...how to join a multi-player game (either on a server, or for a LAN game)
Using Hamachi and the Minecraft_Server.exe
There are two different ways to connect to multiplayer games and play with your friends. One way is to use a program called Hamachi. This allows people that are not in the same house to join in. For example, Linda could join my server. This is the better option though if you would like to create a LAN game for people in your own household or close by. Please visit How to Make a Minecraft Server With Hamachi for step by step instructions.
Note: Since the release of version 1.7.2, the GUI on the Minecraft_Server.exe appears blank. That does not mean that the world is not working the way it should be though. Mojang is currently working on a fix for this.
If the people who are trying to connect to your server using Hamachi are getting connection errors, on their computer, have them go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Firewall > Allow a program through Windows Firewall. Click the Change settings button at the top. Scroll down the list to Java Platform SE binary. Make sure the box under Public is ticked. Click OK.
Here are my son Ethan and I connected to my Hamachi server and just starting out in our new world.
Using a hosted Minecraft server.
Here at NSC, we use a website called MC Pro Hosting who offers various Minecraft server hosting plans. They give us many different options to customize the server to our liking. We have been using the same multiplayer world for quite some time now and have had a blast chatting with each other, building, mining, fighting mobs and more! The world is so huge and there are endless possibilities. We are always finding new areas and fun things to do!
*NOTE:* The NS server is specifically for members of these forums and their family members. Our Minecraft server is and will always be family-friendly. If you would like to join our server, please send Linda or Carrie a PM.
To connect to a multiplayer world, launch the game and go to Multiplayer. Click the Add server button in the lower right corner. Under Server Name, type in what you would like for it to be called (for example: NS Server). In the Server Address box, type in the server IP and port number. For example, you would type in the following:
100.10.100.10:12345
Click the Done button. You should now see it in the Play Multiplayer list. Click on NS Server, then click the Join Server button and you're in!