Microsoft to remove code obfuscation from Minecraft Java Edition, greatly helping modders

Microsoft is making a substantial change to Minecraft: Java Edition by removing code obfuscation, a practice that has been in place since the game's release. Code obfuscation made the source unreadable, complicating the work of community modders who relied on confusing, scrambled function and class names. While Microsoft previously tried to ease this challenge in 2019 by providing “obfuscation mappings” — lists to help modders match obfuscated terms to real terms — the new move will eliminate the need for such intermediaries.

With this update, modders should find it easier and faster to create, update, and debug mods. The source code and crash logs will be readable, removing much of the guesswork previously involved. However, this change will bring some temporary difficulty for those using existing modding tools, which expect obfuscated code. To address this, starting with the next release snapshot, Microsoft will offer unobfuscated experimental versions in parallel with the traditional obfuscated ones. This approach will give modders and tool creators a transition period to test and adapt their workflows in advance.

Following the Mounts of Mayhem update, the first Minecraft: Java Edition snapshot to ship will be the first official version delivered without obfuscation.