uCars
UCars (stylized as uCars) was a plugin that allowed minecarts to be driven on specified non-rail blocks that was installed on the MRT Server from the opening of the New World on October 4, 2014, until May 10, 2020. uCars resulted in the creation of franchises and rail companies which used the plugin's technology.
It was replaced with the Vehicles plugin, which appeared on the main server on December 14, 2021.
Uses
The uCars plugin allowed minecarts to be driven on specified blocks, including black terracota, coal blocks, and quartz. Certain blocks were chosen as they were often used on roads.
For a period of time, players would have to buy uFuel to drive cars. When this feature was working, some members would store large amounts of their balance in uFuel.
uCars speed glitch
For a period of time, if a uCar was driven onto a rail, the minecart would travel at fast speeds on the rail. Rail companies formed using this method of travel, including ChimeRail. Other companies such as RegionalConnect had also used the glitched on certain lines.
Removal
The removal of uCars was discussed publicly in the MRT Discord. Proponents of removal cited its disruption of MRT Lines as a result of the speed glitch, the lack of plugin update support, and the rise in popularity of faster alternatives, such as FastBois. Opponents of removal cited how rail lines that were dependent on the speed glitch would become defunct and the negative aspects of FastBois.
At the May 2020 GSM, it was decided that uCars would be removed the next day. The website post about the General Staff Meeting results stated:
"The uCars plugin is being removed at 05:00 UTC Monday, May 11. While the plugin has been beloved throughout its period of installation, it has become increasingly incompatible with minecart-based rail systems, especially trams and anything that uses a uCar-drivable block (think quartz) as its track base. Additionally, the plugin hasn’t been updated in a long time, and it’s unlikely it will be in the near future. We are looking into options to issue refunds for any purchased uFuel. As of right now this is a permanent removal, though if the plugin or a fork of it comes back, we could reconsider it at a later date."
- - chiefbozx, 10 May 2020