How Many People Can Play on a Minecraft World Together?
The question of how many people can play Minecraft together is a common one, and the answer, while straightforward, involves a few different factors. The simple answer is that a single multiplayer Minecraft game can host up to 30 players across all supported platforms. However, the practical number of players that can play together comfortably on a single world depends on several factors, including the type of server being used and the resources available.
Understanding Minecraft Multiplayer Options
Minecraft offers different ways for players to connect and play together. These options have varying player limits and features. Here’s a breakdown:
Realms
Realms are personal servers hosted by Mojang, designed for ease of use and convenience. There are two types of Realms:
- Realms: Allow you to play with up to two additional players, for a total of three players in the world.
- Realms Plus: Allow you to play with up to 10 additional players, for a total of 11 players in the world. This option also includes access to a catalog of Minecraft Marketplace content.
Realms are an ideal option for smaller groups of friends who want a private and reliable way to play together without the hassle of managing a server.
Self-Hosted Servers
For those looking for more flexibility and control, self-hosted servers are the way to go. These servers are run on your own computer or a rented server. The number of players these servers can handle largely depends on the server’s hardware specifications, specifically the RAM and CPU.
- As a rule of thumb, a Minecraft server application can support approximately 20 players per 1 GB of RAM.
- However, beyond about 200 players, the limiting factor becomes the CPU. A powerful processor is crucial for handling large numbers of players efficiently.
- The disk space required also increases with the number of players. Expect to need at least 2GB for 1-2 players, 18GB for 3-5 players, and 35GB or more for 6 or more players.
Self-hosted servers offer the greatest degree of customization but require some technical know-how to set up and maintain.
LAN Games
Playing over a Local Area Network (LAN) is another option, particularly for players in the same physical location. Minecraft doesn’t enforce a hard player limit for LAN games, but realistically, the number of players will be limited by the network’s capacity and the hardware of the hosting computer. Expect fewer limitations than Realms, but still not capable of the same large numbers as a powerful server.
Other Server Options
Beyond standard Java servers, various third-party server providers offer services that can host larger numbers of players, often with custom plugins and modifications. The player capacity of these servers can vary widely based on their particular setup and hardware.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Regardless of the method, Minecraft enables cross-platform play, meaning players on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices can all play together on the same server. It is important to note that some versions, specifically the Bedrock edition and Java edition are required to ensure cross-platform functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the number of players that can play Minecraft together:
1. Can two people play in the same Minecraft world?
Yes, absolutely. You can have two people playing in the same world using a LAN connection or a server, but they cannot use the same account simultaneously.
2. Can you play Minecraft with multiple people on the same computer?
No, you cannot play Minecraft with multiple people on the same computer with each person having full control of the actions, unless via split-screen functionality (specific to consoles). Each player requires their own device and game copy.
3. How do I add more than 5 players on Minecraft?
To have more than 5 players, you’ll need to use a Realms Plus subscription (for up to 10 additional players) or a self-hosted server. On a self-hosted server, you can increase the player cap by modifying the server.properties file, or using commands such as /setmaxplayers provided your server software allows it.
4. Can you play 5 players in Minecraft?
Yes. You can play with 5 players using a Realms Plus subscription, a self-hosted server, or on a LAN network, provided your system can handle the number of connections.
5. How many users can connect to a Minecraft server?
The number of users that can connect to a Minecraft server depends on the server’s resources. One server application can handle about 20 players per GB of RAM, and the CPU is the limiting factor past 200 players.
6. How big of a Minecraft server do I need?
Disk space: At least 2 GB for 1-2 players, 18 GB for 3-5 players, and 35 GB for more than 6 players. You will need to ensure the server has enough RAM and a capable CPU.
7. How many people can a server support?
In theory, a server can support a vast number of players. However, the practical number is usually determined by hardware and network capacity. Some estimates suggest that a 128GB server with appropriate processing power could manage 5 million concurrent entries. More realistically, a home server will only be capable of between 10-50 players max, whilst well maintained hosted servers can support 100s at once.
8. Can I share a Minecraft world with someone?
Yes, you can share a Minecraft world with others by using a Realms server, or by sharing the world save file. For Realms, you can use the invite link to easily allow players to join, providing they have the relevant edition of the game.
9. Is it possible to share a world on Minecraft?
Yes. Select Play, then the Edit button next to the Realm you want to invite a friend to. Click on the Members button, then the Share link button. Anyone with this link can join your Realm. Alternatively, you can transfer save files for offline gameplay.
10. Why can’t I play Minecraft multiplayer?
If you can’t play multiplayer, check your multiplayer settings within the game. You may need to manually enable the “Join multiplayer games” setting and ensure you have the correct version and edition of the game.
11. How much does a Minecraft server cost?
The cost of a Minecraft server varies based on the hosting provider and the specifications. Plans can range from around $6.99/month to $25.99/month, or more for larger servers with more resources. For those choosing a realm, the cost is fixed at $7.99/month for 10 player realm.
12. Can you host your own Minecraft server?
Yes, you can host your own server using your computer. However, you’ll need some technical understanding to set it up with Java and will need to use port forwarding and share your IP address. Only do this if you trust the individuals who have your IP address.
13. Do I need a dedicated IP for a Minecraft server?
You don’t necessarily need a dedicated IP address to play Minecraft, however, it can be beneficial for better gameplay if you are hosting the server.
14. Can you have 2 servers?
Yes, you can have multiple servers. This allows you to split the load across different systems or provide different game modes on each server.
15. How many people can play Minecraft on the same Xbox?
Up to four players can use split-screen on a single Xbox, and online co-op supports up to eight players, which can include combinations of split-screen players. The Xbox version uses the Bedrock Edition which is also important for cross-platform play.
Conclusion
Minecraft offers a variety of options for playing with friends, ranging from small groups on Realms to large communities on self-hosted servers. Understanding the capabilities of each type of server is key to creating the ideal multiplayer experience. Whether you’re just looking to play with a few friends or host a large community, Minecraft’s flexible multiplayer system ensures there’s a solution for everyone.