Multiplayer is the server-based version of Minecraft that enables multiple players to interact with each other on a single world, allowing them to work together to mine ores, build structures, and fight mobs (or each other), or to simply play together.
Gameplay[]
Bedrock Edition[]
Multiplayer works using a server, which allows players to play online or via a local area network with other people. There are various customization options that can be set by operators. These settings depend on the type of server and can create many different multiplayer experiences.
To change multiplayer settings in Bedrock Edition, the world owner has to go to the world settings while not in the world, then select the "Multiplayer" tab, and are then given some options.
The first option is "Multiplayer Game". This option allows world owners to decide who can join them over Wi-Fi, by selecting an option on the "Microsoft Account Settings" dropdown.
- If they select "Invite Only", only Xbox Live friends that are owner invites can join them.
- If they select "Friends Only", then only their friends on Xbox Live can join them.
- If they select "Friends of Friends", then the owner's Xbox Live friends and their Xbox Live friends can join. This is also the default option.
The second option is called "Visible to LAN Players", which allows anyone on the same local network or Wi-Fi network the owner is on to join them, regardless of if they are a friend of theirs or not. There can be a maximum of 5/8 players at a time in a world.
Java Edition[]
The disclaimer that appears in Java Edition when clicking onto the Multiplayer section from the main menu.
To enable multiplayer In Java Edition, the world owner has to first pause the game and press "Open to LAN", then the owner is then prompted some options:
- "Game Mode", which sets the gamemode of other players once they join the world for the first time. Once a player rejoins, they retain their previous gamemode even if the gamemode on join was changed.
- "Allow Cheats", which allows or denies other players access to cheats depending on the selected option. Once a player rejoins, they wont retain their cheats permissions unless enabled again.
Once the world is opened to the LAN, players on the same local network or Wi-Fi network as the world owner can join by going to the multiplayer section. Players who are going to join over Wi-Fi must do the following:
- Add a server/Use Direct Connect.
- Enter the IPv4 address of the world owner into the server address, followed by a colon.
- Enter the port of the world that was given upon opening the world to LAN.
- Ensure that there are no spaces in the address, then join!
An important thing to note is that a Wi-Fi router Firewall/Computer Firewall can block you from joining/having others join your world. Ensure that no firewalls stop any incoming connections, though beware of the risks.
Differences from single-player[]
Once making the world multiplayer, some differences are noticeable, with one being that game mechanisms don't stop working if the player pauses the game. For example, if the player has items being smelted in a furnace, pressing ESC does not stop the smelting process.
Gameplay in Minecraft is generally the same in both single-player and multiplayer, with some notable differences. Multiplayer has more of an emphasis on community and collaboration between players, which is assisted by the multiplayer chat function. Multiplayer allows for the player to build contraptions that are intended for multiple players. In addition, there are many adventure maps and mini-games in which multiple players are required.
Video[]
History[]
| Java Edition Classic | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0.12a | May 18, 2009 | Began work on the implementation of multiplayer. | |||
| 0.0.15a (Multiplayer Test 1) | Multiplayer is first tested. | ||||
| 0.0.15a (Multiplayer Test 3) | Added commands for admins such as /kick, /ban, and /fly. | ||||
| 0.0.15a (Multiplayer Test 4) | Players' names now shows above their heads. | ||||
| 0.0.15a (Multiplayer Test 5) | Chat has been added. | ||||
| 0.0.16a | Reduced bandwidth usage. | ||||
| Multiplayer released after many beta trials. | |||||
| 0.0.17a | Players can now see the chat log when typing. | ||||
| Added the ability to see the list of players logged in by pressing Tab ↹. | |||||
| Custom player skin test. | |||||
| 0.0.18a | Custom skins released. | ||||
| 0.0.18a_01 | Added support in chat for characters |, @, and $. | ||||
| 0.0.23a | Clicking a player's name under the Tab menu pastes their nickname into the chat. | ||||
| Java Edition Alpha | |||||
| v1.0.10 | Mojang hosts a private Survival multiplayer server, only way the player can get in is a private invite. | ||||
| v1.0.12 | Survival multiplayer testing begins. | ||||
| v1.0.15 | Survival multiplayer is released. | ||||
| v1.0.16 | Added ban, pardon, ban-ip, pardon-ip, op and deop commands. | ||||
| Added server operators. | |||||
| v1.0.16_01 | Added tp <player1> <player2>, save-all, save-off and save-on commands. | ||||
| v1.0.16_02 | Added tell and list commands. | ||||
| Operators can now build in the spawn area. | |||||
| The server logs what admin does what, and broadcasts any admin events to all connected ops. | |||||
| /save-off now works. | |||||
| v1.0.17 | Chickens, pigs and slimes can now spawn. | ||||
| The daylight cycle now works. | |||||
| v1.1.0 | Chests, Signs and Furnaces now work. | ||||
| v1.2.1 | Music now plays in multiplayer. | ||||
| v1.2.2 | Vehicles are now functional. | ||||
| v1.2.3 | Health and damage now functional. | ||||
| v1.2.3_05 | Other players are shown as sneaking when they are sneaking. | ||||
| Names of sneaking players are now fainter and visible at shorter distances, and are not visible through solid blocks. | |||||
| Java Edition Beta | |||||
| 1.0 | Inventory is now server-side (fixes disappearing items and duplication as a result). | ||||
| 1.2 | Worn armor is now visible on other players. | ||||
| Paintings now work. | |||||
| 1.3 | Players standing on fences no longer get stuck. | ||||
| 1.4 | "Ghost" client-sided slimes no longer spawn. | ||||
| 1.5 | Wolves no longer constantly whimper when they have full health. | ||||
| 1.6 | Test Build 3 | The Nether now works in multiplayer. | |||
| Dispensers now emit smoke and play sounds when used. | |||||
| Fixed fake client-sided music discs spawned when ejecting them from a jukebox. | |||||
New settings in Server.properties: view-distance and allow-nether. | |||||
| 1.7.3 | Modded clients may no longer edit text of placed signs. | ||||
| 1.8 | Pre-release | Ghast attack sounds in multiplayer fixed. | |||
| Java Edition | |||||
| 1.0.1 | release | Fixed "Invalid server key" error when attempting to log into server. | |||
| Fixed "Null pointer exception" error when logging into server. | |||||
| 1.1 | 11w49a | Corrected a setTileEntity multiplayer bug. | |||
| ? | It was possible to enter colored text in multiplayer chat. | ||||
| 1.2.1 | 12w06a | It is no longer possible to enter colored text in multiplayer's chat with the vanilla client. | |||
| Monster spawners now show the correct mob inside them. | |||||
| Mob hitboxes were fixed (it is now possible to hit their legs). | |||||
| 1.2.4 | Chat was greatly improved. There is now a chat history, it is now possible to complete usernames using the Tab ↹ key, and it is now possible to copy-paste text. | ||||
| 1.3.1 | 12w23a | Players can now see the cracking effect when other players mine blocks. | |||
| Multiplayer now scans for local games. | |||||
| 1.8 | 14w02a | Improved chat communication. | |||
| Messages are now either chat, system or action bar messages. | |||||
| Action bar messages are always shown, chat and system messages are only shown if chat settings are configured that way. | |||||
| Some instances of usernames in the chat do now show the player's UUID when hovered on when debug tooltips are enabled. | |||||
| 1.9 | 15w43a | Chat supports for Chinese, Japanese and Korean, and probably other IME entered languages. | |||
| 1.11 | 16w38a | Chat messages can now be 256 characters long instead of 100. | |||
| 1.12 | 17w13a | Added the narrator, which can read chat messages aloud. | |||
| 17w15a | Added a toast notification for toggling the narrator. | ||||
| The narrator now has four settings: "off", "all", "chat", and "system". | |||||
| 17w18b | Made the narrator work on nearly all systems (Linux requires Flite for it to work). | ||||
| 1.16 | 20w15a | Chat line spacing can be adjusted. | |||
| A chat delay can be set between 0 (default) and 6 seconds. | |||||
| New Nintendo 3DS Edition | |||||
| 1.4.23 | Added support for 2-player multiplayer using Local Play. | ||||
Issues[]
Issues relating to "Multiplayer" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.
Gallery[]
Notch testing multiplayer.
Early multiplayer.
Early multiplayer.
Early multiplayer.
Some people building on a server.
Some people mining on a server.
Some people fighting on a server.
Numerous players on a Pocket Edition server.
Banned from a Minecraft server.
Two players in a cave.
Two players in boats.
See also[]
References[]