JavaScript games are fun, easy to build, and a great way for kids to learn coding. JavaScript is a very popular programming language that is used on nearly every website on the internet. Adding JavaScript to a web based application can bring to life animations and interactions that make browsing and playing games even better.

[Download] JavaScript Projects Source Code Get the full source code for seven JavaScript project examples. Download Now

One popular topic that attracts kids to learn how to program using JavaScript is its ability to make games that are easily played on the web. With internet speeds increasing and computer hardware becoming more advanced, it’s no wonder that the last decade has seen a rising amount of game developers creating new content by using JavaScript.

Is JavaScript Good for Game Development?

Now that you know JavaScript coding can be used to make games, it brings the question of whether it is good for this task. 

Yes! JavaScript is a great language for game development, depending on the type of game you want to create.

JavaScript is best for web-based and mobile games. It’s also a great language for kids to learn because it’s generally easy to understand and has plenty of resources for coders readily available online. We encourage teaching JavaScript in middle school and high school.

JavaScript games can be played in the browser or mobile phone, so, if that’s your goal, it’s an excellent option. Using platforms and tools can help create both 2D and 3D games that can run directly in your browser. Aside from only web-based games, JavaScript has been increasing in popularity in mobile game development. 

On the contrary, if you’re looking to create the next big AAA game, like Call of Duty or FIFA, using JavaScript, you may find it challenging. Even though the language is very versatile, JavaScript is much slower than languages such as C++ and consumes much more memory. Advanced games require heavy GPU calculations and it’s a substantial amount of weight to carry that JavaScript just isn’t cut out for. 

JavaScript vs Java for Game Development

We often hear people compare JavaScript and Java and even sometimes incorrectly use these words interchangeably. In actuality, JavaScript and Java are completely unrelated and the main thing that they have in common is that they are both programming languages containing the word “Java.”

JavaScript is an interpreted scripting language while Java is a compiling language. As an interpreted scripting language, code does not need to be compiled. Instead, results are interpreted by a user’s command. This is why it works so well when creating websites. Users are often clicking around and scrolling on a website, which is input that JavaScript can use to perform an action accordingly.

Java, however, requires code to be compiled before it can be run. That means the code is translated into a machine language for the computer to understand.

Now that that’s out of the way, what is the potential for these languages when it comes to games? Once again, if your goal is to make web browser games, JavaScript may be your ideal choice. But if your ideal type of game is something that can run on a PC or console, Java may be a better language. A very popular game that is built with Java is Minecraft. 

Recommended: Summer Minecraft Camp for Kids

Popular games in JavaScript

Many popular online games were built using JavaScript. Kids who want to do JavaScript game coding can use these as inspiration. Check out some of them below!

• Tower Building is a great way to get started with JavaScript games. The game allows players to stack blocks to create a very tall tower. This is a fantastic game to look at because it not only includes a QR code for you to play on your phone, but you can also browse, fork, and clone the GitHub repository to see how the game was created.
• Bejeweled was created as an in-browser game in the early 2000s. It’s similar to Candy Crush where you have to match three jewels in a row to score points. 
• 2048 is an addicting game that allows you to use your arrow keys to move tiles around in a grid. The idea is to merge tiles until they equal 2048. Fun fact, one of the first Python scripts I wrote was a way to automatically play this game for me!
• Polycraft is a 3D game that is playable in your browser. Polycraft is full of adventure, exploration, base-building, gathering, crafting, and even fighting. It’s an excellent example of how you can move past 2D games with Javascript.
• Words With Friends 2 is a mobile app game that uses React Native, a framework that utilizes JavaScript to create mobile applications. Zynga chose to use React Native for its ability to create a game that can be played on multiple platforms using JavaScript with one code-base.

Recommended: Coding Programs for Kids & Teens

What Are the Best JavaScript Game Engines

JavaScript code is purely text, and while it’s powerful, JavaScript cannot do everything alone. When developing games with JavaScript it’s very common to use a game engine or rendering library. Kids who learn to incorporate game engines in their programs will be taking the next step into making their dream game come to life.

Game engines are software that allows you to create extra components for games such as sound, animations, graphics, and physics. There is a multitude of options when looking for a game engine or rendering library for your game that can be used for your specific needs. Here are some popular examples to choose from.

PixiJS

PixiJS is an open-sourced engine that prides itself on speed and beautiful API. The 2D renderer also has cross-platform support so you can make your game for multiple applications. Being open-source also allows a highly supportive community to take part in providing consistent improvements to the engine.

BabylonJS

BabylonJS is a rendering library that has very powerful tools that allow you to create anything from simple animations to 3D games. Like PixiJS, BabylonJS is also open-sourced and has a large community of developers to help it grow. 

Phaser

Phaser offers support for desktop and mobile HTML5 games. Its focus is on 2D game development that can be compiled to multiple platforms. A benefit of using Phaser is the ability to use additional plugins as needed. This allows you to keep your tools small in size so you don’t have too many unnecessary components. 

melonJS

The melonJS framework is lightweight but provides the ability to add plugins as you see fit. It allows you to add features such as collisions, sprites, physics, particle effects, and more. It’s also known for being very beginner-friendly compared to other game engines. 

Three.js

Another popular library for rendering 3D graphics in a web browser is Three.js. It’s fairly easy to learn and is highly popular, which means there are an endless amount of examples available. Its default renderer is WebGL, but it also provides support for SVG, Canvas 2D, and CSS3D renderers.

Recommended: JavaScript Classes for Kids & Teens

How to Code a Game in JavaScript

If you want to make a quick and easy JavaScript game right now, then you’re in the right spot. These steps will guide you through the process of creating your own block jumper game. You can also download the completed JavaScript Block Hopper code.

Step 1 – Select a Code Editor

To get started, head over to an editor of your choice. The examples shown here will be using our CodeWizardsHQ editor, which students in all of our coding classes have access to. If you are not currently a student with us, you can use another online editor like CodePen.

Step 2 – Build a Game Canvas

The first piece of code we will write will establish a canvas for our game. You can adjust the height and width as needed.  This takes four steps.

1. Add your canvas code inside your <style></style> tags
2. Create your startGame function and define your variables and getCanvas inside your <script></script> tags
3. Call startGame in the <body></body> tags onload. 
4. If you’d like, add a title using an <h1></h1> tag inside the <body></body> tag

You should see a light blue rectangle with our game title, Block Hopper. This will be the background of our game.

Note: after this step all code you write will go inside the <script></script> tags.

Step 3 – Code Your Player, The Hopper

Next, let’s add our player. We will do this in four steps. 

1. Create a variable called player.
2. Create a variable to hold the Y position of the player.
3. Create a function called createPlayer() that has parameters for width, height, and x-position.
4. In startGame() create our player using the function from step 3 and assign it to the variable created in step 1.

Step 4 – Add Gravity to Your Player

Let’s create some gravity for the player. Here are the steps.

1. Create a variable fallSpeed.
2. Create a new interval and hold it in a variable that calls our updateCanvas() function.
3. Create two functions for our player; one to draw and another to move the player.
4. Create an updateCanvas() function that clears the canvas and redraws the player.

Step 5 – Add Code Functionality to Your Player

Our player is falling, however, we want our player to stop as soon as it hits the ground. Add the following stopPlayer() function inside your createPlayer() function. Then call the function at the end of movePlayer().

Step 6 – Code Jump Logic for Your Player

Now, let’s allow our player to jump when we press the space bar.

1. Create an isJumping boolean and jumpSpeed property.
2. Create a jump() function inside your createPlayer() function.
3. Update our makeFall() function.
4. Call our jump() function inside updateCanvas().
5. Create a resetJump() function.
6. Toggle the isJumping boolean and call the resetJump() once we press spacebar.

Step 7 – Build the Attack Block 

It’s time to create a block to attack you. This will be similar to creating the player, but we will add some randomization for our block’s properties.

1. Create a new block variable and createBlock() function
2. Assign the block variable with a value from createBlock()
3. Call the function inside startGame() and assign it to your variable
4. Create a randomNumber() function
5. Inside your createBlock() function, assign random numbers for width, height, and speed. Then create a draw() function and attackPlayer() function. 
6. In updateCanvas(), call block.Draw() and block.attackPlayer();

Step 8 – Add Logic to Move Your Player

Great! Now our block moves to attack our player, however, once it gets to the edge of the screen it never returns. Let’s fix that.

1. Create a returnToAttackPostion() function inside createBlock()
2. Reset the width, height, speed, and x and y value of the block
3. Call the new function at the end of attackPlayer()

Step 9 – Stop the Game on Collision

When the block successfully attacks the player we need to end the game. It’s time to write a detectCollision() function that stops the game once a collision happens. Call the detectCollision() function in your updateCanvas() function.

Step 10 – Add a Score to the Game

For the grand finale, we will add a score to our game. This is done much the same way as creating shapes, except we will specify a fillText property and font.

1. Create a score variable equal to 0 to start. While you’re there, create a scoreLabel variable to be used later.
2. Create a createScoreLabel() function with a draw() function. 
3. Assign your scoreLabel a value with our createScoreLabel() function
4. Call scoreLabel.draw() in updateCanvas()
5. Increase your score once your block makes it to the end

Complete Your First JavaScript Game!

And there you have it, you have coded your first JavaScript game. However, the best way to get better at programming is to write code yourself. Below are a few different challenges that you can try to add to your game.

1. For an easy challenge, change a few of the variables such as fallSpeed or jumpSpeed. Play with it a bit until you get to a setting you like.
2. For a medium-to-difficult challenge, create a new label on the other side of the screen that holds how many lives you have. Starting with three lives, you lose one every time you have a collision. Once you’re out of lives then it’s game over!
3. For a difficult challenge, add a new object in the game that gives you bonus points if you touch it. This will involve creating a new function to create the object and adding collision detection. It’s probably a good idea to make the object float, too!

If you want to see and play the completed game, go to https://mediap.codewizardshq.com/BlockHopper/block_hopper.html

You can also download the completed JavaScript Block Hopper code.

Download JavaScript Projects Source Code

If you want to get the code behind 7 different JavaScript projects, download the full source code for free. You can use this code as an example to add to or inspire new projects. Enter your email below:

Learn JavaScript Programming with Our JavaScript Classes for Kids

You’ve made it this far! You are on your way to becoming a JavaScript game developer. This was only the beginning of unlocking many new skills to help you make the game you have always wanted. 

If you want to continue learning how to code and build your own games, CodeWizardsHQ offers virtual coding classes for teens that teach the fundamentals of real-world programming languages. Every class is taught by a live teacher with other kids who are excited to code just like you. Our classes include JavaScript and feature fun projects like making your own slot machine and Space Wars game. 

Ready to level up your child’s learning experience? Take a coding class with CodeWizardsHQ:

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

With the help of our CodeWizardsHQ teachers, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go with your own JavaScript game development!

The post Ultimate Guide to JavaScript Game Development: Best JavaScript Games and How to Code Your Own appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft is a game built to test your survival skills, resourcefulness, and creative ability. It’s very much like the “choose your own adventure” books we used to read as kids, but with the ability to design and write your own adventures completely. How that journey looks and feels can be enhanced with Minecraft mods. Traditional Minecraft already offers an endless amount of possibilities. However, throwing Minecraft mods into the mix adds another layer of depth and replayability. Like the number of things you can do in Minecraft, mods are also endless since they are being developed on a daily basis. 

While Minecraft is played by all ages, it’s especially popular with kids between the ages of 6 and 13. Not only is the game entertaining, but it also helps kids improve problem solving skills, increase computer literacy, and explore their creativity. What are some fun ways for kids to mod their Minecraft experience? Try one of these best Minecraft mods for kids. 

What are Minecraft Mods?

Minecraft mods allow you to control your gameplay in a variety of ways. You can turn your game into a better-looking version of the current game, create your own Jurassic Park, simulate an RPG with quests and dungeons, or even go as far as exploring space after building and launching your own rocket. If you thought regular Minecraft unlocked your creative potential, Minecraft mods increase it tenfold. 

How do I put mods into Minecraft?

Adding mods to Minecraft can vary from easy to a medium level of difficulty, depending on the platform you are using. Downloading mods on a platform like Xbox is as simple as buying the mod directly in the Microsoft store and accessing them in your game. 

It gets a bit more complicated when you want to download mods on the PC Java edition, but nothing most kids can’t handle with a bit of help from their parents. Find out how to download and install Minecraft mods.

Recommended: Best Minecraft Texture Packs

What mods are safe for Minecraft?

Anytime you add new software to your computer, it always comes with a possibility of containing something harmful. Minecraft mods are no exception. Luckily for us, Minecraft has a large community that has done the hard work of providing safe mods for you to download. 

The best way to ensure mods are safe for Minecraft is by downloading from a reputable source with a high amount of downloads. Two popular websites to download mods are Minecraft Forge and CurseForge. 

Recommended: How to Play Minecraft with Friends

Where to find the best Minecraft Mods for kids

You can download mods from many places, but it’s often best to start a trustworthy source. A common website is minecraftmods.com. You can use Minecraft Forge to install mods you find there for free. While installing individual mods this way gives you more control, there are some easier methods that involve other software handling the installations for you. If you are looking for something like this we recommend CurseForge. See full instructions on how to download and install Minecraft mods.

10 Best Minecraft Mods for Kids

Since there are tens of thousands of mods out there, we decided to pick ten of our favorite ones to help you jump into modded Minecraft quicker.

JourneyMap

Anyone who has played Minecraft can tell you how big the world is. JourneyMap allows you to use real-time mapping on multiple devices to easily track where you are and view where you’ve been. It features a minimap and full-screen map of the main world, cave maps, Nether map, and End map. 

Biomes O’ Plenty

A must-have for someone who loves a variety of landscapes is Biomes O’ Plenty. As the name implies, this mod adds more biomes to your game. A lot more! However, it also adds many other features such as new building blocks, plants, flowers, armor, and more. If you’re looking for new blocks to enhance regular gameplay, this is the mod to go with.

Tinkers Construct

If you like to build things, I can’t recommend a better mod than Tinkers Construct. This mod provides you with new weapons, tools, and utilities that you had no idea you were missing. My favorite is the 3×3 hammer, which acts as a pickaxe but can mine nine blocks at a time. 

Immersive Engineering

Any electricians or Tesla fans? Immersive Engineering introduces a more realistic form of power to your gameplay. You can put up power lines for electricity, large machines for crushing, and windmills or water mills for power generation. 

Pixelmon

Another popular game that kids like to play is Pokemon. The Pixelmon team decided to create a mod that allows Minecraft to play like modern Pokemon games. You can throw your Pokeball at wild Pokemon to battle and even breed them.

Paleocraft

Paleocraft completely changes your game. Instead of basic creatures such as cows, pigs, and creepers, you get dinosaurs. There are over 100 new creatures added. You may run into a small docile dinosaur or a large aggressive T-Rex. Luckily, you’ll have new vehicles to help you escape!

Galacticraft

Galacticraft is for future astronauts and space enthusiasts. If you are tired of spending your time on a plain Minecraft world, try building your very own rocket, flying to the moon, and exploring the solar system. 

SkyFactory 4

While Minecraft can be very fun and addicting, it can at times get tedious. Mining, crafting, mining, crafting, over and over. When does it end? When you automate it, of course. SkyFactory 4 focuses on helping you automate things such as cobblestone and crops.

All The Mods 6

It can be difficult to decide on a mod to use, so many people use multiple mods at a time. While All The Mods 6 doesn’t actually provide all the mods available, it does provide around 200 mods that work very well together. Downloading just this single mod pack can easily provide you with an endless amount of gameplay.

SevTech: Ages 

One of my favorite modes is SevTech: Ages. When you first install this mod and log into your game you’ll start with nothing, not even a map! However, the goal of the game is to progress through the ages of basic “caveman” to stone tools and eventually space. This is the perfect mod to not only teach you about Minecraft but also show progression.

Minecraft Mods Can Teach Kids to Code

Minecraft mods are a great way to enhance your gameplay and there are plenty of mods that are safe for kids to use. What most people fail to realize though is that they can also be a way to educate kids, like how Minecraft teaches kids to code.

Mods aren’t just created out of thin air, they have to be written in code for them to work. Combining coding with something fun like Minecraft early on can help students progress in their coding skills. CodeWizardsHQ currently offers live, online coding classes for elementary, middle, and high school students that teach coding fundamentals through fun projects like creating games and building websites. With the skills they learn, using mods in Minecraft will be even easier, and who knows, maybe they’ll be inspired to create their own mod.

The post 10 Best Minecraft Mods for Kids appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft is a game with simple graphics and a block-like appearance. Aside from the gameplay arguing with physics, Minecraft also has a very unrealistic look. This style is very popular and many gamers love it! However, it’s not for everyone. Since Minecraft is highly moddable, there exist many different types of texture packs that can alter how your game looks while you play.

In 1-week Minecraft coding camps, we explore coding in Minecraft with Redstone, an element used for mechanical and electrical programming. Kids and teens can build their own game to add texture packs to. Eventually, they can even code their own texture packs.

What are Minecraft texture packs?

Minecraft texture packs are a collection of files that change the visuals of blocks in Minecraft. These blocks range from building materials, items, mobs, and anything else that you can see in your game. Without getting too technical, by default, Minecraft has a native resolution of 16×16 pixels. Texture packs can increase them up to 1024×1024, which has 4,906 times the number of pixels as native!

Note: you may hear the term resource pack in place of texture packs. While resource packs provide new textures for your gameplay, they also provide other game features such as music, sound effects, particle effects, and text. Resource packs are only available in Java Edition 1.6.1 and higher. In this article, anytime you see the words “texture pack”, you can safely replace them with “resource pack”.

Recommended: Coding for Kids, Free Resources

Minecraft shaders and texture packs

Now that you know what texture packs are, you may feel like your game may benefit from using them and it’s all you need to have a better gaming experience. And you may be right! Or, if you’re like many other gamers, you still want more after adding the upgraded graphics. While texture packs are great at giving your entire gameplay a new and improved look, shaders can increase the aesthetics even further. Many gamers opt to add texture packs and shaders to their game.

Unlike texture packs, shaders focus on the lighting of your game. The use of shaders can create a very realistic atmosphere and sky, dramatic shadows, and water that looks like you could jump right in. Similar to texture packs, shaders can be CPU-intensive, so you may need to try out a handful to get the best ones that work on your machine.

While shaders and texture packs can both be used by themselves, it’s highly recommended that you download Optifine to take advantage of all the features that some packs have to offer. 

Where to download Minecraft texture packs?

Now that you’re ready to try out texture packs, where can you get them? Like most things with Minecraft, it depends on the version of Minecraft you are using. If you’re using Minecraft Java Edition or Windows 10 Edition on a computer, you will need to go to the developer’s website that created the texture pack and download it directly.

If you are using one of the legacy console editions, such as Minecraft: PS4 Edition, Minecraft: Xbox One Edition, or Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition then you will need to purchase texture packs directly from the respective stores on the console. 

Recommended: How to Make a Minecraft Server

How much are Minecraft texture packs?

The price of texture packs is also dependent on the edition. If you are using one of the legacy console editions, then texture packs are usually around $2.99 USD. However, if you download the texture packs yourself, such as in the case of Minecraft Java Edition, then texture packs are free!

How to make your own Minecraft texture packs

While installing texture packs that have been created by someone else is great, sometimes they lack the exact look you’re searching for. If that’s the case, you may be interested in creating your own texture packs. Creating your own texture packs is beyond the scope of this article, but if you’re interested we highly suggest going to Gampedia and reading up on it. 

It does take a bit more technical skills than purely installing texture packs, but if you’re familiar with text editors and simple design using Photoshop or equivalent then you should be able to learn to create your own textures fairly quickly. Once you are finished creating your texture asset files, you can compress them into their own zip file and drop them in the resourcepacks folder of your game. 

Top 5 Minecraft texture packs

There are too many texture packs for you to try all by yourself. While having a plethora of options isn’t a terrible thing, it can be difficult to choose a great texture pack. We created a list of the top 5 most downloaded texture packs from Planet Minecraft.

1. LB Photo Realism Pack 256×256 Version 10.0.0 

LB Photo Realism is a texture pack that’s nearly as old as Minecraft itself so it’s no surprise that it will have the most downloads. Currently, at over 2.5 million downloads from Planet Minecraft alone, LB Photo Realism aims to make Minecraft more realistic, as if the name didn’t give it away. There are many resolutions of this texture pack so you can find one that your computer can easily run. Adding the right shaders and the Wild Grass mod can also give biomes their own unique plants that are realistic and help give your environment that extra spark.

2. Sphax PureBDCraft x128

Another decade old texture pack is Sphax PureBDCraft. Unlike LB Photo Realism, Sphax PureBDCraft aims to give Minecraft a comic-like look. This is preferable to many gamers since even with realism texture packs, it’s nearly impossible to give Minecraft a very realistic look. Even though it’s a cartoony texture pack, there are resolutions from 16×16 to 512×512 that all give you high-definition textures. This pack also has many optional add-ons such as multiple 3D items and blocks, an advanced tech add-on to give your redstone technology a new look, an add-on to connect blocks for smoother transitions, and even an add-on to allow you to customize your own textures for specific blocks. 

3. oCd Texture Pack

If you have obsessive compulsive disorder then the oCd Texture Pack should be the first texture pack that you download. Even if you don’t have OCD, it’s worth trying out since it’s a beautiful pack that provides a clean and minimalist look. This ordered pack lacks extra noise and harsh colors with all textures having an even spacing. It’s a great resource pack as well for someone who doesn’t have a high-end machine that can run high-resolution texture packs without lag. Even though there is only a 16×16 resolution offered at this time you won’t feel the need for more pixels.

4. Default 3D

Another pack with over 2 million downloads from Planet Minecraft, Default 3D is easily rising up the charts. It’s a few years older than both LB Photo Realism and Sphax PurecBDCraft, yet has nearly as many downloads. This pack is great because there are different versions based on the specifications of your machine. If you have a lower-end machine you may opt for the Default 3D Low. These texture’s give you smooth edges with connecting faces of models that appear seamless. If you have a higher-end machine you’d want to go with Default 3D High. It includes all block and item modifications with eye-pleasing texture without leaving out specific blocks like it’s Low version does. If you’re looking for something in between, you can try out the Default 3D Medium.

5. Modern HD Pack

If you’re a fan of the modern look, then the Modern HD Pack should fit your needs. This pack gives every block in the game a new look while also adding new items, mobs, and font. If you’re trying to build cities, schools, and skyscrapers then this pack provides you with all the tools you need. There are also updates to underwater that can add corals and kelp to make swimming a bit more of an experience. With a resolution of 64×64 most computers should be able to run this pack without trouble.

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The Best Minecraft Texture Packs

Now that you know how to install texture packs which ones should you go for? There is an endless supply that you can find online, and we are positive that you can find something that fits your style. However, we have a handful of options that we recommend you give a try.

• X-ray Minecraft texture pack
• HD Minecraft texture packs
• Realistic Minecraft texture packs 
• 3D Minecraft texture pack
• 4096×4096 Minecraft texture pack

X-ray Minecraft texture pack

The X-Ray Ultimate Resource Pack has a very unique style. In fact, after everything we’ve explained to you about texture packs enhancing the visual aspects of your game, the X-Ray Ultimate Resource Pack does the opposite! 

When you first install it, you may think it looks terrible and broken, however, understanding what it does is where it really shines. It makes most blocks transparent so you can’t see them, but it highlights important blocks for you. You can easily see lava, mobs, and ores exactly where they are in the world. This can help your mining and resource collection while staying safe. This is a great pack to have in your resource folder that you can toggle off and on when you feel a need for it.

HD Minecraft texture packs

HD texture packs come in all shapes and sizes from cartoony to realism but offer a “high-definition” set of textures. In fact, the HD stands for high-definition. 

Unlike the X-Ray Ultimate Resource Pack, HD texture packs are often elegant, charming, and pleasing to look at. They allow players to build creative structures and large cities where each building or block has its own character. You can easily build a castle down the street from a modern hospital if you so choose. One really popular HD pack the Serene HD Resource Pack. 

Realistic Minecraft texture packs 

As the name implies, realistic texture packs focus on making each block in Minecraft looking more realistic. If you’re not a fan of cartoony texture packs then realism is the way to go. 

Each block has a high level of detail with a lower color palette to help represent the real world. Realism texture packs benefit dramatically with a higher resolution, so it’s recommended you have impressive hardware to help your game run smoothly. A highly recommended realism texture pack is CMR Extreme Realistic Resource Pack. 

3D Minecraft texture pack

Minecraft is definitely a 3-dimensional game. However, if you look at each block closely, you’ll notice that most of them do not have any 3D effects. Each block consists of six-sides of 2D textures. 3D texture packs try to alleviate this issue. 

In 3D texture packs, blocks are created with attractive textures that give a depth-effect. This can give your game an authentic feel to make you think twice about where you take your next step in the game. A great pack that achieves this very well (although, it’s not complete yet) is Slight Depth Resource Pack.

4096×4096 Minecraft texture pack

While 4k texture packs are not common at the moment, it’s something many Minecraft players are waiting for. There are a few people who have made some of these packs for the novelty, but they will take an extremely high-end computer to run that most people do not have. It can also be very difficult to find these packs that can run on the newest version of Minecraft. Although these very high-definition resource and texture packs are not viable at the time of this writing, they are something we are all looking forward to in the future. With the way technology grows every day we don’t believe we are that far away from everyone having their own opportunity of running Minecraft in 4k.

Recommended: Coding Classes for Teens

Enjoy your textured Minecraft experience!

You now have the skills to edit how your own Minecraft game looks. Adding new textures to your game can really help Minecraft feel like a brand new game again. If you want to go straight medieval then, there is a texture pack for it. If you want to act like you’re playing the old NES, then there is a texture pack for it. If you want a frightening atmosphere then, you guessed it, there is a texture pack for it.

You can read our article on how to install Minecraft mods to add even more features.

Kids and teens can also join a Minecraft coding camp this summer to learn about programming with Redstone. It’s a fun and engaging way to personalize your Minecraft experience while gaining a valuable life skill.

The post Best Minecraft Texture Packs appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft is arguably the best-selling game of all time, depending on what kind of statistics you are looking at and who is doing the research. Regardless of its exact placement on the list, there is no doubt that it is one of the most popular games downloaded. There are a handful of reasons for this. 

1. Minecraft can be downloaded on nearly any gaming platform including, but not limited to, PC, Mac, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, mobile, and tablet. 
2. Single-player gives you a perpetual amount of possibilities on how you can play Minecraft and alter your world. However, this alone isn’t enough reason for Minecraft nearing the top of the list. The real answer lies in its multiplayer capabilities. 
3. Minecraft provides you with the option of enjoying your gameplay experience with friends.

For most people, connecting with friends through multiplayer gameplay is the best way to play.  What’s even better is that there are multiple options you can use to play Minecraft with friends including:

• Split Screen
• Local LAN
• Servers
• Minecraft Realms

It’s highly recommended you understand the difference in each option and what they offer because choosing the best course of action can greatly enhance your gameplay and help you tailor your game to your needs. I’ll explain each below and give you a few pros and cons to help.

Split-Screen

Prior to internet gaming, split-screen was one of the most popular ways to play games with friends. Although most games nowadays do not offer split-screen capabilities, Minecraft has added that feature into every console edition. 

As the name implies, split-screen will split your screen into multiple smaller screens so each player has his or her own section to look at. Think Rocket League with two to four players. This means if you are playing with one friend, your TV will be separated into two separate images, but if you are playing with four players, then there will be four separate images. 

How to Split Screens

1. Log into Minecraft with your username and password
2. Log into a single player world
3. With your second remote press the Start button. You should see a new prompt on your game asking you to join as a second player. 

4. Press Start one more time to see a new screen pop up with a list of player options to join as. You’re done! You and your friend can now both play on the same screen together! 

5. Tip: If you do not like horizontal split-screen, you can adjust it to a vertical-split screen in the settings. 

Pros/Cons of Split Screen

Split-screen is warranted for many reasons. It allows you to play with a friend without any internet connection, it offers highly cooperative gameplay by allowing you to know exactly where the other person is and what they are doing, and it provides a shared experience of playing in the same room as your friend. It’s also a nice way to get someone interested in playing if they don’t own a console or a copy of Minecraft.

However, like many things in life, split-screen has some drawbacks. Many people find sharing a screen with someone else a bad experience. If you are splitting your screen with one other person, the aspect ratio changes, while splitting with four people keeps the aspect ratio, but decreases the size of your view to a quarter of its normal size. Both options can be cumbersome and drop visual quality. 

In addition, if you’re playing against each other you have no way to prevent the other person from looking at your screen unless you decide to hang a sheet in between both sides of the TV and trust me, we’ve done that and it’s not ideal. It’s also easy to get distracted, especially with audio. When you inevitably hear the creeper about to blow up is he near you or your friend?

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LAN

There is another option you can use to play with friends in your home without sharing a screen. This is called using a LAN network. 

LAN means Local Area Network, so in order for someone to connect to your game, they must be using the same internet network that you are using. This is as simple as making sure you are both either connected to the same wifi or directly connected to the same internet modem. 

How to Set up LAN (Java Edition)

1. Verify you have an active internet connection on the computer you are playing on 
2. Open Minecraft and log into your account
3. Click the Single Player option
4. Log into an existing world or create a new world
5. Press esc to open the Game Menu
6. Click Open to LAN

7. Choose an option for Game Mode (Survival, Spectator, Creative, Adventure)
8. Choose an option for Allow Cheats (On/Off)
9. Click Start LAN World. At this point, you should see a message on your screen that says “Local game hosted on port XXXXX” with a random number filled in. You can verify that your game is connected online now by pausing the game. If everything else pauses with you then something went wrong. However, if villagers and mobs still move even with your screen paused then you have successfully opened your game using local area network. 

How to join a LAN Minecraft game (Java Edition)

1. Verify you have an active internet connection on your machine
2. Open Minecraft and log into your account
3. Click the Multiplayer option
4. Wait a few moments and you will see the LAN world show up

5. Click Join Server and you’re good to go!

6. Tip: You may not see your friends LAN World show up. If this happens, click Direct Connect and type in your friends’ IP address, followed by a colon, followed by the port number written in the chat when your friend created their LAN world. For example, if your friends’ IP address is 12.123.123.12 and their port number is 55555, you would type in 12.123.123.12:5555

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How to Set up LAN (Bedrock Edition)

Step by step guide on how to get a LAN set up.

1. Verify you have an active internet connection on your machine
2. Open Minecraft and log into your account
3. Before logging into your world, click the pencil icon next to your world to go to Game Settings.

4. Click the Multiplayer tab and verify both Multiplayer Game and Visible to LAN Players are checked.

5. Log into your game. That’s it! Now other players can connect to your game as long as they are on the same network as you.

How to join a LAN Minecraft game (Bedrock Edition)

Step by step guide on how players can join a game together. 

1. Open Minecraft and log into your account
2. Press Y to open LAN settings. Note that this button may be different depending on what platform you are using. You can verify by looking at the bottom of the home screen.

3. You’ll see a new screen pop up asking if you’d like to join the online network or a local network. Remember, LAN stands for Local Area Network, so let’s select the Local Network option.

4. Finally, go to the Friends tab and scroll down towards the bottom. You should see your friends’ world pop up. Your message may be a little different. I get a cross-platform message since I’m logging onto my Windows 10 hosted game from my Nintendo Switch.

Pros/Cons of LAN

There are many reasons you’d want to choose to play Minecraft using a LAN connection. The first and most obvious is it allows you to play with your friends. However, unlike split-screen, you each get your own monitor or TV to play on. This prevents skewing your aspect ratio and or decreasing the size of your view by over half. Contrary to using a server, a LAN network is much safer and easier to set up. You don’t need to provide your IP address or port-forward your router. You also don’t need to pay any fees for someone else to host your server.

The downside of using LAN is you will still need an active internet connection and your friend will need to be within range of accessing that internet connection through either Wifi or by direct connection. This also means that your game will run based on the speed and quality of your internet connection. Slow internet? Laggy game. Choppy internet? Be prepared to be disconnected periodically. Performance can also be affected because the host of the LAN game must use and play on the same computer from where they are hosting the game unless they have a second account which can put stress on their machine.

Recommended: How to Make a Minecraft Server

Minecraft Server

A Minecraft server is the most advanced option of multiplayer Minecraft. It has all of the same features as connecting with LAN with a few additions. First of all, it allows anyone to connect to your server regardless of where they are instead of limiting access to only those on your network. Second, it gives you the option of dedicating a machine to run the server while you can log on to your account from a separate machine to ease up on resources. 

You can either make your own Minecraft server or you can have a third party host one for you, with each having its own benefits. If you’re interested in having someone else be in charge of your server check out our article on how to make a Minecraft server using hosting. 

How to make a Minecraft server

Running a server yourself means you are in charge of everything such as downloading the resources you need, configuring how the server acts and behaves, and using your own hardware. If making and running a server yourself sounds interesting to you then it’s possible with just a short series of steps.

You will need to download the proper files then set up your server configurations. You will also need to set up port forwarding if you want people to access your server from outside your network (remember, this is something you cannot do on a LAN network!). After the networking portion is set up and you edit your server properties as you see fit, you can launch your game. Read our step by step instructions on how to setup your own Minecraft server. 

How to join a Minecraft server

1. Verify the server is set up and running. Verification for this can be achieved by having the server host look at their server.jar file after it’s opened. It should show something like this:

Alternatively, the host can verify by logging into Minecraft then navigating to the Multiplayer option and look for a green signal bar next to their server showing an active connection. If you see a red “X” and error message then it means the server is not running.

2. Ensure that both players are using the same version of Minecraft
3. Log into Minecraft with your username and password
4. Click the Multiplayer option
5. Click Add Server

6. Type in a server name
   1. Note: the server name can be anything you want and does not have to match what your friend named their server
7. Type in the Server Address. If your internet provider gave you a reserved IP address then use that. If not, use your friends’ IP address from where the server is being hosted.

Pros/Cons of Minecraft Server

Hosting a server yourself gives you a handful of benefits such as complete control without relying on someone else when you need to make changes, the ability to use your own hardware to increase performance as desired, and not having to pay someone else to do it for you! You can configure your server however you like and there is no limit on what type of mods you can support.

Its drawbacks consist of needing the hardware to run the server which can get very expensive if you don’t already own it. It might open you up to cybersecurity risks by allowing someone to access your network. It’s also nearly impossible to host your own Bedrock server at this time, so realistically speaking, it’s only available for Minecraft Java Edition. However, if you’re paying another company to host the server for you then getting a Bedrock edition shouldn’t be an issue. Finally, setting up the server is more technically advanced than any of the other options that Minecraft offers for multiplayer.

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Minecraft Realms

Minecraft Realms are servers that are hosted by Minecraft itself. It’s similar to third-party server hosting, except the third-party is Mojang, the creators of Minecraft. 

There are two versions you can use depending on if you’re playing on Minecraft Java Edition or Minecraft Bedrock Edition. If you are playing on Minecraft Java edition, you will need need to purchase a subscription for Minecraft Realms: Java Edition, but if you are on Bedrock Edition (mobile, Windows 10, Xbox consoles, PlayStation consoles, and the Nintendo Switch) then you will need to purchase a subscription for Minecraft Realms Plus.

How to join a Minecraft Realm

If you and your friends are planning on trying out Minecraft Realms then only one of you will need to purchase a subscription. You can do so by going to the Minecraft Realms: Java Edition or  Minecraft Realms Plus website and following through with a credit card. Alternately, you can navigate directly to Realms Plus from the marketplace on your machine. After that, it’s as easy as sending your friend an invite to play. 

Logging into your Minecraft Realm Server (Java Edition)

1. Log into Minecraft with your username and password
2. Click the Minecraft Realms Option
3. Click “Click to start your new realm!” if this is the first time logging on.

4. Give your Realm a name and description and click Create

5. If you desire, choose a world template from the list of available options.

6. Voila! You’re done! Depending on the world you picked it may take a bit of time to generate. You should now see your new server and can click Play to login.

Logging into your Minecraft Realms Plus Server (Bedrock Edition)

1. Log into Minecraft with your username and password
2. Click Play
3. If you haven’t signed up for Microsoft Realms yet you should see an option for a free trial. You will, however, have to enter your credit card information, but you will not be charged until after 30 days. If you have already signed up, you should see your world available under the Realms category.

4. Once logged in (or by clicking the pencil in the previous screenshot) you can edit your world and invite players.

How to invite people to your Minecraft Realm

No one can join your realm server unless they are specifically invited. Luckily, this process is very easy to do and does not cost any extra money. 

Inviting a Player to your Realm Server (Java Edition)

1. Log into Minecraft with your username and password

2. Click the Minecraft Realms option

3. Next to your realm server, click the wrench symbol to configure your realm.

4. Click Players

5. Click Invite player and type in your friend username

Accepting an invite to a Realm Server (Java Edition)

1. Log into Minecraft with your username and password
2. Click the Minecraft Realms option
3. Look for the jumping New Invites icon and click it. It’s in the top-middle of the screen.

4. You should see an invite from your friend. Click the green checkmark to accept.

5. Navigate back to Realms and you’ll now be able to log in and play!

Inviting a Player to your Realm Server (Bedrock Edition)

1. Log into Minecraft with your username and password
2. Click Play
3. Next to your realm server, click the pencil icon. Alternately, you can go to Settings while logged into the game.

4. Click Members
5. You have a handful of options here. You can either click invite next to your friends’ name. If you are not their friend, you can click Find friend at the top. Or, the easiest way in my opinion is to click the Share link button and give that to your friend over text, email, snail mail, or word of mouth!

Accepting an invite to a Realm Server (Bedrock Edition)

1. Log into Minecraft with your username and password
2. Click the Friends tab
3. Click the Join Realm button

4. Type in your invite code that your friend generated for you. Note: you only need to type in the last 11 characters, ignore the realms.gg/. That’s only for if you are clicking the link directly.

5. You’ll see a new screen popup. Click the Join button.

6. You’ll then see another new screen pop up (a bit redundant, I think) asking you to join one last time!

7. Finally, you’ll see your friends’ realm pop up on the Friends tab. Click the realm and log in!

Pros/Cons of Realms

If you’ve done enough research there’s no doubt you’ve run into an article or two that will tell you how terrible using Minecraft Realms is. And to be fair, Minecraft Realms used to be terrible. 

It was very expensive for what you got when it was easy enough to use another third-party to host a server for you. However, more recently, Mojang has really improved Minecraft Realms where it may be something worth considering. 

If you’ve never used Minecraft Realms before, you get a free trial for 30 days. This in itself is completely worth it because, in my opinion, it’s more than enough time to decide if you and your friends will like it. Even though it costs money, so does using third-party server hosting. And Mojang is definitely someone we can trust considering they are the creators of Minecraft. 

It’s also very easy to set up and log on, no crazy IP addresses or port-forwarding involved, just throw them a credit card and send an invite! Minecraft Realms Plus also comes with many advanced features such as a curated catalog of a plethora of Marketplace packs, monthly updates with new content, and support for local play that also has cloud storage.

Even though Minecraft Realms has gotten much better over the years, it’s still home to a handful of drawbacks. The biggest drawback is the player limit. Even though you can invite as many players as you want, only up to 10 can play at a time. This may not be an issue for you, but if you’re expecting a large server you’ll need to look elsewhere. 

One small trick for groups of 11; if you have every player log on first aside from the owner, then the owner can log on and be an 11th player. Yay for hacks! 

The second biggest drawback (or first for some people!) is the lack of mod support. While the Java Edition has custom maps and minigames and bedrock edition has add-ons from the marketplace, full modding support is currently unavailable. If you’re a fan of modding Minecraft, once again, you’ll need to look elsewhere. 

Lastly, even though $7.99/month is not very expensive, it’s quite costly for what you get. You can use third-party server hosting for as little as a few bucks a month with full mod support and playing with a greater number than 10 or 11 players at a time.

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Start Playing Minecraft with Friends

If you’re enjoying Minecraft and looking for ways to play with other people there is no doubt that one of the options discussed here will work for you. You can choose to play cooperatively with a sibling using split-screen, you can avoid sitting in the same room with that same sibling using LAN, you can have someone else do all the heavy lifting for you, or you can even the boss and control everything. 

If you want to experience a taste of social interaction while gaming why not join our Discord Channel and CodeWizardsHQ server? Our subdomain is mc.codewizardshq.com (server address). If you attach your Discord to our server you’ll even get some bonus benefits. Send a direct message to CWHQ Minecraft Server#9605 on Discord to join. 

Most things are more fun with friends and that includes Minecraft. If you have any tips or questions about playing Minecraft with friends, share in our Discord!

The post How to Play Minecraft with Friends appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Out of the box, Minecraft offers a sense of adventure that most games can only hope to deliver. With the tools provided by the game, you can create, explore, and survive in the Minecraft world in a multitude of ways. But, if you’re bored with the basic game settings and want a more unique experience, you can also enhance your gameplay by installing Minecraft mods.

The beauty of modding with Minecraft is that you can customize your gaming experience by adding mods that allow the use of new tools, blocks, and armor as well as other features such as textures, lighting differences, new creatures, and even game modes.

I’ll show you how to install Minecraft mods, where to download new mods, and how you can even make your own.

What are Minecraft Mods?

Minecraft mods are user-made modifications that alter your Minecraft gameplay experience in various ways. Mods are used to add custom features and items to the open-world Minecraft game. These can be purely cosmetic or even change how the game is played. 

Different types of Minecraft mods include:

• Performance mods: improve performance aspects of your Minecraft game like better graphics and shorter loading times. Render your chunks faster, load your servers smoother, and improve frame rates for a smoother gameplay experience.
• World mods: attempt to customize the natural elements in Minecraft and get more control over graphical features.
• Technology mods: adds an assortment of contraptions that help the player automate the production of in-game resources.
• Mob mods: elevate gameplay difficulty or add new animals and mobs into your worlds.
• Building and item mods: add structures and buildings with your own design. Get useful contraptions and automate processes.
• Quest mods: get hundreds of quests for players to explore, with varying themes and objectives.
• And many more!

Where to Download Minecraft Mods?

There are many Minecraft mod websites that let you browse released mods. You can search through various dedicated community websites and forums to find the perfect mod for your game. There are thousands of mods to choose from.

Some of the most popular mod websites include:

• Minecraft forums
• Minecraft Mods
• CurseForge
• Planet Minecraft

Can You Make Your Own Minecraft Mods?

Yes! You absolutely can make your own mods.

There are a handful of ways to make your own Minecraft mods, such as using MCreator or Java Development Kit (JDK). While downloading mods that other people have created is a great experience, being able to make and deploy your own is rewarding in its own right.

Can You Uninstall Minecraft Mods?

Yes, you can easily uninstall Minecraft mods. What happens if you download a mod and you decide you don’t like it? Do you have to start your game over? No, definitely not! But, depending on the mod itself, it may alter your gameplay experience.

If you uninstall a texture pack then the only difference you will see is how the game looks. However, if you install a mod that adds new blocks, build something with it, then uninstall the mod, you’ll notice that parts of your world are missing.

We recommend uninstalling one mod at a time and seeing how it affects your game before moving on to the next. 

Recommended: Minecraft Texture Packs

How to Install Minecraft Mods Using Forge

1. Download Minecraft Forge
2. Install Minecraft Forge
3. Find The Mods Folder
4. Download Mods
5. Close and Relaunch Minecraft

What you need:

• Minecraft Java edition

Minecraft Forge only works with Minecraft Java edition so ensure that is the edition of Minecraft you are using before proceeding. Minecraft Java Edition runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

If you’re looking to get mods for Bedrock edition (consoles and Windows 10) then you can go directly to the Minecraft Marketplace and download them. However, most of them will need to be purchased.

1. Download Minecraft Forge to Install Mods

• First, download Minecraft Forge. 

Download the version of Forge that matches the Minecraft version you have installed. The latest version at the time of this article is 1.19.

You may also notice two different options you can download latest or recommended. We recommend downloading the installer from the recommended section otherwise, you may run into bugs from the newest version.

Be careful in this section. There are ads on the website if you are not using an ad blocker and it may trick you into downloading something you didn’t mean to. You may get an ad in the middle of the screen telling you that your download is ready. Do not click that one. 

Click the large red button that says “Skip” at the top right when the ad finishes. 

The file you are looking for is titled “forge-(version you are using).jar”. 

So, in our example, it would be called “forge-1.16.4-35.1.0.jar”. If you download something else that does not look like this, delete it and install the correct section.

2. Install Minecraft Forge

• Open the Minecraft forge file and follow the install directions.

Once you finish downloading the correct .jar file, you need to run through the install process.

You can start this by double-clicking on the file you downloaded. Ensure that you have “Install Client” selected then click “OK”. This could take a few minutes. 

When it’s finished, you’ll see a message saying the install was successful.

3. Finding Your Mods Folder

• Close and relaunch Minecraft.
• Select “Forge” and click “Play”.
• Click the new “Mods” button
• Click “Open mods folder”

If you have Minecraft open, please close it now.

When you reopen it you should see a new profile towards the bottom left of the screen titled Forge. Make sure that is selected then click “Play”.

Note: It may take a bit of time for your game to load everything.

Once you log on, you’ll see a new section you didn’t see before. Click on the “Mods” section, but you won’t see any mods yet. That’s because we haven’t downloaded any. However, you will find a button called “Open mods folder”. Click this button to open the folder. 

Any mods that you want to find must be dropped inside this folder in order for your game to access it. If you installed Minecraft in its default location then the directory path will be something like C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\mods.

If you chose a different location then your path may look different. That’s why it’s best to go into Minecraft and click the “Open mods folder” button because it will find it no matter where it is.

4. Download Your Mods

• Download a mod from a mod website (we recommend Minecraftmods.com).
• Download the mod directly into the mods folder OR drag and drop the download into the mods folder you opened earlier

You’ve downloaded Minecraft, installed Forge, and even found your mods folder. So, how do you actually get mods?

There are multiple places you can download mods from, but we recommend Minecraftmods.com because it’s generally safe for all users.

When downloading mods it’s highly recommended you download and install one mod at a time because sometimes two different mods can interact with each other negatively.

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Download An Example Mod

1. Go to https://www.minecraftmods.com/lucky-block-mod/ and scroll down until you see a “Download” button. The Lucky Block Mod puts a new block inside the game that will randomly generate something when broken open. It can be something good or something bad!

2. Now, visit luckyblockmod.com. Scroll down on that webpage until you see another “Download” button that takes you to a third webpage! I know this can get exhausting, but many mods work this way by taking you through a few different web pages, so it’s good to see it in action. 

3. Finally, you’ll come to a section with a ton of download links for different versions of Minecraft. Once again, choose the correct version based on the version of Minecraft you are playing and hit “Download“. 

4. When you download the mod you have a couple of options. You can either

• download directly into the mods folder or you can drag OR
• drop the download into your mods folder you opened earlier

I find the dragging and dropping easier, but it doesn’t matter which one you choose.

5. Close and Relaunch Minecraft

• Close and relaunch Minecraft
• Check the mod install in your mods folder
• Your new mod is installed!

When installing new mods, you’ll have to restart your Minecraft game. Close it out completely and log back in. Go into your mods folder and you should see your shiny new mod installed.

In case you’re wondering what I got out of my lucky block, it was something good. A bunch of rainbow sheep! However, on the second block, I got TNT. Sorry, I couldn’t get a picture fast before it blew everything up! 

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Enjoy Your Modded Minecraft Experience!

And there you have it! You have successfully added mods to your Minecraft game. If you thought the possibilities of Minecraft were endless before, mods give you an endless amount of endless possibilities. If that’s even possible. There are a ton of different mods you can choose from and it’s a game itself just trying them out. 

Just remember to download mods only from highly recommended sources so you don’t accidentally download a virus. You also need to be aware that too many mods can cause a lot of stress on your computer and may require you to invest in better hardware as the amount of mods you have increases.

The post How to Install Minecraft Mods Using Minecraft Forge appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft is a very popular game that allows you to play alone or with friends. If you want to play with friends, though, you’ll need to play on the same server. You can set up your own server at home, but this can prove challenging for some people. 

Running a server from your home not only requires specific hardware dedicated to keeping your server running, but it also exposes you to network vulnerabilities and server management challenges that you must consider. 

If you want your own server, but lack the hardware and/or don’t want the challenges that come with it running your own, consider using a third-party server hosting company to handle that for you.

Please note: We recommend getting a parent’s permission before setting up a new server. You will need a credit card to complete this tutorial. Only share your server IP with known, trusted contacts.

Requirements

• A PC capable of running Minecraft (Chromebook requires Linux setup)
• Your Minecraft username/password
• Minecraft Java Edition or Minecraft Bedrock Edition (version is depending on which server settings you choose)
• A credit card

There is currently no cross-platform interaction between Java Edition and Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. This means if you’re using Java Edition on your PC you will not be able to play with your friends on the Xbox, Playstation, or Switch. If you want to allow for crossplay between PC and Xbox then you will need to specify the Minecraft edition as Bedrock Edition when setting up your server.

What is a Minecraft Server Hosting Company?

A Minecraft server hosting company allows you to run and manage your own server with as little work as possible. These companies use their own hardware, so you don’t need your own dedicated computer to run it and it can take as little as five minutes to set up. 

Benefits of Using Server Hosting

• DDoS protection – DDoS (or distributed denial-of-service) are attacks that flood your network in order to slow or crash your server
• Automatic backups – ever afraid of losing everything you have built in Minecraft? Backups help prevent this and many hosting companies offer this service
• 24/7 support – Sometimes trying to run your own server will bring along unexpected problems. You’ll have professionals who can help handle those problems for you every hour of the day
• No hardware needed – One of the drawbacks of hosting your own server is needing the hardware to support it. Hosting companies use their own hardware so you don’t need anything!

Recommended: Best Minecraft Texture Packs

Things to Consider Before Choosing a 3rd Party Minecraft Server Host

At this point you’re probably thinking, why would I ever want to run my own server when I could have someone else run it for me? And that’s a fair question! 

The number one thing that prevents people from using a third-party is because it costs money. 

Usually, you’ll pay a monthly fee, but some companies will offer a discount depending on how many months you pay for at one time. The price can also vary depending on who you use and what package you decide on. We will get into more details on packages shortly. The good news is, you can pay as little as $5.00 a month for something that may be suitable for you.

Most Popular Minecraft Server Hosting Providers

If you Google “Best Minecraft Server Hosting Provider” you’ll find a lot of articles with many different choices to choose from. You’ll often see recommendations for:

1. Apex Server Hosting
2. Hostinger
3. Shockbyte
4. HeavyNode
5. BloomHost

While they are different companies, they all offer to host a server for you. This article focuses on one of our favorite hosting companies, Apex Server Hosting, because of their low-price, easy and quick set-up, and 24/7 technical support.  

Steps for Creating a 3rd Party Minecraft Server

1. Select a Pricing Plan

Go to https://apexminecrafthosting.com/pricing/ and pick the plan you want. You can always upgrade your plan later, so we recommend starting with a lower price and only upgrading when you need to.

2. Order and Specify Minecraft Version

After clicking on “Order Now” you’ll have the option to fill out your Minecraft username if you have one. 

If you are playing Minecraft on the console (such as the Xbox) then you may not have a Minecraft username. You can either fill in your Microsoft Account name or leave it blank. 

The second section, while optional, is recommended because it gives you your own domain so your friends can get to your server easier. Remember this optional domain name for logging onto your server later! If you want, you can add a dedicated IP as well as some additional support here, but it’s not necessary.

You can choose any server version that you’d like, however, we recommend using the latest version of Minecraft that is currently out. 

Note: This is also the step where you specify which Minecraft Edition you want your server to be hosted on. If you are looking for the Bedrock edition, scroll down until you see “Bedrock Dedicated Server” under “Server Version”. 

3. Select the Server Location Closest to You

One of the most important parts here is the “Server Location” section. Have you ever connected to WIFI in your home only to see it struggle to connect the farther away you get? A server works the same way. 

You want the server to be hosted as close to you as possible, so make sure you read through your options. Apex offers a free “ping” that you can test each server with if you’re unsure which location is the closest. You want the lowest number you can get for a more satisfying gameplay experience.

4. Continue Past Support Options

The last section of this screen gives you options to enhance your support. Each option is optional and not necessary. We recommend not opting in at the beginning while you are still learning how to set up your first server. In the future once you have a better understanding of how Apex server’s work you may choose to go back and purchase these. For now, click the “Continue” button to move onto the next step.

5. Complete Checkout and Payment

The last two sections will allow you to complete your checkout and make your payment. Note, you must be at least 18 years old to finalize everything. So, if you’re under that age please get a parent to help you. When you finish you should see a confirmation message that looks like this.

6. Receive Confirmation Email with Login

Go ahead and check your email! You should see a confirmation email with some login information.

7. Your Server is Running! 

And that’s it! You now have a running server! Don’t believe me? Test it yourself!

Testing and Logging Into Your Server

1. Open up Minecraft and verify you have the same version installed as the server type you created above. If not, download the correct version. You can verify which version of Minecraft you have installed by looking at the Minecraft launch screen.

2. After clicking “Play”, click the multiplayer section. You may see a popup that alerts you about using “Third-Party Online Play”. This just means Minecraft is not responsible for what goes on in the server. Read the text, and click “proceed”.

3. On this screen, you’ll see a list of all servers you’ve added, or an empty list if you haven’t added any yet. Go ahead and click “Add Server”. We are almost done!

4. You have two options on how this next part is done. First of all, you’ll need to give your server a name. This can be anything you want. It’s for your eyes only. The “Server Address” is the important part. Remember the “Optional Domain” that you checked off when purchasing a subscription? You can just type that into ‘Server Address’. It should be something like yourusername.apexmc.co. If you didn’t get the optional domain, just add the IP address that was given to you in your email. 

5. Congratulations! That’s all you need to do. You should be able to see your server listed. If you want anyone to join your game, you just need to tell them to download the same version of Minecraft as you as well as provide them with your ‘Server Address’. 

What Can You Do With Your Own Server?

Now that you have your own server, what can you do with it? Quite a bit, actually. Check your email one more time and search for the email we looked at earlier. Click the “Panel Login” button and let’s discuss some powerful tools Apex gives us to manage our server. 

1. Turn Your Server On and Off

First things first, although nothing fancy, is being able to turn off your server and restart it in case there is ever an issue. You can do this by clicking these buttons on the home page. Note that if you stop your server, it will kick everyone off who is online, including you!

2. See Players On Your Server

Next, if you scroll to the bottom, you can see a list of players that are currently playing your server.

3. Send Server Messages & Kick Players

Take a look at the sidebar to the left. Click on “Chat” at the very top. Here you can send server messages for all players to see as well as see messages that they send! You can also kick players from your server on this screen if you feel the need.

4. View Your Server Console

Clicking on the “Console” tab gives you a lot of information about your server and its settings. You probably won’t use this section too often.

5. View Available Plugins

The “Plugin List” gives you many options to choose from that can all be included in your server. Just select the one you want, then click “Install”.

6. Use and Write Commands

Click on the “Commands” tab and you can see a list of commands you can perform as well as who can use them. You can even write your own commands here!

Enjoy Your 3rd Party Multiplayer Minecraft Server

We encourage you to play around with different server settings and see what you like. Just remember, the edits you make will most likely affect everyone playing on your server, so you want to make changes that everyone likes. Once you get your own server running, give us a shout out on our Discord Channel and we can come visit you!

We’d also love for you to come and hang out with us on our Minecraft server! Our subdomain (server address) is mc.codewizardshq.com. You can also attach your Discord to our server for a couple of extra benefits. To do this you will have to verify your information by sending a direct message to CWHQ Minecraft Server#9605 on Discord and linking your CWHQ account using the pin code provided. Here are some things that we have going on currently in our server.

The post How to Make A Minecraft Server Using Server Hosting appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.

Minecraft is a popular sandbox game for many reasons, but the biggest reason is because of the ability to play with other people.  

To play online with your friends, you will need to set up a Minecraft server that you can both connect to. In our Minecraft coding camps, every class has its own server to customize and play in.

I’ll show you how to easily make your own Minecraft server and start playing with friends today!

Please note: We recommend getting a parent’s permission before setting up a Minecraft server. Parts of this tutorial can cause security risks, you should have a parent with you and do not download anything extra.

What is a Minecraft Server?

A Minecraft server allows multiple people to play together in the same Minecraft world. Having your own server means you and your friends get to create an entire world from the ground up. You’ll have full control over in-game features and the back-end commands.

Can you make a Minecraft server for free?

Yes, using your computer you can make a free multiplayer Minecraft server for yourself and your friends. Use the steps to setup a Minecraft server using Java. To play Minecraft with friends, you’ll need to set up port forwarding and share your IP address (Warning: only give your IP address to trusted individuals). When you make your own server you will only pay what it costs to keep your computer running. 

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Steps for Creating a Minecraft Server

1. Download the Latest Version of Java
2. Download the Server.jar File
3. Create Your Server Configuration Files
4. Run Your Server
5. Set Up Port Forwarding
6. Configuring Server Properties

1. Download the Latest Version of Java

Let’s begin making our own Minecraft server. 

Create a new folder that will hold all of our server downloads. In our examples, we will be placing everything inside a folder called “My Awesome Server” directly on the desktop. To create a new folder:

• right-click on any open space on your desktop 
• click “New Folder”
• rename the folder “My Awesome Server”

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If you don’t have the latest version of Java, download it. That link should take you to the right Java download regardless of if you are using a Mac or PC.

• Visit https://www.java.com/en/download/
• Click “Download Java” to start downloading the installer.
• Add the Java installer to the folder you created in the previous step. 
• Once downloaded, double-click the installer file and follow along with the prompts.

2. Download the Server.jar File

Now you should have the latest version of Java. Next, you need to download the server.jar file. 

• Visit https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download/server
• Download minecraft_server.1.21.5.jar
• Save the file into the “My Awesome Server” folder
• Run the .jar file with the following command: 

java -Xmx1024M -Xms1024M -jar minecraft_server.1.21.5.jar nogui

If you’re following along with the images/gifs in this tutorial, you may find you have a different Java version number than what is showing. That’s okay, the steps should be the same. 

You may get a warning from your computer saying that this file may be harmful. This is a normal warning for any .jar file. If you don’t know where it comes from, then you should be worried about it. That being said, I think we can trust Minecraft on this one.

If you’re given the option, save the .jar file into the “My Awesome Server” folder. If not, just copy and paste or drag the download into the folder once it finishes.

3. Create Your Minecraft Server Configuration Files

Once you have your server.jar file inside your “My Awesome Server” folder, either double-click it or right-click > open it to create your configuration files automatically. 

• Open “My Awesome Server” folder
• Double-click the server.jar file or right-click > open it to create your configuration files automatically
• Open up the EULA file (example: eula.txt)
• Change eula=false to eula=true
• Go to File > Save or press ctrl+s to save the EULA file 

There is a EULA agreement (End User License Agreement) that you will need to accept to prevent your server from immediately crashing. Open up the EULA file (it may say eula.txt depending on your machine) and change eula=false to eula=true. Then go to File > Save or press ctrl+s to save the server.jar file. 

4. Run Your Minecraft Server

You can now run your new server.

• Double-click the server.jar file

Once again, double-click your server.jar file. You will now create a handful of new files and also see your server start. 

If your goal was to make your own Minecraft server to play with friends on the same internet connection as you then you have reached the end. Congratulations!

For friends on the same internet connection, log onto Minecraft and click the Multiplayer tab and they should find the server you just created. Note that you both also need to be using the same version of Minecraft, for example, Minecraft bedrock or Java edition.

The Server Window

The server window gives you additional information to help you keep track of what’s going on:

1. Use the Stats panel to see how much memory the server is using
2. Use the Players panel to check who is currently connected to the server
3. Use the Log and Chat panel to see server messages and player chats
4. Use the command field at the bottom to enter server commands

For friends on different internet connection, we still have some more work to do. In that case, continue on….

5. Set Up Port Forwarding

Warning: This is probably the most challenging part of the tutorial and it’s also the section that can cause security risks. Ensure you have a parent with you when you complete this step and do not download anything extra. 

Port forwarding is required if you want your friends to connect to your server when they are connected to a different internet connection than you. Unfortunately, this step will be different depending on which router you are using. I will list the steps that it takes to get my Xfinity router set up for port forwarding, but you may have to research your own router and follow its steps. 

• Find the make and model of your router
• Google “How to Port Forward [Router make and model]”
• Add a port forward on your router to port number 25565 for Minecraft
• Share your server IP address with friends
• Friends can use your IP address when they “Add Server” on Minecraft

The first step for me is navigating to the Port Forwarding section on Xfinity’s website. I found this by googling “How to Port Forward my Xfinity Router” so I suggest a similar search for you but with your specific router’s name. 

The next step for me had common configurations to use, including Minecraft, so I went ahead and chose that. If you don’t have this option, the important thing to know is to use port number 25565 for Minecraft. Any other port number will not work.

Note that I blocked off my IP Address, this is the part that you want to keep secure. Do not give your IP address to anyone you do not know or trust. Depending on your router, they may reserve a custom IP address for you (Xfinity did this for me). If that’s the case, this is the IP Address you will provide to your friends to access your server. If they do not reserve one for you, you will have to use your own IP address. 

Once you have completed Port Forwarding, your friends can log into Minecraft and click the Add Server button. They can name the server whatever they want (it does not have to match your name) and then type in your IP address.

If you do not know your public IP address you can google “What’s my IP address” and it should be one of the first results. 

The full IP address should look something like this: 12.34.56.78:25565

You may or may not need the :25565 at the end of the IP address when adding the server. We recommend trying without, then with it if it fails to recognize the server.

6. Configuring Minecraft Server Properties

Now that you have your own Minecraft server running, it’s time to edit your server properties how you want. 

• Find the server.properties file in “My Awesome Server” folder
• Right-click and select “Open”
• Select Notepad
• Edit server properties and click “Save”

Inside the “My Awesome Server” folder, you’ll see a file called server.properties. Right now your computer won’t know how to open the file, but if you right-click it and select Open with you can view a list of options to open the file.

You can open this file in any text editor of your choosing, but Notepad works just fine. When you open the file you’ll see a long list of different server properties. You can edit each one to your liking. 

You’ll find a list of all the server properties and what they mean here, but let’s discuss some common ones that you’ll want to know about first.

• difficulty – this takes either a string or integer property that sets the difficulty level of your server. Integer values are 0, 1, 2, or 3. The string values are peaceful, easy, normal, or hard, respectively. 
• hardcore – this takes a boolean (true or false) value of how your players are handled if they were to die in game. If you set the value to true, then once a player dies they are set to spectator mode. 
• level-seed – this is blank by default and will automatically generate a seed when you start your server. However, if you found a seed you want online to use, you can type it here and have a copy of that world.
• max-players – this sets the maximum number of players allowed on your server at one time. You’ll find this useful if you have a computer that struggles to run when many people log on at once. 
• motd – this sets a Message Of The Day for all players to see when they log in on your server. It can be useful to provide useful information to everyone at once.
• pvp – this is a boolean value that when set to true allows players to kill each other.

Here’s what my server.properties file looks like when opening it up using windows notepad.

Options for Making a Minecraft Server

You can create a Minecraft server in a few different ways so it’s important to understand your options. 

1 – Rent A Minecraft Server

You can create a Minecraft server through server hosting. In this case, you rent a server through a third-party, such as Apex Hosting or Hostinger. These services do nearly everything for you, but you need to pay a monthly service fee for it. This can be as low as $5, depending on the service you use. 

2 – Use Minecraft Realms

Minecraft runs personal multiplayer servers that allow you to play with up to two additional players, called Realms. With a Realm, your Minecraft world is online and always accessible, even when you log off. There’s also Realms Plus. This is a personal Realms server for up to 10 additional players plus access to a curated catalog of Minecraft Marketplace content.

3 – Make A Minecraft Server

You can run a Minecraft server yourself. This saves you from paying a monthly fee as well as giving you complete control over how your server is handled. This article shows you how to make your own server without using a third party.

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Things to Consider Before Hosting a Minecraft Server

Benefits of Hosting a Minecraft Server

• You are able to have complete control over the entire server at all times. If you want something done, you can make it happen as quickly as you can do it yourself. There is no need to rely on someone else to make changes. 
• You have the ability to upgrade your computer however you desire to increase performance. Many server hosting companies offer higher premiums for higher specs, but if you happen to have the newest generation processor, the maximum amount of ram, and the biggest and most powerful graphics card, then your server can be one of the most powerful servers out there.
• It can be fun to set up and learn how to configure networking. You’ll get to learn about various network features and tech that you probably wouldn’t need to know otherwise.
• It won’t cost you anything other than what it takes to run your computer. Using a hosting company costs money, but by hosting your own server you will only pay what it costs to keep your computer running. 

Drawbacks of Hosting a Minecraft Server

Hosting your own Minecraft server can be very rewarding, but it does have a few drawbacks you should understand before attempting it yourself. 

• You will need the proper hardware in order to run your own server. This includes either a PC running on the Windows 7 operating system or a Mac running on MacOS 10.4 or higher. While hosting your own server on a Chromebook is possible, it’s beyond the scope of what is taught in this tutorial. 
• Along with the proper computer you will need an active internet connection and access to your router. 
• Your computer specs that are needed heavily depend on what type of server you run and how many players are on at any given time. The more players logged onto your server will require higher amounts of RAM and a more advanced processor. The same goes for adding mods to your server. You can get away with a few gigs of ram if you only play Vanilla (meaning no mods!), but as soon as you start adding those awesome mods you’ll want to double, triple, or even quadruple the amount of RAM dedicated to your server.
• Since you will have to run the server from a computer, you’ll want a decent internet connection that is hardwired to your PC that can handle everyone playing simultaneously. No one wants to log onto a Minecraft server only to lag and get booted every 15 minutes for a modem restart. Note that although a computer is needed to run the server, your friends can play on your server from any platform as long as they are using the exact same Minecraft edition that you are running. For example, if you are running a server on Minecraft Java Edition 1.16.4, then your friends will need to have Minecraft Java Edition 1.16.4 installed on their device.
• It’s completely your responsibility on how this server is run. If anything goes wrong, it’s your problem. Players will rely on you to fix any issues or bugs that they may have and if there are disputes amongst players, you’re often the person that gets to handle them. 
• It takes more than just downloading a program and turning on your computer. You will have to configure your network and router, learn about port-forwarding, and you may need to use the command-line to edit configuration files. 
• The above requirements can lead to cyber attacks on your computer and private information. You may open your network up to security risks such as DDoS attacks. If your public IP address falls in the wrong hands someone can find sensitive data about you, such as your address! So please take care if you go this route and ensure you proceed with the following steps safely. If you are looking to create your own server but don’t want to host it yourself, check out our article on using Apex server hosting.

More Minecraft Resources

If you want to learn more about Minecraft’s features and how to customize your gameplay, check out these Minecraft resources.

• How to Make a Minecraft Server Using Hosting
• How Minecraft Teaches Kids Coding
• The Best Minecraft Texture Packs
• A Parent’s Guide to Minecraft for Kids
• 10 Best Minecraft Mods for Kids
• How to Download and Install Minecraft Mods
• How to Play Minecraft with Friends

Enjoy Your Multiplayer Minecraft Server

There are many things you can do with your own Minecraft server such as manage game settings, customize your own whitelist, add your own mods, and allocate however much memory that you have to spare. We suggest starting small, but let your imagination run wild. 

Please also remember to not share your IP address publicly or with anyone you don’t know or trust. 

Want to learn about coding games like Minecraft?

• Elementary School Coding Classes
• Middle School Coding Classes
• High School Coding Classes

Check out our 12-week coding classes and 1-week Minecraft camps to take your gaming to the next level.

Have fun on your new server! 

The post How to Make a Minecraft Server appeared first on CodeWizardsHQ.