Jeb tweeted that this week's Snapshot will likely come tomorrow, instead of the usual Thursday release time. In addition, he released the following information for key changes likely to be seen in the coming update:
- Maximum build height has been increased to 256 (was 128)
- Empty sections of the world are not loaded into memory
- Block ids have been increased to 4096 (was 256) by adding a 4 bit data layer (similar to how meta data is stored)
- Block ordering have been changed from x/z/y to y/z/x in order to improve compression
- Packets for sending chunks have been updated (a full 128-high chunk is smaller than the old format, and a chunk with lots of empty space is much smaller)
- Biomes are saved per x/z column, which means they can be altered by tools
In addition, he offered a glimpse into a new map format, as well as changes to the file format for save games:
Quote fromJon and I have been working on a new map format for Minecraft that we’ve dubbed “Anvil” (it’s just a name). The purpose of the new format is to prepare for modding, especially to allow for more block types, but also to improve other areas of the game (such as map height).
...The next snapshot, and Minecraft 1.2, will automatically convert worlds to the new format. The files of the current format (“McRegion”) will remain in your save folder, if you need to restore them for some reason.
- The 16x128x16 “Blocks”, “Data”, “SkyLight” and “BlockLight” tags are removed
- A “Sections” tag has been added with up to 16 compound tags
- Each section has 16x16x16 “Blocks”, “Data”, “SkyLight” and “BlockLight” tags
- Each section has a “Y” integer tag saying which section it is (note that some Y positions can be skipped). 0 is at the bottom of the world and 15 is the topmost section
- Each section also has a “AddBlocks” tag, which is a DataLayer byte array just like “Data”. The “AddBlocks” tag is not included in the converter since the old format never had block ids above 255. This extra tag is created whenever a block requires it, so the getTile() method needs to check if the array exists and then combine it with the default block data. In other words, blockId = (addBlock << 8) + baseId.
- Each chunk has a 16×16 byte array with biome ids called “Biomes”. If this array is missing it will be filled when the game starts. The converter doesn’t include any biome sources, though (it had too many dependencies to be included).
- Note that the old format is XZY and the new format is YZX (see the difference between DataLayer and OldDataLayer).
- The new format uses the extension “.mca” instead of “.mcr” (the old format is kept for safety, with the level.dat backed up as “level.dat_mcr”)
Finally, he wished to express recognition for forum-user Robinton for his hard work on his rather impressive list of mods.
Many of the upcoming changes have clear implications - a smoother game experience, larger worlds and better mod compatibility - while others seem to be a prelude to even larger changes in the future. Keep an eye open for the early release of this week's Snapshot, as well as news about the upcoming 1.2 Update right here!
Check out this weeks' installment of the Curse Weekly Roundup, for all your game-related news on Minecraft & more from around the gaming network - click the image above to watch!
My only concern is if it'll cause lag problems.
I am so happy.
Looking away from a max height structure is already looking really weird. You should be able to see farther away but you don’t.
We need a Jens head emoticon...immediately!!
agrees with me.
But please mojang, realse it in another 2-3 weeks. Wow us some more with a major update
because i wanna explore even deeper and larger caves, dont build a 256 tall tower -.-U
please make it happen!!
ahh and the IdBlocks is pretty damn impresive...
more mod compatibility = win
Jeb improved the chunk loading code and now, if anything, the game will actually run faster, especially when generating new terrain. Maybe now loading a new world won't be a death sentence for the average server! Also, Jeb made a converter to add the extra 128 blocks on to old worlds, so you won't have to MCEdit it in or anything. Biomes will also be easier to move using a tool like MCEdit due to the location being more simple to edit.
It won't create deeper earth, or taller mountains, it will just give you more space to build above sea level. 3x more height at sea level, to be exact. Right now you have 64 blocks of space to the build limit, after the update you will have 192 blocks of space. It will still be 64 blocks down to bedrock.
Modders will be probably be able to do what you want though.
They didn't give enough detail on that. Surface may still be 64 as before, meaning you can build much further up.
*Achieved Enlightenment*