The Pen MC is a classic prison server that feels like the old 2014 style where you actually have to grind. There is no instant selling and you are not meant to get overpowered right away. You mine and you smelt ores yourself then you take the risk of going through pvp zones to sell.

Progression is a full rank ladder from A to H and then you can reach Parole. After you max out ranks you can prestige and you can pick how you want to keep progressing instead of being forced into one path.

Mining is the main old school vibe but there are other ways to earn too. There is custom fishing that can keep up with the grind. There is a mob arena with waves and boss fights where groups can earn money and shards through combat.

There is also a cookie farming bakery system where you farm wheat and cocoa then bake cookies with custom mechanics. You can do long term cookie quests compete on leaderboards and turn baked cookies into higher tier rewards.

The server also has guards that enforce contraband rules plus illegal crops that are high risk and high reward. You can rent cells and plots use an auction house place bounties do parkour challenges and run player shops. They say pay to win is not the point since premium stuff can also be earned by playing.