Custom servers

A custom server is a Minecraft server that uses no derived code or components from the original Minecraft Classic or Survival server software, thus they are 100% free of Mojang code and restrictions. They are made as alternatives to the original server to add extra features, such as gameplay changes or to make fixes such as lag optimization. Custom servers have to stay updated to the current version of the client due to possible protocol changes, note this only applies to Beta.

[edit] Features

Custom servers have a range of features, some of which are common between them. These features extend the functionality of gameplay, administration or even many other things never thought of before in the original server.

[edit] Multiworld

Multiworld is the name of a feature of the Minecraft client which can be used by a custom server. The first server to have this feature was Myne.

Usually on these servers they have a main world with portals to direct you to these other maps or by a command. They can also create new worlds and assign various properties to the world, for example; restrictions on who may enter or build on certain worlds. This makes it possible to show old worlds while still having maps for the public to build on. This can also grant more private areas to prevent grief.

[edit] Color codes

Custom servers usually take advantage of color codes (sometimes allowing players to input them with a percent instead of an ampersand)
Messages sent from the server to the client can contain color codes, which allow coloring of text for various purposes. An ampersand followed by a hex digit in the message tells the client to switch colors while displaying text.

Color coding at the start of the message will only work if the player ID byte is less than 127. If it's 127 or higher, the game automatically adds &e before the message, making it yellow. However, color codes after the first character still work. If you use an ID below 127, it doesn't add a color code, so the ones you use will work.

It is important to note that an ampersand at the end of a message that is not followed by a hex digit will crash all clients that receive it, so it is a must to sanitize chat messages received from clients.

Hex digit to color mapping

[edit] Comparison

This is a comparison of available custom servers for both versions of Minecraft.

Would you like your server to be added to the list?
You need to have one public release, then go here for submission.

[edit] Survival

This version of Minecraft only includes SMP at this time.

[edit] Metadata

Name	Developer(s)	Language	License	Platform
Bravo	MostAwesomeDude	Python 2.6	MIT/X11
C#raft	ementalo, spazzarama Smjert, Deniska(Gremlin13)	C#	AGPL3
Chunky Monkey	huin, agon, nictuku	Go	MIT
craftd	Founders (kev009, meh), PrecipiceGames (HACKhalo2, dotblank, alyawn), other contributors	C99	Simplified BSD
Erlcraft	Scott Brooks	Erlang	Open source
Glowstone	SpaceManiac	Java	MIT
Lightstone	Founder (Graham Edgecombe) picked up with permission by: creatorfromhell	Java	MIT
LuaCraft	LuaStoned, BlackOps, iRzilla and AndrewMcWatters	Java	MIT
MCServer	FakeTruth	C++	Open source
Mineserver	Fador, Nredor, Psoden, deoxxa, ...	C++	New BSD
Myne2	aera, iKJames	Python 2.6	Simplified BSD
OpenMC	Xinnx	C#	GPL v3
Spout (with Vanilla plugin)	SpoutDev: Afforess, Wulfspider, alta189, raphfrk, Top_Cat, narrowtux, Olloth, Rycochet, RoyAwesome, zml2008	Java	SpoutDev v1

[edit] Features

[edit] Classic

This version of Minecraft only includes Creative Multiplayer.
Only include developers that contribute to the source
Please be aware that if you are adding a MCLawl fork or just looking for a particular one they have been moved to Here.

[edit] Metadata

Name	Basis	Developer(s)	Language	License	Platform
800Craft	fCraft	Jonty800, GlennMR, LaoTszy	C#	GPLv3 / MIT
Arc	Myne	The Arc Team	Python	BSD 2-Clause modified
bCraft	fCraft	BobKare	C#	Closed Source
fCraft	None	fragmer	C#	MIT
FemtoCraft	None	fragmer	C#	BSD 3-Clause
MCForge	None	EricKilla, Merlin33069, Snowl, GamezGalaxy, GameMakerGm, Sinjai, cazzar, Givo, jasonbay13, Arrem, 7imekeeper, headdetect, ninedrafted	C#	GPL v3/ECL v2
MCQuai	MCSharp	Quaisaq	C#	Closed source
MCSharp	Obsidian	Voziv	C#	MIT
Myne	None	aera	Python	Public domain
PowerBlock	None	dreadiscool	C#	GPLv3 (Source code not found)
>>MCLawl Forks<<	None	Various	C#	Various

[edit] Features