[Tutorial] Creating a Server Network

Ever wanted to create a game network similar to Shotbow, McPVP, or Minecade? Well, let's get this straight, they've all worked hard to get where they are, and all three of those examples have their own developers, either self or employed. Here are a few tips and ideas to help you work toward being the owner of a server network.

Step 1:Brainstorm Ideas
It's a heck of a lot easier to just say, "Hey, you know what, I feel like creating a network of servers that are linked with each other.", than to actually do it. Before you get started, you need to know what you're doing, and how you're doing to do it.

Think to yourself, these following questions:
"Am I able to commit my time to a series of Minecraft servers, and have them maintained?"
"Do I have the computer hardware or funding to do this?"
"Do I have the time and commitment to programming Bukkit plugins (if you're a dev) for the servers? Or can I afford to hire somebody to do it for me?"

Along with this, later on down the road, you might consider how you're going to advertise the network, for example. Who's going to create the art, videos, maps, and most importantly, who will you chose to moderate these servers?

Step 2: Evaluate the Possibilities
There's a pretty big chance that you're going to fail on something. It's not easy to run a network by yourself. If you've failed, you know that you answered no to one or more of the questions above. This step involves asking yourself, "Can I get back up and try again? Or am I just not fit for it?".

Also, make sure you keep organized with all the ideas and blueprints you may have, this is a very important part of the process.

Step 3: Make an Official Plan
By now, you know that you are capable of creating a network, and you now want to work toward the reality goal. If you've answered no to any of the questions in Step 1, you should not be at this part.

Now is the time to stop answering the questions you have for yourself, and stop thinking of ideas. You need to find a time in which you can pull all the ideas together, into organized steps, and record what you'll be doing in order to achieve each goal on your list. Here are some things to consider putting on your list:

- Hire a Bukkit developer and/or website developer.
- Have the ideas for the plugins worked on.
- Purchase hosting for the servers or allocate hosting for them.
- Get a reliable MySQL server or other database.
- Find a group of staff members or other people to assist you with the project.

Step 4: Act on the Decisions
Okay, you've made it this far. I'm proud of you, wait, I probably don't even know that you've made it this far. Either way, you did it, want a cookie now or later?

This is the most important part of the process. This is where you'll need to keep a good communication between your staff, developers, and other helpers. Communication is always key to doing anything that requires more than one person.

In this step, make sure that you are ready to start hosting, not publicly yet.

TIP:
If you're starting a business or LLC (limited liability company), you'll need to follow the next Steps to cover all the legal stuff.

Step 5: The Official and Legal Stuff
If you're planning on creating a massive server network, or even, for that matter, selling any items or goods on your servers, you'll need to make sure that they are secure, functional, and easy to use. If you don't plan on creating a self-operated payment system, I'd recommend using BuyCraft or Enjin's DonationCraft. They both work great with PayPal and multiple other payment gateways. Don't be lazy and make the donation pages look sloppy. You need to appeal to the person who is buying your product, this means to use good grammar and be creative. Here is an example of a horrible webstore item:

Yet, here is an example of a good webstore item:

The most important part about selling goods or services on your network is that you do need to establish a webstore agreement or terms of service agreement. Not doing so will end up landing you in a lawsuit should one of your customers complain about a product. A great example of a good legal agreement can be found online.

On the other hand, make sure your website is up to date, and not too shabby. Use a genuine domain (www.example.com) instead of (mynetwork.webs.com).

Step 6: Setting up the Network
Doing this at least requires you to have some knowledge of PHP, Java, and/or JavaScript. If you're completely illiterate in web development, make sure someone you know or have paid does this for you. You'll need to set up your donations system, staff list, and servers themselves.

If you don't plan on creating your own custom proxy (aintnobodygottimefordat.gif), use BungeeCord, it's very useful.

Make sure you've got a reliable connection from your host or self computer(s) depending on how you host the servers. It's a good idea to have a global banning system and and global announcement system. For bans, I'd recommend Frostcast's BanManagement or BanHammer.

Do permissions work across your servers? Decide how you want this to work. Did you know PermissionsEx has a SQL counterpart that is great for syncing ranks and permissions across servers? I would not recommend using any other permissions system other than PermissionsEx or bPerms.

Make sure your staff members and team members know what they're supposed to be doing, and how they are supposed to do it. This includes telling your developers what updates you want performed, and giving your staff an instructions manual, for example. If you are a developer yourself that is creating and maintaining the plugins, tell yourself what updates you want (but for the sake of all that is good, don't reply).

Step 7: Grand Opening
Your server may seem to have very few people at first, so try to make a Hub for them to stay occupied while there is server downtime. The Hub should be a separate server that has at least 98% uptime so that announcements can be read to players in case of major updates or crashes.

Listen to your players' opinions and ideas, don't forget to show them that they are truly an important part of your network. Simplicity and flow makes a server network go far.

Step 8: Don't Back Down, Keep Going!
If the going gets tough, keep on going! Keep on updating your server, adding new servers and new features, make enough money to get by, and maybe even enough to support the network with new features!

I hope you've enjoyed this guide. I am going through this process myself (as I'm working on a future network of servers). Disclaimer: I do not take responsibility for any acts of violence or stupidity performed if you choose to use this guide. It's my personal opinion.

 

Don't forget Rails for the website <3

 

chris4315
I don't really see how this is an useful resource for developers, though. This is more like a tutorial for wannabe server network owners.

 

LilyPad > BungeeCord

 

I've only ever heard of BungeeCord, do you mind linking to LilyPad?

 

This gives me hope that I can own a legit, respectable server network. I've read many guides, obtained a lot of advice, and heard a lot of dream-crushing hate when I say: One day, my network is going to be overall bigger and better than TheHive, Shotbow, Minecade, et al. It's a big dream. It's a long shot too, but it's my dream, and right now dreams are the only thing keeping me alive. I'm not in a good place lately.

 

Great guide!
*bump*

 

This should be in resources.

 

Except this is a bit outdated. Also, selling in-game items goes against the EULA.

Here are some points to read about this.

https://mojang.com/2014/06/lets-talk-server-monetisation/
https://mojang.com/2014/06/lets-talk-server-monetisation-the-follow-up-qa/