diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index ec7edb5..0114fcb 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -7,16 +7,16 @@ buildscript {
         }
     }
     dependencies {
-        classpath 'net.minecraftforge.gradle:ForgeGradle:2.2-SNAPSHOT'
+        classpath "net.minecraftforge.gradle:ForgeGradle:${forgegradle_version}"
     }
 }
+
 apply plugin: 'net.minecraftforge.gradle.forge'
 
 
-
-version = "0.1-1.9.4"
-group= "mmm"
-archivesBaseName = "mmm"
+version = "${mod_version}-${mc_version}"
+group= "${mod_name}"
+archivesBaseName = "${mod_name}"
 
 sourceSets {
 	main {
@@ -34,35 +34,28 @@ targetCompat = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
 
 
 minecraft {
-    version = "1.9.4-12.17.0.1962"
+    version = "${mc_version}-${forge_version}"
     runDir = "run"
-    
-    // the mappings can be changed at any time, and must be in the following format.
-    // snapshot_YYYYMMDD   snapshot are built nightly.
-    // stable_#            stables are built at the discretion of the MCP team.
-    // Use non-default mappings at your own risk. they may not allways work.
-    // simply re-run your setup task after changing the mappings to update your workspace.
-    mappings = "snapshot_20160518"
+    mappings = "${mappings_version}"
     // makeObfSourceJar = false // an Srg named sources jar is made by default. uncomment this to disable.
 }
 
 
 processResources
 {
-    // this will ensure that this task is redone when the versions change.
     inputs.property "version", project.version
     inputs.property "mcversion", project.minecraft.version
 
-    // replace stuff in mcmod.info, nothing else
     from(sourceSets.main.resources.srcDirs) {
         include 'mcmod.info'
-                
-        // replace version and mcversion
         expand 'version':project.version, 'mcversion':project.minecraft.version
     }
         
-    // copy everything else, thats not the mcmod.info
     from(sourceSets.main.resources.srcDirs) {
         exclude 'mcmod.info'
     }
 }
+
+tasks.withType(JavaCompile) {
+    options.encoding = 'UTF-8'
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..284a1e4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+forgegradle_version= 2.2-SNAPSHOT
+
+mod_name= mmm
+mod_version= 0.1
+
+mc_version= 1.9.4
+forge_version= 12.17.0.1963
+mappings_version= snapshot_20160518
\ No newline at end of file