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What Parents Need To Know About ‘Minecraft’ Better Together

Minecraft is a hugely popular game with children and players of all ages, but parents need to understand the new Better Together version before letting kids play it.

The new version is significant for many reasons, not least because it puts the Minecraft business on a firm footing for future expansions by unifying the game technology across console, desktop and tablet versions.

This is a brave move on Mojang’s part. Any substantial change to a video game with an avid following such as this will cause ripples online. That’s certainly what were seeing in early reactions to the beta version of the new game. Although to the uniformed eye the new version of Minecraft looks the same as previous versions, there are visual and functional changes that not everyone is keen on. There are also issues around parental settings and access to online servers that families need to be aware of.

The First Cross-Platform Minecraft

There has been long running debates about which version of Minecraft is the best. This is an impossible question to answer as different players, and different families, focus on different aspects of the game.

The new Better Together Minecraft should help resolve some of this as the same game will be available on different systems. It is currently available in Beta on Windows, Xbox and Android phones and is scheduled for a full release in the Autumn.

This will also include the Nintendo Switch, Kindle, VR and iPad versions of the game, but currently the PlayStation remains outside these plans as an agreement on Sony’s platform hasn’t yet been reached.

Credit: Microsoft

Minecraft Better Together

Further good news is that if you have an existing digital version of the game you will get the new version of Minecraft for free. This means that if you buy Minecraft in the next month or two you will effectively get two games for the price of one: the original game and the new updated game.

It’s A Brand New Game

An important aspect of the change is that this “Better Together Update” is in fact an entirely new game build on a new game engine. This opens a whole host of new possibilities but it also, inevitably, feels different to play to the other versions.

Popular Minecraft content creator, Joseph Garrett (Stampy Cat on YouTube) has been outspoken about this and other aspects of the new version of the game. He recently shared an hour long overview of his reaction to the changes.

Caveating his comments with the fact they are based on the Beta version he stated that, “It’s essentially a completely different game… there’s a part of me that’s used to the older version and now this one is different, but I think some things are objectively better in the older version.”

“I’m a customer that brought Minecraft like anyone else”, he continued, “the way I play the game is recording it. I think that this new version is going to negatively effect the way I play and record Minecraft.” He rounded off his video by saying, “I play Minecraft almost everyday, it’s my living… and this is the biggest change I’ve had to deal with. Some of it’s good, a lot of it (in my eyes) isn’t great.”

It’s clear that this update is in fact a whole new game. It will take time to assess how that compares to previous versions, as well as to get used to the updated visuals. Also, Minecraft is a game always on the move so it’s likely that early concerns are soon tweaked or fixed. The challenge for Mojang is to balance between features that help new players and those that may hinder those used to how the game functioned previously.

Better Together Is The Future of Minecraft

While the old versions of Minecraft will continue to exist on their existing platforms, it’s this new Minecraft game that will be receiving investment and development going forwards. “Existing owners will still be able to access and play the old console version and minigames”, states the Better Together FAQ, “but those versions will not receive updates after the official release of Minecraft.”

While there’s no rush to update to the new version — the existing Minecraft games won’t stop working — parents need to know that it is this new version of Minecraft that children will want to play. It’s here that new exciting updates will happen as the game is developed in the coming years.

Credit: Microsoft

Minecraft Better Together Trailer

Worlds that children have created in the Xbox One version of the game will port over to the new version of the game. It’s unclear how this will work for the Nintendo Switch, and currently there’s not a public plan for how the PlayStation version of the game will integrate with these new plans going forward.

Take Care With Minecraft Online Servers And Children

I talked to Adam Clarke who is a Minecraft Content Producer who uses the game in his work with schools, arts and theatre projects. He is positive about the opportunities of the new version.

“Minecraft is always an amazingly creative experience. It has intrinsic educational value from problem-solving, storytelling and team building skills. The better together version allows our kids to play together on console on tablet for the first time it also opens up service which of been unavailable on the console version. It gives children the opportunity for the first time to play on servers with mini-game worlds where they will connect and play with other people from all over the globe.”

Children playing in open online servers can be a cause for concern for parents. I asked Adam what security steps have been taken to protect young players. “Children will need an Xbox live account. So, if you don’t want your children to engage an online chat you have ability to change those settings. Learning how to do that maybe daunting at first but it’s well worth the effort. Another way to help your kids navigate this world — to start playing with them”

The online servers that Adam talks about have previously only been available in the desktop version of the game. It’s therefore important that parents understand this new aspect on Minecraft that will be available in the console version for the first time.

Some of the activity in these online servers has caused concern (dating and pixelated nudity in the Lifeboat server for instance) in the past, but Microsoft has hand picked the servers that are available in the console version of the game and worked with the companies that run them to ensure a safe experience. While players can still access other servers in the tablet and desktop versions of the game, on consoles only the hand picked servers are accessible.

The Minecraft ESRB Rating Is Still E10+

The ESRB of Minecraft on Xbox and Nintendo Switch is E10+ and will remain unchanged for the new Minecraft Better Together version of the game. Answering the question about whether servers have to be sanitised to comply with this rating, it answered: “To be listed in the in-game server browser, we require that servers provide moderation and ensure that their content is safe and appropriate for players of all ages.”

Games are rated for the content they ship with rather than for the content that might be created by them. Minecraft has it’s E10+ rating for Fantasy Violence. The ESRB describes the experience as players traversing “an open-world environment, avoiding hazards, building new structures, and crafting weapons to occasionally defend against monsters.”

They address the violence in the game by stating that, “though not encouraged, players can engage in violent acts such as lighting animals on fire and harming animals with weapons. Mild explosions are occasionally heard as players use dynamite to fend off creatures and mine the environment.”

It’s worth noting that playing Minecraft via services like Xbox Live often assumes the players are at least 13 years old. The Lifeboat server, which is accessible in the update, states that its content is suitable for those 13 and over.

Setting Up Minecraft Parental Controls

The new Better Together version of Minecraft in many ways offers better protection for young players and more control to parents that was previously available. The new game adheres to the parental controls on each system.

This offers parents a chance to better understand the interactions their family can make online gaming and set sensible restrictions. This means that there are simple settings to turn off chat so that children can join servers but not see or participate in any in-server communication with other players. Parents can also limit the multiplayer interactions to friends only or no multiplayer if they’d prefer to keep their children from joining servers at all.

Credit: Microsoft

Minecraft Better Together Trailer

Furthermore all the official server partners included in the game have taken “steps to ensure online play is safe and comfortable for all ages”. This includes chat filtering, in-game reporting, and live moderation.

The Lifeboat server, for example, states that it “goes the extra mile to keep young players protected”. This means that its chat filter is updated to block profanity as well as sensitive personal data. It also has a large staff of volunteer moderators to better filter what is happening online. They also state that their games are “made for and offered for players age 13 and older”.

It is also pragmatic about the limits of this kind of protection “The chat filter will only do so much, as it is possible to say nasty things with harmless words.  So don’t assume that nothing harmful or bullying has gotten through.  Watch for changes in mood of your child. If this happens sit down and have a talk with him or her.”

Marketplace Microtransactions Are Now In Minecraft 

Another big change that parents should be aware of is the arrival of cross platform micro-transactions in the new version of the game. This new Marketplace replaces the ability to buy add-ons in separate online stores.

These purchases can now be made in the game itself and will attach, for Xbox users, to the Xbox Live account. It will use a Minecraft Coins currency to buy things, which in turn are purchased for real money.

This is a smart move as it creates a new consolidated market (55 million players) for potential content creators. At the same time it’s something parents should check their purchasing and credit card settings for to avoid unexpected purchases being made on the account.

These transactions need to also take into account the cost of the main game. Currently it seems that this will continue to vary by platform although now the experience will be the same. This means it is cheaper to purchase on tablets than it is on consoles.

Conclusion

It’s still early days for the Better Together beta and there is a lot to try out and take in. To move Minecraft forward it was inevitable that a change of this nature was required. The question is whether the approach to the implementation is getting the balance right between serving new players and those used to the previous Minecraft games. Time will tell.

For parents, it’s important to understand all this so they can setup the appropriate controls and play habits in their family. This will not only ensure that children are safe when they play but the whole family can enjoy Minecraft together without any unpleasant surprises.

For more information, the Better Together Minecraft.net FAQ is a good place to start.

Andy Robertson is a freelance technology and gaming expert for a range of national media. He produces the daily Family Gamer TV show on YouTube.

What Parents Need To Know About ‘Minecraft’ Better Together

Behind the scenes at Minecraft HQ

Ricky is at the home of Minecraft in Stockholm, Sweden, to find out what goes into making one of the most popular computer games of all time!

Minecraft was first created in 2009 and later released by the Swedish games company Mojang. Since then, it’s sold more than a massive 120 million copies around the world.

Even though American tech giants Microsoft bought Mojang in 2014, Sweden’s capital city of Stockholm is still the home of Minecraft. It’s where the teams who make the game work.

But it’s not all fun and games – many of you have told us about the problems you have with bullying in Minecraft, or ‘griefing’. What are the people who make the game doing to keep you safe?

Ricky got an exclusive look around the game’s HQ…

Your Minecraft questions




Minecraft’s Jeb answers your questions

One person who’s worked there since the early days of Minecraft is Jens ‘Jeb’ Bergensten. He’s the man in charge of what’s in the game and how it looks.

So who better to answer YOUR questions about Minecraft?

Working in the gaming industry




How to game your way into a job

If you love gaming, the idea of working for a company that makes games might sound like a brilliant idea.

But what does it really involve, and what can you do now to help yourself when you’re older and wanting to get a job?

Lydia Winters works for Minecraft and here are her top tips…

Behind the scenes at Minecraft HQ

Minecraft Update 1.56 on PS4, PS3 & PS Vita Brings Track Pack and Skin Pack Support

With the new Minecraft update today on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita, 4J Studios has added support for the Glide Myths Track Pack and Strangers: Biome Settlers 3 Skin Pack. The update is out now in Europe/Japan and will be coming to North America later today.

“Stretch your wings in this legendary Minecraft Glide Track Pack. Drift through the clouds of Icarus, dive into conflict in Excalibur and ride with the Kelpies in Celts,” the PlayStation Store says of Glide Myths, which is £2.49. The Skin Pack is £1.69 and the description says, “Get this pack and make your home in distant lands or ocean depths!”

Here’s the full patch notes for Minecraft update 1.56:

Additions

Added Glide Myths Track Pack; Drift through the clouds of Icarus, dive into conflict in Excalibur, and ride with the Kelpies in Celts.
Added “Strangers – Biome Settlers 3” Skin Pack.

General

Endermen and Endermites should always be hostile to each other.
Polar Bears should not attack the player when in peaceful mode.
Wither Skeletons no longer fear daylight, and will attack anything that lives.
Skeleton Horses can now be tamed and leashed.
Zombie Horses can now be leashed
Skeletons shouldn’t attack Village Golems.
Strays now flee from Wolves.
Wolves should not become hostile against mobs that they can’t directly see.
Crafting any kind of Boat now requires a Wooden Shovel.
String can now be crafted from Web.
Purpur Stairs and Slabs can now be crafted from both Purpur Blocks and Pillars.
Stone Slabs, Redstone Repeaters, and Redstone Comparators can now be crafted from Stone, Granite, Andesite, Diorite, and their Polished variants.
Observers should register changes to Item Frames.
Observers should register changes to Doors.
Observers should register changes to Flower Pots.
Observers should not output extra signals for fire block state changes.
Observers should not output multiple signals when lava or water is place in front of them.
Pistons can now push Daylight Sensors.
Potion durations have changed.

Fixes

Fixed slow moving mobs in water.
Fix for Farmer Villagers not planting seeds often enough.
Fixed area in the Mini Game Lobby that caused players to become invulnerable in the Mini Game if they were in this location when the round started.
Fix for MCCE-5523 – Pick Block in Creative
Fix for MCCE-5549 – Hotbar is not centered in splitscreen battle (PS4, PS3 only)
Fix for MCCE-2000 – Zombies get stuck in water
Fix for MCCE-2868 – Levitation effect all in Capitals

The Xbox One/Xbox 360 version of this update is out, and the Wii U/Switch version of this update will be out today or tomorrow.

As a reminder, the Better Together update for Minecraft isn’t planned for PS4, but Mojang is still in talks with Sony about it.

Minecraft Update 1.56 on PS4, PS3 & PS Vita Brings Track Pack and Skin Pack Support

Minecraft “Better Together Update” Not Coming To New 3DS Version Of The Game

Yesterday during the latest Nintendo Direct we found out Minecraft would be released exclusively on the New Nintendo 3DS.

Since then, it has been clarified the closet equivalent to Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition is the 0.15.4 build of Minecraft: Pocket Edition.

With plans to bring a local multiplayer component to the New 3DS version of the game, how far will the updates go?

Aubrey Norris who is part of the Minecraft team recently replied to a fan on Twitter regarding a question about the upcoming “Better Together Update” which will unify the Windows 10, mobile and console editions of Minecraft – including the Nintendo Switch version.

While the New 3DS version may miss out on social unification, it’s still impressive how the team at Other Ocean Interactive – who are behind this 3DS adaptation – have managed to provide world sizes that are 2016 x 2016 and 128 blocks high. These dimensions exceed the sizes of the maps in the Wii U version of the game. Not bad for hardware based on a device originally released in 2011.

Let us know in the comments if you have bought Minecraft on New 3DS yet and what your thoughts are about it are so far.

Minecraft “Better Together Update” Not Coming To New 3DS Version Of The Game

 

Minecraft For New 3DS Announced, And You Can Download It Now

The incredible popularity of Minecraft has seen it launch for numerous platforms, but despite its sizable install base, the 3DS has not been among them. That changes today, although not everyone with a 3DS will be able to play it.

Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition, as it’s called, is titled as such because it doesn’t work on all platforms in the 3DS family. It’s restricted to use on the New 3DS and New 2DS systems, both of which feature more powerful hardware than the standard 3DS and 2DS systems. This version of the game features both the Survival and Creative modes, as well as two control schemes: standard buttons and touch controls. Additionally, it includes special skin and texture packs, which will presumably be the Nintendo-themed ones we’ve seen on Wii U and Switch.

The game was announced today during the Nintendo Direct presentation. You won’t have to wait long to dive in–an Eshop release for the game is coming today. If you’d prefer a physical copy, however, that is coming, but not until some unspecified point in the future.

You can catch up on today’s Nintendo Direct announcements with our roundup of all the news and trailers. Minecraft is one of several new things that Switch and 3DS owners can now download.

Minecraft For New 3DS Announced, And You Can Download It Now

Minecraft’s Better Together update will NOT be coming to 3DS

Not surprising, but disappointing

In case you hadn’t already heard, Minecraft is out on the Nintendo 3DS. While having Minecraft on 3DS is pretty awesome it will unfortunately not be getting the Better Together update.

For those unfamiliar, the aforementioned update will be unifying Minecraft across consoles, Windows 10, and mobile devices.

It seems, however, the 3DS version of the game will be using its own custom version of Minecraft. This means the game will be limited to local multiplayer on the portable console, but it’s pretty awesome seeing it on 3DS at all.

Better Together update not coming to Minecraft: New 3DS Edition [Go Nintendo]

Minecraft’s Better Together update will NOT be coming to 3DS

Minecraft Marketplace creators have earned more than $1 million since June launch

The launch of Minecraft Marketplace in June has been a more than $1 million boon for creators.

Microsoft officially launched the Minecraft Marketplace as a storefront for partners to sell their creations in June. Since then, Microsoft says, Minecraft creators have collectively earned more than $1 million for their creations.

To recap, Minecraft Marketplace serves as a way for creators to make some money for their work, but it gives users a safe place to acquire new content as well. Partners are already selling adventures, worlds, texture packs, and more on the Marketplace, and several new bits of content have been added in the months since launch.

One million dollars an impressive number, to be sure, but the program is still young and fairly limited. Marketplace launched with an initial roster of nine partners, and that has since expanded to 12. Microsoft says there are plans to add even more partners over time, which will likely mean we’ll see even greater milestones hit more quickly in the coming months.

Minecraft Marketplace creators have earned more than $1 million since June launch

Minecraft: How To Fix The Chat Issue

More and more Windows users are now playing Minecraft on their computers. Even if the game is 6 years old, it seems that the players always find something to do in this game.

Today we will not talk about how awesome a game like Minecraft is, but instead we will talk about an issue that many PC gamers are facing while playing this game. According to reports, there are players who can’t chat with others in Minecraft. Well, today we will tell you how you can fix this issue so that you can chat with your friends from this popular game.

Can’t Chat In Minecraft Issue: What’s Causing It?

The “Can’t Chat in Minecraft” issue is actually caused by the default settings that the game comes with. In other words, the default settings from the “Minecraft” multiplayer section are not allowing you to chat in this game. That being said, you are able to write commands, but you are not able to interact with other players through text chat.

Can’t Chat In Minecraft Issue: How To Fix

In order to fix the “Can’t chat in Minecraft” issue you will just need to head to the game’s Options->Chat Settings and change the settings from “Command Only” to “Shown.” After completing this simple task, you will be able to start chatting with others players from Minecraft.

However, in case the chat doesn’t function after completing the mentioned task, you will just need to restart the game. After restarting the game, we can guarantee you that the chat feature will work without any problems.

Are you playing Minecraft on your computer? Tell us what new features you would like to see being added to this popular game!

Minecraft: How To Fix The Chat Issue

Minecraft Marketplace creators have earned over $1m

The Minecraft Marketplace has been operating for a few months now, and Microsoft today happily announced that the community has earned over $1 million through content for the popular block-building title.

“Minecraft has some ~amazing~ Marketplace partners, and we’re continually bringing new folks onboard,” Microsoft said in a statement. “We started the program with nine folks back in June, and since then have expanded our partner roster to 12, with plans to keep adding more partners. The program offers our players a wide variety of community-created content that they can safely and easily access, while also allowing the community to support one another’s work and allow creators the chance to turn their creativity into a way to make a living!”

The Minecraft Marketplace is fueled by Minecraft Coins, which are used to buy in-app content. Creators set flexible prices and after a 30% cut is taken by a platform’s app store, the content creators get a “majority” of the remaining sale.

There are well over 26 million Minecraft players on the PC alone. About 121 million copies have been sold across all platforms. Microsoft purchased both developer Mojang and the Minecraft IP back in 2014 for $2.5 billion.

Minecraft Marketplace creators have earned over $1m

Minecraft Marketplace creators have earned $1M by selling user-made content

Minecraft Marketplace creators have raked in over $1 million collectively by designing and selling (among other things) their own custom adventures, texture packs, and character skins.

It shows there’s a real appetite for user-made content within the community, and suggests Mojang and Microsoft weren’t too wide of the mark when they claimed creators would be able to earn a living from the game.

It’s worth remembering the marketplace only launched in Spring, at which point only nine creators had been approved to sell their wares. Mojang has since added another three to its partner roster.

Those given the go ahead can then set flexible prices, with players making purchases using Minecraft Coins — a new virtual currency. Store platforms wll then take a 30 percent cut from each purchase, but creators apparently see the “majority” after that.

Anyone registered as a business can apply to become a creator through the Minecraft Partner Program, but only those with proven experience and a high-quality portfolio will be accepted.

Prepare your best WHOOP! Prepared? Good! Coz we’re happy to say Minecraft Marketplace creators have now earned over 1 MILLION BUCKS. WHOOP! pic.twitter.com/bhmfcul0j1

— Minecraft (@Minecraft) September 5, 2017

Minecraft Marketplace creators have earned $1M by selling user-made content