Notch doles out more details on Minecraft for 360, Kinect functionality

by Ben Gilbert on Jul 18th 2011 12:25PM

Markus "Notch" Persson is in a bizarre position, especially given his usual openness about his studio's first creation, Minecraft. "There's going to [be] actual marketing for the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft, so I've agreed to be slightly less transparent than usual when it comes to that version," he tells IGN in a recent interview.

But don't despair! Notch still offers a handful of new details, saying that the Xbox 360 version (announced during E3 2011) will have "completely different" crafting, and that the Kinect functionality will include a mode where "you wave your arms around to mine and use items" -- "it's just too silly not to include," he adds.

Hilariously, rather than respond to a question about console exclusivity and the possibility of Minecraft coming to PS3/Wii U, Notch simply draws the ridiculous (and admittedly adorable) sheep you see above. He also reveals that the upcoming Xperia Play version of Minecraft will cost $7 when it drops sometime "this fall," and that it was programmed "in a way that will make it easy to port to all sorts of mobile phones."

Source: IGN

Tags: kinect, markus-notch-persson, markus-persson, microsoft, Minecraft, mobile, mojang, mojang-specfications, notch, playstation, psp, sony, xbox, xperia-play

Reader Comments (48)

How about Minecraft for PC? Microsoft keeps scaring me with their Games for Windows - LIVE talk on Minecraft.

“Minecraft” (Mojang, Microsoft Studios). Known for its limitless possibilities, “Minecraft” will come to life this winter in a whole new way through the magic of Kinect and also feature cross-functionality between the PC and Xbox 360 versions.

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/jun11/06-06E32011PR.mspx

If I have already paid for Minecraft on the PC I don't see why I would pay for it again on the Xbox - unless it's free for me, which I doubt.

@b3n

I doubt MS would ever alllow much of your activities outside of an Xbox really affect anything on your Xbox (excluding things like WP7 and Xbox.com), if that makes sense.

I like the excuse for doing something is "Too silly...."

Developers should use that too often....

"So why didn't you guys change Modern Warfare 3 into something different?"

"Bowling: Aw cause that would be too silly to do!"

I'll admit, flailing your arms around to mine does sound sort of fun. Not something I'd buy a Kinect for, but cool if you already have it. I'll definitely give this a try, if only to see what they added/took away. I still feel the definitive version of minecraft will be on PC, but we'll see.

Only on xbox 360*

*at least for a while

@Mustang Fanboy

Only on Xbox 360*

*Definitive version on PC

@Mustang Fanboy It's not only on the 360, it's also coming out on the Vita.

@tendoboy1984

Since when? I think you mean the Xperia.

@tendoboy1984

No it isn't

will you be able to use the xbox version with your pc login without buying a diferant copy or will you have to buy it again?

@Kibbles XIII
Chances are it wont need a login. Once you have the game it will be fine. The 360 has built in DRM for that.

@Kibbles XIII

I imagine you'll be able to link your Minecraft.net account to your Xbox Live Gamertag.

I don't remember, this is going to be an XBLA title right? I'm looking forward to this, as my older laptop is hard pressed to handle minecraft without stuttering, and I don't really care to replace it right now

@The Tim

You've tried turning off smooth lighting, reducing fog distance, switching from fancy to fast, and using optimine/optifog right? If so, I feel bad for you. It's a fantastic game everyone should get a chance to enjoy.

This console version is going to move away from Java, so it should be loads faster and be able to handle a lot more.

@ sonicspike41

Yeah, i've got everything turned down that I can, and the framerate is pretty chunky. But I've played enough to know I'd love to have more. When the busy summer season slows down, I'll have more time to play with it at work. Shhhhhhhh

@The Tim

http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/249637-173-optifog-and-optimine-hd-c-fps-boost/

Might help some if you haven't tried it yet. Good luck.

Sadly, i'd totally buy a PSN version if it had trophy support and was like $5. :lol

as long as I get the xbla version for free I'm happy. The original wording of the alpha accounts stated that you get all future versions of Minecraft for free.

@Hermitwise

Future versions of that specific title, which is Minecraft PC. Minecraft on Xbox 360 is a completely different title, which means you need to pay for it.

@Hermitwise

I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. It more than likely does not cover anything outside the PC offering.

Also, the original wording on my contract with Lucifer said I would be rich, powerful, and famous by now, and that clearly didn't happen.

@Hermitwise

Minecraft for Xbox 360 is not Minecraft. It's a different game on a different platform. Stop being a cheap bastard.

@SuiXide

I'm not being a cheap bastard, the original wording of alpha accounts when I bought Minecraft stated that I get all future versions of minecraft and expansions. It didn't specifically define Minecraft as being pc only, then again if it's not being developed by Mojang I guess they could wiggle out of it. In my opinion a Minecraft on xbox constitutes a "version" of Minecraft, therefor I get it for free, it's not my fault he worded it that way.

@Hermitwise
You are entirely right and there have been a lot of arguments with the xperia version as well.

I'll show him. I'll take that picture of a sheep and put it on my PS3 and play it, dammit.

I love Minecraft and Notch and glad the game will be getting some more marketing. I will be buying the 360 version to support Notch and MS for having the balls to have Notch bring it to the 360.

Just look at that sheep! Are we sure this isn't for Xbox 720?

@Ample Salty

Obviously this is the GameBoy version of Minecraft.

Timed exclusives are becoming more common these days. Too much money to be made limiting yourself to one system (except for studios that are paid off by MS and Sony).

I'm gonna pick this up.

Joystiq, you can't say Minecraft is exclusive to Xbox 360 if it's also coming out for the Vita. So Sony is getting the game as well.

@tendoboy1984

It says console exclusivity, Vita isn't a console.

@Raffi256 It's a handheld console.

@tendoboy1984

No it isn't coming to vita

You know you've made it big when you go from freeware on the PC to a paid game on consoles.

@tendoboy1984 its not freeware. You should stop posting about a game you dont know anything about.

@Fire Walk With Me

Cave Story is.

@tendoboy1984

...Cave Story is not Minecraft. What are you even doing here?

@tendoboy1984

I'm one of Nirvana's biggest fans, do you know where I can get some tickets to see them?

HARDCORE DRAWING

I wish he'd hurry. Those ripoffs on Indie Games kinda upset me. They should upset Mojang. They actually sell.

Notch sure knows how to sheep a secret about the 360 version. It bahhhhter be good.

You people saying you should get it for free because you bought it for PC, what the hell are you guys on? With that logic, if you buy Battlefield 3 for PC you should automatically get a PS3 and 360 copy.

@TraceurRyuk Part III The alpha release of Minecraft included a clause saying that anyone who purchased it would receive "all future updates will be provided free of charge." Notch's lawyers have since redacted that for the beta, but anyone who purchased it before the switch still has that privilege.

So people are wondering if the 360 and Xperia versions of Minecraft count as "future updates," but they probably don't.

@TraceurRyuk Part III

Portal 2 did it on the PS3! :D

@Once known as Shadsy

How could a different version of the game on a different platform possible be a future update...

I'm sorry but anyone who makes that leap of logic should be making leaps off a bridge.

@TraceurRyuk Part III

the way it was worded for alpha accounts was "all future versions and expansions" not updates, versions and expansions, an xbox port is a version of minecraft on the xbox, same with xperia. I don't have interest in an xbox port because you can't mod it, but if I got it for free it'd be nice to tool around in. It's not my fault he worded it that way without having the foresight to think of ports, that's why they immediately changed the wording once he started Mojang, but they can't change the wording for an alpha account purchased under the original wording.

Can't wait to see it on Wp7 and iOS.

Minecraft

Notch doles out more details on Minecraft for 360, Kinect functionality

Reader Comments (48)

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:33PM xiLeShadow said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:44PM b3n said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:48PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:53PM LEGIONSINGULARGETHUNIT said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:55PM ShokLoc said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 12:55PM Mustang Fanboy said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:30PM The Joy of Painting w Bob Ross said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:59PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:10PM Ospov said

Posted: Jul 19th 2011 5:57AM x Prime x said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:11PM Kibbles XIII said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:33PM killer rin said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:01PM SuiXide said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:15PM The Tim said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:14PM sonicspike41 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:27PM The Tim said

Posted: Jul 19th 2011 2:40PM sonicspike41 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:18PM Faenix said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:19PM Hermitwise said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:34PM killer rin said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:36PM Arturis said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:01PM SuiXide said

Posted: Jul 19th 2011 9:38AM Hermitwise said

Posted: Jul 20th 2011 11:42AM Destati said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:32PM Lekko said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:45PM p0t said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:46PM Ample Salty said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:03PM SuiXide said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:47PM p0t said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:56PM Sc4rfac3 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 1:57PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:02PM Raffi256 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:20PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jul 19th 2011 5:58AM x Prime x said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:01PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:19PM Fire Walk With Me said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:21PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 5:49PM Ospov said

Posted: Jul 19th 2011 9:51AM MrAlex said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:16PM Themariohenri said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:20PM Fire Walk With Me said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:37PM Anarqi said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 2:52PM TraceurRyuk Part III said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 4:10PM Once known as Shadsy said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 5:50PM Ospov said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 11:27PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Jul 19th 2011 11:25AM Hermitwise said

Posted: Jul 18th 2011 5:13PM mguniverse said

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