Minecraft Earth is an upcoming augmented reality (AR) mobile game where players can build structures and collect materials by traveling to real-life locations.
Gameplay
Gameplay of Minecraft Earth.
In Minecraft Earth, players can build structures with other players and "place them in the real world at life-size".[3]
In the map, players can see their character, which can be changed with the skins owned from the marketplace. Scattered around the maps are Tappables. If a Tappable is within a player's collection range, they will be able to tap it and collect items. There are multiple types of Tappables, including stone, grass, chests, and mobs.
Adventures will also appear on the map. Adventures are the survival aspect of Minecraft Earth. Players will fight mobs, and collect rewards.
This version of Minecraft features many unique gameplay aspects and interactions similar to the main game.[4]
This is not a port of an existing game and is an adaption of Minecraft (Bedrock), and Minecraft: Java Edition.[4] This version of the game is built off the Bedrock Engine.
This version of Minecraft utilizes Xbox Live.[5]
The game uses Azure's new Azure Spatial Anchors along with Open Maps technology to help with the experience. This helps map out where certain objects should be along with pinning players' builds.[4][6]
Build plates
Build plates are worlds that players can use to build on. They can be shared, and worked on by invited individuals.[4][6]
Build plates can vary from size, reaching up to 200 feet (60 metres).[4] Using the shop, players can upgrade the size of their plot, or buy a new plot. Plots can also be earned via a leveling system.
Build plates function like personal realms, and can be used anywhere. They run in the Bedrock Engine, meaning redstone, physics, and other mechanics are identical. Players may invite friends to build with them locally and then share the world to others.[4][6]
Once a build is complete, if the player want to have a persistent hologram of their world pinned somewhere, it would need to be reviewed before its pinned. Mojang claims to have a 24/7 moderation team, reviewing and looking at reports. [4]
People who are not invited can interact with the pinned world locally; once they leave said world everything will be reset.[6] Only invited individuals can change the real world and take resources from it, non invited players cannot collect resources.[6]
Build Plates can be seen through the world as pinned worlds, and can be opened to explore and interact with.[6] To get their own, players will need to level up or purchase them through the store.
Build Plates can also be shared via a link, so players don't need to be near the pin to see creations. [4]The links shared can be temporary or never expiring.[4]
Microtransactions
The game has been confirmed to have full microtransactions. The in game currency is Rubies, which is not to be confused with Minecoins.[4]
They can be used to purchase:[6]
- Build plots
- Potions
Development
During Microsoft Build 2015, Microsoft's HoloLens team unveiled an augmented reality version of Minecraft.[7] On May 8, 2019, a trailer was released which showed some AR mods in Minecraft Earth. On Minecraft's 10th anniversary (May 17), Minecraft Earth was officially announced.
Closed beta
iOS
The closed beta for Minecraft Earth was launched for AR-compatible devices with iOS in the following cities:
- July 16, 2019
- July 17, 2019
- July 18, 2019
- Mexico City, Mexico[11]
Android
The closed beta for Minecraft Earth was launched for AR-compatible devices with Android in the first five cities the closed iOS beta was also launched in: London, Seattle, Stockholm, Tokyo, Mexico City.
- August 22, 2019
- Pre-registration for the full game on the Google Play Store and registration for the closed beta on the Minecraft Earth site becomes available.
- August 30, 2019
- The closed beta was released in the same cities as iOS.[12]
Early access
Minecraft Earth was released in early access in New Zealand and Iceland on October 17, 2019.[13]
System requirements
According to the sign-up page:[14]
| iOS | Android | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 10.0 or later | Android 7.0 "Nougat" or later |
| Compatible devices | iPod touch (7th Gen) iPhone (6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max) iPad (5th & 6th Gen, Air 3, 7th Gen) iPad Mini (5th Gen) iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd Gen) |
ARCore Supported Devices |
Version history
| Version | Release date |
|---|---|
| 0.1.0 | July 31, 2019 |
| 0.2.0 | August 27, 2019 |
| 0.3.0 | September 20, 2019 |
| 0.3.1 | |
| 0.4.0 | October 2, 2019 |
| 0.4.2 | October 7, 2019 |
| 0.5.0 | October 17, 2019 |
Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djKPSKufFJU
Gallery
Screenshots
The official poster of Minecraft Earth.
The official poster about collaboration of Minecraft Earth.
The official poster about collection of Minecraft Earth.
The official poster about creative of Minecraft Earth.
The official poster about exploration of Minecraft Earth.
A muddy pig viewed both on a mobile device and in the world.
Mobs and items
Purple cat shown to be in Minecraft Earth.
Buttercup-covered variant of mooshroom (called moobloom) confirmed for Minecraft Earth.
Chicken Variant of Mooshroom (called a Cluckshroom) confirmed for Minecraft Earth.
Gameplay
References
- ↑ "Time to get your phones charged and ready! Minecraft Earth is almost here, with early access rolling out to select countries all around the globe, starting this October!" – @minecraftearth on X, September 28, 2019
- ↑ Google Play Store
- ↑ "Earth FAQ" – Minecraft.net, May 17, 2019.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/17/18627341/minecraft-earth-ios-android-free-ar-game-features-pokemon-go
- ↑ https://earth.minecraft.net/en-us/sign-up
- ↑ a b c d e f g https://www.windowscentral.com/how-minecraft-earth-gameplay-works
- ↑ "HoloLens games are too good for HoloLens" – The Verge, June 17, 2015.
- ↑ a b "LONDON and SEATTLE, you’re up! As the first two cities to go live in the Minecraft Earth closed beta, all eyes are on you and your life-sized minetacular (specblockular?) creations!" – @minecraftearth on X, July 16, 2019
- ↑ "Seattle and London are already live, and now it’s time to welcome STOCKHOLM to the block party! Södermalm or Kungsholmen, which part of the city will prove to be the most creative?" – @minecraftearth on X, July 17, 2019
- ↑ "TOKYO! Home of the historical and the hyper-modern, cat cafés and muddy pigs. Wait, what? Yes! Tokyo is the fourth city to join the Minecraft Earth closed beta." – @Minecraftearth on X, July 17, 2019
- ↑ "The Minecraft Earth closed beta is now live in MEXICO CITY! Five cities are up and running – we can’t wait to see what you create!" – @Minecraftearth on X, July 18, 2019
- ↑ "Minecraft Earth closed beta now on Android" – Minecraft.net, August 30, 2019
- ↑ "Minecraft Earth Early Access" – Minecraft.net, October 17, 2019
- ↑ https://earth.minecraft.net/en-us/sign-up
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