Xbox 360 Edition

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition is the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft developed by 4J Studios in conjunction with Mojang and Microsoft Studios. Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition was announced at the 2011 E3 conference by Notch and Microsoft and was released on May 9th, 2012 on Xbox Live Arcade. It is priced at 1600 Microsoft Points.

The Xbox 360 Edition introduces new features such as a simpler crafting system, in-game tutorials, and split-screen multiplayer as well as online multiplayer for up to eight players over Xbox LIVE. Notch has stated that the Xbox 360 will be the sole console provider of Minecraft. Additionally, updates will be free of charge, much like on PC, and much like all other games for consoles.

Release
MineCon attendees had a chance to play the Xbox 360 Edition before its release.

The game was showcased as a playable demo at MineCon 2011 and was deemed a 'work in progress'. 4J Studios confirmed that it had all the features of the PC version Beta 1.6.6 when released, and will later be updated. IGN also filmed a video at MineCon showing that the graphics look very similar to the graphics in the PC edition.

Notch later announced the team developing the game would be 4J Studios. Daniel Kaplan tweeted about receiving an early copy of the Xbox 360 Edition on September 7th, 2011.

In October 2011, Microsoft said the release was planned for Spring 2012. On March 22nd, the official release date was posted by Larry Hryb, the Director of Programming for Xbox Live, as May 9th, and a few days before the game release, HatFilms released the official trailer for the Xbox 360 Edition.

The game was officially released on May 9th, 2012, and set a new sales records on the Xbox Live Arcade, selling more copies in the first twenty four hours of launch than previous titles.

Skin Packs
4J Studios plans to produce Skin Packs as downloadable content. Each Skin Pack is said to include 40+ skins to choose from. The first Skin Pack, Skin Pack 1, was released July 16th, 2012 at a cost of 160 Microsoft points. The Skin Pack contains characters from Xbox 360 games, such as Master Chief from Halo. The Skin Pack also include various original designs created by 4J Studios.

A previously unannounced Skin Pack was released via the Marketplace to promote the Xbox Live Arcade's annual "Summer of Arcade" event. The Skin Pack features numerous skins from a variety of arcade games, including characters such as Tony Hawk from ''Tony Hawk Pro Skater''.

On August 24, 2012 Skin Pack 2 was released at a cost of 160 Microsoft Points. Like the original Skin Pack, Skin Pack 2 features characters from other Xbox 360 games as well as original designs.

Xbox 360 controller controls
In default settings, the controls are always displayed on the HUD.


 * Gameplay
 * A - Fall
 * B - Obtain/destroy item
 * X - Destroy up the crafting menu Also Creative Mode Button For 1.8
 * Y - To open up the chest
 * LT (left trigger) - To place block/use item
 * RT (right trigger) - To dig/use block/item
 * LB/RB (left bumper/right bumper) - To change the selected block
 * Analog Sticks - To look/move
 * Left Analog Stick (pressed down) - to change the viewing angle at another perspective (1P/3P/3P Front)will be sprint in future.
 * Right analog stick (pressed down) - to sneak/walk.


 * Interface (Crafting/Smelting/Inventory)
 * A - Pickup/Drop item
 * B - Exit interface
 * X - Take half of the highlited stack/Show information about the selected block/item
 * Y - Quick move
 * Analog Sticks - Move pointer/change selected item.

Achievements, awards, and unlockables

 * Awards/unlockables
 * Steve Gamerpic - Mine redstone for the first time
 * Creeper Gamerpic - Kill 10 Creepers
 * Minecraft Exclusive (Wood) Theme - Share a picture on Facebook
 * A Minecraft Watch - Play through 100 day to night cycles
 * I Porkchop Minecraft T-Shirt - Make a cooked porkchop
 * Creeper Cap - Kill a Creeper with arrows

Trivia

 * Sony, the company making the Minecraft port to Xbox 360, also made several other video game ports, namely Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tooie, and Perfect Dark for XBLA as well as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the PS3.
 * Minecraft was added to the Xbox Arcade download section in November 2011, and available, although it was only possible to download the "It's here!" trailer. Nonetheless, the entry held very high ratings.
 * There are also Minecraft-themed Xbox Live avatar items available. Among these are Minecraft shirts, pets, items, props, headwear, dashboard themes, and gamerpics, all of which range from 80 to 240 Microsoft Points in price.