MotdPerWorld: Custom MOTD per World for Minecraft

MotdPerWorld: Give Every World Its Own Welcome Message

Every Minecraft server administrator knows the importance of a good first impression. The Message of the Day, or MOTD, is often the first thing players see when they connect. But what if you run a network with multiple worlds—a survival realm, a creative plot world, and a hardcore PvP arena? A single static MOTD just doesn't cut it. That's where the MotdPerWorld plugin comes in, letting you tailor the welcome message for each individual world a player enters.

Originally suggested by community member RudyBx on the Bukkit forums, MotdPerWorld fills a niche that vanilla Minecraft ignores. Instead of a one-size-fits-all greeting, this plugin displays a specific message to any player or permission group whenever they join the server or switch worlds. Whether you want to remind builders of the rules in your creative flatland or greet newcomers with a warm welcome in the hub, MotdPerWorld makes it possible.

How MotdPerWorld Works

The plugin hooks into the world-change event and checks the player's permissions against a configuration file. If the player has the correct permission node for the world they're entering, they'll see a custom MOTD in chat. You can even target messages to specific groups—for example, VIP players might see an exclusive greeting in the donor lounge, while regular members get a standard tip. The plugin supports all standard Minecraft color codes and formatting options like bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough, so you can style your messages exactly as you like.

Key Features at a Glance

• Set a unique MOTD for every world on your server.
• Permission-based delivery—only players with the right node see the message.
• Full support for color codes (&1 through &f) and formatting (&l, &m, &n, &o).
• Use the %name placeholder to personalize messages with the player's username.
• Configurable prefix to brand all your MOTDs consistently.
• Lightweight and designed for Bukkit-based servers (tested on Minecraft 1.6.4, but often compatible with later versions).

Installation and Setup

Getting started is straightforward. First, download the MotdPerWorld.jar file and place it into your server's plugins directory. Restart or reload the server, and the plugin will generate a default configuration. You'll need to manually edit the config.yml to add your world names and the corresponding messages. If you're not comfortable editing YAML files, the plugin's documentation provides a helpful guide on formatting the config—just search for the MotdPerWorld Bukkit thread for examples. For those who prefer a streamlined setup, this plugin can be easily installed via the foxygame.net launcher — a convenient, flexible, and modern Minecraft launcher where you can download mods right from the menu. Once installed, you can use the in-game commands to reload the configuration without restarting the server.

Configuration Deep Dive

The config.yml is where the magic happens. Here's a breakdown of the main sections:

• prefix: A string that appears before every MotdPerWorld message. Set it to false to disable.
• helpMessage: The text displayed when a player runs /motdpw help. You can use multiple lines with \n and all color/formatting codes.
• world: The exact name of a world (case-sensitive). Under each world, you define the message that players with the right permission will see.

For example, a simple config might look like this:

prefix: '&6[Server] &r'
helpMessage: '&6MotdPerWorld &9displays a different MOTD per world.\n&9Commands: &4/motdpw help'
world:
  survival:
    message: '&aWelcome to Survival, %name! Gather resources and build.'
  creative:
    message: '&bYou entered the Creative world. Unlimited blocks await.'

Remember to use the correct permission nodes so players actually receive these messages.

Commands and Permissions

MotdPerWorld adds a simple set of commands for server operators:

• /motdpw – Shows the current plugin version.
• /motdpw reload – Reloads the configuration file on the fly.
• /motdpw help – Displays the customizable help message.

Permissions are equally straightforward. The main nodes are:

• motdpw.receive.WORLDNAME – Grants the player the MOTD for that specific world (replace WORLDNAME with the actual world name).
• motdpw.receive.* – A wildcard that allows receiving all MOTDs defined in the config.
• motdpw.reload – Allows reloading the config (defaults to op).

By assigning these permissions to groups or individual players, you control exactly who sees what. For instance, you might give motdpw.receive.staffworld only to your moderator group, so regular players never see the staff-only announcements.

Changelog and Evolution

MotdPerWorld started at version 0.4 and has seen steady improvements. The initial release provided the core world-based MOTD functionality. Version 0.5 fully implemented the /motdpw help command with a configurable message. The latest version, 0.6, added extended formatting codes—bold, strikethrough, underline, and italic—to the help message, world messages, and prefix. The developer has expressed a commitment to ongoing support, so expect more features in the future.

Why Your Server Needs MotdPerWorld

In a multiplayer environment, communication is key. A well-crafted MOTD can guide players, reinforce rules, announce events, or simply make them feel at home. With MotdPerWorld, you turn a generic system into a dynamic, context-aware tool. No more confusion when a player warps from a minigame lobby to a survival world and wonders what's changed. The plugin bridges that gap seamlessly.

Moreover, the permission-based approach means you can create layered experiences. VIP members might get insider tips in a secret world, while newbies receive helpful tutorials in the starter area—all automatically. The plugin is lightweight, so it won't bog down your server's performance, and the configuration is simple enough that even novice admins can set it up in minutes.

Final Thoughts

MotdPerWorld may be a small plugin, but it solves a big problem for multi-world servers. By personalizing the message of the day for each dimension, you enhance immersion and keep players informed. Whether you're running a classic Bukkit setup or a modern fork, this plugin remains a valuable addition to your toolkit. Grab the jar, tweak the config, and watch your server's communication level up—one world at a time.