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What is Vivecraft?
Vivecraft is a mod that turns the PC Java edition of Minecraft into a virtual reality game. It is designed for room-scale or seated VR play and works with SteamVR-compatible headsets such as the HTC Vive, Valve Index, and Oculus Rift S; it can also run on mobile VR devices through SteamVR emulators. It supports single-player, LAN, and server multiplayer, and it has been kept compatible with a wide span of Minecraft versions, from 1.7.10 and 1.10 through 1.20.1.
What it changes in play
Vivecraft is not a separate Minecraft-like game. It keeps the original PC Java edition as the base and changes how you interact with the world:
- Room-scale movement: Walk around your physical room to move in the game. Because Minecraft blocks are one meter in size, the scale feels much larger in VR.
- Motion-controlled actions: Swing your hands to break blocks and fight, draw and aim a bow with two hands, and perform actions like climbing, swimming, running, jumping, sneaking, eating, crawling, and rowing through actual motion.
- World scaling: Change your apparent size in the world, playing as something ant-sized or giant-sized.
- Context-sensitive interactions: Use natural actions for doors, pistons, levers, animals, buckets, and similar objects.
- Locomotion choices: Pick from arc teleportation, free movement in the direction you point or look, walkabout-style rotation, seated WASD movement, and wall-scaling or leaping inspired by Climbey.
Multiplayer and streaming
Vivecraft works in single-player, LAN, and server multiplayer. In multiplayer, VR players can see each other's head and hand movements, including for 2D players through the NonVR Companion mod. Server plugins are available for Spigot and Forge. For streamers, it supports mixed reality and undistorted desktop mirroring.
Practical next step
If you already own the PC Java edition of Minecraft, check the Vivecraft Downloads page to match the mod version to your Minecraft version and headset setup. If you use a standalone Quest, the site points to separate setup instructions; if you use a PC headset, confirm SteamVR compatibility first. For a broader look at VR Minecraft options, Minecraft is the official source for the base game.
Which Minecraft versions and VR headsets does Vivecraft support?
Vivecraft supports the original PC Java edition of Minecraft, not Bedrock or console versions. According to its own documentation, supported Minecraft versions are 1.7.10 and 1.10 through 1.20.1; individual download links are listed on its Downloads page. Note the gap: versions between 1.7.10 and 1.10 (such as 1.8 and 1.9) are not listed as supported.
VR hardware
The mod is built around SteamVR-compatible headsets and works best in room-scale play. The site names the HTC Vive and Cosmos, Valve Index, Oculus Rift S, and WMR headsets as examples. It also states that mobile VR devices — Oculus Quest, GearVR, PSVR, Daydream, Cardboard, and Vive Focus — can be used via SteamVR emulators, which typically means streaming from a PC rather than running natively on the headset.
Seated play with mouse and keyboard is supported alongside standing play with motion controllers, so a full room-scale setup is not mandatory.
Practical fit
| Your situation | What to check first |
|---|---|
| You own a SteamVR headset and Java Minecraft | Confirm your Minecraft version is 1.7.10 or 1.10–1.20.1 |
| You have a Quest or similar standalone headset | Plan on a SteamVR emulator plus a VR-ready PC |
| You prefer sitting at a desk | Seated mouse-and-keyboard mode is an option |
| You play on consoles or Bedrock | Vivecraft is not aimed at your edition |
A concrete example: if you run Minecraft 1.20.1 on a gaming PC with a Valve Index, you are in the mod's stated sweet spot — room-scale movement, hand-swinging to mine and fight, and two-handed bow aiming. If you are on Minecraft 1.19 with a Quest 2 and no PC, expect to set up streaming first.
Next step
Check the Downloads page for the build matching your exact Minecraft version, then confirm your headset appears in the supported list or works through a SteamVR emulator before installing. For broader context on the game itself, see Minecraft.
How do I install Vivecraft for Oculus Quest or Quest 2?
Vivecraft itself is a PC Java Edition mod, so a Quest or Quest 2 cannot run it natively. You play the PC version of Minecraft with Vivecraft installed, then connect the headset to that PC. The official setup instructions for Quest are linked from the Vivecraft site under "Got a Quest or Quest 2? Click here for setup instructions" on Vivecraft.
What the Quest route actually involves
- Own PC Java Edition Minecraft. Vivecraft requires the original PC Java edition, not Bedrock or the console/mobile versions.
- Pick a supported Minecraft version. The site lists 1.7.10 and 1.10 through 1.20.1, with individual download links on its Downloads page.
- Install the Vivecraft mod for that version. Standalone builds include Optifine; Forge is supported on most standalone versions, and from 1.18 onward Vivecraft is also available as a Fabric and Forge compatible mixin mod.
- Get the PC and headset talking. Quest headsets are listed among the mobile VR devices that can play Vivecraft through SteamVR emulators. In practice this means streaming from the PC to the headset over your network or a link cable, so a solid Wi-Fi connection or cable matters more than raw headset power.
- Launch Minecraft through SteamVR and follow the in-headset setup.
A realistic first session
If you already have Minecraft Java on a gaming PC, the smoothest path is to install the standalone Vivecraft build matching your Minecraft version, start SteamVR, then connect the Quest. Expect the first run to be about tuning: movement style, world scale, and comfort. Vivecraft offers arc teleportation (with optional limits for survival balance), free movement pointed by controller or head, walkabout-style rotation, seated WASD play, and Climbey-inspired wall scaling, so you can switch locomotion if one makes you queasy.
Trade-offs to weigh
- Tethered or streamed PC VR gives you the full mod, shaders and multiplayer, but depends on a capable PC and a stable link.
- Standalone Quest play avoids the PC but cannot run Vivecraft directly; the site's Quest instructions cover the emulator/streaming route.
- Seated play with mouse and keyboard is supported, which suits players who find roomscale movement tiring or who lack space.
For multiplayer, Vivecraft works in single player, LAN and server play, and the NonVR Companion mod lets non-VR friends see your head and hand movements. Server plugins exist for Spigot and Forge. If you get stuck, start with the Quest-specific setup page on Vivecraft, then check the Downloads page for the exact build matching your Minecraft version.
Can I play Vivecraft with non-VR friends in multiplayer?
Yes. Vivecraft works in single-player, LAN multiplayer and server multiplayer, and it includes a NonVR Companion mod specifically so players without a headset can see your head and hand movements in the same world. Your friends keep playing ordinary PC Java Edition Minecraft; you join as the VR player.
What your friends see and do
- Non-VR players run standard Minecraft (the same supported version you are running) and connect the normal way, through a LAN world or a server.
- With the companion mod installed on their side, your head and hand motion is rendered on your character, so they can tell where you are looking and gesturing instead of seeing a stiff, static avatar.
- Without the companion mod, they can still play alongside you — they just lose the visible VR body language. Mixed-reality capture and undistorted desktop mirroring are also supported if someone wants to stream or record the session.
Practical setup notes
- Everyone must match the Minecraft version. Vivecraft covers 1.7.10 and 1.10 through 1.20.1, with individual download links listed on its Downloads page, and Forge is supported on most standalone versions; from 1.18 it ships as a Fabric/Forge-compatible mixin mod.
- For a shared server, Spigot and Forge server plugins are available to improve the VR multiplayer experience, which matters more once several players are moving around in roomscale.
- Your hardware choice affects how you move, not whether multiplayer works: roomscale with SteamVR-compatible headsets is the intended experience, while seated play with mouse and keyboard is supported, and mobile headsets can join through SteamVR emulators.
A sensible first session
Pick one supported Minecraft version, have each friend install the matching NonVR Companion build, and start on a LAN world before moving to a dedicated server. Expect the usual VR trade-offs: roomscale movement is immersive but needs clear floor space, while teleportation or seated locomotion keeps things comfortable and less chaotic for the non-VR players sharing your base.
For the exact version list and companion files, start at Vivecraft.
What locomotion options does Vivecraft offer for different playstyles?
Vivecraft treats locomotion as a set of choices rather than a single default, so you can match movement to your hardware, your play space and how much comfort you need.
The locomotion modes listed for Vivecraft
- Arc teleportation — point and jump to a target spot, with optional limitations intended to keep survival play balanced.
- Free movement — smooth movement in the direction you are pointing the controller or looking with your head.
- Walkabout-style rotation — turning by physically rotating your body, for near-100% room-scale movement.
- Seated play with WASD — keyboard movement relative to your look direction.
- Climbey-inspired wall-scaling and leaping — climbing and vaulting with your hands rather than a movement stick.
Matching a mode to a playstyle
| Playstyle | Sensible starting mode | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Small room, comfort-first | Arc teleportation | Less continuous motion, and optional limits can slow survival travel |
| Larger room, standing | Walkabout rotation plus room-scale walking | Requires clear floor space and cable awareness |
| Long sessions, motion-sensitive | Seated play with WASD | Less physical immersion, easier on the stomach |
| Smooth-motion veterans | Free movement in head or controller direction | Fastest traversal, most likely to cause discomfort for newcomers |
| Vertical or exploration-focused play | Climbey-style scaling and leaping | Physically demanding, and not every map is built for it |
The page also notes that Vivecraft is optimized for standing play with motion controllers while still supporting seated mouse-and-keyboard play, so the modes are not mutually exclusive — you can switch per session or per situation.
A practical next step: pick one comfort mode and one traversal mode, then test both in a flat, familiar area before exploring caves or building at height. If you play with others, note that Vivecraft supports single-player, LAN and server multiplayer, and that the NonVR Companion mod lets non-VR players see your head and hand movements, which makes hand-driven climbing and building easier for a mixed group to read.
Does Vivecraft support shaders and mods like Optifine or Forge?
Yes. Vivecraft's own documentation states that all standalone versions include Optifine for performance and shader support, and that the Forge modding platform is supported on most standalone versions. From Minecraft 1.18 onward, it is also available as a Fabric and Forge compatible mixin mod. There are server plugins for Spigot and Forge to improve VR multiplayer.
What that means in practice
| Feature | Support | Practical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Optifine | Included in all standalone versions | Better frame rates and access to shader packs without adding it yourself |
| Shaders | Supported via Optifine | You can run shader packs, though VR performance still depends on your GPU |
| Forge | Supported on most standalone versions; mixin mod from 1.18 | You can run Forge mods, but check each mod's Minecraft version |
| Fabric | Mixin mod from 1.18 | A lighter alternative for Fabric-based mod setups |
| Server plugins | Spigot and Forge | Server owners can add VR-specific multiplayer enhancements |
The trade-off to watch
Shader packs and large modpacks both demand GPU and CPU headroom, and in VR a stable frame rate matters more than in flat-screen play — stutter is far more uncomfortable in a headset. A reader with a mid-range GPU who wants to build a modded world should start with Optifine and a light shader pack, confirm the frame rate holds, then add mods one at a time. Also verify the Minecraft version first: Vivecraft covers 1.7.10 and 1.10 through 1.20.1, so a mod built for a version outside that range will not load.
For setup details and per-version download links, see Vivecraft.
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