GamerCraft (MC Server)

5 minute read

TL;DR

  • I started playing Minecraft back in 2013 and I love the game!
  • I launched a vanilla Java Edition Minecraft server called GamerCraft back in the summer of 2021.
  • Due to a security incident, GamerCraft now operates with a waitlist and review-based entry process.
  • To join, message me on my socials.
  • GamerCraft aims to grow its community while maintaining its core values of nostalgia and camaraderie.

Backstory

My Minecraft adventure began in 2013 with the Java Edition, where I spent about 98% of my time in single-player mode. The rest was on popular multiplayer servers like Hypixel. However, in 2014, I decided to stop gaming to focus on high school, so I transferred my account to my sister. By 2018, as an undergraduate in college, playing on friends’ Minecraft servers became an excellent way to form friendships in college. That year, my sister returned my account, rekindling my interest in Minecraft.

Between 2018 and 2021, my friends would host servers for us to play on, which was enjoyable, but these servers were temporary and often fizzled out after a few months. Around late 2019 to early 2020, I stopped playing on these servers and Minecraft altogether.

In the summer of 2021, my passion for Minecraft was reignited by a YouTuber, FitMC, who shares stories about the infamous anarchy server 2B2T. Known for its never-reset world and chaotic nature, 2B2T inspired me to create a lasting server for my friends and myself.

Inspired by 2B2T, I launched GamerCraft, a server designed to help people create lasting memories and reconnect over time.

Like 2B2T, GamerCraft will never reset its world, fostering ongoing friendships and nostalgia. We allow limited use of hack clients for X-Raying and use redstone techniques for duplicating certain blocks/items, but we strictly prohibit full creative mode-level actions/hacking or griefing.

Start Of GamerCraft

I chose the Java version 1.17, the latest release at the time, for its vanilla experience without server plugins or mods. I hosted the server on my PC by forwarding a port on my router and marketed it across my university campus. This effort included messaging friends via text and Discord and creating marketing posters. Within a few weeks, we built a community of 10-20 players, with five being regulars.

Going Waitlist

Initially, the server was “open access,” but an incident on July 15, 2021, prompted a switch to a waitlist system. Hackers “txt_385_787_6969” and “VariableSix7056” spammed wooden blocks across the sky using wood stolen from regular players and hack client exploits. The result:

In response, we temporarily shut down the server before relaunching it with a controlled access system. New players now join by referral from existing members or by contacting me for a brief review process.

If you’re interested in joining GamerCraft but don’t personally know any of the members, contact me on my socials, and we can discuss it!

Current State of GamerCraft

As of March 2024, GamerCraft has transitioned to Hostinger for improved reliability. The server is back up and running smoothly, with 2-4 active players regularly participating and more always welcome! My friends and I, along with other members, play consistently, relishing in the great moments and conversations we share. GamerCraft serves as an excellent stress relief, allowing us to stay connected even though we’re now spread across the United States and, in some cases, the globe. It’s a way to maintain the bond we had during our college years.

Future of GamerCraft

The goal of GamerCraft remains unchanged—to provide a lasting world where old friends can reconnect and briefly escape the stresses of adulthood. There are no plans to shut down the server anytime soon, and we are excited about growing our community while preserving the nostalgia and camaraderie we cherish.