Linux Format - UK (2019-12)

88 LXF257 December 2019 http://www.linuxformat.com

CODING ACADEMY Hacking Minecraft

make sure you’ve got Python installed: the command

sudo apt-get install python should suffice for any

Debian-based distro (after doing a sudo apt-get update,

of course).

It’s always best to backup your Minecraft folder first

before making any changes. It can be found hidden in

your /home as .minecraft. The keyboard shortcut

Ctrl+H can be used in most file explorers to show

hidden directories, or use ls -la if you’re not a fan of the

GUI. In a terminal window mv ~/.minecraft ~/minecraft-

backup should suffice to save a hidden backup

(remember to remove this later if you don’t need it, as

it’ll only take up extra space).

Extract the new .minecraft directory from

McPiFoMo directly into your Home directory. You may

need to sudo apt-get install unrar if your system

doesn’t recognise the RAR file. unrar xe McPiFoMo.rar

~/.minecraft should then do the trick. If you have

his issue sees the last in our series of Minecraft

Python coding tutorials. Over the last six

issues, we’ve looked at integrating Python

code into Minecraft, giving us the creative freedom to

produce all kinds of wonderful monstrosities.

We’ve looked at how to move our character around

the world (see LXF252) using code, building blocks with

code and automatically building prefabricated

creations. We experimented with Turtle graphics

(see LXF255), pixel art and vector graphics (see LXF256)

in Minecraft. We even designed our own graphical user

interface, with buttons to spawn buildings (see LXF254)

in our Minecraft worlds.

Minecraft could be considered one of the most

creative video games of our time, with virtual

environments spanning acres of procedurally generated

random biomes. The world and its contents are left to

the player’s imagination. However, in Minecraft one’s

creativity is usually limited to the in-game tools

provided. Now, thanks to the release of the Raspberry

Pi version of Minecraft, we’re finally able to hook

directly into the API with Python and program away to

our heart’s content.

Combining Raspberry Pi Jam, developed by

Alexander Pruss, with the community project Forge

we’re able to use the Raspberry Pi Minecraft API on

Linux. We’ve put together a package called McPiFoMo

(Minecraft Pi Forge Mod) that does all of this for you at

http://rogerthat.co.uk/McPiFoMo.rar. McPiFoMo

includes MCPiPy by fleap and bluepillRabbit.

You will need to set up and prepare your Minecraft

installation with McPiFoMo. However, if you’re using the

Minecraft Pi edition on a Raspberry Pi, no additional

software is necessary.

Prep and install

Download and install the appropriate version of

Minecraft for your distro of choice. Developers Mojang

offers pre-packaged solutions for Debian/Ubuntu and

Arch (DEB and AUR respectively), and a generic java

version for everyone else at http://www.minecraft.net/

en-us/download/alternative. Next, you’ll want to

Scanning a network for other computers running Minecraft, ready

for us to take over with our hacks.

Hacking Minecraft

games with Python

Calvin Robinson demonstrates how to use Python to hack into a

friend’s Minecraft game and create a chatbot.

Calvin Robinson

is a former

assistant

principal and

Computer

Science teacher

with a degree in

Computer Games

Design and

Programming

BSc (Hons).

T

MINECRAFT

OUR

EXPERT

As fun as it is

to hack into

a friend’s

Minecraft

game, please do

remember to

get permission

from your

friend before

you do anything.

CODING ACADEMY

88 LXF257 December 2019 http://www.linuxformat.com

makesureyou’vegotPythoninstalled:thecommand

sudo apt-get install python should suffice for any

Debian-based distro (after doing a sudo apt-get update,

of course).

It’s always best to backup your Minecraft folder first

before making any changes. It can be found hidden in

your /home as .minecraft. The keyboard shortcut

Ctrl+H can be used in most file explorers to show

hidden directories, or use ls -la if you’re not a fan of the

GUI. In a terminal window mv ~/.minecraft ~/minecraft-

backup should suffice to save a hidden backup

(remember to remove this later if you don’t need it, as

it’ll only take up extra space).

Extract the new .minecraft directory from

McPiFoMo directly into your Home directory. You may

need to sudo apt-get install unrar if your system

doesn’t recognise the RAR file. unrar xe McPiFoMo.rar

~/.minecraft should then do the trick. If you have

hisissueseesthelastinourseriesofMinecraft

Pythoncodingtutorials.Overthelastsix

issues,we’velookedatintegratingPython

codeintoMinecraft, givingusthecreativefreedomto

produceallkindsofwonderfulmonstrosities.

We’velookedathowtomoveourcharacteraround

theworld(seeLXF252) usingcode,buildingblockswith

codeandautomaticallybuildingprefabricated

creations.WeexperimentedwithTurtlegraphics

(seeLXF255), pixelartandvectorgraphics(seeLXF256)

inMinecraft. Weevendesignedourowngraphicaluser

interface,withbuttonstospawnbuildings(seeLXF254)

inourMinecraftworlds.

Minecraftcouldbeconsideredoneofthemost

creativevideogamesofourtime,withvirtual

environmentsspanningacresofprocedurallygenerated

randombiomes.Theworldanditscontentsareleftto

theplayer’simagination.However,inMinecraftone’s

creativityisusuallylimitedtothein-gametools

provided.Now,thankstothereleaseoftheRaspberry

PiversionofMinecraft, we’refinallyabletohook

directly into the API with Python and program away to

our heart’s content.

Combining Raspberry Pi Jam, developed by

Alexander Pruss, with the community project Forge

we’re able to use the Raspberry Pi Minecraft API on

Linux. We’ve put together a package called McPiFoMo

(Minecraft Pi Forge Mod) that does all of this for you at

http://rogerthat.co.uk/McPiFoMo.rar. McPiFoMo

includes MCPiPy by fleap and bluepillRabbit.

You will need to set up and prepare your Minecraft

installation with McPiFoMo. However, if you’re using the

Minecraft Pi edition on a Raspberry Pi, no additional

software is necessary.

Prep and install

Download and install the appropriate version of

Minecraft for your distro of choice. Developers Mojang

offers pre-packaged solutions for Debian/Ubuntu and

Arch (DEB and AUR respectively), and a generic java

version for everyone else at http://www.minecraft.net/

en-us/download/alternative. Next, you’ll want to

Scanning a network for other computers running Minecraft, ready

for us to take over with our hacks.

Hacking Minecraft

games with Python

Calvin Robinsondemonstrates how to use Python to hack into a

friend’sMinecraftgame and create a chatbot.

CalvinRobinson

is a former

assistant

principal and

Computer

Science teacher

with a degree in

Computer Games

Design and

Programming

BSc (Hons).

T

MINECRAFT

OUR

EXPERT

Asfunasit is

tohackinto

a friend’s

Minecraft

game,pleasedo

rememberto

getpermission

fromyour

friendbefore

youdoanything.

CODING ACADEMY