Mod-erate Loading Screen
Minecraft's loading screen is usually a static, boring affair—a progress bar and a few tips. But what if your installed mods could celebrate their own existence every time you boot the game? That is the quirky premise behind Mod-erate Loading Screen, a lightweight add-on that transforms the icons of your loaded modifications into a gentle cascade of falling snowflakes. It is a delightful, visual treat for anyone who loves seeing their mod list come alive, even if only for a few seconds.
This project is heavily based on and inspired by the Quilt Loading Screen, but it carves out its own identity by focusing on a single, whimsical effect: gravity. Instead of a static grid, your mod icons tumble down the screen, creating a serene winter-like atmosphere before your world loads. The developer cheekily describes it as an "alternative" to Mod Menu that's a lot less usable, making it clear from the start that this is a cosmetic novelty rather than a configuration utility.
What Does Mod-erate Loading Screen Do?
The core feature is simple: every mod icon you have installed becomes a falling particle. The speed and density can make your loading screen feel like a gentle snowfall or a chaotic blizzard, depending on your modpack size. It supports a "stacking mode" as well, where icons pile up at the bottom of the screen instead of disappearing, which can lead to some amusing visual clutter if you have hundreds of mods.
While it lacks full feature parity with other menu mods, it includes a few essential configuration options to keep things tidy:
- Show every mod only once: Prevents duplicate icons from cluttering the screen.
- Hide libraries: Filters out background library mods so only the main content mods appear.
- Change background color: Lets you set a solid color behind the falling icons for better contrast.
Configuration and Compatibility
Here is the catch: the in-game config screen is intentionally rudimentary. The developer explicitly recommends installing the actual Mod Menu mod to access the configs comfortably. Without it, you might need to edit the config file manually, which is doable but less user-friendly. This is a clear trade-off for keeping the mod itself incredibly lightweight.
As for versions, Mod-erate Loading Screen for Minecraft is designed to work with recent releases, primarily targeting the Fabric mod loader. You will want to check the specific version compatibility on the download page, but it generally supports the latest stable Minecraft releases. The mod is client-side only, meaning you can install it on a single-player world or a multiplayer server without any server-side requirements.
How to Install Mod-erate Loading Screen
Getting this visual treat running is a straightforward process, provided you have the Fabric Loader installed. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install it:
- Ensure you have the correct version of Fabric Loader and Fabric API for your Minecraft version.
- Download the Mod-erate Loading Screen JAR file from a trusted source like Modrinth or CurseForge.
- Navigate to your
.minecraftfolder and open themodsdirectory. - Drop the downloaded JAR file into the folder.
- Launch the game with the Fabric profile.
Once loaded, you should immediately see the effect on the next loading screen. If you want to tweak the settings, install Mod Menu as a companion mod, as the developer suggests. This will give you a proper GUI to toggle the "show once" feature or change the background color without touching raw text files.
For those who prefer a more streamlined setup, the foxygame.net launcher offers a one-click installation for mods like this. Their add-on catalog includes Mod-erate Loading Screen, allowing you to skip the manual JAR dragging entirely and just click to add it to your modpack. The launcher also handles version compatibility checks, ensuring you grab the right build for your Minecraft instance.
Visual Examples and Customization
The mod shines in large modpacks. Imagine the "Benchmark II" modpack, which contains hundreds of mods, with every single icon raining down in a colorful storm. With a modified background color—say, a deep navy blue instead of the default dirt brown—the effect looks genuinely mesmerizing. The stacking mode, on the other hand, creates a growing pile of icons at the bottom of the screen, almost like a trophy case of everything you have installed.
Performance is a non-issue for most systems, as the mod simply repositions pre-rendered textures. It does not re-render 3D models or use complex shaders. Even on low-end machines, the snowflake effect runs smoothly without impacting the actual world-loading time.
Final Thoughts
Mod-erate Loading Screen is a niche, humorous addition to your Minecraft setup. It is not trying to be a powerhouse utility; it is a fun way to pass the two seconds it takes to load a world. If you appreciate whimsical details and want to see your mod collection celebrated visually, this is a charming choice. Just remember to pair it with Mod Menu for a smoother configuration experience. Whether you choose to manually install it or use a launcher that supports it, this mod is sure to bring a smile to your face every time you see those icons drift down like snow.