So guys, I know I haven't been active around here, but there's a project I've been working on that I think will excite some people... The project is called AbsurdityCraft. Details to follow.
The long and short of it is that I've been working hard for a month or so, tinkering around with building a 1.6.4 modpack from the ground up, and it's at a point now where I've been able to launch a stable server on it. Don't let the word "modpack" scare you off though! The basic principles involved are to expand minecraft's core experience and provide an absurd amount of things to do while accommodating all interests and playstyles. You're not pressured into doing stuff you don't enjoy. The vanilla experience is still there, but there's a lot more to play with if you choose to do so. I don't want this to be FTB, where people just sit in their base and build machines. That is one playstyle you can do in this, but it's only one side of the modpack. There's stuff for the builders, stuff for the adventurers, and for the tech wizards alike. This encourages people to do their own unique thing, as well as engage in collaboration. I've really designed this with the hope of seeing lots of exciting projects happening on the server.
There's also a slightly reduced grind overall. Ore generation has been bumped up and re-configured a little. Some might find this undesirable on principle, but overall it reduces the time you need to spend mindlessly digging around for materials to do your projects with. Keep in mind that increased ore generation does not mean reduced difficulty. There is
plenty of difficulty to be found here, but I think many would agree that spending hours grinding is not a legitimate form of difficulty. I understand that the first time we all played minecraft and found diamonds for the first time ever, it was a rare and exciting experience. By now, though, that has changed. Finding materials feels like a chore a lot of the time. There are, however, new high-tier ores of considerable rarity, but they are a luxury, rather than a hurdle or grind to overcome.
My goals for this server are pretty simple. I'd like to build a fun little community of friendly individuals (think mindcrack-ish) to play on the server and have fun with. I'm not advertising on minecraftforum or anything like that, and certainly not looking to make money. I just want people to get together and have fun with the modpack I've put together, and I feel like the gaf community has the right kinds of people.
I really want this community to be built from the ground up by the players. You won't spawn in some pimped-out megastructure that was built in creative mode. Again, think mindcrack. We can build a town at the server spawn point, but none of it is gonna be cheated in, and you can play an active role in its development. Build your houses, shops, restaurants, apartments, and whatever else your imagination can come up with.
Here's a sort of generalized list of features I've written up:
- More world variation! ExtraBiomesXL, Natura, and Underground Biomes provide the world with lots of new unique and interesting terrain, with tons of new foliage including new plants and wood types! Underground you will find tons of different types of stone (based on biome and height level) in addition to the generic minecraft stone, all interchangeable for crafting recipes! Basically, the world feels a lot more interesting, and you'll have a lot of materials to build with!
- More Ores & Custom tool-making! In addition to the original minecraft tools, you can find lots of ores around the world with unique properties. Melt down any ore to its molten form and cast it into tool parts to build your own unique custom tools!
- Unique Food! Grow cool new plants on your farm and make lots of exciting foods, from bacon cheese potatoes to Carrot Cake to Pasta to Hot Cocoa! Also: Beer and Wine (coming soon)! You can even open a restaurant and monetize your culinary exploits!
- Unique and Scary Monsters! In AbsurdityCraft you will find all the original minecraft mobs, as well as a lot of interesting variations on them! Defeat rare buffed mobs for a chance at rare ores, tools, armor, heart containers, and even unique, procedurally-generated artifacts (think roguelike)!
- Explore Dungeons! Dangerous dungeons generate in the world for you to conquer and loot! Keep in mind, these will not be easy!
- Give more flavor and purpose to your structures! AbsurdityCraft adds tons of new building materials to the game, as well as a way to cut blocks down to slabs and even smaller parts! Build a structure that is truly uniquely yours, and give each room a true purpose with everything from kitchen machines to magic research desks to power generators! Now more than ever, what you do with your buildings is entirely up to you!
- Magic and Technology! Create your own spells, tailored to your needs and playstyle! Research the elements that govern the universe! Create your own unique, original magical spells! Build technology both modern and arcane! Build power plants of all kinds, from nuclear to geothermal to biofuel to solar, wind, and hydroelectric power!
- Build your own boats and airships! You can turn any structure you can dream up (of 2000 blocks or less) into a boat or airship that you can then captain! Think of the possibilities!
- Reduced Grind! Dont misunderstand; there is plenty of difficulty to be found in AbsurdityCraft! However, basic minecraft ore generation has been re-configured to discourage unfun grindy activities like branch-mining (though you can still do this and gain from it if you like!) and reduce the time spent gathering ores for your projects. The basic idea is that ores now generate at any y level, because digging straight down to y level 12 and tunnelling for hours is simply Not Fun for most people.
If you want to play (and you totally should) just do the following!
1. Send me a PM with your minecraft name to be whitelisted!
2. Go to
http://www.technicpack.net/download , get the launcher, and run it.
3. On the lefthand side of the launcher, go to add new pack, then paste the following url: (quote this post to see!)
4. Click the options button in the upper-right of the launcher and increase your minecraft memory (about half of what your computer has is good, you might be able to get away with more).
5. Connect to the server!
Server address is here:
(quote post to see)
For reference, here are some general tips, as well as a (incomplete, as of right now) mods list with links to mod guides:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tMF_yKxU2zHzTkqrh_EygZE0175Y69PnXXSXdZkhyBk/edit?usp=sharing
Again, don't let this list intimidate you! It's there to show you what you
can do with this modpack/server. By no means is it a list of what you have to do.
And here's a picture of our spawn valley, waiting to be turned into an awesome town or whatever we end up doing!
note: I'm not trying to take people away from NeoCraft! I just think this could be a fun supplement to that for a lot of people who want something a bit different.
And of course, have fun!
(
TL;DR: I'm running a totally rad not-solely-tech-focused modpack private server. Easy to install. I want the community to be mostly gaffers. You should be a part of it.)