Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
If there’s one thing we’ve heard the most this year, it’s “where has this year gone?!”. We can’t quite believe how close we are to bringing in the New Year. So with 2025 fast approaching, let’s take a look back at everything that happened in 2024 and look into 2025.
This year saw exciting changes and additions. To mention a few, we had the Easy Map Updater from Dominexis, a brand new dedicated control panel for our Aussie server owners, Control Panel improvements worldwide, the introduction of our brand new Data Pack Manager, and brought on new members to our Twitch Stream Team!
But first, from everyone at StickyPiston, a very Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays) and Happy New Year! 🎅
Right, let’s look back at 2024:
Easy Map Updater (EMU)
What a project to kick off this post! The Easy Map Updater (also known as EMU) is THE tool Minecraft mapmakers need if they want their maps to stay relevant – or just easy to play in modern versions of the game. Created by Dominexis in collaboration with StickyPiston Hosting, and recognised by Mojang(!!!), EMU makes it easy to update your MInecraft Maps with minimal effort.
Working with Command Blocks and Datapacks, simply select the world, type “Update” and that’s it! Your map is ready to play in the latest version of the game! If I was asked to learn the new commands or use EMU, I’d pick EMU all day long!
Dedicated Australian Panel
Did you know it takes about 17 hours to fly from England to Australia? Well thankfully it doesn’t take that long to load the Australian Control Panel anymore. Why? Because earlier this year we introduced a dedicated Australian Control Panel for all our Aussie server owners! 🐨
Finally, being on the other side of the world no longer means dealing with a slow control panel experience! Now you can spend less time waiting and more time playing! Exactly how it should be.
A Better Panel For Everyone
It’s not just our Australian users that saw benefits from control panel improvements, everyone saw loading speed improvements to the control panel. Probably the most notable change was the improved navigation. It’s now easier than ever to navigate the control panel and get exactly where you need to be!
Data Pack Manager
EMU wasn’t the only new release every Map Maker should be using. We also released our Data Pack Manager this year. The Data Pack Manager allows you to quickly and easily manage the Data Packs in your world folder, without ever needing to open your world folder
There’s so much to mention about the Data Pack Manager, so we’ve written this helpful guide to show you all it has to offer and how to use it.
The Stream Team Grows
Now, what’s one thing you need after a long day of managing your Minecraft Server? Blocky entertainment of course! Introducing 📺 StickyPiston.TV! This year, we grew the Stream Team by 150%, welcoming MarioHessel, KeyDevy, and TheHappywheels1 – that’s me!
Meet your Stream Team Members!
MoseMajorMC
MoseMajorMC is a complex life-support system for a magnificent Mosetache and fabulous hair. The Mosetache and hair have been playing Minecraft since the early days. The Mosetache concentrates on the more technical aspects, especially redstone. While the hair takes care of building and aesthetics. Together they make one glorious whole.
Khallador
Khallador, a Minecraft player from the USA, has been part of the game’s community since version 1.8 and ventured into modded Minecraft just two years ago. While building might not be their strongest suit, they excel at following tutorials and enjoy relaxing mining sessions. Khallador streams regularly on their own channel, typically on Fridays and Sundays, and also brings their energy to the StickyPiston channel for Saturday entertainment. They’re always excited to connect with the community and share fun experiences.
KeyDevy
KeyDevy is a Minecraft tech enthusiast with a passion for exploring mods, experimenting with automation, and diving into futuristic machinery. They share their love for the game through engaging mod showcases, detailed add-on reviews, and the occasional adventure on custom Minecraft maps. With a knack for tinkering and building, KeyDevy invites others to join in exploring the endless possibilities that Minecraft has to offer.
MarioHessel
Hessel, also known as MarioHessel, is a Dutch YouTuber who creates animations with friends and produces a variety of gameplay content. While Minecraft is a favorite, his channel also features horror games, vlogs, and streams. Hailing from the Netherlands—proudly referred to as “the cheese country”—Hessel brings a playful and creative energy to everything he does.
TheHappywheels1
I’m best known for creating Minecraft content on YouTube and have done so since 2012. Around here, I’m known as the “Modpack Newbie”, because whilst I update modpacks here at StickyPiston Hosting, my time spent playing modpacks for fun is very little. Catch me on the StickyPiston Twitch channel every Thursday at 10:30 AM GMT (or BST if it’s summer).
Looking Into 2025
Phew, that was a lot! No doubt 2025 will be just as packed – if not more 👀. Thank you for your continued support throughout 2024 and before. It really drives us to continue making StickyPiston the best it can be for you.
Looking into the New Year, we have plans. Even more control panel improvements, a bucket load of additional Modpacks for you to install through the One Click Installer, new features for managing your servers, continued support for EMU, and so much more that we can’t quite mention just yet.
One thing I plan to do is start collecting highlights from StickyPiston.TV and turning them into highlight shorts for our YouTube Channel. I promise they won’t just be me dying all the time, our other Stream Team Members have their moments too!
Thanks again from me and all of us here at StickyPiston Hosting. Have a great rest of 2024 and here’s to 2025!
Stay Crafty 👋