Multiverse, Generator Configuration

What Is a Multiverse Generator?

When Multiverse-Core creates a new world, it can use a custom chunk generator instead of vanilla terrain. This is how you get void worlds for lobbies, custom terrain from Terra or Iris, flat worlds for plots, and themed dimensions for events. Multiverse generator configuration controls which generator plugin creates the chunks and what settings it uses.

If you are new to Multiverse, start with the Multiverse tutorial for basic world creation before diving into generator config.

Creating a World with a Generator

The basic command for creating a world with a custom generator:

/mv create <world_name> <environment> -g <generator>[:<id>] [-s <seed>] [-t <world_type>]

The -g flag specifies the generator plugin. The optional :id suffix selects a specific generator preset if the plugin offers multiple.

Void World with VoidGen

VoidGen is the simplest custom generator. It creates completely empty worlds, perfect for lobbies, build contests, and schematics:

/mv create lobby NORMAL -g VoidGen
/mv create arena NORMAL -g VoidGen:{air}

The first command creates a void world with a single stone block at spawn. The second creates a pure void with no blocks at all. The configuration for VoidGen is minimal because the plugin has very few settings.

Terra Custom Terrain

Terra generates realistic, biome-rich terrain that looks far better than vanilla. Install Terra, then create a world using one of its config packs:

/mv create survival_terra NORMAL -g Terra:DEFAULT
/mv create fantasy NORMAL -g Terra:FANTASY

The part after the colon is the Terra config pack ID. Terra ships with DEFAULT, and community packs add themes like fantasy, amplified, or islands. Each pack defines its own biomes, structures, and ore distribution.

Flat World

For a flat world without a generator plugin, use the built-in world type:

/mv create plots NORMAL -t FLAT

The -t flag sets the world type. Options are NORMAL, FLAT, AMPLIFIED, and LARGE_BIOMES. This is not the same as the -g flag, world types use vanilla generation with modified parameters.

Generator Configuration in worlds.yml

After creating a world, Multiverse stores the generator setting in plugins/Multiverse-Core/worlds.yml:

# worlds.yml
worlds:
  lobby:
    environment: NORMAL
    generator: VoidGen
    seed: '12345'
    adjust-spawn: true
    auto-load: true
  survival_terra:
    environment: NORMAL
    generator: 'Terra:DEFAULT'
    seed: '-987654321'
    auto-load: true

You can edit this file directly and reload with /mv reload. The generator field must match the exact plugin name and preset. A common multiverse generator configuration mistake is misspelling the generator name, which causes the world to fall back to vanilla generation.

Seed Control

Seeds determine the terrain layout. Set a seed at creation time or in worlds.yml:

/mv create survival NORMAL -g Terra:DEFAULT -s 123456789

Using the same seed and generator produces identical terrain. This is useful for event maps where you want reproducible worlds. Leave the seed empty for random generation.

Generator-Specific Settings

Most generators have their own config files that control world generation independently of Multiverse:

• VoidGen: plugins/VoidGen/config.yml, controls whether a platform spawns at the origin
• Terra: plugins/Terra/packs/, each pack has biome configs, structure configs, and ore configs
• Iris: plugins/Iris/packs/, similar pack-based configuration with a visual editor
• CleanroomGenerator: plugins/CleanroomGenerator/config.yml, define exact layer stacks for custom flat worlds

Multiverse generator configuration only tells the server which generator to use. The generator plugin itself handles the details.

Switching Generators on Existing Worlds

You cannot change a world's generator after creation without regenerating it. If you need to switch generators:

1. Delete or rename the world folder
2. Update the generator in worlds.yml
3. Restart the server (Multiverse regenerates the world with the new generator)

Back up any builds before doing this. Use WorldEdit schematics to save important structures before regeneration.

Troubleshooting

• World loads with vanilla terrain: The generator plugin is not installed, or the name in worlds.yml does not match. Check capitalization and plugin load order.
• Chunks generate slowly: Complex generators like Terra and Iris are CPU-intensive. Pre-generate chunks with Chunky before opening the world to players.
• Error: "Generator not found": The generator plugin failed to enable. Check the server log for errors from that plugin specifically.

Summary

Multiverse generator configuration is the bridge between Multiverse-Core and custom world generators. Use -g at creation time, verify settings in worlds.yml, and configure the generator plugin separately for detailed terrain control. Void worlds for lobbies, Terra for stunning terrain, and vanilla types for classic gameplay, all managed through one consistent interface.

See it live: Astroworld MC, IP play.astroworldmc.com, Java + Bedrock.