Installation Instructions
If you’re not familiar with either Java or Minecraft modding, don’t use this page; use the Quickstart Guide instead. This is for people who like to tinker, and is somewhat long and complicated.
The Skyland Survival Challenge server is not vanilla Minecraft. It uses the Forge modding environment. In order to play, you will need to use a modded client. We recommend using the MultiMC client. It allows you to have multiple modded and vanilla instances of Minecraft installed simultaneously, all without touching your vanilla Minecraft installation.
To install MultiMC, first download the application from multimc.org. It runs on PC, Mac, or Linux. The installation instructions below use a Windows environment for the illustrations, but the instructions they illustrate apply to all platforms.
Once you download and unzip the application, find the MultiMC executable file and run it. If you have more than one Java instance available, it will ask you to choose which one to use. If you get this window and aren’t sure which one to use, any 1.7.0 release of Java is suitable. If you don’t have that version of Java installed, you will need to install it; several of the mods used by the Skyland Survival Challenge server require it.
STEP 1: Account
You need to give your Minecraft credentials to MultiMC, so it can connect to the server, and to Minecraft’s authentication system. To do so, first click on the Accounts dropdown…
Then on Manage Accounts.
That will open the Accounts window. Click “add”.
Add the username and password you use to log on to Minecraft. If you don’t remember, the Minecraft web site can send it to you.
Your account window should look like this when you’re finished.
You should probably set your account as the default if you use more than one account to play. MultiMC can store and use as many credentials sets as you like.
STEP 2: Creating the instance
MultiMC stores its different configurations as instances. You will need to create one for the Skyland Survival Challenge server. First, click the ‘Add a new instance’ button in the upper left corner of the MultiMC window.
This will open the New Instance window. Click on the button next to the Version field.
Select the regular release of version 1.7.10. You MUST select this release and version. Otherwise you won’t be able to connect to the server. Click OK when done.
Your New Instance window will look like this once you’re finished selecting the version. Click OK.
Lastly, run the instance once by double-clicking the Instance icon you just made. This will download binaries and libraries from Mojang, and could take a few minutes. Once the Minecraft window successfully opens, close it immediately.
STEP 3: Installing mods
The Skyland Survival Challenge uses multiple mods to make gameplay more difficult. You will need to download the mod files.
Once you download them, click the Instance Folder button on the right hand side of the MultiMC window.
This will open up a file browser window for your operating system inside the MultiMC folder. Drill down to minecraft->mods. Unpack the mod zip file you just downloaded and copy its contents directly into the mods folder. It must look like this when you’re done. Close the file browser window when you’re finished.
STEP 4: Installing Forge
Now that the mods are installed, we have to install Forge. This MUST be installed for the mods to be used. Fortunately, it’s an easy process! First, return to the MultiMC window and click on Edit Instance on the right hand side.
That will open up the Edit Instance window. Click on ‘Install Forge’ on the right hand side.
This will download a list of available Forge releases for Minecraft version 1.7.10. This may take a while. Once it downloads the list, it will automatically open a window with your selection choices. Choose the latest version of Forge, which is the first one on the list. Then click OK. It will then download all the libraries it needs for that version of Forge and install them for you automatically.
Once it’s finished installing Forge, your Edit Instance window should look like this. Click close.
STEP 5: Connecting to the server
Now you’re ready to play! In the MultiMC window, double click the Skyland Survival Challenge instance you created.
This will launch Minecraft. A log window will open; don’t worry, that’s normal. It may take a while to load everything, but once it’s done, a familiar window should open. Click on Multiplayer.
Add a server with the Skyland Survival Challenge server address. For your convenience, it is:
minecraft.thinkfor.us:25567
Your multiplayer configuration should look like this. Now you’re ready to play! Join with the server and try to survive!
