The goal
Why a dedicated server
The main priority is simple: One Life Hardcore SMP has to run stable, without TPS, MSPT or ping problems. Everything else in this plan comes after that.
Stable performance
Better TPS and MSPT for the whole server, with headroom to spare instead of running close to the limit on a VPS.
Better ping for US players
A dedicated machine with a 2 Gbps public connection helps latency for players in the USA as well as in Europe.
Room to grow
We're planning around 50 players today. The aim is 100 online at once, and eventually 150.
I also want to make sure One Life stays active for the long run. I didn't make it as a cash grab that disappears after a month, like other hardcore servers have done in the past. I want this to become a complete network that can handle a lot of players at the same time.
What we'd be running on
The hardware
One dedicated machine hosts the whole network. Every server in both options below runs on it.
Server B · still undecided
The second server
Both options add a second hardcore server next to One Life. One Life Hardcore SMP itself stays exactly how it is. For the second server there are two ideas, and I haven't picked one yet.
Semi Hardcore (name TBD)
- Dying gets you a 2-week ban instead of a permanent one.
- Full custom terrain generation for the Overworld, the Nether and the End, like we had before on the main server.
- Needs a lot more development attention from me than One Life does.
Extreme Hardcore
- Permanent death, similar to One Life.
- No passive healing. You only heal from potions, golden apples and god apples.
- A revive system (a ritual or a crafting recipe) that lets players bring other players back.
Either way, the idea is that it leads people from server A to server B, so the player base stays spread across the whole network instead of leaving after a death.
Two ways to set it up
The two network options
Both diagrams run on the same machine. The difference is whether the two hardcore servers are separate networks or share one lobby. The greyed-out Extra branch is only an idea for 6+ months from now, so skip it for now.
Two completely separate hardcore servers: One Life Hardcore SMP (the existing one) and the new server B. Each one has its own proxy, its own lobby and its own community.
Upside(From a hosting perspective)
A second, separate way to monetize, which helps the network earn enough to pay for itself.
Downside(From a hosting perspective)
It becomes a whole different community. Nothing is shared between the servers, including ranks.
The same two servers, but as one full network. The lobby gets revamped into an actual interactive lobby where players pick where to play: [1] One Life Hardcore SMP, or [2] the Semi Hardcore or Extreme Hardcore server.
Upside(From a hosting perspective)
Players who die on server A have an easy way into server B, so they stay on the network.
Downside(From a hosting perspective)
Monetization. Purchased ranks would be linked across both servers, so one purchase covers both. Playtime ranks are not affected.
Option 1 vs option 2
Side by side
| Option 1 · Separate | Option 2 · Shared | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Two networks, each with Velocity → Lobby → SMP | One Velocity → one lobby → both SMPs |
| Capacity | ~50 + ~50 players | ~100 players across the network |
| Lobby | Two separate lobbies | One revamped, interactive server-select lobby |
| Community | Two separate communities | One community across both servers |
| Purchased ranks | Separate per server | Linked across both servers |
| After a death on A | Player has to find server B on their own | Server B is one click away in the lobby |
| Paying for itself | Easier, two separate rank stores | Harder, one shared rank store |
Being upfront about money
Keeping it running
A dedicated server means spending close to €200 a month. That's a real commitment, so it has to be worth it.
- We're still early, and I don't expect people to buy ranks as soon as they start playing.
- I'm not expecting a 100% return on the server every month.
- I'm fine paying part of it out of pocket.
- But there has to be a reason to keep everything up and running without running myself dry. That's why monetization shows up in both options above.
Player count targets
When things happen
Timeline
Most of the diagrams are future plans. This is roughly the order things would happen in.
One Life runs stable
Make sure One Life Hardcore SMP runs without TPS, MSPT or ping issues, whether that ends up being on the VPS or on the dedicated server, with better ping for US players.
Server B
The Semi Hardcore or Extreme Hardcore server. It needs development work first, so think about two months out.
Extra servers
Possibly Minecraft modpack servers (~20 players), and private servers for other games I play with friends that you won't see. Nothing decided.