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. It was announced at the 2011 E3 conference by Notch and Microsoft, and was released alongside a free trial version 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. As with all Xbox 360 games, updates are free of charge.

Gameplay


The objective of the game remains the same as its original computer and Pocket Edition counterparts, where players can build virtual realities in a sandbox-like environment. There is no preset goal; the player may choose to set their own goals.

For the most part, the Xbox 360 Edition of the game is almost identical to the PC edition but with few apparent differences, but was released in an earlier version equivalent to the PC version Beta 1.6.6, than the current PC version at the time of release, 1.2.5.

Differences from PC edition
The Xbox 360 Edition was released based on an earlier version of the PC edition (Beta 1.6.6), and therefore lacked some items and features, such as sprinting. The first major update occurred on June 15, 2012, fixing minor bugs and adding minor features; it does not have a PC equivalent. The second major update occurred on October 16, 2012, adding features from Beta 1.8.


 * The Xbox 360 Edition doesn't make use of the standard crafting interface as in the original version, but still has similarities to the PC's 2x2 and 3x3 crafting grids. The interface doesn't require the Player to place items in the correct place in a crafting menu, but simply shows the blocks required to craft the selected item, and crafts it if the Player has enough blocks.


 * The game features split-screen functionality, however an HDTV with a Component or HDMI cable is required for Split-Screen play. Split-screen functionality works with a VGA connection to a PC monitor as well as HDMI-to-DVI cables to a PC monitor. Up to 4 players can play in split screen*, as well as the possibility to play 8-person online multiplayer game modes in split-screen.


 * The Xbox 360 Edition includes a tutorial mode not included in the PC version of the game. This tutorial leads the player through the basics of digging and placing blocks, crafting, as well as building their first house to survive the night, fishing, enchanting, brewing, and more. (video)


 * You cannot change a world's difficulty while in game. You can however change it when you select the world that you want to play.


 * You always begin a new world with a map.


 * Unlike the PC version, each world in the Xbox 360 Edition is currently limited to 864 by 864 blocks. Because the outer-most block is unusable on each side of the map, it is effectively 862 by 862 blocks that can be used. It is expected, but unknown if the world size will be increased along with the updates that will bring the Xbox 360 Edition up to date with the PC version. The PC uses virtual memory which allows to swap chunks in and out of memory, drastically increasing the size of the map. It is unknown if the Xbox has the capability of doing such.


 * Unlike the PC edition in which players have the ability to use any image file as their skin, the Xbox 360 Edition only allows players to choose from one of the skins available as default or from downloadable content.
 * The Xbox 360 version currently contains End portals, but they cannot be used as of version 1.3. However, the player still receives Ender pearls after killing an Enderman.

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 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''.

Skin Pack 2 was released on August 24th, 2012.

Skin Pack 3 was released on October 17, 2012.

The Halloween Skin Pack was released on October 26th, 2012. It was available for purchase until November 26th, 2012. All proceeds went to charity.

The Festive Skin Pack was released on December 19, 2012.

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


 * Gameplay
 * A - Jump
 * B - Drop/toss item
 * X - Open up the crafting menu in Creative Mode
 * Y - To open inventory
 * 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 lower your height while flying in Creative mode or can be used to change your camera angle.
 * 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

 * 4J Studios, 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: Xbox 360 Edition 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, head wear, dashboard themes, and gamer pics, all of which range from 80 to 240 Microsoft Points in price.