There have been several posts suggesting various ways to implement furniture to the game. I've been thinking on the idea for some time and I'd like to try to refine the idea, if possible.
Being an amateur programmer myself, though I don't pretend to be intimate with Minecraft's nuts and bolts, I've tried to keep in mind the programming requirements of various takes on the idea of furniture.
One post I read suggested making stairs-with-signs "couches" and "chairs" usable by right-clicking, thus eliminating the need for new blocks. I doubt this will happen as I'm guessing that adding new blocks is easier than adding new mechanics. Minecraft is written in object-oriented languages, and declaring a new subclass of Block would probably be far easier than making special cases for the already complex stairs and signs.
Most Minecraft players I've spoken to agree that a furniture update would be nice, even if the furniture is purely decorative. Building crude couches and disproportional fence-plate tables is cumbersome and not appealing to the eye. Though having a set of new functionless blocks would slightly change the flavor of Minecraft and take it a step away from its natural pragmatism, it would appeal to the game's creative side - the need to build beautiful and extravagant palaces and the desire to build cozy lakeside cottages, all fully (or somewhat) furnished.
Functional furniture, though, would not be without precedent - that is, if my (amateur) speculations about the work of Minecraft's programmers are accurate, I expect that the elements necessary for usable new blocks already exist in the game.
A table, for example. A table could have, say, a single slot for storage. Using a modified furnace or chest interface with only one slot, the user could put an item there. (It could even be restricted, like to steak or books). A small rendering of the item stored [in] the table, similar to a thrown item, would sit motionless on the table. The table would probably be a subclass of Chest, being a container for items.
Other suggestions I've heard and read from fellow players regarding container furniture include shelves, glass display cases, and even incubators for chicken eggs (not furniture, but similar mechanics). Non-container pieces include chairs (similar in coding to beds) and couches (two chairs placed adjacent, like chests), and, more radically, potted plants and carpets.
I cannot think of any balance or serious gameplay changes that would arise from such a change, as it is mostly aesthetic.
Many of these things have already been suggested; my point, though, is that most of these things can be added using elements of other things which already exist in Minecraft or, if they are not to be interactive, they can be added as simple new blocks.
This topic is about furniture.
I don't really support the idea of furniture but I like your idea of a table and having a use for it.
Also I don't think you should be limited for what block goes in/on the table.
I say you should be able to make furniture, but they should actually have uses (like you mentioned with the table). Like, you should actually be able to put things in a dresser or you should actually be able to sit on a chair at a table and eat your cake.
If the furniture looks kind of... off from the rest of the Minecraft world, I wouldn't want it.
I say you should be able to make furniture, but they should actually have uses (like you mentioned with the table). Like, you should actually be able to put things in a dresser or you should actually be able to sit on a chair at a table and eat your cake.
If the furniture looks kind of... off from the rest of the Minecraft world, I wouldn't want it.
I agree; the furniture would need to fit the theme. In my own imagination this means it'd be made out of wood and maybe leather, or perhaps wool; but there are bound to be other interpretations.
The thematic question is the reason that pieces such as toilets and sinks and refrigerators probably should not be added.
I'm not sure about a dresser, as there are currently no clothes in Minecraft.
I would think that a table should allow you to take or use the item without opening the interface. For instance, cake on a table should work like a cake anywhere else, and if there is a book on a table, you should be able to read it without having to add it to your inventory. This might mean that the representation of the content would have to be an interaction capable object. Click the representation to use the object, or click the table to access the menu. Further, some items might need special handling. For instance, putting a cake in the inventory might, rather than placing a dummy, cause the actual cake to be placed on top of the table (temporarily blocking access to the table inventory)...or might place the cake as soon as someone takes a piece, before which the cake can be removed.
Chairs would be interesting if they sped up healing and/or allowed healing with lower hunger levels while sitting down.
Display cases and shelves, on the other hand, would effectively serve the only purpose they need by letting you see stored items, although shelves, like tables, might benefit from being able to take items out without opening the container, by just right-clicking the dummy item. Thus they would become a storage of convenience, as players could quickly take out items without having to pause to open an inventory (and make themselves momentarily blind).
In fact, display objects could have a similar utility. Imagine having an armour rack or weapon case sitting in your home, displaying your best diamond gear. You don't need it while mining, and don't want to risk losing it in a lava pool. Suddenly, a PVP battle starts, and your friends call you to join them. By right-clicking your displays, you activate the stored items. Armour is automatically equipped. A sword moves to your current hotbar selection with one click. What once would have taken time too precious to spare is now done in an instant. Barely a moment has passed, but you are already fully geared for battle and on your way.
I'm not sure about a dresser, as there are currently no clothes in Minecraft.
True, but there are skins. I think some people would really be tickled to have an in-game way to do that. (Also, Jeb has expressed interest, at least with the modding functionality, to let players handle changes in game, rather than having to go outside of Minecraft to do things.)
The idea of in-game skin handling is one I like, and as it is purely aesthetic it would have no effect on the actual gameplay of Minecraft.
Additionally, I like what you said about the armor rack. That, I agree, would be an excellent way to demonstrate power and, more importantly, quickly project it.
A new thought:
Recently I've become aggravated with the fact that, though the player(s) can force night to become day by sleeping, there is no (natural) way to quickly pass the day into night. Whenever I want to go hunting or make decorative lighting changes or do other nighttime activities I have to wait for the day to pass.
I'm wondering if there might be any good ways to make that possible in Minecraft - perhaps it would involve chairs? - or if that's even a viable idea at all.
I couldn't find any previous mention of such a concept on these forums.
Ooh.
You know what would be nice?
Mirrors.
It wouldn't need to load any new chunks, either.
Of course, it would be use for decor.
And desks, it would be the same as a table, but would allow 2 items on it.
Hmm. Mirrors I'm not so sure about.. it'd be a real job coding, I'd think, and I personally don't feel that it fits the theme of Minecraft - but that's just my opinion.
Anecdotally, after managing to get Portal 1 to run on one of my older pc's, the game would crash hard (forcing me to restart the whole machine) whenever I looked through an active portal.
I guess my graphics (actually, I think it was a chipset) couldn't handle that kind of... depth...Interesting idea about the desk, though. Perhaps it could be two tables put together, much like two chests put together.
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Being an amateur programmer myself, though I don't pretend to be intimate with Minecraft's nuts and bolts, I've tried to keep in mind the programming requirements of various takes on the idea of furniture.
One post I read suggested making stairs-with-signs "couches" and "chairs" usable by right-clicking, thus eliminating the need for new blocks. I doubt this will happen as I'm guessing that adding new blocks is easier than adding new mechanics. Minecraft is written in object-oriented languages, and declaring a new subclass of Block would probably be far easier than making special cases for the already complex stairs and signs.
Most Minecraft players I've spoken to agree that a furniture update would be nice, even if the furniture is purely decorative. Building crude couches and disproportional fence-plate tables is cumbersome and not appealing to the eye. Though having a set of new functionless blocks would slightly change the flavor of Minecraft and take it a step away from its natural pragmatism, it would appeal to the game's creative side - the need to build beautiful and extravagant palaces and the desire to build cozy lakeside cottages, all fully (or somewhat) furnished.
Functional furniture, though, would not be without precedent - that is, if my (amateur) speculations about the work of Minecraft's programmers are accurate, I expect that the elements necessary for usable new blocks already exist in the game.
A table, for example. A table could have, say, a single slot for storage. Using a modified furnace or chest interface with only one slot, the user could put an item there. (It could even be restricted, like to steak or books). A small rendering of the item stored [in] the table, similar to a thrown item, would sit motionless on the table. The table would probably be a subclass of Chest, being a container for items.
Other suggestions I've heard and read from fellow players regarding container furniture include shelves, glass display cases, and even incubators for chicken eggs (not furniture, but similar mechanics). Non-container pieces include chairs (similar in coding to beds) and couches (two chairs placed adjacent, like chests), and, more radically, potted plants and carpets.
I cannot think of any balance or serious gameplay changes that would arise from such a change, as it is mostly aesthetic.
Many of these things have already been suggested; my point, though, is that most of these things can be added using elements of other things which already exist in Minecraft or, if they are not to be interactive, they can be added as simple new blocks.
I welcome feedback.
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Curse PremiumI want furniture.
Support.
I don't really support the idea of furniture but I like your idea of a table and having a use for it.
Also I don't think you should be limited for what block goes in/on the table.
No support but no rejects but I'll bump it up.
If the furniture looks kind of... off from the rest of the Minecraft world, I wouldn't want it.
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Curse PremiumI agree; the furniture would need to fit the theme. In my own imagination this means it'd be made out of wood and maybe leather, or perhaps wool; but there are bound to be other interpretations.
The thematic question is the reason that pieces such as toilets and sinks and refrigerators probably should not be added.
I'm not sure about a dresser, as there are currently no clothes in Minecraft.
Chairs would be interesting if they sped up healing and/or allowed healing with lower hunger levels while sitting down.
Display cases and shelves, on the other hand, would effectively serve the only purpose they need by letting you see stored items, although shelves, like tables, might benefit from being able to take items out without opening the container, by just right-clicking the dummy item. Thus they would become a storage of convenience, as players could quickly take out items without having to pause to open an inventory (and make themselves momentarily blind).
In fact, display objects could have a similar utility. Imagine having an armour rack or weapon case sitting in your home, displaying your best diamond gear. You don't need it while mining, and don't want to risk losing it in a lava pool. Suddenly, a PVP battle starts, and your friends call you to join them. By right-clicking your displays, you activate the stored items. Armour is automatically equipped. A sword moves to your current hotbar selection with one click. What once would have taken time too precious to spare is now done in an instant. Barely a moment has passed, but you are already fully geared for battle and on your way.
True, but there are skins. I think some people would really be tickled to have an in-game way to do that. (Also, Jeb has expressed interest, at least with the modding functionality, to let players handle changes in game, rather than having to go outside of Minecraft to do things.)
Additionally, I like what you said about the armor rack. That, I agree, would be an excellent way to demonstrate power and, more importantly, quickly project it.
A new thought:
Recently I've become aggravated with the fact that, though the player(s) can force night to become day by sleeping, there is no (natural) way to quickly pass the day into night. Whenever I want to go hunting or make decorative lighting changes or do other nighttime activities I have to wait for the day to pass.
I'm wondering if there might be any good ways to make that possible in Minecraft - perhaps it would involve chairs? - or if that's even a viable idea at all.
I couldn't find any previous mention of such a concept on these forums.
You know what would be nice?
Mirrors.
It wouldn't need to load any new chunks, either.
Of course, it would be use for decor.
And desks, it would be the same as a table, but would allow 2 items on it.
Anecdotally, after managing to get Portal 1 to run on one of my older pc's, the game would crash hard (forcing me to restart the whole machine) whenever I looked through an active portal.
I guess my graphics (actually, I think it was a chipset) couldn't handle that kind of... depth...Interesting idea about the desk, though. Perhaps it could be two tables put together, much like two chests put together.