Customizing Data Packs

This guide explains how to create and customize your own data packs for the Alive mod.

File Structure

To create a custom data pack, you’ll need to follow this structure:

your_datapack/
├── pack.mcmeta
└── data/
    └── alive/
        ├── villager_traits/
        │   ├── armorer.json
        │   ├── butcher.json
        │   └── ... (other profession files)
        ├── villager_names.json
        ├── world.json
        └── mods.json

Creating a Basic Data Pack

Create a new folder in your Minecraft world’s datapacks directory
Create a pack.mcmeta file with this content:

{
  "pack": {
    "pack_format": 10,
    "description": "Your custom data pack for Alive mod"
  }
}

Create the necessary folders and files following the structure above

Customizing Villager Traits

Each profession has its own JSON file in the villager_traits directory. The file structure looks like this:

{
  "Archetypes": ["Trait 1", "Trait 2", ...],
  "Personalities": ["Trait 1", "Trait 2", ...],
  "Backstories": ["Story 1", "Story 2", ...],
  "Goals": ["Goal 1", "Goal 2", ...],
  "Fears": ["Fear 1", "Fear 2", ...],
  "Quirks": ["Quirk 1", "Quirk 2", ...],
  "SpeechPatterns": ["Pattern 1", "Pattern 2", ...],
  "PhysicalTraits": ["Trait 1", "Trait 2", ...],
  "Relationships": ["Relationship 1", "Relationship 2", ...],
  "Values": ["Value 1", "Value 2", ...],
  "Hobbies": ["Hobby 1", "Hobby 2", ...],
  "CulturalBackground": ["Background 1", "Background 2", ...],
  "AgeGroup": ["Age 1", "Age 2", ...],
  "LifeEvents": ["Event 1", "Event 2", ...],
  "EmotionalState": ["State 1", "State 2", ...]
}

You can add, remove, or modify any of these traits to customize the villager’s personality and behavior.

Example: Custom Farmer Traits

{
  "Archetypes": ["Green Thumb", "Crop Whisperer", "Soil Scientist"],
  "Personalities": ["Patient", "Hard-working", "Early Riser"],
  "Backstories": [
    "Grew up on a family farm",
    "Learned farming from village elders"
  ],
  "Goals": ["Grow the perfect pumpkin", "Expand the village farms"],
  "Fears": ["Crop failure", "Drought", "Pests"]
}

Customizing Villager Names

The villager_names.json file contains a list of names that can be assigned to villagers:

{
  "Names": [
    "Name1",
    "Name2",
    "Name3",
    ...
  ]
}

You can add, remove, or modify names in this list to customize the pool of names available for villagers.

Customizing World Instructions

The world.json file contains default instructions that apply to all entities in the world:

{
  "Instructions": "Your custom world instructions here. This text provides general guidance about the world, its rules, and how entities should behave."
}

You can modify this text to set the tone and rules for your world.

Customizing Mod Information

The mods.json file contains information about various mods:

{
  "Mods": [
    {
      "Name": "Mod Name",
      "Instructions": "Information about the mod"
    },
    {
      "Name": "Another Mod",
      "Instructions": "Information about another mod"
    }
  ]
}

You can add, remove, or modify entries in this list to provide information about the mods in your game.

Loading Your Custom Data Pack

To load your custom data pack:

Place it in the datapacks folder of your Minecraft world
Start or reload the game
Type /reload in the game chat to reload data packs if the game is already running

Tips for Creating Good Data Packs

Be consistent: Keep a consistent tone and style across all your custom content
Be specific: The more specific and detailed your traits and instructions, the more interesting and unique your villagers will be
Be creative: Don’t be afraid to add unusual or unexpected traits to make your villagers stand out
Test thoroughly: After making changes, test your data pack to make sure everything works as expected

You can share your custom data packs with other players by:

Zipping the data pack folder
Sharing the zip file
Having other players extract it to their datapacks folder

This allows you to create and share unique villager experiences with the Alive mod community.