***Server Closed***

As of now the server is now permanently closed, thanks again to everyone who helped make the server such a great place to hang out over the last four and a half years!

See you around!

*** Server Closing - The End Of An Era ***

Apologies for my lack of posts over the last month, a couple of us decided to take a break and have a serious think about the future of DiggyMinecraft.

Basically, we feel that it has run it's natural course now and it's time to wrap things up. We didn't come to this decision lightly but we think it's the right one.

Back in January 2013 when we launched our first publicly advertised server we couldn't have imagined what would follow! For two years the server, running Tekkit Classic, thrived with over 1000 regular players at it's peak an an average of around 700 over it's lifetime, it was a lot of work but also a lot of fun! 

In November 2014 we launched the DiggyVerse modpack, which has also been around for over 2 years now, time goes so fast! Our playerbase was rapidly shrinking at that point due to the sudden surge of modpacks available, and sadly we struggled to keep the number of regular players over 100 or so. In February 2015 we closed the Tekkit Classic server to concentrate on DiggyVerse.

The memory requirements of more recent Minecraft versions is much higher, and as a result so are the costs of running a server. So with donations falling short, the playerbase continuing to shrink and the game changing so rapidly we switched to Vanilla Minecraft, based on player feedback, back in December last year.

Unfortunately we've quickly realised that the competition is just too high, with so many servers it's tough to stand out and retain players, every other server owner I know gave up some time ago. On top of that most of our long term players have now moved on to other things, including a couple of key staff members.

So, on Sunday 18th June 2017, almost four and a half years after we launched, the server will be shutdown permanently.

It's been a fantastic ride, I've improved my Java skills by writing over 11 million lines of code, I've improved my Photoshop skills by creating over 10000 custom textures in various resolutions, but most importantly I've had a ton of fun playing the game and meeting tons of awesome people!

I'll keep Discord open (though I'll be making some changes), do feel free to drop in and say hello! I'd also love to know about any future projects/servers you guys are involved in. I won't be playing Minecraft as much now but I will still be out there, some of you guys already know which other servers I play on so you'll still see me around from time to time!

It's been great and I'd like to thank every single one of the players who helped me out (especially donators), shared laughs, and made running the server fun over the last few years... but everything must come to an end eventually, see you around and all the best for the future.

~DiggyWig~ (John)

Down For Maintenance

As the server was quiet I've taken it down for maintenance as follows:

• Full backup.
• Update 6 plugins to latest version (minor bug fixes only) and test. 

This shouldn't take more than 40 minutes, as always I'll update here when done.

Update: The server is back up and players can now connect as normal!

Performance Tweaks & Anti-Hack

I made some performance tweaks this morning along with a couple of small changes to the anti-hack plugin, this should mean...

• Faster chunk loading / unloading.
• Less false positives for certain hack detection's.

Enjoy!

Spawners Have Returned To Loot Crates!

Thanks to the plugin developer Loot Crates now fully support mob spawners with custom data, in other words the ones that you can currently silk touch!

All four types (Spider/Cave Spider/Zombie/Skeleton) are now possible wins from the Legendary Loot Crate. What's more some items that used to be in Legendary are now in Rare, and some items that were in Rare are are now in Uncommon, making their prizes better than ever.

Enjoy!

Easter Crate Keys

Just a reminder that the Easter Loot Crate will only be around until midday tomorrow so you need to remember to use your keys before then... well, unless you want to wait until next year that is!

Also, all of the extra hidden Easter Eggs at spawn have now been discovered and claimed, congratulations to those who found them!

Down For Maintenance

As the server was quiet I've taken it down for maintenance as follows:

• Full backup.
• Update 4 plugins to latest version (minor bug fixes only) and test.

This shouldn't take more than 40 minutes, as always I'll update here when done.

Update: The server is back up and players can now connect as normal!

The Easter Event Has Arrived!

Have you checked out the Easter Helper at Spawn yet?

Help the bunnies to earn special Easter Loot Crate Keys...

And trade them for ore-some prizes to use or sell for a healthy profit!

The loot crate will only be around until midday Tuesday (UK time) so be sure to use any keys you earn before then!

Enjoy!

Modded Client 1.1.0 Released

This version includes four mod updates as follows:

• Custom Main Menu - 2.0.5 (was 2.0.3)
• Inventory Tweaks - 1.6.2+beta.84 (was 1.6.2-dev-77)
• Just Enough Items - 4.3.1.260 (was 4.2.7.240)
• Schematica - 1.7.8.161 (was 1.7.8.159)

The updates are mostly bug fixes, with a few minor performance tweaks etc.

Enjoy!

GameZone Makeover

As some of you know I'd been gradually giving the minigames a makeover over the last couple of weeks, I'm pretty much done now so let me know what you think of the changes.

Also, just in case anyone hadn't realised yet... you get a $1000 bonus the first time you complete each minigame! 

Never Loose Crate Keys Again!

I just applied some plugin updates, mostly just possible bug fixes but it has added one handy new feature...

Loot Crate Keys are now kept on death for players of all ranks, instead of dropping they are moved into the "Crate Claim" inventory and can be retrieved in the usual way, by doing: /crate claim

Enjoy!

Pay rises for all!

We've been taking a look at how long it takes players work up through the levels, and came to the conclusion that it needed to be more rewarding. So, I've made some major changes today...

• Starter pay for Jobs has been increased from $100 per hour to $200 per hour.
• Maximum pay (with 2 jobs at level 32) has been increased from just over $200 to $840.
• Maximum hourly experience has been increased by 50%.
• Maximum hourly points has been increased by 60%.

The changes mean that you shouldn't hit your limits as quickly and will be able to rank up a bit faster!

Enjoy!

Have You Checked Out Defiants Market?

Defiants market is our first and only player built and run marketplace...

It was originally built by DefiantTrekk but is now managed by PikaFrank!

Their's quite a few shops already, with a range of items available...

But also some plots still available and plenty of room for more to be added... 

Why not check it out today? 

And maybe even consider starting your own shop!

Visit the market using the public warp (/warp) and contact

PikaFrank in game if you're interested in starting a shop!

Spleef & Teleporting Llamas

Some players had been experiencing issues with the Spleef minigames and teleporting Llamas, I'm pleased to say that both these issues should now be fixed!

Enjoy!

Vote Reward Increase!

Based on player feedback the bonus for voting on all 5 sites has now been increased from $150 to $350, meaning that you can now earn a total of $600 every day just for voting!

Enjoy!

Down For Maintenance

As the server was quiet I've taken it down for maintenance as follows:

• Full backup.
• Update 5 plugins to latest version (minor bug fixes only) and test.

This shouldn't take more than 45 minutes, as always I'll update here when done.

Update: The server is back up and players can now connect as normal!

Introducing Player Vaults!

I finally finished testing a feature requested by a couple of players... Player Vaults!

Here's everything you need to know;

• Vaults are accessed using the command: /vault
• Players get a vault when they reach Citizen rank, with 52 slots of storage, increasing to;
• 104 slots at Master rank.
• 156 slots at Titan rank.
• Vaults can only be accessed in the main world.
• Vault contents are securely stored, separate from other data, making them very safe.

As they would never need to be reset due to corrupt player data, world resets etc the vaults are a great form of long term safe storage. As a bonus they also make for handy extra inventory space when working on large builds or even just mining!

Enjoy!

Minigames Have Arrived!

All the games are now enabled and I've updated the information at spawn!

The first time you win each game you'll be rewarded with $1000!

After that prizes are chosen randomly from a selection including

 Cookies, Emeralds & Diamonds!

Here's a little sneak peak at what's available...

PvP Arena

For 2-16 players. 

It's the standard last man standing style setup, kill everyone else before they kill you!

Desert Infection

For 4-16 players.

Players are divided into 'Infected' & 'Survivors', Infected players must kill the Survivors to win, but if they win instead! Remaining time is shown on your exp bar.

Fort CTF

For 4-16 players.

Players are divided into two teams, Red & Blue, each spawning in their own fort with a range of items and regenerating chests.

The aim is to capture your opponents flag by clicking the "Flag" signs in their fort and then returning it to your own fort and clicking the "Flag Capture" sign.

The first team to capture their opponents flag 5 times wins!

Race Run  (Biome Run & Danger Run)

Biome Run: 2 players.

Danger Run: 2-6 players.

Minigame fun without any PvP, it couldn't be simpler... get to the end first!

Spleef (Quick Spleef & MultiSpleef)

Both for 2-8 players.

Quick Spleef is a standard, single floor spleef arena, players start with a diamond shovel and must break the snow floor to make their opponents fall into the lava below! After around 60 seconds the floor starts to disappear, starting with the outer blocks and moving in towards the centre. 

Multi Spleef adds a couple of twists; 

• Players begin divided into pairs, each in a small room above the main arena.
• When players fall into the main arena they can break the snow above and below, meaning they can fight others on the same floor but also make players still in the smaller rooms fall.
• After around 60 seconds the floor randomly disappears one block at a time (both layers).

PvP is disabled for both spleef games so the only way to win is to make your opponent fall.

Thanks to everyone who helped with testing and suggesting tweaks, if you experience any issues or have suggestions please do let me know!

Enjoy!

Better Animal Teleportation!

I've just updated a couple of plugins, and although it was mostly for bug fixes the plugin we use for horse teleportation has had a major overhaul! Here's what's new;

• Pigs and Llamas are now fully supported and can also be teleported with you!

• As well as saddles & armor it now supports carpet, inventories etc, basically all the data to do with the animal is kept safe. 

• You will now receive a message if you try and teleport to a world where animals are not allowed to be teleported (End, Nether & Adventure).

I have not put any rank restrictions on this at all so this is available to everyone.

Enjoy!

PvP, Explorables & Minigames

As most of you have probably noticed some new signs have appeared at spawn...

The signs on the left clarify where PvP is allowed, and explain about the new explorable features being added to the new 'Adventure' world. Although only one explorable ("Deep Burn") is finished the next one should be ready soon. I know others have got ideas in the works too so I'm excited to see what you come up with!

A lot of new players have asked about a PvP arena so I've given that priority for now. 

As we've had some form of PvP/Minigame world since the early days of DiggyMinecraft I decided to go a bit further and bring back some old favourites that I had saved! Here's a little more info on what's coming...

• PvP Arena (2 to 16 players) - A completely new build inspired in part by a design I saw recently on a minigame server, it's pretty self explanatory.. last man standing wins! The build is complete and I'm really happy with how it turned out.
• Desert Infection (4 to 16 players) - This has been copied over from the old DiggyVerse GameWorld, although I've tweaked the design a little. Essentially a game of "tag" Infected players must catch the others to infect them, infect all the other players or survive until the time is up to win!
• CTF Fort (4 to 16 players) - This one is also copied over from the old DiggyVerse GameWorld, but has been had a complete makeover. I've added more detail to the build and added extra ways of defending/attacking your fort. For those who don't know CTF means Capture The Flag. Basically you need to get into the other teams fort, click a sign to steal their flag and return it to your fort without getting killed!
• Race Run (2 to 6 players) - The final minigame copied over from the old DiggyVerse GameWorld, it's had a couple of minor tweaks but has essentially been kept the same. With two courses to choose from it couldn't be simpler, first to the end wins!
• Spleef (2 to 8 players) - A completely new build, with two arenas to choose from, this is the last one being built and is already close to being finished. Use the shovel to break the snow and make the other player/s fall into the lava before you do, simple!

Although most of the building is done it takes a surprising amount of time to get the games fully set up so it will be at least a few more days. If you're interested in helping to test them be sure to be on the server this weekend (UK afternoon/evening time).