BubbleChat: SMP Speech Bubbles

BubbleChat lets server operators choose which players speak through floating in-world speech bubbles instead of the global chat.

It was created especially for SMP roleplay, mini characters, mascots and characters who do not use voice chat.

Features

• Enable speech bubbles only for selected players.
• Messages are visible only to nearby players.
• Multiple messages stack above the character.
• Short messages remain visible for at least 7 seconds.
• Pixel-art speech bubble with customizable colors.
• Change the background, border and text colors.
• Mouse-controlled color wheel with brightness and opacity settings.
• Configurable visibility range, scale, height and maximum number of bubbles.
• Individual height adjustment for players using differently sized models.
• Optional compatibility with Customizable Player Models.
• No sound is played when a bubble appears.
• English and Brazilian Portuguese translations.

Commands

BubbleChat commands require operator permission level 2.

• /bubble enable <player> — Enables speech bubbles for a player.
• /bubble disable <player> — Disables speech bubbles for a player.
• /bubble status <player> — Shows the player's current BubbleChat status.
• /bubble formatting <player> <true|false> — Allows or blocks message formatting.
• /bubble logging <true|false> — Enables or disables server-side message logging.
• /bubble config — Opens the global configuration screen.
• /bubble config <player> — Opens the individual player configuration screen.

Installation

1. Install NeoForge for Minecraft 1.21.1.
2. Place BubbleChat in the server's mods folder.
3. Every player must also install BubbleChat in their client mods folder.
4. Start the server and give yourself operator permission.
5. Use /bubble enable <player> for every character who should use speech bubbles.

Messages from enabled players are removed from the global chat and displayed above their characters for nearby players.

Server-side message logging is enabled by default. It can be disabled using:

/bubble logging false

Customizable Player Models

Customizable Player Models is completely optional.

BubbleChat uses the player's entity height as a safe starting point. Characters with unusual sizes can be adjusted individually through:

/bubble config <player>

Automatic detection of a CPM model's visual height is not included in this beta version.

Requirements

• Minecraft 1.21.1
• NeoForge 21.1.259 or newer
• Java 21
• Installed on the server and every connected client

Current Version

BubbleChat 0.2.4 Beta

This is the first public beta. If you encounter a visual or compatibility problem, please include your Minecraft version, NeoForge version and installed mod list when reporting it.