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To host a Simply Lord of the Rings server, first choose one supported branch, then use its matching Minecraft version, Forge loader, client files and dedicated server pack. Extract that server pack into a separate folder, run the Forge server once, accept the EULA, set level-type=middleEarth in server.properties, and configure your firewall and router so other players can connect. The official listing currently identifies a Legacy branch for Minecraft 1.7.10 and a Renewed beta for Minecraft 1.16.5; mixing those branches is the most common setup mistake.
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Choose the correct Simply LOTR branch first
A Simply LOTR server is tied to a specific Minecraft and Forge version. Decide which branch your group will play before downloading anything. Every player must install the same pack release and Forge version as the server. A 1.7.10 client cannot join a 1.16.5 server, even if both installations are called Simply LOTR.
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| Branch shown on the official listing | Minecraft and loader | Dedicated server file | Java starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simply LOTR: Legacy v1.7.2 | Minecraft 1.7.10 Forge | Simply LOTR Legacy - Server Pack - 1.7.2.1.zip |
Java 8 |
| Simply LOTR: Renewed Beta 1 | Minecraft 1.16.5 Forge | Simply LOTR Renewed - Server Pack - Beta 1.zip |
Java 8 |
The project listing is maintained by HogPilot and is licensed under GPLv3. Treat the release names and files above as a matched set: do not substitute a similarly named client archive, a different beta, or a vanilla server JAR.
What “matching” means for players
- Use the same Simply LOTR release on every computer.
- Use the same Minecraft version shown for that release.
- Use the Forge build expected by that pack release.
- Keep the server’s mod and configuration files from the dedicated server pack intact unless the pack documentation explicitly says a file is client-only.
If a player sees missing-mod, wrong-version or registry errors, compare the release name and Forge version before changing settings. Those errors usually indicate that the client and server are on different branches or builds.
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What you need before installing
- A Windows or Linux computer that can remain powered on while people play, or a managed Minecraft host.
- The matching Simply LOTR server-pack ZIP from the pack’s CurseForge Files page.
- A Java runtime compatible with the chosen Minecraft and Forge build. CurseForge’s setup guidance specifies “Java 8 for 1.16.5 and older,” making Java 8 the practical starting point for both listed branches. If the exact Forge installer documentation requires a different runtime, follow that installer requirement.
- Permission to create a listening port through the computer’s firewall and, for players outside your home, the router’s port-forwarding settings.
- A backup location for the world, configuration files and logs.
Do not install the server inside a player’s normal .minecraft directory. A separate folder keeps server configuration, logs and world data isolated and makes backups or a later migration much safer.
Install the dedicated server pack
1. Download the server archive
- Open the Simply LOTR project on CurseForge and select Files.
- Choose the exact release your group selected: Legacy v1.7.2 or Renewed Beta 1.
- Open that release’s Additional Files area and download the matching server-pack ZIP. CurseForge’s multiplayer guidance identifies this Files → chosen version → Additional Files path for server files.
- Do not use the client profile or a generic Forge installer as a replacement for the dedicated pack. The server archive contains the server-side configuration and files intended for this modpack.
2. Extract into a dedicated folder
Create a folder such as SimplyLOTR-Server somewhere with adequate disk space, then extract the ZIP directly into it. The folder should contain the supplied launch script or Forge server files rather than another nested ZIP directory. Keep a copy of the original archive outside the live folder so you can restore a clean installation.
On Linux, preserve executable permissions if the archive includes a shell script. On Windows, extract with a tool that can handle long filenames and then confirm that the files are not still read-only or trapped inside the compressed archive.
Install Forge and launch the server once
Use the Forge installer when the pack does not already include a complete runtime
If the downloaded files include a Forge installer, run it from the server folder with the server option:
java -jar forge-x.xx.x-installer.jar --installServer
Replace forge-x.xx.x-installer.jar with the actual installer filename supplied for your Minecraft version. The Forge build must correspond to 1.7.10 for Legacy or 1.16.5 for Renewed. Running an installer for another Minecraft version creates a server that the pack cannot use.
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Use the supplied run.bat on Windows, run.sh on Linux, or the Forge launch command provided by the pack. Start it from the server directory so relative paths resolve correctly. The first launch normally creates eula.txt, server.properties, a world directory and log files, then stops because the EULA has not been accepted.
If the command reports that Java is not found, check which executable your operating system is using with its normal Java-version command and ensure it is the Java 8 installation intended for this older pack. Installing Java is not enough if the launch script still points to a different executable.
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- The classic UNO card game builds fun on game night with a Minecraft theme.
- UNO Minecraft features a deck and storage tin decorated with graphics from the popular video game.
- Players match colors and numbers to the card on top of the discard pile as in the classic game.
- The Creeper card unique to this deck forces other players to draw 3 cards.
- Makes a great gift for kid, teen, adult and family game nights with 2 to 10 players ages 7 years and older, especially Minecraft and video game fans.
Accept the EULA and set Middle-earth generation
Accept the EULA
- Stop the process if it is still open.
- Open
eula.txtin the server folder. - Change
eula=falsetoeula=trueand save the file. - Launch the same Forge server command again.
Mojang’s setup sequence uses this two-stage launch: the first run creates the EULA file, and the second run proceeds after the setting is accepted. Only accept it if the server owner has read and agrees to Mojang’s terms.
Set the required world type before creating the world
Open server.properties and set the value exactly as follows:
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level-type=middleEarth
The pack listing states: “If you’re starting a server, open the ‘Server Properties’ file and set the ‘level-type’ value to ‘middleEarth.’” Preserve the capitalization and spelling. Save the file before the server creates the final world.
This setting controls world generation for a new world. If the server has already generated a world with another level type, changing the property will not retrofit chunks that already exist. For a clean Middle-earth map, stop the server, back up the existing world, remove or rename that world directory, confirm level-type=middleEarth, and start again. Deleting a world permanently removes its current progress unless you have a backup.
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- Same as Basic UNO but features Minecraft characters and includes special Creeper rule card. Draw this card and the other players have to draw three more cards from the pile!
- The goal is to get rid of all the cards in your hand.
- First player or team to 500 wins.
- When you're down to one card, don't forget to yell "UNO"!
Configure the server for local and remote players
Test locally first
With the server running, connect from the same computer using localhost. This test separates modpack and server problems from router problems. If the host cannot join locally, fix the Forge launch, Java version, EULA or pack files before changing port-forwarding rules.
Choose and expose the server port
Java servers commonly use port 25565, but the actual value is whatever appears in server.properties. If you change server-port, use that same number in the firewall rule, router rule and the address given to players. Forward only the port you actually use.
- Give the host computer a stable local-network address, preferably through a DHCP reservation in the router.
- Create a router port-forwarding rule for the server’s TCP port (normally 25565) to that computer’s local address.
- Allow the same port through the host operating system’s firewall. The firewall rule must permit the Java or Forge server process to accept inbound connections.
- Restart or reload the server if you changed its port property, then verify that it is listening.
- Give outside players your public address and port. Players on the same LAN should use the host’s local address instead.
Mojang’s Java server guidance notes that a compatible JRE, firewall configuration and port forwarding may all be required. Do not publish your public address more widely than necessary; share it with trusted players and remove the forwarding rule when the server is no longer in use.
When port forwarding does not work
Some internet providers use carrier-grade NAT, which means your router does not receive a directly reachable public IPv4 address. In that situation, a normal forwarding rule can appear correct while outside players still cannot connect. Ask the provider whether inbound connections are supported, use a suitable tunnel solution, or move the server to a managed host. A tunnel changes the network design and should be evaluated for its own trust, latency and availability implications.
Self-hosting versus renting a managed server
Both approaches can run the same pack, but they place responsibility in different hands.
| Consideration | Self-hosted computer | Managed Minecraft host |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Install Java and Forge, extract the server files, accept the EULA, edit properties, and configure the firewall and router. | A provider panel may install Forge, expose file management and provide a ready-to-use network endpoint. |
| Control | Full access to files, mods, backups, logs, Java process and network settings. | Less control over the underlying machine, but fewer operating-system and router tasks. |
| Cost pattern | Uses existing hardware and electricity; you provide maintenance and troubleshooting time. | Requires a recurring hosting fee; compare memory, backup policy, location and support. |
| Best fit | A technically comfortable group with a reliable computer and home network. | Players who want the server online without administering a home network. |
How much memory should you choose?
The Simply LOTR listing recommends a plan of at least 4 GB when discussing a named hosting provider. That is a provider recommendation, not a universal minimum for every self-hosted machine. The published material does not establish a controlled RAM-per-player benchmark, guaranteed player count, uptime figure or latency target. Start with the pack’s documented requirements, watch the server logs and operating-system memory use, and change resources only after observing an actual bottleneck.
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A managed panel can remove router configuration and keep the machine online, but you still must select the exact Simply LOTR release, install its Forge files and set level-type=middleEarth. The listing recommends BisectHosting and mentions a plan of at least 4 GB; verify the provider’s current plan, support for the exact CurseForge pack and any promotion before paying. Modrinth Hosting advertises integrated modpack installation, Forge support and SFTP access, but confirm that the exact Simply LOTR release you want is available rather than assuming every CurseForge file is offered.
Backups, updates and safe maintenance
Make a backup before changing the world or pack
- Tell players to log out and stop the server cleanly.
- Copy the entire world directory,
server.properties, configuration folders, scripts and important logs to a separate disk or storage service. - Label the backup with the branch, release and date.
- Restart and test the server only after the backup is complete.
A world backup is particularly important before changing level-type, replacing a server pack or testing a new Forge build. Keep at least one backup that is not stored in the live server directory.
Do not mix branches during an update
When moving from one release to another, stop the server and read that release’s file notes. Do not overwrite a 1.7.10 installation with 1.16.5 files or copy a newer mod directory into an older world without a backup. Have every player update their client before reconnecting, and retain the previous server folder until the new installation has been tested.
Troubleshooting common failures
The server starts as vanilla, or players receive missing-mod errors
- Confirm that the launch script is starting Forge, not a vanilla server JAR.
- Check that the server files came from the matching Simply LOTR server-pack ZIP.
- Compare each player’s pack release, Minecraft version and Forge build with the server.
- Read the first relevant error in the log instead of repeatedly restarting; a missing dependency or wrong loader is usually identified there.
Java or Forge launch errors appear immediately
- Use Java 8 as the starting runtime for these 1.7.10 and 1.16.5 branches, consistent with CurseForge’s “Java 8 for 1.16.5 and older” guidance.
- Verify that the
javacommand used by the script points to the intended installation, not an incompatible system default. - Check that the Forge installer and server files belong to the same Minecraft version.
- Run the Forge installation command from the server directory and preserve the complete error text when seeking help.
The world is ordinary Minecraft instead of Middle-earth
- Stop the server and open the active
server.properties, not a copy in another folder. - Confirm the line is exactly
level-type=middleEarth, with no quotation marks or extra spaces. - Check that the setting was saved before the world was created.
- If the existing world was generated under another type, back it up and create a new world after correcting the property.
Friends cannot connect, but localhost works
- Confirm the server is listening on the port shown in
server.properties. - Allow Java or the server port through the host firewall.
- Make sure the router forwards the port to the host’s current LAN address.
- Have outside players use the public address, while LAN players use the local address.
- Check whether the internet provider uses carrier-grade NAT or blocks inbound connections.
- Verify that the server and clients still use the same pack and Forge release; a network timeout and a mod mismatch can occur at the same time but require different fixes.
The server lags or crashes
- Read the logs around the first warning or crash rather than changing several settings at once.
- Reduce view distance and simulation distance to lower active-world work.
- Remove unneeded client-only content from the server only when the pack documentation explicitly permits it.
- Watch memory and CPU use while reproducing the problem before changing allocated RAM.
- Do not treat the listing’s “at least 4 GB” hosting recommendation as a proven player-count rule; no controlled benchmark is published for this pack.
A practical launch checklist
- Branch selected: Legacy 1.7.10 or Renewed 1.16.5.
- All players have the same release and Forge loader.
- Matching dedicated server ZIP downloaded from the release’s Additional Files section.
- Server extracted into its own folder.
- Compatible Java installed, with Java 8 as the starting point for these branches.
- Forge server installed and launched, not a vanilla JAR.
eula=truesaved ineula.txt.level-type=middleEarthsaved before the final world is generated.- Local
localhostconnection tested. - Firewall and router forwarding configured for the actual server port.
- World and configuration backups stored outside the live folder.
The Bottom Line
The reliable setup is a matched branch, a dedicated server pack, Java 8, Forge, an accepted EULA and level-type=middleEarth before world creation. Self-hosting gives maximum control but requires firewall and router administration; managed hosting costs more and reduces that network work.
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