner up with popular Minecraft servers". News. Gamereactor. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  49. ^ Guinness World Records 2016: Gamer's Edition. Macmillan. p. 115.
  50. ^ Schlosser, Kurt (May 24, 2016). "Mark Cuban calls Minecraft 'intellectually engaging' as his NBA team creates new game with Mineplex". GeekWire. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  51. ^ Akopyan, Manouk (May 1, 2016). "Mark Cuban Explains Why The Mavericks Are Mashing Up With 'Minecraft'". AListDaily. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  52. ^ Humphrey, David (May 19, 2016). "Dallas Mavericks joining computer games world in Minecraft". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  53. ^ Wermuth, Adam (May 18, 2016). "Dallas Mavs Partner With Minecraft Server to Engage a new Generation of Basketball Fans". Dallas Mavericks. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  54. ^ Gerken, Tom (March 13, 2020). "Minecraft 'loophole' library of banned journalism". BBC. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  55. ^ von Hein, Matthias (March 12, 2020). "Reporter Without Borders builds uncensored Minecraft library". DW News. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  56. ^ Huddleston Jr., Tom (March 15, 2020). "Reporters Without Borders is using Minecraft to sneak censored news to readers in restrictive countries". CNBC. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  57. ^ Woodyatt, Amy (March 13, 2020). "Minecraft hosts uncensored library full of banned journalism". CNN. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  58. ^ Coldewey, Devin (March 12, 2020). "Reporters Without Borders uses Minecraft to sneak censored works across borders". Tech Crunch. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  59. ^ Maher, Cian (March 18, 2020). "This Minecraft library is making censored journalism accessible all over the world". The Verge. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  60. ^ Nelius, Joanna (March 12, 2020). "This Minecraft Library Provides a Platform for Censored Journalists". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  61. ^ Fingas, Jon (March 15, 2020). "'Minecraft' library helps you dodge news media censorship". Engadget. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  62. ^ Gill, Tarvin (March 18, 2020). "This 'Minecraft' library safeguards all censored news of the world". Mashable. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  63. ^ Davenport, James (March 13, 2020). "New Minecraft library is clever loophole and safe haven for censored journalism". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  64. ^ Velasco, Carl (May 22, 2017). "A Game Within A Game: 'Wynncraft' Is An MMORPG Inside 'Minecraft'". Tech Times. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

Further reading

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Minecraft_server&oldid=1181044607"