Joining a Java/modded Minecraft server
Modded Minecraft represents the fullest-fledged and most meta-physical approach to Minecraft being a game in which you have complete control over the creativity presented within the game. Essentially anything you could possibly imagine being in the game has likely been done, or you just need to earworm some poor hobbyist dev into cranking it out. Anything from actual internal computers that you can order real-life Dominos™ on, to weapons and characters from every media franchise you can think of, to wonderous new dimensions, in-depth magical codices and spiralling tech trees. Who needs other games when it can all be here! While playing modded minecraft is great and all that, there are some trade-offs from vanilla gameplay and there is a barrier of technical entry I will try to break-down here for convenience.
Requirements for modded Minecraft
One of the most important things to consider before endeavoring into modded Minecraft, or really, anything more complicated than waking up in the morning, is that life isn't fair. Running Minecraft as a game may be simple for most people with "screened" devices, but Java edition already cuts a majority of people out of the experience. Adding modifications also puts significant strain on game performance and therefore, computer hardware further limiting some folks' ability to play. To make matters worse (or better) modded experienece varies wildly between game versions, mod combinations and PC configuration, making the preliminary expectations quite difficult to determine. I will try to lay out some basic requirements based on my own experiences and recommend some needs for more complex set-ups with advice I can gather from other sources.
The following list will keep a semi-updated hardware recommendation guide for the MINIMAL GAMEPLAY EXPERIENCE (will serve to allow access to modded Minecraft)
- CPU -
- RAM - I STRONGLY recommend having a BARE minimum of 8 GB of RAM, as at least 4 needs to be allocated to Minecraft for most modpacks to launch, several packs should have their RAM requirements listed, and several will post 6-8 GB as a minimum.
- GPU - Having one is nice, but as long as your processor has a form of integrated graphics, is not required.
This list will show a hardware recommendation closer to my personal set-up of choice (a mid-range, multi-task oriented PC with an entry-level graphics card) which should handle any server I post to the main page:
- CPU -
- RAM - 16 GB is the typically amount of RAM a "gaming-oriented" computer will have, however, 32 (what I use) and 64 are quickly becoming the norm and for more visual-heavy packs, being able to throw 8-10 to the game can be exceptionally helpful in boosting performance. Plus, having extra room in memory is great for letting other programs besides the game to run. I have always been told that adding more than 10-12 GB to the game is unoptimal and that allocation above it just wastes resources... so keep that in mind.
- GPU - Again, having one is nice, but for Minecraft, only 4 GB is really needed (what I use). Most #progamers will push for 6-8 GB as a minimum, which is good if you intend on playing other games or running graphically intensive programs, but for modded, it merely improves shader performance.
Installing Minecraft Java edition:
The first step to playing in a modded Minecraft server is installing Minecraft Java Edition. If you do not own a copy of Java edition already, simply navigate to Minecraft's website and navigate to the "buy now" tab, followed by the "Minecraft" button. You can also purchase it in the Microsoft store on Windows computers, neat
Understanding CurseForge and the basics of modding:
Minecraft mods (or modifications) are packets of code that are added to the base game meant to change some aspect of gameplay. These changes can take on many forms, from new items to visual aspects to in-game behaviors, the sky's the limit really. Because any peice of function code that changes the game is a "mod" many people make them, and anyone can distribute them. However, code that changes things (or any code) can be dangerous, bad actors have been (and still are) an epidemic in the Minecraft modding scene. As a means to combat this, centralized "platforms" with moderators and tools meant to verify safety have been made and it is HIGHLY recommended that one ONLY downloads their modifications through these services.
The leading mod distributor and therefore the one I'll cover the best I can, is Curseforge. Curseforge has been the dominant front for mod circulation since long before I started doing it, and one can pretty reasonably trust anything that gets put up on there. Another up and comer is Modrinth who represents the new competitor to Curseforge, split from disagreements in operations. Both sites are important for recognition and are safe to peruse and work with, but even with special caution in mind, occasionally some mods are only available offsite, but please exercise care when checking out mods, texture or shader packs from other places.
Installing a launcher:
Curseforge/Overwolf
GDlauncher
Prism
Modpacks in their respective launchers:
Connecting to a server:
Joining a Bedrock Minecraft server
Bedrock is the other, arguably more approachable version of Minecraft. This platform is available to essentially any device that utilizes an OS; smartphones for certain, most tablets, gaming consoles from the 3DS onwards, any computer made after 2005 and I would hedge a bet that someone has run it on a smart-fridge (but not on linux oddly enough).