Tagged: rules

1.8 is here! The Bountiful update has had us all flooding the alt server, eagerly trying to plant new roots on a brand new map.

As you know from the previous article regarding 1.8 we’re approaching this new map differently. Without the safety net of our plug ins to help reduce lag we’ve needed to make concessions elsewhere. The amount of command blocks each player is allowed has been limited and redstone contraptions are being strictly regulated. As the new map expands we may find that we may need to become more strict with other things, and more lenient with others so please just bare with us while we get this all figured out.

With that said, let us lay down some of the ground rules for this new server and map. For the most part, the rules from the main server still apply. If you are not familiar with those, or need a refresher, please go back and read those over. With the basic guidelines set in place from the main server, we need to add the following list of rules in regards to the new alt server:

Command Blocks: every player/account is allowed 2 sets of command blocks (CBs). One set from the command tower to your home and back, another set to your personalized vault and back to your home. If you decide not to use a set for one of these purposes it does not entitle you to an extra set to link up somewhere else, it just means that you have chosen not to use one of your sets at this time.

Teams are a part of the scoreboard feature and have become a useful tool for the admins. We can set up a command block for team use which would allow several people the use of just one cb instead of having multiple cbs to enter a vault for example. This helps the server by not having all the extra cb clutter. The admins will be happy to set up a team for you and your family if you would like one. There are a few groups who have played closely together for some time, we will allow those groups to become a team, but be aware that you can only be one team at a time and we will only change this for you ONCE. Children will be on a team with their parents if requested by the parents but we won’t be setting up any “kids” teams (they disband so frequently).

You can move/redirect your command block ONCE! If you get bored in a location that you’re in, or decide you’d rather be closer to another set of coords or a biome that is not already occupied, feel free to settle in. However, your command blocks will not move with you. We suggest you make a permanent base camp and that you have “vacation” homes throughout the world where you will be safe on your adventures. I suggest placing enderchests in these homes so that you can easily access stuff from another house that you have put in there (although, good luck getting your hands on an enderpearl, and I mean that sincerely). Also, feel free to buddy up. On the main server the admins were gracious enough to supply you with spawn huts at different biomes, and I know that some of you awesome folks have been nice enough to share the coordinates of biomes that you find. Build a spawn hut! Post the coords to this “safe house”. These are still allowed, they just will not be admin supplied or command block accessible, and if you do use one of these that was built by another player, be respectful. Do not remove or break anything that was placed to help make things easier for anyone who wanted to use it, but also be aware that admins won’t be replacing it either if they are damaged. So, use the golden rule *Do unto others as you would have done unto you* and work together for the greater good.

DO NOT build inside the wall around spawn: The admins have marked off land around the spawn area that will include the market, and any other community services we find are necessary. If you are found building inside the wall area we will ask you to tear down your structures and move. We will supply you with temporary command blocks to assist the move but they will only be up for a limited time.

Redstone contraptions and auto farms: if you are using redstone on the server we only ask that anything being powered by it has on/off capabilities and is always in the “off” position when not in use. Even when you are online, if you are not using it at the moment it should be off. This will greatly reduce lag not just for you, but for other players who may live nearby.

You may have heard once or twice that Auto farms are the bane of Serverus’ existence. Very little sympathy is given for lag complaints if there are auto farms nearby, and if the admins find them, we will dismantle them. As the plug ins catch up to the new update we may become more lax about this. In the mean time, no auto farms!

Villages, Fortresses, Desert and Jungle Temples and Water Monuments: Valuable resources can be found in any of these naturally spawning structures and we want to allow them to be open to everyone. The exception we have recently made to this rule has been Ocean Monuments. Due to the amount of work that goes into conquering one of these we have agreed to allow you to claim one monument for yourself (if you are an individual player) or your family.

Since guardians will continue to spawn in an area where a monument may have been standing, even after you tear yours down (if that’s what you decide to do) you will still be able to collect the valuable shards needed to make the blocks and lamps only found in those monuments. Therefore even if the structure is gone, you may not claim another monument. While these have proven not to be rare we want to ensure everyone has the chance to claim one.  However, this does not mean you can not loot other monuments as long as they have not been claimed.

To claim a monument, place signs above and/or around them to show any one who passes by that it has been claimed. Also, please take a screen shot with coordinates and post it in the group. Command blocks will not be placed to them fro easier access so if you can try to find one close by, or we recommend the use of enderchests to help get those new blocks back home.

Spawners: if you find a mob spawner in your caves while exploring, you may make it an XP farm, but the admins will not set up a command block to it. There will be no community XP farms established. You may allow other people access to it, but it will have to be through your own command block. Also, you must be able to shut it off when not in use (even if you are not online, other players may be nearby loading the chunk that would make it spawn), and DO NOT under any circumstances go AFK (away from keyboard) in front of one.

Mob Droppers/Grinders: Unlike droppers on the Skyblock or Sea Lab maps that we’ve done, mob droppers will not work the same way on this server. There are too many places for mobs to spawn underground and other places on the map. They will not work properly so please do not build them.

Animals: Animals are a major source of confusion on the server and an even bigger factor where lag is concerned so let’s clear this up. We’re asking that unless you are actively breeding and harvesting at THAT moment that you keep no more than 2 of each animal in a 16×16 pen.  For single block animals (chickens and bunnies) you can double that number. if you only have one kind of animal we ask that you have no more than 10 animals, divided up by 2s in the same sized pens. EXCEPT horses! Horses are a whole other issue because they are bigger, they are rideable, and they come in various colors. Your dreams of owning a horse in every color will just have to wait. Keep no more than 1 horse per 16×16 pen.

THIS IS NOT PERMANENT! We are trying to work out solutions to the lag which would allow us to have more animals.This is a rule that even the admins are being held to. None of us are enjoying the lag issues that we knew would come with a big update like this In the mean time we need your help to keep lag to a minimum for all.

Rules are subject to change as we find necessary. However, notice will be given when/if we do so.

As the server continues to grow and more players come and go, we’re finding that we are coming across more abandoned builds in areas that may have once been isolated, but are now becoming populated. To avoid expanding the map any further before the next update, we’d like to fill in areas that are still under-developed. The first rule of building still applies that you need to give any neighbors plenty of room to expand their properties, so first and foremost, when scouting out land, please be sure there are no nearby structures, and fencing off the land you feel you may need to complete your vision is helpful.

To be clear, when we say “Abandoned Builds” we are not referring to fully constructed properties of players who no longer play. These would be considered “Retired Builds” and we do not remove those or any items inside in case the player decides to one day visit it again. We feel the world is big enough that we don’t have to tear down any of these structures to make room for new players. We also strongly feel that it represents our world’s history and makes it a more beautiful place to tour. So if you no longer play on our map, rest assured if you decide to come back we will not have removed your space without your knowledge. However, we do strongly suggest that if you have valuables or item frames inside that matter to you, that you do log back in at least one more time to place the valuables in your vault and to take a moment to re-hang item frames (which are player protected now). Also, please hang a sign above your entrance door to let the admins know who the property belongs to. We try our best to safeguard as many inactive places as we can, but we can’t be everywhere, and we are not responsible nor will we replace items that should have been safely tucked away in your absence.

NOTE: You may have noticed iron doors on your shops in the market, that is to announce to other players that the store is inactive and not to keep you out of it.

Abandoned Builds are defined as small(ish) structures that are incomplete in their build process. They lack any identifying materials inside that would let anyone know who they belong to. Sometimes one of our server kids may have been out playing, had an idea for a project, got bored and quit midway through. We try to discourage that, but it does happen. We’ve all been out exploring, it’s part of the fun, and we’ve all built up small structures to keep us safe from the dangers at night, in fact, if you look around you may find a few of Serverus’ own little explore huts he put up back from before we made the server public. We keep these around for nostalgic purposes. Using these as an example, say you find the perfect spot of land for your home and perhaps you don’t see this little shanty off in the distance and you start to build. Now it’s been days or weeks and you’re highly invested in this area and it’s too late to turn back now. Then you come across this home that doesn’t appear to have anyone occupying it and you haven’t seen anyone else around lately. What do you do? Allow us to lay out the new Abandoned Builds Protocol.

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Screen shot of an Abandoned Build with coordinates

If you should find what appears to be an abandoned build on your property please take a screen shot (F2) with coordinates (so press F3 before you press F2) of the building and post it in the group to see if it belongs to another player who maybe forgot to tear it down, is no longer invested in it, or has just moved on to something bigger elsewhere. In that case, you two may work out the details of you removing the property, and no admins need to get involved.

or…

If you decide not to post the image in the group yourself, or if you do and no one responds (remember, not all the kids have a Facebook account and you may not know their parent’s name to tag them) please, come to an admin and we will begin the protocol for removing the structure. Once in the admins’ hands we will follow this procedure:

1. We will post a screen shot in the group asking someone to claim the build
2. If a 7 day week has gone by and we have gotten no response, we will repost the screen shot once more allowing the owner one more 7 day week to claim the property.
3. If no one has claimed the build, the admins will remove the property and its contents, and the land is now yours.

We realize 14 days can be a long wait when you’re in the middle of a big project, but we ask that you consider if it were you or your child who perhaps lost internet access, or was grounded from video games for a while, or anything that would cause you not to be able to play. You would hope to be able to come back and find that your work has not been erased.

WARNING: If you decide to remove a structure that you did not build, this is considered griefing and a punishable offense. Depending on the severity, punishment could be as extreme as being banned from the server.

The rules and policies we enforce may seem strict, and for some, excessive, but even though it is “just a game” there are those of us who work very hard on this map and do take this game very seriously. For some of us, it’s our escape from the stresses and pressures of daily life and as admins, we want it to be an enjoyable place to come. Remember, we’re a Family Friendly server which means helping to mold new and young players who may not have much experience on multiplayer servers before. We want to be sure we’re keeping everything on a fair and respectful level for everyone. No one can disagree with the fact that we have some of the most awesome players living with us on our map, we all just need to remember to respect our neighbors and show a little tolerance and patience where the rules are concerned. They are all there due to past experiences we’ve had so trust us that they are for the best.

Thank you!

Welcome to Mini Builders!

Welcome to Mini Builders!

We have some exciting changes, as well as new build challenges planned.

For our newer server members, here is an introduction to Mini Builders:
We started off with a little section of the server where the kids were given their very first kids-only build challenge: building houses. We provided them with basic supplies and they crafted & built something *amazing!*

Mini Builders has grown so much from that first challenge. We now have a hotel, a Christmas build, farms, mines, a market, and a pier with boats. All of these were challenges presented to our server kids. They met & exceeded expectations with their ingenuity & creativity.

One thing we have found with a lot of our server kids is that they don’t always know how to craft things. With that in mind we built a Schoolhouse to show them how. Hogwarts & its crafting recipe classrooms have now replaced that original Schoolhouse. We have every crafting recipe hanging on the walls of those rooms, so the kids can learn how to craft anything, without having to open an internet browser.

CB Room to the Hogwarts Crafting Recipe Classrooms

CB Room to the Hogwarts Crafting Recipe Classrooms

The admin team & helpers have most recently added a couple fun builds for the kids:
“Funland”- an indoor “recreation” area,

Funland! Indoor archery, fishing, & boating!

Funland! Indoor archery, fishing, & boating!

and the “Mini-Games Globe” for hide & seek or role-playing.
(you may have heard an admin or 2 join in the hide & seek fun)

The Globe of Mini Games

The Globe of Mini Games

 

Exciting new changes!

Here’s where the evolution of Mini Builders takes another step.

  1. Materials
    In the past one of the biggest rules at Mini Builders was to only use the supplies gathered at Mini Builders for the challenges and builds there. We are now lifting this restriction and allowing the kids to bring supplies from home.
    With the previous rule we were providing the kids with some hard to obtain supplies in their shared vault. Now that they can gather supplies from anywhere, we will no longer be providing those supplies for them.
  2. Vaults
    With the ever-increasing amounts of prizes & goodies the kids receive for participating in & winning challenges, we have built an individual vault system inside our brand new Money Bin! The kids can store their prizes & supplies in their own special vault.

    MiniBuilders Money Bin

    Scrooge McDuck stops by for a swim once in a while.

  3. Opening the “doors”
    Have you ever wondered what Mini Builders really looks like? Now you can come for a visit! Come check out what the kids have built in competition as well as the farms and community they worked on together.
    During all build competitions access will again be restricted to just the kids, the admins, & judges. We will open it back up after judging is completed for each competition.

We are excited to share this fun kids area with all for viewing and even shopping in the Mini Market. We have some exciting new build competitions lined up for the kids to occupy some of their summer hours in the near future.