Minecraft modding is about to change forever as Mojang announces huge Java Edition news

Mojang has dropped some huge news for Minecraft Java players - especially those that love to mod. While the modding scene is already thriving in Minecraft, it's not as accessible as you'd expect for one of the best sandbox games. However, very soon, Mojang will end the obfuscation of Java's source code, which will make creating and updating mods so much easier.

In a new announcement post, the Minecraft developer acknowledges that "modding is at the heart of Java Edition," but admits that the obfuscation of its code creates barriers. While concealing and scrambling portions of source code is commonplace, it can be a pain for those wanting to create their own assets and experiences within a game.

Way back in 2019, Mojang released obfuscation mappings, which would help modders better understand what elements of the code are hidden or given different names. While that was a big help, Mojang is now going one step further by opening up Java Edition's code to everyone.

"We're changing how we ship Minecraft: Java Edition to remove obfuscation completely," the post reads. "We hope that, with this change, we can pave a future for Minecraft: Java Edition where it's easier to create, update, and debug mods."

The developer says that you'll no longer have to "untangle tricky code or deal with unclear names" when dealing with mods, and your "crash logs will actually be readable!"

In the short-term, this may cause some issues for those making some of the best Minecraft mods - but Mojang has already thought ahead. "We know that this change may pose challenges for existing modding tools, which are typically designed for obfuscated code, and we're going to help modders prepare for this change. Starting with the next snapshot we will provide un-obfuscated "experimental release" versions alongside obfuscated ones. Modders will be able to use these to test their tools and workflows before we transition fully to non-obfuscated versions."

As for when obfuscation will be fully removed, Mojang says it'll arrive with "the first snapshot following the complete Mounts of Mayhem launch," which should occur before the end of the year.

This is the second surprise that Mojang has dropped on us this week, following the unexpected reveal of two new mobs. However, this definitely feels like the biggest and most impactful for the Minecraft community.

For more, be sure to check out our best Minecraft seeds guide, or if you're looking for a new place to settle down, here are the best Minecraft house ideas.

Head on over to the PCGamesN Discord server to tell us all about your favorite mods, whether they're in Minecraft or an entirely different game.