There should be a distinction between using a modpack, as you seem to suggest (totally changing the game) and using a few mods (minimap, etc); I fall towards the latter; nothing that changes the way you play or adds radically new items; I've previously used a minimap mod, backpack mod, and an armor/tools mod. Currently, I only use a mod that I made myself, which simply modifies vanilla without adding any blocks or items, and adds a few ideas from the aforementioned mods (e.g. bigger Ender chest = backpacks).
I agree with the above. There is a lot of middle ground between playing vanilla and using mod packs. In my opinion, mod packs add way too much content to the game and tend to be a bit suffocating or overwhelming. Playing with a few mods (20 tops) that don't all focus on adding new content can add a new dynamic to the game while keeping it from growing monotonous or just superfluous. Personally, I have always and probably will always prefer to play Vanilla Minecraft over anything else. I usually play on the most up-to-date Snapshot or 1.7.2 with Optifine and VoxelMap.
I enjoy mods that adds some wildlife or enemies, perhaps even quest to keep going after you've done most of the things in Vanilla. There is something about Vanilla though that makes it addicting and more enjoyable than too many mods at once. It could be nostalgia, but I enjoy Minecraft with very few mods, though on the other hand I recently starting using mods and I find they can be really fun too!
First off, I use individual mods, not modpacks; they make me lag WAY too much (since their launchers are configured for software rendering, and with my graphics card from Intel, clearly there ain't nobody got time for that). I prefer using mods because I got bored of vanilla mode pretty easily. Along with that, I prefer to have game-changing features as part of mods; that way, I can play with these new features (such as guns and industrial things) knowing that nobody out there will be complaining and sending death threats to Jeb_ to revert them.
I play modded, because I can't stand playing without ExplorerCraft, Bibliocraft, or Underground Biomes Constructs. But, I don't play with complete overhauls or huge mod sets either. My recent range is between 6 and 12 mods.
Vanilla mainly because I don't want to test my luck with the limitations of my current PC and also I don't have a lot of time to fiddle with mods. I' mostly just interested in world editing tools and texture packs right now anyhow. There are a few things I would like to add if I can find mods that specifcally do that one thing, but so far those things I've only found in mod packs and mod packs are just too much.
There should be a distinction between using a modpack, as you seem to suggest (totally changing the game) and using a few mods (minimap, etc); I fall towards the latter; nothing that changes the way you play or adds radically new items; I've previously used a minimap mod, backpack mod, and an armor/tools mod. Currently, I only use a mod that I made myself, which simply modifies vanilla without adding any blocks or items, and adds a few ideas from the aforementioned mods (e.g. bigger Ender chest = backpacks).
To answer your question, when I said "modded" I meant using a separate launcher (such as Technic, FTB, ATLauncher, ect), I still consider client mods like minimaps to be vanilla.
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PC specs: Intel Core 2 Duo e8500 @ 3.16ghz / XFX Radeon HD 6670 2GB DDR3 / 6GB 1666MHz DDR3 RAM / Windows 7 Professional
I have never played a modded version of MC, they seem like a lot of work and then they limit who you can enjoy it with.
Learning how to incorporate mods into Minecraft was a painful process for me, I first tried installing the Aether mod (for beta 1.7.3) for Minecraft version 1.2.5. Anyways, I agree that mods can be a lot of work, but it can really enhance your playing experience.
I think the hassle of installing mods is worth it.
To answer your question, when I said "modded" I meant using a separate launcher (such as Technic, FTB, ATLauncher, ect), I still consider client mods like minimaps to be vanilla.
Well, I use server-side and universal mods, some with major effects on world generation, but I'm still using the Mojang launcher (albeit with Forge installed as an option). What does that count as?
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Geographicraft (formerly Climate Control) - Control climate, ocean, and land sizes; stop chunk walls; put modded biomes into Default worlds, and more!
RTG plus - All the beautiful terrain of RTG, plus varied and beautiful trees and forests.
Well, I use server-side and universal mods, some with major effects on world generation, but I'm still using the Mojang launcher (albeit with Forge installed as an option). What does that count as?
As Zeno410 says, even client-side mods without a separate launcher can significantly change the game; the mod In my signature changes world generation so much the difference is about as great as that between 1.6.4 and 1.7.2, although in terms of gameplay I play the game the same way as I did in vanilla; it also doesn't add any new blocks, items, etc, just modifies or repurposes existing ones.
(as an aside, Mojang has actually added some of the things in my mod (likely not actually because they saw it though); for example, in the latest snapshot caves can now cut through the surface in desert and mesa biomes, just like in my mod, down to changing floating sand to sandstone; they also (finally) implemented some of the bugfixes I added, others only after 1.6.4, the version the mod is for)
Well, I use server-side and universal mods, some with major effects on world generation, but I'm still using the Mojang launcher (albeit with Forge installed as an option). What does that count as?
Okay, let me rephrase then. Anything that drastically changes the blocks, items, or world generation of the game is considered "modded"
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PC specs: Intel Core 2 Duo e8500 @ 3.16ghz / XFX Radeon HD 6670 2GB DDR3 / 6GB 1666MHz DDR3 RAM / Windows 7 Professional
PC specs: Intel Core 2 Duo e8500 @ 3.16ghz / XFX Radeon HD 6670 2GB DDR3 / 6GB 1666MHz DDR3 RAM / Windows 7 Professional
TheMasterCaver's First World - possibly the most caved-out world in Minecraft history - includes world download.
TheMasterCaver's World - my own version of Minecraft largely based on my views of how the game should have evolved since 1.6.4.
Why do I still play in 1.6.4?
Click them or they will click you
My fan fiction of the game: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1957118-programmer-my-first-fan-fiction/#entry24096758
I like combining some of them, for example, a planes and a parachute mod. It proves fun.
I don't like over the top complex mods.
Geographicraft (formerly Climate Control) - Control climate, ocean, and land sizes; stop chunk walls; put modded biomes into Default worlds, and more!
RTG plus - All the beautiful terrain of RTG, plus varied and beautiful trees and forests.
Formerly known as ORabbit around these parts.
And also, I love vanilla ice cream XD.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0OtPNZX22RvZVeq4-dHa8GYKOc5lojKX
PC specs: Intel Core 2 Duo e8500 @ 3.16ghz / XFX Radeon HD 6670 2GB DDR3 / 6GB 1666MHz DDR3 RAM / Windows 7 Professional
Learning how to incorporate mods into Minecraft was a painful process for me, I first tried installing the Aether mod (for beta 1.7.3) for Minecraft version 1.2.5. Anyways, I agree that mods can be a lot of work, but it can really enhance your playing experience.
I think the hassle of installing mods is worth it.
Well, I use server-side and universal mods, some with major effects on world generation, but I'm still using the Mojang launcher (albeit with Forge installed as an option). What does that count as?
Geographicraft (formerly Climate Control) - Control climate, ocean, and land sizes; stop chunk walls; put modded biomes into Default worlds, and more!
RTG plus - All the beautiful terrain of RTG, plus varied and beautiful trees and forests.
As Zeno410 says, even client-side mods without a separate launcher can significantly change the game; the mod In my signature changes world generation so much the difference is about as great as that between 1.6.4 and 1.7.2, although in terms of gameplay I play the game the same way as I did in vanilla; it also doesn't add any new blocks, items, etc, just modifies or repurposes existing ones.
(as an aside, Mojang has actually added some of the things in my mod (likely not actually because they saw it though); for example, in the latest snapshot caves can now cut through the surface in desert and mesa biomes, just like in my mod, down to changing floating sand to sandstone; they also (finally) implemented some of the bugfixes I added, others only after 1.6.4, the version the mod is for)
TheMasterCaver's First World - possibly the most caved-out world in Minecraft history - includes world download.
TheMasterCaver's World - my own version of Minecraft largely based on my views of how the game should have evolved since 1.6.4.
Why do I still play in 1.6.4?
PC specs: Intel Core 2 Duo e8500 @ 3.16ghz / XFX Radeon HD 6670 2GB DDR3 / 6GB 1666MHz DDR3 RAM / Windows 7 Professional
I like vanilla because I like to play how the game is suppose to be. But sometime vanilla gets boring and I play a mod pack
I like modded because it adds lots of different things to do. New weopens, mobs, blocks, etc.