125 lines
5.9 KiB
Markdown
125 lines
5.9 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: Introducing Server Projects
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summary: A new project type made for seamless modded multiplayer on Modrinth.
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date: 2026-03-03T17:30:00-08:00
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authors: ['AJfd8YH6', '6EjnV9Uf', 'xSQqYYIN']
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---
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Big news: we’re shipping our first new project type in years!
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Server Projects are coming to Modrinth, and they’re not just a typical server list. They’re deeply integrated into the platform and app in ways that make playing seamless.
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We genuinely believe modded is the future of large-scale multiplayer Minecraft, so let's jump in!
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<div class="video-wrapper mb-8">
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<video autoplay loop muted playsinline>
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<source src="./server-discovery-in-app.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
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</video>
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</div>
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### TL;DR
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- New Server Project type
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- Three compatibility types: vanilla, modded (published pack), or modded (uploaded pack)
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- Joining a server from the app downloads the required content and launches you directly into the server
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- New linked server instance type that receives updates from the server
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- Server Projects are not eligible for payouts
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## Design Goals
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Let’s start with why we built this.
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Most of the fun in Minecraft happens with other people, but getting into a modded multiplayer experience is still harder than it should be. We think this is the future of multiplayer for a few reasons:
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- Modding enables far deeper experiences than server-side plugins ever will.
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- The real constraint has been distribution and setup. Players have to find the server, install the right content, keep it updated, and hope everything matches.
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- Multiplayer discovery in Minecraft has never been great. It should be easier to join a server, and just as easy to join a modded one.
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Additionally, modpack discovery has become noisy on Modrinth. Servers fork popular packs with small tweaks and climb discovery, which crowds out original creators.
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## Project Creation
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Server Projects are different from other project types because they don’t always have uploaded files. Instead, servers define their compatibility, which can include specifying any required content.
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For the initial release, we support two compatibility models: vanilla and required modpack. We also have ideas to expand this with a minimum requirements model in the future. Authors would define the required mod and version needed to join and could recommend modpacks that work as well.
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When setting up your server project, you define this in the Server Compatibility section. It comes in three types:
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- Vanilla server
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- Modded server (published Modrinth pack)
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- Modded server (uploaded custom pack)
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Each type defines different requirements to join. Vanilla servers specify supported and recommended Minecraft versions. Modded servers either link a Modrinth pack or upload a custom pack, which enforces the required version and mod loader.
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<div class="video-wrapper mb-8">
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<video autoplay loop muted playsinline>
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<source src="./compatability-type-config.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
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</video>
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</div>
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Server Projects also introduce some new fields used for discovery and project pages:
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- Banner
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- Country (where it is hosted)
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- Language
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- Java address
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- Bedrock address (not used yet)
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- Server compatibility
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Additionally, Server Projects are the only project type **not eligible for payouts**. They do not earn revenue from views or downloads on the project itself. Any required content they point to, such as a modpack, receives the download and associated revenue.
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## Project Discovery
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Server Projects use two new discovery metrics instead of downloads to help surface new servers over time. These are:
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- **Players online:** The live player count reported by the server.
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- **Verified plays:** Joins from the Modrinth App in the last two weeks.
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Server Projects also have their own set of filters to make finding the right server easier:
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- Type (vanilla vs modded)
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- Features
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- Gameplay
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- Meta
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- Community
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- Game version
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- Country
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- Language
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Additionally, Server Projects are different from other project types because they’re live experiences. If they aren’t joinable, they don’t provide value. To keep discovery healthy, servers that aren’t pingable for a sustained period are removed from discovery.
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## Joining a Server
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Joining a server is where this all comes together. While in the app, clicking play on a server triggers different flows depending on the server type:
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1. Vanilla servers immediately create a Fabric instance in the app using the recommended version set by the author.
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2. Modded servers show a modal which displays the required content. Clicking install creates an instance with that content.
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Once installation finishes, you’ll see a completion toast that, when clicked, skips the multiplayer screen and loads you directly into the server. After the initial setup, clicking play always boots straight into the server.
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Additionally, if you click play from the website, we’ll deep link into the app if it’s installed.
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### Linked Server Instances
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As mentioned earlier, joining a server creates an instance. These are called linked server instances and are similar to linked modpack instances.
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Key differences:
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- It’s linked to a server project, not a modpack project.
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- You can only add client-side mods. You can unlink it in settings to convert it into a linked modpack instance, but it will stop receiving server updates.
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- It always enforces the required version. If an update is available, you must accept it before launching again.
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### Server Project Updates
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When a server updates its compatibility, such as publishing a new modpack version, that update is distributed to all linked instances. The next time a player launches, they’re prompted to accept the changes before joining. This keeps the server and associated instances in sync.
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—
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That’s all from us! Thank you so much for your continued support and happy playing!
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