View source for Minecraft server

{{Short description|Game servers for the video game Minecraft}}
{{Italic title|string=Minecraft}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2020}}
A '''''Minecraft'' server''' is a player-owned or business-owned [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] [[game server]] for the 2011 [[Mojang Studios]] video game ''[[Minecraft]]''. In this context, the term "server" often 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 server is widely accepted to be the 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 [[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 can allow crossplay between the Java and Bedrock editions of the game.

==History==
Multiplayer was first added to ''Minecraft'' on May 31, 2009, during the [[Minecraft#Development|Classic]] phase of the game.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W-FfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA114|title=Guinness World Records 2016 Gamer's Edition|date=2015-09-01|publisher=Macmillan - [[Guinness World Records]]|isbn=978-1-910561-13-3|pages=114|access-date=August 6, 2021|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117000550/https://books.google.com/books?id=W-FfCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA114|url-status=live}}</ref> The oldest server map is called "Freedonia", on the ''Minecraft'' server ''MinecraftOnline''. The server and map were created on August 4, 2010, within the first hour of ''Minecraft'' multiplayer being released.<ref name="minecraftonline">{{Cite news |last=Avard |first=Alex |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-oldest-server/ |title="Welcome to Freedonia": Minecraft's oldest server is still a mind-boggling menagerie of marvel and wonder |date=September 27, 2017 |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=March 12, 2020 |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928012634/https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-oldest-server/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 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 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, including realms, 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 November 7, 2023, Mojang Studios, in collaboration with GamerSafer, opened the official server list of Minecraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-08 |title=The Official Minecraft Server List is Live {{!}} Minecraft |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-official-minecraft-server-list-live |access-date=2024-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308191314/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-official-minecraft-server-list-live |archive-date=March 8, 2024 }}</ref>

==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.<ref name=kotaku/> Some common staff titles are "admin", "mod" and "dev", which are shortened for "administrator", "moderator", and "developer".{{cn|date=September 2024}} 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}}."<ref name="kotaku2">{{Cite news |url=https://kotaku.com/why-people-are-mad-about-minecrafts-new-changes-1592190004 |title=Why People Are Mad About Minecraft's New Changes |last=Marinconz |first=Steve |date=June 17, 2014 |work=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=January 31, 2020 |archive-date=December 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228164929/https://kotaku.com/why-people-are-mad-about-minecrafts-new-changes-1592190004 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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|DDoS protection]],<ref name="rockpapershotgun" /> and so monthly expenses can cost thousands of dollars.<ref name=kotaku/> 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.<ref name="rockpapershotgun" /> Many servers sell in-game ranks, cosmetics and passes to certain minigames or gamemodes to pay for its expenses.<ref name=kotaku/><ref name=rps/>

== Technical aspects ==
For the Java edition, Mojang release an official [[JAR (file format)|jar]] to server operators to run their servers. Third party server jars also exist; typically utilizing resources more efficiently than the official server software. However, Minecraft servers have been restricted to running most operations on a single core (main thread) with a limited amount of other operations being able to be run [[Async/await|asynchronously]], making them inefficient for large player counts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-03 |title=Minecraft Finally Gets Multi-Threaded Servers |url=https://hackaday.com/2023/04/03/minecraft-finally-gets-multi-threaded-servers/ |access-date=2024-04-26 |website=Hackaday |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Notable servers ==
The most popular ''[[Java Edition]]'' server is [[Hypixel]], which, released in April 2013, has had over 20 million unique players.<ref name="variety" /><ref name="riotgames" /> In 2021, CubeCraft Games, released in December 2012 on Java Edition and in 2018 on Bedrock Edition,<ref name="CubeCraftBirthday">{{Cite tweet |user=CubeCraftGames |number=1473337471710556165 |title=ITS OUR 9TH BIRTHDAY! We would love to know some of your favourite memories playing on the server! Let us know by using #CubeCraft9! |date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221170021/https://twitter.com/CubeCraftGames/status/1473337471710556165 |archive-date=December 21, 2021}}</ref> had over 30 million unique server connections, and a peak player count of more than 57,000 concurrent players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Younisco |date=2022-02-02 |title=What's new in 2022? |url=https://www.cubecraft.net/threads/whats-new-in-2022-%F0%9F%A4%94.301024/ |website=www.cubecraft.net |access-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-date=May 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516150649/https://www.cubecraft.net/threads/whats-new-in-2022-%F0%9F%A4%94.301024/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Other popular servers include MCGamer, released in April 2012, which has over 3.5 million unique players;<ref name="rockpapershotgun">{{Cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/15/minecraft-biggest-servers/ |title=The Future Of Minecraft's Biggest Servers |last=Wiltshire |first=Alex |date=September 15, 2015 |work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212044219/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/15/minecraft-biggest-servers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Wynncraft, released in April 2013, which has over 1 million unique players;<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/207952/20170522/a-game-within-a-game-wynncraft-is-an-mmorpg-inside-minecraft.htm |title=A Game Within A Game: 'Wynncraft' Is An MMORPG Inside 'Minecraft' |last=Velasco |first=Carl |date=May 22, 2017 |website=Tech Times |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522155554/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/207952/20170522/a-game-within-a-game-wynncraft-is-an-mmorpg-inside-minecraft.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and Emenbee, released in 2011, which also has over 1 million unique players.<ref name="emenbee">{{Cite news |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-03-23-in-game-tributes-to-minecraft-server-owner-who-died-of-cancer |title=Minecraft players write touching tributes on in-game signs for "amazing" server owner who died of cancer |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=March 23, 2019 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401040001/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-03-23-in-game-tributes-to-minecraft-server-owner-who-died-of-cancer |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="emenbee2">{{Cite news |last=Horti |first=Samuel |date=March 24, 2019 |title=Minecraft players build touching tribute to server owner who died of cancer |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-players-build-touching-memorial-to-server-owner-who-died-of-cancer/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207080416/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-players-build-touching-memorial-to-server-owner-who-died-of-cancer/ |archive-date=December 7, 2019}}</ref> As of 2014, servers such as [[Mineplex]], Hypixel, Shotbow and The Hive receive "well over a million unique users every month", according to ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]''.<ref name="polygonnotch" />

===List===
{{legend2|#e6ffe6|Mojang-featured server|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name
! Inception date
! Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" |{{Reference heading}}
|-
| [[2b2t]]
| {{dts|2010|12}}
| The oldest anarchy server in ''Minecraft''; 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. It has since updated to ''Minecraft'' version 1.20 after previously running on ''Minecraft'' version 1.12 for many years.
| <ref name="independent">{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/there-s-alternative-minecraft-server-without-any-rules-gaming-tech-a7323201.html |title=There's an alternative Minecraft server without any rules |last=Kiberd |first=Roisin |date=September 23, 2016 |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=September 20, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014042318/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/there-s-alternative-minecraft-server-without-any-rules-gaming-tech-a7323201.html |archive-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="newsweek">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/23/minecraft-anarchy-server-2b2t-will-kill-you-498946.html |title=The Minecraft Server That Will Kill You 1,000 Times |last=Kiberd |first=Roisin |date=September 15, 2016 |work=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=September 9, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014024243/https://www.newsweek.com/2016/09/23/minecraft-anarchy-server-2b2t-will-kill-you-498946.html |archive-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="vice">{{Cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xywekq/the-worst-place-in-minecraft |title=The Worst Place in Minecraft |last=Paul |first=Andrew |date=October 5, 2015 |work=[[Vice Media|Vice]] |access-date=September 9, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014214406/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xywekq/the-worst-place-in-minecraft |archive-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| [[Autcraft]]
| {{dts|2013}}
| Dedicated to be a safe haven for children with [[autism]].
| <ref>{{Cite news|last=Winkie|first=Luke|date=2020-03-26|title=Meet the dad who quit his job to run a Minecraft server for autistic kids|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/meet-the-dad-who-quit-his-job-to-run-a-minecraft-server-for-autistic-kids/|access-date=2020-09-03|work=[[PC Gamer]]|archive-date=2020-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907015749/https://www.pcgamer.com/meet-the-dad-who-quit-his-job-to-run-a-minecraft-server-for-autistic-kids/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Build the Earth]]
| {{dts|2020|03|21}}
| Dedicated to recreate the planet [[Earth]] in 1:1 scale, including man-made structures.
| <ref>{{Cite news|last=Prescott|first=Shaun|date=30 March 2020|title=A 1:1 scale model of Earth is possible in Minecraft, with mods and your help|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/a-11-scale-model-of-earth-is-possible-in-minecraft-with-mods-and-your-help/|access-date=11 September 2020|website=PC Gamer|archive-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331173245/https://www.pcgamer.com/a-11-scale-model-of-earth-is-possible-in-minecraft-with-mods-and-your-help/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Clayton|first=Natalie|date=28 March 2020|title=Minecraft mod recreates the Earth to scale – and now it wants players to fill in the gaps|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/03/28/minecraft-mod-recreates-the-earth-to-scale-and-now-it-wants-players-to-fill-in-the-gaps/|access-date=11 September 2020|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|archive-date=March 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328195114/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/03/28/minecraft-mod-recreates-the-earth-to-scale-and-now-it-wants-players-to-fill-in-the-gaps/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Gault |first=Matthew |date=April 2, 2020 |title=Thousands of People Are Building a 1:1 Recreation of Earth in 'Minecraft' |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7jykw/thousands-of-people-are-building-a-11-recreation-of-earth-in-minecraft |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118203316/https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7jykw/thousands-of-people-are-building-a-11-recreation-of-earth-in-minecraft |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="background:#e6ffe6"
|CubeCraft Games
| {{dts|2012|12|21}}
|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. 
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-20 |title=CubeCraft Forums |url=https://www.cubecraft.net/ |access-date=2012-10-20 |website=cubecraft.net |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129121447/https://www.cubecraft.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-07 |title=Best Minecraft servers 1.19: Survival, Skyblock, Bedwars, Factions, and more |work=Rock Paper Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-minecraft-servers-survival-skyblock-factions-bedwars#cubecraft |access-date=2022-10-17 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929162530/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-minecraft-servers-survival-skyblock-factions-bedwars#cubecraft |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-25 |title=CubeCraft Server! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/cubecraft-server |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=minecraft.net |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017151926/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/cubecraft-server |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-17 |title=CubeCraft Games {{!}} Marketplace |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/marketplace/creator?name=cubecraft%20games |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=minecraft.net |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017151924/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/marketplace/creator?name=cubecraft%20games |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CubeCraftBirthday" />
|-
| Digital Jesuit
| {{dts|2019|11}}
| Created by Catholic priest [[Robert Ballecer]] as an organized secular ''Minecraft'' server for a less toxic gaming experience.
|<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1167941336219045888|user=padresj|title=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?|author=Robert Ballecer|authorlink=Robert Ballecer|date=Aug 31, 2019|access-date=2020-10-05}}</ref><ref name="businsider">{{Cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/minecraft-server-for-vatican-hit-possible-ddos-attack-priest-says-2019-12 |title=The Vatican started a 'Minecraft' server and it was immediately attacked, according to the priest that set it up |last=Meisenzahl |first=Mary |date=December 5, 2019 |work=[[Business Insider]] |access-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713151550/https://www.businessinsider.com/minecraft-server-for-vatican-hit-possible-ddos-attack-priest-says-2019-12 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="pcgamer">{{Cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-vatican-has-its-own-minecraft-server/ |title=The Vatican's Minecraft server is overwhelmed by demand and DDoS attacks |last=Macgregor |first=Jody |date=December 3, 2019 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711110657/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-vatican-has-its-own-minecraft-server/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="metro">{{Cite news |url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/04/minecraft-trolls-target-vatican-server-ddos-attacks-11267238/ |title=Minecraft trolls target Vatican server with DDoS attacks |date=December 4, 2019 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-date=July 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711082809/https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/04/minecraft-trolls-target-vatican-server-ddos-attacks-11267238/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| [[Dream SMP]]
| {{dts|2020|04|24}}; Ceased operations on {{End date|2023|4|9}}.
| A private survival multiplayer server owned by the YouTuber [[Dream (YouTuber)|Dream]] and played on by many prominent ''Minecraft'' content creators. It was divided into [[Political faction|factions]] and included heavy [[role-play|roleplay]], streamed live on [[YouTube]] and [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]].
|<ref name="Insider">{{Cite news |last=Arsach |first=Steven |date=2021-01-25 |title=Minecraft's top streamers are taking over the internet with their exclusive roleplaying server called Dream SMP |website=Insider |access-date=2021-01-30 |url=https://www.insider.com/dream-smp-members-minecraft-server-dsmp-wiki-which-what-video-2021-1 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318065336/https://www.insider.com/dream-smp-members-minecraft-server-dsmp-wiki-which-what-video-2021-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |author-link=Cecilia D'Anastasio |url=https://www.wired.com/story/minecraft-dream-smp-political-drama/ |title=In Minecraft's Dream SMP, All the Server's a Stage |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=January 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113020412/https://www.wired.com/story/minecraft-dream-smp-political-drama/ |archive-date=January 13, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| HermitCraft
| {{dts|2012|04}}
| HermitCraft (also capitalized as Hermitcraft) is 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|Make a Wish Foundation]].
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rothery |first=Jen |date=January 8, 2021 |title=The best Minecraft YouTubers |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/youtubers-best |access-date=March 19, 2022 |work=[[PCGamesN]] |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415105935/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/youtubers-best |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Hjorth |first1=Larissa |title=Exploring Minecraft |last2=Richardson |first2=Ingrid |last3=Davies |first3=Hugh |last4=Balmford |first4=William |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |year=2020 |isbn=978-3-030-59908-9 |chapter=Metagaming and Paratextual Play |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-59908-9_5}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ashcroft |first1=Helen |title=Vintage Beef Talks Building A Fully Playable TCG In Minecraft |url=https://www.thegamer.com/vintage-beef-interview-fully-playable-tcg-minecraft/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |work=TheGamer |date=28 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Key |first1=Brandon |title=Minecraft Charity Stream Hits $25,000 Funding Goal Before It Even Starts |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-charity-stream-reaches-goal-before-start/ |access-date=23 November 2023 |work=Game Rant |date=25 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Danielle |title=The best Minecraft YouTubers |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/youtubers-best |access-date=22 February 2024 |work=PCGamesN |date=12 February 2024}}</ref>
|- style="background:#e6ffe6"
|The Hive
| {{dts|2013|02|24}}
| 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 on April 15, 2021.
|<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-03-22|title=Best Minecraft servers 1.16.5 - Survival, Skyblock, Bedwars, Factions, and more|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-minecraft-servers-survival-skyblock-factions-bedwars#hivemc|access-date=2021-05-04|archive-date=September 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929162530/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/best-minecraft-servers-survival-skyblock-factions-bedwars#hivemc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-10-16|title=Enter The Hive|url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/enter-hive|access-date=2021-05-04|website=Minecraft.net|archive-date=February 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211064522/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/enter-hive|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="polygon"/>
|-
|[[Hypixel]]
| {{dts|2013|04|13}}
|''Minecraft''{{'s}} most popular server, founded by Simon Collins-Laflamme and Philippe Touchette, and contains a prominent number of game modes and minigames, many of which are centered around player-versus-player combat.
|<ref name="rps">{{Cite news |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/12/20/hytale-is-a-minecraft-follow-up-that-remembers-the-minigames/ |title=Hytale is a Minecraft follow-up that remembers the minigames |last=Macgregor |first=Jodie |date=December 20, 2018 |work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |access-date=December 21, 2018 |archive-date=March 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308062153/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/12/20/hytale-is-a-minecraft-follow-up-that-remembers-the-minigames/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|MinecraftOnline
| {{dts|2010|08|04}}
|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.
|<ref name="gamesradar">{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-oldest-server/|title="Welcome to Freedonia": Minecraft's oldest server is still a mind-boggling menagerie of marvel and wonder|first=Alex|last=Avard|date=September 27, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2020|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|archive-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928012634/https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-oldest-server/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="background:#e6ffe6"
|[[Mineplex]]
| {{dts|2013|01|24}}; Suspended operations on {{End date|2023|5|16}}.
|Minigame server. In 2015, it held a [[Guinness World Record]] for the most popular ''Minecraft'' server at the time. There are currently plans to re-release Mineplex in the near future.
|<ref name="polygon">{{Cite news |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/11/15771190/minecraft-servers-cross-platform-e3-2017 |title=Minecraft is going totally cross-platform |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=June 11, 2017 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=December 1, 2019 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212091556/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/11/15771190/minecraft-servers-cross-platform-e3-2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="gamereactor">{{Cite news |url=https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/542833/Mojang+to+partner+up+with+popular+Minecraft+servers/ |title=Mojang to partner up with popular Minecraft servers |last=James |first=Ford |date=June 11, 2017 |work=[[Gamereactor]] |department=News |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322214033/https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/542833/Mojang+to+partner+up+with+popular+Minecraft+servers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="gwr">{{Cite book|title=Guinness World Records 2016: Gamer's Edition|publisher=Macmillan|page=115}}</ref><ref name="geekwire">{{Cite news |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2016/mark-cuban-minecraft/ |title=Mark Cuban calls Minecraft 'intellectually engaging' as his NBA team creates new game with Mineplex |last=Schlosser |first=Kurt |date=May 24, 2016 |work=[[GeekWire]] |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525155335/https://www.geekwire.com/2016/mark-cuban-minecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="alistdaily">{{Cite news |url=https://www.alistdaily.com/digital/mark-cuban-explains-mavericks-mashing-minecraft/ |title=Mark Cuban Explains Why The Mavericks Are Mashing Up With 'Minecraft' |last=Akopyan |first=Manouk |date=May 1, 2016 |work=AListDaily |access-date=September 22, 2019 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322214028/https://www.alistdaily.com/digital/mark-cuban-explains-mavericks-mashing-minecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="startelegram">{{Cite news |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article78613322.html |title=Dallas Mavericks joining computer games world in Minecraft |last=Humphrey |first=David |date=May 19, 2016 |work=[[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323045119/https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article78613322.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="mavs">{{Cite news |url=https://www.mavs.com/dallas-mavs-partner-minecraft-server-engage-new-generation-basketball-fans/ |title=Dallas Mavs Partner With Minecraft Server to Engage a new Generation of Basketball Fans |last=Wermuth |first=Adam |date=May 18, 2016 |work=[[Dallas Mavericks]] |access-date=January 12, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206022939/https://www.mavs.com/dallas-mavs-partner-minecraft-server-engage-new-generation-basketball-fans/ |archive-date=December 6, 2017}}</ref>
|-
|Minehut
| {{dts|2014|11|28}}
|A Minecraft server network that allows players to make their own servers and advertise it to thousands of daily players. It is owned by GamerSafer, who also created the Official Minecraft Server List. || <ref name="VentureBeat">{{Cite news |date=February 28, 2024 |title=GamerSafer acquires Minecraft-focused Minehut server community |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/gamersafer-acquires-minecraft-focused-minehut-server-community/ |access-date=August 3, 2024 |work=[[VentureBeat]]}}
</ref>
|-
|nerd.nu
| {{dts|2009|06}}
|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]]
| {{dts|2020|03|12}}
|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.
|<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=March 13, 2020 |title=Minecraft 'loophole' library of banned journalism |work=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51883247 |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814173639/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51883247 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DW">{{Cite news |last=von Hein |first=Matthias |date=March 12, 2020 |title=Reporter Without Borders builds uncensored Minecraft library |work=[[DW News]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/reporter-without-borders-builds-uncensored-minecraft-library/a-52745435 |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308052208/https://www.dw.com/en/reporter-without-borders-builds-uncensored-minecraft-library/a-52745435 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNBC">{{Cite news |last=Huddleston Jr. |first=Tom |date=March 15, 2020 |title=Reporters Without Borders is using Minecraft to sneak censored news to readers in restrictive countries |publisher=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/reporters-without-borders-uses-minecraft-to-sneak-banned-news-into-restrictive-countries.html |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814173638/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/13/reporters-without-borders-uses-minecraft-to-sneak-banned-news-into-restrictive-countries.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{Cite news |last=Woodyatt |first=Amy |date=March 13, 2020 |title=Minecraft hosts uncensored library full of banned journalism |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/tech/minecraft-uncensored-library-scli-intl/index.html= |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308105050/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/13/tech/minecraft-uncensored-library-scli-intl/index.html= |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Tech Crunch">{{Cite news |last=Coldewey |first=Devin |date=March 12, 2020 |title=Reporters Without Borders uses Minecraft to sneak censored works across borders |work=[[Tech Crunch]] |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/12/reporters-without-borders-uses-minecraft-to-sneak-censored-works-across-borders/ |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802142533/https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/12/reporters-without-borders-uses-minecraft-to-sneak-censored-works-across-borders/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Verge">{{Cite news |last=Maher |first=Cian |date=March 18, 2020 |title=This Minecraft library is making censored journalism accessible all over the world |work=[[The Verge]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/18/21184041/minecraft-library-censored-journalism-reporters-without-borders |access-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319160018/https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/18/21184041/minecraft-library-censored-journalism-reporters-without-borders |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gizmodo">{{Cite news |last=Nelius |first=Joanna |date=March 12, 2020 |title=This Minecraft Library Provides a Platform for Censored Journalists |work=[[Gizmodo]] |url=https://gizmodo.com/this-minecraft-library-provides-a-platform-for-censored-1842298748 |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314190710/https://gizmodo.com/this-minecraft-library-provides-a-platform-for-censored-1842298748 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Engadget">{{Cite news |last=Fingas |first=Jon |date=March 15, 2020 |title='Minecraft' library helps you dodge news media censorship |work=[[Engadget]] |url=https://www.engadget.com/2020-03-15-minecraft-uncensored-library.html?guccounter=1 |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308145602/https://www.engadget.com/2020-03-15-minecraft-uncensored-library.html?guccounter=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Mashable">{{Cite news |last=Gill |first=Tarvin |date=March 18, 2020 |title=This 'Minecraft' library safeguards all censored news of the world |work=[[Mashable]] |url=https://sea.mashable.com/tech/9633/this-minecraft-library-safeguards-all-censored-news-of-the-world |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814173638/https://sea.mashable.com/tech/9633/this-minecraft-library-safeguards-all-censored-news-of-the-world |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PC Gamer">{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=James |date=March 13, 2020 |title=New Minecraft library is clever loophole and safe haven for censored journalism |work=[[PC Gamer]] |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/new-minecraft-library-is-clever-loophole-and-safe-haven-for-censored-journalism/ |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814173637/https://www.pcgamer.com/new-minecraft-library-is-clever-loophole-and-safe-haven-for-censored-journalism/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|[[Wynncraft]]
| {{dts|2013|04}}
|Server that functions as a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]].
|<ref>{{Cite news|last=Velasco|first=Carl|date=2017-05-22|title=A Game Within A Game: 'Wynncraft' Is An MMORPG Inside 'Minecraft'|url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/207952/20170522/a-game-within-a-game-wynncraft-is-an-mmorpg-inside-minecraft.htm|access-date=2021-06-24|work=Tech Times|archive-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522155554/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/207952/20170522/a-game-within-a-game-wynncraft-is-an-mmorpg-inside-minecraft.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5ozjgEACAAJ |title=Ultimate Guide to Mastering Minigames and Servers: Minecraft Secrets to the World's Best Servers and Minigames |date=April 5, 2016 |publisher=[[Triumph Books]] |isbn=9781629372334 |access-date=December 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206052756/https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/L5ozjgEACAAJ |archive-date=December 6, 2019 |url-status=live}}

==External links==
{{Prone to spam|date=March 2022}}
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* [https://findmcserver.com/ Find MC Server] — the official server list of Minecraft
* [https://data.minetrack.me/ Minetrack data] — historical dataset of popular ''Minecraft'' servers<!-- Rationale: Minetrack provides a CC0 dataset going back to October 2016 and is a unique resource beyond what this article could be if it was a featured article ([[WP:ELNO]]). Do note that the creator of the tool has a financial COI with [[Hypixel]] (see [[WP:ADV]]). -->

{{Minecraft}}

[[Category:Minecraft servers| ]]