What is Minecraft Vanilla ?

Minecraft Vanilla is a term used by the community to designate the official - and therefore unmodified - version of the Java version of Minecraft. This is the original form of Minecraft, i.e. the base game, which has since been built and developed by Notch (in the early years) and Mojang. The Vanilla version is the most appreciated and played by the Minecraft community, not least for its stability. As soon as a new version (snapshot or major update) is available, players can download it, and enjoy the new features in the world immediately. This is more difficult for players who use mods or resource packs, as they have to wait until these are up to date and compatible before they can play.

A brief history of Minecraft development

Minecraft's development began on May 10, 2009, when Markus Persson (Notch) launched his project. The game underwent several initial basic updates - the Classic version - to test various features before being released to the public. To create a game with a unique style, Notch took inspiration from older games such as Dwarf Fortress, Dungeon Keeper and RollerCoaster Tycoon, and adapted most of their principles to the world he wanted to create.
It was with the Halloween Update - on October 30, 2010 - that Minecraft underwent a major development. Biomes are added, making worlds playable and unique. It was during the Alpha release that the game became increasingly popular. Communities were formed all over the world. Why did this happen? Because the idea of being able to create a unique world and be free to do whatever you want with it was revolutionary at the time. In April 2011, this trend was confirmed as Minecraft surpassed the two million copies sold mark. Amazing figures for an independent game in 2010-2011. The game is officially released on November 18, 2011, with 1.0.0, which adds interesting content such as enchantments, potion-making and animal husbandry.

Minecraft then underwent fairly rapid development over the years, with several major updates, including 1.7.2 (the one that changed the world, on October 25, 2013), and 1.18 (which completely changed world generation, adding new cliffs, underground galleries, and a smoother transition between biomes, on November 30, 2021). Meanwhile, on September 15, 2014, Minecraft is officially acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion. Notch withdraws, leaving development to Mojang. In October 2023, Minecraft becomes the world's best-selling game, with 300 million copies sold. A new record.
Since then, Minecraft has undergone a number of new updates, including 1.19 (The Wild Update), and 1.20 (which adds cherry forest biomes). More recently, the layout of updates has changed to become more regular with 1.21. Updates become “Game Drops”, adding content at least two or three times a year, like 1.21.5 (Spring To Life), and 1.21.6 (Chase The Skies). Developers are thus becoming more active, and more in tune with the community in this way.

Vanilla or Mods ?

So we come to the famous dilemma : Vanilla version or with Mods?

The Vanilla version is ideal for those new to Minecraft, or those looking for the stability of Mojang's official updates. You can enjoy new content straight away by installing snapshots (always make sure to save your worlds just in case), and major updates as soon as they're released. This is a very interesting aspect. What's more, the game has developed well over the years, and the basic content on offer is sufficient to set off on an adventure, or simply build the house of your dreams. What's more, the addition of Game Drops several times a year is particularly interesting in terms of content. This means you can enjoy new updates more quickly, for a better experience.

The version with Mods lets you customize and enrich your gaming experience, depending on what you want to add to your game. You can easily install and select thousands of mods free of charge, and use them to discover new things about the game, greatly enhancing your adventure to your liking. You can choose between adventure mods that completely change the game, or simply small mods that add content while respecting the Vanilla spirit of the game, for a smoother transition and so as not to distort the game experience, as I so appreciate. In fact, that's what my blog is all about. Who hasn't dreamed of having apple trees or birds in Minecraft to naturally embellish their world? Let's face it, Mojang should have added these options years ago. We hope to one day.
There are plenty of tutorials for installing mods via CurseForge or Modrinth (official, secure sites), compared to the years 2010-2014, when it was much more complicated. Today, the method for installing mods is relatively easy. Simply install an API (such as Fabric, Forge or NeoForge), download the mods you want to add, and drag them into the mods folder of your .minecraft. Very simple indeed.

Compatibility problems can also occur, depending on the mods and versions used. Generally, it's up to you to find and fix the problem, but modloaders like Fabric will help you find the problem.
One of the major inconveniences of playing with mods is updates. Some mods are updated very quickly by their creators, while others are not, and may even be abandoned due to lack of time and resources. As a result, if you use a lot of mods, you run the risk of getting stuck on one version, because some aren't up to date yet, or won't be again. This is a major drawback. This is personally my case. I have a lot of mods in 1.20.1, some of which are no longer updated, so I'm “stuck” on this version. But in the end, it's a version I like, so it doesn't bother me too much. I can always go for an adventure without mods if I want.

In conclusion, I'd say that Minecraft Vanilla is perfect for beginner players, or those who simply want to play and enjoy the basic game, keeping a close eye on new updates.
Besides, the version with mods offers a much more personalized and therefore more rewarding experience for the player. Everyone can create the adventure they want by choosing each mod, and this is particularly interesting for those who want to create their own world, or the world of their dreams (like creating their ideal home, or garden, for example). Each version has its advantages and disadvantages. So it's up to the player to choose what they really want to do in Minecraft, depending on the version they've selected.

How about you? Do you prefer the Vanilla version, or the one with mods?
Let me know in comments on the usual social networks (Bluesky and Pinterest), because it's always a pleasure to be able to share and read other players' opinions.