OnTime: Reward Players for Time Spent in Minecraft
Running a Minecraft server is about more than just keeping the world stable. The real challenge is building a community where players feel valued and motivated to return day after day. Manual tracking of hours played is outdated, and spreadsheets are not a viable solution. This is where a dedicated playtime management plugin becomes essential. OnTime: Reward Players for Time Spent in Minecraft is a powerful server-side tool designed to transform raw activity data into a dynamic reward engine. It does not simply count minutes; it creates a complete ecosystem of incentives, ranging from in-game currency payouts to exclusive item sets and permission upgrades.
Core Functionality: Beyond a Simple Playtime Counter
The plugin operates by collecting playtime data across multiple distinct timeframes. It tracks the current session, daily totals, weekly figures, monthly statistics, and overall lifetime playtime. This data is accessible in real time and can also be compiled into offline reports for administrative review. The true power lies in how this information is utilized. Server owners can configure complex reward chains that trigger based on specific milestones, turning raw numbers into meaningful player experiences.
In-Game Statistics and Leaderboards
One of the most visible features is the in-game leaderboard system. The command
/ontime top displays a list of the top players ranked by total playtime, fostering healthy competition. For a detailed breakdown of any individual player's activity, the command
/ontime [player name] provides a comprehensive summary covering daily, weekly, and monthly engagement. This transparency helps players understand their own progress and what they need to achieve the next reward tier.
Automated Reward Distribution
The reward system is the heart of OnTime. When a player reaches a predefined time threshold, the plugin can automatically execute a series of actions. These actions are highly customizable and can include:
- Issuing in-game currency through the Vault API.
- Granting enchanted items, potions, or custom kits.
- Promoting the player to a higher permission group.
- Assigning specific individual permissions.
- Adding loyalty points or experience levels.
This automation removes the need for manual administration and ensures that every hour a player invests is acknowledged.
Advanced Features and Integrations
Beyond basic time tracking, the plugin offers several advanced systems that enhance its utility on a live server.
Votifier and Referral Support
The built-in Votifier Listener allows the server to reward players for voting on server listing websites. This encourages community engagement outside the game. Additionally, a referral system can be configured to provide bonuses to players who invite new members to the server, effectively turning your most loyal players into recruiters.
Versatile Reward Triggers
Rewards are not limited to pure online time. The plugin can be configured to trigger based on other meaningful milestones, such as the number of unique days a player has logged in, a return after a long absence, a character death, accumulated wealth, or achieving a top position on the leaderboard. This flexibility allows server administrators to design creative and engaging progression systems.
Multi-Server Support
For networks running multiple Minecraft servers, the plugin includes a
multiServerEnable option. When activated, it can synchronize data between different servers using a MySQL database. While this feature is powerful, it is recommended to test it thoroughly in a staging environment before deploying it to a large network, as it requires careful configuration.
Installation and Configuration
Getting started with the plugin is straightforward. To begin, you need to
download OnTime: Reward Players for Time Spent in Minecraft and place the resulting JAR file into the
/plugins folder of your server directory. After restarting the server, the plugin will automatically generate its configuration files.
Essential Configuration Files
The main configuration file,
config.yml, controls the core settings. Here you can define check intervals, database connection parameters, and the behavior of the AFK detector. If you plan to use economic rewards, you must install Vault and a compatible economy plugin, as OnTime does not manage balances directly but relies on the Vault API for all financial transactions.
The
output.yml file is dedicated to message customization. Nearly every line of text that a player sees, from reward notifications to leaderboard entries, can be rephrased or translated to fit your server's theme. The most critical file is
rewards.yml. This is where you define the conditions and types of rewards. Each reward is linked to a specific time interval (daily, weekly, monthly, or total) and can contain multiple actions that execute simultaneously.
Administrative Commands and Permissions
Managing the plugin is handled through a comprehensive set of commands, usable from both the console and in-game. Key commands include:
- /ontime reload all — Reloads all configuration files without a server restart.
- /ontime add player [name] — Manually adds a player to the database if they were not tracked.
- /ontime set [name] [type] [value] — Adjusts a player's time, such as resetting a daily counter.
- /ontime uuid merge [name1] [name2] — Merges duplicate records for a single UUID.
- /ontime report [type] — Generates a day, week, or month report for all players.
Permission nodes follow a standard hierarchy, with
ontime.admin providing full control and
ontime.user allowing players to view their own statistics. This granular permission system lets you delegate specific functions to moderators without granting full administrative access.
UUID Handling and Data Integrity
Since version 4.1.x, the plugin has fully transitioned to UUID-based identification. This solves the historical problem of players changing their nicknames. If a player renames, their statistics are automatically linked to the new name without losing any accumulated hours. For servers migrating from older databases, the command
/ontime uuid merge all is available to consolidate duplicate entries. On large servers with thousands of players, this operation should be performed during off-peak hours, as all plugin functions pause during the merge process.
Practical Reward Scenarios
A well-configured
rewards.yml can significantly influence player behavior. Here are a few practical examples of how server owners use this system:
Daily Engagement Bonus
Award 100 coins and a golden apple to any player who accumulates 60 minutes of playtime in a single day. This simple incentive encourages daily logins and short play sessions.
Rank Progression Based on Total Time
After a player reaches 100 total hours, they are automatically promoted to the "Veteran" permission group, unlocking new commands and areas. This long-term goal keeps players invested in the server's progression path.
Weekly Top Player Reward
The player with the highest weekly playtime receives a uniquely named, enchanted diamond sword. This creates a tangible reward for competitive players and drives engagement during slower periods.
Returning Player Incentive
If a player has been absent for 30 days, a portion of their in-game currency is deducted upon their return. While seemingly counterintuitive, this mechanic discourages long breaks and encourages players to maintain regular activity.
All these mechanics operate seamlessly with the Vault API, ensuring compatibility with popular economy plugins like EssentialsX and iConomy, as well as permission systems such as LuckPerms and PermissionsEx.
Final Thoughts
OnTime: Reward Players for Time Spent in Minecraft is far more than a simple hour counter. It is a comprehensive loyalty engine that automates the tedious process of tracking player activity and converts it into a powerful retention tool. Its deep integration with Vault and Votifier ensures it fits into almost any server setup, while the detailed configuration files allow for precise control over every aspect of the reward system. If your goal is to make players feel that their time is genuinely valued, configuring this plugin is a worthwhile investment. The result is a more engaged, loyal, and active player base. For installation guidance, players and administrators should follow the standard procedure for adding a plugin JAR to the server's plugin directory and review the generated YML files to understand the full scope of available options.