Some questions about Minecraft

[Pegghead]

Hello escapist, Pegghead here if your left eye is currently focused on the position of the sun in the sky to determine if you should start crafting torches.

A while ago I got Minecraft during a kind of get it for free weekend, mind you it's an extremely early version with serious framerate issues, no multiplayer and it doesn't get updated. When I first played it I didn't think much of it, I ran around for a few minutes punching animals and then dug my way to the centre of the eart with bacon. Then came the Good Game review, and the Penny Arcade comic, and the many topics and cases of Minecraft addiction on the escapist (one particular user whom I chat with, it's pretty much the main thing she talks about) and the song and the memes and before too long I figured I should try again after I realized that the stripped down version I had still functioned for singleplayer. I learnt the basic crafts, I started a new game and despite the set-backs of my version I had alot of fun and survived a whole night (I then watched some zombies burn in the sunlight then shut the game off smiling at my ingenuity and leet survival skills).

So now I pose a few questions, followed up by the big question:

*What exactly can you do (Both necessary for survival and unneccessary fun stuff) apart from setting up a cave with a few torches and trying to survive the night stage (I haven't played for more than a day and a night)?

*How is the state of the multiplayer?

*Have you ever had any memorable experiences with the game (and feel free to list them)?

and ultimately:

*Is the full version worth the purchase (a lack of Pay-Pal and credit cards makes purchasing things online a right pain in the ass for me because otherwise I probably would've purchased it already)?

 

[CCountZero]

Ít may sound a bit disappointing, but there's not a whole lot more to do at all, as it is.

So far, the only goal is survival. The easiest way to do that is to get a torch, wall yourself in with it, and leave your PC.

But that's not what people do. People make stuff, big or small. It's about being creative.

Once you get a bit further and get some Redstone, you can start making some of the cooler castle-like stuff, such as doors that can be locked from the inside, so on so forth.

You've probably seen some YouTube videos of some of the things people have used this for, such as intricate alarm systems, combination locks and even calculators.

The bottom line is that MineCraft is what you make of it, in it's current state.

Some people can't deal with the lack of a predefined goal, and others yet simply make a goal for themselves.



EDIT: Keep in mind, though, that it's still in Alpha. It might take a while before it's "done", but we're also likely to get much more stuff to do.

The multiplayer isn't much different, but it's still quite buggy.

Personally, I don't actually have any memorabilia from this game. Mostly because there's no story, and there's no hysterical ways I can kill off my best mates in a LAN match.

But I have tons of fun with it. All of the players I've talked to so far have projects and visions. They decide to make something (cool) and then start doin' it.

Personally, I'm currently working on a 1024-1024 version of Orthanc as portrayed in the movie versions, and having tons of fun doing it.
It's a creative process, and if you're the type of fella who played with Legos or similliar as a kid, then you'll love this.

 

[Fenring]

I build gigantic bases and cannons which I then send to my other MC playing friends in .zip form for them to explore and have fun in. It is a sandbox game in the truest sense of the phrase.

MP is okay. No mobs or pvp yet, but you can have a lot of fun.

I have, but the only thing I can think of is voyaging halfway across the world to try to find an easy source of lava then dying on the way back. It was cathartic.

Yes it is. Especially with http://www.minecraft.net/boo coming out on the 31 for pay users only.

 

[Vampire cat]

Me and my clan has built many huge structures, cities, ships, towers, underground "secret" doomsday bases and massive statues. We're currently planning out how to build a Star Destroyer, but apparently its too tall to fit in the space above sea level.

For single-player theres the survival bit too, which I'm looking forward to being added to multiplayer very soon now.

What I enjoy about it the most is making a farm where I am able to grow and otherwise aquire whatever things i need for survival, and also establish trade with other players for things I cannot easily get in exchange for things like food or other things my farm can provide. The new multiplayer patch coming up will make this very interesting I suspect, I am looking forward to it!

The multiplayer seems OK atm. Some servers are filled with griefers, but there are several servers that have taken into use a system that "reserves" an area for you and you only, so no others may interact with the blocks on those areas in any way. Makes your constructions safer.

This is a game for creative minds tho. If you don't have a need to build massive buildings (and other things) or indeed a huge Mario statue, then it's not for you.

IF you like this sort of stuff, yes it's worth it. If not, no... (obvious, really)

 

[Spectre4802]

Multiplayer is a little buggy, but if you get around that, it can be a lot of fun.

For example, my friend and I are building an enormous castle, complete with a huge lava moat. I'm working on a small underwater lab as a side project.

Both were difficult, but in the end, it looks awesome and it all pays off. Playing with friends is better, if you don't mind losing the challange of surviving. But with the new update, that should change.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

For a game in Alpha I would have to say it is looking to be in quite good shape if you don't like it as it is at the moment don't worry it will have serious overhauls before the final version is done.

 

[John the Gamer]

My best experience was when I went out to collect some sand to make glass for my greenhouse, when a creeper fell on top off me, exploded, leaving me alive, then another one fell down and blew up right next to me. walked away from that with a total of 1 heart missing, and I wasn't even wearing armour. Crap I was lucky.