Palace Network Project

PRO JECT

BRENDAN GANNON

What is the Palace Network?

The Palace Network, formerly McMagic, was a Minecraft server and that recreated Disney and Universal theme parks and attractions within the game. Hundreds of thousands of players explored virtual versions of iconic destinations, experienced themed rides, and interacted with the Minecraft representation of Disney magic. It’s known for its attention to detail in replicating the Disney experience and providing players with an immersive and family-friendly environment. The love for Disney developed a strong community and attachment so much that hundreds of volunteers contributed as staff.

My time with Palace 2017

Jan

2019

Jun

Dec

Cast Member Coordinator Administrator Character & Builder

of Universal Parks

of Theme Park Construction

Apr Manager

of Theme Parks & Experience

2020

Oct Director

of Parks & Show Development

2021

Our Four Keys: Safety

Courtesy Courtesy emphasizes providing exceptional customer service and creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for guests. This involves being polite, friendly, and helpful in all interactions with visitors to enhance their overall experience.

Show Show refers to the entertainment and presentation aspect of the experience. It involves maintaining the magic and illusion of the theme parks and attractions. Cast Members are expected to stay in character, follow the storyline, and contribute to the overall immersive experience for guests.

Efficiency While efficiency is important, it is the last of the Four Keys. It emphasizes the importance of being efficient in operations without compromising safety, courtesy, or the show. It involves finding ways to streamline processes and improve productivity while maintaining the high standards.

INTRODUCTION

The top priority is ensuring the safety of guests, employees, and anyone present in the online environment. This includes maintaining a secure and hazard-free environment, adhering to safety protocols, and promptly addressing any potential risks or concerns.

Parks n’ Pack Team Theme Park Build Team

Pack Design Team

As top of the Parks team, I held a crucial role in ensuring the smooth development and coordination of various park-related projects.

My responsibilities included overseeing both the architectural and coordination aspects of the team’s work. Not only did I set an example by contributing to the build projects myself, but I also played a key role in assigning projects to a team fluctuating around 15 members, such as the Parks Coordination spreadsheet and the ProofHub/Trello board. I also collaborated with Parks Management to review the potential of applicants and actively participated in the interview and onboarding process. The role involved promoting competence within the team by working closely with Parks Management to assess efficiency, team structure issues, and consult members when necessary.

As the Parks and Pack Director, I played a larger role in the Resource Pack Design Team of approximately 12 individuals, demonstrating a holistic approach to the creative process. My commitment to maintaining the immersion and quality was evident through direct involvement in reviews and design sessions to serve as a studio environment and encourage growth through collaboration. Integral to this role was overseeing the coordination of the RP team and actively communicating to the RP and Pack Coordinator, to efficiently manage project coordination. As the Parks and Pack Director involved steering the overall vision, managing teams, and ensuring synergy between the Parks Team and Resource Pack Design Team to deliver an exceptional and cohesive experience.

Projects & Involvement Universal Orlando Resort

Toy Story

Hard Rock Hotel, Orlando

Magic K

Holiday Park Events

Cosmeti

Completed: 2017 Involvement: Builder & Project Coordinator

Completed: 2018 Involvement: Lead Builder & Project Coordinator

Completed: 2017-2021 Involvement: Lead Builder & Project Coordinator

Completed: Involvement

Completed: Involvement

Completed: Involvement

Epcot Updates, WDW

Kingdom Replacement

Galaxy’s Edge, WDW

ics Rollout

Disneyland Resort, CA

: 2019 t: Builder + Park and Pack Manager

: 2018-2021 t: Designer + Pack Manager

Completed: 2020-2021 Involvement: Parks Consultant

Completed: 2021 Involvement: Parks Consultant + Pack Director

Canceled: 2021 due to Network closure Involvement: Parks Consultant + Pack Director

THEME PARK & PACK TEAM

y Land, WDW

: 2019 t: Parks Consultant + Upkeep

Type: New Build

Length: 18 months Volunteers: 90+

Introducing Palace Network’s New Magic Kingdom, a Minecraft Theme Park server designed to captivate the community. In 2018, I conducted surveys to align our team’s goals with player desires, igniting this ambitious project. The beginning of the project was guided by precise 1:1 outlines. These were generously provided for most of the park, and completed by myself and other Park leadership members; every inch of this digital wonderland was brought to life with unparalleled precision.

To manage the huge endeavor, we strategically divided the project into the lands of Magic Kingdom, each celebrated a milestone of completion to provide satisfaction to the team.

I meticulously assigned the team and myself to build up each land, setting a new standard of quality within our server community.

As the project garnered widespread attention,

maintaining an unwavering commitment to detail and accuracy became paramount. In response, we implemented groundbreaking updates to our ride and show plugin, elevating the user experience to new heights and reflecting Disney’s ethos of continual innovation and growth. Simultaneously, the launch of our Resource Pack team marked a new chapter in visual fidelity, as 3D model ride vehicles enhanced each attraction, ushering players into a realm of unprecedented immersion.

But innovation didn’t end there. Recognizing the importance of player engagement and sustainability, In-game interactive cosmetics were introduced, allowing users to personalize their characters and driving a significant economic boom. The success of this project was pivotal in continuing the dreams and wishes from the community.

Personal Projects

FEATURED PROJECT: NEWMK

New Magic Kingdom, Orlando

Mapping: Crafting Accurate 1:1 Outlines Palace Network advertised as a faithful recreation of the enchanting experiences felt within real theme parks. A cornerstone of this promise relied on our commitment to ensuring that our theme parks were designed at a 1:1 scale, mirroring their real-world counterparts.

This meant that every cubic meter in the real world corresponded precisely to one block in Minecraft. With this understanding, our dedicated team of server developers created a plug-in to translate lengths and angles from Google Earth into physical blocks on our maps, using carefully selected reference points as their guide.

To maintain the integrity of our projects, only a select few members of the Parks team leadership were trusted to outline. Most individuals underwent training under my guidance. Every project within our server

underwent this meticulous process to generate a comprehensive plan. Following the outline, height calculations were carried out with precision to frame out the project accurately.

In addition to these technical considerations, our team drew upon a wealth of video and picture references to inform the design process.

These references were instrumental in helping us create the massing as well as ensuring meticulous detailing of each creation. This comprehensive approach was integral to ensuring that every aspect of our virtual theme parks captured the essence and magic of their real-world counterparts.

By providing our community with an immersive and unforgettable experience, we aimed to transport them to a world where imagination knew no bounds and the magic of theme parks truly came to life.

Mission Breakout Construction Proces 2D Plan 3D Shell

Massing

ACCURACY & 1:1 OUTLINES

ss Credit: Aiden Imbeau

Resource Pack Development

Accessories

123 Items

Seasonal Items

44

items Decorations

70

items Shows & Parades

22

items Ride Vehicles

91

items

Magic Kingdom demanded for a Resource Pack team in 2018. The initiative was launched through a public 3D modeling tutorial using the Blockbench software, personally conducted by me, where applications were announced. The team has experienced significant expansion and established its own leadership structure, reducing the heavy reliance on my involvement. The team’s leadership was efficient in pairing projects with designers, streamlining the creation process.

My role primarily focused on routinely inputting models into an updated server-wide resource pack. With a range of talents at our disposal, team members specialized in various types of models, including head-wear, ride vehicles, handheld items. The primary software utilized for modeling included Blockbench and Cubik, facilitating seamless collaboration and output of high-quality assets.

Personal Models

RESOURCE PACK

Softwares Utilized:

Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure

H

Epcot, WDW

Hollywood Studios, WDW

Hollywood Studios, WDW

Diagon Alley, Universal Florida

ADDITIONAL TEAM PROJECTS

WDW Ticket and Transportation Center

bgannon@ku.edu 636-387-8308 linkedin.com/in/brendan--gannon issuu.com/bgannnon

@palacenetwork

https://tinyurl.com/PalNetYT