diff --git a/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinGlobalConfig.java b/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinGlobalConfig.java
index 86ddae972..62115a4f5 100644
--- a/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinGlobalConfig.java
+++ b/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinGlobalConfig.java
@@ -279,4 +279,9 @@ public class AkarinGlobalConfig {
     private static void sendLightOnlyChunkSection() {
         sendLightOnlyChunkSection = getBoolean("core.send-light-only-chunk-sections", true);
     }
+    
+    public static boolean forceHardcoreDifficulty;
+    private static void forceHardcoreDifficulty() {
+        forceHardcoreDifficulty = getBoolean("alternative.force-difficulty-on-hardcore", true);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinSlackScheduler.java b/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinSlackScheduler.java
index c3e183496..e3715edbe 100644
--- a/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinSlackScheduler.java
+++ b/sources/src/main/java/io/akarin/server/core/AkarinSlackScheduler.java
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ public class AkarinSlackScheduler extends Thread {
             }
             
             // Force hardcore difficulty, from WorldServer#doTick
+            if (AkarinGlobalConfig.forceHardcoreDifficulty)
             for (WorldServer world : server.worlds) {
                 if (world.getWorldData().isHardcore() && world.getDifficulty() != EnumDifficulty.HARD) {
                     world.getWorldData().setDifficulty(EnumDifficulty.HARD);