Which Minetest
Introduction
Which Minetest do you need? This page discusses the options.
List of MT projects
There are four major Minetest projects. We'll go into more detail in the following sections.
1) Trolltest aka minetest.net — Tends to break, low compatibility, largely obsolete.
2) MultiCraft 2 aka Maksym fork — Best mobile clients. Also includes Linux servers.
3) Edgy McEdge aka edgy1.net — No separate binary releases.
4) Final Minetest aka minetest.org — Linux servers, Linux and Windows desktop clients.
Final Minetest includes a Classic server, a Classic desktop client, a Finetest server, and a Finetest desktop client. The differences will be explained as this site is redone.
Use case: Offline
Use case: Single-person offline use at home; i.e., without a network.
For this use case, we recommend a Linux or Windows box running either of the Final Minetest desktop clients. A Trolltest 5.3 or below desktop client might work as well. The box can be a PC, a laptop, or a Raspberry Pi.
Note: The clients don't need a separate server when they're used in this mode.
Use case: Private network
Use case: Family or classroom use with a private network at home or school.
For this use case, you'll want a Linux box that runs a Final Minetest or MultiCraft 2 server plus one or more devices that run Minetest client programs.
The Linux box can be a PC, a laptop, or a Raspberry Pi. The clients can run on similar devices or on Android or Apple mobiles.
Use case: Run a public server yourself
Use case: You'd like to run a public server by yourself on the Internet.
For this use case, you'll need a Linux VPS and the Final Minetest Finetest server. MultiCraft 2 server mode is an option but it's moving towards walled garden. This isn't recommended.
Trolltest is right out because they continuously break things.
Note: People sometimes try to use port forwarding to run servers at home. This is tricky and not recommended.
Use case: Mobile client
Use case: You just want to connect to Internet MT worlds and you have a mobile.
For this use case, use one of the MultiCraft 2 clients. For Final Minetest worlds, the old Trolltest Android client may also work.
Use case: Desktop client
Use case: You just want to connect to Internet MT worlds and you have a Linux or Windows desktop box.
For this use case, the Final Minetest Finetest client will work.
For Final Minetest or MT 4 worlds, the Final Minetest Classic client will work as well.
Use case: Hosted Internet world
Use case: You'd like to have an Internet MT world but not run the server.
Edgy McEdge or Final Minetest might host you for free. Note: The Final Minetest group usually requires that world owners learn and use IRC.
The Minetest groups
More about the different Minetest groups:
First, a note for tech types:
There are two Minetest network protocols: MT 4 and MT 5. The two protocols aren't compatible but some servers include code to support both.
1) Trolltest aka minetest.net — This was the original Minetest project. Most people were anonymous, many were hostile to everybody, and some were mentally ill. It wasn't a very nice place.
minetest.net is still around but it isn't recommended for teachers or parents of minors. You definitely don't want children or minors to be around the troll devs. However, it's partly a moot point. Due to a project plan that has collapsed in multiple respects, the minetest.net ecosystem is largely broken as of 2022 regardless.
Trolltest servers don't work with MT 4 clients. Trolltest clients don't work with MT 4 servers.
2) MultiCraft 2: This is a commercial product focused on mobile clients. As of 2022, the sources can still be used to build Linux servers.
MultiCraft 2 is important because it's the only reliably maintained MT branch that supports Apple devices and OSes. It's also the source for the dominant Android MT client.
MultiCraft 2 is moving towards a complete split from Minetest. In the future, it may not be compatible with Minetest protocols and worlds. At that point, Final Minetest may be, in actuality, the final stable and usable Minetest project in existence.
In the end, MultiCraft 2 is expected to be Voxel As A Service as opposed to a program that you can download, keep, and use as you wish. Specifically, the project is moving towards forced updates as well as a walled-garden business model.
The MultiCraft 2 founder and lead is Maksym Hamarnyk. However, the project as a commercial product seems to be owned now by a venture named MultiCraft Studio. As of mid-2022, the associated Play Store links were as follows:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.multicraft.game
https://apps.apple.com/us/developer/multicraft-studio/id1172708361
Maksym had an odd relationship with Trolltest in the 2010s. In public, the troll devs at minetest.net used to revile Maksym and talk about ways to stop him. The anger was due to the fact that Maksym wanted to make money and this was contrary to minetest.net philosophy.
The funny part was that, in private, the troll devs would creep round to Maksym's back stair and ask for some of the money.
Final Minetest is neutral on the issue of making money. On the one hand, FOSS is BOSS. On the other hand, MONEY is HONEY.
MultiCraft 2 servers work with both MT 4 and MT 5 clients. However, Final Minetest works better in this regard.
3) Edgy McEdge aka edgy1.net — Edgy's group doesn't have its own MT releases. However, it runs the most important remaining MT server boxes and social media resources. Edgy uses parts from all of the MT projects.
4) Final Minetest aka minetest.org — Final Minetest is the 2nd oldest project in this list. It dates back to 2012.
Final Minetest offers the most advanced MT game in existence as well as the greatest compatibility with MT clients across the board.
The main issues with Final Minetest are that it doesn't offer Apple support or its own mobile clients. The focus is on Linux servers and Linux and Windows desktop clients. Final Minetest worlds also aren't on major server lists. We'll come back to that point.
Other Final Minetest features include: 20 times faster mapgen in some cases. 64x64 high-resolution skins. Advanced APIs found nowhere else. Full integration of 3D Armor and the skins system. MT 4 and MT 5 dual compatibility superior to that of MultiCraft 2.
