Minecraft is a game with simple graphics and a block-like appearance. Aside from the gameplay arguing with physics, Minecraft also has a very unrealistic look. This style is very popular and many gamers love it! However, it’s not for everyone. Since Minecraft is highly moddable, there exist many different types of texture packs that can alter how your game looks while you play.

In 1-week Minecraft coding camps, we explore coding in Minecraft with Redstone, an element used for mechanical and electrical programming. Kids and teens can build their own game to add texture packs to. Eventually, they can even code their own texture packs.

What are Minecraft texture packs?

Minecraft texture packs are a collection of files that change the visuals of blocks in Minecraft. These blocks range from building materials, items, mobs, and anything else that you can see in your game. Without getting too technical, by default, Minecraft has a native resolution of 16×16 pixels. Texture packs can increase them up to 1024×1024, which has 4,906 times the number of pixels as native!

Note: you may hear the term resource pack in place of texture packs. While resource packs provide new textures for your gameplay, they also provide other game features such as music, sound effects, particle effects, and text. Resource packs are only available in Java Edition 1.6.1 and higher. In this article, anytime you see the words “texture pack”, you can safely replace them with “resource pack”.

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Minecraft shaders and texture packs

Now that you know what texture packs are, you may feel like your game may benefit from using them and it’s all you need to have a better gaming experience. And you may be right! Or, if you’re like many other gamers, you still want more after adding the upgraded graphics. While texture packs are great at giving your entire gameplay a new and improved look, shaders can increase the aesthetics even further. Many gamers opt to add texture packs and shaders to their game.

Unlike texture packs, shaders focus on the lighting of your game. The use of shaders can create a very realistic atmosphere and sky, dramatic shadows, and water that looks like you could jump right in. Similar to texture packs, shaders can be CPU-intensive, so you may need to try out a handful to get the best ones that work on your machine.

While shaders and texture packs can both be used by themselves, it’s highly recommended that you download Optifine to take advantage of all the features that some packs have to offer. 

Where to download Minecraft texture packs?

Now that you’re ready to try out texture packs, where can you get them? Like most things with Minecraft, it depends on the version of Minecraft you are using. If you’re using Minecraft Java Edition or Windows 10 Edition on a computer, you will need to go to the developer’s website that created the texture pack and download it directly.

If you are using one of the legacy console editions, such as Minecraft: PS4 Edition, Minecraft: Xbox One Edition, or Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition then you will need to purchase texture packs directly from the respective stores on the console. 

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How much are Minecraft texture packs?

The price of texture packs is also dependent on the edition. If you are using one of the legacy console editions, then texture packs are usually around $2.99 USD. However, if you download the texture packs yourself, such as in the case of Minecraft Java Edition, then texture packs are free!

How to make your own Minecraft texture packs

While installing texture packs that have been created by someone else is great, sometimes they lack the exact look you’re searching for. If that’s the case, you may be interested in creating your own texture packs. Creating your own texture packs is beyond the scope of this article, but if you’re interested we highly suggest going to Gampedia and reading up on it. 

It does take a bit more technical skills than purely installing texture packs, but if you’re familiar with text editors and simple design using Photoshop or equivalent then you should be able to learn to create your own textures fairly quickly. Once you are finished creating your texture asset files, you can compress them into their own zip file and drop them in the resourcepacks folder of your game. 

Top 5 Minecraft texture packs

There are too many texture packs for you to try all by yourself. While having a plethora of options isn’t a terrible thing, it can be difficult to choose a great texture pack. We created a list of the top 5 most downloaded texture packs from Planet Minecraft.

1. LB Photo Realism Pack 256×256 Version 10.0.0 

LB Photo Realism is a texture pack that’s nearly as old as Minecraft itself so it’s no surprise that it will have the most downloads. Currently, at over 2.5 million downloads from Planet Minecraft alone, LB Photo Realism aims to make Minecraft more realistic, as if the name didn’t give it away. There are many resolutions of this texture pack so you can find one that your computer can easily run. Adding the right shaders and the Wild Grass mod can also give biomes their own unique plants that are realistic and help give your environment that extra spark.

2. Sphax PureBDCraft x128

Another decade old texture pack is Sphax PureBDCraft. Unlike LB Photo Realism, Sphax PureBDCraft aims to give Minecraft a comic-like look. This is preferable to many gamers since even with realism texture packs, it’s nearly impossible to give Minecraft a very realistic look. Even though it’s a cartoony texture pack, there are resolutions from 16×16 to 512×512 that all give you high-definition textures. This pack also has many optional add-ons such as multiple 3D items and blocks, an advanced tech add-on to give your redstone technology a new look, an add-on to connect blocks for smoother transitions, and even an add-on to allow you to customize your own textures for specific blocks. 

3. oCd Texture Pack

If you have obsessive compulsive disorder then the oCd Texture Pack should be the first texture pack that you download. Even if you don’t have OCD, it’s worth trying out since it’s a beautiful pack that provides a clean and minimalist look. This ordered pack lacks extra noise and harsh colors with all textures having an even spacing. It’s a great resource pack as well for someone who doesn’t have a high-end machine that can run high-resolution texture packs without lag. Even though there is only a 16×16 resolution offered at this time you won’t feel the need for more pixels.

4. Default 3D

Another pack with over 2 million downloads from Planet Minecraft, Default 3D is easily rising up the charts. It’s a few years older than both LB Photo Realism and Sphax PurecBDCraft, yet has nearly as many downloads. This pack is great because there are different versions based on the specifications of your machine. If you have a lower-end machine you may opt for the Default 3D Low. These texture’s give you smooth edges with connecting faces of models that appear seamless. If you have a higher-end machine you’d want to go with Default 3D High. It includes all block and item modifications with eye-pleasing texture without leaving out specific blocks like it’s Low version does. If you’re looking for something in between, you can try out the Default 3D Medium.

5. Modern HD Pack

If you’re a fan of the modern look, then the Modern HD Pack should fit your needs. This pack gives every block in the game a new look while also adding new items, mobs, and font. If you’re trying to build cities, schools, and skyscrapers then this pack provides you with all the tools you need. There are also updates to underwater that can add corals and kelp to make swimming a bit more of an experience. With a resolution of 64×64 most computers should be able to run this pack without trouble.

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The Best Minecraft Texture Packs

Now that you know how to install texture packs which ones should you go for? There is an endless supply that you can find online, and we are positive that you can find something that fits your style. However, we have a handful of options that we recommend you give a try.

• X-ray Minecraft texture pack
• HD Minecraft texture packs
• Realistic Minecraft texture packs 
• 3D Minecraft texture pack
• 4096×4096 Minecraft texture pack

X-ray Minecraft texture pack

The X-Ray Ultimate Resource Pack has a very unique style. In fact, after everything we’ve explained to you about texture packs enhancing the visual aspects of your game, the X-Ray Ultimate Resource Pack does the opposite! 

When you first install it, you may think it looks terrible and broken, however, understanding what it does is where it really shines. It makes most blocks transparent so you can’t see them, but it highlights important blocks for you. You can easily see lava, mobs, and ores exactly where they are in the world. This can help your mining and resource collection while staying safe. This is a great pack to have in your resource folder that you can toggle off and on when you feel a need for it.

HD Minecraft texture packs

HD texture packs come in all shapes and sizes from cartoony to realism but offer a “high-definition” set of textures. In fact, the HD stands for high-definition. 

Unlike the X-Ray Ultimate Resource Pack, HD texture packs are often elegant, charming, and pleasing to look at. They allow players to build creative structures and large cities where each building or block has its own character. You can easily build a castle down the street from a modern hospital if you so choose. One really popular HD pack the Serene HD Resource Pack. 

Realistic Minecraft texture packs 

As the name implies, realistic texture packs focus on making each block in Minecraft looking more realistic. If you’re not a fan of cartoony texture packs then realism is the way to go. 

Each block has a high level of detail with a lower color palette to help represent the real world. Realism texture packs benefit dramatically with a higher resolution, so it’s recommended you have impressive hardware to help your game run smoothly. A highly recommended realism texture pack is CMR Extreme Realistic Resource Pack. 

3D Minecraft texture pack

Minecraft is definitely a 3-dimensional game. However, if you look at each block closely, you’ll notice that most of them do not have any 3D effects. Each block consists of six-sides of 2D textures. 3D texture packs try to alleviate this issue. 

In 3D texture packs, blocks are created with attractive textures that give a depth-effect. This can give your game an authentic feel to make you think twice about where you take your next step in the game. A great pack that achieves this very well (although, it’s not complete yet) is Slight Depth Resource Pack.

4096×4096 Minecraft texture pack

While 4k texture packs are not common at the moment, it’s something many Minecraft players are waiting for. There are a few people who have made some of these packs for the novelty, but they will take an extremely high-end computer to run that most people do not have. It can also be very difficult to find these packs that can run on the newest version of Minecraft. Although these very high-definition resource and texture packs are not viable at the time of this writing, they are something we are all looking forward to in the future. With the way technology grows every day we don’t believe we are that far away from everyone having their own opportunity of running Minecraft in 4k.

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Enjoy your textured Minecraft experience!

You now have the skills to edit how your own Minecraft game looks. Adding new textures to your game can really help Minecraft feel like a brand new game again. If you want to go straight medieval then, there is a texture pack for it. If you want to act like you’re playing the old NES, then there is a texture pack for it. If you want a frightening atmosphere then, you guessed it, there is a texture pack for it.

You can read our article on how to install Minecraft mods to add even more features.

Kids and teens can also join a Minecraft coding camp this summer to learn about programming with Redstone. It’s a fun and engaging way to personalize your Minecraft experience while gaining a valuable life skill.

The post Best Minecraft Texture Packs appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft is a very popular game that allows you to play alone or with friends. If you want to play with friends, though, you’ll need to play on the same server. You can set up your own server at home, but this can prove challenging for some people. 

Running a server from your home not only requires specific hardware dedicated to keeping your server running, but it also exposes you to network vulnerabilities and server management challenges that you must consider. 

If you want your own server, but lack the hardware and/or don’t want the challenges that come with it running your own, consider using a third-party server hosting company to handle that for you.

Please note: We recommend getting a parent’s permission before setting up a new server. You will need a credit card to complete this tutorial. Only share your server IP with known, trusted contacts.

Requirements

• A PC capable of running Minecraft (Chromebook requires Linux setup)
• Your Minecraft username/password
• Minecraft Java Edition or Minecraft Bedrock Edition (version is depending on which server settings you choose)
• A credit card

There is currently no cross-platform interaction between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. This means if you’re using Java Edition on your PC you will not be able to play with your friends on the Xbox, Playstation, or Switch. If you want to allow for crossplay between PC and Xbox then you will need to specify the Minecraft edition as Bedrock Edition when setting up your server.

What is a Minecraft Server Hosting Company?

A Minecraft server hosting company allows you to run and manage your own server with as little work as possible. These companies use their own hardware, so you don’t need your own dedicated computer to run it and it can take as little as five minutes to set up. 

Benefits of Using Server Hosting

• DDoS protection – DDoS (or distributed denial-of-service) are attacks that flood your network in order to slow or crash your server
• Automatic backups – ever afraid of losing everything you have built in Minecraft? Backups help prevent this and many hosting companies offer this service
• 24/7 support – Sometimes trying to run your own server will bring along unexpected problems. You’ll have professionals who can help handle those problems for you every hour of the day
• No hardware needed – One of the drawbacks of hosting your own server is needing the hardware to support it. Hosting companies use their own hardware so you don’t need anything!

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Things to Consider Before Choosing a 3rd Party Minecraft Server Host

At this point you’re probably thinking, why would I ever want to run my own server when I could have someone else run it for me? And that’s a fair question! 

The number one thing that prevents people from using a third-party is because it costs money. 

Usually, you’ll pay a monthly fee, but some companies will offer a discount depending on how many months you pay for at one time. The price can also vary depending on who you use and what package you decide on. We will get into more details on packages shortly. The good news is, you can pay as little as $5.00 a month for something that may be suitable for you.

Most Popular Minecraft Server Hosting Providers

If you Google “Best Minecraft Server Hosting Provider” you’ll find a lot of articles with many different choices to choose from. You’ll often see recommendations for:

1. Apex Server Hosting
2. Hostinger
3. Shockbyte
4. HeavyNode
5. BloomHost

While they are different companies, they all offer to host a server for you. This article focuses on one of our favorite hosting companies, Apex Server Hosting, because of their low-price, easy and quick set-up, and 24/7 technical support.  

Steps for Creating a 3rd Party Minecraft Server

1. Select a Pricing Plan

Go to https://apexminecrafthosting.com/pricing/ and pick the plan you want. You can always upgrade your plan later, so we recommend starting with a lower price and only upgrading when you need to.

2. Order and Specify Minecraft Version

After clicking on “Order Now” you’ll have the option to fill out your Minecraft username if you have one. 

If you are playing Minecraft on the console (such as the Xbox) then you may not have a Minecraft username. You can either fill in your Microsoft Account name or leave it blank. 

The second section, while optional, is recommended because it gives you your own domain so your friends can get to your server easier. Remember this optional domain name for logging onto your server later! If you want, you can add a dedicated IP as well as some additional support here, but it’s not necessary.

You can choose any server version that you’d like, however, we recommend using the latest version of Minecraft that is currently out. 

Note: This is also the step where you specify which Minecraft Edition you want your server to be hosted on. If you are looking for the Bedrock edition, scroll down until you see “Bedrock Dedicated Server” under “Server Version”. 

3. Select the Server Location Closest to You

One of the most important parts here is the “Server Location” section. Have you ever connected to WIFI in your home only to see it struggle to connect the farther away you get? A server works the same way. 

You want the server to be hosted as close to you as possible, so make sure you read through your options. Apex offers a free “ping” that you can test each server with if you’re unsure which location is the closest. You want the lowest number you can get for a more satisfying gameplay experience.

4. Continue Past Support Options

The last section of this screen gives you options to enhance your support. Each option is optional and not necessary. We recommend not opting in at the beginning while you are still learning how to set up your first server. In the future once you have a better understanding of how Apex server’s work you may choose to go back and purchase these. For now, click the “Continue” button to move onto the next step.

5. Complete Checkout and Payment

The last two sections will allow you to complete your checkout and make your payment. Note, you must be at least 18 years old to finalize everything. So, if you’re under that age please get a parent to help you. When you finish you should see a confirmation message that looks like this.

6. Receive Confirmation Email with Login

Go ahead and check your email! You should see a confirmation email with some login information.

7. Your Server is Running! 

And that’s it! You now have a running server! Don’t believe me? Test it yourself!

Testing and Logging Into Your Server

1. Open up Minecraft and verify you have the same version installed as the server type you created above. If not, download the correct version. You can verify which version of Minecraft you have installed by looking at the Minecraft launch screen.

2. After clicking “Play”, click the multiplayer section. You may see a popup that alerts you about using “Third-Party Online Play”. This just means Minecraft is not responsible for what goes on in the server. Read the text, and click “proceed”.

3. On this screen, you’ll see a list of all servers you’ve added, or an empty list if you haven’t added any yet. Go ahead and click “Add Server”. We are almost done!

4. You have two options on how this next part is done. First of all, you’ll need to give your server a name. This can be anything you want. It’s for your eyes only. The “Server Address” is the important part. Remember the “Optional Domain” that you checked off when purchasing a subscription? You can just type that into ‘Server Address’. It should be something like yourusername.apexmc.co. If you didn’t get the optional domain, just add the IP address that was given to you in your email. 

5. Congratulations! That’s all you need to do. You should be able to see your server listed. If you want anyone to join your game, you just need to tell them to download the same version of Minecraft as you as well as provide them with your ‘Server Address’. 

What Can You Do With Your Own Server?

Now that you have your own server, what can you do with it? Quite a bit, actually. Check your email one more time and search for the email we looked at earlier. Click the “Panel Login” button and let’s discuss some powerful tools Apex gives us to manage our server. 

1. Turn Your Server On and Off

First things first, although nothing fancy, is being able to turn off your server and restart it in case there is ever an issue. You can do this by clicking these buttons on the home page. Note that if you stop your server, it will kick everyone off who is online, including you!

2. See Players On Your Server

Next, if you scroll to the bottom, you can see a list of players that are currently playing your server.

3. Send Server Messages & Kick Players

Take a look at the sidebar to the left. Click on “Chat” at the very top. Here you can send server messages for all players to see as well as see messages that they send! You can also kick players from your server on this screen if you feel the need.

4. View Your Server Console

Clicking on the “Console” tab gives you a lot of information about your server and its settings. You probably won’t use this section too often.

5. View Available Plugins

The “Plugin List” gives you many options to choose from that can all be included in your server. Just select the one you want, then click “Install”.

6. Use and Write Commands

Click on the “Commands” tab and you can see a list of commands you can perform as well as who can use them. You can even write your own commands here!

Enjoy Your 3rd Party Multiplayer Minecraft Server

We encourage you to play around with different server settings and see what you like. Just remember, the edits you make will most likely affect everyone playing on your server, so you want to make changes that everyone likes. Once you get your own server running, give us a shout out on our Discord Channel and we can come visit you!

We’d also love for you to come and hang out with us on our Minecraft server! Our subdomain (server address) is mc.codewizardshq.com. You can also attach your Discord to our server for a couple of extra benefits. To do this you will have to verify your information by sending a direct message to CWHQ Minecraft Server#9605 on Discord and linking your CWHQ account using the pin code provided. Here are some things that we have going on currently in our server.

The post How to Make A Minecraft Server Using Server Hosting appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft is a popular sandbox game for many reasons, but the biggest reason is because of the ability to play with other people.  

To play online with your friends, you will need to set up a Minecraft server that you can both connect to. In our Minecraft coding camps, every class has its own server to customize and play in.

I’ll show you how to easily make your own Minecraft server and start playing with friends today!

Please note: We recommend getting a parent’s permission before setting up a Minecraft server. Parts of this tutorial can cause security risks, you should have a parent with you and do not download anything extra.

What is a Minecraft Server?

A Minecraft server allows multiple people to play together in the same Minecraft world. Having your own server means you and your friends get to create an entire world from the ground up. You’ll have full control over in-game features and the back-end commands.

Can you make a Minecraft server for free?

Yes, using your computer you can make a free multiplayer Minecraft server for yourself and your friends. Use the steps to setup a Minecraft server using Java. To play Minecraft with friends, you’ll need to set up port forwarding and share your IP address (Warning: only give your IP address to trusted individuals). When you make your own server you will only pay what it costs to keep your computer running. 

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Steps for Creating a Minecraft Server

1. Download the Latest Version of Java
2. Download the Server.jar File
3. Create Your Server Configuration Files
4. Run Your Server
5. Set Up Port Forwarding
6. Configuring Server Properties

1. Download the Latest Version of Java

Let’s begin making our own Minecraft server. 

Create a new folder that will hold all of our server downloads. In our examples, we will be placing everything inside a folder called “My Awesome Server” directly on the desktop. To create a new folder:

• right-click on any open space on your desktop 
• click “New Folder”
• rename the folder “My Awesome Server”

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If you don’t have the latest version of Java, download it. That link should take you to the right Java download regardless of if you are using a Mac or PC.

• Visit https://www.java.com/en/download/
• Click “Download Java” to start downloading the installer.
• Add the Java installer to the folder you created in the previous step. 
• Once downloaded, double-click the installer file and follow along with the prompts.

2. Download the Server.jar File

Now you should have the latest version of Java. Next, you need to download the server.jar file. 

• Visit https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server
• Download minecraft_server.1.21.5.jar
• Save the file into the “My Awesome Server” folder
• Run the .jar file with the following command: 

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.21.5.jar nogui

If you’re following along with the images/gifs in this tutorial, you may find you have a different Java version number than what is showing. That’s okay, the steps should be the same. 

You may get a warning from your computer saying that this file may be harmful. This is a normal warning for any .jar file. If you don’t know where it comes from, then you should be worried about it. That being said, I think we can trust Minecraft on this one.

If you’re given the option, save the .jar file into the “My Awesome Server” folder. If not, just copy and paste or drag the download into the folder once it finishes.

3. Create Your Minecraft Server Configuration Files

Once you have your server.jar file inside your “My Awesome Server” folder, either double-click it or right-click > open it to create your configuration files automatically. 

• Open “My Awesome Server” folder
• Double-click the server.jar file or right-click > open it to create your configuration files automatically
• Open up the EULA file (example: eula.txt)
• Change eula=false to eula=true
• Go to File > Save or press ctrl+s to save the EULA file 

There is a EULA agreement (End User License Agreement) that you will need to accept to prevent your server from immediately crashing. Open up the EULA file (it may say eula.txt depending on your machine) and change eula=false to eula=true. Then go to File > Save or press ctrl+s to save the server.jar file. 

4. Run Your Minecraft Server

You can now run your new server.

• Double-click the server.jar file

Once again, double-click your server.jar file. You will now create a handful of new files and also see your server start. 

If your goal was to make your own Minecraft server to play with friends on the same internet connection as you then you have reached the end. Congratulations!

For friends on the same internet connection, log onto Minecraft and click the Multiplayer tab and they should find the server you just created. Note that you both also need to be using the same version of Minecraft, for example, Minecraft bedrock or Java edition.

The Server Window

The server window gives you additional information to help you keep track of what’s going on:

1. Use the Stats panel to see how much memory the server is using
2. Use the Players panel to check who is currently connected to the server
3. Use the Log and Chat panel to see server messages and player chats
4. Use the command field at the bottom to enter server commands

For friends on different internet connection, we still have some more work to do. In that case, continue on….

5. Set Up Port Forwarding

Warning: This is probably the most challenging part of the tutorial and it’s also the section that can cause security risks. Ensure you have a parent with you when you complete this step and do not download anything extra. 

Port forwarding is required if you want your friends to connect to your server when they are connected to a different internet connection than you. Unfortunately, this step will be different depending on which router you are using. I will list the steps that it takes to get my Xfinity router set up for port forwarding, but you may have to research your own router and follow its steps. 

• Find the make and model of your router
• Google “How to Port Forward [Router make and model]”
• Add a port forward on your router to port number 25565 for Minecraft
• Share your server IP address with friends
• Friends can use your IP address when they “Add Server” on Minecraft

The first step for me is navigating to the Port Forwarding section on Xfinity’s website. I found this by googling “How to Port Forward my Xfinity Router” so I suggest a similar search for you but with your specific router’s name. 

The next step for me had common configurations to use, including Minecraft, so I went ahead and chose that. If you don’t have this option, the important thing to know is to use port number 25565 for Minecraft. Any other port number will not work.

Note that I blocked off my IP Address, this is the part that you want to keep secure. Do not give your IP address to anyone you do not know or trust. Depending on your router, they may reserve a custom IP address for you (Xfinity did this for me). If that’s the case, this is the IP Address you will provide to your friends to access your server. If they do not reserve one for you, you will have to use your own IP address. 

Once you have completed Port Forwarding, your friends can log into Minecraft and click the Add Server button. They can name the server whatever they want (it does not have to match your name) and then type in your IP address.

If you do not know your public IP address you can google “What’s my IP address” and it should be one of the first results. 

The full IP address should look something like this: 12.34.56.78:25565

You may or may not need the :25565 at the end of the IP address when adding the server. We recommend trying without, then with it if it fails to recognize the server.

6. Configuring Minecraft Server Properties

Now that you have your own Minecraft server running, it’s time to edit your server properties how you want. 

• Find the server.properties file in “My Awesome Server” folder
• Right-click and select “Open”
• Select Notepad
• Edit server properties and click “Save”

Inside the “My Awesome Server” folder, you’ll see a file called server.properties. Right now your computer won’t know how to open the file, but if you right-click it and select Open with you can view a list of options to open the file.

You can open this file in any text editor of your choosing, but Notepad works just fine. When you open the file you’ll see a long list of different server properties. You can edit each one to your liking. 

You’ll find a list of all the server properties and what they mean here, but let’s discuss some common ones that you’ll want to know about first.

• difficulty – this takes either a string or integer property that sets the difficulty level of your server. Integer values are 0, 1, 2, or 3. The string values are peaceful, easy, normal, or hard, respectively. 
• hardcore – this takes a boolean (true or false) value of how your players are handled if they were to die in game. If you set the value to true, then once a player dies they are set to spectator mode. 
• level-seed – this is blank by default and will automatically generate a seed when you start your server. However, if you found a seed you want online to use, you can type it here and have a copy of that world.
• max-players – this sets the maximum number of players allowed on your server at one time. You’ll find this useful if you have a computer that struggles to run when many people log on at once. 
• motd – this sets a Message Of The Day for all players to see when they log in on your server. It can be useful to provide useful information to everyone at once.
• pvp – this is a boolean value that when set to true allows players to kill each other.

Here’s what my server.properties file looks like when opening it up using windows notepad.

Options for Making a Minecraft Server

You can create a Minecraft server in a few different ways so it’s important to understand your options. 

1 – Rent A Minecraft Server

You can create a Minecraft server through server hosting. In this case, you rent a server through a third-party, such as Apex Hosting or Hostinger. These services do nearly everything for you, but you need to pay a monthly service fee for it. This can be as low as $5, depending on the service you use. 

2 – Use Minecraft Realms

Minecraft runs personal multiplayer servers that allow you to play with up to two additional players, called Realms. With a Realm, your Minecraft world is online and always accessible, even when you log off. There’s also Realms Plus. This is a personal Realms server for up to 10 additional players plus access to a curated catalog of Minecraft Marketplace content.

3 – Make A Minecraft Server

You can run a Minecraft server yourself. This saves you from paying a monthly fee as well as giving you complete control over how your server is handled. This article shows you how to make your own server without using a third party.

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Things to Consider Before Hosting a Minecraft Server

Benefits of Hosting a Minecraft Server

• You are able to have complete control over the entire server at all times. If you want something done, you can make it happen as quickly as you can do it yourself. There is no need to rely on someone else to make changes. 
• You have the ability to upgrade your computer however you desire to increase performance. Many server hosting companies offer higher premiums for higher specs, but if you happen to have the newest generation processor, the maximum amount of ram, and the biggest and most powerful graphics card, then your server can be one of the most powerful servers out there.
• It can be fun to set up and learn how to configure networking. You’ll get to learn about various network features and tech that you probably wouldn’t need to know otherwise.
• It won’t cost you anything other than what it takes to run your computer. Using a hosting company costs money, but by hosting your own server you will only pay what it costs to keep your computer running. 

Drawbacks of Hosting a Minecraft Server

Hosting your own Minecraft server can be very rewarding, but it does have a few drawbacks you should understand before attempting it yourself. 

• You will need the proper hardware in order to run your own server. This includes either a PC running on the Windows 7 operating system or a Mac running on MacOS 10.4 or higher. While hosting your own server on a Chromebook is possible, it’s beyond the scope of what is taught in this tutorial. 
• Along with the proper computer you will need an active internet connection and access to your router. 
• Your computer specs that are needed heavily depend on what type of server you run and how many players are on at any given time. The more players logged onto your server will require higher amounts of RAM and a more advanced processor. The same goes for adding mods to your server. You can get away with a few gigs of ram if you only play Vanilla (meaning no mods!), but as soon as you start adding those awesome mods you’ll want to double, triple, or even quadruple the amount of RAM dedicated to your server.
• Since you will have to run the server from a computer, you’ll want a decent internet connection that is hardwired to your PC that can handle everyone playing simultaneously. No one wants to log onto a Minecraft server only to lag and get booted every 15 minutes for a modem restart. Note that although a computer is needed to run the server, your friends can play on your server from any platform as long as they are using the exact same Minecraft edition that you are running. For example, if you are running a server on Minecraft Java Edition 1.16.4, then your friends will need to have Minecraft Java Edition 1.16.4 installed on their device.
• It’s completely your responsibility on how this server is run. If anything goes wrong, it’s your problem. Players will rely on you to fix any issues or bugs that they may have and if there are disputes amongst players, you’re often the person that gets to handle them. 
• It takes more than just downloading a program and turning on your computer. You will have to configure your network and router, learn about port-forwarding, and you may need to use the command-line to edit configuration files. 
• The above requirements can lead to cyber attacks on your computer and private information. You may open your network up to security risks such as DDoS attacks. If your public IP address falls in the wrong hands someone can find sensitive data about you, such as your address! So please take care if you go this route and ensure you proceed with the following steps safely. If you are looking to create your own server but don’t want to host it yourself, check out our article on using Apex server hosting.

More Minecraft Resources

If you want to learn more about Minecraft’s features and how to customize your gameplay, check out these Minecraft resources.

• How to Make a Minecraft Server Using Hosting
• How Minecraft Teaches Kids Coding
• The Best Minecraft Texture Packs
• A Parent’s Guide to Minecraft for Kids
• 10 Best Minecraft Mods for Kids
• How to Download and Install Minecraft Mods
• How to Play Minecraft with Friends

Enjoy Your Multiplayer Minecraft Server

There are many things you can do with your own Minecraft server such as manage game settings, customize your own whitelist, add your own mods, and allocate however much memory that you have to spare. We suggest starting small, but let your imagination run wild. 

Please also remember to not share your IP address publicly or with anyone you don’t know or trust. 

Want to learn about coding games like Minecraft?

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Check out our 12-week coding classes and 1-week Minecraft camps to take your gaming to the next level.

Have fun on your new server! 

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