concept Mobile bases using block layers

[Omega Haxors]

This topic was discussed in private a long time ago, but i'd like to have it in the public record in case some random modder feels up for implementing this. (even if that modder will probably be me in the future LOL)

The layer system allows you to place blocks in a second dimension overlaid over the normal game. So far it's used so that liquids (such as lava, water, and the one exception: ice) can be placed on top of ordinary blocks in the main block layer. However in implementation it is basically just a second blockmap with a bit of rendering and interaction trickery so that you can see and manipulate each one seamlessly. This is also used in Creative mode which is how the user is able to see a ghost outline when placing a schematic without needing to lag the server by constantly placing blocks (as the blocks do not move, only the reference to it). But what if instead of just a ghost outline, the blocks in this layer were able to be interacted with by the player?

The concept here is that there would be a block layer which you could build a mobile base within it. You can then enter and exit this parallel universe and build within or outside of it seamlessly. The exciting part comes from how you can move this mobile base independent of the main world, driving it like an entity. By saving the blocks in a static form and moving it through a reference pointer, it allows the player to laglessly shred through the wilderness without any block updates. Not only that, but because the position is a reference, it would allow for block misalignment. Each block layer would have a grid and adhere to that grid, but the two grids would not need to be aligned. This solves SO many problems in implementation.

This also has another fun consequence: you can also adjust how the world looks in respect to the player. So say you flip your base on its head by accident, now everything will be up side down. There would have to be a check for gravity blocks but otherwise it's just rendering and adjusting your player and the world's hitboxes.

To make a long story short: it's going to be a port of https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/archimedes-ships except with better implementation using block layers.

 

Edited June 27, 2025 by Omega Haxors