Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
even a small update to Minecraft comes out, there's a very real risk that the new code will
besufficientlydifferenttothepreviousversiontoturnperfectlyworkingmodsintopilesof
binary mush. In turn, installing a mod designed to work with a previous version of Mine-
craft into a new version may break Minecraft itself, forcing a complete reinstallation of the
core game files.
Things become even hairier when mods try to co-exist. One may change a routine upon
which another relies, breaking it, and so on. It's a fragile existence. I've even heard of one
user, and perhaps there are many more, who continues to use Minecraft v1.4 because they
daren't lose compatibility with the 90+ mods they have installed. I'm not exactly sure why
anyone needs that many mods, but as you can see, it can become a real problem.
Caution: Mods Change Worlds
Modscanaddnewitems,blocktypes,andallsortsofadditionaldatatoa
world's saved game file. This can have a permanent effect on any world
that you open in a modded version of Minecraft. If you just want to test
a mod, do so by creating a new world when you have the mod loaded
rather than a world to which you may want to return so you don't break
a favored world's data. Alternatively, create a backup of that world or
your entire saved game folder. See “Adding Mods to Forge” later in this
chapter for details on locating this folder. Copy the folder to any con-
venientlocationoutsidetheMinecraftdirectory.Restoreitlaterbycopy-
ing it back over the original folder.
The good news? Modding Minecraft is no longer the minefield it used to be. There is a
solution coming. Mojang have committed to releasing an official programming interface
that will ensure mods have a way to work with Minecraft without actually trampling all
over the program's code. But there is no release date as yet. However, there is a similar
alternative that you can use right now. It's called Forge .
Forge acts as a layer between Minecraft and mods. Mods designed to work with Forge talk
to it instead of trying to insert themselves into Minecraft. Forge then handles the Minecraft
side of the discussion. Forge is, in its way, just another mod, but it ensures all the others
that use it “play nice.” It also simplifies the installation of mods. You'll see how this works
later in this chapter.
Installing Forge Mods
Forge makes mods easy, so don't leave home without it. Follow these steps to install:
Search WWH ::




Custom Search