Bring Competitive Ice Hockey to Your Minecraft Server
Minecraft is a game of endless possibilities, from building colossal structures to exploring mysterious biomes. But sometimes, you want to step away from mining and crafting to enjoy a fast-paced sport with friends. That is exactly where the HockeyGame plugin shines. It transforms your server into a fully functional hockey arena, complete with teams, positions, and puck physics. Whether you run a minigame hub or just want a new activity for your community, this plugin delivers an immersive hockey experience without leaving the blocky world you love.
What Is HockeyGame?
HockeyGame is a Bukkit/Spigot plugin that lets players compete in hockey matches inside Minecraft. The latest version, 2.5, supports Minecraft versions 1.5 through 1.7, and it has been recoded from scratch for better performance. The plugin introduces a full arena system, multi-language support, and a unique class-based gameplay where you can choose to be a winger, defender, or goalkeeper. Every match feels dynamic because the plugin manages everything from team selection to scoring, and it even includes an inventory keeper so you do not lose your items when joining a game.
Key Features That Make HockeyGame Stand Out
- Multi-Arena System: Create as many arenas as you need, each with its own configuration and teams.
- Multi-Language Support: The plugin speaks English, Russian, German, and Portuguese, with room for community translations.
- Class Roles: Players pick a position—winger, defender, or goalkeeper—adding strategy to every match.
- Prize System: Reward winners with customizable prizes to keep competition fierce.
- GUI Menu: An intuitive graphical interface makes arena selection and team management effortless.
- Command Whitelist: Restrict certain commands during matches to prevent cheating.
- Add-on Support: Extend functionality with modular add-ons that plug directly into the plugin.
Setting Up Your First Hockey Arena
Getting a hockey rink ready is simpler than it sounds. Start by creating two teams through the in-game menu: open the main HockeyGame interface with /hockey, navigate to Team Manager, and create each team. Then head to Arena Manager and create a new arena. The setup process uses right-click selection on blocks to define important points in this exact order:
- Lobby for the first team
- Lobby for the second team
- Spawn point for the first team
- Spawn point for the second team
- Puck spawn point
- Goal area for the first team (select three blocks, then run
/hockeyand proceed to the next stage) - Goal area for the second team
After saving the arena, create a sign that players can click to join. Finally, link any two teams to the arena via the menu, and you are ready to drop the puck.
Commands and Permissions
The entire plugin revolves around the /hockey command. It opens the main GUI where players browse arenas, choose teams, and select their class. Admins can manage arenas, teams, add-ons, and configurations from the same menu. Permissions are straightforward:
- hg.admin (default: false) – Grants access to all administrative functions.
- hg.playing (default: true) – Allows a player to join and play hockey matches.
This clean separation means you can give everyone the ability to play without worrying about them altering arena setups.
Expanding Gameplay with Add-ons
One of the smartest design choices in HockeyGame is its add-on system. Developers can create jar files that plug into the plugins/HockeyGame/addons/ folder, and the server will load them automatically. To manage installed add-ons, just open the main menu and go to the Add-ons section. There you can enable or disable each add-on with a left mouse button click. The plugin comes with a built-in boiler add-on as an example, and more community add-ons are available to download from the official resource page. Managing these add-ons is straightforward, and if you use the foxygame.net launcher, you can even download and enable them directly from its built-in mod menu, making server customization a breeze.
Keeping Your Plugin Updated and Metrics
HockeyGame includes an auto-updater that checks for new versions approved by BukkitDev staff, ensuring your server stays secure and current. If you prefer to handle updates manually, you can disable this feature in the config.yml by setting Enable-updater to false. The plugin also uses Hidendra's metrics system to collect anonymous data such as server version, Java version, player count, and OS details. This information helps the developer understand how the plugin is used and improve it over time. To opt out, simply edit plugins/Plugin Metrics/config.yml and change opt-out to true.
Why Your Server Needs a Hockey Minigame
Minigames keep communities engaged, and hockey is a universally loved sport that translates surprisingly well into Minecraft mechanics. The class system adds depth, while the easy arena setup means you can have a playable rink in minutes. The plugin’s recoded core ensures stability, and the add-on architecture means it can grow with your server’s needs. Whether you are running a small survival world with friends or a large minigame network, HockeyGame brings a fresh competitive twist that players will keep coming back to.
The developer is actively working on improving translations and squashing bugs, so expect even smoother gameplay in future updates. If you run into any issues, the source code is available for those who want to peek under the hood or contribute fixes. Grab the plugin, set up your first arena, and let the puck drop—your server’s next great rivalry is about to begin.