Minecraft: Java Edition

Minecraft is a sandbox singleplayer/multiplayer game by indie game studio Mojang.

Version Differences

Minecraft

The official, updated client for Minecraft is priced at €19.95 (~£17.21/~$26.90 and priced at 50% off in Alpha and 25% off in Beta.). When purchased, it can be played in the user's web browser or through an executable client. Minecraft offers fully-featured singleplayer and multiplayer options. Multiplayer is achieved through dedicated servers, the files to which are freely available purchase-free, or through a LAN connection.

The official client features four modes: Creative focuses on building and creativity - players are given immunity to damage, the ability to fly and the ability to destroy and create any block type instantly [1]; Survival focuses on versatile gameplay featuring resource gathering, crafting, combat and exploration [2]; Hardcore is a variant of Survival featuring a higher difficulty scale, in-which the world file is deleted upon the character's death [3]; Adventure is a mode designed for Adventure Maps, in which the player is unable to place or destroy blocks. [4]

Minecraft Classic

Minecraft Classic is a free-to-play, outdated alternative to Minecraft. It is similar to Minecraft's Creative mode.

Hosting an SMP (Survival Multi Player) Server

First of all, note that most Minecraft servers run on dedicated Linux machines, as the servers are both hardware and memory intensive programs.

Mojang offers their own server software (Direct Links for the .exe and .jar). It is certainly not the most used, due to it's negative aspects, but it is easy to set up, so it is recommended for use on home machines for testing purposes. If you want to port forward, the default port is 25565, but if you use Hamachi you don't need to.

The current most popular server program in the Minecraft universe is Bukkit. The project's custom server files are called Craftbukkit (download found on the set up page), a modification of the default server files that offers better memory and CPU usage and custom plugin support. In reality it is simply a server wrapper that does modify the vanilla files, but an excellent one at that. It is somewhat more complicated to set up(video), due to the perceived "essential" plugins (Economy, World Generation, Permissions, Anti-Grief and WorldEdit) that require extensive maintenance, both at startup and later on. Connecting to the server works the same way with Craftbukkit as with Mojangs files, so port forward, or use Hamachi.

Last, we have the Spout Project, a mammoth idea slowly coming to fruition. Currently, the project offers SpoutPlugin (BukkitDev, Jenkins, Github), a plugin that extends CraftBukkit's functionality, and is in fact required by many other plugins, found on the BukkitDev or Spout Forums, and a custom Minecraft client, SpoutCraft (Jenkins, Github), that improves heavily upon the vanilla client. But the core of Spout is their WIP server software, Spout (Set up, Jenkins, Github, direct but updated build), an open source, written from scratch server, unlike CraftBukkit, that will provide all the current functionality of CraftBukkit+SpoutPlugin (plugins), in addition to an extensive API (Jenkins, Github) for plugins. Spout will require their also open source and written from scratch client, not yet available. The Minecraft implementation, Vanilla (Alt, Jenkins, direct but updated build), will be used as a plugin. When the project is done, it will also include Bridge (Jenkins), a plugin that enables compatibility with old CraftBukkit plugins. When using the Spout Server, no port forwarding is needed as the server uses the UPnP protocols and opens a port on your router automatically, enabling easy and simple connection to the server.

Issues and Fixes

Fixing General Issues

Frequently, going into the launcher and checkmarking the "Force Update" button under options will fix the problem. However, in some cases, it might be more effective to go to your .minecraft folder, and deleting the folder named "bin". Be sure to back it up first, just in case.

Bad frame rates? Lag Spikes? Fix it all with a simple mod

Optifine is a mod allows you to use HD textures and better looks along with performance increase. It is also highly configurable along with 5 different versions to support your needs. Installation should be quite easy if your familiar with computers. Mod description: "This mod adds support for HD textures and a lot of options for better looks and performance. Doubling the FPS is common."

New texture pack has broken textures

The likely cause of this is due to the texture pack not being compatible with the version of Minecraft you are running. It is a good idea to use MCpatcher as it can be used to stop a lot of texture packs from breaking.

Big square holes in the world leading to bedrock

This is a chunk error which happens to everyone every so often. It can be fixed by exiting Minecraft and then loading it back up. If this issue happens on a SMP server it may be necessary to restart the server.

Error 'Cannot connect to Minecraft.net'

This can be caused when the servers are down for Minecraft.net due to maintenance and can be fixed by trying again at a later time. Another cause of this is Minecraft being blocked in the firewall by either windows or anti-virus software. If Minecraft.net is down for longer than a few hours it is recommended to see if anyone else is having the issue and making an exception in your firewalls. Alternatively, you can use this website to see if Minecraft servers are actually having issues at the moment.

Game crashes during loading screen after updating to snapshot/pre-release

To fix this issue rename the .Jar you downloaded and saved to the Minecraft bin file to 'minecraft'. If it it saved under minecraft(1) or any other name it can cause crashes during load up.

White/Purple lines between blocks on Nvidia cards

To fix this issue go to the Nvidia control panel (right click anywhere on the desktop). Go to Adjust image settings with preview and change it to "Let the 3D application decide."

Graphics and performance issues on AMD video cards

If you are running Minecraft on a PC with an AMD video card, then you may experience low performance and other glitches after updating your drivers. Some symptoms of this are random crashes, as well as seeing a thick black outline around every block. This is caused by AMD's Catalyst Control Centre automatically forcing things like anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering regardless of application specifics. To fix this, all you need to do is open CCC and set these settings to 'off' or 'let the application decide'.

Game Crashes on a 32-bit Operating System

To fix crashing on a 32-bit OS, set the "Render Distance" option to "Normal" or lower in the game's options.

Game Crashes Periodically on 64-bit Operating System

This is a known issue which occurs if running 32-bit Java software on a 64-bit system. Ensure your Java software is the correct version for your system. If you are unsure as to your Java version, you can use this utility to find out what version you have installed.

Black Screen on Startup

Black Screens will occur if the user installs a mod that has not been updated for Minecraft's current revision, or installs a mod incorrectly. Try uninstalling any recently added mods or texture packs.

Game crashes on startup with any kind of graphics card error

(Sorry, it's been a while since I got the error, and I've been unable to reproduce it since I got a new graphics card) As the error suggests, this is most likely an error with your graphics card. However, it is possible to fix without buying a new one. Create a shortcut. In the location, type "javaw -cp launcher.jar net.minecraft.LauncherFrame". Right-click on the shortcut, select Properties, and in the "Start in", type the location of the launcher. You might have success playing the game now. If not, buy a new graphics card.

Bad video card drivers

Getting this error on start up? Go into Control Panel > Appearance and Themes > Click Display. This dialogue box will pop up, now click on Advanced down at the bottom. Another dialogue box will appear, click the tab that says Troubleshoot, and set the slider 3 notches from the left. And now click Apply to save your changes, you should now be able to play Minecraft.

Game pauses during update and won't allow download the entire update

This fix took my about a year to figure out, and is extremely simple. You have too many versions of Java installed. Go into control panel and use "Add/Remove programs" or use the popular program "CCleaner" (go into the tools section). I used CCleaner and found that I had ten versions of Java installed. Uninstall all of them, even the latest build. Go to the Java website and redownload and reinstall the latest build, the site should automatically select it for you. Then restart your computer. This also works with freezes while downloading Tekkit, the popular Minecraft mod.

AVG may also be the issue if it is your current anti-virus program. Simply open the tools menu, go to advanced settings, and temporarily disable AVG. Attempt to download the update now, and it should work. Otherwise, follow the above instructions.

Performance Improvements

Enable 64-bit Mode and Allocate More Memory (Macintosh)

Enabling 64-bit Java will improve the overall performance of Minecraft and allow it to access more RAM. Make sure that you have the latest version of Java installed for your version of Mac OS X, and that it is enabled in Java Preferences (/Applications/Utilities).

Right click on the applications from Finder and click "Show Package Contents". Open the following file with Xcode or any other text editing package:

 Minecraft.app / Contents / info.plist

Find the key "JVMVersion" and change it to "1.6+". Aftwards add an addition key to "JVMArchs" with the value "x86_64". Replace "JavaApplicationStubs" in:

 Minecraft.app / Contents / MacOS

With the default ones found in

 System / Library / Frameworks / JavaVM.framework / Versions / A / Resources / MacOS

To increase the amount of RAM Minecraft can use, change the following in info.plist:

-Xms *** MB
-Xmx ### MB

• Replace *** with the minimum amount of memory Minecraft can use in MB (256, 512, 1024, etc.)
• Replace ### with the maximum amount of memory Minecraft can use in MB (1024, 2048, etc.)

Enable 64-bit Mode and Allocate More Memory (Windows)

On a 64-bit Windows OS, you will need to install a 64-bit Java version to enable Minecraft's 64-bit mode. Minecraft will recognise the installation and use it automatically.

To allocate more memory, enter the Notepad utility (Start menu > Accessories > Notepad) and input the following text:

 @Echo off
 java -Xmx *** -Xms ### -jar "Minecraft.exe-Location"

• Replace *** with the maximum amount of memory Minecraft can use in MB (1024, 2048, etc.)
• Replace ### with the minimum amount of memory Minecraft can use in MB (256, 512, 1024, etc.)
• Replace "Minecraft.exe-Location" with the exact address of Minecraft.exe.
  • Example .exe location: D:\Minecraft\Minecraft.exe

After customising the file's contents, choose File > Save As.... Navigate to the location in-which you wish to save this custom launcher.

• In "File name:" use the format Name.bat
• In "Save as type:" choose All Files.

Save the file and use it instead of Minecraft's launcher from now on.

Allocate More Memory (Linux)

To run Minecraft with more RAM on Linux, use the following command:

 java -jar -Xms###MB -Xmx***MB "Minecraft.jar-Location"

• Replace *** with the maximum amount of memory Minecraft can use in MB (1024, 2048, etc.)
• Replace ### with the minimum amount of memory Minecraft can use in MB (256, 512, 1024, etc.)
• Replace "Minecraft.jar-Location" with the exact address of Minecraft.jar.
  • Example .jar location: /games/minecraft/mincreaft.jar

Install Java 1.7

Java version 1.7 offers significant performance improvements for Minecraft. Uninstall any previous version of Java and install version 1.7 instead.

Install Optifine

Optifine is a mod for Minecraft which adds additional graphical options to the game, along with completely re-writing the game's render engine to be more efficient. There is also a version which makes Minecraft run on multiple cores of your processor.

Game Folder, or ".minecraft" Location

Minecraft installs its files by default to the current OS user's data folder. This behaviour is different to other games, that default to a folder such as "Program Files" on Windows.

Macintosh

To find the game folder's location on a computer running Mac OS, navigate to the following location:

 YourUserName > Library > Application Support > minecraft

On Mac OS X Lion, the "Library" folder is not accessible by default. To allow permanent access to the folder, launch the Terminal utility and input the following command: [5]

 chflags nohidden ~/Library  

Windows

Finding the game's folder on a Windows operating system involves access to hidden folders.

• On Windows XP: enter the Control Panel through the Start menu and locate "Folder Options". The option may be placed inside the "Appearance and Themes" category.
• On Windows Vista: enter the Control Panel through the Start menu, choose "Classic View" from the sidebar and access "Folder Options". In the "View" tab, tick the option to "Show hidden files and folders" and click "OK".
• On Windows 7: enter the Control Panel through the Start menu, in the "View by:" selection box select "Large icons" or "Small icons". Access "Folder Options". In the "View" tab, tick the option to "Show hidden files and folders" and click "OK".

To find the game folder's location on a computer running Windows XP navigate to the following location:

C:\Documents and Settings\%USERNAME%\Application Data\.minecraft\

On Windows Vista and Windows 7:

C:\Users\%USERNAME\Application Data\Roaming\.minecraft\

It may on Windows Vista/7, however, be easier to press the Windows key and the R key at the same time. A "Run" dialogue box will come up. Type in:

%appdata%/.minecraft

This will instantly navigate you to your .minecraft folder.

Borderless Fullscreen Windowed

spidEY's custom Minecraft launcher has the ability to run Minecraft in a fullscreen, borderless window.

Or, you know, Press F11 during gameplay with the regular executable.

Mods

WARNING: Back up ALL files before installing mods as they can corrupt files. Before installing any mods, make sure that the mod is for the same version of Minecraft you are running. Mods like The Aether won't work unless you are using a specifically dated version of Minecraft.

Installing Mods

There are two ways of installing mods: MCPatcher, and manually.

MCPatcher

Mods like the GLSL shaders or HD Texture pack upgrade come with MCPatcher. It's important to note that MCPatcher can be used without these, as it can also be used to install other mods instead of manual installation.

1. MCpatcher comes in two versions: Windows .exe, and .jar. The Windows .exe, will, as the name suggests, run on only Windows. Whereas the .jar will run on any OS that can run Java. Pick whichever is better for you/your OS, and download it.
2. Once you've downloaded the appropriate version, run it. It should pop up with a list of mods and check marks next to them.
3. If all the mods you want are already on the list, feel free to just checkmark the ones you want, and skip to the final step.
4. If, however, you want more mods, download those. They'll usually be on the official Minecraft Forum, and should come as .zip files.
5. In MCPatcher, press the "+" Symbol, and browse to the .zip that has the mod in it. Press okay when you are done.
6. Repeat for any other mods
7. Press "Patch", and you should be done! You will now have a fully modded Minecraft, running whatever mods you may want.

Manual Installation

Manual installation is usually regarded as being more difficult, but can be useful when trying to resolve a mod conflict, or if a mod requires some extra configuration.

1. Download the .zip of the mod or mods you want.
2. Open the .zip in an archive program like Winrar or 7Zip.
3. browse to your .minecraft folder in Windows Explorer, or Finder or whatever.
4. Open the file "minecraft.jar" in an archive program.
5. Drag the files from the .zip into minecraft.jar
6. In minecraft.jar, DELETE THE FOLDER NAMED META-INF
7. Some mods require you to do extra steps. If this is the case, it'll usually say in the readme.txt or on the official website/Minecraft Forum page.
8. If everything went smoothly, you should now have a fully modded Minecraft.

Where to find mods

Minecraft Forum - Mods

Mods-for-Minecraft Mods

Top Minecraft Mods

Minecraft Mods

Notable useful mods

• Rei's Minimap - Shows a minimap in the corner of your screen, which allows you to add waypoints.

Download link: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/482147-132125-aug17-reis-minimap-v32-05/

• Zombe's Fly Mod - Allows you to fly in single player, which is useful for quick travel.

Installer link: www.xboxmb.com/forum/122-minecraft-pc/27675-zombe-mod-installer-minecraft-flying-mod-installer-update-1-3-2-a.html

• TooManyItems - Allows the spawning of items in single player.

Download link: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/140684-13212w34b-toomanyitems-in-game-invedit-aug-27/

• Single Player Commands - Adds many useful commands to single player mode, including WorldEdit.

Download link: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/94310-125-single-player-commands-v322-official-download/

Mod Packs

Categorizing all Minecraft mods is difficult due to sheer numbers, and each user will have preferences. However, themed compilations of mods exist, and while some try to balance usefulness with popularity, some are composed entirely of what could be seen as cheats. Mod packs themselves are numerous, and are difficult to list due to how much presence the author wants to achieve. Some packs, like Technic, are not on the forums by choice, and are therefore not well known. Despite this, a user-maintained list at the Minecraft Wiki lists most known mod packs. Note that many are outdated.

Improve FPS and Integrate HD Textures Support

The mod OptiFine is known to boost FPS on most systems. It also provides more graphical options and support for high resolution textures.

Useful links

• Official site. Buy the game here!
• Official forums.
• Minecraft wiki.
• Minecraft on Reddit.
• Notch's Twitter.
• Jeb's Twitter.
• Dinnerbone's Twitter.
• Minecraft Twitter.
• Minecraft Servers Status

See Also

• Terraria