NOTE: as the update is already out, this post will NOT be updated anymore.
I have no interest on compiling a list of what are the quirks of the update. This post was intended as a quick run-down of what the update would include based on what Notch was up to, all from his recent updates on Twitter and the blog.
If you want to know more about what the update changed, check the other threads in the Halloween Update forum instead.
The main Minecraft Facts thread will continue to be updated normally.
Thanks for reading!
This is a list of everything we currently know about the update. You can see the sources for all of this information on the main Minecraft Facts thread. I'll keep both of these updated.
I figured we could use this one over here too, as it could help with the HUGE amount of repeated threads we're getting. One can only hope...
LAST UPDATE: OCTOBER 30 2010 @ 14:05 UTC
(update summary: SMP damage, fishing and laterns MAY NOT make it to the update!)
DISCLAIMER
I think it's important to remind you guys of a few things:
[*:3ux4p62v]Notch, being a human, sometimes changes his mind about certain decisions, and he is often ambiguous and contradictory in his replies. Sometimes this may open some not so obvious alternative interpretations, and I try to consider those if they ever occur to me. Which brings me to my second point...
[*:3ux4p62v]I'm a human being too, and prone to bias and error. While I do try my best to remain as factual as I can, some details that are revealed can be interpreted in a way that it would never occur to me, and there are several different reasons for this. Sometimes I just can't see it, sometimes it's Notch's weird way of saying things, sometimes it's my lack of understanding of certain English idioms. English is not my main language, so both my reading and my writing can be unclear at times.
This can lead to problems and certain incorrect affirmations, as it has happened before, and if you spot such an error or bias then please point it out in the thread. You guys have not only the right but the obligation of fact-checking me. This post is meant as a resource to all of us, and you should use it. This is mostly a problem with the "Halloween Update" bit, as most of the rest of thread are direct quotes.
[*:3ux4p62v]I'm doing all of this in my spare time and out of good will. I have a lot of respect for Notch and his game, and I know how damaging hoaxes and myths can be. This is the main intent of this thread. The second goal of this thread is to create an outline of what Minecraft will be (hopefully!), which should help keeping and increasing the excitement over the project's future.
[*:3ux4p62v]I will update this when I can, and when I feel like it. Sorry to be blunt, but it's true. I can't update it immediately every time Notch posts a tweet. Sometimes I'll just wait until the end of the day for a big update. Also, I have absolutely no obligation on keeping this strictly up to date, or updated at all. This is a favor I'm doing to all of you, so don't take it for granted. I cannot guarantee I'll be doing this forever, but I will try to keep it up for as long as I can. :smile.gif:
Now that we got that out of the way, let's move on.
All claims made in this section are confirmed, and I'll point out the details of what is actually known about each, including possible ambiguities and unclear information. Sources for each of these can be found in the detailed facts thread.
[*:3ux4p62v]Explore a scary new realm.
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing something he's currently calling a "Hell world" or "The Slip", accessible through portals in the normal world. This name WILL change in order to avoid the religious connotations or using existing mythos. Notch doesn't want to use Christian mythology, and wants to create his own. The name "The Slip" is still not final.
[*:3ux4p62v] Portals will be craftable. You build a 4x5 frame out of obsidian and set fire to the 2x3 opening. An identical portal is then created on the other side, in a safe spot. You can build a portal from either world, and the other is positioned accordingly. Portal entrances look like a swirly purple surface. See below for screenshot. Here's a diagram:
By crafting 4x5 a frame out of obsidian and setting the middle on fire...
[] []
[] []
You get a working portal to the other dimension.
Note: This is the current and only crafting pattern for a portal, which means you can't simply make a larger or smaller one, or an horizontal one for that matter. From Notch's comments on Twitter, he may add support for arbitrary shapes for the portals, but this will be after the update. Stay tuned.
Here's a video preview of how it works (courtesy of PC Gamer):
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell doesn't have day and night cycles.
[*:3ux4p62v] Distance between portals in Hell is "compressed": hundreds of metres in the normal world will represent a smaller distance in the Hell world. The exact factor is 1:16, that is, 1 metre (or block) in Hell is a distance of 16 metres in the normal world.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can walk through portals. In order to use them, you have to stay still inside them.
[*:3ux4p62v] When entering a portal, there is a loading screen.
[*:3ux4p62v] Momentum is NOT conserved when you enter through a portal.
[*:3ux4p62v] Currently, ONLY PLAYERS can get through.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can NOT go through a portal riding a minecart. You need to stay still for the portal to work.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can NOT see through portal into the other side, like in the game "Portal" by Valve. Portals look like a purple tranlucent block.
[*:3ux4p62v]Portal counterparts are NOT destroyed when you destroy one of them.
[*:3ux4p62v] Portals will be less spaced in Hell than they are in the normal world. This allows you to travel a shorter distance shortcutting through hell. See this diagram:
Here, each portal entrance and exit pair have the same color.
Notice how the two portals are closer inside Hell.
Note: the appearance of portals is incorrect, but the working is the same.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will be a parallel dimension, and will be treated as another world and map in game, parallel to the normal one. It will be stored as such in the save folder.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will be able to use Hell to get to unexplored areas of the normal world.
[*:3ux4p62v] This world will be unique, randomly generated, persistent and dangerous, both because of its terrain and, eventually, because of new enemies.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell WILL include new enemies, one which is the Ghast. The other are the zombie pigmen. Details below.
[*:3ux4p62v] There will be new block types in Hell:
[*:3ux4p62v] One of these blocks are infinite flame sources: set it on fire and it'll burn forever. This block is the red stone found everywhere, which, according to Notch, is red mossy cobble stone.
[*:3ux4p62v] The "screaming faces" block slows you down when you walk over it.
[*:3ux4p62v] The glowing blocks, depicted below, were nicknamed Australium by PC Gamer magazine in reference to a fictional element in Team Fortress 2. THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL NAME FOR THIS BLOCK.. We don't know anything about the uses of this block yet. When broken, they produce the sound of breaking glass.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will be able to build things in Hell. Hell is fully dynamic and all normal blocks will work. Notch has stated that "If you go too far, you can't build or use the portals." This means you simply can't build portals beyond a certain distance, since this would make the exit portal in the normal world be placed BEYOND the map limit. This limit is VERY FAR away, even with the 16:1 compression rather of Hell.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will have red fog.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will be available in multiplayer, and will work normally.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can bring any blocks back from Hell, and any blocks from the normal world into Hell. There are no limitations.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will NOT be simply a place you'll reach by digging down.
[*:3ux4p62v] The ceiling of Hell is made out of adminium
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch's inspiration for Hell and its portals are the "Ways" in the "Wheel of Time" series of books.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell WILL be available in old saves.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can build an obsidian frame in your current world, and it will work after update. All you need to do is activate the portal with fire
[*:3ux4p62v]Notch has shown a preview of what Hell will look like (click to enlarge):
[*:3ux4p62v]PC Gamer and IndieGames have a few preview videos and images regarding this new dimension. Check them out!
[*:3ux4p62v] At least TWO new monsters will be included. They will be tougher and harder to beat.
[*:3ux4p62v]One of these new mobs will be called "Ghast", and it will be VERY unfair. Ghasts are floating jellyfish-like creatures, 4x4x4 blocks large, inhabiting the Hell dimension. They can break blocks and throw fireballs at you which set the landscape on fire. Ghasts won't attack unless they can see you.
[*:3ux4p62v]Ghasts need a space of 5x5x5 to spawn. They will rarely spawn near portals in the normal world. Beware!
Notch has revealed what the Ghasts look like to PC Gamer, and you can see them in action on the PC Gamer and IndieGames preview videos (see above for the links.)
[*:3ux4p62v]A second mob has been confirmed: zombie pigmen. They'll reside in hell, but will be peaceful, unless you attack them. Later on, they'll serve some addition function, but with this update they'll be merely a novelty.
[*:3ux4p62v]Additionally, old monsters will be unchanged in the update.
[*:3ux4p62v]Notch has mentioned coding bats, but they were not confirmed ever again, so they are quite probably not coming in this update.
[*:3ux4p62v]Experience scarier depths!
[*:3ux4p62v] Monsters will now spawn even in relatively bright areas, depending of how deep you are. The deeper you are, the more tolerant to light are the monsters.
[*:3ux4p62v]Be scared of the dark!
[*:3ux4p62v]Note: due to time constrains, this feature may NOT be in this update. But remember, Notch will not stop working, and he may release it just after the first update!
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing lanterns in place of torches as infinite light sources.
[*:3ux4p62v] Lanterns MAY need steel to craft. We DON'T know yet what's their crafting pattern.
[*:3ux4p62v] Lanterns MAY need material found in Hell.
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is replacing ALL previous torches with lanterns, regardless if they are on chests, on walls or inventory. You DO NOT need to freak out about all your torches.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know if lanterns will be able to be placed on ceilings.
[*:3ux4p62v] Torches constructed and placed after the update will burn out after a while.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know how long they will last.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know if burnt torches will emit a faint light or if they will be completely dark.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will need to use flint and steel to relight burnt torches.
[*:3ux4p62v]Catch scary fish!
[*:3ux4p62v] There'll be fish as a new form of food, which you can get using the fishing rod that already exists.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know any details on what kind of fish or how they will behave, or how the fishing mechanic will work.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know anything regarding baits.
[*:3ux4p62v] Fish MAY NOT be added in the update. Notch is behind schedule and fishing is going to be a last moment addition.
[*:3ux4p62v]Scare other players online!
[*:3ux4p62v]Note: due to time constrains, this feature may NOT be in this update. But remember, Notch will not stop working, and he may release it just after the first update!
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will attempt to fix a good portion of gameplay elements in multiplayer.
[*:3ux4p62v] Health and PvP may still not work after the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] Duping may still not be fixed after the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] Minecarts may still not be fixed after the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] SMP is the current priority in development. Even if these fixed don't come in the update, they will shortly after.
[*:3ux4p62v]Carve scary-jack-o-lanterns
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing pumpkins.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will also be able to carve them.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will be able to use them as useless helmets.
[*:3ux4p62v] While farming for pumpkins is being planned in the long run, we DON'T have any confirmation that farming for pumpkins, or using them for food, will be available in this update.
[*:3ux4p62v] These features are not Halloween specific, and will remain in the game.
[*:3ux4p62v]Keep track of the scary time
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing a watch that let's you know when it is day time
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know if the watch will only tell if it's day\night or if it will also tell you WHAT time it is.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know the crafting pattern for the watch yet. We don't know what materials it will use.
[*:3ux4p62v]Biomes
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing biomes: different types of geographical areas: deserts, forests, etc.
[*:3ux4p62v] He posted an early preview of biomes:
To the left, forest, to the right, taiga, far away in the distance, desert.
Again, this is an EARLY debugging test. Biomes will be much larger,
and transition will be smoother.
[*:3ux4p62v] There will be 10 biome types in the update (Notch accidentally counted hell as an 11th). The information we have is a bit hard to cross-check, and it has been a bit ambiguous. But the ones we can definitely confirm are:
[*:3ux4p62v]Rainforest
[*:3ux4p62v]Savanna
[*:3ux4p62v]Taiga
[*:3ux4p62v]Plains (initially called "desert grass")
[*:3ux4p62v]Desert
[*:3ux4p62v]Tundra
Others that were mentioned (in order of mention): rainforest, seasonal forest (crossed in Notch's biome diagram, replaced with "swamps"), swamps (in place of seasonal forest, still unclear), forest (simply "forest", mentioned on twitter but too non-specific to be sure), shrubland (mentioned only once on twitter), ice desert (later confirmed to be the same as tundra) and woods (in the diagram picture, possibly in the place of shrubland).
As you can see, information is all over the place. The list contains only the consistently mentioned ones. We don't have an official, definitive list yet.
[*:3ux4p62v] Biomes will be based on different variables: dry/wet, hot/cold, safe/dangerous. The smooth variation of these variables will allow for smooth transitions between biomes. Notch doesn't seem to be adding anything in particular regarding the safe/dangerous variable, mentioned previously, in this update.
[*:3ux4p62v] There'll be no biome-specific mobs in the update, but these are planned in the long run.
[*:3ux4p62v] While heat and cold damage are planned for the future, we DON'T know if they'll be included in this update. They will be part of realistic mode, when they do get included.
[*:3ux4p62v] The color of vegetation will change depending on the biome type.
[*:3ux4p62v] There will be no new vegetation in the current biomes, but it will happen later on.
[*:3ux4p62v] Biomes WILL be available in old saves, if you walk far enough. That is, new generated chunks will get biomes. But you'll see see the color of vegetation varying in your currently generated chunks.
[*:3ux4p62v] Biomes will be larger than seen so far in images and videos.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will change the behavior of current map seeds, so new generated chunks will not make a smooth transition with existing chunks.
[*:3ux4p62v]More music and better sounds: C418, the guy behind Minecraft's audio, has posted previews of these:
Additionally, piano3.ogg has been extended to 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
Note: none of these seem to be in the game yet, as far as we could tell from the videos.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will include AT LEAST six new block types, five of them with unique abilities.
[*:3ux4p62v]The update WON'T break the current saves
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch has confirmed that Hell and biomes WILL be available in old saves. You will need to generate new chunks for the biomes, though.
[*:3ux4p62v] However, there's NO GUARANTEE that current saves will be able to get all the features in the new update. Notch hasn't explained how all these new features will work with old saves, and there's always implementation problems.
[*:3ux4p62v] Seasons are NOT coming with the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will NOT add support for higher-resolution textures.
[*:3ux4p62v] Update will include a "no HUD" mode, activated by pressing F1.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will ship just before October 31st, Swedish time.
[*:3ux4p62v] There are no surprise updates planned before Halloween.
[*:3ux4p62v] An update WILL ship on Halloween, whether it is incomplete or not.
[*:3ux4p62v] As of yet, there are no new crafting recipes on the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] Eggs will not have a use in the update.
Yes, but on the main discussion forum. This one is a duplicate for the Halloween Update, as a lot of people are not really browsing the discussion forums.
If you guys really think this one is not necessary, a mod could delete it. I just thought it could be helpful to have a copy of the Halloween part over here, in the relevant forum.
Yes, but on the main discussion forum. This one is a duplicate for the Halloween Update, as a lot of people are not really browsing the discussion forums.
If you guys really think this one is not necessary, a mod could delete it. I just thought it could be helpful to have a copy of the Halloween part over here, in the relevant forum.
Yeah, TBH, I'm really reading this and the mod forums and there's a lot of non-Halloweeen Update info in the other thread.
What I want to know is that pumpkins will be on your world or hell, or if they grow in winter maps.
From what we've seen of hell, it does not seem friendly to agriculture, so one can assume they'll be grown in the "real" world. As for winter maps, it's not clear we'll even have maps that are dedicated to being "wintry," now that there will be biomes with a temperature axis.
Could you please cite your sources with these so-called, "Facts"? For example where did you learn, "Hell will be a parallel dimension, and will be treated as another world..."?
I think we all understand that this place called, "Hell" will load up it's own unique environment, map and topography, but I have not heard any specifics on how it fits in with the actual Lore of the game universe. In other words, is this a completely different "plane", or is it located at the center of each Minecraft planet, and you are, in actuality, teleporting to it?
Could you please cite your sources with these so-called, "Facts"? For example where did you learn, "Hell will be a parallel dimension, and will be treated as another world..."?
Sure.
Quote from Twitter on October 07 »
matthewrex: "Is it a separate world?"
Notch: "well, separate dimension. I treat it as a separate world."
Quote from Twitter on October 11 »
Notch: "Fire works surprisingly well considering it lives in the hell dimension.. *makes it immune to fire*
Quote from Tumblr on September 18 »
"The hell biome will be used for an alternate fast travel dimension. Have you read Wheel of Time? That."
The Ways in the Wheel of Time universe are portals to a parallel dimension. Notch has stated several times that this is his main inspiration.
All sources are in the red link in my signature, the main sources thread. I mentioned this in the very first paragraph of this thread, which apparently you did not read.
Quote from MegaUltraBuilder »
What I want to know is that pumpkins will be on your world or hell, or if they grow in winter maps.
Quite probably the normal world. Notch has mentioned farming for pumpkins and other vegetables several times before.
Could you please cite your sources with these so-called, "Facts"? For example where did you learn, "Hell will be a parallel dimension, and will be treated as another world..."?
Sure.
Quote from Twitter on October 07 »
matthewrex: "Is it a separate world?"
Notch: "well, separate dimension. I treat it as a separate world."
Quote from Twitter on October 11 »
Notch: "Fire works surprisingly well considering it lives in the hell dimension.. *makes it immune to fire*
Quote from Tumblr on September 18 »
"The hell biome will be used for an alternate fast travel dimension. Have you read Wheel of Time? That."
The Ways in the Wheel of Time universe are portals to a parallel dimension. Notch has stated several times that this is his main inspiration.
All sources are in the red link in my signature, the main sources thread, like I mentioned at the beginning of this thread. Read it.
Okay, well Notch calls it a "separate" dimension. You call it a "parallel" dimension. Separate could mean that it is another dimension that is accessible only within an x,y,z coordinate on your own world.
Secondly, where does he state that he directly copied the "Ways" system from the "Wheel of Time" series? You just threw that in. He doesn't state that this is a direct copy or not. In fact, we can say he does not copy it directly, because it's called, "Hell" here.
Thirdly, it's always good practice to site your sources wherever you post information. There's a reason why your professor doesn't accept crap like, "sources pulled from the Encyclopedia Britannica. Read it".
Now, this is purely speculation and my own theory, but based on the sole evidence we have been given, I believe (and the evidence leans this way) Hell to not be a parallel dimension, but a place that lies within the same physical world of the base Minecraft planet.
Piecing together the clues given from the complete update I deduce the following:
1. We know mobs will be more resistant to light, the deeper you go.
2. We know that there will be a Hell-only Ghast creature which, purportedly, is the most "unfair" creature yet.
3. We know that light will be more difficult to come-by, which will hinder our ability to go underground.
4. Notch, not by accident, called this place, "Hell" which, by traditional folklore and mythology lies deep underground.
5. We know that travel within Hell will cover far more distance than the travel done on the surface. Based on the physics of a spherical planet, this makes sense - when matching the distance between two interior sphere z-coordinates with those of an exterior sphere coordinate you would get a large difference.
Sorry if I'm nit-picky, but I don't like made-up speculation all that much.
Another thing that bothers me. You are speculating about the Biomes in this update. You state:
"Notch is introducing biomes: different types of geographical areas, with different vegetation. Deserts, forests, etc.
Biomes will be based on different variables: dry/wet, hot/cold, safe/dangerous. The smooth variation of these variables will allow for smooth transitions between biomes."
The only mention of what these biomes will be like in the new Halloween update comes from this statment: "The hell biome will be used for an alternate fast travel dimension. Have you read Wheel of Time? That."
For all we know, this is the only thing he is talking about: Hell Biomes. There may not be any overland biomes at all, unless you have a separate source I don't see cited.
Okay, well Notch calls it a "separate" dimension. You call it a "parallel" dimension. Separate could mean that it is another dimension that is accessible only within an x,y,z coordinate on your own.
Don't bend the semantics. A DIMENSION in this context is another plane of existence. Calling it "separate" and "parallel" has a very subtle different meaning regarding the meta-verse in which they exist, I'll give you that, but a dimension is another plane of existence, not just another geographical location. This is a very well established term.
Quote from GaelicVigil »
Secondly, where does he state that he directly copied the "Ways" system from the "Wheel of Time" series? You just threw that in. He doesn't state that this is a direct copy or not.
He didn't mention it, as far as I know. That's why I NEVER mentioned he was copying the system. I merely stated that was his inspiration for the "separate dimension for fast travel." If my wording is ambiguous, please state where so I can fix it.
Quote from GaelicVigil »
In fact, we can say he does not copy it directly, because it's called, "Hell" here.
Now you're the one making wild assumptions. He could have called it Magic Fairy Land. It doesn't matter. He has called it another dimension, and that makes its context as an alternate plane of existence VERY explicit.
Quote from GaelicVigil »
Thirdly, it's always good practice to site your sources wherever you post information. There's a reason why your professor doesn't accept crap like, "sources pulled from the Encyclopedia Britannica. Read it".
Have you even CHECKED the source thread? It's one link away. One single click, man. It has direct quotes and direct links to all the sources. I just won't replicate the entire thread here as it's already very large, and 90% of the information there is not relevant to the Halloween Update.
Quote from GaelicVigil »
(some speculation based on your interpretation of what we know and rationalizations to make it fit what you want it to be)
Good thing you know it's just your speculation.
Quote from GaelicVigil »
Another thing that bothers me. You are speculating about the Biomes in this update. You state:
The only mention of what these biomes will be like in the new Halloween update comes from this statment:
"The hell biome will be used for an alternate fast travel dimension. Have you read Wheel of Time? That."
For all we know, this is the only thing he is talking about: Hell Biomes. There may not be any overland biomes at all, unless you have a separate source I don't see cited.
Just go read the source thread, will you. Listen to the podcasts, read the cited blog posts and transcript threads. You don't seem to be aware of any of the development history of the game whatsoever. Nor the meaning of "biome" in the scientific context nor this game's context.
It really seems like you just read the word "Hell" and created this scenario in your head full of rationalizations to make it fit.
Okay, well Notch calls it a "separate" dimension. You call it a "parallel" dimension. Separate could mean that it is another dimension that is accessible only within an x,y,z coordinate on your own.
Don't bend the semantics. A DIMENSION in this context... blablabla pagestretch
TOO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST. CAN NOT COMPUTE.
TOO MUCH WIN.
Also, you should get an entire website dedicated to this, so you can use Flash to make interactive collapsible libraries.
That way, people go "OK, I need to tell a guy that pumpkins are orange... *clicks HALLOWEEN library* Aha! *clicks Pumpkin sub-library* "Blablabla... Pumpkins are supposedly orange, as stated by notch "I GOT QUOTED OMG"..."
"This is what I need!"
I have no interest on compiling a list of what are the quirks of the update. This post was intended as a quick run-down of what the update would include based on what Notch was up to, all from his recent updates on Twitter and the blog.
If you want to know more about what the update changed, check the other threads in the Halloween Update forum instead.
The main Minecraft Facts thread will continue to be updated normally.
Thanks for reading!
This is a list of everything we currently know about the update. You can see the sources for all of this information on the main Minecraft Facts thread. I'll keep both of these updated.
I figured we could use this one over here too, as it could help with the HUGE amount of repeated threads we're getting. One can only hope...
(update summary: SMP damage, fishing and laterns MAY NOT make it to the update!)
I think it's important to remind you guys of a few things:
[*:3ux4p62v]Notch, being a human, sometimes changes his mind about certain decisions, and he is often ambiguous and contradictory in his replies. Sometimes this may open some not so obvious alternative interpretations, and I try to consider those if they ever occur to me. Which brings me to my second point...
[*:3ux4p62v]I'm a human being too, and prone to bias and error. While I do try my best to remain as factual as I can, some details that are revealed can be interpreted in a way that it would never occur to me, and there are several different reasons for this. Sometimes I just can't see it, sometimes it's Notch's weird way of saying things, sometimes it's my lack of understanding of certain English idioms. English is not my main language, so both my reading and my writing can be unclear at times.
This can lead to problems and certain incorrect affirmations, as it has happened before, and if you spot such an error or bias then please point it out in the thread. You guys have not only the right but the obligation of fact-checking me. This post is meant as a resource to all of us, and you should use it. This is mostly a problem with the "Halloween Update" bit, as most of the rest of thread are direct quotes.
[*:3ux4p62v]I'm doing all of this in my spare time and out of good will. I have a lot of respect for Notch and his game, and I know how damaging hoaxes and myths can be. This is the main intent of this thread. The second goal of this thread is to create an outline of what Minecraft will be (hopefully!), which should help keeping and increasing the excitement over the project's future.
[*:3ux4p62v]I will update this when I can, and when I feel like it. Sorry to be blunt, but it's true. I can't update it immediately every time Notch posts a tweet. Sometimes I'll just wait until the end of the day for a big update. Also, I have absolutely no obligation on keeping this strictly up to date, or updated at all. This is a favor I'm doing to all of you, so don't take it for granted. I cannot guarantee I'll be doing this forever, but I will try to keep it up for as long as I can. :smile.gif:
Now that we got that out of the way, let's move on.
All claims made in this section are confirmed, and I'll point out the details of what is actually known about each, including possible ambiguities and unclear information. Sources for each of these can be found in the detailed facts thread.
[*:3ux4p62v]Explore a scary new realm.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will include AT LEAST six new block types, five of them with unique abilities.
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing something he's currently calling a "Hell world" or "The Slip", accessible through portals in the normal world. This name WILL change in order to avoid the religious connotations or using existing mythos. Notch doesn't want to use Christian mythology, and wants to create his own. The name "The Slip" is still not final.
By crafting 4x5 a frame out of obsidian and setting the middle on fire...
[*:3ux4p62v]PC Gamer and IndieGames have a few preview videos and images regarding this new dimension. Check them out![*:3ux4p62v] Portals will be craftable. You build a 4x5 frame out of obsidian and set fire to the 2x3 opening. An identical portal is then created on the other side, in a safe spot. You can build a portal from either world, and the other is positioned accordingly. Portal entrances look like a swirly purple surface. See below for screenshot. Here's a diagram:
[] []
[] []
You get a working portal to the other dimension.
Note: This is the current and only crafting pattern for a portal, which means you can't simply make a larger or smaller one, or an horizontal one for that matter. From Notch's comments on Twitter, he may add support for arbitrary shapes for the portals, but this will be after the update. Stay tuned.
Here's a video preview of how it works (courtesy of PC Gamer):
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell doesn't have day and night cycles.
[*:3ux4p62v] Distance between portals in Hell is "compressed": hundreds of metres in the normal world will represent a smaller distance in the Hell world. The exact factor is 1:16, that is, 1 metre (or block) in Hell is a distance of 16 metres in the normal world.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can walk through portals. In order to use them, you have to stay still inside them.
[*:3ux4p62v] When entering a portal, there is a loading screen.
[*:3ux4p62v] Momentum is NOT conserved when you enter through a portal.
[*:3ux4p62v] Currently, ONLY PLAYERS can get through.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can NOT go through a portal riding a minecart. You need to stay still for the portal to work.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can NOT see through portal into the other side, like in the game "Portal" by Valve. Portals look like a purple tranlucent block.
[*:3ux4p62v]Portal counterparts are NOT destroyed when you destroy one of them.
[*:3ux4p62v] Portals will be less spaced in Hell than they are in the normal world. This allows you to travel a shorter distance shortcutting through hell. See this diagram:
Here, each portal entrance and exit pair have the same color.
Notice how the two portals are closer inside Hell.
Note: the appearance of portals is incorrect, but the working is the same.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will be a parallel dimension, and will be treated as another world and map in game, parallel to the normal one. It will be stored as such in the save folder.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will be able to use Hell to get to unexplored areas of the normal world.
[*:3ux4p62v] This world will be unique, randomly generated, persistent and dangerous, both because of its terrain and, eventually, because of new enemies.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell WILL include new enemies, one which is the Ghast. The other are the zombie pigmen. Details below.
[*:3ux4p62v] There will be new block types in Hell:
[*:3ux4p62v] One of these blocks are infinite flame sources: set it on fire and it'll burn forever. This block is the red stone found everywhere, which, according to Notch, is red mossy cobble stone.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will be able to build things in Hell. Hell is fully dynamic and all normal blocks will work. Notch has stated that "If you go too far, you can't build or use the portals." This means you simply can't build portals beyond a certain distance, since this would make the exit portal in the normal world be placed BEYOND the map limit. This limit is VERY FAR away, even with the 16:1 compression rather of Hell.[*:3ux4p62v] The "screaming faces" block slows you down when you walk over it.
[*:3ux4p62v] The glowing blocks, depicted below, were nicknamed Australium by PC Gamer magazine in reference to a fictional element in Team Fortress 2. THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL NAME FOR THIS BLOCK.. We don't know anything about the uses of this block yet. When broken, they produce the sound of breaking glass.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will have red fog.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will be available in multiplayer, and will work normally.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can bring any blocks back from Hell, and any blocks from the normal world into Hell. There are no limitations.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell will NOT be simply a place you'll reach by digging down.
[*:3ux4p62v] The ceiling of Hell is made out of adminium
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch's inspiration for Hell and its portals are the "Ways" in the "Wheel of Time" series of books.
[*:3ux4p62v] Hell WILL be available in old saves.
[*:3ux4p62v] You can build an obsidian frame in your current world, and it will work after update. All you need to do is activate the portal with fire
[*:3ux4p62v]Notch has shown a preview of what Hell will look like (click to enlarge):
[*:3ux4p62v]PC Gamer: Minecraft Halloween Update hands-on
[*:3ux4p62v]IndieGames.com: Hands-On With the Minecraft Halloween Update
[*:3ux4p62v]Fight scary new monsters!
[*:3ux4p62v] At least TWO new monsters will be included. They will be tougher and harder to beat.
[*:3ux4p62v]Experience scarier depths![*:3ux4p62v]One of these new mobs will be called "Ghast", and it will be VERY unfair. Ghasts are floating jellyfish-like creatures, 4x4x4 blocks large, inhabiting the Hell dimension. They can break blocks and throw fireballs at you which set the landscape on fire. Ghasts won't attack unless they can see you.
[*:3ux4p62v]Ghasts need a space of 5x5x5 to spawn. They will rarely spawn near portals in the normal world. Beware!
Notch has revealed what the Ghasts look like to PC Gamer, and you can see them in action on the PC Gamer and IndieGames preview videos (see above for the links.)
[*:3ux4p62v]A second mob has been confirmed: zombie pigmen. They'll reside in hell, but will be peaceful, unless you attack them. Later on, they'll serve some addition function, but with this update they'll be merely a novelty.
[*:3ux4p62v]Additionally, old monsters will be unchanged in the update.
[*:3ux4p62v]Notch has mentioned coding bats, but they were not confirmed ever again, so they are quite probably not coming in this update.
[*:3ux4p62v] Monsters will now spawn even in relatively bright areas, depending of how deep you are. The deeper you are, the more tolerant to light are the monsters.
[*:3ux4p62v]Be scared of the dark![*:3ux4p62v]Note: due to time constrains, this feature may NOT be in this update. But remember, Notch will not stop working, and he may release it just after the first update!
[*:3ux4p62v]Catch scary fish![*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing lanterns in place of torches as infinite light sources.
[*:3ux4p62v] Lanterns MAY need steel to craft. We DON'T know yet what's their crafting pattern.
[*:3ux4p62v] Lanterns MAY need material found in Hell.
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is replacing ALL previous torches with lanterns, regardless if they are on chests, on walls or inventory. You DO NOT need to freak out about all your torches.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know if lanterns will be able to be placed on ceilings.
[*:3ux4p62v] Torches constructed and placed after the update will burn out after a while.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know how long they will last.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know if burnt torches will emit a faint light or if they will be completely dark.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will need to use flint and steel to relight burnt torches.
[*:3ux4p62v] There'll be fish as a new form of food, which you can get using the fishing rod that already exists.
[*:3ux4p62v]Scare other players online![*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know any details on what kind of fish or how they will behave, or how the fishing mechanic will work.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know anything regarding baits.
[*:3ux4p62v] Fish MAY NOT be added in the update. Notch is behind schedule and fishing is going to be a last moment addition.
[*:3ux4p62v]Note: due to time constrains, this feature may NOT be in this update. But remember, Notch will not stop working, and he may release it just after the first update!
[*:3ux4p62v]Carve scary-jack-o-lanterns[*:3ux4p62v] The update will attempt to fix a good portion of gameplay elements in multiplayer.
[*:3ux4p62v] Health and PvP may still not work after the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] Duping may still not be fixed after the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] Minecarts may still not be fixed after the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] SMP is the current priority in development. Even if these fixed don't come in the update, they will shortly after.
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing pumpkins.
[*:3ux4p62v]Keep track of the scary time[*:3ux4p62v] You will also be able to carve them.
[*:3ux4p62v] You will be able to use them as useless helmets.
[*:3ux4p62v] While farming for pumpkins is being planned in the long run, we DON'T have any confirmation that farming for pumpkins, or using them for food, will be available in this update.
[*:3ux4p62v] These features are not Halloween specific, and will remain in the game.
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing a watch that let's you know when it is day time
[*:3ux4p62v]Biomes[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know if the watch will only tell if it's day\night or if it will also tell you WHAT time it is.
[*:3ux4p62v] We DON'T know the crafting pattern for the watch yet. We don't know what materials it will use.
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch is introducing biomes: different types of geographical areas: deserts, forests, etc.
[*:3ux4p62v] There will be 10 biome types in the update (Notch accidentally counted hell as an 11th). The information we have is a bit hard to cross-check, and it has been a bit ambiguous. But the ones we can definitely confirm are:
[*:3ux4p62v]More music and better sounds: C418, the guy behind Minecraft's audio, has posted previews of these:[*:3ux4p62v] He posted an early preview of biomes:
To the left, forest, to the right, taiga, far away in the distance, desert.
Again, this is an EARLY debugging test. Biomes will be much larger,
and transition will be smoother.
[*:3ux4p62v]Rainforest
Others that were mentioned (in order of mention): rainforest, seasonal forest (crossed in Notch's biome diagram, replaced with "swamps"), swamps (in place of seasonal forest, still unclear), forest (simply "forest", mentioned on twitter but too non-specific to be sure), shrubland (mentioned only once on twitter), ice desert (later confirmed to be the same as tundra) and woods (in the diagram picture, possibly in the place of shrubland).[*:3ux4p62v]Savanna
[*:3ux4p62v]Taiga
[*:3ux4p62v]Plains (initially called "desert grass")
[*:3ux4p62v]Desert
[*:3ux4p62v]Tundra
As you can see, information is all over the place. The list contains only the consistently mentioned ones. We don't have an official, definitive list yet.
[*:3ux4p62v] Biomes will be based on different variables: dry/wet, hot/cold, safe/dangerous. The smooth variation of these variables will allow for smooth transitions between biomes. Notch doesn't seem to be adding anything in particular regarding the safe/dangerous variable, mentioned previously, in this update.
[*:3ux4p62v] There'll be no biome-specific mobs in the update, but these are planned in the long run.
[*:3ux4p62v] While heat and cold damage are planned for the future, we DON'T know if they'll be included in this update. They will be part of realistic mode, when they do get included.
[*:3ux4p62v] The color of vegetation will change depending on the biome type.
[*:3ux4p62v] There will be no new vegetation in the current biomes, but it will happen later on.
[*:3ux4p62v] Biomes WILL be available in old saves, if you walk far enough. That is, new generated chunks will get biomes. But you'll see see the color of vegetation varying in your currently generated chunks.
[*:3ux4p62v] Biomes will be larger than seen so far in images and videos.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will change the behavior of current map seeds, so new generated chunks will not make a smooth transition with existing chunks.
Additionally, piano3.ogg has been extended to 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
Note: none of these seem to be in the game yet, as far as we could tell from the videos.
[*:3ux4p62v]The update WON'T break the current saves
[*:3ux4p62v] Notch has confirmed that Hell and biomes WILL be available in old saves. You will need to generate new chunks for the biomes, though.
[*:3ux4p62v] Seasons are NOT coming with the update.[*:3ux4p62v] However, there's NO GUARANTEE that current saves will be able to get all the features in the new update. Notch hasn't explained how all these new features will work with old saves, and there's always implementation problems.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will NOT add support for higher-resolution textures.
[*:3ux4p62v] Update will include a "no HUD" mode, activated by pressing F1.
[*:3ux4p62v] The update will ship just before October 31st, Swedish time.
[*:3ux4p62v] There are no surprise updates planned before Halloween.
[*:3ux4p62v] An update WILL ship on Halloween, whether it is incomplete or not.
[*:3ux4p62v] As of yet, there are no new crafting recipes on the update.
[*:3ux4p62v] Eggs will not have a use in the update.
MINECRAFT FACTS: BIG LIST OF WHAT NOTCH HAS ACTUALLY SAID ABOUT THE PLANNED FEATURES OF MINECRAFT
Nice to see you put this here. We need less repeated threads.
How should we send facts to you?
PM, post, wut?
Also, you need a website for this, like I said elsewhere I forget.
EDIT:
Crap, un-first'd. Oh well.
EDIT:
We seriously need to sticky this.
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Yes, but on the main discussion forum. This one is a duplicate for the Halloween Update, as a lot of people are not really browsing the discussion forums.
If you guys really think this one is not necessary, a mod could delete it. I just thought it could be helpful to have a copy of the Halloween part over here, in the relevant forum.
MINECRAFT FACTS: BIG LIST OF WHAT NOTCH HAS ACTUALLY SAID ABOUT THE PLANNED FEATURES OF MINECRAFT
Please! D:
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Yeah, TBH, I'm really reading this and the mod forums and there's a lot of non-Halloweeen Update info in the other thread.
So for posting here.
From what we've seen of hell, it does not seem friendly to agriculture, so one can assume they'll be grown in the "real" world. As for winter maps, it's not clear we'll even have maps that are dedicated to being "wintry," now that there will be biomes with a temperature axis.
Could you please cite your sources with these so-called, "Facts"? For example where did you learn, "Hell will be a parallel dimension, and will be treated as another world..."?
I think we all understand that this place called, "Hell" will load up it's own unique environment, map and topography, but I have not heard any specifics on how it fits in with the actual Lore of the game universe. In other words, is this a completely different "plane", or is it located at the center of each Minecraft planet, and you are, in actuality, teleporting to it?
Sure.
The Ways in the Wheel of Time universe are portals to a parallel dimension. Notch has stated several times that this is his main inspiration.
All sources are in the red link in my signature, the main sources thread. I mentioned this in the very first paragraph of this thread, which apparently you did not read.
Quite probably the normal world. Notch has mentioned farming for pumpkins and other vegetables several times before.
MINECRAFT FACTS: BIG LIST OF WHAT NOTCH HAS ACTUALLY SAID ABOUT THE PLANNED FEATURES OF MINECRAFT
Okay, well Notch calls it a "separate" dimension. You call it a "parallel" dimension. Separate could mean that it is another dimension that is accessible only within an x,y,z coordinate on your own world.
Secondly, where does he state that he directly copied the "Ways" system from the "Wheel of Time" series? You just threw that in. He doesn't state that this is a direct copy or not. In fact, we can say he does not copy it directly, because it's called, "Hell" here.
Thirdly, it's always good practice to site your sources wherever you post information. There's a reason why your professor doesn't accept crap like, "sources pulled from the Encyclopedia Britannica. Read it".
Now, this is purely speculation and my own theory, but based on the sole evidence we have been given, I believe (and the evidence leans this way) Hell to not be a parallel dimension, but a place that lies within the same physical world of the base Minecraft planet.
Piecing together the clues given from the complete update I deduce the following:
1. We know mobs will be more resistant to light, the deeper you go.
2. We know that there will be a Hell-only Ghast creature which, purportedly, is the most "unfair" creature yet.
3. We know that light will be more difficult to come-by, which will hinder our ability to go underground.
4. Notch, not by accident, called this place, "Hell" which, by traditional folklore and mythology lies deep underground.
5. We know that travel within Hell will cover far more distance than the travel done on the surface. Based on the physics of a spherical planet, this makes sense - when matching the distance between two interior sphere z-coordinates with those of an exterior sphere coordinate you would get a large difference.
Sorry if I'm nit-picky, but I don't like made-up speculation all that much.
"Notch is introducing biomes: different types of geographical areas, with different vegetation. Deserts, forests, etc.
Biomes will be based on different variables: dry/wet, hot/cold, safe/dangerous. The smooth variation of these variables will allow for smooth transitions between biomes."
The only mention of what these biomes will be like in the new Halloween update comes from this statment:
"The hell biome will be used for an alternate fast travel dimension. Have you read Wheel of Time? That."
For all we know, this is the only thing he is talking about: Hell Biomes. There may not be any overland biomes at all, unless you have a separate source I don't see cited.
Don't bend the semantics. A DIMENSION in this context is another plane of existence. Calling it "separate" and "parallel" has a very subtle different meaning regarding the meta-verse in which they exist, I'll give you that, but a dimension is another plane of existence, not just another geographical location. This is a very well established term.
He didn't mention it, as far as I know. That's why I NEVER mentioned he was copying the system. I merely stated that was his inspiration for the "separate dimension for fast travel." If my wording is ambiguous, please state where so I can fix it.
Now you're the one making wild assumptions. He could have called it Magic Fairy Land. It doesn't matter. He has called it another dimension, and that makes its context as an alternate plane of existence VERY explicit.
Have you even CHECKED the source thread? It's one link away. One single click, man. It has direct quotes and direct links to all the sources. I just won't replicate the entire thread here as it's already very large, and 90% of the information there is not relevant to the Halloween Update.
Good thing you know it's just your speculation.
Just go read the source thread, will you. Listen to the podcasts, read the cited blog posts and transcript threads. You don't seem to be aware of any of the development history of the game whatsoever. Nor the meaning of "biome" in the scientific context nor this game's context.
It really seems like you just read the word "Hell" and created this scenario in your head full of rationalizations to make it fit.
MINECRAFT FACTS: BIG LIST OF WHAT NOTCH HAS ACTUALLY SAID ABOUT THE PLANNED FEATURES OF MINECRAFT
No, Notch wouldn't do that, thats something the ROBLOX DEVELOPERS would do...
Chumhandle: electronicAssassin
That's what he said on Twitter. Draw your own conclusions.
MINECRAFT FACTS: BIG LIST OF WHAT NOTCH HAS ACTUALLY SAID ABOUT THE PLANNED FEATURES OF MINECRAFT
Chumhandle: electronicAssassin
*so much greatness*
TOO MUCH WIN IN ONE POST. CAN NOT COMPUTE.
TOO MUCH WIN.
Also, you should get an entire website dedicated to this, so you can use Flash to make interactive collapsible libraries.
That way, people go "OK, I need to tell a guy that pumpkins are orange... *clicks HALLOWEEN library* Aha! *clicks Pumpkin sub-library* "Blablabla... Pumpkins are supposedly orange, as stated by notch "I GOT QUOTED OMG"..."
"This is what I need!"
please, sticky.
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