specialblocks

Specialblocks is a term used in some sandbox construction environments to denote blocks that provide behavior beyond static textures. They are designed to extend the basic block model by integrating logic, state, or interactions with other systems. In such systems, blocks are identified by a block type or ID, and specialblocks add parameters, event handlers, and update routines that run as the world ticks.

Typical characteristics include a registration step, an associated data structure for state, and an API for external scripts to read or modify their behavior. They may respond to user actions, redstone-like signals, or environmental changes, and can alter neighboring blocks, emit particles, or trigger other events. Persistence is common, with state saved in world data or chunk metadata.

Common categories of specialblocks include functional blocks (automation, crafting, storage), communicative blocks (signal routers, relays), environmental blocks (gravity shifts, weather influence), and decorative/metadata blocks (display, labels). Some systems require plugins or mods to define new specialblocks, while others provide built-in editors or scripting interfaces.

Implementation typically involves a block registry, a data-driven definition for properties, and an update or tick function that executes on appropriate game ticks. Serialization, networking, and client-side rendering are coordinated through the engine's data formats and APIs.

See also: block registry, voxel game, modding, scripting API.