iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Running a modpack with friends? Godlike.Host offers modded Minecraft server hosting with one-click modpacks (CurseForge, FTB, Technic) and free DDoS protection.
New Game 2 runs on Minecraft: Java Edition 1.20.1 with Forge. For the complete feature set, install the CurseForge client package. To play with friends, use the matching CurseForge server pack, give the server at least 8GB of RAM, and require every player to use the identical modpack and Forge version. You can host the files yourself or use a managed provider that installs the pack for you.
What New Game 2 is and what you need
New Game 2 is an expanded Minecraft modpack built around more challenges and adventures than the original New Game pack. The project supports both client and server environments and targets Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 with the Forge mod loader. A Minecraft Bedrock installation, a different Minecraft version, or a Fabric profile is not a substitute for the required Java 1.20.1 Forge setup.
The pack combines world-generation, exploration, survival, atmosphere and multiplayer changes. Its listed content includes 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. Multiplayer-oriented additions named by the project are Simple Voice Chat, PlayerRevive and Emotecraft.
- Game: Minecraft: Java Edition 1.20.1.
- Loader: Forge, with the loader version supplied by the New Game 2 release.
- Distribution: CurseForge is the complete route documented by the project.
- Memory: the author recommends at least 8GB of RAM for the modpack and more for a large group.
- Multiplayer: self-host from the server pack, use a managed host, or connect to another player’s server.
Why CurseForge is the safest installation route
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 therefore strongly recommends the CurseForge version for the full experience. Modrinth may be convenient for launcher distribution, but it should not be treated as an equivalent replacement when you need every project component or a ready server pack.
#1 Best Overall
| Route | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| CurseForge | Complete client and server setup | Provides the fullest documented experience and the matching server-pack releases. You still manage a large modpack installation. |
| Modrinth | Convenient launcher-based client distribution | The project says some content is omitted, FTB Quests is not bundled, and server packs cannot be uploaded there. |
| Managed host | Players who do not want to install and maintain a server manually | Providers differ in price, terms and performance. One independent provider advertises automatic installation of the Forge pack, configuration and datapacks; it is not affiliated with the pack authors. |
Use the same CurseForge project version for the client and server. Mixing a CurseForge client with an incomplete alternative distribution is a common cause of missing mods, absent quests or a failed connection.
Client installation: exact sequence
1. Confirm the Java Edition prerequisite
Install Minecraft: Java Edition and verify that the launcher can start version 1.20.1. The pack is not documented for Bedrock Edition. Close the game before adding the modpack so the launcher can create its files cleanly.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →2. Install or select Forge 1.20.1
Create a Forge profile for Minecraft 1.20.1, using the loader version required by the New Game 2 release. Do not launch a different loader and assume the pack will adapt automatically; mod compatibility is tied to both the Minecraft version and the loader.
3. Install New Game 2 through CurseForge
- Open the CurseForge launcher and choose Minecraft.
- Search for the project named New Game 2.
- Select the release that targets Minecraft 1.20.1 and Forge.
- Install the profile, then launch it once from CurseForge.
- At the title screen, check that the expected Forge profile and pack version loaded before creating a world.
The first launch can take longer than an unmodified Minecraft start because the pack contains many mods and world-generation systems. Let the launcher finish downloading and configuring files instead of interrupting it. If the profile does not appear, confirm that the launcher is pointed at the same Java Edition installation you tested in step 1.
4. Set client memory conservatively
The project author’s published guidance is a minimum of 8GB of RAM for this modpack, with additional memory recommended for a large number of players. That is a system-level requirement, not a promise that assigning all installed memory to Java will improve performance. Leave enough RAM for Windows, macOS or Linux and for the launcher itself. A computer with 8GB total system memory may have too little headroom even if the game technically starts.
5. Test a local world before inviting anyone
Open a new single-player world and travel far enough to exercise terrain generation, caves and structures. Check that the resource loading completes, that sounds and seasons behave normally, and that the game reaches a stable save. This separates client installation problems from network or server problems before you add friends.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Self-hosting a New Game 2 server
Download the matching server pack
CurseForge lists a server release named New Game 2 (Server Pack) – MC 1.20.1 – 39.1.0. The listed download size is 916.16 MB (the 2026 listing). Choose the server-pack release that corresponds exactly to the client version installed by every player. A server pack for another Minecraft or Forge version is not a safe substitute.
Prepare a dedicated directory
Create a new folder used only for this server, rather than extracting into your ordinary client profile. A dedicated directory keeps world saves, configuration files, logs, mods and launch scripts together and makes backups or a later migration much easier.
Extract and initialize the files
- Extract the downloaded server-pack archive into the dedicated directory.
- Inspect the included files and identify the Forge server launcher and the launch script supplied with that release.
- Run the supplied launcher or script once. Forge and Minecraft will create the initial server files.
- When the EULA file is generated, read the Minecraft EULA and record your acceptance in the file exactly as required by the server software.
- Start the server again with the pack’s supplied launch script.
The project pages establish that the server pack is for Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge, but they do not publish a complete command transcript. Follow the script included in your downloaded release rather than copying a command intended for another pack. Keep the terminal or console open during the first start so you can see missing-file, Java, memory and mod-loading errors.
Allocate memory before opening the server
Give the server at least 8GB of RAM, matching the author’s minimum recommendation. Increase the allocation when your player group is large, when several players explore new terrain at once, or when the server repeatedly reports memory pressure. No player-count ceiling, latency benchmark or uptime figure has been published for New Game 2, so treat 8GB as a baseline rather than a guaranteed capacity for a specific number of users.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- The classic UNO card game builds fun on game night with a Minecraft theme.
- UNO Minecraft features a deck and storage tin decorated with graphics from the popular video game.
- Players match colors and numbers to the card on top of the discard pile as in the classic game.
- The Creeper card unique to this deck forces other players to draw 3 cards.
- Makes a great gift for kid, teen, adult and family game nights with 2 to 10 players ages 7 years and older, especially Minecraft and video game fans.
Complete first-world setup
After the server reaches its ready state, connect locally and verify that the world loads. Stop it through the console’s normal shutdown command so the world is saved cleanly, then make a backup of the server directory or at least the world folder. Only after this test should you expose the server to friends through your network or hosting provider.
How friends join
- Send each player the exact New Game 2 release number used by the server.
- Have everyone install the CurseForge client profile for Minecraft 1.20.1 Forge.
- Give players the server address and port supplied by the host or by your network configuration.
- Ask each player to launch the same profile, not a manually assembled collection of similar-looking mods.
- Connect only after the server console reports that it has finished loading.
A connection can fail even when the address is correct if one client has a different pack version, Forge loader, configuration file or required mod. Compare the full version labels first; changing random mods on one computer usually makes diagnosis harder. If you self-host behind a router, the address visible to players outside your home network is different from the local address used on the host computer, and your network must be configured to forward the server port. The project pages do not specify a universal port or networking method, so use the port shown by your server configuration and internet provider.
Multiplayer features worth enabling
Simple Voice Chat
Simple Voice Chat adds proximity-style voice communication when the client and server components are loaded and configured correctly. It is useful for exploration parties because players can communicate in-game without a separate voice application. Voice functionality still depends on the server’s network and configuration; its presence in the pack does not guarantee that every hosting environment permits voice traffic.
PlayerRevive
PlayerRevive changes the consequences of a player’s defeat by adding a revive-oriented multiplayer mechanic. Agree on how your group will use it before beginning a difficult expedition, especially if you are also using the pack’s dangerous caves, dimensions and boss content.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Emotecraft
Emotecraft supplies player emotes for social interaction. It is a client-visible feature, but a matching pack installation on the server remains important because the complete mod list is managed as one release.
Rank #4
- Now Minecraft lovers can play a special version of UNO!
- Same as Basic UNO but features Minecraft characters and includes special Creeper rule card. Draw this card and the other players have to draw three more cards from the pile!
- The goal is to get rid of all the cards in your hand.
- First player or team to 500 wins.
- When you're down to one card, don't forget to yell "UNO"!
Choosing a hosting method
Self-hosting from the CurseForge server pack
Self-hosting gives you direct control of files, world backups, configuration and when the server starts. It is appropriate when you already have a computer that can remain online and you are comfortable maintaining Java, Forge, network access and backups. You are responsible for electricity, bandwidth, firewall rules, updates and recovery when a world or mod fails.
Author-recommended managed hosting
The CurseForge project page says the modpack works with Bisect Hosting and recommends hiring that service, mentioning a possible 25% discount through the author’s link and the code “Lupin.” This is an author promotional statement, not independent performance testing. Verify that the code, discount, availability in your region and any affiliate relationship are still valid before paying.
Independent one-click installation
FadeHost advertises automatic installation of the full Forge pack, its configuration and datapacks, plus a 4GB free trial and the ability to scale resources. Its own hosting page states that it is not affiliated with the pack authors or with Mojang or Microsoft. Treat those claims as provider terms: check current pricing, trial limits, cancellation rules, locations and resource guarantees before moving a world there. The advertised 4GB trial is below the pack author’s 8GB recommendation, so it should not be interpreted as the recommended production allocation.
| Hosting choice | You manage | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted server pack | Installation, Java/Forge, RAM, networking, backups and updates | Maximum control, but the most administration. |
| Managed provider recommended by the author | Account, billing, settings and world backups | Less setup; verify promotional terms and performance rather than assuming the recommendation is a benchmark. |
| Independent one-click provider | Provider account and plan selection | Fast installation and scalable resources; terms and performance vary, and the provider discloses that it is independent. |
RAM, computer hardware and performance expectations
Start with the project’s minimum of 8GB RAM for the server and consider more for a larger group. The pack’s many world, mob, dimension and ambience systems can create heavier loading than vanilla Minecraft, particularly when players spread out and force new terrain to generate. However, no independent benchmark, maximum player count, latency test or uptime statistic is published for New Game 2. Do not convert the 8GB recommendation into a claim such as “supports ten players” without evidence.
If your computer has less than 8GB of total system memory, adding RAM may help, but it is not a universal cure for every crash or lag source. Java version, storage speed, CPU performance, network quality, a misconfigured Forge profile and a damaged world can each produce symptoms that additional memory will not fix.
Buying an upgrade
An “8GB RAM module” is the only generally relevant physical upgrade category supported by the project guidance. The correct DIMM or SODIMM type, speed, maximum capacity and installation method depend on your motherboard or laptop. Check the manufacturer’s hardware specifications before purchasing; never assume that any 8GB stick will fit or operate correctly. If you already have one module installed, matched capacity and supported memory channels may matter more than simply adding a random second stick.
Troubleshooting by symptom
The launcher starts vanilla Minecraft instead of New Game 2
- Open the CurseForge profile rather than the standard 1.20.1 launcher entry.
- Confirm that the profile identifies Forge and the New Game 2 release.
- Reinstall the profile if the installation directory was moved or partially deleted.
The server stops during startup
- Check that the server pack was extracted completely into its own directory.
- Use the launch script included with that release; do not substitute a command from another modpack.
- Confirm that the EULA file was handled as requested after the first initialization.
- Compare the Java, Minecraft and Forge versions with the pack’s requirements.
- Review the console for a named missing mod or configuration file before changing anything.
A player receives a mod-list or version mismatch
- Compare the exact client and server release labels.
- Make sure both sides use Minecraft 1.20.1 and Forge.
- Install the CurseForge client profile instead of adding individual mods manually.
- Do not copy a Modrinth installation over a CurseForge profile when the full pack is required.
The game lags or runs out of memory
- Check how much RAM is allocated and whether the operating system still has headroom.
- Move the server allocation to at least 8GB if it is below the project’s minimum.
- Increase resources for a larger group or simultaneous exploration of new terrain.
- Use server and client logs to distinguish memory pressure from network delay, CPU saturation or a faulty mod.
- Reduce simultaneous exploration while diagnosing, and keep a recent world backup before changing configuration.
Voice chat does not work
- Confirm that every player launched the same New Game 2 release.
- Check the voice-chat configuration and the hosting provider’s support for the required traffic.
- Test with a second player locally or on the same server to separate account, network and server issues.
Updating without breaking a world
Do not replace the server files while the server is running. Stop it normally, copy the world and configuration directories to a separate backup location, record the current pack release, and then update the client and server together. Have every player close the old profile before joining the updated server. A world created with one release may contain blocks, entities or dimensions that another release handles differently, so keep the previous server files available until the new version has been tested.
For a managed host, use its built-in backup and restore controls before applying an update. For self-hosting, retain at least one offline copy of the world, not merely a second folder on the same disk.
Practical launch checklist
- Every player owns and can launch Minecraft Java Edition.
- The client profile is New Game 2 for Minecraft 1.20.1 on Forge.
- The server uses the matching CurseForge server-pack release.
- The server directory is separate from client files.
- The EULA has been accepted through the generated server file.
- At least 8GB of RAM is available to the server, with more planned for a larger group.
- A local connection test succeeds before outside players are invited.
- The server address and configured port are shared privately with the intended players.
- Everyone has a current world backup and knows which pack version is active.
Bottom line
Install New Game 2 from CurseForge on a Minecraft Java Edition 1.20.1 Forge profile when you want the complete documented experience. For multiplayer, download the matching 916.16 MB server-pack release listed as “New Game 2 (Server Pack) – MC 1.20.1 – 39.1.0,” run its supplied Forge launcher and script in a dedicated directory, accept the EULA, and allocate at least 8GB of RAM. Self-hosting offers control; managed providers reduce administration, but their promotional claims, pricing and performance require separate verification.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
