Notch suggests Minecraft achievements, console ports in the future
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Minecraft has already cemented its place as one of the best sandbox games of all time, but sometimes you need a little narrative with your creative impulses. Don't worry -- there's a solution for you: achievements. In an interview with Gamasutra, Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson says that achievements are one way he could add a little narrative structure to the title, by rewarding players for doing certain things in the game in a certain order (starting by chopping down a tree, for example, and moving on to "killing a dragon or something").
Notch also says he's still surprised by all the interest in the game, both his own and that of players, who've actually turned up in greater numbers after he recently decided to raise the price. Also, while he does agree that Minecraft could be ported to other platforms at some point and "become a franchise," he warns that, "if we make an Xbox version there should be a point to it being on Xbox."
Sounds reasonable enough. Hopefully if he does go with the achievement model, we'll get a nice big reward for "Burning Down the House."
Notch also says he's still surprised by all the interest in the game, both his own and that of players, who've actually turned up in greater numbers after he recently decided to raise the price. Also, while he does agree that Minecraft could be ported to other platforms at some point and "become a franchise," he warns that, "if we make an Xbox version there should be a point to it being on Xbox."
Sounds reasonable enough. Hopefully if he does go with the achievement model, we'll get a nice big reward for "Burning Down the House."
Reader Comments (42)
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:04PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
I'm looking forward to the iPad version of this. Should be a fun little time-waster on the go.
Though I'd be lying if I weren't holding out hope for an NGP version, some time in the far off future. Probably a pipe dream, though!
Though I'd be lying if I weren't holding out hope for an NGP version, some time in the far off future. Probably a pipe dream, though!
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:14PM Ejsponge61 said
@Ezio Auditore da Firenze I agree, and with trophy support, it could be my mobile crack.
Reply
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:25PM liquidsoap89 said
@Ezio Auditore da Firenze
Well it was confirmed recently that androids will be getting it too. So there may still be hope for the NGP depending on it's OS.
Reply
Well it was confirmed recently that androids will be getting it too. So there may still be hope for the NGP depending on it's OS.
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:07PM Cleric said
Should probably finish your game before you work on ports.
Oh wait, vacation time
Oh wait, vacation time
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:13PM Poifection said
@Cleric You are one of those complainers I see... Minecraft isn't an MMO that you can demand new content about constantly. You paid access for alpha/beta, you got what you paid for.
Reply
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 11:22PM KirbyCommando said
@Cleric
Alright then, you go work on a game and release weekly updates for it for two years. then we'll talk about how Notch is in a "sad state of affairs".
Reply
Alright then, you go work on a game and release weekly updates for it for two years. then we'll talk about how Notch is in a "sad state of affairs".
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 12:21AM PointlessPuppies said
@Cleric The "weekly updates" back in the day were ridiculously minor and inconsequential.
See, you just want updates for the sake of getting updates, even if the updates themselves aren't meaningful at all. For those of us who actually run servers, weekly updates were stupidly annoying. It's a much better system they got going now to release updates only after they've accumulated significant changes.
You also are conveniently forgetting the fact that the game is in beta. You know what a beta is, right? By definition, programmers don't add as much to a beta as they did during the alpha. The game is nearing release at this point, so I don't expect much except for the odd addition and lots and lots of optimization.
But go ahead and bitch about how "you don't get updates", as if you bought the game in launch and are expecting a bunch of post-release updates ala TF2.
Reply
See, you just want updates for the sake of getting updates, even if the updates themselves aren't meaningful at all. For those of us who actually run servers, weekly updates were stupidly annoying. It's a much better system they got going now to release updates only after they've accumulated significant changes.
You also are conveniently forgetting the fact that the game is in beta. You know what a beta is, right? By definition, programmers don't add as much to a beta as they did during the alpha. The game is nearing release at this point, so I don't expect much except for the odd addition and lots and lots of optimization.
But go ahead and bitch about how "you don't get updates", as if you bought the game in launch and are expecting a bunch of post-release updates ala TF2.
Posted: Mar 21st 2011 4:13PM (Unverified) said
@Colin
That's the most stupid comment I've read in my entire life.
Guess why Treyarch isn't putting out free updates and such? Why should they? Call of Duty is finished, and they have no obligation to put out updates for you. But Notch promised to finish the game. and so far he's been on vacations, plays games and posts "funny" stuff while letting his coworkers do the shit. The game still has a lot of bugs and honestly, I can think of better things to implement than beds and cute wolves that shake their fur when they get wet. For instance, fixing the biomes and getting the weather to work again. But no, let the Mod community do it and have Notch implement the code of theirs.
Reply
That's the most stupid comment I've read in my entire life.
Guess why Treyarch isn't putting out free updates and such? Why should they? Call of Duty is finished, and they have no obligation to put out updates for you. But Notch promised to finish the game. and so far he's been on vacations, plays games and posts "funny" stuff while letting his coworkers do the shit. The game still has a lot of bugs and honestly, I can think of better things to implement than beds and cute wolves that shake their fur when they get wet. For instance, fixing the biomes and getting the weather to work again. But no, let the Mod community do it and have Notch implement the code of theirs.
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:10PM Bitoru said
Aww, thought you guys were referencing Talking Heads.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNnAvTTaJjM
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:14PM mrmaroon said
I've sort of got mixed feelings on this one.
Lending Minecraft a purpose with some kind of structure/end goal would make the game significantly more compelling (beyond its sort of 'adult lego' appeal now), but if the game is channeling the player, no matter how subtly, towards objectives, it could stifle what makes it great.
Lending Minecraft a purpose with some kind of structure/end goal would make the game significantly more compelling (beyond its sort of 'adult lego' appeal now), but if the game is channeling the player, no matter how subtly, towards objectives, it could stifle what makes it great.
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 12:04AM GuitarHero666 said
@mrmaroon The good thing about Minecraft is that, if you complete all the achievements, you can just keep playing. Make a 1:1 model of a fortress! Grow the biggest tree ever! USe note blocks to play an epic version of Don't Stop Believing! Mine AND Craft.
Reply
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:14PM WiredKnight said
I wonder if people will be tired of this game once the "finished" version comes out. XD
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 11:56PM sonicspike41 said
@WiredKnight
No, cause then there's the expansions and all the mods (since people won't have to spend all their time keeping them up to date).
Reply
No, cause then there's the expansions and all the mods (since people won't have to spend all their time keeping them up to date).
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:16PM TaintedKane said
Would be nice when he says "point to being on Xbox " if there were some Easter eggs related to Xbox like something to do with Halo, RROD and other things.
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:41PM Schlecht said
As a clueless Xbox player, this game sounds epic. Obvious question: paid or free download?
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:56PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said
@Schlecht
Look up FortressCraft.
It's pretty much a Minecraft copy/paste, and it'll be out for 80 points on XBLIG, sometime soon.
Reply
Look up FortressCraft.
It's pretty much a Minecraft copy/paste, and it'll be out for 80 points on XBLIG, sometime soon.
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 9:45PM PR0F3TA said
I'd like gto think of myself as the resident Minecraft crack head, a sorta Minecraft Tyrone Biggums if you will...
Achievements would help the game to some extent, there is always a nice feeling you get when you accomplish a goal and get a reward. BUT (and this is a huge BUTT) this will also kill the spirit of the game that rewards you for being creative on your own... then there's the "i'm never pleased" gamers who will b!tch and moan about how lame or how not hard the achievements are, they will also complain that they got all the achievements and will b!tch and whine about Notch adding more and more leading to the b!tchy gamer to keep accusing notch of being a lazy dev (like they are currently)
as for XBL and PSN versions, as much as i want them, i don't see the use for them now. Even notch said he will make them when it makes sense for them to be on XBL or PSN.... gamers now adays are babied and t!tti fed games, so when ANY low demanding game comes out they b!tch and whine about it being on PSN and XBL even though it makes zero sense for them being there half of the time
He seems like a smart guy, and watching the 20 min documentary definitely made me see just how surprised he is on how popular the game is, his face said it all, he was in shock and awe when he was talking about the popularity of it. I thank you and damn you Notch for making what is to me one of the top 5 games i've ever played in my life.
/rant
Achievements would help the game to some extent, there is always a nice feeling you get when you accomplish a goal and get a reward. BUT (and this is a huge BUTT) this will also kill the spirit of the game that rewards you for being creative on your own... then there's the "i'm never pleased" gamers who will b!tch and moan about how lame or how not hard the achievements are, they will also complain that they got all the achievements and will b!tch and whine about Notch adding more and more leading to the b!tchy gamer to keep accusing notch of being a lazy dev (like they are currently)
as for XBL and PSN versions, as much as i want them, i don't see the use for them now. Even notch said he will make them when it makes sense for them to be on XBL or PSN.... gamers now adays are babied and t!tti fed games, so when ANY low demanding game comes out they b!tch and whine about it being on PSN and XBL even though it makes zero sense for them being there half of the time
He seems like a smart guy, and watching the 20 min documentary definitely made me see just how surprised he is on how popular the game is, his face said it all, he was in shock and awe when he was talking about the popularity of it. I thank you and damn you Notch for making what is to me one of the top 5 games i've ever played in my life.
/rant
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 1:23AM OrangeGamer said
@PR0F3TA Very well said! I think honestly I am a-okay with Minecraft not being ported to EVERYTHING at once. It seems like a lot of other games are going this route, and that's great, but I think the PC and original game needs focused on first.
Reply
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 11:19PM KirbyCommando said
@hjfdosa7f
I would like to know what kind of idiots would click that link, let alone buy anything from it.
I would like to know what kind of idiots would click that link, let alone buy anything from it.
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 11:26PM Seroth said
The point of an Xbox version would be to get my friends to finally play Minecraft.
Posted: Feb 25th 2011 11:45PM FuriousMailman said
I feel bad for that guy in the video.
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 1:17AM OrangeGamer said
I think honestly Notch is just speculating at this point, and probably being asked so much since the game is so hugely successful and not even officially completed yet. I think it's common enough to kick around ideas in this phase of where they want to end up with the game.
Personally, I would probably play Minecraft on my PC mainly, but I can see the point of achievements for those that need structure, or a structured mode in general. Like, for the final game have 3 modes: The Creative/Sandbox mode where you play like the game is now, a survival mode, and then a "structured" mode. Everyone then gets what they want, right?
Personally, I would probably play Minecraft on my PC mainly, but I can see the point of achievements for those that need structure, or a structured mode in general. Like, for the final game have 3 modes: The Creative/Sandbox mode where you play like the game is now, a survival mode, and then a "structured" mode. Everyone then gets what they want, right?
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 1:19AM BigD145 said
Achievement reached: got feet wet
Achievement reached: swam in water
Achievement reached: saw squid and was not harmed
Please, let these "overachiever" "achievements" END!!
Achievement reached: swam in water
Achievement reached: saw squid and was not harmed
Please, let these "overachiever" "achievements" END!!
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 1:33AM ND92 said
To be honest, me as a new player the other day, I didn't know what to do at all. I had to search up how to craft and all that because the game just tosses you in there. Once you get it, you're good to go so I can't help but think that the game could use a little narrative at the very beginning. Achievements a plus.
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 1:47AM PoisonedAl said
SO HAPPY: Find diamonds and ride a pig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIhs8_m5qPc
GET IN THE CART PIG: Break a plate glass window with a box on wheels at a gig you're playing at, then run away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RtEtv3LzrI
FOREVER ALONE: Recreate the USS Enterprise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn2-d5a3r94&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIhs8_m5qPc
GET IN THE CART PIG: Break a plate glass window with a box on wheels at a gig you're playing at, then run away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RtEtv3LzrI
FOREVER ALONE: Recreate the USS Enterprise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn2-d5a3r94&feature=related
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 4:09AM IAmTheBabyJeezus said
@ForeverAndEver
If he's making it for Xbox, he BETTER make it for PS3.
If he's making it for Xbox, he BETTER make it for PS3.
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 6:24AM Rukishou said
Achievements, hell yeah! Port to a platform that doesn't support mods? Why would you even...?
That is not to say I wouldn't get it if it did make its way to the NGP or any other platform, but I doubt it since I already own it on the PC and have since early alpha.
That is not to say I wouldn't get it if it did make its way to the NGP or any other platform, but I doubt it since I already own it on the PC and have since early alpha.
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 9:14AM LarZen said
Minecraft on PS3 with Move and 3D support. Would be so insane to actualy sitt in my sofa hammering with the Move controller in the black deepths...
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 9:31AM RoboZombie585 said
If they go multiplatforn they NEED Steam Cloud like save storage.
Ex. I'm at home playing Minecraft on my PC, and I have to go to my cottage. I simply startup the iOS version and BAM!, all of my stuff from the PC carries over. I get to my cottage, start up the (non exsistant as of right now) PS3 version and everything I did on both the PC and iOS is there too. Get back home and everything I did while on the way and on the PS3 and iOS is back on my PC.
Ex. I'm at home playing Minecraft on my PC, and I have to go to my cottage. I simply startup the iOS version and BAM!, all of my stuff from the PC carries over. I get to my cottage, start up the (non exsistant as of right now) PS3 version and everything I did on both the PC and iOS is there too. Get back home and everything I did while on the way and on the PS3 and iOS is back on my PC.
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 5:32PM SitriStahl said
What incentive do you need to put it on 360? Is making millions not enough incentive?
Posted: Feb 26th 2011 9:13PM Red Deer said
Trophy Earned:
FUUUUUUUUUUU- : Have your 30 hour masterpice have a chunk taken out of it by an exploding creeper you swear wasn't there when you looked out the window a second ago.
FUUUUUUUUUUU- : Have your 30 hour masterpice have a chunk taken out of it by an exploding creeper you swear wasn't there when you looked out the window a second ago.
Posted: Mar 22nd 2011 2:41AM Colin said
@(Unverified)
It's been... a month since this article?
I suppose revenge is a dish best served chilled.
It's been... a month since this article?
I suppose revenge is a dish best served chilled.
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