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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesNew Game 2 is a Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 modpack built for the Forge loader. For the complete documented experience, install the CurseForge release. To host multiplayer yourself, use the matching CurseForge server pack, allocate at least 8GB of memory, and make sure every player uses the same pack release and Forge profile.
Running a modpack with friends? Godlike.Host offers modded Minecraft server hosting with one-click modpacks (CurseForge, FTB, Technic) and free DDoS protection.
This guide covers client installation, self-hosting, managed hosting choices, memory planning, version matching, and the common failures that prevent friends from joining.
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What New Game 2 is and which Minecraft version it uses
New Game 2 is an expanded version of the original New Game pack. Its project description emphasizes additional challenges, exploration and adventure content rather than a small collection of convenience mods. The current project listings identify Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 and Forge as the target platform. The pack supports both client and server environments.
The version matters because Minecraft modpacks are tied to a specific game version and mod loader. A 1.20.1 Forge installation is not interchangeable with a 1.20.1 Fabric installation, and a different Minecraft version can fail even when the mod names look similar. Treat the Minecraft version, Forge loader and New Game 2 release as one compatibility set.
#1 Best Overall
- DELUXE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, three Bedrock add-ons, three exclusive Character Creator items, and 700 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Why CurseForge is the safest route for this guide
The project’s Modrinth listing says 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. It also strongly recommends the CurseForge version for the full experience. CurseForge is therefore the complete distribution path described here, including the server-pack files needed for self-hosting.
Modrinth can still be useful if you only need its client metadata or launcher integration, but you should expect an incomplete feature set compared with the CurseForge project. Do not use a Modrinth client as the source for a self-hosted New Game 2 server unless the project authors later publish a compatible server distribution there.
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Requirements before you install
Software and account requirements
- A licensed copy of Minecraft Java Edition.
- A Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge profile, or a launcher that can create the profile for the pack.
- The New Game 2 client release from CurseForge.
- For self-hosting, the matching New Game 2 server-pack release from CurseForge.
- Java and operating-system support appropriate for a modern Forge 1.20.1 installation. The project pages do not publish a universal Java command line or a tested operating-system matrix, so follow the launcher or server-pack instructions for your platform.
Memory requirements
The project author recommends a minimum of 8GB of RAM for this modpack and advises allocating more when many players are online. That recommendation applies to the server process or host allocation; it is not a guarantee that every computer with 8GB of physical memory will run the pack comfortably. A desktop with 8GB total system memory has less headroom than a server with 16GB or more, because the operating system, launcher and background applications also need memory.
No independent benchmark, player-count limit, latency test or uptime figure is published with the project information. Plan conservatively, monitor actual memory use and increase the allocation if the server regularly pauses, crashes or reports out-of-memory errors.
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE COLLECTION — Includes Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition, five Bedrock add-ons, five exclusive Character Creator items, and 1000 Minecoins.
- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world filled with surprises.
- SURVIVE THE ADVENTURE — Face mysterious foes, travel across exciting landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play cross-platform with friends in Bedrock Edition on console, mobile, and PC, or join community servers in Java Edition on PC, Mac, and Linux. Online console multiplayer requires a platform-specific subscription (sold separately).
Storage and network planning
The listed CurseForge server-pack release, named “New Game 2 (Server Pack) – MC 1.20.1 – 39.1.0”, is 916.16MB. Reserve additional disk space for the extracted files, Forge libraries, world data, backups, logs and future updates. World size can grow substantially once players explore multiple dimensions, so do not treat the 916.16MB download as the total storage requirement.
Anyone hosting from home also needs an upload connection that can serve the group and a network configuration that permits inbound connections. The project pages do not specify a required bandwidth figure or port-forwarding procedure; consult your router and internet provider documentation, and avoid exposing administrative services that are not needed for Minecraft.
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- Install Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1. Confirm that you can launch the vanilla Java Edition before adding the modpack.
- Create or select a Forge 1.20.1 profile. The loader must match the New Game 2 release. Do not select Fabric, NeoForge or a different Minecraft version.
- Install the CurseForge version of New Game 2. Use the pack’s CurseForge project entry and let the launcher create its dedicated instance. A separate instance prevents unrelated mods or configuration files from contaminating the pack.
- Launch the instance once. Allow Forge to build its libraries and configuration files. The first launch can take longer than later launches because files are being generated.
- Check the title-screen or instance information. Verify that the displayed Minecraft version is 1.20.1 and that Forge is the active loader before creating a long-term world.
The CurseForge build is the appropriate choice when you want the full set of documented content, including the quest and multiplayer-related components that may be absent from the Modrinth upload. If you have already installed the Modrinth version, do not assume that copying its files into a CurseForge instance will repair the difference; install the complete CurseForge instance instead.
How to create a New Game 2 server from the server pack
Self-hosting gives you control over the files and world, but it requires you to maintain the server software, backups, updates and network access. Use the server pack that corresponds to the exact client release rather than assembling a server by copying random mods from a client directory.
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- CREATE YOUR WORLD — Build whatever you imagine in an infinite world that is unique in every playthrough.
- EXPLORE AND CRAFT — Discover biomes, resources, and mobs, then craft your way through a sandbox world full of surprises.
- SURVIVAL ADVENTURES — Face mysterious foes, travel across varied landscapes, and venture into perilous dimensions.
- PLAY TOGETHER — Play solo or join friends in local split-screen and cross-platform play across console, mobile, and PC. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players.
- COMMUNITY PLAY — Connect with players on community servers, or subscribe to Realms Plus (sold separately) to play with up to 10 friends on a private server.
Download the matching release
- Open the New Game 2 project on CurseForge and locate the server-pack file for Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge.
- For the release documented here, select New Game 2 (Server Pack) – MC 1.20.1 – 39.1.0, listed at 916.16MB.
- Keep a record of the release number. Every player and the server should use that same New Game 2 version unless the project explicitly documents compatibility between releases.
Extract into a dedicated directory
Create a new folder used only for this server and extract the entire server-pack archive into it. Do not run it from your Downloads folder, and do not mix files from another modpack. A dedicated directory makes backups, permissions and later upgrades much safer.
Run the supplied Forge launcher
The pack includes the Forge server launcher and a launch script. Start the server with the supplied launcher or script rather than inventing a command line from a different Forge version. On the first run, Forge and Minecraft create files and the server will prompt you to accept the Minecraft EULA.
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- When the EULA file is created, read the Minecraft terms and set the EULA acceptance value only if you agree to them.
- Start the supplied launch script again.
- Wait for the console to report that the server has finished loading before attempting to connect.
- Stop the server using its console stop instruction, not by abruptly closing the terminal, so world data can be saved.
The project pages establish that the server pack is available and targets 1.20.1 Forge, but they do not publish a complete, tested command transcript for every operating system. File names and launch details can change between pack releases, so use the script included with your downloaded archive.
Allocate at least 8GB of memory
Set the server’s memory allocation to at least 8GB, following the variables or settings in the supplied launch script. Leave enough physical memory for the operating system and monitoring tools. If a larger group explores several dimensions at once, increase the allocation rather than assuming the minimum will scale indefinitely.
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- Skins! We have biome settlers, city folk, town folk, and more!
- The Nether and all its inhabitants. Fight Ghasts and make friends with Pigmen
- Cross platform play for up to five players between Pocket Edition and Windows 10
- Revamped touch controls, controller support, and a controller mapping screen
- Enhanced Weather effects! Accumulating snow and more
More memory cannot fix every problem. CPU speed, storage performance, a problematic mod, network quality and an overloaded world can all cause lag. The project’s 8GB guidance is a starting requirement, not a measured guarantee of a particular player count.
Create backups before inviting players
- Stop the server cleanly before copying the world directory.
- Keep at least one backup outside the live server folder.
- Back up before changing pack versions, removing mods or allowing a major world-generation change.
- Test that a backup can actually be restored on a spare directory.
How friends join your server
- Install the same New Game 2 CurseForge client release as the server.
- Use Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 with the matching Forge loader.
- Launch the pack once so the client creates its configuration files.
- Obtain the server address from the host. On a home network, this may be a local address; players outside the home usually need the host’s public address and a correctly configured router.
- In Minecraft, choose Multiplayer, add the server address and connect.
Every client must match the server’s mod list and versions. A player using a different pack release, loader or manually altered configuration can receive a “missing mods,” “mismatched mod list” or connection rejection message. Keep the server pack and client distribution together when updating, and tell friends exactly which release number to install.
What multiplayer features and content the pack includes
The project descriptions specifically name three multiplayer-oriented additions:
- Simple Voice Chat for proximity-style voice communication when configured correctly.
- PlayerRevive for its downed-player and revival mechanics.
- Emotecraft for player emotes.
The pack also highlights a broad exploration, world-generation and adventure selection. Named examples include AmbientSounds, Falling Leaves, Serene Seasons, MCA Reborn, Biomes O’ Plenty, Regions Unexplored, Alex’s Caves, Alex’s Mobs, Aquaculture 2, Ice and Fire, L_Ender’s Cataclysm, The Aether and The Twilight Forest.
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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
These names describe included project content, not a promise that every feature works without configuration. Voice chat, for example, may require the correct client and server components and appropriate network access. Read the configuration files and the individual mod documentation if a feature is present but disabled.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing a hosting method
| Approach | What you receive | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted server pack | Direct control over the 1.20.1 Forge files, world, backups and settings. | You must handle installation, memory allocation, updates, security, uptime and network access. |
| Author-recommended managed host | The CurseForge page says the pack works with Bisect Hosting and recommends that provider. | It is a promotional recommendation rather than independent performance testing; verify current plans, availability and terms. |
| Independent one-click host | FadeHost advertises automatic installation of the full Forge pack, its configuration and datapacks. It says a 4GB free trial is available and that resources can be scaled. | Provider pricing, terms and performance can change. FadeHost states that it is not affiliated with the pack authors, Mojang or Microsoft. |
Understanding the author’s hosting recommendation
The CurseForge project page contains an author statement recommending Bisect Hosting and mentioning a 25% discount when using the code Lupin through the author’s link. This is a promotional statement, not an independent capacity test or uptime guarantee. Verify that the code, discount, region and any affiliate disclosure still apply before purchasing.
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When a managed host makes sense
A managed service can be practical when you do not want to configure Forge, expose a home network or maintain a machine continuously. FadeHost says it installs the complete pack automatically and can scale resources, but its advertised 4GB trial is below the project’s 8GB minimum recommendation. Treat that trial as a short evaluation or technical test, not as evidence that a full New Game 2 server needs only 4GB. Confirm the allocated memory before inviting a regular group.
Troubleshooting installation and connection problems
The launcher crashes before the main menu
- Confirm the instance is Minecraft 1.20.1 and Forge, not another loader.
- Install the complete CurseForge pack instead of combining files from the Modrinth upload.
- Close other memory-heavy applications and check that the computer has sufficient physical RAM.
- Review the latest log for the first reported mod or dependency error; the final crash line is often only a consequence.
- Reinstall the instance in a clean directory if files from another pack were copied into it.
The server stops during startup
- Read the console output for an EULA, Java, missing-file or dependency message.
- Run the launch script from the extracted server-pack directory so relative paths resolve correctly.
- Check that the downloaded archive is the 1.20.1 Forge server pack and that extraction completed.
- Increase memory above the 8GB minimum if the process reports an out-of-memory condition.
- Restore a clean copy of the pack rather than deleting individual mods at random; removing a required mod can make the world or clients incompatible.
Friends cannot connect
- Compare the exact New Game 2 release number, Minecraft version and Forge loader on the server and every client.
- Check whether the address is local-only. A local address works for devices on the same network but not automatically for people elsewhere.
- Verify firewall and router rules for the Minecraft server, while avoiding unnecessary open ports.
- Wait until the server has fully finished loading before connecting.
- Ask the affected player to test a clean pack instance; manually added shaders, mods or configuration edits can cause a mismatch.
Voice chat or emotes do not work
Confirm that the relevant multiplayer mod is present on both sides and that its configuration was not disabled. Voice features can also depend on network permissions and the server’s configuration. A successful Minecraft connection alone does not prove that every auxiliary feature is configured.
Should you buy more RAM?
If your computer has less than 8GB of physical memory, an upgrade may be necessary to meet the project’s minimum guidance, but the correct module depends on the machine. Desktop DIMMs and laptop SODIMMs are not interchangeable, and speed, generation, slot count and maximum capacity vary by motherboard or laptop model.
Use “8GB RAM module” only as a capacity description. Check the computer manufacturer’s specifications or the motherboard manual before buying, and remember that adding memory does not guarantee a cure for CPU bottlenecks, disk problems, incompatible mods or poor network performance. For a dedicated server, compare the host’s guaranteed allocation rather than the provider’s headline total.
Update strategy for a long-running world
- Note the current New Game 2 release, Minecraft version and Forge version.
- Make a verified world backup while the server is stopped.
- Read the new release notes for changed mods, world-generation warnings or migration instructions.
- Install the new server pack in a separate directory first.
- Test the backup copy of the world with the new files before changing the live server.
- Give every player the same client release before reopening the server.
Do not update only the server or only one player’s client. A modpack world can depend on block IDs, dimensions, entities and configuration supplied by specific mod versions, so an apparently minor change can have consequences for existing terrain.
Quick Recap
New Game 2 setup checklist
- Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 is installed.
- Forge 1.20.1 is selected.
- The complete CurseForge client instance is installed.
- The self-hosted server uses the matching CurseForge server pack, such as release 39.1.0 listed at 916.16MB.
- The server has at least 8GB allocated, with additional headroom for larger groups.
- The EULA has been reviewed and accepted before the server is started.
- Backups exist outside the live server directory.
- Every friend has the same pack release and Forge loader.
- Network and firewall settings allow only the access the server needs.
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