Server
A server is an online world that allows multiple players and devices to play together. Unlike other forms of multiplayer, all players can freely connect, reconnect, and disconnect. A local network game is similar to a local server in that it could be used as a server if set up correctly. Starting in version 1.5, servers may also be 4x or 16x larger.
A link to a server can be shown in the following format:
- blockheads://(server domain or IP):(port)
- http://theblockheads.net/join/(server domain or IP):(port)
Nicknames
Nicknames are names used to identify your account. An unlimited number of nicknames may be created by a device on a server, but only one can be running actions from a device at any given time. When creating a nickname, the nickname chosen cannot have been banned or have been previously used. A nickname can only be logged in to from the same device it was created with, or another device sharing the same iCloud, Game Center, Google Play, or Amazon Game Circle account. A nickname cannot be logged in to from multiple devices at the same time.
Blockheads and their items are tied to an an account. Blockheads cannot be moved or transferred between nicknames.
Shops can only be stocked, have the price set, have the profit collected, and removed by the player who placed it.
Safes, display cabinets, and portal chests cannot accessed or removed by other players. Iron doors and iron trapdoors cannot be passed through by other players.
Signs, paintings, and columns cannot be removed by other players.
Chests, shelves, ladders, stairs, crafting surfaces, portals, trade portals, steam locomotives, rail handcars, elevator shafts, electric elevator motors, wooden beds, soft beds, and golden beds can be used by other players, but not removed.
Server Hosting
Cloud Server
Added in version 1.5.1, cloud servers can be created with the app. It costs time crystals to host servers. They are initially added by the owner upon creation of the world, while additional time can be bought with time crystals by any player using the World Credit option in a portal or by adding credit in the Pause Menu.
Creating a Server
- Scroll to "CREATE WORLD"
- Tap "SERVER", then "CREATE WORLD..."
- Enter name, size, and nickname/avatar, then tap "CREATE WORLD..."
- Choose privacy settings, initial world credit, then tap "CREATE WORLD..."
- Agree to conditions by tapping "OK"
Mac Server App
The Mac Server App is free and allows worlds to be hosted. It can be connected to using Local Network, or, if set up correctly, by anyone, using port forwarding to forward the correct port to a Mac. Mac servers can have up to 32 players connected at once. It requires Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or higher to run.
Creating a Server
- Download the server app here
- Open the app and click "New"
- Enter name of server
- Click "Start"
Server Interface
A chat log and a chat box are located on the right hand side. A player log with player nicknames and IPs is in the middle. Banning, kicking, and whitelisting can both be done from the chat box and the interface. Other server commands can be used through the chat box.
BlockServer
Server hosting using BlockServer costs $0.20 USD per world per day. Each world has a public world page located at http://blockserver.net/world/ followed by the world's name. BlockServer servers can have up to 16 players connected at once. Blockserver backs up servers every day, storing a backup for two months.
Creating a Server
- Sign up with BlockServer
- Go to the World Manager
- Click "Create World"
- Enter name of world
- Click "Start"
Server Settings
Overview shows server status, player log, and server history; also allows server to be started and stopped.
General shows preferred port, maximum players, and contact emails.
Lists shows lists of admins, moderators, whitelist, and blacklist.
Announcements allows periodic announcements to occur on a scheduled basis.
Chat shows live chat and allows messages to be sent.
Backups allows worlds to be rolled back by up to seven days. The backup can also be downloaded.
Server Listing controls public listing, connection link, contact form, donation link, custom world page, and content of world page.
Powers
Mods
Mods can use the following commands in the chat:
- /HELP
- /PLAYERS
- /KICK
- /BAN
- /BAN-NO-DEVICE
- /UNBAN
- /WHITELIST
- /UNWHITELIST
- /LIST-BLACKLIST
- /LIST-WHITELIST
Admins
Admins can use all commands in the chat except for /SET-PASSWORD, /REMOVE-PASSWORD, and /SET-PRIVACY. They may also pass through others' iron doors and iron trapdoors, and use and pick up all items, even those not owned by them. (crafting surfaces, beds, chests, safes, shelves, etc.)
Owners
Owners have the same powers as admins, with the exception of being able to set passwords and change privacy settings. Owners can only be set on cloud servers.
Server Commands
Server commands are done through the chat. Only admins and mods can use server commands. All commands are case-insensitive, for both the command itself and its input. Commands are not shown to the public, nor are their responses. An invalid command is not shown to the public, and gives no response, doing nothing.
| Command | Powers required | Server type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| /HELP | Mod or higher | All | Displays the in-game list of commands. Only displays commands available to the player who used it. |
| /PLAYERS | Mod or higher | All | Lists all players on the server who aren't away or offline. The list is presented in this manner:
(player name) | (IP address) | (unique device identifier) |
| /STOP | Admin or higher | All | Turns off the server. If a cloud server or on BlockServer, instead restarts the server. |
| /KICK player_name | Mod or higher | All | Disconnects that player from the server. They can still reconnect. |
| /BAN player_name_or_ip | Mod or higher | All | Disconnects that player/IP from the server, and prevents anyone using that nickname, device, or IP from reconnecting. |
| /BAN-NO-DEVICE player_name_or_ip | Mod or higher | All | Disconnects that player/IP from the server, and prevents anyone using that same nickname/IP from reconnecting. |
| /UNBAN player_name_or_ip | Mod or higher | All | Removes player/IP from the blacklist, and allows them to reconnect. The identifier that was banned must be unbanned. |
| /WHITELIST player_name_or_ip | Mod or higher | All | Adds player/IP to the whitelist. If there was no whitelist previously, everyone else is disconnected. |
| /UNWHITELIST player_name_or_ip | Mod or higher | All | Disconnects that player/IP from the server, and removes them from the whitelist. The identifier that was whitelisted must be unwhitelisted. |
| /LIST-BLACKLIST | Mod or higher | All | Lists the 50 most recently added players to the blacklist. |
| /LIST-WHITELIST | Mod or higher | All | Lists the 50 most recently added players to the whitelist. |
| /LIST-MODLIST | Admin or higher | All | Lists the 50 most recently added mods. |
| /LIST-ADMINLIST | Admin or higher | All | Lists the 50 most recently added admins. |
| /PVP-ON | Admin or higher | All | Enable PVP, allowing players to directly attack each other |
| /PVP-OFF | Admin or higher | All | Disables PVP, preventing players from directly attacking each other |
| /LOAD-LISTS | Admin or higher | All | Checks the whitelist, blacklist, modlist, and adminlist files for pending changes, and applies them. |
| /MOD player_name | Admin or higher | All | Gives that player moderator powers. If not previously whitelisted on a whitelisted server, whitelists them. |
| /UNMOD player_name | Admin or higher | All | Revokes that player's moderator powers. If not seperately whitelisted on a whitelisted server, unwhitelists them. |
| /ADMIN player_name | Admin or higher | All | Gives that player admin powers. If not previously whitelisted on a whitelisted server, whitelists them. |
| /UNADMIN player_name | Admin or higher | All | Revokes that player's admin powers. If not seperately whitelisted on a whitelisted server, unwhitelists them. |
| /RESET-OWNER player_name | Admin or higher | Mac and BlockServer | The next player to log in with that player's name takes ownership of their blockheads, items, and name. Does not reset blacklist status, whitelist status, mod status, or admin status. |
| /CLEAR-BLACKLIST | Admin or higher | All | Removes all names from the blacklist. |
| /CLEAR-WHITELIST | Admin or higher | All | Removes all names from the whitelist. |
| /CLEAR-MODLIST | Admin or higher | All | Revokes all moderator powers. |
| /CLEAR-ADMINLIST | Admin or higher | All | Revokes all admin powers. |
| /SET-PASSWORD | Owner only | Cloud | Sets a password that all other players must use to connect. |
| /REMOVE-PASSWORD | Owner only | Cloud | Removes a password so all other players can connect. |
| /SET-PRIVACY public/searchable/private | Owner only | Cloud | Changes the privacy setting. |
BlockServer adds additional commands that all players can use. As only mods/admins have these "invalid" commands hidden, they are publicly visible when attempted by any other player.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| /BSOP message | Sends a support request to BlockServer. |
| /OP message | Sends an email to contact emails set in that world's world manager, if enabled. |
