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Datapack: Quest/Task Demo

October 04, 2025​

Focus​

  • Quest Hub system demonstration and functionality
  • Data pack and resource pack creation process
  • Step-by-step quest creation walkthrough
  • Accessibility for non-technical contributors

Quest Hub Overview​

Current Status​

  • Not in official 0.1.4 release
  • Available in unofficial release for build server
  • Shows set of five quests (four if one completed)
  • Completing all five gives new set
  • Exiting rift resets quests

Implementation Options​

  • Intended as NPC or entity
  • Could include notice board
  • Placeholder sufficient for now, reassess later

Guild Integration Question​

  • Are quests only given by guild members?
  • Will quests be guild-specific?

Quest System Structure​

Two-Part System​

Data Pack (functional information):

  • Goal information (event, delivery items)
  • Reward information (item, loot table)
  • Task specifications (mob label, quantities)
  • Rift tier requirements (min/max)
  • Theme specifications

Resource Pack (display text):Quest title​

  • Quest description (flavor text)
  • Only two lines of code per quest
  • Editable directly through Notepad

Current Quest Capabilities​

Quest Types​

  • Kill specific mob
  • Complete rift
  • Turn in item

Quest Parameters​

  • Mob type and quantity
  • Rift tier range (min/max)
  • Specific themes
  • Reward items or loot tables

Creation Process Walkthrough​

Example Quest Created​

DemoQuest:

  • Turn in: 1 gravel block
  • Reward: 1 dirt block
  • Title: "This is a demo"
  • Description: "Yay, dirt"

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Data Pack Creation:

Create new file (e.g., "DemoQuest") Copy template from existing quest (e.g., Skillthread) Modify reward item Modify turn-in item Set quantities

  1. Resource Pack Update:

Add quest title Add quest description Match quest name to data pack name

  1. Loading Changes:

Data pack: Loads automatically when launching world (if in correct location)

Resource pack: Must be manually reloaded through options menu Quit to title screen for reliable data pack reloading

Accessibility for Non-Technical Contributors​

Simplified Process​

  • No fancy editors needed, Notepad works fine
  • Copy-paste friendly, Two lines per quest in resource pack
  • Template-based, Use existing quests as starting point
  • Conversion support available, Contributors will convert text to JSON format

??? Tool​

  • Write JSON by filling in elements
  • Drop-down menus for types and items
  • "If you give me those six pieces of information, I can turn it into this easy enough"

Non-Coder Approach​

Write out quest concept in text:

  • Quest goal/task
  • Items required
  • Quantities
  • Rewards
  • Title
  • Description

Someone else converts to data pack/resource pack format.

Technical Details​

File Locations​

  • Resource Packs:

Highest level in Minecraft folder Alongside "mods" and "config" folders

  • Data Packs:

Within world save folder Under "datapacks" folder

Quest Variants​

Mob Kill Quest:​

  • No rift requirement
  • Tracks specific entity defeats

Rift Completion Quest:​

  • Requires quest takes place in rift
  • Can specify tier range and themes

Item Delivery Quest:​

  • Acquire and turn in items
  • Can use single item or loot table rewards

Overriding Quests​

  • Name new quest same as existing quest
  • Replaces original quest definition

Ability Data Packing​

Current Status​

  • Documentation planned after 0.2.0 changes
  • Complexity depends on NBT data requirements
  • More information per line than quests

Template Usage​

  • Existing abilities (e.g., Icicles) serve as templates
  • Adjust settings: velocity, damage, mana cost
  • Novel abilities more challenging until documentation complete

Limitations​

  • Depends on existence of modules defining desired functionality
  • If modules unavailable, data packing may not be possible
  • Upcoming release determines which functionalities can be data packed
  • Dev team will assess what's needed for new specifiable abilities

Data Packs vs Mod Integration​

Current Approach​

  • Use data packs for testing new quests and functionalities
  • Eventually merge into mod itself
  • Process applies to all data pack content, not just quests

When to Use Data Packs​

  • Testing new content
  • Content intended for other mods (e.g., sophisticated backpack quest reward)
  • Flexible experimentation without mod version updates
  • "I didn't need to update my mod version. I didn't need to go through GitHub to set it up. I could just change that text file directly myself."

Key Takeaways​

Process Summary​

  • Data pack contains functional quest information
  • Resource pack contains player-facing text
  • Data pack auto-loads from correct location
  • Resource pack requires manual reload
  • No GitHub or mod updates needed for testing

Accessibility​

  • Technical barriers minimized through templates and support
  • Contributors can focus on quest design
  • Technical implementation handled by others if needed