Minecraft: Notch describes Minecraft 1.8 content and teases secret project

Minecraft is a gaming phenomenon. It is a checklist of features that aren’t supposed to work but it has succeeded in gaining a massive following. Clunky graphics? Check. Simple gameplay? Check. Simple premise? Check. This troika of features should spell commercial death. But this is no ordinary game, amigo. This is Minecraft. Its quirky gameplay and creative challenges has won the hearts of many gamers and now its creator, Markus “Notch” Persson has a content upgrade that is sure to make many Minecraft fans smile.

Dubbed Minecraft 1.8, the upgrade is so massive that it might be split up into two updates. One key and eagerly awaited feature is the “Adventure Update.” This update includes an improved health system, enhanced combat, and randomly generated towns and NPCs. It appears that Minecraft 1.8′s goal is to give players reasons for wanting to keep playing the game. Ask any game developer and you’ll quickly be told that replay appeal is very important.

Screenshot from Minecraft (Credit: Flikr.com/Mike_Cooke)

To these ends, the upcoming update adds a survival element to Minecraft’s creative sandbox since players tend to want to stop building once they master survival in the game. The update gives players more goals and features an end game they can work for. Added combat mechanics involve jumping and sprinting and also a new bow that engages players on how to creatively take their opponents down. Another important change the update brings is the increased map height.

Talk about a game wide improvement! Notch indicated in his PAX interview that he wants to get the update out as soon as possible. We interpret this as sometime next month since MineCon will take place in November. And what better way to celebrate MineCon than discussing (and fawning over) the Minecraft 1.8 release. Finally, Notch also mentioned that his top priority is a new ‘secret’ project. Interesting. I’m sure rumors are swarming all over the blogosphere at this moment.

Minecraft 1.8 release date still unkown – But there is something different we’ve got for you…

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