Parts of this article (those related to information about the closure and future revival) need to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(June 2023)
Mineplex is a Minecraftminigameserver created in 2013 by Gregory Bylos and Jarred van de Voort.[2][3] The server was shut down on May 11, 2023, and re-launched in mid-2025 by Sam Dawahare. In 2016, Mineplex had millions of unique players monthly.[4] At its peak, the server had around 20,000 concurrent players at any given time.[5] Mineplex won the Guinness World Records award on January 28, 2015, for having 34,434 concurrent players, the most on a Minecraft server at the time.[6] This record was later lost to Hypixel the same year.[7]
Mineplex's popularity on the Java Edition of Minecraft rapidly declined after its peak years,[8] while the Bedrock Edition counterpart averaged 4,000+ concurrent players.[9] After years of decline, Mineplex abruptly ceased its operations on May 11, 2023.
Following the closure, former admin and Overwatch content creator Samito stated on social media that he had acquired Mineplex and plans on re-opening it sometime in the future. Mineplex is actively undergoing a rebuild and modernization effort. The Closed Beta began on August 9, 2024.[10] The server is currently behind a paywall, set to relaunch to the public sometime in the future.
Features
The server's main features were its various minigames 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.[11]
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.[12]
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-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, who became a part of the ownership team and heavily promoted the server to his millions of fans.[13]
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.[14]
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.[15]
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.[16]
Relaunch and Current Status
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.[17]
↑Mineplex is currently playable behind a paywall. However, it is set to be relaunched to the general public sometime in the near future by its new ownership team.[1]
↑Master Builder 3.0 Advanced: Minecraft Secrets and Strategies from the Game's Greatest Players. Triumph Books, 2015. April 2015. p.50. ISBN9781633191884.
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