TL;DR: i24 beta code got leaked, a bunch of people made a single secret private server with it (for cool kids only; no plebs allowed) and six years later someone decided to blab to the news about it. After everyone got rightfully pissed off about not being told about the secret server, the code has been released (illegally) and everyone and their dog has a server now.
And my dog runs an AWESOME server!
Sample intro to the Penelope Yip! Yip! Task Force from your dog's awesome server:
Mission Briefing
Character! Bark!
Grrr... woof woof, bark, Character, woof woof woof woof. Bark bark bark woof woof growl! Bark whine Terra Volta, bark?
Bark bark woof woof yip yip yip yip yip, bark bark woof barkity bark bark bark! Woof woof woof woof. *wags tail*.
Bark bark bar bark woof woof heroes bark bark bark woof woof woof. Growl grrr grrr woof woof woof woof woof!
Mission Acceptance
Bark! *wags tail*
Woof woof woof woof Terra Volta.
Bark bark woof? *tilts head sideways*
Unnecessary Solicitation
Bark? *rolls over*
Of course he added the /sniffbutt and /lickself emotes.