Disasters is a survival game in the Arcade Games lobby where players must survive through three waves of chaotic disasters. It was first created in the 2023 admin game jam^[1] and was released to the Prototype Lobby on December 4, 2024.^[2] The game was officially released to Arcade on December 16, 2025.^[3]

Gameplay

Players spawn in a small map and have 10 seconds to spread out and find safe places to survive. Approximately once each minute, a new wave of disasters will spawn. Each wave will always have one primary disaster and a 50% chance to spawn a secondary disaster. Most disasters persist throughout the entire game while others time out after a set time or condition is met.

Normal players win by surviving for the entire game. There can be multiple winners if more than one person survives, and there can be no winners if nobody survives. Werewolves win by killing all other players.

Disasters

Primary Disasters

Disasters classified as primary are more dangerous and/or pose a more immediate threat to players. There are 14 primary disasters.

Acid Rain

Rain will fall, hurting players and destroying blocks!

While ACID RAIN is active, the weather is set to a damaging rain. Blocks with sky exposure are destroyed randomly noted with a hiss sound, and players exposed to the sky (except for those with hard hats) will take a half-heart of damage. Weaker blocks like wool and wood break fastest and then stronger blocks like stones and material blocks (e.g. iron, quartz, etc.). Acid Rain is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> died while dancing in Acid Rain.
• <Player> forgot about the "acid" part of Acid Rain.
• <Player> mistook Acid Rain for regular rain.

Dragons

Deadly dragons will fly around the map!

While DRAGONS is active, three ender dragons fly randomly around the map, which can destroy blocks. If directly hit, a dragon does 1.5–3 hearts of damage to the player and deals large knockback. A dragon's course can be changed by throwing a snowball at it from the snowball powerup. Dragons is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> died bravely in combat with Dragons.
• <Player> got in the way of the Dragons.
• <Player> thought the Dragons were friendlier.

Flood

Sea levels will begin to rise!

While FLOOD is active, water slowly rises from the bottom of the map. The flood water causes damage to players but is preventable by using a boat. The flood will rise block by block until it reaches the flood height limit for the map, but it will begin rising past the limit during the last 20 seconds of the game. A water swishing sound will play to players who are close to the water level to warn them when it rises. Flood is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> drowned in the high-rising Flood.
• <Player> got lost in the Flood because they forgot how to swim.
• <Player> ran out of air in the Flood.

Fragile Ground

The ground beneath you cracks as you step on it!

While FRAGILE GROUND is active, blocks the player stands on will slowly crumble and break. If a player stands on an block, it will go through three stages of cracking, playing a sound and displaying a crack texture, before breaking completely. Fragile Ground is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Lightning

Lightning will strike at the tallest points of the map and near players - keep moving!

While LIGHTNING is active, lightning bolts strike high points on the map and directly on players. Lightning strikes destroy and disperse blocks where they occur. Alongside the randomly spawning lightning, random players and players who have not moved substantially will be struck with targeted lightning. Yellow particle effects and a buzzing sound warn the player of an impending strike at a specific location around one second before a strike occurs. Lightning is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> discovered electricity during the Lightning storm.
• <Player> played for too long in the Lightning.
• <Player> was struck by Lightning.

Meteor Shower

Fiery meteors rain down from above!

While METEOR SHOWER is active, meteors are shot towards the map at random locations and directions. Meteor strikes cause explosions, which destroys and disperses blocks; ignite nearby blocks, which can spread to flammable blocks; and deal damage and knockback to players. Meteor Shower is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> exploded from a meteor impact.
• <Player> was struck by a meteor during the Meteor Shower.

Sinkhole

The ground in a random area will begin to give way!

While SINKHOLE is active, blocks will begin to crumble, fall, and disappear in an expanding spherical radius from a random location. A crumbling sound and block breaking animations happen near the edge of the sinkhole to warn nearby players before blocks are broken. Sinkhole is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> was swallowed by the Sinkhole.
• <Player> wasn't looking where they were going and stumbled into the Sinkhole.

Solar Flare

Keep out of the sun!

While SOLAR FLARE is active, direct sunlight will cause players and blocks to catch on fire. If the player has direct sky access (no blocks directly above them), they will be lit on fire until they find cover. Blocks exposed to sun will also occasionally be destroyed. Solar Flare is a temporary disaster and will only last until the end of the wave.

Death messages:

• <Player> burst into flames while standing in the Solar Flare.
• <Player> forgot to wear sunscreen during the Solar Flare.
• <Player> noticed that the Solar Flare is a deadly laser!

Stampede

A stampede of animals will come barreling through the map at high speed!

While STAMPEDE is active, farm animals will fly across the map and destroy blocks in their path. Approximately every 20 seconds red dust and barrier particles will appear around the y-level the stampede will be at. After a short time, a line of animals spanning the width of the map travel horizontally across it, breaking blocks in their path and launching players ahead of them. Stampede is a persistent disaster that will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> couldn't outrun the Stampede.
• <Player> was caught in the middle of a Stampede.
• <Player> was trampled during the Stampede.

The Floor is Lava

Blocks you stand on will turn into lava!

While THE FLOOR IS LAVA is active, blocks the player stands on will turn to lava over time. Upon first stepping on a block, it will quickly change from yellow wool to orange wool to red wool, then convert to a lava source which does not flow unless updated by something else. The disaster can be counteracted by standing in water or on blocks directly next to water as lava will immediately turn into obsidian. The Floor is Lava is a temporary disaster and will only last until the end of the wave.

Death messages:

• <Player> fell face first while The Floor is Lava.
• <Player> mistook The Floor is Lava for water.
• <Player> was unfamiliar with the rules of The Floor is Lava.

TNT Rain

TNT rains from above! Take cover!

While TNT RAIN is active, primed TNT will randomly fall from the sky. After hitting a solid block, the TNT will ignite and explode, dealing damage to players and the surroundings. TNT Rain is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> exploded in the TNT Rain.
• <Player> went dancing in the TNT Rain.

Tornado

A whirlwind rips through the area!

While TORNADO is active, a large spinning cone of blocks randomly moves through and destroys the map. As the tornado moves, it picks up and launches blocks which are also added to the tornado. Although it doesn't deal any direct damage, the tornado picks up launches players who are too close, likely killing them with fall damage. A wooshing sound plays when the tornado is close to warn nearby players. Tornado is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> was caught in the eye of a Tornado.
• <Player> was spun around by a Tornado.

Withers

Withers will hunt down players! Hide!

While WITHERS is active, three withers float around the map and shoot skulls at players. Withers will target and follow players until it can no longer see them. Withers deal 1–3 hearts of damage to the player and fire at a fast pace. Withers is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> couldn't outrun the Withers.
• <Player> made friends with Withers.
• <Player> withered away from the Withers.

Zombie Apocalypse

Zombies will spawn and chase after players!

While ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE is active, different types of zombies and skeletons will spawn randomly around the map. Zombies can spawn with various armor pieces and gear. The mobs will break blocks in an attempt to reach players, but they are also able to be punched away or killed by the player. If a player dies while the disaster is active (by any means), they will turn into a zombie wearing their player head, similar to Blocking Dead. Zombie Apocalypse is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Zombie Types

Zombie	Name	Description
	Zombie	A normal zombie
	Baby Zombie	A normal baby zombie
	Chicken Jockey	A normal chicken jockey
File:Disasters.Fire Zombie.png	Fire Zombie	Has a Fire Aspect blaze rod
File:Disasters.Knockback Zombie.png	Knockback Zombie	Has a Knockback II fish
File:Disasters.TNT Zombie.png	TNT Zombie	Wears TNT on their head which ignites on death
File:Disasters.Player Zombie.png	Player Zombie	Wears the head of the player that was killed
	Giant	A rare, extremely large zombie which can jump and destroy areas
	Skeleton	A normal skeleton; shoots arrows

Death messages:

• <Player> had their brains eaten in the Zombie Apocalypse.
• <Player> tried to befriend zombies in the Zombie Apocalypse.
• <Player> was lost to the horde in the Zombie Apocalypse.

Secondary Disasters

Disasters classified as secondary pose a smaller threat to players. There are 13 secondary disasters.

Anvil Rain

Anvils will start falling from the sky!

While ANVIL RAIN is active, anvils will randomly fall from the sky. Hit players are killed unless they are wearing a hard hat. Anvils will also break the blocks they land on except if they are material blocks, (e.g. iron, quartz, hardened clay, etc.). Anvil Rain is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> forgot an umbrella for Anvil Rain.
• <Player> thought the Anvil Rain was actual rain.
• <Player> was pancaked by Anvil Rain.

Bat Swarm

Bats will swarm the map, carrying players away! Shoo them away!

While BAT SWARM is active, many bats will spawn around the map, picking up players and dropping them randomly. If a bat gets close to the player, it will carry the player below them and deal half a heart of damage for each second it is holding them. Bats will drop the player at random or after being punched. Bat Swarm is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> couldn't bring themselves to harm a bat during the Bat Swarm.
• <Player> was carried away by a Bat Swarm.
• <Player> was engulfed in the Bat Swarm.

Blackout

Players are blinded for a short period of time!

While BLACKOUT is active, everyone is inflicted with blindness and in turn is not able to sprint. Blackout is a temporary disaster and will only last until the end of the wave.

Disco!

Keep moving or start taking damage

While DISCO is active, players must continuously move around. If the player stops moving or does not move enough, they will take half a heart of damage. Disco is a temporary disaster and will only last until the end of the wave.

Standing still: DISCO! You took damage because you stopped moving!

Death messages:

• <Player> couldn't feel the rhythm of the Disco.
• <Player> didn't boogie down during the Disco.
• <Player> stood still during the Disco.

Grounded

Jumping is disabled for a short period of time!

While GROUNDED is active, jumping is disabled. Players are still able to climb up slabs as usual, use ladders, and swim. Grounded is a temporary disaster and will only last for a randomly selected amount of time.

Jumping Restored: GROUNDED! Jumping has been restored!

Half Health

Max health is reduced to 5 hearts!

While HALF HEALTH is active, everyone's health is reduced from the normal 10 hearts to 5 hearts. Half Health is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Hot Potato

Whoever is holding the Hot Potato when time runs out will EXPLODE!

While HOT POTATO is active, a player is given a hot potato and needs to avoid being the one holding it when its time runs out. Whoever is holding the hot potato when time runs out explodes and is eliminated. The hot potato is passed to whoever the player punches, and the carrier gets a speed effect so they can catch up to others. Hot Potato is a temporary disaster and will only last until the hot potato explodes.

Holding: HOT POTATO! Pass on the Hot Potato before it explodes!
Transfer: HOT POTATO! <Player> is now holding the Hot Potato!
Explodes: HOT POTATO! The Hot Potato exploded!

Death messages:

• <Player> couldn't get rid of the Hot Potato.
• <Player> found out the Hot Potato was way too hot.
• <Player> was too polite to give away the Hot Potato.

Hypixel Says!

Follow the commands that start with "Hypixel Says"!

While HYPIXEL SAYS is active, prompts will appear in the center of the screen. If the task is preceded with "Hypixel Says," the player must complete that task within five seconds or they will take 2 hearts of damage. If the task does not say "Hypixel Says," completing the task within the timeframe will cause the player to take damage. Hypixel Says is a temporary disaster and will only last until the end of the wave.

Hypixel Says Tasks

Task	Explanation
Click Down!	Click while facing upwards.
Click Up!	Click while facing downwards.
Jump!	Jump.
Sneak!	Sneak. The task will not be completed if you are already sneaking.
Do a spin!	Spin your character around at least once.

Death messages:

• <Player> didn't listen to Hypixel Says.
• <Player> thought they knew better than Hypixel Says.
• <Player> wasn't paying attention to Hypixel Says.

Nuke

A nuclear bomb will explode, destroying a quarter of the map!

While NUKE is active, a random quadrant of the map is selected to be destroyed. Before exploding, most blocks in the selected quadrant will turn from yellow to orange to red hardened clay, and a warning sound will play. After the red phase, a five-second countdown will begin, and once it ends, the selected quadrant will explode and be deleted. Nuke is a temporary disaster and will only last until the nuke explodes.

Death messages:

• <Player> didn't seek shelter from the Nuke.
• <Player> exploded as result of a Nuke.
• <Player> wasn't fast enough to escape the Nuke.

Purge

PvP is enabled until only half of current players remain! If more than half remain, everybody dies!

While PURGE is active, PvP is enabled until only half of the amount of players at the start of the disaster are left. If more than half of the players are left at the end of the game everyone dies. Purge is a temporary disaster and will only last until half of the disaster starting players remain or until the end of the game, killing everybody.

Start: PURGE! PvP is enabled until only <#> players remain! If more than <#> players remain at the end of the game, nobody wins!
Conclusion: PURGE! The purge has concluded. <#> players remain.

Red Light, Green Light

Stop moving when told to!

While RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT is active, the game randomly switches between red and green light phases. Players can freely move during green lights, but if players move during a red light, including jumping, they take a significant amount of damage. There is a short (approximately 1 second) grace period when the red light activates to stop moving. Red Light, Green Light is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game.

Death messages:

• <Player> moved during a Red Light.
• <Player> thought that Red Light meant go.

Swappage

Players will randomly swap locations throughout the game!

While SWAPPAGE is active, all players will randomly have their positions swapped with another player without warning. If there is an odd number of players, someone may not be swapped. Swappage is a temporary disaster and will only last until the end of the wave.

Swap: SWAPPAGE! Your location was swapped with <Player>!
No swap: SWAPPAGE! You were not swapped because there was nobody to swap you with! How sad :(

Werewolf

A player has turned into a bloodthirsty werewolf! Run away!

While WEREWOLF is active, a random player is selected as the werewolf and must kill all other players. The werewolf is given red leather armor, a werewolf head, a Sharpness II werewolf fang (ghast tear) and a compass that points to the nearest player. They are also given Jump Boost III. The werewolf is unaffected by disasters and not targeted by mobs, but PvP is enabled between them and other players. The werewolf wins by killing all other players, and other players win by surviving until the end as usual. Werewolf is a persistent disaster and will last until the end of the game unless the werewolf leaves or dies in which case the disaster will end preemptively.

Start: WEREWOLF! <Player> has become a Werewolf! Run away!
End: WEREWOLF! The Werewolf has been killed!

Death messages (Werewolf dies):

• <Player> has succumbed to the curse of the Werewolf.
• <Player> was outcast as a Werewolf for eternity.

Powerups

Powerups are random floating items that appear around the map that provide protection or a potion boost. They will despawn after a period of time. Armor is not throwable/droppable, but other powerups are.

• Boat - Row during a Flood
• Dig Site Shovel - (Arctic Lab only) Allows players to dig up a patch of grass with a random powerup inside
• Ender Pearl - Does not inflict teleportation damage
• Feather Falling Boots
• Flippers - Depth Strider boots
• Gold Boots
• Gold Chestplate
• Gold Helmet
• Gold Leggings
• Hard Hat - Prevents damage from Acid Rain or anvils from Anvil Rain; breaks after its 10 durability is used up
• Launch Pad - Sets down a slime pad that flings players far upwards when stepped on; can deal fall damage
• Milk Bucket - Removes negative effects
• Random - Grants any other powerup
• Snowballs (x16) - Can be thrown at dragons to change their course or other players
• Splash Potion of Blindness (10s) - (Monorail only) Can only be obtained from vending machines
• Splash Potion of Fire Resistance (30s)
• Splash Potion of Instant Health II
• Splash Potion of Invisibility (30s) - Invisibility removed when attacking a player
• Splash Potion of Jump Boost III (30s)
• Splash Potion of Speed II (30s)
• Stone Sword - Deals 3 hearts of damage to players
• Throwing TNT - Launches primed TNT in the direction the player is looking
• Water Bucket - Bucket disappears after use

Maps

Image	Name	Release Date
	Area 52	December 16, 2025[3]
	Oil Rig
	Arctic Lab	September 18, 2025[5]
	Library
	Melon Mall
	Spaceship
	Cruise Ship	April 30, 2025[6]
	Castle	February 19, 2025[7]
	Gondola
	Monorail	December 4, 2024[2]
	Paradise

Achievements

Disasters has 29 Achievements, which are listed on the Arcade Games page.

History

Pre-Release
Late 2023	Disaster Survival is playtested in the 2023 game jam.
October 30, 2024	Development of Disaster Survival is confirmed in the October 2024 Minigame Developer Update.

Prototype Lobby
December 4, 2024	0.1	Released Disasters to the Prototype Lobby.
		"Disaster Survival" has been renamed to "Disasters."
		Added nine initial disasters.
		Added two initial maps.
December 12, 2024		Increased secondary disaster chance from 20% to 75%
		Various changes.
February 18, 2025	0.2	Added eight new disasters (Tornado; Withers; The Floor is Lava; Sinkhole; Swappage; Red Light, Green Light; Grounded; Anvil Rain).
		Added two new maps.
		Added powerups.
		Buffed and nerfed various disasters.
		Removed gold.
		Reduced secondary disaster chance from 75% to 50%.
February 28, 2025		Various changes.
April 30, 2025	0.3	Added two new disasters (Half Health, Blackout).
		Added one new map.
		Added one new powerup (Milk Bucket).
		Increased secondary disaster chance from 50% back to 75%.
		Item powerups can now be dropped.
September 18, 2025	0.4	Added four new maps.

Hypixel Network
December 16, 2025	1.0	Released Disasters to the Arcade Games lobby.
		Added eight new disasters (Stampede, Solar Flare, TNT Rain, Fragile Ground, Nuke, Bat Swarm, Disco!, Hypixel Says).
		Added four new powerups (Throwing TNT, Launch Pad, Fire Resistance Potion, Random).
		Added two new maps.
		Players (excluding werewolves) now drop items on death.
		Buffed and nerfed various disasters.
		Added achievements for Disasters.
		Disasters now supports private games, including some special gameplay modifications.

Tips and Tricks

• ACID RAIN: Stay under stone or metal blocks (stone, iron, quartz, etc.) and stay below multiple layers of building so you have multiple roofs.
• ANVIL RAIN: Stay inside and under metal blocks (iron, quartz, etc.).
• BAT SWARM: Be vigilant of any nearby bats. If picked up, make sure you have a safe place to land when punching the bat.
• BLACKOUT: Stay in a safe place the entire time. You won't be able to escape a dangerous situation.
• DISCO: Don't backtrack or the game may accidentally detect you as not moving.
• DRAGONS: Stay low to the ground to decrease fall damage from being launched or having the blocks under you broken.
• FLOOD: Go high up and avoid dead ends and small buildings. If you only have to survive 10 or so seconds you can try using a boat.
• FRAGILE GROUND: Stay on a ladder. If you are not directly standing on a block, it will not break. Staying afloat on water is another good strategy.
• GROUNDED: If you're in a really bad place you can use a boat. Otherwise just wait.
• HALF HEALTH: Stay away from dangerous situations and collect health potions.
• HOT POTATO: Crouch or use invisibility potions to avoid the person with hot potato; they have speed and can easily outrun you.
• HYPIXEL SAYS: Pay close attention to whether the tasks have "Hypixel Says" before them.
• LIGHTNING: Keep moving, as lightning targets players who stand still. If you hear sizzling or see yellow particles run!
• METEOR SHOWER: Stay away from incoming meteors, and put out fires in wooden buildings.
• NUKE: Start getting out of the quadrant as soon as possible.
• PURGE: Keep away from players with more health or better gear than you. If you see a player with low health or in a bad place, kill them. If the game is near to ending, kill anyone.
• RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT: Move as normal, but don't attempt to run from something, or make any jumps. You have 1 second after it changes to red light, before you actually take damage. Use that time to stop.
• SINKHOLE: Go to the opposite side of the map from the sinkhole.
• SOLAR FLARE: Seek shelter under non-flammable blocks, and put out fires in wooden buildings.
• STAMPEDE: Have a plan on how to get up or down in case the stampede happens at your y-level.
• SWAPPAGE: Be ready to clutch if you are swapped into a dangerous situation.
• THE FLOOR IS LAVA: Stay in water, near water, or on a ladder. Blocks next to water turn into obsidian, and if you aren't directly on a block you can't turn it to lava.
• TNT RAIN: Stay inside and under multiple layers of blocks.
• TORNADO: Stay away from the tornado! If flung, land into water (or place it), onto slime, or clutch with a boat or an ender pearl.
• WEREWOLF: Go high up, the werewolf will typically target lower down players. If you are near the werewolf crouch or use invisibility; they have jump boost and can easily outrun you.
• WITHERS: Stay inside and crouch. If a wither sees you, run to another building or past another player. Hiding under stairs is recommended.
• ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE: Stay on rooftops, zombies can't spawn on slabs or stairs, and can't get up to the roof.

Trivia

• HYPIXEL SAYS' name is directly borrowed from the other Arcade game, Hypixel Says.
• According to 2008Choco, there is a small chance for meteors during Meteor Shower to show up as a player head from someone in-game rather than a meteor texture.^[8]

Sources

v · d · e Games
Available Bed Wars Dreams Blitz Survival Games Build Battle Guess The Build Speed Builders Cops and Crims Gun Game Housing Hypixel SMP Mega Walls Murder Mystery Assassins Infection SkyWars Laboratory Smash Heroes Speed UHC The Pit UHC Champions Warlords Arcade Games Blocking Dead Bounty Hunters Creeper Attack Disasters Dragon Wars Dropper Ender Spleef Farm Hunt Football Galaxy Wars Hide and Seek Hole in the Wall Hypixel Says Mini Walls Party Games Pixel Painters Pixel Party Throw Out Zombies Alien Arcadium Bad Blood Dead End Prison Seasonal Easter Simulator Grinch Simulator v2 Halloween Simulator Santa Says Scuba Simulator Classic Games Arena Brawl Paintball Warfare Quakecraft The Walls Turbo Kart Racers VampireZ Duels Bed Wars Duels Blitz Duels Bow Duels Boxing Duels Classic Duels Combo Duels Duel Arena Mega Walls Duels NoDebuff Duels OP Duels Parkour Duels Quakecraft Duels SkyWars Duels Spleef Duels Sumo Duels The Bridge UHC Duels TNT Games Bow Spleef PVP Run TNT Run TNT Tag TNT Wizards Wool Games Capture the Wool Sheep Wars Wool Wars
Prototype Future Release SkyBlock
Upcoming Ravengard
Unimplemented Game Jam 2021 Gliders Hypixel Lab Game Jam 2023 Core Control Dangerous Industry Defenders Distinct Hero Payload Game Hypixel Chess Hypixel Lab v2 Killjoy! Minecraft Survivor Sabotage Untitled Chunk Game Prototype Siege
Removed Formerly Released Crazy Walls SkyClash Arcade Games Hypixel Sports Party Games 1 Party Games 2 Party Games 3 Seasonal Santa Simulator Prototype Battle Royale Invaders King of the Hill Survival Dash TowerWars UHC Deathmatch