Minecraft has everything from exciting gameplay nostalgic old-school graphics, and a passionate fan base. No wonder Microsoft bought it for $2.5B. So what is keeping the show running, and how many lines of code are there in Minecraft?
Minecraft is a closed-source project. So it is impossible to say how many lines of code Minecraft has with complete certainty. However, the game’s latest version has between 200,000 to around 500,000 lines of code.
Let’s see why it is difficult to give a precise number.
How Many Lines of Code Does Minecraft Have?
Minecraft is a closed-source project. So it is impossible to say how many lines of code Minecraft has with complete certainty. The game’s latest version has between 200,000 to around 500,000 lines of code.
However, someone decompiled Minecraft’s code and found 285,000 lines of code.
Here is the thing, the total ‘code base’ can comprise many moving parts. And the tricky bit here is that counting lines of code is more complex than you might think.
A massive game like Minecraft is also made from many different packages and mods. These packages help with gameplay, graphics, and complex game logic.
Packages are ‘imported’ from other files. They can have hundreds and thousands of lines of code themselves. So, you may or may not count them as Minecraft’s ‘own’ source code.
Can You Decompile Minecraft?
Even though Minecraft is a closed source, you are allowed to decompile it according to its license. By decompiling, you can reverse engineer the code base and technically see how many lines of code Minecraft has.
Now, what is decompiling? Well, this is not a gaming term specifically. It is more of a software engineering term. Decompiling refers to converting an executable file to a high-level language. It is the exact opposite of compiling.
The source code for any project, in this case, Minecraft, is the original intellectual property of the creator/owners. As a result, you cannot use it after decompiling it any way you want. But if the tinkering bug has bitten you, it can be fun to decompile a code base. Here is one way to do it:
Step 1: Download Mod Coder Pack (related: Why can’t I find the Minecraft mods folder?)
Step 2: Extract Mod Coder Pack
Step 3: In a Bash window in the MCP folder, run the following command:
bash decompile.sh;
find src -type f | grep ‘\.java’ | xargs cat | wc -l;
***WARNING***
Although decompiling Minecraft is okay, you should not use the code for personal gain.
Technologies That Power Minecraft
There are different versions of Minecraft. However, its original Java version was made with the Java programming language. Other open-source technologies like LWJGL, JOrbis, and 3d Sound System are used too.
Minecraft is a unique game in the sense that its scale is enormous. But let’s be honest; that is what makes it fun to play. Players can build anything they want. And create the experience they want to have.
You can hop into any four modes – Creative, Adventure, Survival, and Spectator. There is also a Hardcore mode, not for the weak of heart though. Minecraft also allows you to team up with your buddy for some multiplayer action. Frankly, it is entertaining!
Since it gives a ton of freedom to the player, using a traditional game engine like Unity or Unreal Engine is difficult. For example, collision detection and the huge number of textured cubes must work very efficiently. So, Minecraft uses a lightweight Java Game Engine and other tools. Other versions of Minecraft, like Minecraft Bedrock, use C++ as well.
Innovation has not stopped. Microsoft announced that it would partner with Nvidia to bring ray tracing. It is also available on VR and AR platforms.
Powering everything is Microsoft’s Azure Cloud. Which helped people from all over the world enjoy the game seamlessly. You can play Minecraft anywhere. The popular game is available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, and even Linux.
Conclusions
Since Minecraft is a closed-source game, how many lines of code there are in Minecraft is not public information. However, a good guess is it has between 200,000 to 500,000 lines of code. Thank you very much for reading the article this far and I hope I’ll see you again around here. See you and take care!
