Update 2 to Update 3 Changelog

This page covers all notable changes between Update 2 and Update 3. Changes are organized by category, from the most impactful breaking changes to internal improvements.

New Features and Systems

Random Tick System

A new builtin plugin (RandomTickPlugin) adds Minecraft-style random block ticking. Blocks can now have a RandomTickProcedure that fires at configurable intervals per chunk section. → Block Ticking docs · Builtin Plugins

RandomTick resource: configurable blocksPerSectionPerTickStable (default 1) and blocksPerSectionPerTickUnstable (default 3)
RandomTickSystem: chunk ticking system using deterministic hashing for stable ticks and randomization for unstable ticks
Two built-in procedures:
- ChangeIntoBlockProcedure — changes a block into a target block type
- SpreadToProcedure — spreads blocks to neighbors (e.g., grass spreading to dirt), with configurable directions, Y range, required light level, and revert behavior

User-Created Map Markers

Players can now create and manage their own map markers on the world map. → Builtin Plugins docs

UserMapMarker data class with name, description, position, icon, sharing, and creator tracking
UserMapMarkersStore for persistent per-player per-world marker storage
UserMarkerValidator enforces config limits (max markers, name length, etc.)
UserMapMarkerConfig defines limits: maxPersonalMarkers, maxSharedMarkers, maxNameLength, maxDescriptionLength, view distances
PlayersMapMarkerConfig configures player marker icons with height delta
New marker providers: PersonalMarkersProvider, SharedMarkersProvider, OtherPlayersMarkerProvider
New packet CreateUserMarker (ToServerPacket, ID 246) for creating markers from the client → Packet Types docs

Anchor Action System

A new module system for handling anchor-triggered actions from JSON configuration. → Instances docs

AnchorActionModule — module managing anchor action registration and dispatch
AnchorActionHandler — handles actions from JSON config
New packet UpdateAnchorUI (ToClientPacket, ID 235) for updating anchor UI visibility and content → Packet Types docs

Multiplayer Sleep Notifications

A new SleepNotificationSystem sends notifications to awake players when others are trying to sleep. → Builtin Plugins docs

Small server mode (4 or fewer players): notifies by name
Big server mode: uses a sleepers ratio threshold (default 50%)
Configurable notification cooldown

Sleep Sounds

The sleep system now supports configurable sound events for sleep/wake transitions via SleepSoundsConfig.

Return to Hub Button

New ReturnToHubButtonSystem and ReturnToHubButtonUI show/hide a “Return to Hub” button when players enter or leave creative hub child worlds.

Layer Command

New /layer <direction> <layers> builder tools command for placing layers of blocks in a direction. Supports cardinal directions and camera-relative directions.

Teleporter Improvements

New UsedTeleporter component tracks teleporter usage with destination info and clear-out distances
ClearUsedTeleporterSystem removes the component when the player moves away from the destination (cooldown reduced from 250ms to 100ms)
TurnOffTeleportersSystem updates portal block visual states when teleporter destinations change

UI Gallery Command

New /uigallery debug command opens an interactive UI component gallery for development purposes.

RocksDB Chunk Storage

A new RocksDbChunkStorageProvider adds RocksDB as a chunk storage backend with LZ4/ZSTD compression, bloom filter support, and a dedicated /world rocksdb compact admin command. → World Overview docs

FileIO Abstraction Layer

A new virtual file system (procedurallib.file package) with multi-root support enables asset overlay for mods overriding base assets. → Asset Development Overview

FileIO — static utility interface with thread-local FileIOSystem providers
FileIOSystem — interface defining a file system with multiple root paths
AssetLoader<T> — generic interface for typed asset loading
AssetPath — immutable path wrapper with cross-filesystem equality
JsonResourceLoader — typed JSON file loader using the new system

Fire Fluid Ticker

New FireFluidTicker implements fire spread and burn mechanics with configurable FlammabilityConfig (spread chance, burn chance).

Breaking Changes

Packet Direction System

All 240+ packet classes now implement ToServerPacket, ToClientPacket, or both, in addition to Packet. The Packet interface gained a getChannel() method. → Networking Overview · Packet Handlers

ToClientPacket extends Packet — server-to-client packets
ToServerPacket extends Packet — client-to-server packets
PacketRegistry restructured from a single BY_ID map to TO_SERVER_BY_ID and TO_CLIENT_BY_ID
getById() split into getToServerPacketById() and getToClientPacketById()
CachedPacket now only accepts ToClientPacket (generic bound changed)
IPacketReceiver.sendPacket() accepts ToClientPacket instead of Packet
PacketGenerator return types changed from Packet to ToClientPacket
All references to com.hypixel.hytale.protocol.Packet in the builtin package changed to ToClientPacket

Network Channel System

A new NetworkChannel enum routes packets across separate channels: → Networking Overview · Client Sync docs

Channel	ID	Usage
`Default`	0	Most packets
`Chunks`	1	Chunk, block, and fluid data
`WorldMap`	2	World map packets

PacketEncoder validates packet channel matches stream channel; throws IllegalArgumentException on mismatch
PacketDecoder checks STREAM_CHANNEL_KEY before decoding, skipping mismatched packets
PacketHandler supports multiple QUIC streams per connection via channels[] array

ComponentUpdate Polymorphic Refactor

ComponentUpdate was rewritten from a monolithic struct (fixed 159-byte block with 20+ nullable fields) into an abstract base class with 26 concrete subclasses dispatched by type ID: → Client Sync docs

ID	Subclass
0	`NameplateUpdate`
1	`UIComponentsUpdate`
2	`CombatTextUpdate`
3	`ModelUpdate`
4	`PlayerSkinUpdate`
5	`ItemUpdate`
6	`BlockUpdate`
7	`EquipmentUpdate`
8	`EntityStatsUpdate`
9	`TransformUpdate`
10	`MovementStatesUpdate`
11	`EntityEffectsUpdate`
12	`InteractionsUpdate`
13	`DynamicLightUpdate`
14	`InteractableUpdate`
15	`IntangibleUpdate`
16	`InvulnerableUpdate`
17	`RespondToHitUpdate`
18	`HitboxCollisionUpdate`
19	`RepulsionUpdate`
20	`PredictionUpdate`
21	`AudioUpdate`
22	`MountedUpdate`
23	`NewSpawnUpdate`
24	`ActiveAnimationsUpdate`
25	`PropUpdate`

serialize() now returns int (bytes written) instead of void
New serializeWithTypeId() and computeSizeWithTypeId() methods
EntityUpdate buffer size changed from fixed 159 to variable 1 per update
Standalone Equipment and Nameplate structs removed; replaced by EquipmentUpdate and NameplateUpdate subclasses
NameplateUpdate.text changed from @Nullable to @Nonnull with default ""

Constructor Injection for Component Types

A major architectural change across the entire builtin package. Systems previously stored component types as private static final fields initialized via static method calls. In Update 3, these are passed via constructor parameters instead. All static QUERY fields are replaced with instance fields. This affects virtually every EntityTickingSystem, RefSystem, and DelayedSystem subclass. → ECS Overview

Biome Renames

→ World Generation Overview

BiomeType renamed to Biome
SimpleBiomeType renamed to SimpleBiome
BiomeMap / SimpleBiomeMap replaced by WorldStructure + Registry<Biome>

Ref Identity Equality

Ref no longer implements equals() and hashCode(). Refs now use object identity comparison. The validate(Store) overload was added for store-correctness checking. → ECS Overview

Codec API Migration

Codec builder pattern changed from codec.addField("name", getter, setter) to codec.append("name").add(getter, setter). This affects virtually all config and asset type classes. → Serialization Overview

BuilderCodec Decode Restructuring

→ Serialization Overview

Version decoding now happens before field decoding across all decode paths (BsonDocument, JSON, BSON reader)
decodeJson0 changed from public to private

Version Type Simplification

Server version handling simplified from Semver/SemverRange objects to plain String: → Plugin Manifest docs · Plugin Lifecycle docs

PluginManifest.getServerVersion() returns String instead of SemverRange
ManifestUtil.getVersion() returns String instead of Semver
Plugin version validation changed from semver range comparison to string equality

Chunk Storage System Refactoring

→ World Overview docs

IChunkStorageProvider is now generic (IChunkStorageProvider<Data>)
Added lifecycle methods: initialize(), close(), migrateFrom()
ChunkStore gained migration support with progress reporting
All existing storage providers updated for the generic pattern

HytaleServerConfig Refactoring

Inner configuration classes extracted to standalone files: → Server Configuration docs

ModConfig — mod/plugin settings
RateLimitConfig — rate limiting settings
UpdateConfig — auto-update settings with AutoApplyMode enum (DISABLED, PROMPT, AUTOMATIC) → Update System docs
BackupConfig — backup settings

MarkerProvider API Change

MarkerProvider interface changed from returning List<MapMarker> to void provide(World, Player, MarkersCollector). All provider implementations updated. → Builtin Plugins docs

MapMarkerTracker Replaced by MarkersCollector

Map marker providers now use MarkersCollector (with MapMarkerBuilder) instead of MapMarkerTracker for creating and filtering map markers. MapMarkerTracker.trySendMarker() renamed to sendMapMarker(). → Builtin Plugins docs

Instances Async Exit

InstancesPlugin.exitInstance() return type changed from void to CompletableFuture<Void>. → Instances docs

Modified APIs

Protocol Changes

Protocol version: CRC 1789265863 to -1356075132, build number 2 to 20, struct count 314 to 339, enum count 136 to 137
BenchRequirement.id: @Nullable String to @Nonnull String = ""
BlockPlacementSettings: new allowBreakReplace boolean field (fixed size 16 to 17 bytes) → Block Types docs
BlockType: fixed block size 163 to 164 due to cascading effect of BlockPlacementSettings
CombatTextUpdate.text: @Nullable to @Nonnull with default ""
DisplayDebug: new opacity float field
EntityStatType: new hideFromTooltip boolean field → Entity Effects docs
Fluid: new particles (nullable ModelParticle[]) and drawType (FluidDrawType enum: None, Liquid) fields
Model: new sittingOffset and sleepingOffset float fields → Block Types docs
Objective: title and description changed from String to FormattedMessage
ObjectiveTask: description changed from String to FormattedMessage
WorldLoadProgress.status: String to FormattedMessage
MapMarker: id and markerImage changed to @Nonnull; name changed to FormattedMessage; new customName string and polymorphic MapMarkerComponent[] array
UpdateWorldMapSettings: four new boolean fields for map permissions (allowShowOnMapToggle, allowCompassTrackingToggle, allowCreatingMapMarkers, allowRemovingOtherPlayersMarkers) → Packet Types docs
BuilderToolSelectionTransform: transformation matrix replaced with Quatf rotation + BlockPosition translationOffset
AssetPackManifest: new serverVersion nullable string field
PickupLocation: new Backpack(2) enum value
DebugShape: new Sector(5) and Disc(6) enum values
ComponentUpdateType: new Prop(25) enum value
FluidDrawType: new enum (None, Liquid)

World Generation Changes

→ World Generation Overview

Indexer replaced by Registry<T> with bidirectional lookup, getAllValues(), and forEach()
BaseHeightReference / BiDouble2DoubleFunction pattern replaced by DecimalConstantsFrameworkAsset
WorldStructureAsset.buildBiomeMap() replaced by build() returning WorldStructure
BasicWorldStructureAsset now supports FrameworkAsset[] and spawn positions
MaterialAsset gained OrthogonalRotationAsset for solid block rotation
VectorProvider.process() changed from returning Vector3d to output-parameter pattern (void process(Context, Vector3d))
CacheDensity and MultiCacheDensity constructors removed threadCount parameter
Pattern.Context gained no-arg constructor and assign() method
ReferenceBundle changed internal storage from Map<String, Reference> to Map<String, Object> with type tracking
ChunkRequest.GeneratorProfile gained worldCounter parameter and clone() method
Handle/HandleProvider gained seed override support
HytaleGenerator added DEFAULT_SPAWN_POSITION = (0, 140, 0) and getSpawnPositions() method
WorkerIndexer parameter type changed to WorkerIndexer.Id across all generator assets

Builtin Package Changes

FarmingUtil.harvest() now returns boolean instead of void
CoopBlock.getCoopAcceptsNPCGroup(int) renamed to getCoopAcceptsNPC(String) (integer group index to string name key)
HarvestCropInteraction gained RequireNotBroken config field
NPCMemory constructor removed isMemoriesNameOverridden parameter and processConfig() method
ObjectiveTask changed List<MapMarker> to List<ObjectiveTaskMarker> and removed getInfoMessage()
MapMarker replaced by ObjectiveTaskMarker domain class (converts via toProto())
PlayerSleep.MorningWakeUp field changed from Instant to @Nullable Instant
WorldSlumber.incProgressSeconds renamed to incrementProgressSeconds
BuilderToolsPlugin replaced Matrix4d transforms with Quaterniond rotation + Vector3i translation
BuilderToolsPacketHandler method names changed to descriptive names (e.g., handleBuilderToolSetTransformationModeState)
BrushConfig default shape changed to Sphere
AssetEditorPlugin added event registry support for asset pack events
AssetEditorPlugin.Messages constants renamed (e.g., USAGE_DENIED_MESSAGE to USAGE_DENIED)
MountPlugin: several method signatures changed to accept Ref instead of PlayerRef
StairConnectedBlockRuleSet.getConnection() gained upsideDown parameter → Connected Blocks docs
ModelSystems.UpdateCrouchingBoundingBox renamed to UpdateMovementStateBoundingBox
NPC instruction builder: “step” terminology changed to “instruction” throughout
KillObjectiveTask simplified damage source handling using Damage.EntitySource pattern match

Server Infrastructure Changes

Universe.java: new worldsPath/worldsDeletedPath fields; multi-channel QUIC stream setup; AtomicBoolean guard for backups; validateWorldPath() method
World.java: deleteWorldFromDisk() uses atomic staging to worlds-deleted/; third-party plugin crash identification
PluginManager: FAILED state added with failureCause tracking; MOD_ERROR shutdown reason; version validation changed to string equality → Plugin Lifecycle docs
PluginClassLoader constructor gained identifier parameter
TickingThread can now attribute crashes to specific plugins via PluginIdentifier → Plugin Lifecycle docs

Component System Changes

Archetype.of() now validates against null ComponentTypes
Holder removed @Nullable annotations from fields/methods
EventRegistry.preconditionMessage now @Nullable
Registry gained shutdownAndCleanup(boolean) method for LIFO cleanup → Registries docs

Math and Utility Additions

Vector3d: new static distance() and distanceSquared() methods (no object allocation) → Math Overview
Box: new ZERO constant → Math Overview
ChunkUtil: new SIZE_BLOCKS_MASK = 32767 constant
MessageUtil: new date(), time(), select() formatter methods for i18n
FileUtil: new writeStringAtomic() and atomicMove() methods
SoundUtil: new playItemSoundEvent() method
LoggerUtil: new nsToMsDecimal(long) utility

Removed Features

Removed Files — Protocol

Equipment.java — replaced by EquipmentUpdate (ComponentUpdate subclass) → Client Sync docs
Nameplate.java — replaced by NameplateUpdate (ComponentUpdate subclass) → Client Sync docs
AssetEditorEnableAssetPack packet (ID 318) — removed entirely → Packet Types docs
Status auth packet (ID 10) — removed entirely → Packet Types docs
AssetEditorRebuildCaches — deregistered as a packet, converted to plain utility class → Packet Types docs

Removed Files — World Generation

→ World Generation Overview

SpherePositionProviderAsset / SpherePositionProvider — replaced by BoundPositionProviderAsset / BoundPositionProvider (axis-aligned bounds)
BaseHeightContentFieldAsset — replaced by DecimalConstantsFrameworkAsset
ContentFieldAsset — replaced by FrameworkAsset
BiomeType / SimpleBiomeType — renamed to Biome / SimpleBiome
BiomeMap / SimpleBiomeMap — replaced by WorldStructure
Indexer — replaced by Registry<T>
AllStoneMaterialProvider / GrassTopMaterialProvider — replaced by data-driven MaterialProviderAsset configuration
CeilingPattern — replaced by SurfacePattern with Facing.D parameter
BaseHeightReference / Reference — ReferenceBundle now stores Object values directly

Removed Files — Server

gameplay/SleepConfig.java — moved to gameplay/sleep/SleepConfig.java with expanded fields
PortalSpawn.java — functionality merged elsewhere
MarkerBlockState.java — replaced by UserMapMarker system
PerWorldDataMarkerProvider — split into PersonalMarkersProvider and SharedMarkersProvider
PlayerIconMarkerProvider — replaced by OtherPlayersMarkerProvider

Performance and Internal Improvements

Density Node Allocation Reduction

All density nodes in the world generator received an optimization pass. Instead of allocating new Vector3d and Density.Context objects per process() call, they now pre-allocate these as private final fields with r prefix (e.g., rChildPosition, rChildContext) and reuse them via .assign() methods. This significantly reduces GC pressure during world generation.

ReusableList

New ReusableList class replaces new ArrayList<>() allocations in hot-path density nodes (PositionsPinchDensity, PositionsTwistDensity, PositionsHorizontalPinchDensity).

YSampledDensity

New density node that samples input density at configurable Y intervals and interpolates between samples, reducing redundant density calculations.

VectorProvider Output-Parameter Pattern

VectorProvider.process() changed from returning a new Vector3d to writing into a pre-allocated output vector, reducing allocations across all vector provider implementations.

CODEC Field Immutability

Many BuilderCodec fields changed from public static to public static final, adding immutability guarantees.

Null Safety

Hundreds of methods across the codebase received @Nonnull annotations, improving null-safety contracts and IDE support.

Static Method Conversions

Many instance methods that did not use instance state were changed to static (e.g., in CreativeHubPlugin, CraftingPlugin, DeployablesPlugin).

Path Traversal Security

PathUtil gained trusted root validation, safe path resolution, and filename validation. All file access paths in PrefabStore, ServerFileBrowser, DiskDataStore, DiskPlayerStorageProvider, DiskResourceStorageProvider, and JsonLoader now validate paths against trusted roots. → Registries docs

Atomic File Writes

BsonUtil and other file writers now use FileUtil.writeStringAtomic() (write to temp, then rename) for crash-safe persistence.

Command Internationalization

Multiple command files migrated from hardcoded English strings to translation keys using Message.translation().

Debug Visualization

NPC sensor visualization with disc and sector debug shapes. Flock member debug connections. Leash position and target arrow rendering for roles.

Build Metadata

Implementation version: 2026.01.24-6e2d4fc36 to 2026.02.17-255364b8e
New dependencies: JOML 1.10.8 (math library), RocksDB 10.4.2 (embedded key-value store) → Setup docs