MCX360 - Past, Present, Future
4J Studios revealed a great deal about the forthcoming Minecraft: Xbox Edition update. 1.8.2 is set to close the gap between the current PC build, adding Creative Mode, new mobs and new foods, and...then what?
One of the bigger challenges facing the console port is the difference between the XBox itself, and the myriad options available to PC users, both good and not so great. Things like infinite worlds aren't practical on a system with limited storage space, and modding the game is, at present, not possible. So, where does the game go after 1.8.2?
As it turns out, modding will - after a fashion - be considered strongly for future releases. While mods as we know them may never be a reasonable option, there are alternatives; 4J has been thoroughly examining what it is about mods that draws people, the ins and outs of what makes them fun. It is here that they have a bit of an advantage in development that the PC version didn't, the power of hindsight. What do people enjoy most? Why do they enjoy certain game modes, decorative options, or map types? Knowing this, they can easily develop the game in its own distinct direction. While it has not been explicitly stated that they plan to diverge wildly - if at all - from the current PC builds, current trends strongly suggest that they would like to.
What this means for the future of the console sandbox is potentially very exciting, certainly. The ability to tailor the game to console players, and to draw from the huge pool of experience available to the game, gives them the ability to fine-tune the console experience to match players' expectations. We hope to hear what specifics this may entail in the coming days.
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MineTV - Mystcraft!
This week's MineTV has a very exciting guest: the creator of the popular Mystcraft mod, XCompWiz! As with last week's episode, spaces in the stands will be on a first-come-first-serve basis - details are below!
- When: Today (Wednesday, September 19th) at 6:00 (18:00) EST You can check time conversions by clicking here
- Where: We will be streaming right here, and a personal "Sach Cam" at my own Twitch channel We will let people know how to gain entry to the studio audience a bit before we go live, so be sure to arrive early if you want entry!
- Who: Mystcraft creator, XCompWiz!
Not familiar with the dimension-warping power of Mystcraft? Ever wanted to create your own custom realm, tailored exactly with what you want in it? How about many such realms? Maybe you want to create an endless, alien desert with red skies, yellow clouds and green sunsets? How about a sky dimension with mycelium, grass and snowy islands under an endless sunrise? An empty void, with naught but the island you spawned on for comfort? The ability to travel effortlessly between all of them? You can do all of this - and so much more - check it out by clicking here, you won't be disappointed!
Minecraft then applies the mod.
That's my idea on how it should work, and Microsoft please, USER MADE mods should be FREE.
Unfortunately, the marketplace doesn't work like that. You can't just upload user-made content to the XBLA Marketplace.... what they SHOULD do is work with mod authors to license their mods for MCX360, through an application process. Say you want your mod on MCX360, you turn in an application detailing your mod, its popularity, and its impact on the game and/or community. Mojang/4J review it, and then release mods via DLC, with several mods bundled per download, every one compatible with each other via a form of the mod API specific to MCX360, and as mentioned before, have a menu that can turn mods on and off (I'd also suggest making world saves dependent on the mods started with them, to avoid issues with mod items/blocks not being there/corrupting).
And as far as paying for mods goes, I'd pay a few Microsoft points to get awesome mods on my Xbox, ESPECIALLY if at least part of the money made from them is given to the original mod authors.
Annnnnnnd Awesome Mystcraft live stream!
too bad, i have one PS3
:/
I Believe he has now since changed it, meaning 1.4 is not modding update anymore but rather purely the sorta scary Halloween update.
I can not find out where he stated it but I believe I heard it will not be expected to be in the full release. Don't send hate just stating what I have heard, and considering they only have a month and a half till release it is highly unlikely the mod api will be finished by then.
Also I like the Mod like DLC idea, but the mods will still have to be paid for knowing Microsoft.
when the PS3 version has not come out yet?I wish Mojang would release it on PSN. I know it's not that simple, but it would be much appreciated.
Damn it. I forgot that Mojang signed a deal for minecraft to be an Xbox Exclusive. I can still connect my macbook pro to my HDTV and play minecraft via ps3 controller mapped to the controls on the computer... Haha.. I still get the most recent update, and able to play with a ps3 controller. Makes it feel like it's on ps3.