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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Minecraft'' modding}}{{Citations needed|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
[[File:The Undergarden (Minecraft mod).png|thumb|Most ''Minecraft'' mods focus on adding new content. ''The Undergarden'' (pictured) adds a new dimension to the game.]]
A '''''Minecraft'' mod''' is a [[Video game modding|mod]] that changes aspects of the [[Sandbox game|sandbox]] game ''[[Minecraft]]''. ''Minecraft'' mods can add additional content to the game, make tweaks to specific features, and optimize performance. Thousands of mods for the game have been created, with some mods even generating an income for their authors. While [[Mojang Studios]] does not provide an [[API]] for modding, community tools exist to help developers create and distribute mods. The popularity of ''Minecraft'' mods has been credited for helping ''Minecraft'' become one of the [[List of best-selling video games|best-selling video games]] of all time. {{As of|2025|March}} there are more than 257,308 Mods for ''Minecraft'' across different mod hosting sites such as [[CurseForge]], Modrinth, and PlanetMinecraft.
The first ''Minecraft'' mods worked by [[Decompiler|decompiling]] and modifying the [[Java (programming language)|Java]] source code of the game. The original version of the game, now called ''Minecraft: Java Edition'', is still modded this way, but with more advanced tools. ''[[Minecraft: Bedrock Edition]]'', a version of the game available for [[Mobile game|mobile]], [[Console game|consoles]], and [[Microsoft Windows]], is written in [[C++]], and as a result cannot be modded the same way. Instead, modders must use "add-ons" written in a [[scripting language]] to add content.
==Background==
''Minecraft: Java Edition'' (available for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], and [[Linux]]) can be modded on the [[Client–server model|client]] (local installations of the game), on [[Server (computing)|servers]], or on both simultaneously.<ref name="PCWorldInstalling">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/244306/how_to_install_minecraft_mods.html |title=How to Install Minecraft Mods |last=Ralph |first=Nate |date=18 November 2011 |website=PCWorld |publisher=IDG |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=21 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321190538/http://www.pcworld.com/article/244306/how_to_install_minecraft_mods.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Client mods can change the appearance and some behavior of the game. Server only mods (commonly referred to as plugins) can change behavior, and often add minigames, anti-cheat, or login systems. For more complex features such as adding new blocks, items, mobs, or dimensions, or changing some existing features, an equivalent mod must be added to both the client and server, so that they can interoperate. In [[Single-player video game|single-player mode]], the client acts as both client and server, and can run both client and server mods.<ref name="PCWorldInstalling" /><ref name="EngadgetHowTo">{{Cite web |last=Wehner |first=Mike |date=25 March 2014 |title=The ultimate Mac user's guide to Minecraft on OS X – mods, skins, and more |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/the-ultimate-mac-users-guide-to-minecraft-on-os-x-mods-skins/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701194112/https://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/the-ultimate-mac-users-guide-to-minecraft-on-os-x-mods-skins/ |archive-date=1 July 2018 |access-date=12 February 2016 |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL}}</ref>
Client mods can result in loss of performance (due to generally heavy resource demands) on older or weaker computers,<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/dec/31/minecraft-best-laptop |title=What's the best laptop for running Minecraft? |last=Schofield |first=Jack |date=31 December 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 March 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701194123/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/dec/31/minecraft-best-laptop |url-status=live }}</ref> especially if players run many mods together at once in what is known as a "modpack". Modifications to the game are possible because the community [[Reverse engineering|reverse-engineers]] ''Minecraft''{{'s}} source code, which is written in [[Java (programming language)|Java]], to make these modifications.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Koene |first=Jimmy |title=Sams teach yourself mod development for Minecraft in 24 hours |date=2016 |isbn=978-0-13-438978-3 |___location=Indianapolis, Indiana |oclc=929952688}}</ref>
While not officially supported by Mojang, ''Minecraft'' mods are allowed to be created and shared online, and the game's development team has an informal relationship with many modders. Some developers have gone on to work at Mojang after publishing popular mods.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2021-06-30 |title=Long-time players are making money building for 'Minecraft' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/06/30/minecraft-modders-making-money/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' mods are generally provided free of charge as a [[hobby]]. Modders that do make money generate it through [[revenue sharing]] on [[Advertising|ads]] on download sites and [[crowdfunding]]. This income has allowed some developers to work full time and even open small game studios dedicated to mods or modding platforms.<ref name=":1" />
Modding for the mobile and console versions of ''Minecraft'' on the [[Minecraft#Minecraft:_Pocket_Edition|Bedrock codebase]] is different as those versions are written in C++ rather than Java.<ref name="ViceModding">{{Cite web |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |date=6 July 2015 |title='Why Gamers Are Worried About 'Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-gamers-are-worried-about-minecraft-windows-10-edition/ |access-date=18 February 2016 |website=VICE |publisher=Motherboard |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309174336/http://motherboard.vice.com/read/why-gamers-are-worried-about-minecraft-windows-10-edition |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftDifferences">{{Cite web |url=https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/documents/differencesbetweenbedrockandjava |title=Differences Between Minecraft: Bedrock Edition and Minecraft: Java Edition |date=15 October 2021 |website=Microsoft |access-date=30 October 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225325/https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/documents/differencesbetweenbedrockandjava |url-status=live }}</ref> Players who wish to mod their game on Bedrock codebase versions have a simpler process due to the version's built-in official support for "add-ons", which can be installed faster and easier than ''Java Edition'' mods and do not require external mod loaders. However, addons in [[Bedrock Edition]] have less flexibility and features because they can only modify features that Mojang explicitly exposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Differences Between Bedrock and Java |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/minecraft/creator/documents/differencesbetweenbedrockandjava |website=Minecraft Creator Documentation |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref>
In 2012, Mojang said they were starting work on a repository for ''Minecraft'' mods.<ref name="MojangHelp">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft mods |url=https://help.mojang.com/customer/en/portal/articles/979212-minecraft-mods |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021190724/https://help.mojang.com/customer/en/portal/articles/979212-minecraft-mods |archive-date=21 October 2018 |access-date=10 February 2016 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> ''Minecraft''{{'}}s creator [[Markus "Notch" Persson]] admitted in 2012 that he was initially skeptical of mods, fearing that the user-made content would threaten his vision for the game. Persson says he came around, as he claims to have realized that mods are "a huge reason of what ''Minecraft'' is".<ref name="NotchVG247">{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Dave |date=1 August 2012 |title=Notch: 'Minecraft mod used to threaten my vision' – Minecraft creator speaks |url=https://www.vg247.com/2012/08/01/notch-minecraft-mod-used-to-threaten-my-vision-minecraft-creator-speaks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021153100/https://www.vg247.com/2012/08/01/notch-minecraft-mod-used-to-threaten-my-vision-minecraft-creator-speaks/ |archive-date=21 October 2018 |access-date=10 March 2016 |website=VG247 |publisher=Videogaming247 Ltd.}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' 1.13 also provides a feature known as "data packs" which allows players or server operators to provide additional content into the game. What can be added is limited to building on existing features, such as adding recipes, changing what items blocks drop when broken, and executing [[Command (computing)|console commands]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2018 |title=Minecraft: Java Edition - 1.13 (Update Aquatic) |url=https://feedback.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360007323492-Minecraft-Java-Edition-1-13-Update-Aquatic- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322190535/https://feedback.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360007323492-Minecraft-Java-Edition-1-13-Update-Aquatic- |archive-date=22 March 2023 |access-date=22 March 2023 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref>
==History==
{{Update section|date=December 2022}}
The first ever version of ''Minecraft'' was released in May 2009,<ref name="PcGamerFirstMoments">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ |title=The First Moments of Minecraft |last=Smith |first=Graham |date=6 February 2012 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310072221/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but client-side modding of the game did not become popular in earnest until the game reached its [[Software release life cycle#Alpha|alpha stage]] in June 2010. The only mods that were released during ''Minecraft''{{'s}} Indev and Infdev development stages were a few client-side mods that had minor changes to the game.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
===Alpha===
With the release of Minecraft Alpha, the first server-side mods began to appear. One of them was hMod,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lock this thread (hMod thread) - Server Support and Administration - Support |url=https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/support/server-support-and/1891855-lock-this-thread-hmod-thread |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=minecraftforum.net |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421201846/https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/support/server-support-and/1891855-lock-this-thread-hmod-thread |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=hMod for Minecraft: Versions 27 through 133 |url=http://archive.org/details/hmod-dump-27-133 |access-date=2025-07-05}}</ref> which added some simple but necessary tools to manage a server. Michael Stoyke, also known as Searge<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Stoyke video game credits and biography |url=https://www.mobygames.com/person/125826/michael-stoyke/ |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=MobyGames |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421201846/https://www.mobygames.com/person/125826/michael-stoyke/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (who would later go on to work for Mojang), created Minecraft Coder Pack (MCP). This was later renamed to Mod Coder Pack, keeping the same acronym. MCP<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.modcoderpack.com/ |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=modcoderpack.com |title=Temporary MCP download links |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421201848/http://www.modcoderpack.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was a tool that decompiled and deobfuscated ''Minecraft'' code. MCP would recompile and obfuscate new and changed classes, which could be injected into the game. However, if multiple mods modified the same base code, it could cause conflicts resulting in an error. To solve this problem, Risugami's ModLoader<ref>{{Cite web |title=Risugami's Mods - Updated. - Minecraft Mods - Mapping and Modding: Java Edition |url=https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding-java-edition/minecraft-mods/1272333-risugamis-mods-updated |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=minecraftforum.net |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420034823/https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding-java-edition/minecraft-mods/1272333-risugamis-mods-updated |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=January 2024}} was created to prevent any conflicts from occurring due to multiple mods modifying the same base classes or game resources.
===Beta===
Towards the end of 2010, ''Minecraft'' was preparing to move into its [[Software release life cycle#Beta|beta development phase]], and popular mods such as ''IndustrialCraft'', ''Railcraft'' and ''BuildCraft'' were first released. As opposed to their predecessors, these mods added substantial new content and mechanics instead of simply tweaking minor aspects of it.<ref name="packtpub history">{{Cite web|last=Mills|first=Aaron|date=3 June 2015|title=A Brief History of Minecraft Modding|url=https://www.packtpub.com/books/content/brief-history-minecraft-modding|access-date=11 February 2016|website=Packt Publishing|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225042033/https://www.packtpub.com/books/content/brief-history-minecraft-modding|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Bukkit, a project to create a sufficient replacement for hMod following stagnating development, began development on December 21st, 2010 and was subsequently released in 2011. The project primarily consisted of "Bukkit", a [[GNU General Public License|GPL]]-licensed API for creating plugins which modified the Minecraft server, and "CraftBukkit", a modified version of the vanilla Minecraft version software which allowed Bukkit to run. Like hMod, it allowed server owners to install plugins to modify the server's way of taking input and giving output to the player without players having to install client-side mods.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Spigot? CraftBukkit? Bukkit? Vanilla? Forg |url=https://www.spigotmc.org/wiki/what-is-spigot-craftbukkit-bukkit-vanilla-forg/ |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Maddy |title=A Decade of Survival Multiplayer. Celebrating the first 10 years of the Minecraft Multiplayer Community |date=4 August 2020 |url=https://madelinemiller.dev/blog/decade-of-minecraft-multiplayer/#the-launch-of-bukkit |access-date=8 January 2025}}</ref>
[[CurseForge]], a website that hosts user-generated content for games, added forums and a section for Minecraft mods in mid-2011.<ref>{{Citation |title=Games |url=http://www.curseforge.com:80/games/ |website=CurseForge |access-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820080718/http://www.curseforge.com:80/games/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=20 August 2011}}</ref> At first, CurseForge mainly linked to Bukkit plugins hosted on Bukkit's website.<ref name=curseforge>{{Citation |title=CurseForge is now hosting Forge Mods! |author=ahamling27 |website=CurseForge |date=21 June 2013 |url=http://www.curseforge.com/announcements/curse-forge-is-now-hosting-forge-mods |access-date=25 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513190522/http://www.curseforge.com/announcements/curse-forge-is-now-hosting-forge-mods |archive-date=13 May 2015}}</ref>
===Release===
[[File:@jeb talking at the modders panel @ MineCon 2012.jpg|thumb|In 2012, Mojang organized a panel on modding at [[MineCon#2012|MineCon 2012]], where ''Minecraft''{{'s}} lead developer [[Jens Bergensten]] held a talk.]]
Around November 2011, the Forge Mod Loader and Minecraft Forge were released. Forge allowed players to be able to run several mods simultaneously, utilizing Mod Coder Pack mappings. A server version of Forge was also released, which allowed players to create modded servers. Forge ended the necessity to manipulate the base source code, allowing separate mods to run together without requiring them to touch the base source code. Forge also included many libraries and hooks which made mod development easier.<ref name="packtpub history" />
After ''Minecraft'' was fully released in November 2011, the game's modding community continued to grow.<ref name="packtpub history" /> In February 2012, Mojang hired developers of Bukkit to work on an official modding [[Application programming interface|API]], allowing mod developers easier access to the ''Minecraft'' game files.<ref name="ModdingAPIEurogamer">{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-29-mojang-hires-bukkit-server-mod-team-to-make-official-minecraft-api |title=Mojang hires Bukkit server-mod team to make official Minecraft API |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=29 February 2012 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327044736/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-29-mojang-hires-bukkit-server-mod-team-to-make-official-minecraft-api |url-status=live }}</ref> Bukkit was then maintained by the community.
A fork of CraftBukkit, called Spigot which was backward compatible with plugins started to be developed. In 2012, Spigot released a server software, called BungeeCord, made to link many servers together via a proxy "linking" server. BungeeCord had a separate plugin API from Spigot where Spigot plugins could work side by side. Many popular Minecraft servers use BungeeCord to link up Minecraft servers together.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BungeeCord: Turning Minecraft Servers into a Networks {{!}} Minecraft.Buzz |url=https://minecraft.buzz/post/bungeecord-introduction |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=Minecraft Buzz |language=en |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702165350/https://minecraft.buzz/post/bungeecord-introduction |url-status=live }}</ref>
In
===Microsoft's acquisition===
Concern arose following Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang in mid 2014. Members of the modding community feared that ''Minecraft''{{'}}s new owners would put an end to Mojang's established practice of giving free rein to mod developers.<ref name="BloombergEdu">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/microsoft-turns-a-minecraft-mod-into-an-education-business |title=Microsoft Turns a Minecraft Mod Into an Education Business |last=Brustein |first=Joshua |date=19 January 2016 |website=Bloomberg L.P. |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=20 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520030021/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-19/microsoft-turns-a-minecraft-mod-into-an-education-business |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the concerns, Microsoft did not announce any changes to Mojang's policies, and modding was unaffected.<ref name="BloombergEdu" />
In April 2015, Microsoft announced that it was adding a ''Minecraft'' Mod Developer Pack to [[Microsoft Visual Studio]], granting users of the application creation software an easier way to program ''Minecraft'' mods.<ref name="GeekVisualStudio">{{Cite web |url=http://www.geek.com/microsoft/microsoft-embraces-minecraft-modding-with-new-visual-studio-tools-1621890/ |title=Microsoft embraces Minecraft modding with new Visual Studio tools |last=Mathews |first=Lee |date=1 May 2015 |website=Geek.com |publisher=Ziff Davis Media |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227215348/https://www.geek.com/microsoft/microsoft-embraces-minecraft-modding-with-new-visual-studio-tools-1621890/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Microsoft released the new pack open source and free of charge, amidst a drive to push towards more open source software.<ref name="GeekVisualStudio" /><ref name="MicrosoftOpenSource">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/08/microsoft-moves-toward-open-source-linux-fills-cloud/ |title=Microsoft Moves Toward Open Source as Linux Fills Its Cloud |last=Metz |first=Cade |date=12 August 2015 |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast Publishing |access-date=14 February 2016}}</ref>
On 4 July 2015 a "[[Windows 10]]" version of ''Minecraft'' was announced. This, unlike the previous versions, was to be programmed in [[C++]].<ref name="ViceModding" /> This announcement sparked concern amongst the game's fanbase that the Java-based versions would end up being phased out entirely, which would hamper the production of mods as [[C++]] can not be [[Reverse engineering|reverse engineered]] like Java. However, [[Mojang Studios|Mojang]] developer Tommaso Chechi reassured fans on [[Reddit]] that modding was "too important" to ''Minecraft'' for the Java-based versions to be discontinued.<ref name="ViceModding" />
In April 2017, Mojang announced the upcoming creation of the ''Minecraft Marketplace'', where players would be able to sell user-created content for the Windows 10 version of the game (Running on the Minecraft Bedrock codebase).<ref name="PcGamesMarketplace">{{Cite web |last=Forward |first=Jordan |date=10 April 2017 |title=Minecraft Marketplace brings all those Java version mods to Windows 10 Edition – for a price |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-marketplace-windows-10-minecraft-pocket-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217224414/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-marketplace-windows-10-minecraft-pocket-edition |archive-date=17 December 2018 |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=PCGamesN |publisher=Network N}}</ref> This new digital store would specialize in adventure maps, skins, and texture packs. ''PC World'' noted that this addition would move the Windows 10 version "a bit closer to the moddable worlds familiar to classic players" of the original ''Java Edition''.<ref name="PcWorldMarketplace">{{Cite web |last=Hachman |first=Mark |date=10 April 2017 |title=Minecraft pulls Pocket users closer to Windows with paid DLC and Paint 3D support |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/3188093/gaming/minecraft-pulls-pocket-users-closer-to-windows-with-paid-dlc-and-paint-3d-support.html |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=PCWorld |publisher=IDG |archive-date=3 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703185235/http://www.pcworld.com/article/3188093/gaming/minecraft-pulls-pocket-users-closer-to-windows-with-paid-dlc-and-paint-3d-support.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2018, a new modding toolchain and mod loader called Fabric was released.<ref>{{Citation |title=Fabric Announcement |date=10 December 2018 |url=https://fabricmc.net/2018/12/10/announcement.html |work=Fabric |access-date=23 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ModloadersReview">{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Jason |date=18 November 2023 |title=Every mod loader for Minecraft |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/minecraft/every-mod-loader-minecraft |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=Sportskeeda |publisher=Nazara Technologies }}</ref>
In April 2022, a [[Fork (software development)|fork]] of Fabric, known as Quilt, was released. The Quilt loader is intended to be compatible with mods created for Fabric.<ref>{{Citation |title=Quilt FAQ |date=10 July 2023 |url=https://quiltmc.org/en/about/faq |work=Quilt |access-date=6 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ModloadersReview" />
In July 2023, a significant part of Forge developers and contributors stated that they were splitting from the project and creating a fork called NeoForge.<ref>{{Citation |title=2023: The Good, The Bad... and The Fork |date=1 January 2024 |url=https://neoforged.net/news/2023-retrospection/ |work=NeoForge |access-date=26 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref>{{non-primary source needed|date=February 2025}}
==Mod content==
[[File:Tinkers Construct smeltery.png|thumb|The mod ''Tinkers' Construct'' adds [[foundry|foundries]] to the game, which can be used to smelt raw metals into parts for custom-made tools and weapons.]]
The total number of Minecraft mods is difficult to calculate because of how numerous they are. One repository website, [[CurseForge]], features over 200,000 mods {{as of|2025|3|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods |title=Mods - Minecraft |website=CurseForge |access-date=4 February 2020 |archive-date=23 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323182008/https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods |url-status=live }}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=February 2020}}
Some mods enhance existing features of the game. The mod ''Journeymap'' adds a [[mini-map]] to the game's [[user interface]]. ''Just Enough Items'' adds a browser for the game's crafting recipes. ''Chisel'' adds many new variants of existing blocks for visual appeal. Other mods add biomes, [[crop]]s, dimensions, [[food]], armor, tools, and other content.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 15 Best Minecraft Mods |url=https://www.lifewire.com/best-minecraft-mods-4158576 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Lifewire |language=en}}</ref> Reviewer Julia Lee of [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] remarked that she "cannot live without" modded tools like a hammer that breaks 3x3x1 blocks at a time and an axe to cut down an entire tree.<ref>{{Citation |last=Lee |first=Julia |title=I don't know why I waited so long to play Minecraft with mods |date=2020-12-02 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/2/22029300/minecraft-feed-the-beast-modpack |access-date=2024-08-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Mods are sometimes grouped together in downloadable content called "modpacks". These can be easily downloaded and played by the user without requiring the player to have extensive knowledge on how to set up a modded environment.<ref name="RockPaperShotgun">{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=13 October 2014 |title=Minecraft In 2014: Your Guide To Mods and Modpacks |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/13/minecraft-mods-guide-2014/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731033653/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/13/minecraft-mods-guide-2014/ |archive-date=31 July 2017 |access-date=13 February 2016 |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun}}</ref><ref name="PUModpack">Van Schaik and Vledder 2015, p. 119</ref> Interactions between these mods can be managed and enhanced by content creators,<ref name="TechradarModpacks">{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=16 April 2017 |title=The Best Minecraft mods |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-minecraft-mods |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125164740/http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-minecraft-mods |archive-date=25 January 2018 |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=TechRadar |publisher=Future plc}}</ref> often aided by the use of [[configuration file]]s and [[Texture mapping|custom textures]].<ref name="Twitchhelp">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2017 |title=Guide to Modpacks |url=https://help.twitch.tv/customer/en/portal/articles/2764215-guide-to-modpacks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227153419/https://help.twitch.tv/customer/en/portal/articles/2764215-guide-to-modpacks |archive-date=27 February 2018 |access-date=27 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="Cursesupport">{{Cite web |date=10 March 2021 |title=Installing Modpacks |url=https://support.overwolf.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000196984-installing-modpacks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225326/https://support.overwolf.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000196984-installing-modpacks |archive-date=30 October 2021 |access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>
===WorldEdit===
WorldEdit is an editing tool developed by software group EngineHub that assists the player in building structures and with creating customized terrain. It offers a variety of tools such as brushes and block replacers; and actions such as copying and pasting and filling and selecting geometric shapes. These tools can speed up building time compared to building without the mod as it offers functionality which the game does not have out of the box.<ref name=":1x">{{Cite book |last1=Rossi |first1=Samu |url=https://hdl.handle.net/10125/107075 |title=Minecraft As a Platform For Co-Creation Of Urban Space: A Case-Study With Teenagers |last2=Rossi |first2=Saana |last3=Rossi |first3=Matti |last4=Rossi |first4=Sippo |date=2024-01-03 |hdl=10125/107075 |isbn=978-0-9981331-7-1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Koutsouras |first=Panagiotis |degree=PhD |title=Crafting Content: The Discovery of Minecraft's Invisible Digital Economy |url=https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/51744/1/Crafting%20Content%20The%20Discovery%20of%20Minecraft%27s%20Invisible%20Digital%20Economy.pdf |publisher=[[University of Nottingham]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/224190/make-building-in-minecraft-easier-with-worldedit/ |title=Make Building in Minecraft Easier with WorldEdit |last=Heddings |first=Anthony |date=5 August 2015 |website=How-To Geek |access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref> The mod has been featured on the ''Minecraft'' website as one of the most popular building tools,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/terrific-tools |title=Terrific Tools |last=Castello |first=Jay |date=20 February 2019 |website=[[Minecraft]] |access-date=1 February 2020 |department=Culture}}</ref> been used in United States patents,<ref name="patent1">{{Cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US10092836B2/en |title=System for storing display spatial data template created during video game play |website=[[Google Patents]] |access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="patent2">{{Cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190366209A1/en |title=Method of automating application program operation in a visual display ecosystem |website=[[Google Patents]] |access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="patent3">{{Cite web |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US10384124B2/en |title=System for storing display spatial data template created during application program operation |website=[[Google Patents]] |access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref> and cited in scientific papers.<ref name="jstor">{{Cite journal |last1=Nebel |first1=Steve |last2=Schneider |first2=Sascha |last3=Daniel |first3=Günter |date=April 2016 |title=Mining Learning and Crafting Scientific Experiments: A Literature Review on the Use of Minecraft in Education and Research |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/jeductechsoci.19.2.355.pdf |journal=Journal of Educational Technology & Society |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=355–366 |jstor=jeductechsoci.19.2.355 |access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="deepak">{{Cite thesis |url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubctheses/24/items/1.0166086 |title=An exploratory study of socio-technical congruence in an ecosystem of software developers |last=Deepak |first=Azad |date=2014 |publisher=[[University of British Columbia]] |doi=10.14288/1.0166086 |access-date=1 February 2020}}</ref> It was initially released worldwide on 28 September 2010 as a [[plug-in (computing)|plugin]] for the hMod modification, and has since been ported as a Bukkit plugin and as a mod for the Fabric and Forge mod loaders.<ref name="rps">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/01/03/best-minecraft-mods-1-14-and-a-few-1-12-mods-too/ |title=Best Minecraft mods 1.14 (and a few 1.12 mods too) |last=Toms |first=Ollie |date=3 January 2020 |website=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |access-date=1 February 2020 |department=Guides}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.softonic.com/articles/some-of-the-most-useful-plugins-for-minecraft-server-owners|title=Some of the most useful plugins for Minecraft server owners|website=Softonic|date=23 April 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-24}}</ref>
=== Malware ===
''Minecraft'' mods have been an [[attack vector]] of [[malware]] by downloading and running malicious mods.<ref name="Goodin">{{Cite news |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=7 June 2023 |title=Dozens of popular Minecraft mods found infected with Fracturiser malware |work=[[Ars Technica]] |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/06/dozens-of-popular-minecraft-mods-found-infected-with-fracturiser-malware/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608013029/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/06/dozens-of-popular-minecraft-mods-found-infected-with-fracturiser-malware/ |archive-date=8 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="Bleepingcomputer">{{Cite web |last=Toulas |first=Bill |date=7 June 2023 |title=New Fractureiser malware used CurseForge Minecraft mods to infect Windows, Linux |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-fractureiser-malware-used-curseforge-minecraft-mods-to-infect-windows-linux/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607172019/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-fractureiser-malware-used-curseforge-minecraft-mods-to-infect-windows-linux/ |archive-date=7 June 2023 |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=[[Bleeping Computer]]}}</ref>
In March 2017, Slovak cyber company [[ESET]] revealed that 87 examples of [[Trojan horse (computing)|trojan horse]] malware were distributed through the [[Google Play Store]] under the guise of ''Minecraft'' mods. Their purpose was to either display adverts or con players into downloading other apps. Combined, these fake mods gathered over 1,000,000 downloads in the first three months of early 2017.<ref name="TNHTrojans">{{Cite web |last=Iordache |first=Elena |date=24 March 2017 |title=Google Play Store Trojans in Fake Minecraft Mods |url=https://www.tnhonline.com/2017/03/24/google-play-store-trojans-in-fake-minecraft-mods/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021111623/https://www.tnhonline.com/2017/03/24/google-play-store-trojans-in-fake-minecraft-mods/ |archive-date=21 October 2018 |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=TNH Online}}</ref><ref name="SCMTrojans">{{Cite web |last=Barth |first=Bradley |date=23 March 2017 |title=Nearly a million Minecraft players feel like blockheads after installing fake mod apps |url=https://www.scmagazine.com/nearly-a-million-minecraft-players-feel-like-blockheads-after-installing-fake-mod-apps/article/646022/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204123143/https://www.scmagazine.com/nearly-a-million-minecraft-players-feel-like-blockheads-after-installing-fake-mod-apps/article/646022/ |archive-date=4 December 2017 |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=SC Magazine US |publisher=Haymarket Media Group}}</ref>
In June 2023, attackers gained access to popular mods and modpacks including "Better Minecraft" and created new releases which contained malware, dubbed "Fractureiser" after the CurseForge account that uploaded it.<ref name="Bleepingcomputer" /><ref name="Goodin"/>
In July 2023, an [[arbitrary code execution]] vulnerability was found in several Forge-based ''Minecraft'' mods such as BdLib and EnderCore. The malware was named "BleedingPipe" by a ''Minecraft'' security community. It takes advantage of mods incorrectly using deserialization in the "ObjectInputStream" class. Although the vulnerability existed since 2017, a blog post by MMPA brought it mainstream, spreading its use before fixes could be made.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Toulas |first=Bill |date=31 July 2023 |title=Hackers exploit BleedingPipe RCE to target Minecraft servers, players |work=[[Bleeping Computer]] |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-exploit-bleedingpipe-rce-to-target-minecraft-servers-players/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213222/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-exploit-bleedingpipe-rce-to-target-minecraft-servers-players/ |archive-date=1 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=29 July 2023 |title=Bleeding Pipe: A RCE vulnerability exploited in the wild |work=Minecraft Malware Prevention Alliance |url=https://blog.mmpa.info/posts/bleeding-pipe/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213613/https://blog.mmpa.info/posts/bleeding-pipe/ |archive-date=1 August 2023}}</ref>
== Reception ==
''[[PC World]]''{{'}}s Nate Ralph calls installing mods for ''Minecraft'' "a somewhat convoluted process", but does admit it could serve the player who desires "a little more out of the experience" of playing the game.<ref name="PCWorldInstalling" />
Max Eddy of ''[[PC Magazine]]'' also raises a point concerning the process of setting up a game augmented with mods, claiming "it seems rather complicated" and that at first he was "too afraid to mod Minecraft at all", but learned to appreciate it when he realized that modding ''Minecraft'' is "pretty forgiving".<ref name="PCMag10best">{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Max |date=30 July 2013 |title=The 10 Best Minecraft Mods Anyone Can Use |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422181,00.asp |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=PC Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-date=15 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515145604/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422181,00.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> Eddy does nevertheless mention that he feels Mojang's fast development pace regarding the main game has slowed down the progress of the most popular mods.<ref name="PCMag10best" />
Minecraft mod ''Galacticraft'' was mod of the week in ''[[PC Gamer]]'' in July 2013.<ref name="PCGamer">{{Cite web |last=Livingston |first=Christopher |date=21 July 2013 |title=Mod of the Week:Galacticraft, for Minecraft |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/mod-of-the-week-galacticraft-for-minecraft/ |access-date=4 February 2020 |website=PC Gamer |archive-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205001139/https://www.pcgamer.com/mod-of-the-week-galacticraft-for-minecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
At ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'', George Avalos claims that mods are definitely suited for "mainstream enthusiasts", but does warn that precaution must be taken in order to avoid downloading "dangerous and spammy software" when looking for ''Minecraft'' mods. Avalos also remarks that installing mods will probably require adult attention,<ref name="MercuryNews">{{Cite web |last=Avalos |first=George |date=30 January 2015 |title=Parents' guide to 'Minecraft,' advanced level: Mods and servers will require your help |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27419326/parents-guide-minecraft-advanced-level-mods-and-servers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309212050/http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27419326/parents-guide-minecraft-advanced-level-mods-and-servers |archive-date=9 March 2016 |access-date=11 February 2016 |website=San Jose Mercury News |publisher=Digital First Media}}</ref> even though ''Minecraft'' typically appeals to children.<ref name="Fox8children" />
==Official support==
=== Education ===
[[File:Minecraft in school.jpg|thumb|''Minecraft'' is a game which is occasionally used in schools worldwide for educational purposes.]]
''Minecraft'' mods are credited for being a gateway for children to pick up coding and programming.<ref name="verge">{{Cite web |last=Popper |first=Ben |date=15 September 2014 |title=Why parents are raising their kids on Minecraft |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/15/6152085/why-parents-love-minecraft |website=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-date=8 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108035034/https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/15/6152085/why-parents-love-minecraft |url-status=live }}</ref> Several educational projects have been created to further encourage students to learn coding through ''Minecraft'', including LearnToMod,<ref name="Wired">{{Cite magazine |last=Finley |first=Klint |date=18 August 2014 |title=New Minecraft Mod Teaches You Code as You Play |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/learntomod/ |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast Publishing |access-date=11 February 2016}}</ref> ComputerCraftEdu,<ref name="GamasutraTeaching">{{Cite web |last=Wawro |first=Alex |date=6 July 2015 |title=TeacherGaming mods Minecraft to teach basic coding skills |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/teachergaming-mods-i-minecraft-i-to-teach-basic-coding-skills |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310003156/http://gamasutra.com/view/news/247888/TeacherGaming_mods_Minecraft_to_teach_basic_coding_skills.php |url-status=live }}</ref> and Minecraft: Pi Edition,<ref name="PiEdition">{{Cite web |title=What is Minecraft: PI Edition? |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/edition/pi/ |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=Mojang |archive-date=15 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215014728/http://pi.minecraft.net/?p=68 |url-status=live }}</ref> all of which are offered free to teachers. Programming classes utilizing ''Minecraft'' were also started by the University of California, which aims to teach children aged 8–18 how to program applications.<ref name="Wired" /><ref name="Thoughtstem">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft Modding Classes – ThoughtSTEM |url=http://www.thoughtstem.com/minecraft |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=ThoughtSTEM |archive-date=17 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617105602/http://www.thoughtstem.com/minecraft |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fox8children">{{Cite web |date=11 November 2014 |title=Is Minecraft good for kids? |url=http://myfox8.com/2014/11/11/a-parents-guide-to-minecraft/ |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=Fox 8 |publisher=Fox |archive-date=30 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430142005/http://myfox8.com/2014/11/11/a-parents-guide-to-minecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2011, "[[MinecraftEDU]]" was created as a paid mod sold to schools that enabled the teaching of a wider variety of subjects including language, history and art.<ref name="MinecraftEdu">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft: Education Edition |url=https://education.minecraft.net/ |access-date=27 April 2017 |publisher=Mojang |archive-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809030053/https://education.minecraft.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2016, Microsoft bought it and turned it into a separate edition of Minecraft called "Minecraft: Education Edition".<ref name="Fox8children" />
In ''The Parent's Guidebook to Minecraft'', author Cori Dusmann denotes that homeschooling and ''Minecraft'' make for an interesting match, as creating simple mods can be an "illustration of scientific principles", to which homeschooling providers are receptive.<ref name="ParentsGuidebook">Dusman 2013, p. 214</ref>
The idea of introducing Minecraft into school curriculums was resisted by [[Tom Bennett (author)|Tom Bennett]], who serves as an adviser to the British government. According to Bennett, Minecraft was a gimmick, and schools would do well to "drain the swamp of gimmicks" and resort to just books for teaching.<ref name="TimesMCEdu">{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Sian |date=20 November 2016 |title=Schools adviser puts block on Minecraft lessons |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/ca49b94c-ae9f-11e6-aaa6-0a2ee8f5b58e |url-access=subscription |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=The Sunday Times |publisher=News UK |archive-date=28 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428051643/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ca49b94c-ae9f-11e6-aaa6-0a2ee8f5b58e |url-status=live }}</ref> Bennett's condemnation was rebutted by a number of journalists for ''[[The Guardian]]'', who thought that ''Minecraft'' in schools was a worthwhile innovation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scott-Jones |first=Richard |date=21 November 2016 |title=Government schools adviser says Minecraft is a "gimmick which will get in the way of children actually learning" |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/schools-adviser-dismisses-minecraft-gimmick |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=PCGamesN |publisher=Network N |archive-date=28 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428142506/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/schools-adviser-dismisses-minecraft-gimmick |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Influence on ''Minecraft'' itself ===
Mod developer Dr. Zhark added horses to the game through the ''Mo' Creatures'' mod. Later on, he helped Mojang adapt horses for use in standard-issue ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=319937646673674241 |user=jeb_ |title=Minecraft (PC) has hit 10M! As promised, a subtle hint on the main 1.6 feature (thanks @ebbakier): :D |author-link=Jens Bergensten |date=5 April 2013 |access-date=12 February 2016 |first=Jens |last=Bergensten}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=319938276003827712 |user=jeb_ |title=Also big thanks to @DrZhark, the creator of Mo' Creatures, that have assisted us to make it happen! |author-link=Jens Bergensten |date=5 April 2013 |access-date=12 February 2016 |first=Jens |last=Bergensten}}</ref> Pistons were also originally a part of a mod made by another developer, Hippoplatimus, but they impressed ''Minecraft''{{'}}s creators so much that they added the feature to the main game.<ref name="Gamasutra">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134958/minecraft_intellectual_property_.php3 |title=Minecraft, Intellectual Property, and the Future of Copyright |last=Lastowka |first=Greg |date=17 January 2012 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310013501/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134958/minecraft_intellectual_property_.php3 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kingbdogz, creator of [[The Aether (mod)|''The Aether'']] mod, a popular mod adding a new eponymous dimension to the game, was hired by Mojang in January 2020. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Troughton |first1=James |title=Minecraft Needs To Add Legends' New Dimension |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-legends-new-dimension-base-game/ |website=TheGamer |access-date=18 November 2024 |language=en |date=14 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/06/30/minecraft-modders-making-money/ |access-date=18 November 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://x.com/kingbdogz/status/1202594919098961925 |access-date=18 November 2024 |title=Kingbdogz (@kingbdogz) on X |work=X (formerly Twitter) }}</ref>
Mojang also admitted that they admired all of the work done on server-side modding API Bukkit. In 2012, the Swedish company ended up hiring the lead developers of the project.<ref name="packtpub history" />
==References==
Line 113 ⟶ 108:
==Bibliography==
* Rogers Cadenhead, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Aa0wBQAAQBAJ
* Cori Dusmann, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Fp5RAgAAQBAJ
* Jimmy Koene, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=2FfYCgAAQBAJ
* Lars van Schaik and Ronald Vledder (eds.), ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4lFqCgAAQBAJ
{{Minecraft}}
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[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:Fan labor]]
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