The map clean-up operation is complete, and the server is back to normal. You're free to resume playing!

Remember that this was done to prepare the arrival of 1.7 and it's new biomes. As such, I'm asking you to please not venture outside of the currently explored areas. Several regions have been protected against visitors, but others have not. I rely on you to make it easier for everyone!

Also note that, at the time of writing, the map is regenerating and won't be fully usable for several hours.

Alright, folks - it's that time again! I'm giving everyone a heads up to gather supplies for an upcoming contest. Here's the basics; We're going to build a nether-city named Muncie. Building will not begin until Events night October 5th. The theme is city-scape, which means offices, businesses, apartments, sky scrapers, the whole nine yards are good to go. Everyone will be provided a 25x25 lot to build inside of, which they will own from bedrock floor to bedrock cieling. Players are encouraged to work in teams. This contest WILL take place inside the nether at a location that will be announced on the 5th. Prizes are to be announced, but I can tell you that an ample sum of goodies will be donated from my (WindRider739) personal stores, and there's even rumors of a cash prize. So go ahead and start thinking about what you want to make and what supplies you'll need for it. Contest begins one week from today! Get out there!

The server will be inaccessible for several hours as I perform the map trimming operation and general maintenance. I aim to be done before Events Night starts this evening.

I'll be in the chatroom during this operation if anyone has any questions!

With several of our current staff members busy with real life, we need extra hands to welcome new players and ensure that the community's needs are taken care of. As such, depending on the replies I get, I'd like to add 3 to 4 new Helpers and 1 YouTube reporter to the server's staff.

As a reminder, the tasks of a helper are focused mostly on helping the players by answering questions, with a much smaller focus on special commands than ops. This includes:

• Greeting the new players and answering any questions they might have
• Checking on those players to make sure they understand and follow the rules
• Getting players unstuck due to server bugs (it happens!)
• As a last resort, kicking and/or banning troublesome players

The focus of the YouTube reporter would be to produce new videos showcasing the server itself, our builds and ongoing events. These videos would then go on our channel for the world to see. Both Krodane and WindRider739 might contribute episodes once in a while, but whoever applies to this position should expect to be the primary creator. If you've already done videos before, don't hesitate to send a sample link our way!

As usual, only registered and active players will be considered. If you're interested and want to apply to a position (or both!), please send me (Dr. Cossack) a private message through the forums.

To clarify something I've been asked about, I will drop from the staff anyone who barely shows up in-game for a significant period of time, usually a few months, unless there's a specific reason for me not to. The "Helper" and "Op" are about active people who are available to assist others, after all!

Thank you for your interest!

Sneak update: Nominations will be done in approximately a week!

Minecraft 1.6.4 has been released today (yes, .4, not .3), and it's not compatible with the current server version of 1.6.2. As such, you need to stay at the previous version in order to continue playing with us!

In the launcher, click the "Edit profile" buttton and select "release 1.6.2" as the "Use version" setting. You will then be able to join as usual. A further news post will be made once we update.

I recommend selecting the current version number from the launcher even if we are running the latest one available. That way, whenever the client gets an automatic update, you won't have to go back and change your settings!

I've made some allusions to this, now it's time to move forward.

We're planning a major map cleaning operation, and we need your help. Old, unused areas will be deleted in two weeks to help the server run smoothly and to prepare for future updates.

More precisely, the goals of this operation are:
- Remove unusued land
- Eliminate old, abandoned buildings
- Decrease the size of the map
- Allow new 1.7 chunks to generate closer to inhabited areas

What you need to do
Check the server map. Multiple areas are marked in red. Those are the spots that are scheduled to be deleted unless someone claims any given part. Please check through the areas where you've been active in the past and that you wish to keep to make sure they aren't in a red zone. If anything is in there and you want to keep it, please reply to this news post with the coordinates and how we should deal with it.

Ideally, any buildings you want to keep that are within the red zones will be moved on a free spot of your choice somewhere else on the map. If that proves to be impossible, we'll keep your building and the area surrounding it.

Additionally, if there are areas on the map where you've built isolated from everyone else and are ready to give up, please reply with the coordinates so we can remove it and clear up more space. This can make a big difference, so please take a few minutes and see if you're willing to let something unmarked go!

Note that the current plans call for the map trimming to be done on September 28th. That's in two weeks. As such, if there's something you'd like to have moved/preserved, please contact us before then!