TL;DR – THE BIG STUFF:

• Fully Modular: Every game is now a separate, independent module.
• Open Source: All official game modules are now Open Source on GitHub.
• Native Bedrock: True Bedrock menus/forms for Geyser users (no more clunky chests).
• New Store & Progression: +60 Effects/Songs, Levels, Global Achievements, and Leaderboards.
• New Heavyweights: Battle Royale and SkyWars added to the library.
• Developer API: 20+ Interfaces to build your own custom games.
• Constant Minigames: We are releasing new modules regularly! Join our Discord to vote for the next games we should build.

FULL CHANGELOG:

PART 1: GENERAL CHANGES

FULLY MODULAR ARCHITECTURE:
The Plugin is Now Modular

Blue Arcade 3 introduces a completely modular architecture. The core plugin no longer contains any hardcoded minigames - all games are now independent modules that load dynamically.

This means:

• Install only what you need: Just want SkyWars and TNT Run? Install only those
• Independent updates: Each module updates separately without touching the core
• Total customization: Modify any module without affecting the others
• Fewer conflicts: If a module has issues, the rest of the plugin keeps working

Open Source Modules

All official Blue Arcade modules are now open source and available on GitHub:

• See exactly how each game works
• Fork and create your own modified version
• Contribute improvements that benefit the entire community
• Learn to create your own modules by studying the existing ones

No Longer Just a Party Plugin

Blue Arcade 3 is no longer "just a party games plugin". It is now a full-featured central API for games that supports:

• Party Mode: Classic minigame rotation with multiple rounds (The party games spirit of v1 and v2 is still here!)
• Standalone Mode: Each arena can run a single game independently

Full Java and Bedrock Menu Support

The plugin now has complete support for both Java Edition and Bedrock Edition menus. Bedrock players connecting through Geyser will see native Bedrock-style forms and menus instead of chest GUIs, providing a much better experience for crossplay servers.


NEW CORE SYSTEMS:
Party System (Friend Groups)

New system to play with friends:

• Create private or public groups
• Invite friends to your party
• Join the same arena together automatically
• Party chat to communicate between members
• Party leader with special controls
• Command: /ba party

Store with Effects
New in-game store for visual customization with 60+ unique items:

Victory Effects (18 available):

• Fireworks (Free) - Classic fireworks burst
• Vulcan Wool - Launch colorful wool around you
• Vulcan Fire - Explode with fiery magma bursts
• Ice Walker - Freeze the ground beneath you
• Notes - Play a shower of musical notes
• Chicken Burst - Release a flock of chickens
• Warden Orbit - Summon wardens that circle you
• Daredevil Ride - Ride in style on a fearless steed
• Meteor Storm - Call down blazing meteors
• Pig Land - Let pigs rain from the sky
• Wolf Pack - Summon loyal wolves around you
• Anvil Rain - Bring down anvils from above
• Twerk Apocalypse - Spawn dancing NPCs to celebrate
• Titan - Grow to giant size
• Wither Rider - Ride a wither and shoot skulls
• Rainbow Ray - Summon a spinning rainbow ray
• Star Shower - Let sparkling stars orbit you
• Destroy Island - Summon TNT blasts without damage

Victory Music (20 songs available):

• We Are the Champions - Queen (Free)
• Happy - Pharrell Williams
• Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
• Levels - Avicii
• Believer - Imagine Dragons
• Faded - Alan Walker
• Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
• Let It Be - The Beatles
• Never Gonna Give You Up - Rick Astley
• Africa - Toto
• Dancing Queen - ABBA
• Take On Me - a-ha
• Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
• Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
• Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
• Despacito - Luis Fonsi
• Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
• Hotel California - Eagles
• Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns N' Roses
• Get Lucky - Daft Punk

Death Effects (11 available):

• Dust Puff (Free) - A tiny puff on elimination
• Explosion - Big boom without damage
• Lightning Strike - A dramatic lightning flash
• Souls - Gentle spirits drift away
• Blood Splatter - Redstone splash particles
• Anvil Drop - A falling anvil visual
• Disintegration - Ash rising from the body
• Sculk Spores - Sculk souls burst outward
• Ghost Flame - A ring of soul fire
• Smoke Cloud - Thick smoke on death
• Ender Shatter - Portal sparks scatter

Kill Effects (11 available):

• Spark Pop (Free) - A simple spark burst
• Color Aura - A brief colorful ring
• Glow Pulse - A quick glow highlight
• Vertical Pulse - Particles rise from your feet
• Halo - A glowing halo above your head
• Confetti - Celebration sparkles
• Totem Flash - A totem burst on kill
• Heart Pop - Hearts burst with joy
• Critical Burst - A classic critical hit pop
• Note Pop - Musical notes rise up
• Star Trail - Electric sparks in a ring

Each category also includes a Random option that picks a different effect each time.

Command: /ba store


Leaderboards and Tops

New competitive ranking system:

• Global rankings of all players
• Rankings by specific game
• Rankings by period: Lifetime, Yearly, Monthly, Weekly
• Top 10/50/100 players
• Real-time updates
• Command: /ba tops

XP and Levels System

New progression system:

• Earn XP by playing and winning matches
• Level up unlocking new titles
• Custom titles based on your level (Rookie, Expert, Master, ...)
• Visual progress bar to next level
• Additional rewards when leveling up
• Command: /ba level

Achievements System

New achievement system:

• Global achievements for general milestones (first game, 100 wins, etc.)
• Game-specific achievements for each module
• Visible progress towards each achievement
• Rewards when unlocking: credits, stars, XP
• Organized categories for easy navigation
• Notifications when you unlock something new
• Command: /ba achievements

Improved Statistics System

Much more complete statistics:

• Global stats: Games played, won, total time, etc.
• Per-game stats: Specific metrics for each module
• Detailed history of your activity
• MySQL synchronization for server networks
• Command: /ba stats

PART 2: TECHNICAL CHANGES

MODULE LOADING:
Dynamic Loading System

• Modules load from /plugins/BlueArcade/modules/ folder
• Each module is an independent JAR file
• Custom ClassLoader per module to avoid conflicts
• Automatic detection of duplicate or incompatible modules

Module Descriptor (module.yml)

Each module includes a module.yml file with:

• Module name, ID and version
• Type: MINIGAME (long matches) or MICROGAME (quick rounds)
• Required API version
• Main class
• Authors and description
• Optional dependencies

Module Auto-Update

• The plugin can check for updates automatically
• Downloads and installs new versions without manual intervention
• File integrity verification for downloads
• Configurable check interval

DEVELOPER API:
Blue Arcade 3 exposes a complete public API with 20+ specialized interfaces for developers to create their own modules.

Core APIs:

• AchievementsAPI - Achievements system integration
• ArenaAPI - Arena data and state access
• ConfigAPI - General configuration access
• CoreConfigAPI - Core plugin configuration
• ModuleConfigAPI - Per-module configuration
• GameSetupAPI - Game setup and configuration
• SetupDataAPI - Setup data access
• SetupSelectionAPI - Setup selection handling
• StatsAPI - Statistics system
• StoreAPI - Store and shop integration
• TeamsAPI - Team management and assignment
• PlayerAPI - Player state and data

UI/Visual APIs:

• HologramAPI - Hologram creation and management
• ItemAPI - Item creation utilities
• MenuAPI - GUI menu creation (Java and Bedrock)
• MessageAPI - Localized messages
• ScoreboardAPI - Scoreboard management
• SoundsAPI - Sound playback
• TitlesAPI - Title and subtitle display
• VoteMenuAPI - Voting menu creation
• VisualEffectsAPI - Particle and visual effects

Utility APIs:

• SchedulerAPI - Task scheduling (Folia compatible)
• BlocksAPI - Block manipulation utilities

COMPATIBILITY

• Spigot 1.21 - 1.21.11
• Java 21
• Full Bedrock support via Geyser (native menus)

PART 3: MODULE CHANGELOG


MODULES PORTED FROM BLUE ARCADE 2:

Race
The classic racing minigame.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• Scoreboard now shows exactly who is winning in real-time
  (Previously you had no idea who was ahead until someone finished)

Spleef
Break the floor under your opponents.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• Floor no longer needs to be square shaped
• Now supports any floor shape (circles, irregular shapes, etc.)

Snowball Fight
Snowball warfare.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• Now has two game modes:
  
  • Last Standing: Classic elimination, last player alive wins
    
  • Most Kills: Players respawn instantly, highest kills when time runs out wins
    

All Against All
PvP combat everyone against everyone.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• Now has two game modes:
  
  • Last Standing: Classic elimination, no respawns, last alive wins
    
  • Most Kills: Respawn on death with temporary immunity, highest kill count when time runs out wins
    
• Health regeneration on kill (configurable)
• Building enabled with periodic block supplies

One In The Chamber
Bow precision with one arrow at a time.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• Now has two game modes:
  
  • Last Standing: Classic elimination, last player alive wins
    
  • Most Kills: Respawn on death, highest kills when time runs out wins
    

Traffic Light
Advance on green, freeze on red.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• No longer instantly kills you for moving on red at the start
• Now gives warnings by pushing you backwards
• Only eliminates after multiple violations
• Much less frustrating early-game experience

TNT Tag
Pass the bomb before it explodes.
Type: Minigame
V3 Changes:

• No significant changes in this version

TNT Run
Run while the floor collapses.
Type: Minigame
V3 Changes:

• No significant changes in this version

Block Party
Find the correct color before the floor disappears.
Type: Minigame
V3 Changes:

• Powerup system (speed boost, time bonus)
• Block fragments now fall as physical objects when floor disappears
• Improved music synchronization (NBS)

Exploding Sheep
Shear sheep before they explode.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• COMPLETELY REDESIGNED GAMEPLAY
• Sheep now change color progressively: white -> red -> white -> red
• When color changes speed up and smoke appears, the sheep is about to explode
• ALL sheep eventually explode, not just random ones
• Players must judge: stay close to shear for points, or run away before explosion?
• Risk vs reward gameplay instead of pure randomness
• Games end much faster as the map breaks down from explosions
• Transforms from one of the most tedious games into one of the fastest and most exciting

Run From The Beast
Escape the beast or team up to hunt it.
Type: Minigame
V3 Changes:

• No significant changes in this version

Red Alert
Survive while the floor disappears.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• Now has two game modes:
  
  • Chaos: Random blocks disappear unpredictably
    
  • Trail: Blocks disappear where you walk, leaving a deadly path behind you
    

Minefield
Cross the minefield without exploding.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• COMPLETELY REDESIGNED GAMEPLAY
• Mines no longer kill you instantly
• Stepping on a mine now launches you high into the air
• If you land on another mine, you bounce again
• Turns into a skill-based game: navigate carefully or bounce around
• Much less frustrating than instant death from barely touching a pressure plate
• Transforms from a tedious elimination game into a fun bouncy challenge

Fast Zone
Extreme speed race.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• No significant changes in this version

Knockback
Combat with extreme knockback.
Type: Microgame
V3 Changes:

• Now has two game modes:
  
  • Last Standing: Classic elimination, last player on the platform wins
    
  • Most Kills: Respawn on death, highest knockoff count when time runs out wins
    

NEW MODULES IN BLUE ARCADE 3
Battle Royale
COMPLETELY NEW - The classic battle royale comes to Blue Arcade.
Type: Minigame
Features:

• Drop from flying dragon
• Storm system with 5 progressive stages:
  
  • Stage 1: 100% radius, no damage (40s)
    
  • Stage 2: 70% radius, 1 damage/s (45s)
    
  • Stage 3: 45% radius, 2 damage/s (40s)
    
  • Stage 4: 25% radius, 3 damage/s (35s)
    
  • Stage 5: 0% radius, 4 damage/s (20s)
    
• Lightning synchronized with storm
• Chest loot with configurable weights
• Team support (configurable size and count)
• Health regeneration on kill

SkyWars
COMPLETELY NEW - The popular floating islands game.
Type: Minigame
Features:

• Spawn on floating islands with glass cages
• Multiple events:
  
  • 1. Chest refill
    
  • 2. Final storm with gradually re
    
• Advanced voting system (4 categories):
  
  • Chest loot: Basic, Normal, Overpowered
    
  • Hearts: 10, 20, 30
    
  • Time of day: Day, Night, Sunset, Sunrise
    
  • Weather: Sunny, Rainy
    
• Fully configurable multi-tiered loot
• Granular permissions per vote option
• Automatic scheduled events
• Initial fall protection

MORE GAMES COMING SOON:
This is just the beginning! We'll be releasing many more game modules in the coming updates. Join our Discord to participate in community votes and help decide which games get added next:
https://discord.com/invite/CRFJ32NdcK