Stone Marshall's Blog, page 163
May 12, 2017
16-year old CEO creates Tesla Model 3 in Minecraft after meeting Elon Musk
Internationally acclaimed Minecraft studio Block has released a Tesla Model 3 build of Minecraft, aimed at engaging with a new segment within the gaming community that follows Elon Musk’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
CEO Brandon Relph, age 16, and 19-year-old youth marketing expert Florian Funke first had the idea to create the Tesla-focused Minecraft world after meeting Elon Musk at Minecon in London in 2015. Capitalizing on the early release of Minecraft Marketplace, the team rushed in to create their vision, pixel by pixel.
To highlight the new creation, the Block team created the video below which features a rendition of a Tesla Model 3 that’s immersed into a digital world. The creators were interested in using the new world as a platform to advance the message of sustainable energy and to connect a new segment of the population with clean technologies.
This isn’t the first time we’re seeing passionate Minecrafters bring the world of Tesla into a digital landscape. We have previously seen crowd-sourced creations documenting The Boring Company’s tunnel system beneath SpaceX and a proposed Gigafactory in Lithuania.
Musk had shared in the past that he is an avid Minecraft fan which certainly has helped boost the popularity of using the platform as a way to pitch and connect with the serial tech entrepreneur.
What Tesla product or idea would you like to see created in Minecraft? Chime in!
16-year old CEO creates Tesla Model 3 in Minecraft after meeting Elon Musk
May 10, 2017
Minecraft is coming to Nintendo Switch on May 11th
Minecraft is making its way to the Nintendo Switch. Today Nintendo revealed that the best-selling crafting game will launch on its new console on May 11th. The Switch edition looks to be much the same as the Wii U version, complete with Super Mario Bros.-themed content exclusive to Nintendo platforms. And while Minecraft is already available on a huge range of devices, the portable / console nature of Switch could potentially make this an ideal version.
May 9, 2017
Mojang Wants to Hear Your ‘Minecraft’ Stories
One of the best things about Minecraft: Pocket Edition [$6.99] is how it can become a canvas for your stories, like how you went about building your “masterpiece,” or how you and your friends have created this very cool Realms server. If you have a cool Minecraft-related story to tell, Mojang wants to hear it and, if it’s cool enough, post it on the Minecraft webpage. If you haven’t been checking this webpage, Mojang has been posting some pretty cool stories that talk about various community builds, mini-games, and all kinds of other things. Now, the developers have put out a request for things like cool building projects, accounts from people who play Minecraft differently than most others, and so on.
If you do have a story to tell, you can go here and email Mojang (Microsoft), and who knows, your story might end up on the front page of Minecraft.net, which wouldn’t be a bad thing at all. Any stories you want to share?
May 8, 2017
Minecraft Code Builder In Beta
As part of a campaign to expand its share of the educational marketplace, Microsoft has created a new Code Builder tool that works in conjunction with Minecraft Education Edition and also integrates with Tynker, MIT’s ScratchX and the Microsoft MakeCode open source platform.
CodeBuilder was unveiled at a MicrosoftEDU event that took place in New York on May 2nd as one of several initiatives to spread Microsoft learning tools across K-12 classrooms – including Windows 10 S which we have already reported on.
At the event Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said:
“Democratizing education opportunity must be inclusive of everyone, not just a select few. To me this is extremely personal. This includes students with disability and different learning styles.”
Microsoft’s Minecraft Education Edition, an educational version of Minecraft specifically designed for classroom use, was announced in January 2016 and released in November after a beta test that opened in June. It costs $5 per year per user but is only available for purchase by schools, libraries, museums, and “participants in nationally recognized home-school organizations”.
The Code Builder add-on allows users to drag and drop commands to a virtual assistant, in the guise of a robot, who will perform tasks in the Minecraft world. It also supports switching into Javascript.
The beta of Code Builder for Minecraft is now available for schools to try with both the Windows 10 and macOS versions of Minecraft Education Edition. New users can get a free one-year trial from the Microsoft Store for Education and both Minecraft Education Edition and the Code Builder add-on.
Another new facility for Minecraft Education Edition is to use it with Microsoft MakeCode, which is described as:
an open source is a platform that combines the magic of Making with the power of Coding as a more inclusive approach to computer science education.
This video from the team shows the new MakeCode for Minecraft in action:
The restriction with taking advantage of this is that you’ll need an Office 365 for Education account, and so have to be an educator, administrator, or student at an eligible institution, something that has attracted adverse comments from people who don’t have this access. However, at the Windows 10 S launch it was stated that:
All new machines that ship with Windows 10 S will also come with a free Minecraft Education Edition subscription.
which might provide a new way in for those willing to buy new hardware.
Magic: The Gathering Skin Pack Out Now On Minecraft
Fan of Magic: The Gathering? Me neither! But the guys at Microsoft have come to some conclusion that a huge amount of their player base are, by releasing a skin pack for the card game.
Now obviously I’m kidding, Magic: The Gathering is actually really fun, and has amassed quite a huge following all around the world – which obviously constitutes the release.
The pack essential lets you play as a legendary Planeswalker Including favourites like Liliana Vess, Avacyn, Ajani Goldmane, and more. Some of the skins are available for free, but If you do, however, end up loving them, you can buy the remaining skins for just a few bucks.
Unfortunately, It’s currently only available for download on the Pocket and Windows 10 editions of Minecraft. However, the developers promised that console versions would be on digital shelves in the near future — so hopefully that includes the PS Vita Edition.
For only $2.99 CAD comes a total of 15 skins to choose from.
In other Minecraft news, the Switch will reportedly run at 60fps and will feature “Medium Sized Worlds”
If you are looking at getting Minecraft of the Nintendo Switch, we have some exciting news for you: Mojang has announced that the Minecraft Switch Version will run at a glorious 60FPS, will feature “Medium Sized Worlds” compared it’s Xbox One and PS4 counterparts) and will have Wii U world transfers.
According to Microsoft, developing on the Switch has been rather easy, and the game will be updated to Minecraft‘s January update when it’s released on May 11.
Finally, the Switch will feature world transfers from the Wii U so that you can keep working on your existing projects – however, this functionality will, unfortunately, not be available on the launch date.
May 7, 2017
Students can now learn how to code directly in Minecraft
The latest new feature in Minecraft: Education Edition makes it possible for students to learn how to code while playing the game.
Known as Code Builder, the feature is available today in beta for Minecraft: Education Edition. Code Builder is a tool that shows up in the game as a robot. Users can interact with the game through the robot via learn-to-code platforms such as Tynker, Scratch and MakeCode. In essence, they program actions that the robot performs.
“I can build a wall by making a for loop, and then that wall is going to show up in the game,” said Michelle Dauphiny Becker, executive producer on Minecraft, in a video about Code Builder.
The feature isn’t limited to those introductory platforms — Becker added that “you can go as far as you want with the tools that we provide in Code Builder.” For instance, people who know JavaScript can code directly in that language without the in-game robot, according to The Verge.
Minecraft: Education Edition is open to students, teachers and staff at K-12 schools, colleges, universities, libraries, museums and other qualifying institutions. It is available on Windows 10 and Mac OS.
May 6, 2017
Minecraft Patch Fixes “Glide” Issues As New DLC Hits The Store
Last month, the latest minigame “Glide” was added to Minecraft: Xbox One Edition and Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition. Launching with only a single map, Mojang promised later updates would include additional maps. Some will be free, while others will be available for purchase in various packs or as part of the Glide Season Pass.
The first paid pack, “Glide Beast”, launches today on both consoles at US$2.99 or your local equivalent, with the promised Season Pass turning up simultaneously at US$9.99. “Glide Beast” draws inspiration from mythological creatures and contains three maps.
YetiYou can choose to dodge yetis and ancient fossils in the Ice Biome inspired map “Yeti” or fly alongside fire-breathing reptiles in “Dragon”. Alternatively you can face the “Kraken”, flying straight past the terrifying beast as it takes on two ships.
KrakenAlongside the release, a small patch fixes some bugs and makes minor improvements. The patch notes are identical for both the Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions of the game.
Added Glide Beasts Track Pack (Dragon, Kraken and Yeti Glide tracks)
Added new Glide music tracks for the new Glide Tracks
Change to Glide to require passing through all Checkpoints before reaching the end of the track
Glide Solo Mode can now be played for longer before being automatically returned to the Lobby
Fix for spectator not hearing Glide ring or thermal sounds for the player they are spectating
Fix for Glide round timer continuing to tick while the Pause Menu is displayed in Solo Mode
Decreased the respawn delay in Glide
Added coloured particles when you cross the finish line in Glide
Showdown in Glide now says “Hurry Up”
Fix for Interface Opacity setting not affecting the HUD in Glide
Fix for some Boat item textures in the Mass Effect Mash-up pack not matching the entity textures
Fix for an issue that caused the damage sound to be repeatedly played at the end of a Glide round
Fix for an issue that caused the body of player models to be set back from the other limbs
DragonThe patch is already live across all platforms.
Minecraft Patch Fixes “Glide” Issues As New DLC Hits The Store
May 5, 2017
‘Minecraft PE’ Got ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Skin Pack in Latest Update
Minecraft: Pocket Edition [$6.99] continues to prepare for the introduction of the Minecraft Marketplace, but in the meantime it continues to add new skins. This week, we got an unexpected Skin Pack based on the iconic CCG Magic the Gathering. The skin pack includes some of the most iconic figures of Magic, including necromancy master Liliana Vess, Ajani Goldmane, and archangel Avacyn. The skins looks pretty cool and definitely add a different tone to your Minecraft adventures. Even if you don’t care about Magic, you might still want to grab these skins.
According to Sarah Kisor, one of the Minecraft skin artists, this pack was quite an interesting challenge because they had to translate these very complex characters into the simplicity of Minecraft. It took time to make it so these skins are instantly recognizable for fans of Magic. The Magic skin pack is available now on the Minecraft Pocket Edition Store.
‘Minecraft PE’ Got ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Skin Pack in Latest Update
May 4, 2017
Downey’s in, Law’s in: That means Sherlock Holmes 3 is happening
Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. James Watson in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ action adventure mystery Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.(Warner Bros.)
A month after Robert Downey Jr revealed that the third Sherlock Holmes movie is being planned, producer Joel Silver confirms that the film, to be directed by Guy Ritchie, could start its production later this year.
Silver, originally promoting The Nice Guys in an interview, supported Downey claim and also hinted that more Sherlock Holmes movies may arrive in the future, reported Ace Showbiz.
“It looks like it could happen this fall. Downey said he wants to do it. He’s gotta launch into another ‘Avengers’ movie right after the new year. So we’re trying to get it done,” Silver said.
“We have a script that we like. Jude Law is available and Downey is available, and we’re hoping we can get it done. If it works, great. If not, we’ll do it another time. But it looks like it could happen now.”
Downey Jr, Law and Ritchie’s respective schedules have been one big problem that keeps Sherlock Holmes 3 from happening.
Read: After 5 years, Robert Downey Jr will finally shoot for Sherlock Holmes
Downey Jr has been busy with his role as Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man in Marvel’s movies while Law and director Ritchie are working on Knights of the Roundtable: King Arthur.
Follow @htshowbiz for more
Downey’s in, Law’s in: That means Sherlock Holmes 3 is happening
May 3, 2017
Fast & Furious 8 zooms past coveted $1 billion mark. That’s Rs 6400 crore!
Actors Tyrese Gibson, Nathalie Emmanuell, Vin Diesel and Ludacris attend The Fate Of The Furious New York premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
The Fate of the Furious, the eighth instalment in the popular Fast & Furious franchise, has crossed the $1 billion mark at the international box office. That’s Rs 6400 crore.
The film, which released on April 12 in India, has collected $867.6 million from international markets and $192.7 million in the US since its release, reports variety.com.
Thank you to our #FastFamily all over the world! #F8 pic.twitter.com/8owVGOwiDa
— Fast & Furious (@FastFurious) April 30, 2017
The film holds the record for the highest opening weekend collection by amassing $542 million.
Directed by F Gary Gray and written by Chris Morgan, the film features Vin Diesel, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Scott Eastwood and Charlize Theron.
The film made Rs 67 crore in its opening weekend in India.
The Fate of the Furious is the first in the franchise since the tragic death of actor Paul Walker in 2013.
Fast & Furious 8 zooms past coveted $1 billion mark. That’s Rs 6400 crore!
