Games portfolio - Minecraft

Research

Minecraft java edition was the first edition of Minecraft to ever release on May 10, 2009.

Because Minecraft was designed for computers way back in 2009, the game was very different. There was limited options for gameplay, no multiplayer as they would have needed a dedicated server to allow that option. Additionally world sizes were very small to help the game run well on the old computers so they had less to render in.

The limited hardware options with older Minecraft versions could've stunted the developments of the game as limitations of graphics on everyday desktops at home was not up to par with the game. Some things that were affected was the world generation size of 256x256 blocks, which is nothing to the 131,072 blocks in the modern versions of Minecraft.

Another thing that may have been limited in the older versions of Minecraft is the amount of items and mechanics in the game. This could include items such as Redstone with its unique mechanics wasn't added until 2013, when computers were more sophisticated with better graphics cards and processors.

One of the biggest aspects of modern Minecraft is the ability to play multiplayer and cross platform which wasn't an option. MinecraftOnline is the first server and map which was created on August 4, 2010, within the first hour of Minecraft multiplayer being released. This was added a bit later due to the system requirements of the current computers not being up to par for the added stress of tracking extra players. Minecraft uses both p2p and dedicated servers in the use of multiplayer so there is some vary of multiplayer.

Target market/ Culture

Minecraft's target market was aimed at around 6 to 13 year olds. Despite this the game can be played by anyone as you can create anything you want using the vast assortment of different blocks and mechanics inside the game. One of the biggest aspects of Minecraft was the community that get to decide an aspect or mob of the game and the players can vote on what item can be added to the game. This helps the community feel closer to the game as they had a say in what is going to be added to the game.

Another big aspect of the game is a wide spectrum of modding capabilities for Minecraft. These player made mods brought a completely different angle to Minecraft, some making the game harder, some easier with lots of unique items added to support this. These mods attracted lots of players who decided to play modded after they maybe completed what they wanted to do in the game.

An example of a community made forum for mods to be uploaded is curse forge 100,00+ mod options.

Another angle that Minecraft took was YouTube. Minecraft is one of the largest games on YouTube, with thousands of different videos including creators such as DanTDM, Dream and PopularMMO's mod reviews. These youtubers was a big aspect of Minecraft's culture as they brought attention to different aspects of the game, some modded, some builders and some vanilla play style.

Critical analysis

Minecraft's gameplay mechanics are very open world, exploring the land to collect different resources that in turn do different mechanics or have a different appearance to the character. Many people enjoy this type of play style, opting for a more creative, play at your own pace, style.

One critic I have for this game is that the point of the game is very vague as there is close to no storyline so you have to almost make your own story line in Minecraft, which some might say is a positive. Another this is that no story line could make the point of the game quite confusing, but with Minecraft, there almost is no which way you should progress in the game, you could tackle the game through speed running, building big bases, or just getting overall stacked for fights.

Another critic is that the art style is quite basic, although keeling in theme with the blocky persona of the game, the default theme could be very boring. Because of this there are many texture packs you can use instead of the default texture which can make the game more appealing.

A different critic is that there are different platforms for Minecraft, java for pc and bedrock for every platform. One problem is that there is limited options for cross play, you have to have the same device and version to play with your friends online. Additionally if you play on one version of the game and want to move to a different version, you cant bring your progress from one version to another. Additionally the two different versions of Minecraft get different updates at different times, usually including different features. 

Update to Minecraft

My idea for an update is to do an update for one of the more scarcely populated areas of Minecraft, the End. The end has had a single update making it slightly worthwhile to explore them offering valuables such as diamond gear, ores and shulker boxes, but other than those items, not many players decide to stay and explore there for long as there isn't much else to do. After the recent nether update, it has become a lot more interesting to explore the nether, adding new biomes and blocks; this is what I intend to do for my update for the End.

For this I aim to add new blocks and biomes for the End, and maybe adding a new powerful boss likewise to the upcoming warden boss, making it worthwhile to visit the end for more unique and rewarding resources.

Mood board:

In the top left picture, I really liked the ambience the the light emitting blocks gave out, it really gave a sense of mystery and character to the area. Additionally the oversized purple trees keep in theme with the end as it is themed to be purple, which is backed up by the purple grass. This also fits well with the game because, in the nether, the different biomes have different coloured grass to fit the theme of the biome, either red or blue.

The top middle picture, shows the type of purple world generation that may occur. The purple grass is slowly invasive, like grass. If you bone-meal the purple grass it spreads randomly 4 blocks in either direction so you can interact with spreading the biome and taking it to different places, although it can only grow on end-stone. The ores, which is also seen on the right, are going to have unique properties that are worthwhile to collect. one of the ores, the left one, is going to be more frequent but less powerful. To keep in theme with the game, I am not going to add any new fanatical items instead its going to be an upgrade, similar to Netherite, but for other weapons such as your bow or trident. 

With this teal ore you can harness the power of ender pearls through your ammo. When you use this arrow it teleports you to where the arrow landed, making a cool new apect to pvp, teleporting into your enemy to surprise them, and if your low, you can teleport back out. To craft this you need to make a block recipe of the ore and put 7 blocs of the ore around 16 arrows and 16 ender pearls to make 4 of the special arrows. The crafting is quite expensive as it is an endgame item that is very useful.

The other ore is more powerful but is a lot more rare and hard to harness the power of. This ore will be the alternative to Netherite, as I think the End should have a Nether counterpart as it is a different biome in its unique way. It will have the same stats as Netherite, but instead of knockback resistance it will have a different ability. It will have ender pearl damage resistance and gives you 3s of being able to look Enderman in the eye without making them aggressive   towards you. I think this will make more people obliged to play in the end and make a base there.

The bottom left picture I think also has a lot of character and has a lovely teal appearance, with lots of light emitting blocks and vines, similar to that in lush caves. I think that the teal ore will be located frequently here as it matches the aesthetic of the biome. The reoccurring theme of the tall trees are a nice addition to the somewhat plain landscape, other than the chorus fruit. The addition of the pink accents to the teal landscape i think look really good and adds a good variation to the dominantly teal biome.

The bottom right picture is an example of what the cave systems might appear to look like when going mining for teal ore. The ore spawns very close to the bottom of the islands so you have to look out in case you fall out of the world. The cave systems will have the same features as the latest Minecraft update, including vines and lichen native to the end. There will also be native flora and fauna to which biome you are in both above and below ground. The addition of underground flora I think would be a great addition as it bring character to the cave as well as a incentive to explore them.

The middle left picture is a picture of a potential boss that could be in the End, distinguished from other areas with the back coloured grass blocks as well as dark purple trees. In this area, the dark purple ore will spawn more frequently than in the purple biome, the alternate place for them to spawn. The boss has a unique drop that is a new item in the game. The item will mimic as a portable beacon that you can power up and runs out of charge over time as it isnt drawing power form any ores underneath it. Additionally it would be a pretty minor improvements to stats and you can only choose one status effect at a time e.g strength, regeneration ect. This is quite strong loot so the boss is going to have high defense and high attack strength, so players must be careful to kill them. It cant be hit with bows as you cant hit an Enderman with bows and only weakness is being looked in the eyes. If you do, for a small amount of time, he does a rage attack in front of themselves so you have to maneuver yourself behind the boss the take down his health.