How Vivecraft Works in Multiplayer with Non-VR Players

Vivecraft supports single-player, LAN multiplayer, and server multiplayer, and it includes a dedicated NonVR Companion mod so that friends playing on a normal screen can see your VR head and hand movements. To set this up, everyone needs the PC Java edition of Minecraft, the VR player runs Vivecraft, and the non-VR players run the companion mod (or connect through a server that supports it). The exact steps depend on whether you are playing over LAN or on a dedicated server.

What Vivecraft Supports in Multiplayer

According to the Vivecraft site, the mod works in:

• Single player
• LAN multiplayer
• Server multiplayer

Server plugins are available for Spigot and Forge to enhance the VR multiplayer experience. This means you can run a server that gives VR players a better experience while still letting non-VR players join.

The NonVR Companion Mod

The key feature for mixed groups is the Vivecraft NonVR Companion mod. Its purpose is to let your non-VR friends see your head and hand movements in multiplayer. Without it, non-VR players would see a standard Minecraft player model with no VR-specific motion.

The site also notes that VR players can "play with your friends and see each other's VR movements (even for 2d players!)." So the visibility works both ways when the companion mod is in use.

How to Set Up a Mixed VR and Non-VR Session

Option 1: LAN Multiplayer

1. The VR player installs Vivecraft (standalone or as a Fabric/Forge mixin mod, depending on the Minecraft version).
2. Non-VR players install the NonVR Companion mod on the same Minecraft version.
3. The VR player opens a single-player world and enables LAN multiplayer.
4. Non-VR players join the LAN world as they normally would.

Expected result: Non-VR players see the VR player's head and hand movements; the VR player sees everyone in the world.

Option 2: Server Multiplayer

1. Set up a Minecraft server on a supported version.
2. Install the Spigot or Forge server plugin for Vivecraft to enhance the VR multiplayer experience.
3. VR players connect with Vivecraft installed.
4. Non-VR players connect with the NonVR Companion mod installed (or vanilla, if they only need to play alongside VR players without seeing motion).

Expected result: A shared server where VR and non-VR players coexist, with VR motion visible to companion-mod users.

Version and Platform Requirements

• Minecraft edition: The original PC Java edition is required. Vivecraft does not work with Bedrock or console versions.
• Supported Minecraft versions: 1.7.10, and 1.10 through 1.20.1. Check the Downloads page for individual links.
• Modding platform: Starting with Minecraft 1.18, Vivecraft is available as a Fabric and Forge compatible mixin mod. The Forge modding platform is supported on most standalone versions.
• Performance: All standalone versions include Optifine for performance and support shaders.

Common Pitfalls

• Version mismatch: The VR player and non-VR players must be on the same Minecraft version. If the VR player is on 1.20.1, the companion mod users need to match.
• Mod loader mismatch: If the VR player uses Fabric, non-VR players generally need Fabric too (unless using a server plugin setup). Forge and Fabric mods are not interchangeable.
• Forgetting the companion mod: Without it, non-VR players will not see VR head and hand movements. The base game does not transmit that data.
• Server without plugins: A vanilla server will let everyone connect, but you lose the Spigot/Forge plugin enhancements for VR multiplayer.

Quick Reference

The bottom line: Vivecraft is built for mixed multiplayer. The NonVR Companion mod is what makes VR motion visible to flat-screen players, and Spigot or Forge server plugins add further multiplayer enhancements. Match your Minecraft versions and mod loaders, and you are ready to play together.