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How to Play Minecraft Servers Together: A Comprehensive Guide

Playing Minecraft with friends is one of the game’s greatest strengths. Whether you’re building magnificent structures, battling hordes of mobs, or simply exploring vast landscapes, doing it together enhances the experience tenfold. But how exactly do you play on Minecraft servers together? It boils down to two main scenarios: joining an existing server or connecting multiple servers together. This article will break down both scenarios, covering everything from connecting to public servers to setting up a network of your own.

Joining Existing Minecraft Servers

The most common way to play Minecraft with others is by joining an existing server. These servers can range from small, private communities to massive, public hubs with thousands of players.

Finding a Server

The first step is finding a server that suits your interests. A simple web search for “Minecraft servers” will yield countless options. Consider what type of gameplay you enjoy: Survival, Creative, PvP (Player vs. Player), Roleplay, or Mini-Games. Many websites list servers by category, player count, and other relevant information.

Connecting to a Server

Once you’ve found a server, you’ll need its IP address (a numerical address like 192.168.1.1) or web address (a domain name like play.example.com). Here’s how to connect:

Launch Minecraft: Open your Minecraft game client.
Click “Multiplayer”: On the main menu, select the “Multiplayer” option.
Add Server: Click the “Add Server” button.
Enter Server Information:
- Server Name: Give the server a descriptive name so you can easily identify it later.
- Server Address: Enter the server’s IP address or web address. If a specific port number is required (often indicated after a colon in the address, like play.example.com:25565), include it after the address. The default port for Minecraft servers is 25565.
Click “Done”: Minecraft will attempt to connect to the server and display its status.
Join the Server: Select the server from the list and click “Join Server”.

Cross-Platform Play: Java vs. Bedrock

Before connecting, it’s crucial to understand the difference between the Java Edition and the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. Java Edition is the original version, primarily available for PC, Mac, and Linux. Bedrock Edition is a more optimized version designed for consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch), mobile devices (iOS, Android), and Windows 10 and above.

Unfortunately, Java and Bedrock editions are generally not cross-compatible. This means players on Java Edition typically cannot directly join Bedrock Edition servers, and vice versa. However, there are exceptions.

Using Geyser to Enable Crossplay

Geyser is a proxy that allows Minecraft: Bedrock Edition clients to join Minecraft: Java Edition servers. It essentially translates the Bedrock Edition’s protocol to the Java Edition protocol, enabling cross-platform play. If you’re running a Java server and want to allow Bedrock players to join, you’ll need to install Geyser as a plugin. Aternos, a free Minecraft server hosting provider, offers built-in support for Geyser.

Connecting Multiple Minecraft Servers

For more advanced users, connecting multiple Minecraft servers can create expansive and complex gameplay experiences. This allows you to create a network of interconnected worlds with different rulesets, themes, and challenges.

BungeeCord and Velocity: Server Proxies

The most common method for connecting multiple Minecraft servers is using a proxy server like BungeeCord or Velocity. These proxies act as a central hub, allowing players to seamlessly transition between different servers without having to disconnect and reconnect.

Setting up a Proxy Server

Install BungeeCord or Velocity: Download and install the proxy server software on a separate server (ideally, a dedicated server).
Configure the Proxy: Edit the proxy’s configuration file (usually config.yml) to define the connected servers. This involves specifying the IP addresses and ports of each server.
Configure Minecraft Servers: Modify the configuration files of your Minecraft servers (usually server.properties) to connect to the proxy server. Set the online-mode setting to false (this is necessary for BungeeCord/Velocity to handle player authentication) and specify the proxy’s IP address in the bungeecord setting.
Start the Proxy and Servers: Launch the proxy server first, followed by each of your Minecraft servers.

SRV Records: Simplifying Connections

To make it easier for players to connect to your server network, you can use SRV records. An SRV record is a DNS record that specifies the hostname and port number of a service. By creating SRV records, players can simply connect to a single domain name (e.g., play.example.com), and the SRV record will automatically direct them to the appropriate server and port.

LAN Connections: Connecting Without the Internet

If you want to connect two computers in a local area network (LAN) without an internet connection, you can simply plug an Ethernet cable between the two computers. Then, follow the standard connection steps, using the internal IP address of the host computer as the server address.

Utilizing reverse proxy like nginx

To run two servers on the same IP address, you can use a reverse proxy like nginx to forward requests to the appropriate internal server. You need to add an A DNS record for server1.example.com and server2.example.com pointing to your public address.

Conclusion

Playing Minecraft servers together opens up a world of possibilities, from collaborative building to competitive gameplay. Whether you’re joining a public server, creating your own private realm, or connecting multiple servers into a complex network, understanding the fundamentals of server connections is essential. Remember to consider the Java vs. Bedrock compatibility and explore options like Geyser to bridge the gap. And for those interested in the educational aspects of gaming, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I play Minecraft with friends on different platforms?

Generally, Java Edition and Bedrock Edition are not cross-compatible. However, using tools like Geyser, Bedrock players can join Java servers. All versions of Bedrock Edition are cross-compatible, allowing players on different consoles, mobile devices, and Windows 10 and above to play together.

2. How do I find the IP address of a Minecraft server?

The server administrator or owner will provide the IP address. It’s usually found on the server’s website, Discord server, or other communication channels.

3. Can I host two Minecraft servers on one computer?

Yes, you can host multiple Minecraft servers on one computer, but they must run on different ports to avoid conflicts. Using a proxy server like BungeeCord or Velocity is recommended for managing multiple servers.

4. How do I create a Minecraft server for two players?

You can create a local area network (LAN) server for two players. Launch Minecraft, create a new world (or open an existing one), press the Esc key, and click “Open to LAN”. Choose a game mode and click “Start LAN World”. The other player can then join your server from the “Multiplayer” menu.

5. Can I run multiple game servers (not just Minecraft) on one computer?

Yes, it’s possible to run multiple game servers on the same server host, depending on the game and the server’s resource requirements. Virtualization or containerization technologies can help isolate and manage different game servers.

6. Is Hypixel available on Bedrock Edition?

No, Hypixel is currently only available on the Java Edition of Minecraft.

7. Is Java or Bedrock Edition better?

It depends on your preferences. Bedrock Edition is better optimized and has cross-platform compatibility, while Java Edition is more mod-friendly and offers greater customization options.

8. Can I get Java Edition for free if I have Bedrock Edition?

Currently, if you own either Java or Bedrock Edition, you’ll receive the other for free. This is a combined offering from Mojang to unify the Minecraft experience.

9. How do I allow Bedrock players on my Java server?

Install the Geyser plugin on your Java server. This allows Bedrock players to connect using their Bedrock Edition client.

10. What are the benefits of using BungeeCord or Velocity?

BungeeCord and Velocity act as proxy servers, allowing players to seamlessly transition between multiple Minecraft servers without disconnecting. This creates a more cohesive and immersive gameplay experience.

11. What is an SRV record and how does it help with server connections?

An SRV record is a DNS record that specifies the hostname and port number of a service. It simplifies server connections by allowing players to connect to a single domain name, which then automatically directs them to the appropriate server and port.

12. How do I convert a Java Edition world to Bedrock Edition?

You can use third-party tools like Chunker to convert Java Edition worlds to Bedrock Edition. Upload the world folder to Chunker, choose a Bedrock Edition version to export to, and click “Convert & Download”.

13. Can Bedrock and Java players play together on Realms?

No, players on Minecraft: Java Edition cannot play on Bedrock Edition Realms, and vice versa. The two editions have separate Realms subscriptions that do not carry over between game versions.

14. How does the Games Learning Society relate to Minecraft?

The Games Learning Society, accessible at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, explores the intersection of games and education, including how games like Minecraft can be used for learning and skill development.

15. What is the difference between using a direct connection and adding a server in Minecraft?

“Direct Connection” allows you to quickly connect to a server by entering its address without saving it to your server list. “Add Server” saves the server information for future use, making it easier to reconnect later.

How do you play Minecraft servers together?