Lantern (disambiguation)

Lanterns are planned crafted objects which were originally planned to be introduced in the Halloween Update. This feature was delayed because of the lack of time and might, just might, be implemented in a future update.

With the addition of the lantern, Torches will flicker out and must be re-lit with the Flint and Steel. The lantern will serve as a permanent source of light. According to Notch, when the update occurs, all torches placed on the map, in the inventory, and in Torch prior to the update will be converted to lanterns. To do this, the lanterns will use the (former) block ID of torches along with a re-skin.

The Glowstone introduced in the Halloween Update is a potential item requirement to craft lanterns, as it has the greatest luminance as a raw material. This would also make lanterns relatively inaccessible and a risky item to get, as has been hinted at by Notch. A second potential item that might be required to create lanterns is Netherrack, it being a block that never burns out whilst lit. These items both can be obtained by going to the Nether.

On November 11th, 2010, on his Twitter account, Notch claimed (likely as a joke) that "lamps" had actually stood for "Light A-givin' Material Portal Side... the yellow stone thing", probably referring to Glowstone. However, on January 13th, 2011 Notch claimed that lanterns were "postponed", and added on January 20th that he was "not sure" when they would be implemented.

Lanterns are supposed to be able to produce light as they are being carried, making it a useful thing to have when cave exploring, but stated on Twitter that he would not add torches as a mobile light source because he didn't like how it looked. Notch might allow it to be hung from ceilings but he is not sure. On the 12th of June, Notch also hinted at adding them, or at least that he's working on them.

Trivia

 * Lanterns and Burning out torches were supposed to be added in Alpha 1.2.0, the Halloween Update.