With Jeb changing the save format to something resembling the cubic chunks mod, higher z values in the thousands seem possible in future updates. This offers an awesome opportunity to expand Minecraft in the z direction, hence the idea: vertical biomes. Biomes can change along the x-y plane, why not make them change along z as well? While I am no expert at modding or developing Minecraft it seems that the new save format could be modified to support far greater vertical heights like in the cubic chunks mod. This would add a ton of content and a whole new dimension and feel to the game.
Here is roughly what I have in mind. The top 64 layers would be "bedrock," smooth stone with limited caves and crevices, rich in iron and coal. This top layer would be similar to the underground right now but with fewer caves, diamonds, gold, redstone, and lapis. Below this we get the "underdark" an epic system of massive cavern systems with underground lakes, rivers, fungi, and a few small lava pools. Redstone, lapis, and gold are abundant in this layer and diamond is present in concentrations similar to the present. As you dig below the “underdark” lava becomes more common, but so do diamonds and gold. This “mantle” layer should have a porous stone structure injected with magma. The idea is that the rewards of extra diamonds are balanced by the increased risk of being incinerated. Finally, you eventually reach the magma sea - a magma ocean biome. If you somehow breach the magma sea you emerge in the Nether - no longer a separate world but now the lowest layer of the map. To reach the nether would be substantially harder, you must now dig though the underdark and the mobs within, ad go through the porous magma layer and the magma sea.
To give the levels more flavor I would also suggest adding more types of stone like in Dwarf Fortress, but not as many. Granite, Marble, and a dark colored rock would be excellent additions. This has two benefits: first it increases the variety of stone available for building allowing for different colors and styles without relying on wool, and second it can add flavor to the z biomes. Each level can have a dominant stone in it, differentiating them and making the materials abundant for surface construction.
I like the idea of the giant cave network and the sea of lava at the core, but not the idea of being able to burrow into the Nether...
Why not? It would be about as hard to reach as the nether is currently, if not more so. You would loose the 1/8 travel distance though making it somewhat less functional.
I kinda want to keep dimensions how they are now, but I do like the idea of the tunnel system and sea of lava. I just think that the Overworld should maybe stay separate from other dimensions. But I would be way more excited to go mining then I am now with all these ideas. This is just my opinion, though.
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Here is roughly what I have in mind. The top 64 layers would be "bedrock," smooth stone with limited caves and crevices, rich in iron and coal. This top layer would be similar to the underground right now but with fewer caves, diamonds, gold, redstone, and lapis. Below this we get the "underdark" an epic system of massive cavern systems with underground lakes, rivers, fungi, and a few small lava pools. Redstone, lapis, and gold are abundant in this layer and diamond is present in concentrations similar to the present. As you dig below the “underdark” lava becomes more common, but so do diamonds and gold. This “mantle” layer should have a porous stone structure injected with magma. The idea is that the rewards of extra diamonds are balanced by the increased risk of being incinerated. Finally, you eventually reach the magma sea - a magma ocean biome. If you somehow breach the magma sea you emerge in the Nether - no longer a separate world but now the lowest layer of the map. To reach the nether would be substantially harder, you must now dig though the underdark and the mobs within, ad go through the porous magma layer and the magma sea.
To give the levels more flavor I would also suggest adding more types of stone like in Dwarf Fortress, but not as many. Granite, Marble, and a dark colored rock would be excellent additions. This has two benefits: first it increases the variety of stone available for building allowing for different colors and styles without relying on wool, and second it can add flavor to the z biomes. Each level can have a dominant stone in it, differentiating them and making the materials abundant for surface construction.
Thoughts? Comments?
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Put in simplest terms, biomes would change as you dig deeper.
Why not? It would be about as hard to reach as the nether is currently, if not more so. You would loose the 1/8 travel distance though making it somewhat less functional.