linkWorld Generation

This guide covers custom world generation using Kore's Kotlin DSL. It maps common datapack JSON files to concise Kotlin builders.

linkWhat is World Generation?

World generation (worldgen) is the procedural generation process Minecraft uses to algorithmically generate terrain, biomes, features, and structures. Because there are over 18 quintillion (2⁶⁴) possible worlds, the game generates them using randomness, algorithms, and some manually built decorations.

The generation process uses gradient noise algorithms (like Perlin noise) to ensure terrain has both continuity and randomness. Multiple noise functions with different frequencies and amplitudes (called octaves) are combined to create natural-looking variation with hills, valleys, and other terrain features.

See World generation for the full technical breakdown.

linkGeneration Steps

Minecraft generates chunks through multiple sequential steps. Incomplete chunks are called proto-chunks, while fully generated chunks accessible to players are level chunks:

1. structures_starts - Calculate starting points for structure pieces
2. structures_references - Store references to nearby structure starts
3. biomes - Determine and store biomes (no terrain yet)
4. noise - Generate base terrain shape and liquid bodies
5. surface - Replace terrain surface with biome-dependent blocks
6. carvers - Carve caves and canyons
7. features - Place features, structures, and generate heightmaps
8. light - Calculate light levels for all blocks
9. spawn - Spawn initial mobs
10. full - Generation complete, proto-chunk becomes level chunk

Reference: World generation steps

linkDocumentation Structure

World generation is split into focused pages:

• Biomes - Climate, visuals, mob spawns, carvers, and feature lists
• Dimensions - Dimensions and dimension types
• Environment Attributes - Visual, audio, and gameplay attributes for biomes and dimensions
• Features - Configured and placed features (trees, ores, vegetation)
• Noise & Terrain - Density functions, noise definitions, and noise settings
• Structures - Structures, template pools, processors, and structure sets
• World Presets - World presets and flat level generator presets

linkDecoration Steps

Minecraft runs 11 decoration steps in order for each chunk; structures of a step place before features in that step.

Reference: Decoration steps

linkOutput Paths

Kore APIs generate JSON under standard datapack directories (replace <ns> with your namespace):

linkEnvironment Attributes

Biomes and dimension types support a flexible attributes map for visuals, audio, and gameplay rules shared across environments.

import io.github.ayfri.kore.features.worldgen.AttributeModifier
import io.github.ayfri.kore.features.worldgen.environmentattributes.*

attributes {
	skyColor(0x78A7FF)

	// When a modifier is set, the value expands to { "argument": ..., "modifier": ... }
	fogColor(0xC0D8FF, AttributeModifier.ADD)
}

linkQuick Start Example

val dp = DataPack("my_pack")

// 1) Dimension type
val dimType = dp.dimensionType("example_type") {
	minY = -64
	height = 384
	hasSkylight = true
}

// 2) Noise settings
val terrain = dp.noiseSettings("example_noise") {
	noiseOptions(-64, 384, 1, 2)
}

// 3) Biome with features
val plains = dp.biome("example_plains") {
	temperature = 0.8f
	downfall = 0.4f
	hasPrecipitation = true

	attributes {
		skyColor(0x78A7FF)
		fogColor(0xC0D8FF)
		waterFogColor(0x050533)
	}

	effects {
		waterColor = color(0x3F76E4)
	}
}

// 4) Dimension
val dim = dp.dimension("example_dimension", type = dimType) {
	// noiseGenerator(settings = terrain, biomeSource = ...)
}

// 5) World preset
dp.worldPreset("example_preset") {
	dimension(DimensionTypes.OVERWORLD) {
		type = dimType
	}
}

linkTips & Testing

• In-game commands:

  • Teleport: /execute in <ns>:<dimension> run tp @s 0 200 0
  • Locate: /locate structure <ns>:<structure_name>
  • Reload: /reload

• Validation: Check your configs against the Minecraft Wiki JSON schemas.

• Performance: Keep feature counts and structure spacing reasonable.

• Testing: Use GameTest for deterministic validation; see Test Features.

linkCross-References

• Colors - RGB and ARGB color formats used in environment attributes
• Environment Attributes - Full reference for visual, audio, and gameplay attributes
• Predicates - Condition logic for features
• Test Features - Automated validation with GameTest
• Timelines - Animate environment attributes over time using keyframes and easing functions