Multiplayer

Multiplayer Minecraft is a server-based version of the game that enables several players to interact in one world.

Users can download and run the server package that allows other players to connect to and play on their server. Future versions will have multiple Game Modes, although the current version supports both creative and survival multiplayer modes. It should be noted that game modes can be individually attributed to players, with some in creative and some in survival modes. Individual players can also be promoted by the admin and other ops (system operators) to op status, which grants them access to server commands such as setting the time of day and teleporting players around.

This wiki's sidebar has a link to the Minecraft.net server list. Redstone Wire, Ltd. also hosts a Minecraft server list or alternative lists Minecraft survival server list (Survival) and Minecraft SMP & Classic server list (Classic and Survival). However, players can set up their own on a local network (using the local IP address as opposed to a global IP address presented by the server's router). A local server usually does not require port forwarding.

In multiplayer, players can press to chat to others, or issue commands if the server has given them op status. Commands are usually identified by the server by a forward slash (/) at the beginning of the text message.

Multiplayer Minecraft was released officially on the 8th of June 2009, after many beta trials.

Technical notes
The server saves the level to the server_level.dat file every minute, or by issuing the /save-all command.

Homebrewed servers do not strictly require access to minecraft.net, and so can be played on an isolated local network with no Internet connection. They use minecraft.net as a repository of player skins and also a database containing a list of accounts, preventing hackers and griefers from using false names while on such a server. This and other settings are modified by editing the server.properties text file.

Variations of Servers
There are many different server types, like SMP's, free builds, and more.

SMP stands for "survival multi-player." This is the standard server type and when creating a server, it will automatically become this.

Free-build servers are dedicated to just building; no mobs or caves or anything. Sometimes everybody is set on creative mode so building is faster.

There are also other variations of these two like RPG's that give people ranks.

Some servers use plugins that add items, crafting recepies, and more that are deticated to servers (like mods that make a currency item) (could someone please add in some hyperlinks to the mods page? This is my first add-on to a page and I could really use some help.)