Did you say lie about it? No. Timmy don’t play that.

Yes, because the actual, tangible benefits from using better software outweigh the cognitive dissonance from challenging dogmatic beliefs that otherwise just make us feel good inside.

Should I be blunt? "We are pure vanilla which is good" is textbook dogma that has plagued this server for years now. We keep seeing the negative effects of this belief over and over and over again, and yet we must continue to use Mojang's jar, because this is true and good and unquestionable. Like I said, textbook dogma.

Only like 5 or 6 remotely active players still care, and the player counts speak for itself. Keep in mind this server used to pull in 20-40 players regularly at its peak. The rest of the player base who value an actual better server experience quit years ago and will never voice their dissenting opinions here for that reason.

Most of the old player base quit because they grew up, left school, got jobs and generally got bored with minecraft or just simply dont have time to play.

@Tez1010 Most of the old player base quit because they grew up, left school, got jobs and generally got bored with minecraft or just simply dont have time to play.

This ^^^

New blood is key and as i said before making new players welcome

@Tez1010 New blood is key and as i said before making new players welcome

I think something that might help is figuring out how long it takes for someone to become not a "new player". Like I've been playing at least 7 years, truly think closer to 8-9, but somehow I'm still a new player. If it's longer than that, it makes people who want to help build large bases and contribute really difficult. If only players who started from the server's creation are considered "not new players" and "trustworthy" then that's fine, but I think that will turn quite a few new players (playing on server less than 9 years) away.

Alright alright alright. Must say, threw me for a real loop with the restrictions in place. But I've given this quite a bit of thought and I'd like to believe that I've thought of something which may help out with player numbers.

Votes are important for player numbers. I can't say I know just how important, but I get the general impression that it's very. As such, we need more votes, yes?

I propose an addition to the voting rewards. Firstly there's the Magic Meat and XP, and I say don't touch it. That in my opinion is more or less perfect the way it is, and any changes to that could just be a bit of extra work for no real reason.

However, there is a secondary reward currently in place. I believe after 30ish days of daily voting, you get a reward (I want to say an Elytra + something?). I'm much less focused on that prize, and significantly more interested in the infrastructure surrounding it. It tells me that there is already a system built into CraftMynes that can count how many days in a row you have voted, which is the crux of what I am going to propose next.

I would like to suggest a voter rank, and give it access to the third .sethome that VIPs and above get access to. I suggest that after 10, 15, 20, whatever days of daily voting, this rank is given to the player. HOWEVER, unlike VIP and all of the current ranks, as soon as the daily voting discontinues, the rank is removed and to regain access to the 3rd home the player has to once again vote daily until they reached the required vote streak to regain the rank.

This would do very little to interfere with the current playerbase, and it allows a path to get a third home for players who are not able/willing to put money into the server. It gives a much stronger reason for people to vote while offline, which, all in all should hopefully lead to a sharp increase in votes.

I did my best to work around

@CraftyMyner The systems behind the scenes are so complex that even when I the creator go to change one thing I break 5 others.

That funky little sentence, and this is my best shot to think of something which could be implemented without too many changes to the current system.

Thoughts?

Your beautiful bubbly bouncy baby boy <3

-BingusIncorperated

I like this idea, more votes seem to be the way forward.

I was lucky enough to get my VIP rank from the community piggy bank filling up, which is very rare. I once voted for long enough to get a vote crate and was a bit disappointed with the items I received. Remembering to vote 4 times every day for a month isn't the easiest thing to achieve and I would have hoped for a better reward. I pretty much stopped voting after this, I'm lazy.

@BingusInc
I would like to suggest a voter rank, and give it access to the third .sethome that VIPs and above get access to. I suggest that after 10, 15, 20, whatever days of daily voting, this rank is given to the player. HOWEVER, unlike VIP and all of the current ranks, as soon as the daily voting discontinues, the rank is removed and to regain access to the 3rd home the player has to once again vote daily until they reached the required vote streak to regain the rank.

This voting rank would be perfect, especially for my alt account. The VIP .home perks would make me continue voting daily for that account. A 7-day streak seems about right to be given the voter rank. Missing a day means you lose the rank, so you have to get to the 7-day streak again to get the rank back.

If you already have the VIP rank, it just means you don't have to vote every single day to keep the perks. I think the voter rank would fit in nicely and wouldn't negatively affect the current rank system.

It may even be possible to include voting perks for the current ranks, maybe making everyone's final .home free if they keep the vote streak up?

Happy Birthday to the server!

-fish

I like the idea where staff doesn't interact with nether, end, or overworld spawn and there is no adventure mode in there and we are allowed to lava cast and do whatever we want in the world

@ImKopi I think something that might help is figuring out how long it takes for someone to become not a "new player". Like I've been playing at least 7 years, truly think closer to 8-9, but somehow I'm still a new player. If it's longer than that, it makes people who want to help build large bases and contribute really difficult. If only players who started from the server's creation are considered "not new players" and "trustworthy" then that's fine, but I think that will turn quite a few new players (playing on server less than 9 years) away.

Agreed, I would still consider you a newer player, borderline unknown. You would have to of joined in 2015 or before to be considered a trustworthy player.

@iwarriiori Agreed, I would still consider you a newer player, borderline unknown. You would have to of joined in 2015 or before to be considered a trustworthy player.

Which is totally fine, but I think there should be some kind of disclaimer of "Due to the fact you joined after 2015, you will not be permitted to join any teams nor should expect any help from players". I think that's a fair warning for new players.

@ImKopi Which is totally fine, but I think there should be some kind of disclaimer of "Due to the fact you joined after 2015, you will not be permitted to join any teams nor should expect any help from players". I think that's a fair warning for new players.

wah wah wah whine whine whine

Allow tnt duping.

I heard rumors about the forum being updated kinda curious

@King_Panda555 Maybe don’t ban OG returning players

That's so real King_Panda555, I can tell you keep it 100

@King_Panda555 On king david.

@DavidGolait ??????

I like the server just how it is. We need more challenges and competitions like Rnc has posted to keep the interest and build the community. Technically once you beat the dragon the core game is over but most MC players are goal-based: get the armor, build this, farm that, etc. Once they have done all that it starts to get dull and they fall away and starting over isn't always appealing.

I would like to see a server calendar with annual events. This would encourage others to play long-term or come back.

Build winners don't always have to have their builds put in spawn if there is a hall of fame showing all the previous winners, what they built, and that they are documented in the Forum for others to view at any time like the challenges.

Walking through a player hall of fame and seeing just who is the best at parkour, building, or killing mobs in the strangest ways would be fun and add a connection to what would otherwise just be names shown when you hold tab.

Just my 2 cents worth.

fun fact I hold the CM record for the spawn parkour

I gotta say I left this server ages ago and have kind of missed it. I do agree it got boring. Something to spice it up would always be nice. By the way guys Hi, I'm back.

A complete refresh of the discord woukd seem likexa good idea to me

Make a new Discord server. Then you'll see how many people actually still interested in this shit, who tf joining a new discord server and not playing? And if people don't join, do something about lack of people or just leave it like you guys usually do! Got nothing to lose

here is why cm is dead

1. horribly mismanaged, staff presence is nonexistent and do not engage with the community. the discord is less active than some 10 member private discord
2. horrible server software, switch to semi vanilla already. many incredibly game breaking things ruining the server experience in the past could've been resolved with a seamless switch to paper or something else actually competent, but there is this obnoxiously obsessive compulsion to stick with official mojang vanilla software. "blame it on mojang" doesnt work as an excuse anymore when there is an objectively better choice to make
3. vanilla minecraft is running out of steam, sorry, pack things up and move on

is there any fix to these problems? in principle, yep, but pragmatically, nope lol. i have exhaustively discussed these issues for the past 6 years or so, especially the semi vanilla change, and i'm always met with the same adamance over and over again. it is literally pointless to mentally invest any further in a server that refuses to change

After having read all of this, I'm most inclined to agree with updating the discord, and using the eventual 1.21 update to bring in new people with another reset. Plus, this year is both the 15th anniversary of MC AND the 10 anniversary of CM. The former alone should (key word) generate some more interest.

I've been playing CraftyMynes since the beginning, and it's sad to see the server and community in this sad state. I don't want to see CM be lost to time and/or inactivity. At this point we need some sweeping reforms and a big refresh overall. Going with semi-vanilla sounds like a good idea on paper, but in keeping with CM's original identity of standing out, I think we should refrain from using the term "semi-vanilla" when describing the server. When I've told my friends about our server, I always describe it as "99% vanilla", or "vanilla with creature comforts." I mention the sethomes, TP system, trading halls, and other amenities. I'm sure there's a more succinct way of explaining and marketing CM, but I'm just sharing what I've said.

Add in anti-griefing measures and other semi-vanilla features, enable ban forgiveness for those who've been banned for 2+ years, and see what sticks. Maybe we can market it as 90% vanilla then? lol

I'd love to help out with the cause in any way I can. If we're gonna try to boost this server to new found glory, we're gonna need all hands on deck. I know I'm not on very often these days. I grew up and became an adult somehow with many adult things that take up time. I'm still very passionate about this server and I'd love to see it make a comeback.

I know I'm kinda gushing at this point, but I wanted to toss my hat in the ring, even if it's way later than everyone else.

Thank you @CeruleanHusky for your post. I'm back properly now, after the real world got in the way for a while, but Crafty is really busy.

I personally agree its time to start fresh on discord and if we timed it with the expected update to 1.21 and insisted you actually play on the server to join the discord? Basically the general chat is just drivel, and lots of 'goodbyes' as people leave the server. Quite frankly I would not want the young people in my family who all play minecraft, though mostly not on a public server, to join the discord server as it stands and I think it is quite off-putting.

As far as vanilla is concerned, yes Craftymynes is technically vanilla, as it uses the unaltered jar file, but with the creature comforts it doesn't really feel vanilla to a lot of people. Changing over to semi vanilla with paper would bring performance improvements, but integrating it with all Craftymynes systems isn't a 5 minute job, and Crafty simply doesn't have time to do it.

Many people have moved over to bedrock, and java is getting left behind. I don't think there is a simple answer, I'm afraid, but for now we carry on and I will do what I can to help.

@Tez1010 I personally agree its time to start fresh on discord and if we timed it with the expected update to 1.21 and insisted you actually play on the server to join the discord? Basically the general chat is just drivel, and lots of 'goodbyes' as people leave the server. Quite frankly I would not want the young people in my family who all play minecraft, though mostly not on a public server, to join the discord server as it stands and I think it is quite off-putting.

100% agreed. The discord server needs a well-deserved upgrade, and proper moderation. Plus, all the anti-furry hate I received is still very easily viewable, and that kind of attitude, in jest or otherwise, isn't a good look for a server, not to mention all the "goodbyes"

As far as vanilla is concerned, yes Craftymynes is technically vanilla, as it uses the unaltered jar file, but with the creature comforts it doesn't really feel vanilla to a lot of people. Changing over to semi vanilla with paper would bring performance improvements, but integrating it with all Craftymynes systems isn't a 5 minute job, and Crafty simply doesn't have time to do it.

That's fair. Maybe we can pin this thread on the forums and refer back to it if or when Crafty has time to integrate these changes. I'm sure this server wasn't originally build in a few minutes, and I don't expect it to be fixed in a few minutes either. These changes could come as a result of new activity on the server, and seeing what the players want.

Many people have moved over to bedrock, and java is getting left behind. I don't think there is a simple answer, I'm afraid, but for now we carry on and I will do what I can to help.

With the 15th anniversary, this may not be as big of an issue as it has been in recent days. That could be my rose-colored glasses talking though. That being said, I fully believe that our last hope would be a strong marketing push. MC has been around for 15 years, well we've been around for 10 and still around! Something to that effect. Use our age as a selling point, and see whatever smaller changes can be implemented. I don't know what Crafty has the time to do these days, if anything. Delegating these changes to the rest of the staff is an option, but I don't know if Crafty would be ok with that. Plus, giving admins and mods access to change the server in these ways may be a process in itself. I'm just throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.

As for Bedrock edition, I don't know what to say about that. I much prefer Java for all the mods and stuff, but Bedrock is getting better all the time, and I must admit it makes the future of Java servers and communities somewhat questionable. As for now, I can only do so much. I could maybe do a base tour on the night of the reset as well as a village tour and post it on my YT channel. Maybe someone could record the "spawn explosion" if we're doing that again and upload it. IDK if CraftyMynes has a dedicated social media presence, but that could be a great start in getting our name back out there.

@Zabolca I like the server just how it is. We need more challenges and competitions like Rnc has posted to keep the interest and build the community. Technically once you beat the dragon the core game is over but most MC players are goal-based: get the armor, build this, farm that, etc. Once they have done all that it starts to get dull and they fall away and starting over isn't always appealing.

I would like to see a server calendar with annual events. This would encourage others to play long-term or come back.

Build winners don't always have to have their builds put in spawn if there is a hall of fame showing all the previous winners, what they built, and that they are documented in the Forum for others to view at any time like the challenges.

Walking through a player hall of fame and seeing just who is the best at parkour, building, or killing mobs in the strangest ways would be fun and add a connection to what would otherwise just be names shown when you hold tab.

Just my 2 cents worth.

I totally forgot to respond to this directly! These seem like a ton of fun ideas. Community engagement is definitely something this server needs, and I'd love to participate and/or help run these events when I can

cm is doomed tbh

@Schlocked cm is doomed tbh

Trying to remain somewhat positive here lol

@CeruleanHusky Trying to remain somewhat positive here lol

https://imgur.com/5aG9aNC (embedded images don't work cuz dead)

cope

@Schlocked https://imgur.com/5aG9aNC (embedded images don't work cuz dead)

cope

Yeah I know. I'm trying to stay positive, what can I say?

lets make a new discord for a server that pulls in like 3 new players per month at most. that will definitely solve the problem guys.

its not that the entire vanilla community has moved on from vanilla smp and craftymynes has done nothing to keep itself relevant.

its not that the past community was alienated away because of issues like lag and game breaking bugs which could have been fixed with a well planned move away from mojang software designed for 11 players (minecraft realms) to competent server software that every other competing server benefited from.

it's not that staff presence has been nonexistent to where i'm willing to bet $1000 that random kiddos have been fly hacking and xraying everywhere on a 1-3 max player server, and that the staff members that still gave a damn before realized these types of communities and servers have lifespans, this one has run its course, and they need to move on.

yeah its the discord, its all the shitposting that happens in it because absolutely nothing else happens in the community. "discard" all of the old players currently in the discord and instead make a new discord so then 20 'people max can join it and it just turns into another ghost town. its not like the server has functioned perfectly well without a discord in the past and in fact was using teamspeak during the height of its popularity.

@Schlocked cm is doomed tbh

^^^

Look,
I’m just throwing ideas around. If I was being completely honest, the only way I could see this server returning to its former glory is to somehow find more than just me who still enthusiastic about vanilla servers in Java. Clearly, that doesn’t seem to exist anymore.