As part of the next Minecraft update, structure data will be stored differently by the server. “Structures” are the data that tells Minecraft the difference between, for instance, a natural Nether Fortress and a castle you built out of nether bricks. This allows it to know where to spawn certain mobs. There are three naturally-generated structures on our server that could be affected by this update: Nether Fortresses, Strongholds, and Abandoned Mineshafts. No player-created structures are at risk.
In order to ensure this data is saved, we have updated the server to 1.6.4, a patch version that converts the old data format to the new. However, this is not an automatic process.
What you need to do:
Just log into the server and visit any of the above structures that you want to ensure are preserved. We suspect that you do not need to worry about visiting all your mineshafts, but since we cannot predict what future updates may bring, feel free to explore them as you see fit. All that needs to happen for the data to be saved is for you to load the chunk.
Am I going to lose my stuff?? What if people don’t get the email in time? I don’t have time to deal with this!
All your stuff is safe! We promise. The only thing this update needs to store is where the naturally generated structures are located so that, moving forward, it knows where to spawn special mobs like Wither Skeletons. Specifically, visit any nether fortresses or strongholds you like, and I might at least walk around your home base a bit to load some naturally-generated “Abandoned Mineshafts,” but this is entirely up to your discretion. If you’re not worried about those things, that’s ok! You should be fine.
How big is a chunk? What do you mean “load” the chunks?
Chunks are 16×16 sections from bedrock to the heavens that Minecraft divides the whole world into to organize data. You don’t have to be physically in each of the chunk for it to save, but just make sure your computer has downloaded it from the server (it can “see” it). If the chunk shows up on Rei’s Minimap, it is loaded.
All of this helps us prepare to update to 1.7, which brings some great and wonderful changes to the world! Check out this wiki page for details on what’s to come! We are currently dealing with the technical difficulties related to updating, but hope to have 1.7 implemented very soon.
Note: Some major changes to terrain are coming with 1.7, so we may make some major changes to the Outlands – the areas outside of the published, hand-created map. As always, your stuff is safe if it’s inside the boundaries of the map posted on the website. The transition to Outland areas is marked by a change of elevation of the ocean; in other words, a massive wall of water lets you know you’re off the map. We’ll try to keep you updated with what’s going on, but that area has always been considered “unstable” for lore purposes, so don’t build or store anything valuable out there.
![Amagi_Moreo, Barron of Else, faces a naturally-spawned zombie horde during the first night on 1.6.2. Note the string of XP orbs indicating he has already thinned the pack somewhat. Not pictured: audio of Moreo freaking out hysterically. [photo courtesy Henry_Alden]](https://mclibertas.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-07-28_01.34.20.png)