Beta Evolutions 2 FAQ

Beta Evolutions 2 is a custom client built around classic Minecraft Beta 1.7.3, with compatibility fixes (auth/skins/capes/sound), optional quality-of-life features that aim to stay true to the Beta feel, and some additional features like optional Proximity Voice Chat.

You can use the client elsewhere, but some features (like proximity voice chat) may only be available on RetroMC and selected servers that support it.

• Launcher (recommended): handles updates and reduces “wrong version” issues.
• Client JAR: for advanced/manual setups (MultiMC/Prism/etc.). You manage updates yourself.

Yes, this is completely normal on first launch.

During the initial startup, Beta Evolutions downloads and prepares required assets. This can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed and system performance. Subsequent launches should be much faster.

If the client appears to hang for more than a few minutes, we recommend updating to a recent Java 8 version and ensuring the game is actually using it. Some older Java 8 builds do not support the modern encryption standards used by our services, which can cause startup delays or failures.

Java 25 is recommended, as it provides the best performance. Otherwise, recent versions of Java 8 are also supported.

If you hit TLS/login or certificate issues, it’s commonly caused by an old Java 8 build. Update Java 8 to a recent release, or switch to Java 25, and try again.

Yes, advanced users can set it up manually via a custom JAR instance. If you’re unsure, use the official Launcher for the simplest experience.

Our launcher installers are not code-signed, which is why your operating system may warn you the first time you run one - Windows SmartScreen on Windows, or Gatekeeper on macOS saying the app is from an unidentified developer.

Code-signing certificates are expensive. A certificate typically costs hundreds of dollars per year, renewed annually, and issuers generally require the holder to be a registered business or legal entity with verifiable documentation. RetroMC is a volunteer-run community project, so we would rather put that money toward running the servers.

The warning reflects the absence of a paid certificate - it is not evidence that the file is harmful. Anything you download from evolutions.retromc.org comes from our official build pipeline.

To continue: on Windows click More info then Run anyway. On macOS, right-click (or Control-click) the launcher and choose Open, or go to System Settings › Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.

Would rather avoid the warning entirely? Skip the installers. You can download the JAR version of the launcher from the launcher page, or take the client JAR from the download page and run it through a launcher like MultiMC or Prism Launcher. Plain .jar files aren’t checked by SmartScreen or Gatekeeper, so no warning appears. See the MultiMC/Prism setup guide for how to add it.

Yes, Beta Evolutions includes compatibility fixes for these resources.

1. Try restarting your game and launcher
2. Update to a recent Java 8 build (older builds can break modern TLS).
3. Try logging out of your Microsoft account in your launcher and resigning in.
4. If it still fails, grab logs and ask in Discord.

No, VOIP is optional. You can enable or disable it whenever via the Beta Evolutions settings menu.

Common fixes:

• Confirm the correct input device is selected in your OS audio settings.
• Disable “exclusive mode” / app control features that lock the microphone.
• Test with push-to-talk first (to rule out threshold issues).
• Ask in Discord with your client logs if you still can’t transmit.

Please include:

• Your launcher type (official launcher / MultiMC / Prism / etc.)
• Your Java version
,
• Your OS (Windows/Linux/macOS)
• The full crash log (or upload as a file)

1. Try a different network (or temporarily disable restrictive proxy/VPN).
2. Whitelist the launcher/game in antivirus (some intercept downloads).
3. Check free disk space and permissions in the install directory.
4. Retry once more, transient CDN/network issues happen.

• Reduce render distance and graphics settings.
• Close background apps that hook overlays/recording.
• Update GPU drivers.
• Ensure the game is using the correct GPU on laptops (not the iGPU).

Starting with Beta Evolutions 2.0.7, Beta Evolutions uses LWJGL 3 instead of the original LWJGL 2 libraries used by Minecraft Beta 1.7.3. This provides improved compatibility with modern systems, bug fixes, performance improvements, and support for newer features such as controller input.

If you use the official Beta Evolutions launcher, LWJGL 3 is configured automatically and no additional setup is required.

If you use MultiMC, Prism Launcher, or another third-party launcher, you may need to manually configure your instance to use LWJGL 3. See the MultiMC/Prism LWJGL 3 guide for instructions.

No, rehosting/mirroring/redistributing (including modified builds) should be restricted to approved RetroMC channels. If you need a special exception, ask the team first.

No. RetroMC is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with Mojang Studios or Microsoft.

Beta Evolutions 2 is currently designed primarily as a client for RetroMC.

That said, we are happy to provide other servers with access to some of our server-side components upon request, following a discussion with the RetroMC development team.

If you are interested, please open a ticket on the RetroMC Discord

Note: Beta Evolutions 2 server-side components may be publicly released in the future.