# Luanti — Open-Source Voxel Game Creation Platform

> A free, community-driven voxel game engine (formerly Minetest) with Lua modding, multiplayer support, and a library of community-built games and mods.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# Luanti — Open-Source Voxel Game Creation Platform

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install on Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install luanti
# Or build from source
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/luanti-org/luanti.git
cd luanti && cmake -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release && cmake --build build -j$(nproc)
./build/bin/luanti
```

## Introduction
Luanti (renamed from Minetest in 2024) is a voxel game engine and platform that lets players and creators build sandbox games similar to Minecraft. Unlike Minecraft, Luanti is fully open source and designed around modding — games are Lua scripts running on top of the engine rather than hardcoded behavior.

## What Luanti Does
- Renders infinite procedurally-generated voxel worlds with dynamic lighting
- Provides a Lua modding API for creating new blocks, items, creatures, and game mechanics
- Supports multiplayer servers with concurrent players and persistent worlds
- Hosts a content library (ContentDB) with hundreds of games, mods, and texture packs
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and Android

## Architecture Overview
Luanti separates the engine (written in C++ using Irrlicht/IrrlichtMt for rendering) from game content (written in Lua). The engine handles voxel meshing, networking, physics, and rendering, while Lua scripts define all gameplay. This separation means entirely different games — survival, creative, racing, RPG — can run on the same engine.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install prebuilt packages from your OS package manager or download from luanti.org
- Configure servers via minetest.conf for port, max players, and game selection
- Add mods by placing them in the mods/ directory or installing from ContentDB
- Set world generation parameters (mapgen) for flat, valleys, or fractal terrain
- Run dedicated servers with luanti --server for headless multiplayer hosting

## Key Features
- Fully moddable via Lua with no engine recompilation required
- ContentDB provides a built-in mod and game browser within the client
- Multiple map generators produce varied terrain styles
- Lightweight enough to run on Raspberry Pi and older hardware
- No account required; players can join servers without registration

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Minecraft** — Proprietary and Java-based; Luanti is fully open source and Lua-scriptable
- **Godot** — General-purpose engine; Luanti is purpose-built for voxel sandbox games
- **Veloren** — Rust-based voxel RPG; Luanti is an engine/platform, not a single game
- **ClassiCube** — Minecraft Classic clone; Luanti supports full modding and custom game types
- **Terasology** — Java voxel engine; Luanti has a larger mod ecosystem and lower system requirements

## FAQ
**Q: Why was it renamed from Minetest to Luanti?**
A: The project rebranded in 2024 to establish its own identity separate from Minecraft and to reflect that it is a platform for many games, not a single game or test.

**Q: Can I play Minecraft-like survival in Luanti?**
A: Yes. Install the Minetest Game or VoxeLibre (formerly MineClone2) game packages for a survival experience with crafting, mobs, and biomes.

**Q: How many players can a server handle?**
A: Typical community servers support 20-60 concurrent players. Performance depends on hardware, mods, and map generation complexity.

**Q: Is Luanti suitable for education?**
A: Yes. Several educational mods exist for teaching programming, geography, and collaborative building. Its open-source nature makes it appealing for schools.

## Sources
- https://github.com/luanti-org/luanti
- https://www.luanti.org/


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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-51f9c33d
Author: Script Depot