How To Make Money From Your Minecraft Game Server
Minecraft is almost a household name. Over the former decade, millions of gamers have attempted this famous platform of digital pleasure.
The Minecraft madness is not just for gamers. Opening an internet surfer, accessing a streaming service, or going into a shop without coming across Minecraft merchandise is impossible.
In 2009, Mojang, a Swedish game developer, released Minecraft to the public for the first time. Minecraft has become among the most loved gaming platforms worldwide over the past decade. Microsoft reports more than 112 million monthly users as of September 2019.
You need to be able to take advantage of this player base as a Minecraft server owner.
Let’s see!
Seven ways you can make money with your Minecraft server
Here are some ways to make money with your Minecraft server.
- Register your business.
- Server access charges.
- Collect membership fees.
- Request for donations.
- Sell digital merchandise.
- Secure sponsorships.
- Stream your gameplay.
Regular gameplay is strategy, story, building, and community interactions on a server selected by the player. You can also manage your Minecraft server to create the world you want and invite others to join.
Although Minecraft gaming is technically illegal, Mojang, the company behind Minecraft, has granted exceptions for Minecraft game servers.
To legally make a profit off your server, you should read the Minecraft Commercial Use Terms before you dream of payday.
1. Start your business
It would help if you first spent capital before you can make it.
It would help if you had a name and brand to be successful in any business.
Search for the perfect domain name
Your online branding efforts will first require you to select a domain name. Your business is virtual, so a domain will enable your customers to find you online and go to your website.
Get a logo
Next, create a professional logo to represent you. Gamers will use your logo to identify your server. It also serves as the basis for your server’s visual identity.
Create a website
You will need to set up a server and a website to run a game server company.
Your website is where gamers find out more about you, your server’s community, and the games your server has to offer.
You can also make funds with affiliate marketing or an eCommerce store for transactions made outside the game platform.
You can probably build your website if you’re comfortable setting up your server. For a game server company, we recommend WordPress.
You can have your website built by a professional while you work on your Minecraft world.
2. Server access charges
When creating a vast, beautiful Minecraft world, making a profit can be difficult. You will need a reliable and fast server to make it work.
It’s a lot like Monopoly: you must first buy the property (server) before you can charge rent or server access.
Mojang allows players to charge a fee, but they must be the same for everyone. You only need to decide if you will charge Baltic Avenue discount rates or Boardwalk premium accessibility fees.
It is crucial to consider a while taken to set up the server. Charging access for large gaming environments with elaborate structures, mini-games, and expansions is essential. Even a small game server owner who wants to profit must cover the building costs.
3. Join now and save on membership fees
Collecting membership fees is no different to collecting server access fees. However, with memberships, you can give your players options for access duration.
Depending on how long players wish to access your Minecraft server, you can charge weekly, monthly, or annual membership fees. However, it would help if you still set the same price for all players.
The annual fee for most memberships is the least expensive. However, a weekly fee may be the best option for those who want to test the game before committing to a long-term subscription or those who need the price less costly.
However, whatever price you set must be the same for all players.
4. Ask for donations
Why would someone give money away when they don’t need it?
Some people feel obligated to pay for the things they use. Others give to people and platforms they enjoy so that they can provide fantastic gameplay.
Donors know that donations help fund timely updates and ongoing expansion. Administrators can also focus on the server and not make it a side-project with contributions.
Donations may be more rewarding for the Minecraft server owner than a flat access fee or membership fee.
Players may feel alienated if they have to pay a certain amount. On the other hand, generous players might take advantage of this opportunity to contribute higher amounts than the set rate.
It can be scary to take an opportunity that not many people will donate to your game. Donations can be very rewarding if your world is attractive and you are willing to put in the effort and provide fun features and updates.
5. Sell digital merchandise
Mojang does not allow you to make profits from the Minecraft game. However, you can sell in-game items so long as it doesn’t impact gameplay.
Mojang has stringent rules. For example, selling capes is against the law as it is an item that Minecraft can only award and requires players to fulfill certain conditions.
As long as the item doesn’t interfere with gameplay, you are allowed to sell it in-game.
You must accept payments and build your digital inventory to sell in-game merchandise.
Minecraft Marketplace
Minecraft Marketplace is a popular choice. Minecraft Marketplace lets you sell skins, textures and adventure packs. You can also track purchases and foster a community.
Tebex
Another favorite is Tebex, which was formerly known as Buycraft. Tebex was initially created to allow the monetization and promotion of Minecraft. It has since been expanded to include other games in 2019. It is still one of the tremendous popular Minecraft eCommerce plugins and offers many digital inventory options.
6. Sponsorships are available
Sponsors may be willing to sponsor your Minecraft server in return for something like advertising their product or service on your server.
It can be challenging to hunt for the right sponsor.
Google searches reveal that many companies are available to sponsor Minecraft-related activities.
Your website is your best friend. Mojang does not allow advertising on its gaming platform. However, you can place promotions and advertisements on the website.
Sponsor packages could be created that detail exactly what each sponsor gets and at what cost. You could also make custom arrangements for each sponsor.
Sponsorship may be the best way for your Minecraft server to turn a profit. Before you commit to becoming a sponsor, make sure you read the Mojang terms of use.
7. Stream your gameplay
It’s fun to sail in your boat, mine for diamonds, build your dream house, and manage your crops. You can create excitement and suspense by destroying Enderman or avoiding creepers.
Mojang rules allow you to post game footage to YouTube and other websites, but you must adhere to their Essential Requirements. You may make, use, and distribute videos of yourself playing the game if you don’t make money.
What can you do to make it more enjoyable? You have to add your content to the video. It must be worth it for someone to pay.
There are many options available for monetization, depending on which platform you choose. You might need to reach a certain threshold of viewers or subscribers before you can advertise. Your profile could include affiliate links or sponsors.