Overview#
Eyes in the Darkness is a lightweight, atmosphere-focused mod originally created for the MMD SpookyJam 2018. The mod adds a single, unsettling entity known simply as "The Eyes." Unlike traditional hostile mobs that charge at the player, The Eyes are masters of psychological tension. They remain hidden in the periphery of the player's vision, watching from the darkness and disappearing the moment they are directly observed.
The mod is designed to enhance the survival experience by making the night and unlit caves feel genuinely dangerous and inhabited by something unknown. It relies heavily on sound design and the player's own paranoia to create a spooky atmosphere.
The Eyes (Mob)#
The primary feature of the mod is the "Eyes" entity. This creature does not have a traditional physical body; instead, it manifests as two glowing white pupils that hover in the dark.
Statistics
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Health | 1 (0.5 Hearts) |
| Attack Damage | 3 (1.5 Hearts) |
| Spawn Condition | Light Level 0 |
| Spawn Biomes | Any (Configurable) |
| Drops | Eyes in the Darkness (Item) |
Behavior
- Stalking: The Eyes spawn in total darkness near the player. They do not make footstep sounds, making them difficult to detect until they are close.
- Observation: They will stay at a distance, watching the player. If the player turns to look directly at them, they will often vanish instantly with a faint, unsettling sound.
- Aggression: If the player ignores The Eyes for too long or allows them to get too close without looking at them, the entity will initiate a "jumpscare" attack. It will rush the player, deal damage, and then disappear.
- Light Sensitivity: The Eyes cannot exist in high light levels. Placing a torch or moving into a well-lit area will cause them to despawn or retreat.
Items#
The mod adds a single item that serves as both a trophy and a crafting component.
Eyes in the Darkness (Item)
This item is dropped when the player manages to kill the Eyes entity. Because the entity vanishes when looked at, killing it usually requires quick reflexes or area-of-effect attacks.
- Usage: Primarily used as a crafting ingredient for Eyes of Ender, providing an alternative way to reach the End without hunting Endermen exclusively.
- Stack Size: 64
Recipes#
The mod provides a recipe to integrate its drop into the vanilla progression system.
Eye of Ender
| Ingredient A | Ingredient B | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes in the Darkness (Item) | Blaze Powder | Eye of Ender |
Note: This recipe allows players to obtain Eyes of Ender by braving the darkness and fighting the stalking entities rather than relying solely on Enderman spawns.
Mechanics#
Sound Design
The mod uses directional audio to alert the player to the presence of The Eyes. Players may hear heavy breathing, faint whispers, or a sudden "whoosh" sound when the entity disappears. These sounds are critical for survival, as they are often the only warning that the entity is nearby.
Jumpscare Mechanic
When the entity attacks, it briefly becomes more visible and plays a startling sound effect. This is intended to punish players who are unobservant or who spend too much time in the dark without proper lighting.
Configuration#
The mod includes a configuration file (eyesinthedarkness-common.toml or similar depending on the version) that allows server owners and players to customize the experience.
Configurable Options
- Spawn Weights: Adjust how frequently The Eyes appear compared to other hostile mobs.
- Biome Blacklist/Whitelist: Restrict The Eyes to specific biomes (e.g., only in Forests or Spooky biomes).
- Damage Settings: Customize how much damage the entity deals upon a successful jumpscare.
- Light Level Threshold: Define the exact light level required for the entity to spawn or despawn.
