Great Big World
ModAn alternate timeline mod for modern Minecraft.
Why gradeA
How grades workStrengths
Points lost
- Under 5 million downloads−1 point
All 11 criteria
Maintenance
Full points27 / 27Last releaseHow long ago the newest file came out, or an existing file was marked as working on a new Minecraft version.2 months ago (23 Aug 2026) 12 / 12Supports popular versionsWhether the project has a file for a Minecraft version that 15% or more of the popular mods updated in the last 6 months also support. A version many modpacks use, like 1.20.1 or 1.21.1, also counts after a release in the last 12 months.1.21.11 on Fabric. 29% of the 718 popular Fabric mods updated in the last 6 months also have files for 1.21.11. Latest Minecraft: 26.3. 9 / 9Regular releasesIn how many of the last 24 months a new file came out. Full points at 8 months.Releases in 13 of the last 24 months 6 / 6Stability
Full points22 / 22Removed from modpacksHow many modpacks removed it in a later version of the pack. We can only see this in modpacks with two or more versions. A pack that swaps it for another edition of the same project, or that is rebuilt from scratch, does not count.2 of the 7 modpacks with two or more versions removed it in a later one (29%) 10 / 10Quick fixesHow often a release needed a quick fix: a new release within 3 days to fix a problem in it.Not counted: it puts out releases very often, so quick fixes are normal for it 7 / 7Known conflictsHow many projects say they do not work with it, compared with how widely it is used. Packs, small projects, forks, ports, add-ons, alternatives and old versions do not count.None 5 / 5Transparency
Full points10 / 10Source codeWhether the project page links to its source code, so anyone can read what it does.GitHub · great-big-world/core 7 / 7Place to report problemsWhether the project page links to a place where players can report problems: an issue tracker.GitHub issues · great-big-world/great-big-world 3 / 3Popularity
1 point lost3 / 4DownloadsDownloads on Modrinth and CurseForge. Full points from 5 million.18,980 3 / 4Track record
Full points8 / 8AgeHow long the project has existed. It counts less when no new file came out recently.2.2 years, 91 releases 8 / 8Security
PassedFile checksThis check adds no points. It can only take points away.Our checks found nothing harmful in all 6 latest files for recent Minecraft versions. See Security
69.6 of the 71 points that apply = 98 out of 100. The points above are rounded to whole numbers.
Images
About
Great Big World is a standalone alternate-timeline reimagining of Minecraft, combining several integrated subprojects into one experience that supports both a simpler, old-school survival feel and more involved progression. Its Overworld is reshaped toward a classic style, with some modern biomes, structures, and natural stone types removed, while Ancient Cities remain important to progression. World generation and nature receive broad changes, including deeper oceans and caves, seasonal color shifts, forest clearings, taller and denser vegetation, improved fallen trees and hollow logs, river variants, and more responsive animal behavior. Exploration includes Swamp and Ice Temples, Relics and Ruins, cave paintings, a bonus house, and an alternate dimension called the Alterworld, which combines modern features such as Villages, Copper, and Cherry Groves with older elements. Players can visit the Alterworld temporarily through Fractured Portals found in temple structures, or reach it permanently by activating an Ancient Portal in an Ancient City with four sufficiently enchanted-item offerings. The mod also adds building and crafting options such as decorative blocks, vertical slabs, glass shards, sawmills, and kilns, alongside equipment progression and overhauls to enchanting, anvils, smithing, looms, and armor trims. A knowledge system supports progression, and enchantments are associated with elements such as fire, water, ice, and lightning, with enchanted-book colors reflecting their first enchantment’s element. Smaller included features add conveniences and environmental details, including rotatable sculk, boats that pass through lily pads, rain passing through leaves, easier sign placement, and dynamic moonlight.
Written from Modrinth , CurseForge and the GitHub README . How we write it
In-game changes
Changes the game's code in 4 areas: User interfaceChanges 3 game code files in this area: menus, screens, tooltips, the chat window and the in-game overlay., Game data and resourcesChanges 1 game code file in this area: recipes, tags, advancements, language files and other game data., Game coreChanges 1 game code file in this area: the main loop, lighting and other code the whole game uses. and Server and world logicChanges 1 game code file in this area: the world, commands, scoreboards, saved data and game rules..
Libraries packed inside it change 241 more game code files: Architect's Assembly, Swords & Shields, Flora & Fauna and 12 more.
Adds 389 blocks, 76 items, 40 biomes, 1 dimension, 4 structures, 6 sounds and 2 key bindings.
Counted from the names and data files in the mod, so the list may not be complete.
Replaces 198 of vanilla Minecraft's recipes, 133 world generation files, 127 loot tables, 72 models, 24 tags, 10 interface textures, 6 block textures, 4 structures, 2 mob and entity textures and 1 text file.
Details
- Creator
- Great Big World
- License
- All rights reserved
- Downloads
- 19K
- Created
- 10 Jan 2023
- Official pages
- Modrinth , CurseForge
- Links
- Source code , Wiki
Security
No harmful code found
We checked its files and read their code, without running it.
What it can do on your computer
- Creates settings files
- The mod keeps its settings in the config folder of your game, where you can change or delete them. Only in its files for Fabric 1.21.11.
Why we show this: a mod runs on your computer like any program, so harmful code in it can take your accounts or files. Our checks look for known signs of harm. They cannot prove that a file is harmless. In the grade: malware means no grade, and a Warning in a latest file for a recent Minecraft version lowers it.
How we checked
- FilesWe download the files from Modrinth or CurseForge and look at what is inside them and what their code can do, without running them. Fixed rules tell what is harmful.7 latest files: the newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. The answer above is about the 6 for recent versions. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks. See each file in Releases
- Their codeWe turn the code of the files back into readable code and follow what it does, without running it. This shows what it downloads, what it sends and where your login goes.Read without running it
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth, where the author declares that the project reads or edits things on your system outside the game. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when this applies.Nothing declared about your system outside the game.
- Looked for, not foundWe looked for these in the file and did not find them.The internet, folders outside the game, other programs, updating itself, the webcam or microphone, an AI service.
Privacy
We found nothing it sends
We read its code without running it: it contacts no web address while you play.
Why we show this: a mod can send things about you over the internet, like your player name or your login. Contacting an address to check for updates or download files sends nothing about you. Not in the grade: sending data can be normal for what a mod does.
How we checked
- Files readWe read the code without running it. We list each web address the code contacts while you play, and what it sends. Code that is never used is left out.The code of all 6 files, for recent Minecraft versions. See each file in Releases
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth, where the author declares crash reports, usage data and advertisements. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when a project collects data on its users or shows advertisements.Nothing declared about crash reports, usage data or advertisements.
AI
No sign so far that AI was used to make it
We looked for AI tools in its texts, files and images and found none.
We have not read its code history yet.
No sign of AI in the game
We found no AI service, AI library or AI model file in its code.
Why we show this: some players and servers avoid projects made with AI, and AI in the game can send what you write to an online service. Not in the grade: using AI does not tell whether a project works well or is kept up to date.
How we checked
- Author on ModrinthThe disclosure form on Modrinth. Since 13 Aug 2026, Modrinth's rules require it when a substantial part of the code is AI output, when an asset is mainly AI output, or when the project or its page relies on generative AI.No AI content or AI features declared.
- Code historyThe public code on GitHub: who made each change, credit lines such as "Co-authored-by", and its files.Not read yet
- Description and changelogsThe description, project page and newest changelogs: sentences saying an AI tool was used, and text pasted from an AI chat.Nothing found20 of 40 changelogs read
- Its filesFiles that AI coding tools leave behind (like AGENTS.md), and the texts inside the files you download.Nothing found
- Images in its filesHidden data in the images of the files you download, where AI image tools write their name and settings.Nothing found7 images read
- Code of the modThe code and files of the mod, read without running it: addresses of AI services, AI libraries, AI model files and a place for your own AI key.No AI service, AI library or AI model file770 code files read
Compatibility
See all 91 filesPoint at or tap a version to see its loaders.
Modpacks using this project
Find modpacks with itModpacks that include Great Big World in at least one of their versions, most downloaded first.
explorify16K downloadslast version with it 4 Nov 2023
Unclouded2.3K downloadslast version with it 3 Sep 2023
Nebulously Niche1.3K downloadslast version with it 5 Jul 2023
Ostrea886 downloadslast version with it 24 Sep 2023
OrionSMP678 downloadslast version with it 15 Jul 2023
Easier & Peasier615 downloadslast version with it 30 Mar 2025
Strangely Journey157 downloadslast version with it 30 Nov 2023
Project Terranova X [Fabric]155 downloadslast version with it 13 Jul 2023Latest files
The newest file for each Minecraft version and loader. The files for recent versions come first. Recent versions: those released in the last 2 years, plus 1.20.1 and 1.21.1, among the most played in modpacks.