I see “Vanilla Minecraft” referred to a lot, but it seems to have different definitions here and there.
Is it just Minecraft without data packs, resource backs, etc? So, like, “out of the box”? Or is it really something else?
You must log in or register to comment.
In my mind that refers specifically to an unmodded Java version.
It depends on context. When speaking specifically about gameplay, vanilla Minecraft to me is anything that doesnt modify how the game functions, or add any addiional blocks, so performamce mods and texture mods still retain the vanilla gameplay experience.
In terms of hard vanilla, would just be a stock install, no adjustments.
Well your first definition is opinion based so all good. The second one is imprecise, as a setting is an adjustment and not out of the range of vanilla Minecraft. Texture packs and data packs are often considered vanilla as well, so no “adjustments” at all is indeed a little hard.
Vanilla just means no mods. No extra downloads, no texture packs, no third party interface.
For me I consider it vanilla if there are no mods. But plugins I still consider vanilla cause I can join without downloading anything
When it comes to Java there are very few people who would fall under the definition of playing “Vanilla” Minecraft. Almost everyone uses Optifine or Sodium. I would also say that using any resource pack still counts as vanilla, as long as it isn’t X-Ray. I would define myself as a mostly vanilla player but I feel like the mostly vanilla devinition is very gray. Some people would say using things like sleeping bags, backpacks, minibosses, and/or extra inventory utilities would be mostly vanilla.
Mostly just Minecraft out of the box. I feel that resource packs and certain performance mods like optifine could be accurately referred to as “vanilla with optifine” or “vanilla with such-and-such pack.” Once you get into datapacks or Forge or Fabric or hacked clients, it’s not vanilla.
Serverside, it’s a little more dodgy. How many server plugins can you have before it’s not vanilla?
That said, I don’t think there’s much reason to play Java Edition over Bedrock other than mods or wanting to play on older, pre-bedrock versions. Then again, I almost solely play modded anymore so I don’t have a lot of vanilla Bedrock under my belt to compare the two.
On the server side, as soon as you switch to a modified server software (even just bukkit) - it contains modifications to the original game, and as such, I don’t think it can be considered vanilla.
No mods
“Vanilla”, since it is the most basic flavour to consume (…at least for ice cream), is used across gaming to refer to the most basic way of consuming a game - meaning the the out of the box experience with no mods etc.
No, you’ve got it right. I would say no mods, and no resource/data packs would be vanilla.
Vanilla is without mods imo
Once there’s QoL mods it becomes something akin to Vanilla+ and then once there’s content adding mods it’s modded
Vanilla is without mods imo
Once there’s QoL mods it becomes something akin to Vanilla+ and then once there’s content adding mods it’s modded
Literally, it means no mods.
But sometimes performance mods are allowed.
Or sometimes certain launchers are allowed.
Sometimes texture packs aren’t.
Or shaders are.
Or playing with keepInventory on or doFireTick off isn’t.
I have no goddamn clue anymore.
As far as game mechanics, no mods that change gameplay in any meaningful way (including quality-of-life mods) is vanilla.
In terms of tech support, an unmodified base install is vanilla. (This is important because if you are looking for help with a crash for example, knowing you have OptiFine or something is very relevant.)
Define “meaningful way”. What about resource packs? They change how the game looks drastically, but it’s purely visual. What about performance mods? Higher and lower FPS definitely impact one’s movement and accuracy with a mouse.
In my opinion, this is usually how I classify things:
- Vanilla: no mods, resource packs allowed (it just changes visuals anyway, and the funtionality is included in the base game).
- Vanilla+: may contain mods/datapacks that simply tweak experiences in a way that don’t alter the flow of the game much. Things like Optifine/Iris, Sodium/Rubidium, fast leaf decay, immersive portals, right-click-harvest, mouse/crafting tweaks, and I’d even say player/mob heads. Essentially, doesn’t add blocks, items, etc, but just enhances small parts of the game that you’re already doing in vanilla.
- Modded: adds blocks, items, functionality, or more, beyond the scope of Vanilla+
deleted by creator
Vanilla: Straight out of the box, normal vanilla. You can add sprinkles, and it’s still vanilla.
French Vanilla: Technically not vanilla anymore, it’s named after the French way of making ice cream. But it’s close enough. When you give someone french vanilla ice cream and say it’s vanilla, they won’t get mad.
Chocolate: This is not vanilla. It is chocolate. Clearly different.
Rocky Road: Oh fuck, we added too many mods and now it’s crashing constantly.
Personally, I think “vanilla” Minecraft is anything that can be compatible with the official client but that can be a controversial take. If you can download something and execute it within the client all during runtime I’d say it’s still vanilla
Vanilla just means unmodified, exactly what you think.
However, some people might still refer to mods that don’t significantly change gameplay as vanilla. For instance, the Vanilla Tweaks resource pack is filled with small changes to the appearance of things in the game. Some might also consider the Optifine or Sodium mods to be Vanilla since they don’t change gameplay.
I’d say it’s also a bit contextual and on a spectrum.
If you’re using Optifine/Sodium for performance, it’s pretty vanilla. If you get a crash and you use Optifine, you definitely can’t claim to be playing vanilla.
If you’re talking about shaders and you say you prefer the vanilla style, you’re probably talking about flat and pixelated blocks and not the 50 tech mods you’re running.
If you’re talking about how tech mods are too complicated for you, and you like simple vanilla mechanics, you may still be running heavy shaders to make it pretty and you’re probably a builder.
Exactly my thoughts. There’s vanilla in terms of modded/unmodded, and then there’s how close it looks or feels to the base game.
I consider vanilla anything where no game mechanics are changed. Resource packs and performance mods are vanilla. Vanilla Tweaks is no longer vanilla.
