The primary challenge as I see it in incorporating command blocks into Console is the fact that XBOX 360 and possibly some other consoles (I don't know) don't support keyboards. My answer to this is inspired by some programming editors. As one starts to type in a command in one of these editors, it brings up a drop-down window with all the possible commands starting with that letter. For XBOX, since there's no typing, one selects from a categorized menu, where R and L buttons scroll between categories. Once a command is selected, it is added to a script listed below and a list of parameters comes up on the right, with default settings initially entered. One can move between the parameters and select the one they want to modify. Once selected, the player can then use the digital pad to adjust the values (left and right move through the digits, up and down change the value of the digit). "A" is still always select, and "B" is still to cancel or go back. Some parameters would simply be toggled on or off. Also, using the Right Joystick Click will toggle back and forth between verbose and abbreviated script mode. Left Joystick Click could toggle between the command menu and the script displayed below so one could edit commands already entered or delete them (using "Y"). I'd also suggest some command line copy and paste buttons, perhaps Right and Left Trigger could be for copying and pasting a line of script.
Of course one could never expect the same versatility scripting a Console version as they could on a PC, but this system would optimize the ability to make available as many script commands as the console edition could hope to support without bogging the player down by entering commands using the on-screen keyboard. Having a very limited selection of tweaks available in a psuedo-Command block is fine and good, but why not go for what every Minecraft engineer really wants? Maximum control with minimum effort.
I'd really like to see the command block come to console and I know I am not alone. Please support this suggestion and if I've left anything out, feel free to ask.
Honestly, typing aside, do you see the Xbox 360 supporting (without excessive lag and a game crash), the sort of commands shown in this video - e.g. massive redstone block production (which is the first one shown)?
First I need to make a correction. I was under the mistaken impression (being that I don't own the PC version) that command blocks allowed multi-command scripting. Save for that, the OP suggestions are still valid.
Now many commands could be ported pretty much as-is, a few would have to be omitted, but most could be made available with parameter limiters to prevent overtaxing the console, such as number of spawners per chunk, number of block/mob spawns per tick (average), max explosive power, and stuff like that. None the less, most of what command blocks do could be ported, only the scale or speed of some of the things they do would need to be moderated.
Can you even say with any certainty that the system will handle even 1 more spawn per tick than what 4J have set for the limit currently? A lot of people are already being very unhappy with the limits as they are (that is, they're continually asking for more chickens, villagers, etc.). Would they be even more unhappy if those limits have to be lowered in order to accommodate command block activity? I know I would be unhappy if they do introduce a feature that essentially breaks the game on the Xbox 360 since I'd rather have less features and a game that at least runs rather than a crash every few seconds. The bottom line here is that Cobra said they already have some basic inactive code regarding command blocks in the game, but will not release it until/unless they can get everything stabilized... so, we'll just have to wait to see what happens. It may be that they come out on the Xbox One and PS4 only and not on the Xbox 360 and PS3.
If proper limits are placed on the command block command parameters, it will not be necessary to increase limits on other things in the game like villagers, etc. The peeps at 4J have a good idea I am sure on the limitations of the XBOX 360 and on the other consoles and can set parameter ranges and command options within those limits. I do think that new limits placed would only need to be on new features introduced. This goes for not only command blocks and their functions, but other new objects and mechanics introduced to the game.
If proper limits are placed on the command block command parameters, it will not be necessary to increase limits on other things in the game like villagers, etc. The peeps at 4J have a good idea I am sure on the limitations of the XBOX 360 and on the other consoles and can set parameter ranges and command options within those limits. I do think that new limits placed would only need to be on new features introduced. This goes for not only command blocks and their functions, but other new objects and mechanics introduced to the game.
I can certainly see it happening on the Xbox One (even more likely now that Microsoft is going to even allow mods on Fallout 4 on the Xbox One). I can even eventually see mods being accepted in Minecraft on the Xbox One. However, I don't really see it happening for the 360 because its such an old, limited, and obsolete system... it's probably just not worth their effort... but I've been wrong before. When I bought Minecraft for the 360 back in 2012, I never imagined they would have continued to make such an effort to bring the game up to the level they already have. I really didn't expect Microsoft to still be supporting the 360 console either.
Not true. A USB keyboard can be used to type any time the console brings up the on-board keypad. This also includes keypads in Apps, such as youtube and Netflix.
But anyway...
IF command blocks are added to the console version, I wouldn't want them to be limited too much, if at all. I mean, if someone crashes their game because they tried to spawn in 10,000 sheep at once, that stupidity is on them. I'm not naive, though. I know 4J themselves are limited by Microsoft's and Sony's terms so some shackles are probably required.
I don't expect command blocks on the 360 or PS3, anyway. Honestly, I sincerely hope that the 1.8 update (and it's subsequent bug-fixes) marks the end of 360/ps3 support. 4J really needs to begin optimizing the game for the more powerful consoles, rather than letting the users settle for a cookie-cut version (even if it is a larger cookie). These consoles are more than powerful enough to handle anything in the above video.
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The primary challenge as I see it in incorporating command blocks into Console is the fact that XBOX 360 and possibly some other consoles (I don't know) don't support keyboards. My answer to this is inspired by some programming editors. As one starts to type in a command in one of these editors, it brings up a drop-down window with all the possible commands starting with that letter. For XBOX, since there's no typing, one selects from a categorized menu, where R and L buttons scroll between categories. Once a command is selected, it is added to a script listed below and a list of parameters comes up on the right, with default settings initially entered. One can move between the parameters and select the one they want to modify. Once selected, the player can then use the digital pad to adjust the values (left and right move through the digits, up and down change the value of the digit). "A" is still always select, and "B" is still to cancel or go back. Some parameters would simply be toggled on or off. Also, using the Right Joystick Click will toggle back and forth between verbose and abbreviated script mode. Left Joystick Click could toggle between the command menu and the script displayed below so one could edit commands already entered or delete them (using "Y"). I'd also suggest some command line copy and paste buttons, perhaps Right and Left Trigger could be for copying and pasting a line of script.
Of course one could never expect the same versatility scripting a Console version as they could on a PC, but this system would optimize the ability to make available as many script commands as the console edition could hope to support without bogging the player down by entering commands using the on-screen keyboard. Having a very limited selection of tweaks available in a psuedo-Command block is fine and good, but why not go for what every Minecraft engineer really wants? Maximum control with minimum effort.
I'd really like to see the command block come to console and I know I am not alone. Please support this suggestion and if I've left anything out, feel free to ask.
- Skit
Support my suggestions. Make the game better!
Honestly, typing aside, do you see the Xbox 360 supporting (without excessive lag and a game crash), the sort of commands shown in this video - e.g. massive redstone block production (which is the first one shown)?
First I need to make a correction. I was under the mistaken impression (being that I don't own the PC version) that command blocks allowed multi-command scripting. Save for that, the OP suggestions are still valid.
Now many commands could be ported pretty much as-is, a few would have to be omitted, but most could be made available with parameter limiters to prevent overtaxing the console, such as number of spawners per chunk, number of block/mob spawns per tick (average), max explosive power, and stuff like that. None the less, most of what command blocks do could be ported, only the scale or speed of some of the things they do would need to be moderated.
- Skit
Support my suggestions. Make the game better!
Can you even say with any certainty that the system will handle even 1 more spawn per tick than what 4J have set for the limit currently? A lot of people are already being very unhappy with the limits as they are (that is, they're continually asking for more chickens, villagers, etc.). Would they be even more unhappy if those limits have to be lowered in order to accommodate command block activity? I know I would be unhappy if they do introduce a feature that essentially breaks the game on the Xbox 360 since I'd rather have less features and a game that at least runs rather than a crash every few seconds. The bottom line here is that Cobra said they already have some basic inactive code regarding command blocks in the game, but will not release it until/unless they can get everything stabilized... so, we'll just have to wait to see what happens. It may be that they come out on the Xbox One and PS4 only and not on the Xbox 360 and PS3.
If proper limits are placed on the command block command parameters, it will not be necessary to increase limits on other things in the game like villagers, etc. The peeps at 4J have a good idea I am sure on the limitations of the XBOX 360 and on the other consoles and can set parameter ranges and command options within those limits. I do think that new limits placed would only need to be on new features introduced. This goes for not only command blocks and their functions, but other new objects and mechanics introduced to the game.
Support my suggestions. Make the game better!
I can certainly see it happening on the Xbox One (even more likely now that Microsoft is going to even allow mods on Fallout 4 on the Xbox One). I can even eventually see mods being accepted in Minecraft on the Xbox One. However, I don't really see it happening for the 360 because its such an old, limited, and obsolete system... it's probably just not worth their effort... but I've been wrong before. When I bought Minecraft for the 360 back in 2012, I never imagined they would have continued to make such an effort to bring the game up to the level they already have. I really didn't expect Microsoft to still be supporting the 360 console either.
Not true. A USB keyboard can be used to type any time the console brings up the on-board keypad. This also includes keypads in Apps, such as youtube and Netflix.
But anyway...
IF command blocks are added to the console version, I wouldn't want them to be limited too much, if at all. I mean, if someone crashes their game because they tried to spawn in 10,000 sheep at once, that stupidity is on them. I'm not naive, though. I know 4J themselves are limited by Microsoft's and Sony's terms so some shackles are probably required.
I don't expect command blocks on the 360 or PS3, anyway. Honestly, I sincerely hope that the 1.8 update (and it's subsequent bug-fixes) marks the end of 360/ps3 support. 4J really needs to begin optimizing the game for the more powerful consoles, rather than letting the users settle for a cookie-cut version (even if it is a larger cookie). These consoles are more than powerful enough to handle anything in the above video.