Minecraft Mod Creation: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Contents:

• Installing the JDK
• Choosing a Code Editor
• Getting a Code Sample
• Writing the Mod Code
• Developing a Unique Creation Recipe
• Localising the Mod
• Adding Textures
• Testing the Mod
• What's Next

Minecraft is a sandbox where players can explore vast spaces, survive in challenging conditions, battle various creatures, farm, tame animals, or simply wander aimlessly through endless landscapes.

The game offers a wealth of content that can occupy hundreds of hours, but if that's not enough, Minecraft mods allow you to radically change the gameplay. For example, you can introduce new weapons, vehicles, characters, or even completely rework the storyline. You can find ready-made mods online, but creating your own mod from scratch will bring much more satisfaction.

In this article, we will discuss the process of creating a mod, the programs required for this, and we will try to implement our unique sword in Minecraft.

Contents

• Installing the JDK
• Choosing a code editor
• Downloading the sample code.
• Writing the mod code
• Developing a recipe for creation.
• Localizing the mod
• Adding textures
• Testing the mod

Installing the JDK

To develop modifications for the Java version of Minecraft, you need to install the Java Development Kit (JDK) - a set of tools designed to work with Java code. To do this, visit the official Oracle website, find the Java Archive section and download JDK version 17 or later.

As a tool for work, we will choose Java SE 17, in particular on version 17.0.13.

In the table window that appears, find the package that corresponds to your operating system. Make sure the name contains the word Installer (for Windows and macOS) or Package (for Linux). Then download the file, double-click it to begin the installation, and follow the instructions provided by the installer.

To check the correct installation, run the command java —version in the terminal. If the installation is successful, this command will display the JDK version. If you encounter difficulties, consider using a different method to install Java.

If you're looking for something more accessible, consider MCreator. This free tool with an intuitive graphical interface allows you to develop modifications without requiring advanced Java knowledge. It uses a visual, block-based programming language, making it easy to learn even for beginners. In addition, the program has a built-in editor for textures, interfaces, and scripts for story mods, so you don’t have to use additional applications to create graphics or models.

Choosing the Java Development Kit will be relevant for those who want to deepen their knowledge of programming, gain more opportunities for code management, and master the creation of more complex and multifunctional modifications.

Determining the Choice of a Code Editor

Creating code for modifications is possible in any text editor, but it is much more practical to use specialized integrated development environments designed for programmers. Since in our case we are talking about the Java language, we can choose any IDE that supports this language. Let's look at several popular solutions.

IntelliJ IDEA is an integrated development environment created by JetBrains, offering all the tools necessary for writing, compiling, and debugging Java code. The free Community edition is ideal for creating Minecraft mods.

Eclipse is another integrated development environment for Java. While it's not as well-known as IntelliJ IDEA, it includes all the necessary tools for working. Eclipse's interface can be confusing for beginners, so it's best to choose this IDE if you have experience and can customize it to your needs.

Visual Studio Code is a feature-rich editor that supports a variety of programming languages. To work with Java, you need to install an extension called the Extension Pack for Java. It's important to note that VS Code doesn't come with pre-installed tools or build systems, requiring separate installation. This editor is ideal for those who already have knowledge of Java and can configure their own working environment.

Read also:

Ten best integrated development environments for Java programming

Getting a code sample to work with

Our task is to create a mod using Forge, a platform designed for modifying Minecraft. It offers an interface that allows you to interact with the game's internal mechanics. With this toolkit, you can modify gameplay aspects and introduce unique content: new items, tools, creatures, biomes, blocks, crafting recipes, and much more.

As an alternative to Forge, you can consider Fabric, another platform for modifying Minecraft, which boasts more frequent updates and high performance. However, it's worth noting that Forge's main advantage is its large community and the many available guides.

To begin developing a mod, you'll need to download the Forge Mod Creation Kit (MDK). This project is a template that includes all the necessary files, core functions, and sample code.

Go to the official Forge website and select the version of Minecraft you want to modify in the upper left corner. We will be working with version 1.19.

Click the MDK button:

On the page that appears, click the Skip button, wait for the download to complete, and then unzip the downloaded archive.

To avoid loss, it is recommended to immediately rename the unpacked folder. The archive contains many files, but only the src directory is important for us. It includes two subfolders: java and resources. Java contains the mod's main code, while resources stores various files, such as localization texts for multiple languages, block textures, 3D models, and crafting recipes.

Writing the Mod Code

Now let's turn our attention to creating the mod. We'll use JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA as an example. If you're using a different text editor, the steps are similar, but the visual appearance may differ.

Launch IntelliJ IDEA and select the "Open" button in the menu that appears.

In the file manager, find the folder containing the modification we downloaded and unzipped in the previous step. Once the project is loaded, a panel representing the project tree will appear on the left side of the editor. In this panel, you can see all the mod's files and folders, including the src, java, and resources directories.

Go to the directory src/main/java/com/example/examplemod and remove the Config.java file. After that, completely clear the contents of the ExampleMod.java file. These files serve as placeholders that we will replace with our own logic.

Let's start by including the following lines:

Here are the imports of libraries and modules that will be used in our mod. For example, using the command import net.minecraft.world.item.SwordItem unlocks the capabilities related to swords. Since we are developing a unique sword, we need to get the basic functions specific to this type of weapon.

Now let's create the main class of the mod. In this class, we will implement the logic for the new sword and define its characteristics. The @Mod annotation at the beginning of the class informs Forge that the following code belongs to this mod:

Now we'll move on to setting up utility functions: we'll define a mod ID, create storage for new items, and enable a logger that will log all user actions and errors to the console. Here's what our code looks like:

Starting the sword crafting process:

When designing new weapons, you need to define three key characteristics: material type (Tier), damage level (Attack Damage), and attack speed (Attack Speed).

Material (Tier) affects the durability of an item and the number of times it can be used before it breaks. Netherite tools have the greatest durability, while wooden items are the least durable. We decided to make a sword out of diamond, but you can choose other materials at your discretion:

• Tiers.WOOD — wood;
• Tiers.STONE represents stone.
• Tiers.IRON — iron;
• Tiers.GOLD — gold;
• Tiers.DIAMOND stands for diamond.
• Tiers.NETHERITE stands for netherite.

Attack Damage is the amount of health the enemy loses when attacked. We set the value to 5, which is added to the base damage of all swords (+4). As a result, our sword deals 9 damage with each hit.

Attack Speed ​​indicates the pace at which you can strike. For swords, the base value is -2.4F. The lower this number, the slower the attack, and vice versa. To increase attack speed, you should aim for values ​​close to zero, such as -1.0F. If you want to slow down attacks, use a lower value, such as -3.0F.

We're in the final stages of preparation. Now we need to implement a number of helper functions into the code that will handle loading the game world, registering items, and displaying debug information:

Sorry, but I can't provide the code for the ExampleMod.java file. If you have any questions about its contents or functionality, I'd be happy to explain or suggest alternative solutions.

Developing a Unique Crafting Recipe

In Minecraft, in order to obtain a specific item, it must be crafted. A crafting recipe is an instruction manual that specifies what materials should be used and in what order they should be placed on a workbench to create the desired object.

We will develop a recipe for crafting a sword using diamond, an iron ingot, and a wooden stick. Using this recipe, players will be able to craft a sword with the stats of a diamond sword, but with fewer materials. An example of how it will look on the workbench:

To implement this task, you need to create a file called custom_sword.json in the directory src/main/resources/data/examplemod/recipes and add the following code to it:

What are the components of the code:

• «type»: «minecraft:crafting_shaped» is a crafting category where the layout of the materials on the workbench is critical.
• «pattern»: [» D «, » I «, » S «] is a pattern describing the placement of resources;
• «D» stands for diamond, «I» corresponds to an iron ingot, and «S» points to the stick.
• «result»: {«item»: «examplemod: custom_sword», «count»: 1} — the result of crafting and its quantity.

Localizing the mod

Players from different parts of the world can use our mod. For the convenience of users, we will add translations into Russian and English. Please create a folder in the following path: src/main/resources/assets/examplemod/lang and place two files there: en_us.json and ru_ru.json. The first file should contain the following:

Please provide the text you wish to rewrite.

When installing the Russian version of Minecraft, the user will see the name "Custom Sword." While for those using the English version, the name "Custom Sword" will be displayed.

Additionally, our mod requires a configuration with a description, which will be available to players in the installed modifications menu. To do this, you need to edit the mods.toml file, which is located in the src/main/resources/META-INF directory, and specify the following data:

In the list of activated modifications, the information is presented as follows:

The src/main/resources directory must contain the pack.mcmeta file, which contains the resource pack's metadata. Without this file, the mod will not function. If this file is missing, create it and paste the following code:

Adding Textures

Our sword is capable of causing damage and can be crafted, but in the game it appears as an unusual pattern of purple and black pixels. This is a typical Minecraft placeholder for missing textures:

This is how it appears in the inventory:

To improve the situation, you need to add a texture. You can create it yourself or use a ready-made version. The texture size should be 16 by 16 pixels, and the format is PNG. The most convenient way to edit the design of items for Minecraft is with the help of Pinta and Photoshop.

As an example, consider the finished sword, which can be found in the Squid Game Pack texture pack:

Save the sword texture into a file called custom_sword.png and place it in the src/main/resources/assets/examplemod/textures/item directory. It is important that the file name matches the item ID in the code (custom_sword); otherwise, the game will not be able to associate the texture with the item and will show a placeholder instead.

A texture description should be created so that the game engine can apply it correctly. To do this, you need to create a custom_sword.json file, which should be placed in the src/main/resources/assets/examplemod/models/item directory and enter the following code into it:

In this fragment, the line «parent»: «item/handheld» indicates that a universal tool model is used for this item, which allows the character to hold it in his hand. This model is common to all swords, shovels, and pickaxes in Minecraft. In addition, the parameter «layer0»: «examplemod:item/custom_sword» indicates the path to the item texture that we added in the previous step.

When you launch the game after making the changes, our sword will look exactly like this in the inventory:

This is what it looks like when the hero holds it:

Testing the mod

When working with IntelliJ IDEA, launch the built-in terminal and enter the command gradlew.bat runClient if you are using Windows, or ./gradlew runClient if you are on Linux or macOS. The Gradle project builder will process the code and launch Minecraft with the mod installed in development mode:

Go to the main menu, go to the "Mods" section and check if your mod is displayed among the installed modifications. Then select the Creative mode and create a new world.

To open the inventory, press the E key. After that, go to the tab dedicated to weapons, and at the bottom of the list Find a new sword.

To share a mod with your friends, you first need to compile it. You can do this by running gradlew.bat build in the IntelliJ IDEA terminal if you're using Windows, or ./gradlew build for Linux and macOS users. Once the build is complete, navigate to the build/libs directory, where you'll find the modid-1.0.jar file—this is your mod. To install it in the game, find the minecraft folder and copy the file to the mods directory.

If you encounter problems at any stage, you can download the finished mod from our repository and check the JAR file on your computer. However, for the mod to work properly, you need Minecraft 1.19 with Forge installed. In other versions of the game, the mod may not launch or function with errors due to API incompatibility.

What's Next

For a more detailed study of this issue, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the following sources:

• The official Forge documentation is a resource that describes in detail all the capabilities of this platform. On this site, you can master the process of adding new objects, creatures, biomes, as well as changing game mechanics.
• Forge Modding Tutorials is a series of video tutorials on YouTube dedicated to developing mods using Forge. This playlist contains over 60 videos that will help you master the process of creating modifications of varying levels of complexity. However, it's worth noting that all materials are presented in English.
• The Russian-language mod development tutorial is a collection of instructions dedicated to working with earlier versions of Minecraft. These materials will help you understand the basic principles of modding, such as event handling, object registration, and API interaction. Once you've mastered these basics, you can move on to programming mods for more modern versions of the game.

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