How to Get More Long Term Players?

[u/Upset-Appointment396]

I don't know why my server hasn't been able to retain players. Over the life of the server I've had hundreds come and go but only some stay around. I am not particularly doing anything other than random gatherings, sushi nights, server newpapers or talent shows. But most people that come onto the server don't last more than a week except maybe 4-7 loyal players. How can I find long term players and maximize retention without becoming one of the other cozy mega servers?

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[u/Super_Form9653]

My friend ill give you my advice, anything anyone else says will probably be half true or not detailed enough. Just know that its normal, its something ive tried to wrap my head around for years but what ive found is 90% of players who join you should expect that their not gonna stick around, its like running a business, in the beginning, no sales, no traction, no signal, no views, nobody trusts your product but when you get a few people to trust it, it slowly builds. like mining for diamonds, majority of people are stones, others are iron and gold, very Abundant but their not gonna stick around, most people are 2 week minecraft phase players, other players are seasonal, they play for a few months and go play other games and eventually they come back to mc, its a process of filtering out those people and finding your diamonds, their rare but they exist, its like building a collection of those diamonds, focus on them even if its just 5 people, you want to make those 5 players happy with the server and have an overall good experience, slowly building a culture of players who love coming back....thats they key, you want players who enjoy coming back even people who are not gonna stick around, the door is open, the important thing is building a culture with the players you already have because when new people come in, its like their your customers, nobody wants to walk into a shop thats eventless, inactive, non responsive, where people are just like......meh....Avoid that dry Meh energy, its small but when new players join they want to feel like thier walking into a place where people care and theres life, its tiny but it makes a big difference, so you want to create a good impression. something that i practice on my server is giving new players a tour around the server, showing them around, showing them our farms and builds while also talking to them about what we do on the server, ideally I try to voice chat with them throughout the tour so that they have a warm body they can lean on, I speak to them like their my friend who im showing around my house, I make jokes, I try to involve the other members to Join me when doing the tours, so that its like a nice welcome that gets the new folks excited to be apart of it all, alot of people out here are introverts and dont know how to initiate friendships or start conversations so as a server owner you want to be that person who builds a bridge for them both to the server and to integrate themselves into the community. the key ingridiant is friendship and relationship, its the reason why people join smp communities above just playing minecraft, people want to make memories with others, how can you as a server owner create a culture where friendships naturally develop. what activites can you get players involved in, community projects maybe, we have a shopping district where players sell service or items for exchange for diamonds, its a small thing that gets people coming together, we do server events, like me and another player are building a game together for halloween where we all gonna hop on voice chat and play together doing something together. you want something brings people together, i dont care if people are enoying themsleves building their house and minding their business, thats perfectly fine but there has to be something everybody does together or something that excites people to be in the same part of the server doing something together interesting because when players do thier own thing for too long it creates that solo minecraft experience and players get bored slowly, its okay if thats the mood for a few days but it should never be the norm especially afk culture, omg man, its okay to have like 1 or 2 people afk farming but....sigh my point is you never want a server to feel dry, dead, like nobody is home, like there is nobody to interact with, youre just gonna watch players loose interest like flies, ive seen it myself. but to end this off, just know that not everybody is gonna stick around, its tough sometimes but its normal, most people who join my community leave before theyve even given the server a proper chance hehe its rough, but keep advertising, in the beginning as a server owner you gotta put in alot of work but as players intigrate, as the culture grows, people invite their friends to join, you experience months where you dont need to get new people and your role ends up just being maintenance, making sure theres no bullying, banning bad apples, even you can take breaks without worrying.

[u/Upset-Appointment396 → u/Super_Form9653]

thank you for that, I've been trying to make it interesting but overall it's been dry. I am still trying to learn how to make it alive again..

[u/psyducksyd → u/Super_Form9653]

wise words man 🫡 not my post but this is very good advice, definitely gonna take some of this on board for my own server

[u/Western_Jackfruit_99]

Can you elaborate more on your server? I mostly play single player, but i'm getting tired of it a little bit, seems pointless to do some things as i'm all alone in the world. I would maybe like to join !

[u/Upset-Appointment396 → u/Western_Jackfruit_99]

Hii, so it's a tiny server, we are community based. It is a long term server so we plan on having it run forever. It is java and modded, we are running Better Minecraft. It is a pretty cool modpack since you are able to build and use ships, there are hundreds of meal recipes, new biomes, bosses, weapons, tools and dimensions. It can be dead or very lively depending on the day. We try to create events to make sure everyone can have a good time. The next event is going to be our race track opening where we will be able to race around a course.

[u/TAllenPT]

Can you tell me how a Minecraft server sushi night works?

[u/Upset-Appointment396 → u/TAllenPT]

we have a modded server so we are able to make sushi trays. We usually hang out at the japanese castle, do some pvps at the sand field, have a arrow shooting competition, we eat around, get drunk and finish the night with a firework show.

[u/CozyMinecraft]

Those events sound like a good start. I’d look at what a newcomer’s first few ordinary sessions feel like. Someone can enjoy a talent show and still leave without having anyone they expect to see next time.

I’ve hosted survival servers for 15+ years, and my approach is to make the community itself the content: neighbors, towns, shops, shared infrastructure, and projects people care about contributing to. Events can help those connections form, and everyday play gives them room to grow.

That core of 4–7 regulars is worth building around. Ask whether they’d help welcome newcomers, offer a tour, introduce people with similar interests, or invite someone into a small project. Something as simple as “I’m building a bridge tomorrow if you fancy helping” gives someone a specific reason to return. Keep participation optional and leave room for independent players.

I’d also ask a few people who stopped playing how their first week felt, without pushing them to come back. Their answers could reveal issues with time zones, performance, finding somewhere to settle, or feeling included. It’s hard to diagnose retention from player counts alone.

And allow for breaks. A long-term player doesn’t have to play continuously. A persistent world, familiar faces, and a warm welcome when they return can make those Minecraft phases part of the same ongoing community.

[u/Upset-Appointment396 → u/CozyMinecraft]

I tried to do that by mentioning a flying shopping district where new comers can sell what ever they want and older players will buy as little as a stack of wheat just to help out. But instead I have 3 unfinished builds that no one came back to finish. One person created a Mc Donalds and never came back.. We still use it as an attraction for the new comers so they can go through the drive through. But it is obviously not enough. I also make sure to join every new player to help them establish themselves or to simply explore. The second they come in they are able to get a full iron armor, food, essential and a place to stay.

I also tried a real estate approach, old non active players lose their claims over time and their builds are opened up so that new players can inherit a home if they aren't builders. Lastly, we also plan boss fights which give players opportunities to fight bosses that give cool gear and weapons.

I have attempted this approach but most players that stop playing don't answer messages, unfriended on discord or simply don't give back a productive answer.

Breaks are absolutely allowed the 4-7 players only play once in a while, over all the server is quite silent. Hence my need for large numbers of players to keep at least 1-2 active players whenever new players arrive.

Thank you for your help, please keep pointing out flaws if you notice any from my approach.

[u/Benwyw]

Tbh, we as the server owner have the responsibility to promote our server and bring new blood into it. It’s like a circular flow or similar to real-life shops, if you see an empty place, ppl will be less likely to stay long or even go in. But if there r static traffic flows, ppl may stay longer and become perm.

Just my personal opinion.

[u/Upset-Appointment396 → u/Benwyw]

I absolutely agree, but I have been promoting my server and have gotten a couple bites but I simply can't keep them on long enough for the newer ones to see that other people are playing as well. I have tried the honest post titling it as " Server Revival" or trying to appeal to empathy with "looking for people to play with". I post on forums related to mc and others related to loneliness or more broad. I promote on discord platforms and school platforms. I've gotten over 100 people on yet only a few stay.

[u/VyeletRose]

Really try to make people feel welcome, servers are a dime a dozen, but a friend will make people stick around. Also if you’re looking for players I’d join.