Metals and Machines
If you have ever wanted Minecraft to feel like a full industrial revolution with a mystery on the side, Metals and Machines is worth your attention. Formerly known as Simply Additions, this technology add-on has grown from a small side project into a substantial content pack, and it now carries a new registry name, "mm", along with a fresh identity. Whether you are a builder chasing automation or an explorer hunting secrets, there is something here for you.
What Metals and Machines Adds to the Game
At its core, Metals and Machines is a technology mod. It introduces a wide range of ores to mine, machines to build, and items to craft, all designed to slot naturally into vanilla progression. You will find new food items to keep your hunger bar full, a variety of processing machines, and even a mob to contend with. The developers recommend pairing it with JEI so you can browse every recipe in game, and for press recipes specifically, the in-game Press Recipe Book is your best friend.
One of the more unusual features is the Forgotten Realm, a dimension reached through a mysterious portal built from stone that behaves like wood. Lighting it requires radiation from a particular material, and once you step through, you find a world eerily similar to the Overworld yet stripped of almost everything. The lore suggests a lost civilization, a massacre, or perhaps ancestors of the villagers. No remnants remain, but the atmosphere alone makes the trip worthwhile.
Version Compatibility and Loaders
Metals and Machines supports Minecraft 1.16.5, 1.17.1, and 1.18 and above, and it is distributed as a Forge mod, which means you will need a compatible Forge installation for your chosen version. The author has also confirmed that plans once labeled v7 were cancelled and rolled into v8, so future updates will arrive under that banner. Files marked with numbers only are considered stable, while beta builds may contain bugs.
If you would rather skip the manual setup entirely, the foxygame.net launcher handles the whole process for you, letting you add Metals and Machines to a fresh profile with a single click. Its built-in add-on catalog also keeps version compatibility in check, so you never have to guess which build matches your game.
How to Install Metals and Machines
Installing the mod is straightforward once you know the steps. Before anything else, back up any world you care about, because the transition from the old "sa" registry name to "mm" in v6.5.3 breaks compatibility with existing saves. You will need to start a new world to play that version, though downgrading from v6.5.3 back to 6.5 and above should still work.
- Install a matching version of Forge for your Minecraft release, such as 1.16.5, 1.17.1, or 1.18 and above.
- Download Metals and Machines from the official project page, choosing a stable numbered file rather than a beta.
- Place the downloaded .jar file into your mods folder inside the Minecraft directory.
- Add JEI alongside it so you can look up recipes without leaving the game.
- Launch the game using the Forge profile and confirm the mod appears in your mod list.
If you are searching for how to install the add-on and want the least friction possible, the launcher approach removes the folder juggling entirely and can even auto-update your mods when new builds drop. That said, manual installation remains perfectly viable for players who prefer full control over their setup.
Tips for New Players
Start by mining the new ores early, since many machines depend on them for their frames and components. Set up a dedicated workshop area before you expand into automation, and keep the Press Recipe Book handy whenever a recipe confuses you. When you feel ready for a change of pace, gather the materials for the Forgotten Realm portal and see the empty parallel world for yourself. Just remember that the dimension is intentionally sparse, so bring your own supplies.
Final Thoughts
Metals and Machines blends industrial progression with a genuine sense of mystery, and that combination is rare in the modding scene. The move away from Simply Additions signals a long-term vision, with older projects like ToxiCraft being reworked into the same universe. If you want more ores, more machines, and a dimension that raises questions rather than answers them, download Metals and Machines for Minecraft today and start a fresh world. Just pick a stable build, match it to your Forge version, and let the machines do the rest.
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