Alpha Hypixel Network

(The AHN is not currently open)

The Alpha Hypixel Network (acronymized as AHN), or Alpha Network, is a testing server that allows players to test upcoming updates for games on the Hypixel Network. This server is on alpha.hypixel.net.

The Alpha Hypixel Network hosts testing sessions in which the server is open players to test specified subjects, usually upcoming updates or features for specific games. Currently, SkyBlock is the only supported game on the server, and upcoming updates for the game are planned to be tested in the server. A rank requirement may be present for joining the Alpha Network.

Mechanic
A Server Noticeboard was added to the Alpha Network on 22 November 2022, with information about the session objective.

The Alpha Network Game Lobby was added on 6 December 2022, replacing the Hypixel Game Lobby, a map from the main server.

Alpha Network Reset
When an Alpha Network Reset (or Network Reset) happens:
 * Any previous progress on the Alpha Network is wiped.
 * Upon joining SkyBlock, a player will enter the profile they last played on the main server.

Upon joining the first profile after a reset, a Transfer of Progress may happen:
 * All progress made by the player on all profiles on the main server will be transferred the Alpha Network, including all built structures on the private island of each profile.
 * Player begins receiving game messages about achievements/collections unlocks, and skills/pet leveling up, until they are the same as on its corresponding profile on the main server.
 * Note: The above is the intended behaviour. It can happen that a player joins the Alpha Network without a proper transfer of progress. That is, they start as if they play SkyBlock for the first time.

Upon joining the first profile after a reset, this message appears:

Time on Alpha Network
Before 21 August 2022, the SkyBlock Time on Alpha Network was the same as that of the main server.

On 21 August 2022, the SkyBlock Time on Alpha Network was shifted by exactly in Earth's duration or  in SkyBlock's duration ahead of the main server. This change was persistent to future sessions.

General Points to Note

 * Progress made after the Transfer of Progress is branched out from the main server, and later progress on either alpha or main server will not affect the other.
 * New features or new testing sessions on the Alpha Network do not necessarily come with a Network Reset; It is on admin's decision to trigger a Network Reset.
 * The player limit of during each session, shown on server listings, can change on admin's decision. This limits the number of players that can play the Alpha Network at the same time.
 * The Auction House generally does not work on the alpha server

Observed Behavior
The observed similarities and differences of the Alpha Network with the main server is listed below.

Events
All events seems to also happen on the Alpha Hypixel Network. For example:
 * Every Jacob's Farming Contests are scheduled at the same time with the same crops as the main server.
 * During Traveling Zoo, has the same pet stocks as the main server.
 * Bingo events run at the same time and with the same tasks as the main server.
 * Mayor Elections run separately from those on the main server, but special mayors appear in the same years as on the main server. See Mayor Election.

Others

 * does not appear in the Hub.
 * appeared in the Hub in Year 200 handing out Century Cakes.
 * lists only 12 servers, instead of 28 as in the main server.
 * lists only 3 servers, instead of 28 as in the main server.
 * In a given year where is mayor, the Perkpocalypse Mayor Rotation Cycle is the same as in the main server.
 * Players cannot bid on Shen's Auction or auctions.

Changes on the main server may not be reflected on the Alpha Network immediately:
 * When was removed on the main server on 11 April 2022, he was not removed at the same time on the Alpha Network. When the  was added to the main server on 24 May 2022, it was not added immediately on the Alpha Network. Instead, both changes were done when a session opened on 9 June 2022.
 * When the main server Hub was Easter-decorated in 2022, the Alpha Network Hub was not changed.

Trivia

 * The server was announced on May 5th, 2020, along with the return of linking to the Hypixel Discord through the /discord Command, and access to the  channel for testers.
 * When attempting to use /skyblock after a Network Reset, if the player was on a profile when joining, this message can appear:   Clicking on the SkyBlock Lobby NPC does not trigger this warning and player is able to enter SkyBlock normally.
 * When the player is awarded Bingo Points from previous Bingo events, this message can appear:
 * Currently and before 26 July 2022, when attempting to join the server when it is closed or when rank is insufficient, the connection screen will show:
 * In the time between 26 July 2022 and Early 2023, When rank is insufficient (current), the player will still be able to join the Lobby in Alpha Network, but this message shows when attempting to enter SkyBlock:
 * When a player is idle for too long, the server will attempt to send them to the Prototype Lobby, which has a capacity of 0 player on the Alpha Network. The following messages will appear: