Over the previous 4 months, I've realized that the server that I once hosted could've had potential, but I had no passion to actually keep it alive. Recently, I thought that the current Minecraft server ecosystem has fallen short on SMP Kits servers, which is what SBK was before it shut down in December of 2025. Due to this, I decided that I was going to bring back SBK (or at least try) to try and reimagine the experience the server once was a year ago.

I will admit, this time around, it won't be perfect, and there will be some hiccups in performance and player counts at the start. However, I believe that with actual passion in the server and a genuine drive to keep the server on it's feet long-term, it can reach its peak potential.

Since the server has the same plugin configs from before the external server was deleted (thank Pebblehost's deleted server backups), ranks will persist in this new season.

I also believe that with Summer Break being in place, the server has a chance to be active with new players. Along with this, I will make an attempt to be a better owner. In 2024 and 2025 I wasn't a great owner, and there's so many different excuses I could use, but to be completely blunt, I was just ignorant. This time around, I will listen to any and all feedback about the server, with a main focus on constructive criticism.

Now, this is the part I dreaded writing the most: Ranks on the server may have to have extra features to supply slight advantages to actually make enough of a profit to support the server. I'm not entirely sure how to go about this, as I've been against Pay-To-Win for as long as I can remember, so some advice would be greatly appreciated. If you disagree with this decision, I don't blame you, but I genuinely want and need advice on how to balance gameplay for people who either don't want to pay for an advantage and making the ranks actually worth buying.

The new season is planned to be inspired by Lifesteal World, including the kit and plugin, along with being inspired by SBK Season 7. There will also be a new feature to replace an old and tedious feature. Following in the footsteps of literally every PvP server ever, SMPButKits will have a ranked system based on "Skill Points" (or SP for short). The F- to S+ system will remain in place, with the new E+ and E- tiers. The SP required for the maximum rank (S) will be 2500, and the starting SP will be 600, making ranking up very difficult to create prestige for top players on the server. The top rank, S+, will require having the most SP on the server with a minimum of A tier. Formerly ranked players will have their ranks voided to retain fairness. This is still in development and I cannot confirm nor deny that SP will be reset throughout the season to polish it out.

To close this off, I would like to say that I'm not sure when exactly the server will be launching and it may just come up one day or have a week-in-advance announcement attached to it, so if you're interested in playing in Season 9, keep an eye on the announcements channel in the Discord. Hope to see you there!

PS: You can contact me with any of your thoughts by E-Mailing smpbutkits@gmail.com, DMing the SMPButKits Twitter account, or messaging "smpbutkits" on Discord, DMs will be open!