Map

The map is an item that was released with Minecraft Beta 1.6.

While the object is being held in the player's hand, a map is constructed as the player explores the world. On April 27, 2011, Notch unveiled screenshots of the map. When the item is selected, the player can see the explored world on a parchment held in front of them.



Behavior
Each map is created with three parameters: These parameters are permanent, which means that the contents of the map do not shift with the movements of the player, as in some games. Instead, it is closer to the behavior of a real map, where the explored world is not erased and movement is not tracked. Thus, when a player goes beyond the limits of the map, it is not shown on the map, and it is necessary to create another (each map corresponds to a region).
 * A map type, which can either be overworld, or nether. Overworld maps are created with a regular compass on the overworld. Nether maps are created in the nether with a spinning compass. Neither map will work in the other realm.
 * A center, which is where the map was made.
 * A zoom level, which will somehow be decided at the time the map is created. This was mentioned by Notch, but is not currently in the game. All maps have a scale of 1 pixel = an 8x8 block square

The map must be held in the player's hands while exploring the world to record the world on the map. The world will be recorded as it is at exploration time, meaning that if the world is modified a player must revisit the area while holding the map in order to update the map's view. Holding the map will not obscure the view in front of the player as the map is positioned low such that the player must look down to view it.

It is possible to create copies of map_0 by holding shift when picking up a map from the crafting table. Every map created this way will be named map_0 and will be automatically updated with all the rest.

Map display
Generally the colors of map items matches the color of items in the world, with some exceptions. For instance, large Sandstone and Gold Block structures are drawn in gray.

Every pixel on the map correlates to 1/4 of a chunk, so a full chunk takes up 4 pixels.

Multiplayer
In multiplayer, the maps will have a strong social aspect, since it will be possible to give one map to another player so he / she can observe what has been explored. It is also expected that maps will be able to be "cloned" so that players with the same map can combine the results of their exploration. The position of other players holding the same map will also be visible.

Usage
Maps are mostly used to give the player a sense of direction when lost. In SSP it can also be used to re-locate mineral deposits. In SMP, players are able to view others' maps and explorations by giving one another different maps. Maps created in a different dimension than you currently are can be only read.

While maps in the Nether work, it has a ceiling, and all that will be shown is red and gray. The only useful function is finding where you are in relation to where you made the map. Additionally, the direction indicator rapidly spins and is not a good indicator of direction. Remembering that maps are East at the top and that the L corner of nether blocks points north is more reliable. And as long as the map was created near a portal, that map's center will always be that portal.

Miscellaneous Notes

 * Notch said that maps' ability to save custom data could lead to the creation of real books written by players, or even paintings/signs that use custom textures.
 * There can be no more than 65536 unique maps per world (this does not count the cloned maps).
 * If there are too many maps, when trying to craft one it will relay the message "Can't craft map: too many maps".
 * The map item currently only maps the surface, but Notch said that "cave maps [are] an interesting idea".
 * Notch said that he would try to make maps placeable on walls. This feature is not currently in the game however.

Trivia

 * Maps are the only items in Minecraft that require two hands to hold.
 * When the player walks off the edge of a map, their location will momentarily jump to the other side of the map.
 * When edited into the player's inventory, the map's name (unless damage value was correctly specified) is always "map_x", where x is the number of the map. The first one will be map_0.
 * When the player is holding the map, and he/she presses "F5" for 3rd-person view, it does not show the player looking at the map. It simply shows the player holding the inventory icon of the map in one hand.
 * Walking into water with a map in your hands or inventory enlarges it and also prevents the grey icon from moving. This can be corrected by disconnecting and reconnecting.
 * Maps can't map void areas, attempting to do so will cause a saving chunks screen to appear followed by a crash
 * Maps are oriented with east at the top.
 * Maps, despite being made of paper, can be used in the rain and underwater.
 * Maps are currently the most heavily detailed object in Minecraft, having several times more pixels than a large painting.
 * If you hold a map and enter a boat in 1st person view, switch to 3rd person view, then return to 1st person, the left hand is out of position.
 * If you use a modified map generation code and then select the map item, your game will display the saving chunks screen and crash.