Minecraft's Bedrock community has recently been caught in a storm of confusion, chaos, and frustration following the 1.21.20 update. Players logging into their beloved worlds have found that add-ons no longer work, with custom blocks disappearing and mods breaking. This issue stems from the removal of the Holiday Creator experimental toggle, a feature long used by add-on creators.
In this post, we’ll explore what this toggle was, why it was removed, and how the new custom components system impacts Minecraft's modding scene. More importantly, we’ll discuss how this change, while difficult, could lead to exciting new possibilities for add-on development in the future.
Table of Contents
What Was the Holiday Creator Feature?
The Holiday Creator feature in Minecraft Bedrock Edition allowed users to experiment with unique blocks, items, and even scripting commands. It was a toggle that enabled add-ons from the holiday update. This experimental feature essentially made modding in Minecraft accessible and adaptable, enabling designers to create rich, personalized experiences within their worlds.
This feature is essential to the Bedrock Edition modding community because it was used in several well-known mods, such as the run command method and molong upgrades. However, this setting was deleted with the 1.21.20 release, which caused a major disruption in all add-ons.
Why Was the Holiday Creator Feature Removed?
The removal of the Holiday Creator toggle wasn’t a surprise. Mojang announced months ago that the toggle would be phased out, giving developers plenty of time to prepare. A tweet from May 2023 confirmed this change, with Mojang introducing new features like custom components to replace the old system.
⚠️IMPORTANT⚠️
— Bedrock Add-Ons (@Bedrock_AddOns) May 21, 2024
Mojang is removing the Holiday Creator Features toggle. The current plan is to remove the toggle in 1.21.10. The replacement for block and item events are custom components. Custom components are also planned to be shipped to stable in 1.21.10.
So, why did Mojang remove it? In short, the Holiday Creator toggle had become outdated and restrictive. While it allowed for significant customization, it was far from perfect. Over time, the development team found better ways to enable add-on customization, and the introduction of custom components has become a superior alternative.
The Rise of Custom Components: A New Era for Minecraft Add-Ons
Custom components are at the heart of the Minecraft 1.21.20 update. These new
components allow modders to tie blocks and items directly to scripts using
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). This approach adds more
flexibility and control, ensuring scripts run only when relevant to specific
blocks or items. In practical terms, custom components enable developers to
craft more complex and optimized add-ons with less overhead.
For example, Poggy is a well-known member of the Bedrock community, he discusses about the benefits of custom components. According to Poggy, while the transition has caused temporary disruption, it is the best thing to happen to add-ons. Creators may accomplish things they could not with the previous system thanks to custom components, which open up new possibilities.
This upgrade, however, requires developers to have some knowledge of JavaScript and scripting, which brings us to the root of the frustration.
Why Are Players and Developers Upset?
Players are furious because their favorite mods are now broken as a result of the Holiday Creator toggle being removed. Many users expressed their dissatisfaction on social media sites like Reddit and Discord, claiming that entire worlds created with custom add-ons are now useless.
The backlash isn’t just because the toggle is gone - it’s also because many add-on creators have either stopped updating their mods or don’t have the skills to port them to the new system. As Poggy explains, the shift to custom components requires scripting knowledge, and for some developers, learning JavaScript is a daunting task. Furthermore, a large portion of add-ons in Minecraft Bedrock were created by developers who may no longer be active in the community, leaving their creations abandoned.
The result? A growing fear that some of the most beloved mods in Minecraft will never work again, leaving players feeling like all their hard work was for nothing.
Can Your Add-Ons Be Saved?
Despite the frustration, there’s a silver lining: yes, add-ons can be saved. Every single mod created with the Holiday Creator feature can be ported over to the new custom components system, though it will take time and effort from each developer. Poggy has already updated her popular add-on, Better on Bedrock, which now works flawlessly with Minecraft 1.21.20.
For simple add-ons, the process of updating to custom components is relatively straightforward. Developers with basic JavaScript knowledge can rework their mods to fit within the new system. However, for more complex add-ons, the task can be more challenging.
The Future of Add-On Development in Minecraft Bedrock
While this shift in the add-on system is painful in the short term, it could lead to a brighter future for Minecraft Bedrock modding. With the introduction of custom components, developers now have a more powerful toolkit to create unique and sophisticated experiences in Minecraft.
That said, the key challenge lies in ensuring active developers update their mods, and that the community remains engaged in supporting these changes. If you rely on older add-ons from inactive developers, you may have to either learn scripting yourself or hope that a new wave of creators will step in to fill the gap.
Conclusion
The removal of the Holiday Creator toggle has undoubtedly shaken the Minecraft Bedrock community, with many players feeling frustrated and abandoned. However, with the introduction of custom components, we are entering a new era of modding possibilities. While the transition may be bumpy, the future holds exciting opportunities for creating even more immersive and dynamic Minecraft experiences.
If you are a creator, now is the time to explore custom components and learn how to update your add-ons. For players, stay engaged with your favorite developers and encourage them to adapt to the new system. Check out resources on scripting, JavaScript, and custom components to better understand how Minecraft’s modding landscape is evolving.