Survey Results and Changes for 1.16
World size
The initial world size will be 8750 blocks (diameter)
This only applies to the overworld. Other worlds will have their own sizes.
We previously announced our intention to make the 1.16 world smaller, for a variety of reasons. The 1.14 world size was too heavy on disk space, with the Dynmap taking up almost 100GB. In addition, only 0.92% of the 1.14 world's surface area was ever claimed, and the Dynmap still shows large unexplored areas. With the additional world changes discussed below, some larger builds will no longer be present in the overworld too, further reducing the need for space.
As a result, despite 49% of survey respondents saying the world size was "Just right", we will be using a smaller initial size for 1.16. We have opted for a size of 8750 blocks, which is in-between the 2 most popular alternative sizes - 10k (19%) and 7.5k (10%). This is roughly 80% smaller than the 1.14 world, but should still offer plenty of space. Further expansions can always be considered if the world ends up too full, as well as for 1.17 and its expected mountain changes.
The world will be square
Exactly 2/3 voted for keeping the world square like 1.14, and we will be doing so. A square world also allows the world border to remain visible, which will help with world wrapping. This results in a world with a similar surface area to the 10k circular 1.13 world.
The world will wrap around
There is a surprising majority - 58% - who would like to see a wrap around world, where reaching the border will teleport you to the other side. We are up for trying this, so it will be enabled in 1.16. It can always be disabled again if it proves too confusing or buggy. Since the world is square, the visible world border will give a visual indication of where wrapping will occur, which should make it less jarring.
Server Settings
All existing gamerules will remain the same
The majority of responses wanted all the listed gamerules to stay at their 1.14 settings:
mobGriefing - Enabled
65% wanted mobGriefing to remain enabled enabled. This is unsurprising due to issues like villagers being unable to pick up items when it is disabled. Note that is does not affect the ability for mobs to damage claimed areas, or explosions above sea level. These are managed by other settings we will cover below.
doFireTick - Disabled
64% preferred fire spread to remain disabled, and remain disabled it will be. Fire will therefore not spread, as in 1.14.
doInsomnia - Enabled
No Preference (Dunno) 34 20.24%
Disabled (No) 65 38.69%
Enabled (Yes) 69 41.07%
forgiveDeadPlayers - Angered mobs forgive players when they die - New
No Preference (Dunno) 23 13.69%
Disabled (No) 7 4.17%
Enabled (Yes) 138 82.14%
universalAnger - Angered mobs attack all players - New
No Preference (Dunno) 41 24.40%
Disabled (No) 83 49.40%
Enabled (Yes) 44 26.19%
doImmediateRespawn‌ - Instant respawn - Currently disabled
No Preference (Dunno) 63 37.50%
Disabled (No) 83 49.40%
Enabled (Yes) 22 13.10%
doPatrolSpawning - Pillager patrols spawn - Currently enabled
No Preference (Dunno) 30 17.86%
Disabled (No) 13 7.74%
Enabled (Yes) 125 74.40%
doTraderSpawning - Wandering traders spawn - Currently enabled
No Preference (Dunno) 22 13.10%
Disabled (No) 9 5.36%
Enabled (Yes) 137 81.55%
Only unlocked recipes can be crafted - Currently disabled
No Preference (Dunno) 17 10.12%
Disabled (No) 144 85.71%
Enabled (Yes) 7 4.17%
disableRaids - Disables raids - Currently disabled
No Preference (Dunno) 32 19.05%
Disabled (No) 112 66.67%
Enabled (Yes) 24 14.29%
keepInventory - Don't drop items on death - Currently disabled
No Preference (Dunno) 38 22.62%
Disabled (No) 89 52.98%
Enabled (Yes) 41 24.40%
doWeatherCycle - Weather changes naturally - Currently enabled
No Preference (Dunno) 12 7.14%
Disabled (No) 5 2.98%
Enabled (Yes) 151 89.88%
doDaylightCycle - Day/night cycle - Currently enabled
No Preference (Dunno) 5 2.98%
Disabled (No) 2 1.19%
Enabled (Yes) 161 95.83%