Everyone dreamed of making their own mod for Minecraft. But not everyone knows how to do it. In this article I will try to tell you in as much detail as possible about how to create a modification for Minecraft Pocket Edition.
To begin with, you have two development paths:
- Create mods and scripts using programming languages
- Make mods using special programs, for example, ModEz.
Let's take a closer look at each of the options and find out which one is better.
How to create a mod using programming languages?
To learn how to make addons and resource packs, you will need to understand their structure. Enough for this download any addon in .zip format, then unzip it and see how everything works. But addons do not allow you to use all the functionality, so more good modifications are usually written in JS using the blocklauncher API.
How to make a mod using ModEz?
ModEz is one of the programs that allows you to create a modification without programming skills. But this program has insufficient capabilities and it will not be possible to create a global mod using it.
With this phone program you can easily do the following things:
- creation of new crafts,
- creating new food,
- creating new items and blocks.
This program also makes mods that work on Block Launcher. To create a mod you will need:
1) Come up with a name for the mod.
2) Select the functions you require. To do this you will need to have knowledge of English. Let's say that by selecting the SetPlayerHealth function you set the player's HP amount to change when performing a certain manipulation with any block that you previously specified in the settings.
3) So, just now you are practically created a first aid kit mod. It is enough to redraw the texture of the block to match the texture of the first aid kit.
4) To install the modification on BlockLauncher you will need go into the game, Further press the wrench and choose enable ModPE scripts, then just add a new script from your device as shown in the pictures below.
Custom modification of computer games is a fairly common phenomenon, which is the modification and addition of game files to obtain more content, variety of gameplay, and so on. Sometimes mods can be small, adding only a couple of items or features. And sometimes you can find global mods that almost completely change the gameplay. For Minecraft, one of the most popular computer games of our time, gamers make quite a lot of different mods. Therefore, you can learn how to create a mod for Minecraft - it’s actually easier than it seems, but in any case it will take you quite a lot of time.
Mods for Minecraft
So, if you seriously decide to figure out how to create a mod for Minecraft, then you need to understand what exactly can be modified there. In fact, there are incredibly many possibilities - there are many more mods for this game than for all others. This is due to the fact that Minecraft looks quite simple - accordingly, it is easier to change something in it or add certain functions to it than to a top project on which hundreds of professionals have worked for several years. Now there are already mods such as “Industrial Craft” or “Taumcraft”, which can easily be considered global, as they add an incredible amount of content to the game - the first one takes Minecraft into the industrial era, adding hundreds of new recipes and items. The second one adds magic and everything that comes with it to the game. Naturally, you should start with simpler projects, but in the end you can also create something serious. But first, you need to learn how to create a mod for Minecraft.
Creating a pure mod
If you want to learn how to create a mod for Minecraft, then you need to immediately understand that it can be done in two completely different methods - using the API or without. First you need to figure out how to create a pure mod that does not require additional software. In this case, you need to be well versed in the mechanics of the game and have certain design skills, as well as the ability to program at a high level. Then you can introduce something new into the game, as well as change certain items, functions and much more. As a result, you will be able to create a unique and unusual mod, but it is likely that it will be limited in use by other gamers, since it will not be standardized - accordingly, some gamers may have problems with launching and compatibility, regardless of what mode was this Minecraft modification created - survival or creative?
Creating mods using the API
API is a special software interface that already contains many functions from the game itself, as well as textures, skins and much more. Thus, instead of writing all the code from scratch, you can use ready-made solutions that can be combined with each other to create something new. There are a lot of different interfaces out there, and choosing one in particular can be a challenge. Here you need to take into account the specifics of the mod, for example, in relation to the Minecraft mode - survival, hardcore, creative, and so on. But if you are just starting to make mods, and also want your modification to be available to as many people as possible, then you need to use Minecraft Forge. This is the most common API that currently exists - at the same time, it is the most functional, extensive and in demand. Therefore, if you are going to add new mods to Minecraft, pay attention to this first.
Features of using Minecraft Forge
Many gamers who create or use mods wonder why Forge is needed at all. After all, this is so inconvenient - you definitely need to install the API itself in order to be able to then launch the modification. Is it really impossible to make pure mods that do not require anything additional to play? In fact, Forge has many more advantages than disadvantages (by the way, there is only one, which is the need to pre-install the API to run the mod). Firstly, the process of creating a mod is simplified, and secondly, you have many more features that do not require any effort to use. But the most important thing is that your mod becomes universal. If you make a modification without an API, as mentioned above, there is a high probability that many gamers will not be able to install it. If you used Forge, then any gamer with the API installed will be able to install your mod without the slightest problem.
Features of use
The most important rule of modification, no matter which option you choose, is to not modify the source files. For example, you decide to make a car mod for Minecraft - it’s better to add new objects rather than correct those that are in the game to avoid conflicts.
Many players dreamed of a program that could create modifications. Thanks to developer Pilo, anyone can download MCreator for Minecraft 1.7.2 and 1.7.10 and start creating their own mods without deep programming knowledge. Create new blocks, things, achievements, new types of existing blocks, mobs, biomes, food, tools, plants, cars and more. Any idea can be easily implemented using the MCreator 1.7.10/1.7.2 program.
Create different types of mods
This program allows you to create various types of modifications, including overlays (like in the mini map mod), cars, structures, dimensions, tool sets, weapons (swords, guns) and more.
Intuitive interface
MCreator offers a convenient way to place items in a menu. The developer just needs to move things and elements onto the work surface using the mouse.
Crafting recipes and drops
Write recipes and drops as easily as crafting in the game. Use filters to search through a huge list of things in Minecraft. MCreator can export pictures of recipes so that they can be placed on the site.
For experienced developers
Experienced developers will love the ability to edit mod source code in an easy-to-use interface. The MKreator program editor has syntax highlighting, auto-completion and other things that are pleasant for the programmer. Integration with Eclipse is supported.
A huge variety of modifications have already been written that expand the capabilities of “pure” Minecraft. But since human imagination is limitless, there is a chance that you will come up with some kind of mod that other Minecrafters have not yet implemented. To make your idea a reality, it is not at all necessary to delve into the complexities of programming - after all, there is a very convenient ModEZ application, specially created for easy development of your own mods.A user-friendly interface allows you to very quickly configure changes made to the game. Try adding new foods to give Steve special treats, or develop unique weapons that can take your monster-fighting efficiency to a whole new level. Create tools, mechanisms, vehicles and in general anything that seems interesting and useful to you.
Mods will not necessarily simplify the gameplay - they can add new options, but often you need to make an effort to implement them. For example, having entered a new object into the ModEZ program, come up with a suitable crafting recipe for it on a workbench or processing in a furnace. This will make the game even more interesting!
ModEZ will require from you not only creative efforts, but also good knowledge of English. It is in this language that the application menu is written. It’s good that Minecrafters perceive such situations not as an obstacle, but as a chance for self-development.
Screenshots:
The desire to introduce new mechanics, environments, or, more simply, to change something in your own way has been going on since time immemorial. Modifying a game is much easier than creating it from scratch. There are already given mechanics, environments and animations. All that remains is to add new or cut off existing content, thus changing the original build. It often happens that the community creates special software that simplifies a number of tasks, including importing sources and exporting new or changed files to the game. For example, back in 1994, thanks to Brandon Weiber and the open source code in DOOM, modding became popular on such a large scale. Using DEU (DOOM Editor Utility), written by Viber, players were able to make their own levels and modifications to the game. In the “Game Project Management” program at the Higher School of Business Informatics of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, many of our students also have experience using programs to create mods for games or are interested in this topic.
The motivations of players and modders can be very different. Starting from the desire to understand what is “under the hood” of your favorite game or to set the goal of mastering the basics of game design in this way. Developing mods can be useful when applying for a job in game development, if the modder decides to follow the path of game development and become a developer. It also helps you see what the game is like from the inside. This is how you gain an understanding of how mechanics work, how scripts work, how textures work, 2D/3D environments and objects, sprites, effects, etc. Skills that will certainly be useful in future plans to develop your own project. In the same way, you can prototype your own mechanics - a mod for a game can very well help you visualize your plans and show the feature in action.
In terms of complexity and time consumption, everything is very ambiguous. Starting from reskinning the hero, as was often the case in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and taking no more than 10-15 minutes, ending with completely ambitious projects. Sometimes modifications can take on monstrous proportions and change the game beyond recognition. There are quite a few such examples. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds became a hit in just three days. Brendan Greene, under the pseudonym Playerunknown, began by developing mods for ArmA 3, and later created his own game mode, which is now called “Battle Royale”. Mode about H1Z1: King of the Kill. After seeing the genre's commercial success, Brendan Greene decided to make his own Battle Royale game. The game was released through the Steam Early Access program in March 2017. The developers plan to complete development and release the finished product by the end of the 4th quarter of 2017. In just three days after its release, the project topped the top of the most popular games on Steam and earned $11 million in three days. And at the time of writing, the game has already sold over 10 million copies at a price of $29.99.
The same Dota was originally a modification for Warcraft III. The map was created using the World Editor for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and was improved with the release of the Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne expansion. Now, Abdul Ismail (IceFrog), one of its creators, continues to work on Dota 2 at Valve. It was exactly the same with Counter-Strike. The first beta of Counter-Strike was released in 1999 and was originally a modification of Half-Life. Having changed five versions, the game remains relevant to this day, having long ago separated from Half-Life and moved to the new Source engine, and subsequently to Source 2. A huge amount of work has been done on S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Lost Alpha - in fact, it is a huge addon that brings everything into the game , which was cut by the developers from GSC Game World earlier in order to recreate the early look of the game from the announcements of the 2003-2004 period. As in the case of Dota or CS, being a mod for Half-Life 2, Stanley Parable was able to eventually become a full-fledged standalone game and win many awards.
For each game, as in the case of DEU, its own tools are usually written, which are specially tailored for it and make working with the distribution easier. But for some games it is still possible to identify the most popular modding programs.
OpenIV
style="text-align: center;">
A universal editor and file manager for the PC versions of Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto IV/EFLC and Max Payne 3. OpenIV allows you to edit hidden game archives, add and change files in them, and integrate a new texture into the game in two clicks . In editing mode, the program automatically saves all changes made, but when creating mods, it is better to always remember to make backups.
Valve Hammer Editor
The level editor developed by Valve Software to work with the GoldSrc and Source game engines is included in the Source SDK - a set of programs for creating modifications for games built on Source technology.
The editor was developed by Ben Morris for creating levels in Quake 1 and is freely available. Starting with version 4.0, the program began to work with Source, on which Half-Life 2, initially Dota 2, and a number of other games from Valve were written. The editor is supplied with the Source SDK and is available for free download through the Steam service for the owner of any game created on the Source engine. All program updates are downloaded using Steam. In Hammer you can create levels for all modern Valve games.
S.T.A.L.K E.R.
So many programs have already been released for S.T.A.L.K E.R.: Call of Pripyat and S.T.A.L.K E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl that they are combined into entire packs.
The assembly for mod building PM and ZP v1.2 combines over 25 programs and so much content that the game can be changed almost beyond recognition. The pack includes 165 tutorials on modding, a converter for X-ray sdk, a set of textures, 4.XRspawner, Generator of the same type of quests, DDSPacker v0.1, CharEd v0.2b, articles on modding and so much more that is easier to see.
In addition to understanding how the game works, modifications can provide unprecedented scope for experimentation and innovation. Garry's mod, developed by Harry Newman, is a physical sandbox where the player can create an environment and carry out any manipulations with objects from games created on the Source engine (CS:S, CS:GO, TF2, HL2 and other games from Valve ) Two years after the appearance of the first version, on November 29, 2006, Garry's Mod became a paid game and is still distributed through Steam.
In 2012, Valve took a huge step towards modding and launched the Steam Workshop. The service allowed everyone to create their own modifications to existing games that supported it. This gave users the opportunity not only to make modifications, but also to earn money, as well as receive feedback from the community directly on Steam.
Having modifications in your portfolio may well be an advantage when applying for a job at a game development studio. The ability to create a mod can show how well an applicant for a position understands level design, 3D modeling, game design, or any other area of development. This will be especially useful when entering the gaming industry, when there are no released projects yet, but there are mods that players install and write good reviews or that correspond to the chosen area of specialty.
