I have an idea that I've mentioned on the server that I'll throw out here and get feedback on: Scavenger hunts. Currently, I'm thinking this: 1. Hide a chest full of goodies. Really hide it, as in you'll have to dig/search/stand on your head to get it. It'd be accessible, just well hidden. 2. Create a map near that location. 3. Go hide the map in another chest 4. Create a map to the location of the second chest 5. repeat this a few times, so that there is a series of chests that need to be discovered. 6. Duplicate the original map, and create another series of chest-maps that lead to the same treasure chest. Do this maybe 4 times. 7. Hold a scavenger hunt event. Divide the participants up into teams if there are many. The first one to the prize gets it, the rest get nothing (or whatever the winner doesn't want.)

The maps would be spread out so that you had to go adventuring to figure out which area the map covered. It wouldn't be immediately obvious.

It also occurs to me that each chest in the series could have multiple copies of the map, so that each team could spread out looking for the area that the map covers. Then when one of them finds it, they converge and start digging like mad. ...And fighting off creeper attacks. ...And taking angry minecart rides to get back to their gear. ;)

Another idea is cross-country racing. Yes, we all run at the same speed, but put some distance and some obstacles in the way, and then the game changes. Take the time to build a boat, or swim across? Detour to the rails, or plow straight through? Jump off the cliff and take the damage, or use the pail of water to create a waterfall to slide down? Build/repair a bridge to the next ridge, or drop into the valley?

Anyway, I'd love to get a bunch of ideas like this from you guys. The idea of server-wide events seems pretty awesome. Any concepts you guys want to toss out there?