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New Game 2 is a Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 modpack built for Forge. Install the CurseForge client release for the complete documented experience, or download its matching 1.20.1 Forge server pack to host the game yourself. The project author recommends at least 8GB of RAM, with additional memory for larger groups.
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This guide covers client installation, self-hosting, managed hosting, version matching, memory planning, inviting friends, and the multiplayer features included in the pack.
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New Game 2 is an expanded version of the original New Game pack, adding more challenges, exploration and adventure content. It runs on Minecraft: Java Edition 1.20.1 with the Forge mod loader. The project supports both client and dedicated-server environments, so one person can run a server while everyone else connects with the same pack.
| Requirement | What to use |
|---|---|
| Minecraft edition | Java Edition |
| Minecraft version | 1.20.1 |
| Mod loader | Forge |
| Client distribution | CurseForge for the fullest documented pack |
| Server distribution | The New Game 2 server-pack release from CurseForge |
| Memory guidance | At least 8GB of RAM for the modpack; larger groups may need more |
Install Java Edition before adding the pack. Every player and the server must use the same New Game 2 release and Forge-compatible Minecraft version. A client on a different pack revision can fail to connect, report missing mods or produce a mismatched registry error.
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- Play and share with friends on console, mobile and Windows 10
- discover community creations in the new in-game store
- access new mini games and game modes through servers
Choose the right distribution route
CurseForge is the safest choice when you want every component documented by the project, including the official server-pack files. The project’s Modrinth listing warns that some content cannot be included there, that FTB Quests is not bundled in that upload, and that server packs cannot be uploaded on that platform. In practical terms, Modrinth can be convenient for a client, but it is not equivalent to the CurseForge build.
| Route | Best for | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| CurseForge | Complete client installation and self-hosting | You manage a large modpack and, for self-hosting, the server files |
| Modrinth | Players who prefer its launcher ecosystem | The project says some content is omitted, FTB Quests is not bundled, and no server pack can be uploaded there |
| Managed host | Players who do not want to install or maintain a server manually | Price, hardware, support and performance depend on the provider |
For a full-featured playthrough, download the CurseForge version even if you use a different launcher for other Minecraft instances. Keep a note of the exact pack version shown by the launcher; that is the version your friends and server should match.
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Install the New Game 2 client
- Install Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1. Start the vanilla game once so the launcher creates its normal files and profiles.
- Install a Forge profile for Minecraft 1.20.1. The loader must target 1.20.1 rather than a newer Minecraft release. Do not substitute Fabric or NeoForge unless the project publishes a separate build for it.
- Install the New Game 2 client from CurseForge. Use the pack’s installation option in your launcher and let it download the listed mods, configurations and resource files.
- Check the instance version. Confirm that the launcher identifies New Game 2 and Minecraft 1.20.1 with Forge before pressing Play.
- Launch once with no server connection. The first start may take longer while Forge creates directories and generates configuration files. Quit normally after reaching the title screen or a test world.
- Keep the instance unchanged until everyone is ready. Avoid adding or removing mods on only one computer. Even a small client-side difference can prevent a connection or alter world behavior.
The Modrinth listing specifically recommends the CurseForge version for the full experience. If a Modrinth installation appears to be missing a quest, mod or configuration, switching to the documented CurseForge build is the appropriate fix rather than copying files randomly between instances.
Self-host a New Game 2 server
The project publishes a matching server-pack release for Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge. The listed file is named “New Game 2 (Server Pack) – MC 1.20.1 – 39.1.0” and is listed at 916.16 MB on CurseForge (the listing accessed October 15, 2026). Download the server pack that corresponds to the client release you intend to use; do not assume that a similarly named older file is interchangeable.
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Prepare a dedicated server directory
- Create a new folder used only for this server. A short path such as a dedicated Minecraft folder makes backups and troubleshooting easier.
- Download the matching New Game 2 server pack from CurseForge and extract all of its contents into that folder. Preserve the directory structure supplied by the pack.
- Confirm that the extracted files include the Forge server launcher and the launch script supplied by the pack. The pack’s script is the authority for how that release should be started.
- Install or select the Java runtime required by the Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge server. If the launcher reports a Java-version error, correct the Java installation before changing mod files.
Accept the EULA and start the server
- Run the included Forge server launcher or the supplied start script once. The initial run normally creates server files and stops when it needs the Minecraft EULA accepted.
- Open the generated EULA file, read the Minecraft terms, and change the acceptance entry only if you agree to them. Save the file in the same server directory.
- Run the pack’s supplied launch script again. Keep the terminal or server console open while the world and mod data finish loading.
- Wait for the console to report that the server is ready before connecting. The first world generation can take substantially longer than later starts.
The project pages establish the server pack and its compatibility, but they do not publish a complete, release-specific command transcript. Use the launch script included with your downloaded pack instead of copying a command from an unrelated Forge server guide. Script names, Java arguments and file layouts can change between releases.
Set the basic server options
After the first successful start, stop the server from its console before editing configuration files. Set the world name, difficulty, game mode, view or simulation distance and other options in the files generated by that release. Change one setting at a time and retain a backup of the original configuration. Modpack-specific configuration files should be edited only when the relevant mod documentation explains the setting.
Make the server reachable
- On a home network: give players on the same network the host computer’s local address and the server port shown in the server configuration.
- From outside the home network: forward the configured port from the router to the server computer, allow Java through the operating system firewall, and give friends your public address. Your internet provider may use carrier-grade NAT, which can prevent inbound connections even when port forwarding is configured.
- Security: whitelist trusted usernames where appropriate, use a strong operator policy, and never expose administrative files or the server console to untrusted users.
Do not publish a private home address in a public post. If router configuration or changing public addresses is inconvenient, a managed host avoids those networking steps.
How much RAM does a New Game 2 server need?
The project author’s explicit guidance is a minimum of 8GB of RAM for this modpack and more memory for a large number of players. That is an allocation recommendation, not a guarantee of a particular frame rate, tick rate or player capacity. No independent player-count, latency or uptime benchmark is published for New Game 2.
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| Use case | Practical planning |
|---|---|
| Small private group | Start with the author’s 8GB minimum and monitor actual memory use |
| Larger group or exploration-heavy world | Plan additional memory rather than treating 8GB as a ceiling |
| Self-hosting on a personal computer | Leave enough RAM for the operating system and other applications; do not assign all installed memory to Java |
| Managed hosting | Choose a plan that meets the pack’s minimum and can scale resources if the group grows |
If the host computer has less than the recommended amount installed, an 8GB-or-larger RAM upgrade may help, but the exact DIMM or SODIMM type, speed and capacity must match the motherboard or laptop. More memory cannot repair a bad Java version, a mismatched mod list, a slow disk or a network problem.
Managed hosting options
Author-recommended hosting
The CurseForge project page says New Game 2 works with Bisect Hosting and recommends hiring it, mentioning a possible 25% discount through the author’s link and the code “Lupin.” This is the project author’s promotional recommendation, not independent performance testing. Check that the code, discount, terms and any affiliate disclosure are still valid before paying.
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Independent one-click installation
FadeHost advertises automatic installation of the full Forge pack, including its configuration and datapack files. It also advertises a 4GB free trial and the ability to scale resources. Because New Game 2’s author recommends at least 8GB, treat a 4GB trial as a short setup or evaluation environment rather than evidence that the pack meets its normal memory requirement. FadeHost states that it is not affiliated with the pack authors or with Mojang or Microsoft; verify current pricing, renewal terms, resource limits and support before ordering.
Questions to ask any provider
- Can the provider install the exact New Game 2 release and Forge version you plan to use?
- Is the advertised RAM dedicated, and can it be increased without rebuilding the world?
- Can you upload your own server-pack files and restore backups?
- Where is the server region, and what support is available if the pack fails to start?
- Are automated backups, scheduled restarts, console access and whitelist controls included?
Invite friends and keep every client synchronized
- Start the server and wait for its ready message.
- Give friends the correct local or public server address, depending on where they are connecting from.
- Have every player install the same New Game 2 release from CurseForge, Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 and the matching Forge loader.
- Ask players to launch the pack once before joining so missing downloads and configuration generation happen locally.
- Use the server’s whitelist or permission controls before sharing the address widely.
New Game 2 names Simple Voice Chat, PlayerRevive and Emotecraft as multiplayer features. Voice Chat requires each player to use the corresponding client component and, depending on the installation, may require the server’s voice-chat configuration and network port to be reachable. PlayerRevive changes how incapacitation and recovery work, while Emotecraft adds emotes; neither removes the need for matching mod files.
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What the pack adds
The pack combines atmosphere, seasons, new biomes, creatures, structures and adventure dimensions. Its project descriptions highlight the following content:
| Category | Named examples |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere and world ambience | AmbientSounds, Falling Leaves and Serene Seasons |
| Villagers and survival systems | MCA Reborn and Aquaculture 2 |
| Biomes and terrain | Biomes O’ Plenty and Regions Unexplored |
| Creatures and encounters | Alex’s Caves and Alex’s Mobs |
| Adventure and dimensions | Ice and Fire, L_Ender’s Cataclysm, The Aether and The Twilight Forest |
| Multiplayer interaction | Simple Voice Chat, PlayerRevive and Emotecraft |
These additions make world generation and exploration central to the experience. Back up the world before changing generation-related settings or adding extra terrain mods; once new chunks are generated, changing the mod list can create mismatched terrain or missing-content problems.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting common setup failures
The launcher says mods are missing or incompatible
Compare the exact pack release, Minecraft version and Forge loader on the client and server. Reinstall the CurseForge profile if files were manually deleted, and do not copy a Modrinth profile over a CurseForge instance to fill gaps. A clean instance is usually faster than chasing individual missing dependencies.
The server stops during startup
- Confirm that you extracted the complete server pack rather than only its visible top-level files.
- Use the launch script supplied with that release.
- Check that the selected Java runtime is compatible with Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge.
- Verify that the server has the recommended memory available and that the operating system is not terminating Java for lack of resources.
- Read the first meaningful error in the server log; later stack traces are often consequences rather than the cause.
Friends cannot connect
First test from the host computer or the same local network. If local joining works, check the router’s port forwarding, the operating system firewall, the public address and any carrier-grade NAT limitation. If the connection reaches the server but is rejected, compare the client and server pack files before changing network settings.
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The world lags or crashes after adding players
Observe memory use and server tick behavior while reproducing the problem. Reduce view or simulation distance, close unrelated applications and consider increasing the server’s allocated memory for a larger group. Do not treat a RAM upgrade as a universal fix: mismatched mods, corrupted chunks, Java errors and overloaded world-generation tasks can have different causes.
Voice chat does not work
Check that Simple Voice Chat is present on both sides, that players have granted microphone permission, and that the voice-chat network configuration is reachable through the firewall and router. Regular Minecraft connections can work even when the separate voice-chat port is blocked.
Updating, backups and safe maintenance
- Record the current client and server release before making changes.
- Stop the server cleanly and make a complete copy of the world, configuration, scripts and pack files.
- Read the release notes for the new pack version and update clients and server as one coordinated change.
- Test the updated server with one player before inviting the whole group.
- Keep the previous server directory or backup until everyone has confirmed that worlds, quests and multiplayer features work.
Never update only the server while friends continue using an older client. If a new release changes world-generation mods, keep an untouched backup of the original world so you can roll back without losing progress.
Bottom line for playing with friends
Yes, New Game 2 supports multiplayer. For the most complete setup, use the CurseForge client, the matching CurseForge 1.20.1 Forge server pack and at least the project’s recommended 8GB of RAM. Self-hosting gives you control but requires Java, firewall, router and backup maintenance; a managed host removes much of that work at the cost of provider-dependent pricing and performance. Whichever route you choose, matching the exact pack release on every client and the server is the key compatibility rule.
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