Minerealm Community Forums

A bit of a preface before I get to the actual post:

There aren't many players left that remember the server from before realms, either the original expansion system or our current plot system. Despite that, I got into a conversation with a few not too long ago. The conversation itself was mostly reminiscing about the history of the server, specifically the pre-realm days. It came up that the community has changed from being tight-knit and collaborative to somewhat divided and working on personal projects rather than server-wide projects. This was chalked down to divisiveness caused by the original realm system, which only allowed players to be members of a single realm, causing server projects to stop appearing. By 3.0, even though server projects would be much easier to accomplish, the mindset of 2.0 carried over.

The server projects I'm talking about (Kurachi and the original Skycity for example) weren't all that impressive by todays building standards, but we all look fondly on them because of the times enjoyed building with a great, albeit small, community. Back then, towns (far too small to be considered cities) were worked on by everyone, and we enjoyed it. Currently, cities are closer to art galleries created and controlled by small groups, rather than functioning towns a good deal of the server inhabits.

In an attempt to create a metropolis for the entire server to live in, I began work on New Aquaria, a city named after a town on the map before realms were introduced (find it here). Since initially beginning work, I've had many people help out, and I'd like to thank all of you. As more work is done, more builds up, and the time has come for me to ask you all to help out. The below post will be kept updated with information about the city, and new posts will be made posts will be made for announcements.





An Overview

The city will be entirely aquatic (who'd have though?). Everything will be in the water, above the water, under the water, or under some stone and then under water*. Most building will be contained within large glass spheres/domes or within just as large underground caverns. For example, the capital building of the city will be located within it's largest dome, while residential districts will be almost exclusively within the caverns.

Different areas of the city will have themes of a sort. The spheres will generally be as modern as Minecraft allows, while the caverns will be a little more generic. Building layout within the spheres is still being debated, so once we decide, I'll post here. The caverns are very close to the original city in design, and will have two or three floors on which players can buy plots to build personal structures. On the other end of the spectrum will be an Atlantian ruin scheme, though I granted creative rights to SilsuCrow on that one, so I'll wait for him to discuss it.

*Also: Water

Getting to the City
The coordinates of the main sphere are x-4130, z-1747. The coordinates of our Nether portal (Netherside, of course) are x-516,y48,z-200. It can be reached by taking the west Nether road from spawn portal. There is a screenshot of the entrance to the western Nether road in the screenshot section of this post, along with coordinates.

Eventually, we hope to be able to create a private line that connects to the general subway, but with worker shortages, it has yet to be started. A little more information can be found later on in this post.

City Rules and Procedures
Rules
Will be updated as new rules are brought to attention.

• Follow all server rules

• Do not destroy creations inside the city without express permission from the owner

• Only take from personal containers or those labeled as public within the city

• Be helpful! If you can lend a hand, either in a city project or someone else's, do it!

Procedures

• If you purchase or receive a plot, it's yours to do as you please, but we (city administrators) reserve the right to edit your plot if need be. In the chance that your home does not live up to city standards, it will be torn down and all materials returned to you. Of course, "up to city standards" just means it's not a cobble or wood box. We will always provide suggestions on how to make your house better before tearing it down.

• By purchasing land within the city, you will be given access to nearly all city realms. Ideally, I will be owning all of New Aquaria's realms, as to make adding new citizens easier and to provide the same experience for everyone. The exception to this rule would be if a city-funded bank realm is purchased, in which case only myself and trusted bank employees will be given access.

• Discounts on Land Sale
  
  • Staff Bonus: All staff members will receive a 25% discount on plot purchases.
  • Original Aquarian: Anyone who was present for the building of the original city will receive a 75% discount on plot purchases. (Quite a few staff members will be combining this with the above for free plots...)
  • The Laborers' Compensation: Anyone deemed a dedicated worker of New Aquaria will receive a free plot in one of the labor districts as compensation for their hard work.
  • Donor's Discount: Anyone who has a donor tag at the time of plot purchase will receive a 5% discount.
  • Psychic's Pension: The first to private message me this discount name over the forums gets a free plot and a "crystal" ball.

Current Projects
We have three projects in the works as of this post. This first is the main sphere, which will house the important buildings of the city. The second is the Worker's District, in which free plots promised to dedicated workers will be. The final city work currently in progress is the subway line, though little work has been done on it.

The Main Sphere:
The main sphere, as we've taken to calling it, will be the center of the city and house essential buildings such as the (hopefully) New Aquarian spawn, the capital building, and metro hub. It's yet to be decided how buildings within the sphere will be layed out, so I'll make a post later describing the decision. Below are the blueprints being used to create the sphere, along with a progress tracker that will be kept updated.

Layer 28/100



The Worker's Residential District
The Worker's Residential District (temporary name) will bee the first area in which plots are available for sale. Workers who are dedicated to the project will receive a free plot to create their own house in this district, or in the event that it becomes overcrowded, another of similar design. The dimensions, or at least the ones we're aiming for, are 100x100x40. This will be split into two floors, with plots for sale on each. Once it's completed, farm, storage areas, and other small amenities will begin appearing in the walls of the cavern.

The Subway
The subway will be a private line from New Aquaria to the West axis of the map. Stations will be decided at a later time, and construction will begin as soon as workers are available. The subway itself will be large than the standard tunnels, and most likely more scenic.

Donations and Labor
All donations, either credits or item, are accepted. A list of requested materials and items is below.

• Glass

• Sand/Sandstone

• Any Rare/Semi-rare Minerals

• Wood

Those who donate 10k credits or more will have a road in the city named after them. Donors of 25k or more will have a district in the city named in their honor.

If you'd like to help build the city (please say yes) then post below with this format:

In-Game Name:
Special Skills:
Availability:

Once we receive applications, I'll begin a list of official workers and their titles in this section.

Screenshots

The Announcement/Message board in the main sphere. Personal messages for other citizens on the right, announcements on the left.



The beginning of the Nether road to the city.



A shot from within the sphere.



Progress on the main sphere so far.



The residential district currently being worked on, with miners posing.

The "Laputa Dome"

What is the "Laputa Dome"?

The Laputa Dome is another name for the Ruins themed section of New Aquaria. It's the project I have been granted and given ~99% creative control over. The inspiration behind the makeup of the Dome come from Miyazaki's "Castle in the Sky", along with Disney's "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" and various other sources.

Thus far, the city is broken up into three layers: The Lake, The Residential, and The Tree (Referred to as Layers One, Two and Three here).

Entrance

The general idea is that the Dome and the Sphere (What is currently being constructed) will be connected via the exposed ravine located on the underside of the Sphere. The Sphere and the ravine will be separated by an airlock (No such airlock will separate the Dome from the ravine). The ravine itself will be decked out to resemble ruins and will have a walkway passing through it for residents to easily make their way between the Sphere and the Dome. Depending on how far the ravine extends (It's not been fully explored as of my typing this), we may add on an underground extension with a Dwarven style (High ceilings, columns, ect.) while keeping with the ruins theme.

In addition, the inter-city subway is located on Layer 2.

Layer One

Upon exiting the ravine, you will enter the lowest section of the Dome. This layer is mostly sparse, containing a city wide lake with ruins poking out from the lake surface. A sandbar will connect the ravine to the center of the lake where a large stone tower will sit, allowing for entrance to the upper layers. Water draining from leaks on the second Layer and the lake on the third Layer will congregate here as well, along with the roots from the Third layer (which will permeate both layers one and two). The first layer will be lit both by torches (We're too cheap to afford Glowstone) and light streaming in from the upper reaches.

Layer Two

Upon ascending from Layer One, you will reach the largest layer. Layer Two comprises most of the residential district, the market, the inter-city subway station (from the Residential quarter, the main Sphere and the Old City) and numerous parks and gardens. The majority of this layer will be built either among the roots of Layer Three or into the walls of the Dome. The layer itself will be connected by hanging walkways, stairs and platforms. While there are currently no plans for extensive farms in the Dome, residents are allowed to have personal farms, within reason (No auto-farming 300+ grain farms or the like). All along the walls will be "leaks" from the age of the city and the strain the ocean has put on it. These leaks will eventually drain down into Layer One after winding their way down and through Layer Two.

Layer 2.5

Where layer Two and Layer Three begin and end is a little odd. Since Layer Three is composed of a massive tree, it will not take up most of its own layer. The trunk of the tree is "technically" Layer Three and will be connected by walkways to Layer Two, then extend upward to form Layer Three proper.

Layer Three

The third and final layer resides within the massive tree that has grown up and out of the dome, smashing a hole through the glass. The interior of the tree will be hollow and allow for small shops, businesses, cafes and whatnot. The idea for it is that the interior of the tree will be like a small mall. At the very top of the interior space, a path will lead up and out to the branches, transitioning into walkways the further out it goes. It is out here in the branches of the tree that the penthouse apartments are located, either built directly into the tree or hanging from the massive branches (While private, the apartments are limited on space). The upper levels will likely be a rats maze of corridors, ladders and stairs with scenic patios and mini gardens (signs will be in place to help people not get lost). At the very top of the tree is a large lake hat has formed in the tree's branches which has been converted into a garden. This lake will drain down to the second and first layers. It is not advised to use the water flows as transport.

Resident Rules and Guidelines

While the New Aquaria rules stand for the Laputa Dome, there are several Dome specific rules and guidelines that residents are...encouraged to follow. The first is that we ask residents to keep their buildings with the city's theme in terms of construction material. That means no dirt, gravel, sand, Netherrack and limited cobble and limited red brick. This only pertains to the outside of a resident's home, and we don't much care what the inside looks like. We're trying to keep a theme here, and dirt huts and netherrack houses just scream "lazy".

Secondly, those residing in Layer Two and against the Dome walls are allowed to dig into the walls to extend their homes. As with the other layers, any exposed caves or caverns will be left open to the public. We ask that while you are free to explore these caverns and caves that you do not mine excessively (Branch mining and such). You are free to take any exposed ores, but we don't need 1x2 tunnels running around the city. This is provided of course that they adhere to the "No Branch Mining" rule and that they respect their neighbor's space and don't do something stupid, like flood the city.

Lastly, regarding the penthouse apartments. Since there is limited space, myself and Cog will determine who can have access to a private apartment. This will be based on building ability, contributions to the city and general behavior of the individual.

Closing comments

Please don't ask me for any sort of building plans for the city behind the dome. I don't plan out where each walkway or each platform will go. I don't know what it'll look like until I start building it. Please also don't beg, whine or plead for a residence in the Dome. Politely asking is fine, but we don't do begging.

Gallery

Here's where any screenshots or concept art will go.

Some crappy concept art of the first layer by me.



Screenshot of some concept work for the gardens and general feel of the Dome.

Gimme a redstone job.

Lm108
Digging and organizing
I'm online more during weekends, but often on a lot during weeks as well.

Looks awesome! I can't wait too see the finished project, and all its glory. :-)

In-Game Name: fndfilms
Special Skills: digging, designing.
Availability: Everyday, few hours at a time, when I do not work (or the girlfriend doesn't bother me ) almost all day if I'm bored.

I have a double chest of glass I can donate. Just let me know where to put it.

the area i've finished for the place so far.

While this is a behemoth of a project, I can assure you that work is moving at a breakneck pace. Over 80,000 blocks have been excavated in the soon-to-be residential district in the last 3 days. If you have free time, this is could be a decent opportunity to grind some credits and take part in the building of what could be one of Minerealm's most epic projects.

Gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts.

The Laputa Dome section is done. Had to type the thing twice...

Its been fun helping out.... shame i missed out on being in any screenshots xD

Ill be helping out more soon.

In-Game Name: Mitchie151
Special Skills: Mining, Building (architecture to some extent), Minor Redstone (basic latches).... i can do pretty much everything.
Availability: 4-10pm AEST (GMT+10)

Well... This is going to be epic.

This sounds great :O once i finished my current projects i'll have to come and Help

ign: Joelove11
Skills: Building design and marathon digging when i feel up to it.
I can also contribute some supplies like glass as well due to have a realm entirely full of sand :O