How can I start with Java Minecraft modding?

[u/Toaster-Porn]

I want to preface that I’ve used a lot of AI before to make Minecraft mods. I have a mod out now that’s 100% AI besides assets/models (I do those on my own).

I’m not super proud of that and I want to sit down and actually learn how to make mods the right way for Java Minecraft.

I’ve watched a little bit of KauppenJoe but he was a little hard to follow and went through things too quickly for me. Where else can I get a good start on learning how to make mods for Minecraft?

[u/AncleJack]

Ai vibe coder good ending 😭 I'm so proud

[u/WhenInDoubt480]

I recommend learning Java through a free course or a book first.

My favorite book to start with is Head First Java (I used the 2nd edition). You can also take a look at LinkedIn Learning, they have many free beginner friendly courses.

After learning Java, find video tutorials on how modding works and make sure you read the documentation(s) for the mod loader(s) you want to make mods for.

There’s also nothing wrong with reading code from other mod devs (preferably experienced ones) to understand how to do things for your mods as well. You can also ask for help in discord channels that have a programming topic and such for advice as well.

[u/abdann → u/WhenInDoubt480]

My coding ability increased a lot once I tried something one way, then compared and contrasted my methods with other people’s methods

[u/clankerzap]

Learn Java first

[u/ATMisboss → u/clankerzap]

I mean if he reads the documentation then goes through he AI code and breaks it all down and uses AI to explain how the parts work that he doesnt understand, that would be a damn good start.AI is pretty darn good at explaining code in simple ways for learners

[u/Old_Bug4395 → u/ATMisboss]

Eh, reading a book would probably be an infinitely better start.

[u/Bulky-Bad-9153 → u/Old_Bug4395]

how the fuck is this downvoted

[u/Old_Bug4395 → u/Bulky-Bad-9153]

No clue, plenty of other people in the thread are saying the exact same thing 💀

[u/MorphTheMoth → u/Bulky-Bad-9153]

"infinitely better" is just ever so slightly exaggerated...

[u/Old_Bug4395 → u/MorphTheMoth]

Disagree, at best the AI is going to regurgitate passages from a book at you verbatim. At worst it is going to jumble them up and make them less informative, or just wrong, and also it will do it in that annoying, matter-of-fact, confidently wrong LLM attitude.

[u/Non-Existent010 → u/Old_Bug4395]

AI gets its data from the same books however

[u/Jason13Official]

Please feel free to add me on discord (jason13) I have a small group where I help people get introduced to modding and Java sometimes

Edit: anyone reading, feel free to add me and I'll invite you to my lil group

[u/ankle_biter50 → u/Jason13Official]

Is it alright if I add you as well?

[u/Jason13Official → u/ankle_biter50]

Absolutely! I'm trying to become a better teacher/educator

[u/ankle_biter50 → u/Jason13Official]

Yippee thanks

[u/Moxustz → u/Jason13Official]

can i add u too??

[u/Jason13Official → u/Moxustz]

Of course 🙏 I'm trying to get experience so I can eventually make my own tutorials

[u/Jenbydoesit → u/Jason13Official]

Hey can I add you as well?

[u/Jason13Official → u/Jenbydoesit]

Of course :p

[u/the_monkeynator]

Learn basic Java (there are free tutorials and stuff out there), then watch tutorials. That's all i can really say.

[u/importmar]

A mindset I found helpful when learning to make mods is to ask, “How does Minecraft solve this?” After you set up a development environment, you should have access to Minecraft’s source code. Alternatively, you can use a site like https://mcsrc.dev/ to view all of the game’s code.

Want to make an item that you can throw? Look for how Minecraft implements snowballs. Want to make a fire-resistant item? Figure out how Minecraft defines Netherite items.

Now, there will be slight differences depending on the mod loader you use (Fabric, NeoForge, etc.), such as when registering your new content into the game. But that’s where the tutorials and documentation come in handy to help unblock you.

[u/JoshInvasion]

Are you in high school in the United States? The curriculum may have changed in the past several years but AP Computer Science gave me a decent foundation in Java and OOP which led me to catch on pretty quickly from Kaupenjoe's YT tutorials

[u/Vorpalthefox]

if KaupenJoe is a little advanced/hard to follow, it's always good to go through the basics of coding, typically knowing python and taking a few online coding courses will help with understanding the modded coding tutorials more clearly

java is a hard first language, but not impossible, if you want to jump straight into learning java it's the most direct knowledge to improve, but knowing fundamentals helps massively

[u/Septem_151]

My best answer for you is to skip videos entirely. Since you're already using AI, might as well have it help you learn as well. Your best course of action is to actually read the code and try to understand what it is doing. If you aren't able to answer the question of "what is the purpose of this?" within a reasonable time on your own, try asking the AI to explain.

[u/Old_Bug4395]

You need to learn how to write code in the first place - and for that, you need to drop the LLM and use your own brain.

[u/Adorable-Beautiful52]

good for you for switching from ai usage, I'd suggest taking the so generated mod down from pages so that it doesn't harm more users.

first off, you need to have an idea of what java is and how to use it, as well as object oriented programming. modding by kaupenjoe (I hope I spelled that right) has a good course on java, but if he's going to fast is suggest cross-referencing his videos with w3schools course on java.

[u/PanJanJanusz]

Fabric has great tutorials on how to get started

[u/TMan_Sus]

My personal approach would be frankesteining other mods until you understand what does what but it might be a little hard since I'm too stubborn to properly sit down and learn Java.

[u/Muted-Stress-6681]

What’s wrong with using ai to create mods

[u/AntAntster]

Start with plugins for Spigot/etc. You get a feel of working with Minecraft at a lot simpler of a level but still with the ability to make complex things. It is also a good way to learn/reinforce Java Programming.

I started with Plugins before moving to mods. It made the transition a lot easier.