NeoBiosphere

A Biosphere world generation mod for NeoForge 1.21.1.

NeoBiosphere generates large grid-aligned spheres in the Overworld (with an optional upper-hemisphere mode) while preserving vanilla biome sampling behavior. This allows different climate zones and terrain styles to appear naturally across different spheres. You can fine-tune sphere size, spacing, center height, bridge behavior, and more through configuration.

Highlights

• Sphere-based Overworld generation with a clean grid layout.
• Multi-biome support based on vanilla noise biome sampling.
• Highly configurable parameters: radius, spacing, center Y, sphere block, bridge options, and more.
• Per-sphere variety: each sphere gets a random size and block type from configurable lists, while remaining deterministic across world reloads.
• Optional upper-hemisphere mode for sky-island or challenge-style gameplay.
• Automatic sphere-to-sphere bridges for smoother exploration.
• Compatibility-oriented implementation via Biome Modifier and noise routing integration.

Requirements

• Minecraft: 1.21.1
• NeoForge: 21.1.216+
• Java: 21

Installation

1. Install NeoForge for Minecraft 1.21.1.
2. Put the mod jar into your mods folder.
3. Launch the game and create a new world.

Using a fresh world is strongly recommended to avoid broken borders with previously generated chunks.

Configuration

Config file path in development environment: run/config/NeoBiosphere.toml

Typical path in normal client/server installations: <game_dir>/config/NeoBiosphere.toml

Main Settings

[Settings]
radius = 128
min_radius = 128
spacing = 500
center_y = 62
sphere_block = ["minecraft:glass"] = true
bridge_block = "minecraft:oak_planks"
bridge_radius = 1

• radius: Maximum sphere radius.
• min_radius: Minimum sphere radius. Set equal to radius for fixed-size spheres; set lower to enable per-sphere random sizing.
• spacing: Distance between sphere center points on the grid.
• center_y: Y level of sphere centers.
• sphere_block: List of block IDs used for sphere shells. Each sphere randomly picks one type from the list, deterministically based on its grid position. For example ["minecraft:glass", "minecraft:stone", "minecraft:obsidian"].
• only_upper_hemisphere: Generate only upper hemispheres when enabled.
• generate_bridge: Enable or disable bridges between adjacent spheres.
• bridge_block: Block used for bridges.
• bridge_radius: Bridge radius (larger values make thicker bridges).

Tuning Notes

• Overlap behavior depends on spacing versus 2 * radius.
• If spacing > 2 * radius, spheres have gaps between them.
• If spacing = 2 * radius, spheres are tangent.
• If spacing < 2 * radius, spheres overlap.

Suggested presets:

• Classic style: radius=128, min_radius=128, spacing=500, center_y=62
• Compact exploration: radius=160, min_radius=160, spacing=320, center_y=70
• Challenge mode: only_upper_hemisphere=true, generate_bridge=true
• Varied spheres: radius=180, min_radius=80, sphere_block=["minecraft:glass", "minecraft:stone", "minecraft:obsidian"]

Compatibility

NeoBiosphere is designed to support most terrain/ecology mod setups, but world generation is a high-conflict area. Please note:

• Usually compatible with:

  • Mods that mainly add mobs, vegetation, structures, or surface features.
  • Mods that append content through Biome Modifiers.

• Potential conflicts with:

  • Mods or datapacks that directly replace noise settings for minecraft:overworld, minecraft:large_biomes, or minecraft:amplified.
  • Mods that deeply alter Carver, Aquifer, or ChunkGenerator pipelines.

• Recommended approach:

  • Treat NeoBiosphere as the primary world-shape mod.
  • Test in a fresh world before finalizing load order and datapack priority in modpacks.

Covered Overworld Noise Presets

Current version includes support for these Overworld presets:

• minecraft:overworld
• minecraft:large_biomes
• minecraft:amplified

FAQ

1. Why does my old world look incomplete?

Changing world generation settings does not regenerate already created chunks. A new world is recommended.

2. Why are bridges not generating?

Check the following:

• generate_bridge=true
• bridge_radius >= 1
• bridge_block is a valid block ID

3. Why are spheres different sizes or using different blocks?

This is expected when min_radius < radius or when sphere_block contains multiple entries. Each sphere deterministically picks its own size and block type based on its grid coordinates, so reloading the world always produces the same sphere layout.

4. Why is the sphere shell block not applied?

Make sure each block ID in the list is valid, for example minecraft:glass. Invalid IDs can cause config load failure or fallback behavior. If using a single block type, the list must still be formatted as ["minecraft:glass"].

5. What should I do if another terrain mod conflicts?

First check whether both mods modify Overworld noise settings or Carver flow. In heavy conflicts, keep only one primary world-shape mod.

License

GNU General Public License v3.0

Feedback

Issue tracker:

• https://github.com/mlus-asuka/NeoBiosphere/issues