Skyly, the Minecraft PvP server I've been running since 2020
3 min read
Skyly is the Minecraft server I founded in 2020. After a two-year break I brought it back, and it is still online today at play.skyly.fr. It's my longest-running project, and the one that taught me what it means to run a service for real users, every single day.
A 100% PvP server
The idea is simple: play a wide range of PvP modes, whenever you want. Today Skyly offers more than ten of them:
- BlockSumo: blocks, powers and one goal, knocking your opponent into the void.
- OneShot: a bow that kills in one shot and a sword that kills in three hits.
- BedFight: protect your bed and destroy the other team's.
- TeamFight: two teams, the first to win five rounds takes it.
- HungerGame, UHC FFA, Pillars Of Fortune, TNT Run, TNT Tag, RushFFA…
- Practice: quick duels with various kits to train.
The server accepts players from Minecraft 1.8 to 1.21, so everyone can join with the version they prefer.
Competition first
What keeps players coming back is competition. Skyly runs in seasons: when a new one starts, the previous leaderboards are archived and everyone starts again on equal footing.
Season 4 launched at the end of October 2025 with new maps and new ranks. Season 5 followed in July 2026, with fully redesigned leaderboards that can now be checked live on the website, a brand-new game mode and rewards for the top 250 players of each mode.
A team, not a solo project
A server that runs around the clock is not something you can carry alone. Skyly relies on a staff team organised by roles: admins, managers, moderators, assistants and builders. Recruitment happens on Discord, where players can also open a ticket to reach the team.
As the founder, my job goes well beyond the technical side: coordinating the team, setting the rules, deciding what comes next and keeping the community healthy.
Building a community
Around the server there's a whole ecosystem:
- a website with news, leaderboards and rules;
- a public API, documented at api.skyly.fr/docs;
- a Discord for the community and support;
- YouTube, Twitch, TikTok and X accounts for announcements and videos.
Before Skyly
Skyly isn't my first server. It all started in 2018 with Hubzon, back when I was learning Skript. Then came Synestia, which reached up to 70 players online at the same time, and Spalion in 2024, a ranked server. Each one taught me something I later reused on Skyly.
Come and play
The server is open to everyone at play.skyly.fr, and everything else is on skyly.fr.