As first announced in our podcast episode earlier this week, I'm now in the planning stages to launch a 1.8 server. This'll be the place for those who don't want to wait until the main server itself is updated to 1.8. Below are a bunch of details about that upcoming server, including when you can expect to access it!

The short version: the current server is staying at 1.7.10 for a while; a new one based on 1.8 will be launched in parallel soon.


- Current Bukkit/Spigot/Sponge status

It feels like I've written several "State of the Server"-type messages lately, and there's a good reason for that: there's been quite a few major changes to the Minecraft community lately! The following block is a repost of what I wrote in the forums two weeks ago when looking for feedback.

The goal of this explanation is to keep things simple. I might take a few shortcuts along the way, but you should be able to understand what's the current situation and how we got here.

The server is running Spigot, which is a derivative of Bukkit. Bukkit itself is a remake of sorts of Minecraft's official server, allowing the installation of plugins and giving server admins a lot more control over various settings. The large majority of servers out there run Bukkit or Spigot. Both projects are run independently from Mojang and without their assistance.

On August 21, the Bukkit team announced that they were closing the project, due to various legal grey areas and lack of support from Mojang. The same day, Mojang revealed that they actually owned Bukkit, had been for over two years, and that they would keep it active. Dinnerbone was quick to say that he'd personally prepare the 1.8 update.

On September 3, both Bukkit and Spigot's downloads were hit by a DMCA takedown by a former Bukkit developer. This person claims that Mojang tried to take ownership of his code, which the license wouldn't allow to happen, and thus that he no longer wants his work to be used. Even if he were to back down for any reason, any other developer could then make the same claim.

The end result, right now, is a possible legal battle from Mojang to fight this claim or the complete abandon of Bukkit. An alternative will obviously come up, either from Mojang itself or another group. In either case, it's going to take time. Like, several months at least to obtain something stable.


- "When are we getting 1.8?"

The ever-popular question has no obvious answer. Bukkit is dead in the water; Spigot still has updates but no formally announced plans for full support; the upcoming alternative Sponge won't be playable for a while. Since one of my primary goals is to keep the server stable and free from data corruption, I won't jump over to the first option available. Software obviously takes some time to mature.

Considering how things are currently going, and this is subject to change depending of the situation, I wouldn't be surprised if we were only able to upgrade to 1.8 early next year. Yes, that'd be 2015.


- Why a 1.8 server?

Part of the answer is above. Mojang released 1.8 on September 2, but the main server won't be ready to upgrade for some time. I know that most of our core players will stick around no matter which version is in use, and I thank you for your patience and understanding. At the same time, some want to try the new things, even if it means losing their comfort blanket. Likewise, it's hard to attract new players when all you can advertise is the old flavor. Having that new server will help bring new blood in, without sacrificing anything that has been currently built.

I expect most of our current player base to stay on the 1.7.10 Survival server, and many among the staff have already confirmed that this is what they'll do. Likewise, most of my own playtime will be on 1.7.10, and that place will stay my main focus for admin duties as well. The current server and community are the core of the Creeper's Lab, the 1.8 option is only an addition.


- How will the new server run?

The 1.8 server will run straight vanilla Minecraft, with no modifications whatsoever. The difference from what is available on the Creeper's Lab isn't that different, but you should be prepared for the loss of a few conveniences.

Work is already underway for this world, and I have started building a secured spawn point to ensure that new players are welcomed properly... and safely away from the monsters!

I want to have this new playing option available as soon as possible. As such, you can expect to have it available within a week or two. Keep an eye on this space for information on the formal launch!


- What about that second, modded server?

That is unfortunately getting delayed, due to the time required to launch the 1.8 server itself and the current, many unknowns related to the future of Minecraft servers. This is still among my plans for the future, of course. I'll post more once some progress has been made!


Oh, and if anyone was wondering about the logo for the new place...

It's that time again: a building contest!

Leave behind cities, caves, rails, mountains, even creepers: this time, we're going to SPACE! We're breaking away from the standard medieval / pseudo-modern style of Minecraft to focus on the modern or future, realistic or with a sci-fi twist.

What you decide to build is up to you, although it obviously has to be space-themed. Will you do a spaceship? A space station? An asteroid? Even a mini-planet? That's up to you to decide!

* RULES *

The contest entries must stay within the confines of a single, 50x50 lot. You own the entire height of said lot, and can use the reference bedrock blocks to find their exact borders. This time around, you can not build on the borders themselves. What use you make of the space available is up to you: you do NOT need to fill it up. Outer space consists of a lot of emptiness, and so can your entry. Besides, several potential designs will need a lot of length, but possibly much less depth. The walkways are situated on a single level, but space isn't set on a flat plane: you can build higher or lower!

You are free to work in teams should you desire. In that case, you can either work together on the same lot or each take adjacent lots and merge them together. You can also build more than one entry if you feel like it, although only one will be judged for the contest. If you build on more than one location, please clearly mark which one is your entry.

Due to the possibly larger building scale involved, you have FOUR WEEKS to complete your entry. The contest begins now and ends on October 18th at 23:59, Eastern time.

Pick a lot, place your name on it, and start building! Be creative!


* PRIZES *

All good contests need fitting prizes. Here is what is available this time around!

First place: $20 Amazon.com giftcard or $20 US bill (your choice)
Second place: horse owner and breeder kit
Third place: one super bow + stack of arrows, courtesy of Squid's Cove
Random person: surprise participation prize!

The judging criterias will be how well the theme was respected (space setting), the originality of your idea, and the proper use of the various materials. Strict penalties will apply if your construction spills outside of your lot.


* BUILDING DETAILS *

Due to the special nature of this theme, a new world permanently set to night time is now available. To get the proper view in this world, Amasia, it is highly recommended that you turn off the display of clouds. You can reach this new place from Central's TransHub, which will lead you directly to the site of the contest.


Some leaf platforms have been added to make your life easier while building, but they will be removed after the deadline. Since those were temporarily spawned in, please don't keep them or incorporate them in your builds. You can ask me or any op to remove them if unwanted, or if you're done. The bedrock corners will be removed at the same time. The dirt pathways are also temporary and in the process of being replaced with something more appropriate for the setting.

To save yourself from falling into the void of space and losing all your items, keepInventory is permanently set to true: dying for any reason will not cause you to lose your items!

If someone who is NOT planning to participate is interested in being a judge, please contact me before the end of the contest.
Edit: All set, thank you!

Good luck!

Many brave fighters stepped up for last Saturday's fights! 13 people decided to face Withers on one-on-one battles while the crowd cheered them on. Not everyone was set to win, however...

Among the participants, DaBestGamer_01, DrCossack and UnknownEntity634 used their skills and left the arena victorious, each holding a precious Nether Star. On the other hand, ADeadlyFish, Andromedea1, FigsNewton, Katame, Mikey_el16, MagicMarker101, nikkehammerfist, Sphenicus, starfyredragon and tranxalive fought bravely but fell prey to the monsters. They still scored a consolation prize of 5 iron blocks. Once this carnage was over, many stayed for a mix of PvP and rounds of monster fighting.

The Wither Lounge has now been added as a permanent part of the End of Time network, making it available for later Events Nights!

Once again, thanks to everyone for participating, and to Skreelink for creating and running these events!

The rumor that's been growing and growing in the past several days turned out to be true: Microsoft is purchasing Mojang, makers of Minecraft, for $USD 2,500,000,000. Official statements: Mojang, Notch (mirror), Microsoft, press release.

The Minecraft development team, including Jeb, is still there. Only Notch, Carl and Jakob (co-founders and company heads) have left, so this won't have any impact on the game on the short term. Now, of course, what does this mean for the game and the Creeper's Lab?

First and foremost, the MC team is still there. They'll keep on working on new game versions. Microsoft representatives have said that they intend to keep the game available (and continue to work) for other platforms as well, and I see no reason to believe otherwise: a large potion of the Minecraft profits come for the console and mobile versions.

Of course, down the line, things will change in a way or another. There have been other transitions before, many of them causing apprehension:
- Mojang's creation as a business ("Notch is going corporate!")
- Jeb taking over as lead developer ("Will he do the right thing?")
- The release of Minecraft 1.0 ("Will the updates soon stop?")
- Notch stepping away from the game ("We're doomed!")
- Microsoft purchasing Mojang (cue current comments)

My point is, things have been (mostly) fine overall, and I believe that this latest step will follow in the same way once the dust has settled.

I'm relatively hopeful that this will help the game grow even more over time. Microsoft can add support for even more platforms, ensure that the game remains compatible with future Windows versions (one of the largest markets), and their games division has traditionally been good at ensuring long-term support. At worst, Microsoft will let the game stagnate and the current versions will remain available. The community itself is so active, and has pushed the game in so many directions, that Minecraft will never really die.

As for the Creeper's Lab? We're here, the server is running, an update to 1.8 will happen when ready, I have plans for growth and we'll see from there, as usual. I'm not planning any changes in light of these news, and I'm looking forward to more years of mining and crafting! :-) Speaking of the 1.8 update, those looking for more information on that might want to check my recent forum post.

And hey, some people are having fun with this situation.

Long live Minecraft!

There are two kinds of people: those who fear for their lives, and those who rise to the challenges thrown their way. If you are part of the latter group, Skreelink is back with more Wither madness. The goal, this time: a 1 vs 1 battle, player vs wither, in a new arena. No matter who wins, you get a prize!

This event will happen next week, September the 20th, on Events Night. Make sure that you find your way to the arena before 10pm, Eastern Time! A direct access will be available from the End of Time, in the PvP & Battles category.

The full visitor's guide and write-up follow!

---

{Wither's Pleasure Lounge}
{Visitor's guide and invitation Brochure}

Salutations Miners,

Now, it seems that sometimes... During that hard mining and fending off monsters... That a miner could get tired of it all and need some relaxation. Maybe after a particularly rough day, you come home to be greeted by an empty house, the furnace empty so you have to eat your fish cold, sushi-style without the fixings. Just once, maybe it'd be nice to spend an evening with someone who can appreciate you for all the work you do?

Well, then today you might be pleasantly surprised! Why you ask?

In the Grand Opening of the Wither's Pleasure Lounge, we're giving away free one-night passes to spend with some of the best, most talented escorts we have to offer! So drop the pickaxe and shovel, take the nearest rail out to the balmy soulsand beaches of The Nether and swing by for a night of bliss.

The Lounge can be found at the corner of love and desire, parked in the middle of the famed Lurking Skree Nether Fortress. Take the Eastern Line from Nether Central for three stations, a swing by the Room of Devine Transportation and find the proper rail from there. Optionally, take the nearest TARDIS or Time Gate, our Experts are always available to help you along the way, give us a ring!

So, what's the catch you ask? There is none! Everyone that shows gets the best night we can offer, but first come first serve, get here quick.

When you arrive, your name goes in the queue and seated until you are called. Afterwards, you will be engrossed in a night of dancing, feasting, and a chance for quality time with the most talented Lady Withers we have, unless you prefer the manly Stud Withers, we cater to both. Just you and her, going rounds and having the night of your life, don't imagine it, drop by and EXPERIENCE the fun!

Now, our facility does have some rules (Although not many, you naughty miners ;) )

1: Please respect the privacy of the other patrons, no need to ruin their night of fun. (No naysaying, they don't know the glass is two-way, shh)
2: It's Mano-A-Mano, just you and the professional you are engaging with.
3: Clothing optional, want just simple iron? Fancy expensive gold and diamonds? ...Maybe you're into a little leather? Your choice! Can't say your partner will be wearing much though... ;)
4: Mmm 'toys' We'll leave that up to you as well, anything you think you might need to make the night the best it can be.
5: Friends? Leave 'em at home, although if you DO choose to bring someone, it's between you two who gets the rewards of the night.
6: Doors. Yep, they're locked from the outside! We want to make sure you get the privacy you deserve so no ins or outs after you're served.

What do you get out of this? Well, lemme just do a little checking of our assets...

1: Your partner, if you do your job and make them happy as well (I know they work here, but they deserve it right?) might reward you, keep this as a momento of your night!

2: Feeling a bit unsatisfied? We're sorry your night didn't go as expected, we try our best but things happen.. Take five blocks of the finest iron and our sincerest appology.

Afterwards, the floor will be open to all visitors to release their frustrations out on each other! Patrons will be expected to clean up their messes, however.


The shorter version:

I've built a new PvP arena (The Wither's Pleasure Lounge, or Wither Lounge), and in celebration I am giving opening night visitors a one-on-one chance at a wither. There are no rules, bring what you think you'll need. You can request help from a friend, and if they accept, they forfeit their chance at one-on-one and it's between you two who gets the nether star. All of the withers are legit, so they count for the achievement and you keep the spoils. I'm just saving you the hours of laboring to collect skulls.

You only get one shot at it, so if you fail, you get the consolation prize for trying of five iron blocks.

After everyone has had a go at a wither, the arena will be opened for PvP fights, the twist being that mob-spawns ARE allowed in the arena. Adds a little danger, player or pigman? Careful who you poke! Although I do NOT expect many things to spawn, as the caged in arena limits spawn-area size around the player (as I recall 16 block radius). As such, I'm going to allow DrCossack to run SpiderDome-ish spawns and stuff WHILE the players PvP. So keep your eyes peeled on players AND mobs.

Do note this was built in my nether fortress, and as such I implore you not to try to wander around and tear anything down, such as quartz and glowstone, without my permission.

If you need help getting there, finding your way to the arena, or getting home, simply ask. I will be glad to guide you through the place, albeit it's very simple.