NeoForge Convention Tag Proposal Metal Chests Discussion

Hey guys! Let's dive into a cool suggestion that came up while porting Fabric to 25w31a. @TelepathicGrunt had an awesome idea about introducing a new convention tag, specifically c:chests/metal, and it's something that could really benefit the NeoForge community. This proposal stems from the addition of Copper Chests in the game, and it opens up some exciting possibilities for modders and players alike.

The Idea Behind c:chests/metal

So, what's the big deal about a c:chests/metal tag? Well, with the introduction of Copper Chests in the latest snapshots, there's a growing need to differentiate between various types of chests in the game. The existing c:chests/wooden tag does a great job for wooden chests, but what about the metal ones? That's where this new tag comes in.

Think of it this way: Copper Chests are essentially the metal counterparts to wooden chests. They offer a different aesthetic and potentially different properties, and having a dedicated tag allows us to categorize them properly. But it doesn't stop there! Mods like Iron Chests and Expanded Storage add a plethora of metal chests to the game, each with its own unique characteristics. A c:chests/metal tag provides a standardized way to identify these chests, making it easier for modders to integrate them into crafting recipes and other mechanics.

Why is this important? Imagine you're crafting a complex machine that requires a specific type of chest. With a c:chests/metal tag, you can ensure that the recipe works with any metal chest, whether it's a Copper Chest, an Iron Chest, or something else entirely. This adds a layer of flexibility and compatibility that's super valuable for modded gameplay. Plus, it just makes things cleaner and more organized overall.

Benefits for Modders and Players

Let's break down the advantages of implementing a c:chests/metal tag:

• Better Differentiation: As mentioned earlier, this tag helps distinguish metal chests from wooden ones, providing a clear distinction for crafting and other interactions.
• Mod Compatibility: Mods that add metal chests can easily adopt this tag, ensuring their chests are recognized and compatible with other mods that utilize it. This is a huge win for modded ecosystems!
• Crafting Recipes: The c:chests/metal tag can be used in crafting recipes, allowing for more flexible and inclusive recipe designs. Players can use any metal chest that fits the tag, rather than being limited to specific types.
• Organization: It brings a sense of order and organization to the world of chests, making it easier for players and modders to manage and interact with them.

In essence, the c:chests/metal tag is all about creating a more cohesive and user-friendly experience. It's a small change that can have a big impact on the way we interact with chests in the game, especially in modded environments.

Real-World Examples and Use Cases

To really drive home the importance of this tag, let's look at some practical examples of how it could be used:

• Crafting Upgrades: Imagine a recipe that allows you to upgrade a wooden chest to a metal chest. Instead of specifying each individual metal chest type (Iron Chest, Gold Chest, Diamond Chest, etc.), the recipe could simply use the c:chests/metal tag. This means players could use any metal chest they have available, making the upgrade process much smoother.
• Automated Systems: In automated systems, you might want to use a specific type of chest for storage. With the c:chests/metal tag, you can easily configure your system to work with any metal chest, providing flexibility in your setup. This is particularly useful in complex modded setups where resource management is key.
• Questing and Progression: Modpacks often use quests to guide players through the game. A quest might require the player to craft a metal chest. By using the c:chests/metal tag, the quest can be completed with any metal chest, giving players more freedom in how they progress.
• Item Filtering: Mods that add item filtering systems could use the c:chests/metal tag to quickly filter for all metal chests. This makes it easier to manage inventories and sort items, saving players valuable time and effort.

These are just a few examples, but they illustrate the versatility and usefulness of the c:chests/metal tag. It's a simple yet powerful tool that can enhance the gameplay experience in a variety of ways.

Implementation and Next Steps

Now, let's talk about how this could be implemented in NeoForge. The good news is that the groundwork has already been laid by the Fabric community. The initial suggestion came up during the porting process for Fabric to 25w31a, and the idea has gained traction there.

My plan is to submit a PR (Pull Request) to NeoForge once a 25w31a/1.21.9 branch exists. This means that the code changes needed to implement the c:chests/metal tag will be submitted for review and potential inclusion in the NeoForge codebase. This is a crucial step in making this tag a reality for the NeoForge community.

But what can you do in the meantime? Well, the best way to get involved is to discuss this proposal and provide feedback. Do you see value in this tag? Are there any potential issues or concerns? Your input is incredibly important in shaping the future of NeoForge. You can share your thoughts on the NeoForge Discord server or in the comments section below. Let's get the conversation going!

In the meantime, consider how this tag could be used in your own mods or modpacks. Think about the possibilities and how it could improve the player experience. The more we discuss and explore these ideas, the better equipped we'll be to implement them effectively.

Comparing c:chests/metal with Existing Tags

To fully understand the significance of the c:chests/metal tag, it's helpful to compare it with existing tags and see how it fits into the broader tagging system. Currently, we have tags like c:chests/wooden, which, as the name suggests, groups all wooden chests together. This is incredibly useful for recipes and interactions that should apply to any wooden chest, regardless of the specific wood type or mod it comes from.

The c:chests/metal tag aims to provide the same level of flexibility and compatibility for metal chests. Without it, modders would need to individually specify each metal chest type in their recipes or code, which can become cumbersome and lead to compatibility issues. For instance, if a mod adds a new type of metal chest, it wouldn't automatically be included in existing recipes that use a hardcoded list of chest types. This is where the tag system really shines, as it allows for dynamic inclusion of items based on their properties.

Consider this scenario: You have a recipe that requires a metal chest to craft a specific machine. Without the c:chests/metal tag, the recipe might only work with Iron Chests from a particular mod. This limits the player's options and can be frustrating if they're using a different mod that adds metal chests. With the tag, the recipe would work with any chest that's tagged as c:chests/metal, providing a much more seamless and enjoyable experience.

Furthermore, the c:chests/metal tag could potentially be extended with sub-tags to further categorize metal chests based on their properties. For example, we could have tags like c:chests/metal/reinforced for chests that offer increased blast resistance or c:chests/metal/tiered for chests that follow a specific progression system (like Iron Chests' copper, iron, gold, diamond tiers). This level of granularity would allow modders to create even more sophisticated interactions and recipes.

Addressing Potential Concerns

Of course, with any new feature or change, it's important to consider potential concerns and address them proactively. One concern that might arise is the potential for conflicts if multiple mods use the c:chests/metal tag in incompatible ways. For example, if one mod assumes that all metal chests have a certain number of slots, and another mod adds a metal chest with a different number of slots, this could lead to issues.

However, these types of conflicts are generally manageable through careful mod design and testing. Modders should strive to adhere to common conventions and design their mods in a way that's compatible with others. Additionally, tools like the NeoForge issue tracker and Discord server can be used to report and resolve compatibility problems.

Another concern might be the potential for confusion if the c:chests/metal tag is not well-defined or documented. To mitigate this, it's crucial to provide clear guidelines and examples for how the tag should be used. This documentation should cover things like what types of chests should be tagged as c:chests/metal, how to handle edge cases, and best practices for using the tag in recipes and code.

By addressing these concerns upfront, we can ensure that the c:chests/metal tag is a valuable addition to the NeoForge ecosystem, rather than a source of problems.

Conclusion: Embracing the c:chests/metal Tag

So, there you have it, guys! The c:chests/metal tag is an exciting proposal that has the potential to greatly enhance the way we interact with chests in NeoForge. By providing a standardized way to identify metal chests, it opens up a world of possibilities for modders and players alike. From crafting recipes to automated systems, the applications are vast and varied.

The key takeaways here are:

• The c:chests/metal tag provides better differentiation between metal and wooden chests.
• It enhances mod compatibility, ensuring that metal chests from different mods can work together seamlessly.
• It allows for more flexible and inclusive crafting recipes.
• It brings a sense of organization and clarity to the world of chests.

I'm genuinely excited about the potential of this tag, and I believe it's a step in the right direction for NeoForge. I encourage you all to share your thoughts and feedback on this proposal. Let's work together to make NeoForge the best modding platform it can be!

I'm looking forward to submitting a PR for this once the 25w31a/1.21.9 branch is available. In the meantime, let's keep the conversation going and explore all the exciting possibilities that the c:chests/metal tag has to offer. Thanks for reading, and happy modding!