Biome-Specific Block Generation

Overview

The SkyGrid plugin now uses YAML configuration files to define which blocks should generate in each biome. This approach provides a more structured and readable configuration process, as well as greater flexibility in specifying multiple biomes per distribution.

How the Configuration Works

1. Top-Level Keys:
   Your configuration file (e.g., world.yml, world_nether.yml, world_the_end.yml) will contain two main sections:

   • biomes: Maps biomes (or multiple biomes) to a specific distribution.
   • distributions: Defines sets of block materials along with their relative probabilities.

2. Multiple Biomes Per Distribution:
   You can assign multiple biomes to the same distribution by listing them in a single key, separated by commas. Each biome listed will use the same set of blocks and probabilities.

3. Default Distribution (Optional):
   If a biome does not have a defined distribution, the plugin can fall back to a default_distribution if provided. This ensures that even unmapped biomes still generate blocks, preventing gaps in block generation.

4. No More Biome Headers with Dashes:
   Previously, biome-specific configurations were defined using headers like -BIOME_NAME-. With the new YAML format, simply define a key in the biomes section:

biomes:
     DESERT:
       distribution: desert_distribution

or for multiple biomes:

biomes:
    OCEAN, COLD_OCEAN, DEEP_COLD_OCEAN, DEEP_FROZEN_OCEAN, DEEP_LUKEWARM_OCEAN, DEEP_OCEAN, FROZEN_OCEAN, LUKEWARM_OCEAN:
      distribution: oceanic_distribution

5. Supported Biomes: For a list of valid biome names, refer to the Spigot/Bukkit Biome documentation.

Example Configuration

Below is a sample YAML configuration (world.yml) that demonstrates assigning distributions to single and multiple biomes, along with defining a fallback default_distribution:

# Example world.yml

biomes:
  # Single biome mapped to "desert_distribution"
  DESERT:
    distribution: desert_distribution

  # Multiple biomes sharing the same "oceanic_distribution"
  OCEAN, COLD_OCEAN, DEEP_COLD_OCEAN, DEEP_FROZEN_OCEAN, DEEP_LUKEWARM_OCEAN, DEEP_OCEAN, FROZEN_OCEAN, LUKEWARM_OCEAN:
    distribution: oceanic_distribution

distributions:
  # Distribution for desert biomes
  desert_distribution:
    SAND: 100

  # Distribution for oceanic biomes
  oceanic_distribution:
    SAND: 80
    SANDSTONE: 9.0
    SEA_PICKLE: 1.0
    TUBE_CORAL: 1.0
    TUBE_CORAL_FAN: 1.0
    HORN_CORAL: 1.0
    HORN_CORAL_FAN: 1.0
    FIRE_CORAL: 1.0
    FIRE_CORAL_FAN: 1.0
    BUBBLE_CORAL: 1.0
    BUBBLE_CORAL_FAN: 1.0
    BRAIN_CORAL: 1.0
    BRAIN_CORAL_FAN: 1.0

default_distribution:
  # Fallback distribution used if a biome isn't defined in the 'biomes' section
  DIRT: 50
  STONE: 30
  SAND: 20

Key Points

• Flexible Assignment:
  Assign one or many biomes to the same distribution by listing them in a single YAML key separated by commas.

• Simple Percentages:
  Percentages do not need to sum to 100%. They represent relative weights, and the plugin normalizes them internally.

• Maintainable Structure:
  YAML structure makes it easier to organize and maintain biome-specific distributions as your server evolves.

Further Customization

• You can create as many distributions as needed and assign them to any number of biomes.
• Add or remove entries from distributions as your world’s gameplay dynamics change.
• Use a default_distribution to ensure that all biomes have some form of block generation.

---