MC8

What it is

MC8 is a server mod that adds console computers to your Minecraft server. Each one is a machine built from item frames and maps, and it runs dozens of games and apps: arcade games, card and puzzle games, two-player board games, chatrooms, direct messages, a paint studio and tools.

Players join with their normal vanilla client. There's nothing for them to install.

The machines look and feel like retro computers, not a modern PC. The games are fun and replayable, and leaderboards track players' scores in the arcade, puzzle and card games.

Try it now at demo.mc8.dev (Minecraft 26.3) and bring a friend, or browse the full app list here.

How to build a computer

Every player gets one computer core the first time they join, and operators can hand out more with /computer core <player>.

Place the core in the middle of a 3x3 wall of computer parts and the computer builds itself in that spot. The other eight blocks can go in any order: a Block of Copper, Block of Gold, Block of Quartz, Block of Redstone, Glass, Glowstone, a Note Block and an empty Jukebox.

Click your head to sign in, then play, chat or doodle.

Compatibility

Minecraft	26.1, 26.2, 26.3
Java	25
Server	Fabric (with Fabric API), NeoForge, Paper (plugin)
Client	Vanilla. No client mod, no resource pack needed.
Single-player	Yes: put mc8 in the mods folder of a Fabric (with Fabric API) or NeoForge install.

One purchase covers every loader and Minecraft version in the download list. Updates, when released, are free to existing buyers.

Performance

Distant screens stop updating and unload. Loaded screens sit idle until a player approaches, and screens update more often for players close by. Player-built screens keep a minimum distance apart (operators can tune it), so no one is flooded with updates.

The apps and games are benchmarked, and an operator-only Performance app graphs server tick and screen tick times. The operator guide covers setup, backups and resource use.

Where it's at

This is the first public release and development is active. It's fully functional and fun to play.

It's been tested extensively on the test servers I operate but compatibility with other mods and plugins isn't fully known yet. Let me know what works and what doesn't in the MC8 Discord and I'll fix what I can.

Credits

Copyright © 2026 Mason Larobina <mason.larobina@pm.me>. All rights reserved.

You may have seen an earlier iteration of this project in my 2021 Reddit post Paint In Minecraft.

The machine font is based on monogram by datagoblin (CC0).

MC8 is not an official Minecraft product and is not approved by or associated with Mojang or Microsoft.