Java Edition Survival Test

Survival mode is an as-of-yet unimplemented, but planned gamemode for Minecraft. It is expected to coincide with the beta release of the game. It will be a premium gamemode; available only to purchasers and pre-purchasers of the game.

What Is Known
Information about the mode comes from segments of Notch's devblog:


 * You will have 10 hearts, but most attacks take away 1/2 of a heart, giving you 20 HP.
 * Server owners will be able to choose from a number of difficulty levels. It also should be noted that Notch is planning to make Survival Mode very difficult.
 * Roaming NPCs which can either be friendly or agressive. So far, zombies, skeletons, and pigs are confirmed. Zombies and Skeletons will sometimes have armor.
 * Food, wich is used to replenish health can be gained through farming or hunting.
 * Tools, weapons and armors will be craftable. Confirmed weapons are an axe, bow, and sword.
 * Drowning is possible. You can breath underwater for 15 seconds before you lose health. You can also die in lava, which kills off 3 hearts in 1 second.
 * Building blocks will require resources, so you have to mine and chop to obtain them.
 * Ore will be used to forge weapons and armor.
 * A new level generator will be used. These include more taller cliffs and skinnier caves.
 * You will take fall damage, which will take away 1/2-3 hearts depending how far you drop.
 * Some materials take longer to break down then others, e.g. wood takes longer to break then grass.