Multiplayer



Multiplayer is the server-based version of Minecraft that enables multiple players to interact with each other on a single world, allowing them to work together to mine ores, build structures, and fight mobs (or each other).

Gameplay
Multiplayer works using a server, which allows players to play online or via a local area network with other people. There are various customization options which can be set by operators. These settings depend on the type of server and can create many different multiplayer experiences.

Gameplay in Minecraft is generally the same in both single player and multiplayer, with some notable differences. Multiplayer has more of an emphasis on community and collaboration between players, which is assisted by the multiplayer chat function. Multiplayer allows for the player to build contraptions that are intended for multiple players. In addition, there are many adventure maps and mini games in which multiple players are required.

There is also an important difference: pausing the game works differently (like pausing when you open a LAN world in singleplayer). No game mechanisms stop working if you pause the game. For example, if you have items being smelted in a furnace, pressing ESC does not stop the smelting process.

Note: Multiplayer experiences can differ wildly depending on the server. Servers with mature groups of players may use offensive language during conversations, so young players in particular should take caution when joining multiplayer experiences. Depending on the server, there may be ways to report other players in contravention to the rules.

Chat


Please note: Several of these commands are configurable (the defaults are shown here)

In multiplayer, players can press to open the chat and talk to other players. Chat functions include:
 * Chat history - A small scroll bar is on the side of the chat bar. You can also scroll using the mouse wheel or and . The last 100 chat messages are stored. Holding down  or  and attemping to scroll up or down slows down scrolling.
 * You can view your own recently sent messages by pressing the and  keys while typing.
 * Clickable links can be pasted in chat.
 * The ability to copy & paste  in chat ( is used as a replacement for  on some Macs).  +, , ,  selects text for you.
 * Font styling: the section symbol allows players to change the style of the text. See the list of formatting codes for further details.
 * Note: the section symbol cannot be typed in vanilla clients because they are restricted characters. If  is pasted and posted in chat, the player who sent it is automatically kicked from the server with an "Illegal characters in chat" message, and a server-side   error is given.

Players can also type commands into the chat box. Commands are identified by the server with the use of a forward slash at the beginning of the message.


 * Simply pressing acts like a command key; it opens the chat with a   in it.
 * Typing and then pressing  lists available commands, similar to entering the  command.

While typing, pressing autocompletes the first possible command or username starting with the letter(s) typed. If there are multiple usernames or commands beginning with the letter(s), the chat displays a list of possibilities; pressing tab again scrolls through the list.
 * Some commands may also have additional parameters that may be autocompleted by pressing at that point.
 * Certain commands that handle blocks (,, etc.) have parameters that need the x, y, and z coordinates of the target block(s). Using the key when these coordinates are needed automatically adds the coordinates of the block you are looking at.

The chat box can be reduced in size, the opacity may be adjusted or it may be hidden via the chat settings in the options menu.

Errors
If the player types a nonexistent command, the command contains syntax errors, or the player does not have permission to use the specified command, the player receives an error message and the command fails.

Narrator


Pressing +  toggles the narrator, a text-to-speech engine that automatically reads chat messages, including the username. This keyboard shortcut is intentionally hardcoded as to be unchangeable, but for unknown reasons. The narrator can be toggled between several settings:


 * Off: The narrator is inactive.
 * All: The narrator reads chat and system messages.
 * Chat: The narrator reads only messages produced by players.
 * System: The narrator reads only messages produced by the system (command outputs, notifications, etc).

The narrator does not read commands or command outputs.