Editing Minecraft modding

{{Short description|User-made modifications to the video game Minecraft}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Minecraft'' modding}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}

A '''''Minecraft'' mod''' is an independent, user-made [[mod (gaming)|modification]] to the [[open world]] [[Sandbox game|sandbox]] game ''[[Minecraft]]''. There are many of these mods,<ref name="Cadenhead1">Cadenhead 2014, p. 367</ref> and users are able to download them from the [[Internet]], for the most part for free. Utilizing additional [[software]], several mods can be used at the same time in order to improve the [[gameplay]].<ref name="Escapist">{{Cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/columns/experienced-points/15175-Minecraft-is-Still-A-Thing |title=Yes, Minecraft is Still A Thing |last=Young |first=Shamus |date=28 December 2015 |website=The Escapist |publisher=Defy Media |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121165224/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/columns/experienced-points/15175-Minecraft-is-Still-A-Thing |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="PUGalacticraft">Van Schaik and Vledder 2015, p. 107</ref>

''Minecraft'' mods are available for [[computer]] and [[Mobile phone|mobile]] versions of the game, but legacy [[Video game console|console]] versions cannot be modded with practical methods.<ref name="MetroConsoles">{{Cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/30/mods-the-one-thing-consoles-are-missing-4271307/ |title=Mods for Minecraft and Skyrim: The one thing consoles are missing |last=Abbott |first=Benjamin |date=30 January 2014 |website=Metro |publisher=DMG Media |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=16 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216142634/http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/30/mods-the-one-thing-consoles-are-missing-4271307/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="GigaPEModding">{{Cite web |url=http://www.giga.de/apps/minecraft-pocket-edition-android/tipps/minecraft-pe-mods-installieren-android-ios/ |title=Minecraft PE: Mods installieren (Android/iOS) |last=Wekenborg |first=Jonas |date=8 July 2014 |website=GIGA |publisher=ECONA Internet AG |language=de |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301180158/http://www.giga.de/apps/minecraft-pocket-edition-android/tipps/minecraft-pe-mods-installieren-android-ios/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PcGamesMarketplace">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-marketplace-windows-10-minecraft-pocket-edition |title=Minecraft Marketplace brings all those Java version mods to Windows 10 Edition – for a price |last=Forward |first=Jordan |date=10 April 2017 |website=PCGamesN |publisher=Network N |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-date=17 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217224414/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-marketplace-windows-10-minecraft-pocket-edition |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Feasibility==
''Minecraft'' is a video game particularly known for its adaptability for modifications.<ref name="PCMagHowto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422414,00.asp |title=How to Mod Minecraft |last=Eddy |first=Max |date=30 July 2013 |website=PC Magazine |publisher=ZiffDavis |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223556/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422414,00.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> Over the course of many years, various independent programmers have taken advantage of that in order to either create additional content for the game or modify existing content for the game. These modifications are more commonly known as "mods".<ref name="PCMagHowto" /><ref name="MercuryNews">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27419326/parents-guide-minecraft-advanced-level-mods-and-servers |title=Parents' guide to 'Minecraft,' advanced level: Mods and servers will require your help |last=Avalos |first=George |date=30 January 2015 |website=San Jose Mercury News |publisher=Digital First Media |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309212050/http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27419326/parents-guide-minecraft-advanced-level-mods-and-servers |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ''Java Edition'' of ''Minecraft'' (available for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], and [[Linux]]) can be modded via the [[Client–server model|client]] or [[Server (computing)|server]].<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-side mods require the player to add files to their game folder and use a mod launcher/loader such as Forge.<ref name="ChipMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chip.de/bildergalerie/Die-besten-Mods-fuer-Minecraft-Galerie_61241637.html |title=Die besten Mods für Minecraft |date=2 April 2013 |website=CHIP |publisher=CHIP Communications |language=de |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315062208/http://www.chip.de/bildergalerie/Die-besten-Mods-fuer-Minecraft-Galerie_61241637.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="EngadgetHowTo">{{Cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/03/25/the-ultimate-mac-users-guide-to-minecraft-on-os-x-mods-skins/ |title=The ultimate Mac user's guide to Minecraft on OS X – mods, skins, and more |last=Wehner |first=Mike |date=25 March 2014 |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |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/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Server modding leaves the player's game folder untouched and only changes the behavior of the server, to which the player can log on in order to play a slightly varied game.<ref name="PCWorldInstalling" /> Client mods can change the behavior and appearance of any aspect of the game, and commonly add new blocks, items, mobs, vehicles, and even dimensions. Server mods (commonly referred to as plugins) can add minigames, anti-cheat, or login systems.    

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 the player combines many mods together into a "modpack". Modifications to the ''Java Edition'' of ''Minecraft'' are possible because, for each new version of the game, 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 |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/929952688 |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> Mojang and Microsoft provide no modding API for the Java edition, although Mojang does provide methods for deobfuscating the game.

Modding for the mobile and console versions of ''Minecraft'' on the [[Minecraft#Pocket/Bedrock 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=http://motherboard.vice.com/read/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 allows and exposes.

== Data packs ==
''Minecraft'' also provides a feature known as "data packs" (introduced in update 1.13)<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 |website=Minecraft.net |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322190535/https://feedback.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360007323492-Minecraft-Java-Edition-1-13-Update-Aquatic- }}</ref> which allow players or server operators to provide additional features or content into the game by the use of a limited API that can be interacted with by using a data pack.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft Data Packs {{!}} Planet Minecraft Community |url=https://www.planetminecraft.com/data-packs/ |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=www.planetminecraft.com |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420194844/https://www.planetminecraft.com/data-packs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This system built upon the idea provided by the resource pack system that already existed and allowed players to customize the game's visuals and sounds. 

While data packs are more limited in scope than full mods are, they do not require the installation of third-party launchers as the features are supported by the base game. New commands and rules continue to be added to the data pack API as it is actively in development.

Producing a data pack involves creating a zip file containing [[JSON]] files in a structure which ''Minecraft'' will understand.<ref name=":0" /> Issues can also arise when multiple data packs are used at once if they all attempt to override the same file provided in the game's default data pack.

==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 - Minecraft Forum - Minecraft Forum |url=https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/support/server-support-and/1891855-lock-this-thread-hmod-thread |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=www.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> 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).<ref>{{Cite web |title=https://twitter.com/SeargeDP |url=https://twitter.com/SeargeDP |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en |archive-date=20 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420064131/https://twitter.com/SeargeDP |url-status=live }}</ref> 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=www.modcoderpack.com |title=Archived copy |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421201848/http://www.modcoderpack.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (succeeded by MCP Reborn<ref>{{Citation |last=Hexeption |title=Hexeption/MCP-Reborn |date=21 April 2023 |url=https://github.com/Hexeption/MCP-Reborn |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421201846/https://github.com/Hexeption/MCP-Reborn |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 {{sic|Mod|Loader}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Risugami's Mods - Updated. - Minecraft Mods - Mapping and Modding: Java Edition - Minecraft Forum - Minecraft Forum |url=https://www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mapping-and-modding-java-edition/minecraft-mods/1272333-risugamis-mods-updated |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=www.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> 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 had the potential 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 server-side mod intended to replace CraftBukkit, a server software that implemented the Bukkit API, was also released, 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.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}

[[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 {{sic|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 zSpigot 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> A programmer by the name of "minecrafter"<ref name="WaterfallGit">{{Cite web |date=23 November 2021 |title=First Waterfall Commit |url=https://github.com/WaterfallMC/Waterfall-Old/commit/a27f55af963bf9502dd5c69ca89c9ada6a65e0b6 |access-date=23 November 2021 |website=GitHub |archive-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123120418/https://github.com/WaterfallMC/Waterfall-Old/commit/a27f55af963bf9502dd5c69ca89c9ada6a65e0b6 |url-status=live }}</ref> released a modified version of BungeeCord called Waterfall, which included optimizations that were not present in BungeeCord. This was later continued by Andrew Steinborn (Tux) when he created the Velocity proxy.<ref name="VelocityWebsite">{{Cite web |date=23 November 2021 |title=Comparing with Other Proxies |url=https://velocitypowered.com/wiki/users/comparisons-to-other-proxies/ |access-date=23 November 2021 |website=VelocityPowered Website |archive-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123120420/https://velocitypowered.com/wiki/users/comparisons-to-other-proxies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, Forge would surpass Risugami's {{sic|Mod|Loader}} as it wasn't being updated in time by its developers.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} 

In early 2014, a server software named Sponge was released with a very powerful plugin API compared to Bukkit and support for Forge mods. Sponge also introduced [[mixin]]s, an alternative to modifying byte code.

===Microsoft's acquisition===
{{Refimprove section|date=January 2023}}
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>

A server software for 1.12.2 named Magma was released, which allowed using PaperMC plugins and Forge mods together.<ref>{{Citation |title=magmafoundation/Magma |date=4 February 2023 |url=https://github.com/magmafoundation/Magma |publisher=Magma Foundation |access-date=11 February 2023 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211135829/https://github.com/magmafoundation/Magma |url-status=live }}</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++]] is not as "reverse engineerable" as Java is known to be. 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" /> 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 2018, Forge underwent a large rewrite, partially because of the large changes in ''Java Edition'' version 1.13 and to create a new long-term support system for upcoming versions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1.13 Announcement. |url=https://gist.github.com/LexManos/76765455e6938892aed59544a9061321 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=Gist |language=en |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113093133/https://gist.github.com/LexManos/76765455e6938892aed59544a9061321 |url-status=live }}</ref> This made many modders use 1.12.2 as their primary version.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}} The Mod Coder Pack also stopped receiving updates past 1.12.2. 

In December 2018, a new modding toolchain and mod loader called Fabric was released. Fabric aimed to be lightweight and modular. It devised its own set of free mappings to use instead of Forge's Mod Coder Pack mappings and supported Sponge's mixins. Unlike others, Fabric normally worked across different Minecraft versions, including development versions.<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>

{{As of|2023|08|23}}, 21% of mods hosted on CurseForge have a Fabric version while 63 are Quilt-only.<ref>{{Citation |title=Mods - Minecraft |url=https://legacy.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods |work=CurseForge |access-date=23 August 2023}}</ref> Meanwhile, 66.9% of mods hosted on Modrinth have a Fabric version while 21.5% are Quilt-only.<ref>{{Citation |title=Search Mods |url=https://modrinth.com/mods |work=Modrinth |access-date=23 August 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==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, [[Curse LLC#Curse Client and CurseForge|CurseForge]], features over 100,000 mods {{as of|2022|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>{{non-primary source needed|date=February 2020}}

The types and sorts of content added by these modifications also take on many different forms.<ref name="PUGalacticraft" />

Technology mods are mods that adds an assortment of contraptions that can help the player to automate the production of certain in-game resources. Examples of technology-oriented mods include ''Extra Utilities'', a mod that introduces various contraptions that can be used to generate power, and a random assortment of other blocks and items;{{cn|date=March 2023}} ''Ender IO'', a mod that adds several contraptions and a multitude of conduits to transport energy, items and fluids;{{cn|date=March 2023}} ''BuildCraft'', a classic mod known for its many variants of contraptions, pumps, and pipes;<ref name="TimeMods">{{Cite magazine |url=http://techland.time.com/2012/05/08/the-10-best-minecraft-mods/ |title=The 10 Best Minecraft Mods |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=7 May 2012 |magazine=TIME |publisher=Time Inc. |access-date=18 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="GamestarMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/minecraft/artikel/minecraft,46603,3084253,4.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702011042/https://www.chip.de/bildergalerie/Die-besten-Mods-fuer-Minecraft-Galerie_61241637.html|archive-date=2 July 2018|url-status=dead|title=Minecraft – Die besten Mods mit Installations-Anleitung |last=Reimers |first=Christopher |date=28 March 2015 |website=GameStar |publisher=Webedia |language=de |access-date=18 February 2016}}</ref><ref name="YahooMods">{{Cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/spice-up-your-minecraft-with-these-6-killer-mods-92465782779.html |title=Spice Up Your Minecraft with These 6 Killer Mods |last=Smith |first=Mike |date=22 July 2014 |website=Yahoo! |access-date=18 February 2016 |archive-date=29 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729062856/https://www.yahoo.com/tech/spice-up-your-minecraft-with-these-6-killer-mods-92465782779.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''IndustrialCraft'', a mod which adds metals, electric tools, generators (including nuclear reactors),<ref name="packtpub history" /><ref name="MakeUseOfMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-minecraft-mods-that-give-the-game-a-whole-new-life/ |title=5 Minecraft Mods That Give The Game A Whole New Life |last=Smith |first=Matt |website=MakeUseOf |date=10 October 2013 |access-date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810042933/https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-minecraft-mods-that-give-the-game-a-whole-new-life/ |url-status=live }}</ref> jetpacks, powered armor, and nuclear items. Its power system also tries to mimic real-life electrical circuits in an intuitive way. <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mods.curse.com/mc-mods/minecraft/242638-industrial-craft |title=Industrial Craft |website=Industrial Craft |language=en-US |access-date=16 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723091936/http://mods.curse.com/mc-mods/minecraft/242638-industrial-craft |archive-date=23 July 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{non-primary source needed|date=March 2021}}

In addition to ''IndustrialCraft''{{'s}} metal weapons, other projects allow for an even wider range of available weaponry.

''Flan's Mod'' has modern-style warfare; including guns, [[tank]]s and [[grenades]].<ref name="PUGalactiFlansRei">Van Schaik and Vledder 2015, p. 113</ref><ref name="TimeMods" /><ref name="GamestarMods" /> ''Tinkers' Construct'' allows players to forge and customize their own tools and weapons, some involving a [[foundry]] or a [[forge]].<ref name="RockPaperShotgun" /><ref name="USGamerMods" /><ref name="PCGamerMods" /><ref name="MakeUseOfMods" />

Other mods attempt to customize the natural elements in ''Minecraft'', with mods like ''Natura'' and ''Forestry'' adding new trees and crops. The latter added multiblock automatic farms, beekeeping and butterfly-keeping.<ref name="PCGamerMods" /><ref name="MakeUseOfMods" /> ''Mo' Creatures'', on the other hand, focuses rather on adding many animal species into ''Minecraft.''<ref name="TimeMods" /><ref name="GamestarMods" /><ref name="PCMagMods">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422182,00.asp |title=Mods 1–5 – The 10 Best Minecraft Mods Anyone Can Use |last=Eddy |first=Max |date=30 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810011224/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2422182,00.asp |archive-date=10 August 2018 |url-status=dead |website=PC Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref><ref name="PlaguerMods">{{Cite web |url=https://plaguer.com/13-minecraft-mods-you-should-take-a-look-at/ |title=13 Minecraft mods you should take a look at [October 2021] |date=30 October 2021 |website=Plaguer |access-date=30 October 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030211036/https://plaguer.com/13-minecraft-mods-you-should-take-a-look-at/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

''Pixelmon'' supplements the game with monsters and mechanics such as battling, catching, and gyms from the ''[[Pokémon]]'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minecraft Pixelmon Servers {{!}} Minecraft Server List|url=https://topminecraftservers.net/minecraft-pixelmon-servers|access-date=18 February 2022|website=topminecraftservers.net|archive-date=18 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218060839/https://topminecraftservers.net/minecraft-pixelmon-servers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="RockPaperShotgun" /><ref name="ANNPixelmon">{{Cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-05-12/pixelmon-mod-brings-playable-pokemon-to-minecraft/.88100 |title=Pixelmon Mod Brings Playable Pokémon to Minecraft |last=Loveridge |first=Lynzee |date=5 December 2015 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=11 February 2016 |archive-date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810085614/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-05-12/pixelmon-mod-brings-playable-pokemon-to-minecraft/.88100 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Fossils & Archaeology'' provides for dinosaurs.<ref name="YahooMods" /><ref name="IGNMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/16/awesome-minecraft-mods-and-maps |title=Awesome Minecraft Mods and Maps |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=16 March 2012 |website=IGN |access-date=15 February 2016 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616204237/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/16/awesome-minecraft-mods-and-maps |url-status=live }}</ref> ''CustomNPCs'' and ''Millenaire'' upgrade the game's [[Non-player character|NPC's]].<ref name="ChipMods" /><ref name="USGamerMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-ten-best-minecraft-mods |title=Ten Best Minecraft Mods: More Creatures, Twilight Forest, Speed Harvester, Custom NPCs, Instant Lakes |last=Oxford |first=Nadia |date=2 October 2014 |website=USgamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=17 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617043019/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-ten-best-minecraft-mods |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There are also mods that add new dimensions that can be visited by the player. Mods like ''Galacticraft'' and ''Advanced Rocketry'' allow players to build rockets in order to fly to the [[Moon]] and several planets, and collect their resources.<ref name="PUGalactiFlansRei" /><ref name="BlastrMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.blastr.com/2014-12-2/32-awesome-sci-fi-and-fantasy-minecraft-mods |title=32 awesome sci-fi and fantasy Minecraft mods |last=Hoovler |first=Evan |date=2 December 2014 |website=Blastr |publisher=NBC Universal |access-date=18 February 2016 |archive-date=5 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605142121/http://www.blastr.com/2014-12-2/32-awesome-sci-fi-and-fantasy-minecraft-mods |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Twilight Forest''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/the-twilight-forest |title=The Twilight Forest |website=CurseForge |language=en-us |access-date=23 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524004257/https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/the-twilight-forest |archive-date=24 May 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> creates a dimension that enables players to explore a fantasy-style forest and hunt for treasures.<ref name="BlastrMods" /><ref name="USGamerMods" /><ref name="PCGamerMods">{{Cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/best-minecraft-mods/ |title=The 25 best Minecraft mods |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=20 February 2015 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc |access-date=18 February 2016 |archive-date=23 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923020256/https://www.pcgamer.com/best-minecraft-mods/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Not all mods will add gameplay elements, however. Others merely tweak the GUI, for example by adding a minimap.<ref name="ChipMods" /><ref name="PUGalactiFlansRei" /><ref name="PCMagMods" /><ref name="PlaguerMods" /> Others try to smoothen the game rendering, like ''OptiFine.''<ref name="ChipMods" /><ref name="PCGamerMods" /><ref name="GamestarMods" /><ref name="PlaguerMods" /> Many allow the player to browse through all the items in both the base game and the player's mods and look up how to craft them, like JEI (''Just Enough Items'').<ref name="RockPaperShotgun" /><ref name="PCGamerMods" /><ref name="GamestarMods" /><ref name="YahooMods" />

''OptiFine'' is the most popular<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/best-minecraft-mods/|title=The best Minecraft mods|last1=Geere|first1=Duncan|last2=Copeland|first2=Wesley|date=1 April 2020|website=PC Gamer|last3=Coles|first3=Jason|access-date=13 April 2020|archive-date=20 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020211644/https://www.pcgamer.com/best-minecraft-mods/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=December 2022}} ''Minecraft'' mod. It decreases the computer resource usage of the game and adds support for installable “[[shader]] packs” to ''Minecraft''. These shader packs can completely change the game's graphics by adding shadows, dynamic lights,{{failed verification|date=April 2020}} reflective surfaces, and other effects. Some shaders are even beginning to implement more advanced features like ray tracing, physically based rendering, and parallax occlusion mapping into Java Edition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://continuum.graphics/ |access-date=22 June 2022 |website=Continuum Graphics |language=en-US |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621173456/https://continuum.graphics/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sonic Ether is creating Minecraft Shaders |url=https://www.patreon.com/sonicether |access-date=22 June 2022 |website=Patreon |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621144514/https://www.patreon.com/sonicether |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Velde |first=Aernout van de |date=26 June 2019 |title=Minecraft Ray Tracing Shaders and Stratum Resource Pack Make The Game Look Absolutely Amazing |url=https://wccftech.com/minecraft-ray-tracing-stratum/ |access-date=22 June 2022 |website=Wccftech |language=en-US |archive-date=27 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527225944/https://wccftech.com/minecraft-ray-tracing-stratum/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft ray tracing: how to get the SEUS shader |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/sonic-ether-shader |access-date=22 June 2022 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-GB |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622135410/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/sonic-ether-shader |url-status=live }}</ref> Most shaders are, however, very hardware-demanding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/five-minecraft-shaders-that-look-incredible-1790983099|title=Five Minecraft Shaders That Look Incredible|last=Guthrie|first=Robert|date=9 January 2020|website=Kotaku|access-date=13 April 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804101136/https://kotaku.com/five-minecraft-shaders-that-look-incredible-1790983099|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-shaders-best-graphics-mods|title=Minecraft shaders: the best Minecraft shader packs in 2020|date=24 March 2020|website=PCGamesN|access-date=13 April 2020|archive-date=20 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420023914/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-shaders-best-graphics-mods|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-minecraft-shaders/|title=The best Minecraft shaders that'll brighten up your world|last=Wald|first=Heather|date=24 March 2020|website=GamesRadar+|access-date=13 April 2020|archive-date=13 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413130841/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-minecraft-shaders/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mods may also exist on [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer servers]], called plugins, and a notable one is ''Towny,'' being used to create "towns" of claimed land and to group them into nations. This is a popular plugin, being used possibly most notably in servers like EarthMC and many others basing the server around it.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

=== 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" />

Similarly, Benjamin Abbott of ''[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]'' agrees that adding mods to ''Minecraft'' is "a thorough pain in the backside", though he concedes that "the result is usually worth it".<ref name="MetroConsoles" />

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" /> even though ''Minecraft'' typically appeals to children.<ref name="Fox8children" />

==== Controversies ====
In 2013, the developer of GregTech, a mod aimed at increasing ''Minecraft''{{'}}s difficulty, noticed that some of GregTech's crafting recipes would be overwritten by another mod named "Tinkers' Construct" and deliberately inserted code into GregTech which would crash the game client if it detected any other mods. The authors of both mods later settled their dispute.<ref name="RockPaperShotgun" /><ref name="PcGamesGregTinkers">{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Julian |date=30 June 2013 |title=Minecraft mod GregTech contains code to crash game |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-mod-gregtech-contains-code-crash-game-should-its-changes-be-undone-other-mods |access-date=18 February 2016 |website=PCGamesN |publisher=Network N |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021120005/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-mod-gregtech-contains-code-crash-game-should-its-changes-be-undone-other-mods |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another surrounded the mod Bukkit, an API which enabled others to install server-side mods.<ref name="Cadenhead2">Cadenhead 2014, p. 2</ref> In 2014, the leader of the Bukkit team, Warren "EvilSeph" Loo, a former Mojang employee, announced that development would cease, prompting Mojang to take over development.<ref name="AsModTurns">{{Cite web |last=Fudge |first=James |date=5 September 2014 |title=As The Mod Turns: The Latest In The Ongoing Minecraft 'Bukkit' Saga |url=http://gamepolitics.com/2014/09/05/mod-turns-latest-ongoing-minecraft-bukkit-saga/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017235432/http://gamepolitics.com/2014/09/05/mod-turns-latest-ongoing-minecraft-bukkit-saga/ |archive-date=17 October 2014 |access-date=10 March 2016 |website=GamePolitics.com |publisher=Entertainment Consumers Association}}</ref> With Mojang's announcement, the intellectual rights to the project became ambiguous.<ref name="packtpub history" /> Licensing conflicts arose between the original creators of Bukkit and Mojang's maintainers, largely revolving around who "owned" the project after the primary maintainers resigned. One major contributor pulled their code away from the project, forcing Bukkit to fall in a state of disrepair for a time.<ref name="ProgrammableWeb">{{Cite web |last=Wagner |first=Janet |date=24 September 2014 |title=Minecraft Server Software and Modding Plug-Ins Facing Uncertain Future |url=https://www.programmableweb.com/news/minecraft-server-software-and-modding-plug-ins-facing-uncertain-future/analysis/2014/09/24 |access-date=26 March 2020 |website=ProgrammableWeb.com |publisher=ProgrammableWeb |archive-date=26 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326212651/https://www.programmableweb.com/news/minecraft-server-software-and-modding-plug-ins-facing-uncertain-future/analysis/2014/09/24 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="packtpub history" /><ref name="AsModTurns" />

===== Malware =====
''Minecraft'' mods have been an [[attack vector]] of [[malware]] by downloading and running malicious mods.<ref>{{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/ |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-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/ |url-status=live }}</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/ |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=[[Bleeping Computer]] |archive-date=7 June 2023 |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/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2017, Slovakian 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>{{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/ |access-date=8 June 2023 |archive-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/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2023, an [[Arbitrary code execution|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/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-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/ |url-status=live }}</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/ |access-date=1 August 2023 |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801213613/https://blog.mmpa.info/posts/bleeding-pipe/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Modpacks===
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 mods in the game.<ref name="RockPaperShotgun">{{Cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/13/minecraft-mods-guide-2014/ |title=Minecraft In 2014: Your Guide To Mods and Modpacks |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=13 October 2014 |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |access-date=13 February 2016 |archive-date=31 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731033653/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/13/minecraft-mods-guide-2014/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PUModpack">Van Schaik and Vledder 2015, p. 119</ref> Content creators use this to their advantage in order to allow mods to interact (alter the vanilla gameplay) so that a particular experience can be delivered,<ref name="TechradarModpacks">{{Cite web |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-minecraft-mods |title=The Best Minecraft mods |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=16 April 2017 |website=TechRadar |publisher=Future plc |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-date=25 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125164740/http://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-minecraft-mods |url-status=live }}</ref> often aided by throwing configuration files and [[Texture mapping|custom textures]] into the mix.<ref name="Twitchhelp">{{Cite web |url=https://help.twitch.tv/customer/en/portal/articles/2764215-guide-to-modpacks |title=Guide to Modpacks |date=16 March 2017 |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-date=27 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227153419/https://help.twitch.tv/customer/en/portal/articles/2764215-guide-to-modpacks |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Cursesupport">{{Cite web |url=https://support.overwolf.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000196984-installing-modpacks |title=Installing Modpacks |date=10 March 2021 |access-date=30 October 2021 |archive-date=30 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030225326/https://support.overwolf.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000196984-installing-modpacks |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

The most popular modpacks can be downloaded and installed through custom launchers like Prism Launcher, FTB App, Technic Launcher, ATLauncher, and CurseForge's launcher.<ref name="Softonic">{{Cite web |url=http://artikel.de.softonic.com/minecraft-die-11-besten-mod-packs |title=Minecraft: Die 11 besten Mod Packs |last=Fabrizio Ferri-Benedetti |date=24 November 2014 |website=Softonic.com |language=de |access-date=10 March 2016 |archive-date=10 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310102639/http://artikel.de.softonic.com/minecraft-die-11-besten-mod-packs |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TechradarModpacks" />

==Official support==
In 2012, Mojang said they were starting work on a repository for ''Minecraft'' modifications.<ref name="MojangHelp">{{Cite web |url=https://help.mojang.com/customer/en/portal/articles/979212-minecraft-mods |title=Minecraft mods |publisher=Mojang |access-date=10 February 2016 |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021190724/https://help.mojang.com/customer/en/portal/articles/979212-minecraft-mods |url-status=live }}</ref> Their help website lists video tutorials that teach the player how to install and play ''Minecraft'' modifications.<ref name="MojangHelp" />

''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.<ref name="NotchVG247">{{Cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2012/08/01/notch-minecraft-mod-used-to-threaten-my-vision-minecraft-creator-speaks/ |title=Notch: 'Minecraft mod used to threaten my vision' – Minecraft creator speaks |last=Cook |first=Dave |date=1 August 2012 |website=VG247 |publisher=Videogaming247 Ltd. |access-date=10 March 2016 |archive-date=21 October 2018 |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/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Persson says he came around, as he claims to have realized that mods are "a huge reason of what ''Minecraft'' is".<ref name="NotchVG247" /> In some cases, authors of mods even ended up getting a job at Mojang,<ref name="GuardianHQTour">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/08/meet-the-blockheads-a-rare-glimpse-inside-minecrafts-hq |title=Meet the blockheads: a rare glimpse inside Minecraft's HQ |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=8 February 2017 |website=The Guardian |access-date=27 April 2017 |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021151512/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/08/meet-the-blockheads-a-rare-glimpse-inside-minecrafts-hq |url-status=live }}</ref> and some in-game features, such as pistons and horses, were originally from mods.<!--ref=Minecraft Wiki-->

In 2016, Mojang announced their official support for mods for the Bedrock version of ''Minecraft'', where they are known as "add-ons".

=== 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=http://gamasutra.com/view/news/247888/TeacherGaming_mods_Minecraft_to_teach_basic_coding_skills.php |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.co.uk/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=live }}</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==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Rogers Cadenhead, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Aa0wBQAAQBAJ Absolute Beginner's Guide to Minecraft Mods Programming]'', (Indianapolis: Que Publishing, 2014). {{ISBN|0-13-390322-2}}
* Cori Dusmann, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Fp5RAgAAQBAJ The Parent's Guidebook to Minecraft]'', (San Francisco: Peachpit Press, 2013). {{ISBN|0-13-352191-5}}
* Jimmy Koene, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=2FfYCgAAQBAJ Sams Teach Yourself Mod Development for Minecraft in 24 Hours]'', (Indianapolis: Sams Publishing, 2015). {{ISBN|978-0-672-33763-5}}
* Lars van Schaik and Ronald Vledder (eds.), ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4lFqCgAAQBAJ De ultieme gids voor Minecraft]'', (Doetinchem: Reshift Digital, 2015). {{ISBN|82-261-0074-7}}

{{Minecraft}}

[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:Fan labor]]
[[Category:Video game mods]]