For anyone that would like to participate in the CCP Games Dust 514 Closed Beta, let me know and I’ll get you signed up.  The registration form is HERE for those that have an Eve Online membership.  Just let me know what your PSN Name is, and I’ll get you signed up.  There are limited spaces, and I only have a few accounts, so do it quick!

Crucible 1.0 is out today, and with it a much needed graphical update, and many other changes including:
·    New Nebulae
·    New ship models for Caldari and Gallente
·    New ships: Tier 3 Battlecruisers
·    Balancing Changes and new T2 modules

To see all of the new updates and exciting changes, read about them here… http://www.eveonline.com/updates/patchnotes.asp

In lieu of new changes coming to Bukkit, our Minecraft server software, there is a new client-side program that is (very very) easy to install and use.  It is almost as easy as using the default Minecraft client.  Click here to download the .exe and place it on your desktop (or wherever you launch your minecraft at).  Then launch it.  It will automatically patch your .jar files, and your client, then all you have to do is enjoy the game in new ways.

Some of the features that the new program will improve alone are;

• OptiFine (OptiMine, OptiFog, OptiTick) integrated
• HD fonts and BetterGrass integrated
• HD textures support integrated
• Sign rendering performance improvements
• Biome water colors (watercolor.png usage)
• SetRemainingAir/SetMaximumAir render correctly
• Chunk caching
• Removes F3 coordinates and mob names (can be enabled with AllowVisualCheats=true in Spout’s config)

Now, keep in mind that like minecraft has been previously, this is in the alpha stage so there will be bugs.  But for now, it is a step in the right direction.

EDIT:  Keep in mind that the Server will be showing as Offline, or Unable to Connect in the Server Select window, this is one of those bugs, the server is still up…

The future of XBJ is changing, and you can help decide its fate!  Click the link and Vote NOW!

Update 07-21-2011

Well, it is complete, only took about 15 minutes to get the new parts installed, and all of the program and OS installations should be done by about 5:30 tonight.  Here are the updated specs.

Sentey Black Box Series BX2-4292
Kingston SSDNow V100 SV100S2/128GZ 2.5″ 128GB SATA II SSD
AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz
G.SKILL Sniper 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3 1333
GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H Mobo
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit

Well, Terraria has been out for about a month now, and well…  Its basically a 2D version of MineCraft.  Its a little more simple, and has a lot more to do.  There are boss battles, around 80 monsters and over 200 craftable items in the game currently, with more being added every week or so.  You can pick it up on Steam for about $10, and we have our very own server up with Terraria running.  Currently it is not up 24/7 like the MC server, but you can connect to it for not using the same address as the MC server is on.  Let me know if you want to play it, and I’ll be happy to get you started.

Well, it is official, today rolled out the new and improved Mincraft Server! For those interested in the technical details, see below. For those wanting just the information on how to get in on this sweet action, see the MineCraft page to the right.

The Technical Specs…

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3
AMD Phenom II Quad Core x64 @3.2Ghz
MSI KA780G Main Board
8GB GDDR2 G.SKILL ECO RAM
2x 500GB Backup HDDs
1x 128GB SSD
1x 1TB Main HDD

Software Info
Current version of MineCraft and Bukkit Running
Current Plugins are located on the Minecraft Page.

Ok, so the new server wrapper seems to have caused the server to . . . well blow up. I am working on it, but it might take some time, sorry all.

Ok, so the new and IMPROVED minecraft server is up, and running, as is the server status page.  There are also links to the texture packs, and for the character skin website.  I urge all of you to get a custom Painterly Pack (not an endorsement) cause its freakin Schweet!

There is a new page up to monitor the status of the Minecraft Server. I design a graphic for it probably after Thanksgiving, for now its just a Text based status.