A hardware enthusiast, known by the moniker Vimpo, has taken the concept of unconventional computing to new heights by successfully hosting a Minecraft server on a budget-friendly smart LED bulb sourced from AliExpress. This innovative endeavor utilized a BL602 RISC-V microcontroller, a compact chip that operates at a modest 192 megahertz, equipped with 276 kilobytes of RAM and 128 kilobytes of ROM.
The Challenge of Software Implementation
The real test of this project lay in the software. To run a Minecraft server on such limited hardware, Vimpo opted for a lightweight implementation known as Ucraft. He revealed that the binary size is approximately 46 kilobytes without authentication and 90 kilobytes when the authentication library is included. While Ucraft meets the basic demands of game server hosting, Vimpo candidly acknowledges that it “lacks most, if not all, features of the vanilla server.”
Although the performance of this makeshift server is unlikely to rival that of professional Minecraft hosting services, the experiment highlights the remarkable flexibility of embedded systems. In essence, the smart bulb transformed into a miniature web hosting device, showcasing a blend of creativity and technical prowess.
A Novelty in the Tech Landscape
This project joins a growing roster of unconventional technological achievements, reminiscent of other feats such as running AI models similar to ChatGPT within Minecraft or even recreating the game using COBOL code. Vimpo’s lightbulb server serves as a reminder that curiosity often fuels hardware innovation. In the realm of technology, the boundary between creativity and absurdity is remarkably thin, allowing for a reimagining of modern game server hosting at an incredibly small scale.
While it may not revolutionize the computing world, Vimpo’s endeavor certainly illuminates the possibilities of what “running Minecraft” can entail, encouraging others to explore the limits of technology with a sense of wonder and experimentation.
