# Mineplex

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mineplex
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mineplex.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineplex
> Source revision: 1356134852
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Minecraft minigame server

Mineplex Developer Mineplex Studios Type Minecraft server Launch date January 24, 2013; 13 years ago (2013-01-24) Discontinued May 11, 2023; 3 years ago (2023-05-11) Platform(s) Minecraft: Java Edition Minecraft: Bedrock Edition Status Under Maintenance[a] Website mineplex.com

**Mineplex** is a temporarily discontinued *[Minecraft](/source/Minecraft)* [minigame](/source/Minigame) [server](/source/Minecraft_server) created in 2013 by Gregory Bylos and Jarred van de Voort.[4][5] The server was shut down on May 11, 2023. In 2016, Mineplex had millions of unique players monthly.[6] At its peak, the server had around 20,000 concurrent players at any given time.[7] Mineplex won the *[Guinness World Records](/source/Guinness_World_Records)* award on January 28, 2015, for having 34,434 concurrent players, the most on a *Minecraft* server at the time.[8] This record was later lost to [Hypixel](/source/Hypixel) the same year.[9]

Mineplex's popularity on the *[Java](/source/Java_(software_platform)) Edition* of *Minecraft* rapidly declined after its peak years,[10] while the *[Bedrock Edition](/source/Minecraft)* counterpart averaged 4,000+ concurrent players.[11] After years of decline, Mineplex abruptly ceased its operations on May 11, 2023.

Following the closure, former [admin](/source/Server_administrator) and [Overwatch](/source/Overwatch) content creator Samito stated on [social media](/source/Social_media) that he had acquired Mineplex and plans on re-opening it sometime in the future. Mineplex underwent a rebuild and modernization effort. The Closed Beta began on August 9, 2024.[12] Access to the server was locked behind a paywall, set to relaunch to the public sometime in the future.

On March 7th, 2026, Samito announced in the Mineplex Discord server that he and the team had recognized that their strengths and the direction they were building toward, being a professional cloud infrastructure company, did not align with what long-time players expected or what Mineplex was historically. Samito passed the assets which were acquired by James, believing in his ability to build something memorable and having confidence in his abilities to do so.

The same evening, James followed up with his own announcement stating that their goal was to fulfill the promise to bring Mineplex back as promised, and to build a community-driven server packed with both classic and modern content. Since then, many staff positions, social media content, and previews of the soon-to-return Mineplex server have been publicly shared.[13]

## Features

The server's main features were its various [minigames](/source/Minigame) as well as its specially customized and heavily modded multiplayer maps. Players were also able to purchase items such as ranks that allowed for certain in-game abilities.[14]

Following its relaunch, Mineplex announced the Mineplex studio, a development suite allowing for people to create their own minigames which would be hosted by Mineplex. Teams would be charged $15 per month for access and have the option to receive 35% of all revenue produced by their games.[15]

## History

Mineplex launched with the goal of providing a large-scale multiplayer experience beyond traditional *Minecraft* gameplay. The server quickly gained attention for its custom minigames, including “Champs,” a capture-the-flag style game; “Minestrike,” a first-person shooter-inspired mode; and “Survival Games,” a [Hunger Games](/source/The_Hunger_Games)-style mode. Its accessible interface, frequent updates, and active moderation contributed to its rapid growth.

### Growth and popularity

Between 2013 and 2016, Mineplex expanded to support both *Java Edition* and *Bedrock Edition* of *Minecraft*. During this period, the server became a hub for competitive play, community events, and tournaments. Its network was praised for innovative minigame designs and for fostering a sense of community among players. Mineplex also attracted attention from content creators on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch, which helped further its reach and influence. Mineplex's ownership team, particularly Spu_, actively contacted Content Creators. By using this strategy, Spu_ managed to land a partnership with [CaptainSparklez](/source/CaptainSparklez), who became a part of the ownership team and heavily promoted the server to his millions of fans.[16]

### Decline

Following its peak years, Mineplex experienced a gradual decline in player activity. Contributing factors included increased competition from rival *Minecraft* servers such as Hypixel, technical issues including server lag and exploits, and criticism from the community regarding monetization practices. The decline accelerated after 2020, with fewer updates and reduced engagement from long-time players. By 2023, the server struggled to maintain the same level of activity that had previously made it a global leader in the *Minecraft* community.[17]

### Closure

On 11 May 2023, Mineplex's website and game servers went offline without prior announcement. The sudden shutdown caused confusion and disappointment among the player base. A few days later, an official announcement on the server's Discord confirmed that the closure was permanent, citing operational challenges and financial sustainability concerns. The closure marked the end of an era for one of *Minecraft*'s most influential servers.[18]

### Acquisition and revival

On 27 May 2023, former administrator and streamer Samito Dawahare, also known as “Samito,” acquired full ownership of Mineplex under Mineplex Studios LLC. The acquisition aimed to revitalize the server and preserve its legacy while modernizing its infrastructure. Under the new management, Mineplex announced plans to relaunch the network and introduce “Mineplex Studio,” a platform designed to allow community developers to create their own games and server experiences within the *Minecraft* ecosystem.

The revival focused on preserving classic minigames, updating server performance, and expanding social features. Partnerships were secured to ensure long-term sustainability, and a renewed emphasis was placed on community engagement, tournaments, and creative development.[19]

### Relaunch

Mineplex entered a closed beta on 2 May 2025, reopening for both *Java* and *Bedrock* editions. Players had access to classic minigames such as “Champs” and “Minestrike,” alongside new maps, updated features, and social events designed to rebuild the community. The beta phase emphasized stability and performance improvements, with future plans for a public relaunch. As of late 2025, Mineplex continues in closed beta, with ongoing development aimed at positioning the network as both a gaming server and a creative platform.[20]

### Current status

On 7 March 2026, Sam announced that he was giving control of Mineplex to "James",[21] who is the former owner of Mineplex clone "Critz.gg" which went defunct shortly after acquiring the rights to Mineplex. According to the official Mineplex [Discord](/source/Discord), the new Mineplex team plans on reviving the server with Bedrock and Java support but primarily focus on *Java Edition*. Additionally many of the original games will be making a comeback with plans to tease more on their YouTube channel.[22] Mineplex will release to the public on *Java Edition* June 12th 2026.[23]

## Awards and nominations

Award Category Performance Date Result Ref. Guinness World Records Most Popular Minecraft Server Network 34,434 January 28, 2015 Won [8]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Mineplex is currently set to launch Summer of 2026 under the new ownership team.[1]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:3_1-0)** ["Mineplex Coming Soon"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRkTZny5U7o). *Mineplex*. Retrieved April 14, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Mineplex, LLC :: Georgia (US) :: OpenCorporates"](https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_tx/0805101213). *[OpenCorporates](/source/OpenCorporates)*. Retrieved July 18, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Mineplex Coming Soon"](https://www.mineplex.com/). *Mineplex*. Retrieved July 18, 2023. © 2023 Mineplex Studios.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-polygon_5-0)** Campbell, Colin (June 11, 2017). ["Minecraft is going totally cross-platform"](https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/11/15771190/minecraft-servers-cross-platform-e3-2017). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191212091556/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/11/15771190/minecraft-servers-cross-platform-e3-2017) from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-gamereactor_6-0)** Ford James (June 11, 2017). ["Mojang to partner up with popular Minecraft servers"](https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/542833/Mojang+to+partner+up+with+popular+Minecraft+servers/). *[Gamereactor](/source/Gamereactor)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190322214033/https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/542833/Mojang+to+partner+up+with+popular+Minecraft+servers/) from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-alistdaily_7-0)** Akopyan, Manouk (May 1, 2016). ["Mark Cuban Explains Why The Mavericks Are Mashing Up With 'Minecraft'"](https://www.alistdaily.com/digital/mark-cuban-explains-mavericks-mashing-minecraft/). *AListDaily*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190322214028/https://www.alistdaily.com/digital/mark-cuban-explains-mavericks-mashing-minecraft/) from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-masterbuilder_8-0)** *Master Builder 3.0 Advanced: Minecraft Secrets and Strategies from the Game's Greatest Players*. Triumph Books, 2015. April 2015. p. 50. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781633191884](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781633191884).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-gwr_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-gwr_9-1) [*Guinness world records. 2016: Gamer's edition*](http://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_s1m3). London: [Guinness World Records Limited](/source/Guinness_World_Records_Limited). 2015. p. 115. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-910561-09-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-910561-09-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rps2_10-0)** MacGregor, Jodie (December 20, 2018). ["Hytale is a Minecraft follow-up that remembers the minigames"](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/12/20/hytale-is-a-minecraft-follow-up-that-remembers-the-minigames/). *[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](/source/Rock%2C_Paper%2C_Shotgun)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190308062153/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/12/20/hytale-is-a-minecraft-follow-up-that-remembers-the-minigames/) from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_11-0)** ["Minetrack"](https://www.minetrack.me/). *Minetrack*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200502080935/https://www.minetrack.me/) from the original on May 2, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_12-0)** ["Minetrack Bedrock"](https://bedrock.minetrack.me/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210730175331/https://bedrock.minetrack.me/) from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Mineplex Store"](https://mineplex.com/). *Mineplex Studios LLC*. Retrieved May 8, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Mineplex Games (March 30, 2026). [*We Bought Mineplex*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRkTZny5U7o). Retrieved April 4, 2026 – via YouTube.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-rps_15-0)** Wiltshire, Alex (September 15, 2015). ["The Future Of Minecraft's Biggest Servers"](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/15/minecraft-biggest-servers/). *[Rock, Paper, Shotgun](/source/Rock%2C_Paper%2C_Shotgun)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190212044219/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/09/15/minecraft-biggest-servers/) from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved March 20, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Sarabwal, Rishabh (September 15, 2023). ["Mineplex return: Popular Minecraft server relaunching with paid subscriptions"](https://www.dexerto.com/minecraft/mineplex-return-popular-minecraft-server-relaunching-with-paid-subscriptions-2293806/). *Dexerto*. Retrieved November 26, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Burn (November 6, 2025). ["A History of Minecraft's Biggest Servers"](https://cybrancee.com/blog/a-history-of-minecrafts-biggest-servers/). *Cybrancee Blog*. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Team, CyberPost (July 8, 2025). ["Why did Mineplex lose players?"](https://cyberpost.co/why-did-mineplex-lose-players/). *CyberPost*. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Mineplex has just shut down"](https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/mineplex-shut-down). *PCGamesN*. September 13, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Mineplex, Former Top Minecraft Server, Pivots After Sudden Closure and Acquisition to Launch the Mineplex Studio, a Suite of Tools to Build Online Games"](https://www.pr.com/press-release/895811). *PR.com*. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Samito's post on twitter"](https://x.com/Mineplex/status/1662246313872830464). *X (formerly Twitter)*. [Archived](http://web.archive.org/web/20250415195052/https://x.com/Mineplex/status/1662246313872830464) from the original on April 15, 2025. Retrieved November 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Basu, Sayendra (March 8, 2026). ["Popular server Mineplex announces return under new ownership"](https://www.sportskeeda.com/minecraft/popular-server-mineplex-announces-return-new-ownership). *[Sportskeeda](/source/Sportskeeda)*. Retrieved March 16, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [Mineplex Games YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@MineplexGamesOfficial/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Mineplex Games (May 21, 2026). [*Mineplex | Launch Trailer*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJPZw-8UgJY). Retrieved May 21, 2026 – via YouTube.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.mineplex.com) ([Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230510173523/https://www.mineplex.com/home/) May 10, 2023, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine))

v t e Minecraft Mojang Studios Xbox Game Studios Minecraft General Development of Java Edition Music Volume Alpha End Poem Minecraft Live Characters Creeper Steve People Markus Persson (Notch) Jens Bergensten (Jeb) Daniel Rosenfeld (C418) Kristoffer Zetterstrand Julian Gough Lena Raine Kumi Tanioka Gareth Coker Spin-offs Minicraft (2011) Minecraft: Story Mode (2015) Minecraft Earth (2019) Minecraft Dungeons (2020) Minecraft Legends (2023) Other media Books Minecraft (book) (2013) Minecraft: The Island (2017) Minecraft: The Manga (2020) Films Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (2012) A Minecraft Movie (2025) soundtrack "Steve's Lava Chicken" A Minecraft Movie Squared (2027) Community Skyblock Speedrunning Servers 2b2t Autcraft Blockeley Dream SMP Hypixel Mineplex The Uncensored Library Wynncraft Mods The Aether (2011) Vintagecraft (2016) Tournaments Minecraft Monday MC Championship Impact Initiatives Block by Block BlockWorks Build the Earth Greenfield Merchandising Lego Minecraft Minecraft World In popular culture "G.U.Y." "Informative Murder Porn" Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Herobrine The Three-Body Problem in Minecraft Oasis Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds In YouTube Far Lands or Bust Minecraft Manhunt "Minecraft Multiplayer Fun" Wonder Quest Unofficial books Gameknight999 Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal Category

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mineplex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineplex) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineplex?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.