In our modern fast-paced gaming world the continued success of a game often relies on its multiplayer scene. With developers constantly releasing new, flashy titles each year it is difficult for older games to stay relevant. Yet some have stood the test of time. Titles such as Payday 2, Team Fortress 2, and Overwatch. All of these titles are still incredibly popular because they offer a fantastic multiplayer experience. But no game does multiplayer quite like Minecraft.
The biggest advantage of Minecraft is the level of creative freedom it gives its community in terms of custom game modes. There are currently hundreds of different maps out there such as Survival Island, Bed Wars, One Block Mode, and Zombie Hunt. The list is nearly endless. But sometimes people just want the classic Minecraft experience. And that’s where the SMP servers come into play.
What Are SMP Servers
The term SMP stands for Survival Multiplayer. Minecraft has two primary game modes. Creative, which is where players have free reign to build whatever they want without worrying about resources or dying. And then you have survival mode. As the name suggests this mode is all about gathering resources and staying alive. Players face several challenges such as hostile mobs, dungeons, abandoned mines, and environmental risks. They can only build with what the blocks they harvest and have to ensure they keep their character fed and sheltered.
SMP servers provide the classic survival experience but in a multiplayer format. The gameplay is exactly the same except you can work together, or against, your fellow players. SMP servers are some of the most popular in the community. In fact, because there are so many SMP servers you can join for Minecraft, it can be difficult to find one that is going to be right for you. This guide will walk you through all the information you need to know about SMP servers so you can make a more informed decision.
To Mod or Not To Mod
As we said before one of the biggest advantages of Minecraft is the creative freedom it offers its players. And nowhere is that more obvious than in the modding community. Mods allow players to fundamentally alter the game in subtle or huge ways. They can be as simple as improving the overall graphics. Or as dramatic as making every block into a living creature.
A lot of SMP servers utilize mods to enhance the player’s experience. A lot of these mods add additional mobs and blocks to the game. Some even add whole new areas such as the Aether mod. Before you join an SMP server you will want to check if it uses mods. Most servers will disclose this information on the joining page. I personally enjoy the vanilla Minecraft experience so I tend to avoid servers using mods. But if you want something new, you’ll find plenty of modded servers out there.
The Etiquette of SMP
Playing Minecraft online is an entirely different beast than playing single-player. Not only do you now have to compete for space and resources, but you have to consider how your actions impact the other players on the server. Most SMP servers will have their own sets of rules you have to follow. But there are also some unspoken rules that we highly recommend you stick to.
The first, and most important one is not destroying other people’s buildings unnecessarily. This is one of the cardinal sins of Minecraft. Chances are it will end with you being banned from the server.
The second rule is don’t build too close to someone else’s project without permission. Often people want a lot of space around their project for expansion purposes. So settling too close to them might hinder their plans and will cause unnecessary friction. The Minecraft world is huge. You can easily find your own plot of land to settle on.
Dealing With Griefers
The level of anonymity offered by the internet emboldens people to be terrible to others. And Minecraft gets its fair share of trolls and griefers. And the chances are that, while on an SMP server, you will encounter some of these. So it’s important to know how to deal with them.
Firstly, you need to always remember not to respond to them. These people want to get a rise out of you. They’ll try to destroy your project or insult you or just generally cause chaos on the server. If you just ignore them they will soon get bored and move on.
Always report them to a server administrator. Take plenty of screenshots or record what they are doing so you have evidence. If the server admins are doing their job properly, the trolls will be banned in no time.
Our last tip for dealing with trolls and griefers is to remember that, at the end of the day, it’s just a game. We understand that it can be frustrating dealing with these idiots. But just remember you can always just step away from the screen for a few moments, take a few deep breaths, and enjoy the fact that you aren’t giving them the satisfaction.
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