Playing "Minecraft" Without Minecraft: A Guide to Free Minecraft-Like Compatible Game This guide shows how to play a Minecraft-like game without running any official Mojang Minecraft code by using community-made, cleanroom implementations of Minecraft's client and server. --- Overview Minecraft consists of two parts: a Client and a Server. Community-created clean implementations allow playing Minecraft without Mojang software. Tools used: Cuberite Server (C++): Minecraft-compatible server, closest to version 1.12.2. ViaProxy Protocol Translator (Java): Bridges protocol differences between Minecraft versions. Minosoft Client (Kotlin): Client application for playing. --- System Requirements 64-bit computer (preferably little endian). 4+ processor cores at >900 MHz. Minimum 4 GB RAM (less possible with techniques but slower). OpenGL capable graphics card recommended. Java 17 JDK installed (for running ViaProxy and Minosoft). --- Step 1: Installing the Server (Cuberite) Cuberite is an open-source Minecraft server implementation. Supports survival mode, nether, and end dimensions. Download from Cuberite Website appropriate for your OS. If no pre-built version for your platform, compile from source using pkgconfig. Run the server binary; it will start a Minecraft-compatible server on 127.0.0.1:25565. Keep the server running for client connections. --- Step 2: Installing the Proxy (ViaProxy) Minecraft protocol changed between 1.12.2 and 1.13, causing compatibility issues. Minosoft supports versions 1.14+, so ViaProxy translates protocols to bridge versions. Download the latest ViaProxy .jar from GitHub releases. Use a version compatible with your installed Java (preferably Java 17). Run ViaProxy and configure it according to the provided screenshot example. Start ViaProxy; it will display the IP/port needed for the client. --- Step 3: Installing the Client (Minosoft) Minosoft is the recommended client. Download the latest Minosoft build from GitHub Actions builds (green-marked stable builds). Requires Java 17 JDK to run. --- Step 4: Launching the Game Run Minosoft using Java 17. Create a new account within Minosoft (e.g., named "singleplayer"). Add a new server with the IP and port shown in the ViaProxy window. Connect to the server; you will enter the Minecraft-like world powered by Cuberite. --- Troubleshooting If connection to Cuberite fails, it might be because Cuberite defaults to "Online mode" authentication. Fix: Stop Cuberite. Open settings.ini. Change Authenticate=1 to Authenticate=0. Restart Cuberite. --- Community Response Example A user expressed nostalgia for Minecraft version 1.12.2, which this setup supports. --- Summary This approach lets you experience Minecraft gameplay using free, open-source tools without running any official Mojang software by combining: Cuberite (server) ViaProxy (protocol translator) Minosoft (client) Ideal for those wanting a cleanroom alternative or running Minecraft-like servers/clients on limited resources or old devices. --- “Making your old devices useful again since 2022!”