Proxy Messages: Unify Your Minecraft Network Messaging Seamlessly
Managing a Minecraft server network can be a complex task, especially when you want to provide a consistent player experience across multiple backend servers. Proxy Messages is a powerful Velocity plugin designed to solve exactly that problem. It centralizes and customizes the messages players see when they join, leave, or switch between servers, making your network feel like one cohesive world rather than a collection of isolated instances.
What Is Proxy Messages for Minecraft?
Proxy Messages is a lightweight yet feature-rich add-on for the Velocity proxy. Unlike traditional plugins that must be installed on every single backend server, this plugin operates solely on the proxy layer. It intercepts player connection events and broadcasts configurable messages network-wide. This means you can set up a unified greeting, farewell, or server-switch notification once, and it will work across all your connected Minecraft servers, from 1.7.2 to the latest version.
Key Features That Set Proxy Messages Apart
- Global Join, Leave, and Switch Messages: Automatically notify all online players when someone connects, disconnects, or moves to a different server. No more fragmented chat—everyone stays in the loop.
- Full Customization with Placeholders: Use
{player},{prev}, and{cur}to dynamically insert player names and server names. You can even create multiple message variants for each event, and the plugin will randomly select one, keeping the experience fresh. - HEX Color and Styling Support: Go beyond standard Minecraft color codes. Insert HEX values like
{#ff0066}directly into your messages, and use Kyori Adventure text decorations such as{bold},{italic},{strike},{underline}, and{obfuscate}to make announcements pop. - Global Player Chat: Enable cross-server messaging so players can chat with friends on other servers using a simple toggle command (
/toggleGM). The prefix is fully configurable with placeholders. - DiscordSRV Integration: Send join, leave, and switch notifications to a designated Discord channel. Customize embed colors and text, and even display a server list on proxy startup.
- Network-Wide Resource Pack: Push a custom resource pack to all players upon joining, with options to set a prompt, make it required, or exclude specific servers.
How to Install Proxy Messages on Your Velocity Proxy
Installing Proxy Messages is straightforward because it only needs to be placed on your Velocity proxy server—no per-server configuration required. Follow these steps to get started:
- Download Proxy Messages: Obtain the latest plugin JAR from a trusted source. Ensure you are getting the correct version for your Velocity setup (supports Velocity 3.0.0 and above).
- Place the downloaded JAR file into your Velocity server's
pluginsfolder. - Restart your Velocity proxy. The plugin will generate a default configuration file at
plugins/proxymessages/config.yml. - Edit the
config.ymlto customize messages, toggle features, and set up Discord integration as needed. - Restart the proxy again to apply changes. No additional plugins are required on your backend servers, though you may want to disable default join/leave messages there for a cleaner look.
If you use the foxygame.net launcher, Proxy Messages is available in their add-on catalog for a one-click install, automatically handling version compatibility and updates so you can focus on customizing your network's messaging.
Deep Dive into Configuration
The heart of Proxy Messages lies in its config.yml. Here are the core sections you'll want to tweak:
Message Customization
Under join-message-options, leave-message-options, and switch-message-options, you can list multiple message strings. The plugin randomly picks one each time, adding variety. For example:
"{#55ff55}Welcome, {player}! Enjoy your stay.""{#ffaa00}{player} has left the network. See you soon!""{player} moved from {prev} to {cur}"
You can also toggle the global announcements on or off with global-network-join, global-network-leave, and global-network-switch.
Global Messaging
When global-messages is enabled, players can use /toggleGM to switch between local and global chat. The global-message-prefix defines how messages appear, e.g., "[Global] {player}@{cur}: ".
Discord Integration
To link with DiscordSRV, set discord.enabled to true and provide your bot token and channel ID. You can customize join, leave, and switch embed colors with HEX codes, and even configure online/offline messages that post when the proxy starts or stops. A server count list can be toggled, and an icon.jpg placed in the plugin folder will be used for embeds if display-icon is true.
Resource Pack Distribution
Under network-resource-pack, enable the feature, provide a download URL and SHA1 hash, and set a prompt message. You can make the pack required and list servers to exclude.
Why Choose Proxy Messages for Your Minecraft Network?
Proxy Messages eliminates the need for multiple messaging plugins and complex synchronization. It's a set-and-forget solution that works with any backend server software (Paper, Spigot, Fabric, etc.) because it operates purely on the proxy. The ability to download Proxy Messages and get it running in minutes makes it ideal for both small communities and large networks. With HEX color support and DiscordSRV integration, you can maintain a professional, branded experience everywhere your players interact.
Whether you're looking to enhance player communication or simply want a cleaner network presence, Proxy Messages delivers. Its random message selection keeps announcements from feeling repetitive, and the global chat feature bridges the gap between servers, fostering a more connected community.
Final Thoughts
If you run a Velocity-based Minecraft network, Proxy Messages is an essential tool. It's easy to install, highly configurable, and actively maintained. The plugin's focus on proxy-side operation means less overhead and fewer compatibility headaches. So why wait? Download Proxy Messages today and give your players the unified experience they deserve.