Mojang Studios is already testing features for the next major Minecraft update, but that hasn't stopped the developer from announcing another big update coming to Minecraft in the future — except this one is very different.
Following the full release of the upcoming Mounts of Mayhem update, Mojang Studios will begin removing obfuscation from Minecraft: Java Edition. For most people, this will mean nothing; for modders, this will change everything.
Modding Minecraft is about to get a lot easier
Basically, Minecraft: Java Edition's source code — the game's "insides," if you will — is scrambled to disguise how the game truly functions. This process is called obfuscation, and it's very common in video game and software development. The problem, though, is that modders needed to meticulously piece together the code in order to create their mods.
Mojang Studios previously released "obfuscation mappings" to help modders match obfuscated terms and variables to un-obfuscated counterparts, but it wasn't solving the problem itself.
Now, Minecraft: Java Edition builds won't be obfuscated, starting with the first snapshot after the Mounts of Mayhem update. All of Mojang's original names will be intact, making Minecraft's code far clearer and easier to parse for modders.
To help the modding community make the transition (especially since many modding tools are built with Minecraft's obfuscation in mind), Mojang will also include experimental non-obfuscated previews starting with the next Java Edition snapshot.
You can read the original announcement at Minecraft.net. Minecraft players already accomplish incredible things, like building a working AI bot inside of Minecraft, and any move that makes it easier for modders to realize their vision is a positive in my books.
FAQ
What is code obfuscation?
Code obfuscation is the process of "scrambling" the coding for a video game, application, or other software in an effort to make it more difficult to understand, such as by altering the order of functions, disguising names, and masking debugging information. It's common practice to obfuscate your code to protect against tampering or prevent the theft of intellectual property.
How does removing obfuscation help Minecraft modders?
Right now, developers who wish to create mods for Minecraft have to first piece together the scrambled code, relying on special modding tools and obfuscation mappings provided by Mojang. Removing obfuscation from the game's code will make it far easier for modders to create, update, and debug their mods, as it'll be simpler to understand exactly how the code is functioning.
Will this change affect Minecraft: Java Edition gameplay?
No, this update has nothing to do with how Minecraft: Java Edition will play. Code obfuscation is like camouflage for code, but it doesn't necessarily affect how that code fundamentally works. Minecraft: Java Edition will be the same game; it'll just be easier to create mods for it.
Is Minecraft: Bedrock Edition also changing?
This change isn't going to affect Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. The multi-platform version of Minecraft approaches mods very differently in the form of Add-Ons, which are offered through the game's official Minecraft Marketplace. This update only applies to Minecraft: Java Edition, which boasts a wider and more "free" modding community.
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