Survival mode comes to Minecraft-Pocket Edition

Mojang announced plans this week to add survival mode to Minecraft - Pocket Edition.

They said they have not updated Minecraft - Pocket Edition much yet because they were focused on getting the pocket edition for iOS out in the Apple store after they released the Android version.

"The plan now is to start digging into making Minecraft - Pocket Edition with survival features!" said Daniel Kaplan, a developer working on the pocket edition.

Some of the new features Kaplan mentioned are as follows:
A new file system - to make sure we can support items and mobs in the world
- Item system - to be able to pick up items
- Crafting - This will probably need some iterations since the interface will be customized for the touch devices
- Inventory system
- Mobs - animals and enemies
- Optimizing rendering code - Mojang is experimenting with caves but need to make it work better before we are able to release it
- Clean up of code and overall optimization

Kaplan said they don't have any dates for when these updates will happen, but he urged players to make sure their phones are fully updated so they will be compatible.

Minecraft - Pocket Edition is only 16 cents on the Android market right now as a special promotion.

Minecraft released for iOS, preparing for Xbox release

Mojang released Minecraft for Apple products this weekend, and they announced that Minecraft will be available for Xbox Arcade in spring 2012.

Minecraft - Pocket Edition for Apple devices jumped to second most grossing app as soon as it was released and later rose to be most grossing app.

The Apple version of Minecraft is similar to the version for Android devices. The controls are the same, but it only supports local multiplayer over Wifi.

The game costs $6.99 and allows for creative building with 36 different blocks. It works for any apple phone or device, including iPads.

Not much has been said yet for Minecraft on the xbox, but Mojang did release a trailer for it. The link to the trailer is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfYuY3sv1Ro&feature=player_embedded

Minecraft users offer varied reactions to Pocket Edition

Picture provided by OSX2000 on the Minecraft forums

Minecraft players are manifesting mixed reactions to today’s release of Minecraft - Pocket Edition.

            

“Works like a dream and feels just like its big brother.  Yes, it lacks some features but these will come soon.  Worth the money,” Minecraft player Hitch said on a Droid Marketplace review.

But some Minecraft players are disappointed to find out that Minecraft - Pocket Edition does not yet include survival mode.

"For the initial release of the game on the rest of the android devices, this has turned out great.  I patiently await the eventual release of survival," one player said on Droid Marketplace review.

Other players have issues with Pocket Edition controls.

An anonymous review on the Android Marketplace read, “Seriously Mojang you just just ****ed the game up with this update... We need the xperia controls back!!”

The review was referring to the controls used on the Xperia version of Minecraft - Pocket Version which came out in August.  Some players prefer those controls to the ones on the new version.

Some players are more optimistic than others about the differences between the two games.

“The controls aren’t so responsive, the d-pad’s not so great.  But again, this isn’t fully implemented.  Give it time and it will be awesome.  I have faith,” Minecraft player Barry said on a Droid Marketplace review.

Some players suggest that Mojang release Minecraft on other devices and gaming consoles, but...

“No on the 3DS version.  Seeing creepers jump out in 3D would make me never play Minecraft again,” Minecraft player R3Miixmaster commented on a wireless.ign.com article.

There is also the confusion of who has to pay the $6.99 for Pocket Edition and who doesn’t.

“It would be nice if people who bought the game on the computer could get the pocket edition for free,” Minecraft player Gunbros21 commented on a wireless.ign.com article about Pocket Edition. 

Other players commented that Minecraft agreed to give all future versions for free to players who had bought Minecraft while it was still in alpha mode, but it is still undetermined how previous owners can get the edition for free, if they can.

Picture provided by Psychonauticus on the Minecraft forums

Minecraft released for Droid devices

Today marked the world-wide release of Minecraft - Pocket Edition for all Android devices.

Minecraft - Pocket Edition was set to come out on September 29, but Mojang pushed it forward until today because of a bug found within the game.  

That wait caused even more excitement amongst Minecraft players for this release, and they are not wasting any time buying copies for their smart phones.

One player tweeted: "Trying out #Minecraft pocket edition on my phone works really good just can't wait til it's survival."

Though Minecraft - Pocket Edition does not include survival mode, it includes all the features available in Minecraft creative mode.  Players can mine materials and build as much as they want.  

Players move around in the game by pressing the arrows on the screen, and they look around by sweeping the screen with their thumbs.  They click to place blocks, and they hold down in one spot to remove blocks.

Another thing available in Minecraft - Pocket Edition is the ability for multi-player worlds, and sharing worlds from phone to phone.

The release of Minecraft - Pocket Edition is a big step for Mojang, but they said they would continue working on the game.

"Just like the PC/Mac/Linux version of Minecraft we're planning to continue developing the Pocket Edition for a long time with frequent updates," Daniel Kaplan, Mojand developer, wrote on the Mojang website.  "We're looking forward to engaging in further discussions with our community as we take the next step for the Pocket Edition."


See the video below for more information.