Creating mods for Minecraft

Remember the first time you launched Minecraft and thought, "What if there was a dragon that could be tamed?" or "Wouldn't it be cool to add a magic wand?" Creating mods is a way to turn these dreams into reality. And it's easier than it seems!

What is mod in general?

A mod (from the English word "modification") is an add-on that changes or expands the game. It can be a new block, a creature, a weapon, or even a whole game mechanic.

Imagine Minecraft as a LEGO constructor. The game gives you a basic set of parts, and a mod is when you create your own unique parts and add them to the set.

What do you need to know before you start?

Good news: you don't need to be a programming guru. Basic Java knowledge is enough.

What will definitely come in handy:

• Understanding the basics of Java (classes, methods, inheritance)

• Patience and curiosity

• The desire to understand how something works

Important: Minecraft is written in Java, so your mod will also be in this language.

Choosing tools

To create mods, a special library is used — Minecraft Forge (or Fabric, but Forge is a more popular option for beginners).

What you need to install:

1. Java Development Kit (JDK) — for writing code in Java

2. IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse — code writing program (IDE)

3. Minecraft Forge MDK — a set of tools for creating mods

Don't be scared by the number of installations! This is done once, and then you can create as many mods as you like.

First mod: add a simple block

Let's create something simple but visual — our own block in the game. For example, "Ruby ore".

Step 1: Create a block class

public class RubyOre extends Block {
    public RubyOre() {
        super(Properties.of(Material.STONE)
                .strength(3.0f, 3.0f)
                .requiresCorrectToolForDrops());
    }
}

What's going on here?

• We created a new class RubyOre, which is inherited from the base class Block

• In the constructor, the following properties were set: material (stone), strength and the requirement of the correct tool for mining

Step 2: Register the block

Just creating a class is not enough. You need to "tell" the game that it now has a new block:

public class ModBlocks {
    public static final RegistryObject<Block> RUBY_ORE = 
        BLOCKS.register("ruby_ore", RubyOre::new);
}

Step 3: Add texture

A block without a texture will look like a pink-black cell (familiar, right?). You need to create a PNG file of 16×16 pixels and put it in the correct folder:

src/main/resources/assets/yourmodid/textures/block/ruby_ore.png

Step 4: Create a JSON model file

Minecraft needs to be explained how to display a block. To do this, create a file:

{
  "parent": "block/cube_all",
  "textures": {
    "all": "yourmodid:block/ruby_ore"
  }
}

This file says: "Use the standard cube model and apply our texture to all sides."

Important principles to avoid breaking the game

1. Always test in a test environment

Forge automatically creates a test version of the game. Run the mod through it, not in the main game. If something goes wrong, only the test version will be affected.

2. Use unique IDs

Each block, object, or creature must have a unique identifier. If two mods use the same IDs, a conflict is inevitable.

Bad: register("ore", ...)
Good: register("ruby_ore", ...)

3. Do not change the basic classes of the game directly

Instead of changing existing Minecraft classes, use the events and hooks that Forge provides. This is a safe way to add your logic.

4. Keep track of versions

Mods are tied to specific versions of Minecraft. The mod for version 1.19 will not work in 1.20. When developing, immediately select the version and stick to it.

5. Read the logs

When something goes wrong, the game outputs errors to the console. Don't ignore them! Often it says exactly what went wrong and where to look for the problem.

Common mistakes of beginners

"I have a pink-black block!"
There is a problem with the textures. Check the path to the PNG file and the spelling of the name in JSON.

"The game crashes at startup"
Most likely, an error in the registration of the block/item. Look at the logs — there will be a line with an error.

"The mod works in a test environment, but not in a regular game"
I forgot to collect the jar file or put it in the mods folder.

What's next?

After the first block, you can go to:

• Creating items (e.g. ruby that falls out of ore)

• Addition of creatures (friendly companion or new enemy)

• Create craft (how to craft items from your mod)

• Generations of the world (where your ore will appear)

• Creating a GUI (interfaces for chests, furnaces, etc.)

Learn programming in Kodik!

Creating mods for Minecraft is a great way to learn programming in practice. But this is just the tip of the iceberg!

In the Code, you can:

• Learn the basics of Java from zero to a confident level

• Analyze every aspect creating mods in detail and step by step

• Consolidate knowledge with practice with real tasks and projects

• Get feedback and help with any questions

And if you need support and communication with the same passionate developers - we already have a large team of like-minded people in active Telegram channel. Here you can ask a question, share your project or just chat about programming!

Start your journey into the world of development with Kodik! 🚀