MCO Cycle

What is the MCO Cycle?

The MCO cycle is an abstract concept used to explain different reoccuring events and cultural moments in MinecraftOnline's history. It was conceived by  ScarClaw72 who, having spent several years active on the server, has witnessed it himself happening. There is no observed frequency for the length of the cycle, nor is it likely something that can actually be quantified. Given the fact it is used to describe a variety of phenomena that reoccur, it might even be more accurate to consider it several different cycles all going at different speeds.

Observed Phenomena of the MCO Cycle

• Active players, "regulars", the majority of whom are cycled in and out as time goes on.
• Players that gather an overall negative reputation but still are accepted by various players and remain in the community. The "Bad Apples" of mco.
• Serious trolls rising in prevalence then fading out either from lack of interest or being banned. This is usually mixed in with periods of peacetime
• New Staff getting promoted and going through their era of peak activity and popularity which both independently wane slightly more often than not the longer they are apart of the staff team.
• Server Invasions that occur when a notable YouTuber makes a video showcasing the server in some fashion.
• "Boomtowns" and other settlements that cater to newer players but then eventually die out. These are identifiable as towns with more noob hubs and starter bases rather than large elegant builds.
• Megaprojects being started and worked on for years. In most cases these become abandoned or stagnate like Rimini, but once in a blue moon they are fully completed like Project MOON.
• Expansions of the world border, and the immediate land grab that occurs by a lot of players. For a period of time, there is a surplus of land but eventually enough builds crop up that territory becomes more cluttered.
• Large scale dramas that become the talking point for weeks or months, but over time will be more obscure and forgotten about as players come and go.
• An extremely well established and core member of the active player base gets banned for some reason, causing shock and awe and reminding everyone that not just noobs can be banned for breaking the rules.
• An extremely well established and core member of the active player base quits loudly for one reason or another, usually giving the community something to talk about and various emotions based on their departure.
• Periods of time where the average player count on MCO rises and lowers, the community growing and shrinking for various reasons over many months or years.
• The once in a player's lifespan event where the man himself  SlowRiot joins the game.