On June 15th Liberty Minecraft launched a second server. It's uncommon for a Minecraft server to launch a second world in conjunction with an update to Minecraft. Rather, most Minecraft server operators will proceed in one of two ways: they will reset the world or players will explore farther out into a world which is six times larger than earth. For most server operators it is the former. In the case of 2b2t, it is the latter. Liberty Minecraft offers a third option by competing with itself.


At the time of this writing a test server is available with a few small changes. The New World only has default means of transportation and means of access to resources. Players are testing a world that's more like vanilla Minecraft than our old world. The test world is exactly the same size at 7000x7000 blocks.

The New World's test server has been relatively popular over the last three weeks, with roughly 15 visitors a day. Our players have logged more than 600 hours over the last three weeks, which is roughly 1/14th the activity observed in 2b2t's temporary world.
The New World's test server represents an interesting (and limited) opportunity. I have decided to play anthropologist once again; to discover how Liberty Minecraft's players get on in a temporary world with scarce resources.


Over the course of three days I endeavoured to answer three questions: what will LMC produce, how are those goods distributed, and how do players engage in trade for those goods? Before answering each question in turn, let me first explain LMC.

What is Liberty Minecraft?

Liberty Minecraft is a modified Minecraft server, established in December 2015. Unlike most Minecraft worlds, Liberty Minecraft is approximately the size of Manhattan island. In this way, Liberty Minecraft confronts scarcity.

There is one rule in Liberty Minecraft: resolve nonviolent disputes nonviolently. The server also protects against some forms of hacking such as x-raying through blocks to discover Diamond Ore. So players may use hacks and exploits which may or may not function and which may violate the terms of use. Furthermore, players do have private property rights which are enforced by computer code. In three years of operation, there have been no instances of property damage. Self-ownership is recognized. Nonviolent disputes must be resolved nonviolently. The story of Liberty Minecraft will appeal to those who are fascinated by Austrian Economics and Libertarian Ethics. Player characters and their property can only be destroyed by mutual consent.

Players of Liberty Minecraft may thrive insofar as they manage their capital wisely. Large cities have been constructed by individuals or groups, and all known cities which have existed still exist. Public knowledge of their existence marks the beginning of their engagement in commerce. Once a city’s location is known it will be patronized for as long as it’s occupants provide a compelling offer. Given the option, property owners often preempt these patrons by claiming more land to insure their own interests are secured as a consequence of providing value.

Liberty Minecraft is described by its own community as a great server with a judgemental server operator of serious temperament (i am the server operator). It is the only server in the world which implements Austrian Economics with Libertarian ethics. I believe that economic and social policy may be tested here to demonstrate the problems of state intervention. It is a quiet place. One will find simple towns with active marketplaces. Players exist among company or weath if they pursue it. One may stumble on abandoned properties which the owner has given up; homes, factories, and shops created by ordinary players pursuing their goals. The social order of Liberty Minecraft is self-ownership with private property.

In the following, I will attempt to examine the same parts of LMC’s economy as observed in 2b2t’s temporary world. At least for the next three weeks, anyone may reproduce this effort by visiting our Test Server.

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