Stone Marshall's Blog, page 94
May 31, 2018
Fortnite’s Tilted Towers Recreated In Minecraft
Fortnite is … everywhere. Let’s be real. Epic Games‘ entry into the Battle Royale world has taken the gaming community, and the entertainment industry, by storm. From celebrities gushing about it, to over 1 million dollars on the line in eSports, this title is not going away anytime soon. Apparently it’s not going away in Minecraft either, because one fan took it upon themselves to recreate the entirety of the Tilted Towers area within the fun building game.
(Photo: Reddit user Zite_)For those that may not play Fortnite, Tilted Towers, is an area in Battle Royale that is the bane of many people’s existence. It’s where everyone drops and it’s pretty much one giant death trap. To recreate it in Minecraft, I’m imagining the soothing sounds of the title’s soundtrack and it’s making it a little easier to let go of that ingrained hatred that I have for this map location. Still, it is pretty neat to see what players come up with in this building game, especially given that I can barely make a simple house with four walls that don’t collapse.
Some people just don’t have it. Me. I don’t have it.
In other Minecraft news, the “Better Togethe” update is coming to Nintendo Switch next month!
Making the cross-play play jump makes it even easier to do just that so that platform of choice doesn’t have to mean missing out. Currently the “Better Together” update applies to the mobile, VR, PC, and Xbox One versions of the game, with the Switch coming later.
In addition to the update going live next month on the 21st, the physical version of the popular building title is also set to release the day before on June 20th. You can learn more about popular questions asked concerning this update and what that means for current platforms right here though the game’s official website.
Excited to squad up with friends and family? Here’s what you can experience together with this expansive update:
“Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs.”
Minecraft Marketplace
For the first time, skins, textures, and worlds designed by the community are available in the store. Buy once and enjoy across Xbox, Windows 10 and mobile devices!* (and soon, the Switch)
Endless exploration
Create and explore your very own world where the only limit is what you can imagine.
Build almost anything
Crafting has never been faster, easier or more fun!
Co-op play
Play with up to four players in split screen for free, or invite hundreds of friends to a massive gameplay server or your own private Realm!
May 30, 2018
Minefaire returns to Houston with more ‘Minecraft’ than ever
Chances are if you have a kind between the ages of five and 14, you know “Minecraft.”
The video game is a constructable world of building cubes and creatures ranging from pigs to zombies to dragons. According to PC Gamer, “Minecraft” had 74 million active users in December. More than 144 million copies of the game have been sold since its 2011 debut.
Gabe Young, co-founder of Minefaire, calls it “digital Lego.” Minefaire returns Saturday and Sunday to NRG Center, bigger and better than last year. Tickets are still available at minefaire.com.
Minefaire comes to Houston with more games, YouTubers and fun
Now Playing: Minefaire comes to Houston with more games, YouTubers and fun
Minefaire is a two-day event dedicated to the game Minecraft featuring YouTube superstars, interactive games, stage shows and more. Video provided by Minefaire.
Media: Houston Chronicle
Last year’s Minefaire drew thousands of fans. This year’s incarnation promises even more alongside the stage shows, costume contests and “Minecraft” mentors.
Fans can meet more than a dozen popular YouTubers, including OMGchad, JeromeASF and Houston native UnspeakableGaming, who spoke about his rise to online stardom. They will take photos and sign autographs.
There will be a “more immersive” virtual reality experience. Attendees can create their own personalized “Minecraft” action figures. The Minecraft Escape Room challenges kids and parents to break into a Minecraft chest. Houston Public Library will host a “Minecraft Experience.”
The merchandise store is also 15 times larger than last year. Parents, get those wallets ready.
Minefaire returns to Houston with more ‘Minecraft’ than ever
Minecraft Update Aquatic Phase One Available Now
The first phase of the promised Update Aquatic has arrived for Minecraft on Xbox One (not the legacy Xbox One Edition), Windows 10, Android, Apple TV, Gear VR, iOS, and Fire. As well as adding eight new achievements, Phase One will add lots of new underwater features. There’s a full list of those features in addition to a handful of new screenshots showing the features in action.
The first wave of Update Aquatic features arriving today include:
Fish (salmon, cod, pufferfish, tropical fish)
Bucket of fish
Coral (coral, coral fans, coral blocks)
Kelp, Dried Kelp, Kelp Block
Dolphins (follow boats, get a boost swimming next to them)
Icebergs
Blue Ice
Nine Ocean Biomes (frozen, deep frozen, cold, deep cold, lukewarm, deep lukewarm, normal, deep normal, warm)
Underwater Ravines & caves
Sea grass
Sea pickle (w/ illumination! Up to 4 in a block – only light up underwater)
Shipwrecks
Treasure chests (in ruins, shipwrecks)
Ruins
Swimming
Treasure Map
Buried Treasure
Heart of the Sea in buried treasure chests (non-active)
Trident
Trident enchantment
Stripped Logs
Buttons, Trap Doors, Pressure Plates with variation
Carved Pumpkins
Floating Items
Boat Polish (smoother control)
8 new achievements
Water has a completely new look and increased visibility while underwater
Prismarine Stairs and Slabs
New swimming animation while sprinting in water
Minecraft: Education Edition Chemistry features can now be enabled under Cheats! For tips on getting started, check out the Chemistry Lab Journal
As you may have guessed, Update Aquatic will be arriving in multiple parts. The remaining features will be included in Phase Two, which will be “coming soon”. As soon as we get more details on Phase Two, we’ll be sure to let you know, but for now, enjoy all of the new features that are available now with Phase One.
May 29, 2018
Minecraft’s ocean-expanding Update Aquatic is out now on Xbox One and PC
Minecraft’s long-awaited Update Aquatic has finally surfaced, and is now available on Xbox One, Windows 10, Gear VR and Oculus, mixed reality devices, and mobile.
Update Aquatic, as its name suggests, is designed to add more life to Minecraft’s oceans. It’s a major update too – so big, in fact, that developer Mojang has elected to release it in two parts. The first is out now, while phase two is “coming soon”.
Once the new patch is installed, Minecraft players on supported platforms will be able to enjoy a wide selection of new fish and other water-dwelling creatures, including salmon, cod, pufferfish, tropical fish, and dolphins – the latter of which will follow boats across the ocean.
Elsewhere beneath the waves, you’ll find the likes of coral reefs, kelp, underwater ravines and caves, sea grass, shipwrecks, treasure chests, ruins, and more. Additionally, there are nine distinct new ocean biomes: frozen, deep frozen, cold, deep cold, lukewarm, deep lukewarm, normal, deep normal, and warm. Icebergs and blue ice are now found in chillier climes.
A somewhat more exhaustive list of Update Aquatic’s new additions, including improved boat control, is located over on Mojang’s announcement post.
Minecraft’s Update Aquatic will launch on Switch on June 21st, alongside the console’s new-fangled Bedrock Edition, but will not be coming to either Switch or Xbox One’s older, pre-Better Together versions. The update is also due on Minecraft’s Java version “very soon” and will arrive on PS4,Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Vita, at a currently unspecified future date.
Update Aquatic will be the last major content drop for older platforms.
Minecraft’s ocean-expanding Update Aquatic is out now on Xbox One and PC
Mojang Details Phase One Features Of Update Aquatic For Minecraft
MInecraft is one of those games that’s in a constant state of flux, with the developers wasting no time in adding new content through regular(ish) patches. The big “Bedrock” update is due to launch on the Switch on 21st June, adding in cross-platform play and a whole slew of other features. However, alongside the Bedrock update, Switch will also be receiving the Update Aquatic, the details of which have just been revealed.
Update Aquatic will be rolled out in two phases, the first of which comes out with the Bedrock update. The included content is as follows:
Fish (salmon, cod, pufferfish, tropical fish)
Bucket of fish
Coral (coral, coral fans, coral blocks)
Kelp, Dried Kelp, Kelp Block
Dolphins (follow boats, get a boost swimming next to them)
Icebergs
Blue Ice
Nine Ocean Biomes (frozen, deep frozen, cold, deep cold, lukewarm, deep lukewarm, normal, deep normal, warm)
Underwater Ravines & caves
Sea grass
Sea pickle (w/ illumination! Up to 4 in a block – only light up underwater)
Shipwrecks
Treasure chests (in ruins, shipwrecks)
Ruins
Swimming
Treasure Map
Buried Treasure
Heart of the Sea in buried treasure chests (non-active)
Trident
Trident enchantment
Stripped Logs
Buttons, Trap Doors, Pressure Plates with variation
Carved Pumpkins
Floating Items
Boat Polish (smoother control)
8 new achievements
Water has a completely new look and increased visibility while underwater
Prismarine Stairs and Slabs
New swimming animation while sprinting in water
Minecraft: Education Edition Chemistry features can now be enabled under Cheats! For tips on getting started, check out the Chemistry Lab Journal
It looks like this’ll be quite a significant expansion on the base game, and of course, it’ll be free to all owners.
What do you think? Do you still play Minecraft often? Will you be giving Update Aquatic a go? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Mojang Details Phase One Features Of Update Aquatic For Minecraft
May 28, 2018
‘Batman: The Animated Series’ Is Getting a New Board Game
Batman: The Animated Series is returning as a series of board games from IDW Games, starting with Batman: The Animated Series – Gotham Under Siege.
Batman: The Animated Series – Gotham Under Siege is a 1-5 player game. Players play as either Batman or one of his allies as they defend Gotham City from classic Batman villains from the animated television series.
The game is designed by Richard Launius, whose game design credits include Elder Sign and Planet of the Apes and who is known for creating thematic tabletop games, and co-designed by Michael Guigliano. Batman: The Animated Series – Gotham Under Siege’s gameplay includes the use of dice allocation and threat management as players defend Gotham against henchmen and boss villains.
This game’s production design includes all new artwork, character miniatures, 3D city buildings, and other board game elements. You can see the Box Top art by Matt Ferguson above. The figures are sculpted by Brian Dugas.
Future releases in IDW’s Batman: The Animated Series board game series will continue to celebrate the series and its universe with more heroes and villains, and new and familiar settings.
Batman: The Animated Series – Gotham Under Siege will be available in August 2018, with a preview at Origins Game Fair 2018.
Batman: The Animated Series seems to be experiencing a resurgence in tabletop gameplay. For the first time ever, the DC Animated Universe will be represented in HeroClix when Wizkids releases the DC Comics HeroClix: Batman: The Animated Series set also in August. The HeroClix release includes a full five-figure booster set, a Fast Forces set, a Dice and Tokens set, and a release day organized play kit. The set will include characters from Batman: The Animated Series and other DC-inspired animated series, including Justice League Unlimited, Batman Beyond, and the Super-Friends. The set will include several characters who have never been made in HeroClix before, such as Zeta, Leslie Thompkins, Maxie Zeus, Kyodai Ken, the Clock King, the Phantasm, Riddler’s Robot Minotaur, and Apache Chief.
Batman: The Animated Series is also set to come to Blu-ray for the first time ever sometime in 2018. The theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was released on Blu-ray last year.
Here’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt On Its Lowest Graphics Settings, and It’s Insane
We all know that The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is easily one of the most beautiful games out there. Even three years after its initial release, it remains a visual triumph — and it leaves high hopes for what the development team is going to do next with Cyberpunk 2077.
But what if The Witcher III didn’t look so good? What if, for some god forsaken reason, someone decided to run it on the lowest graphics settings possible? Well, then you’d get a look at the ugly side of Geralt of Rivia that you didn’t expect to see.
Gamespot recently posted a new Potato Mode video that shows the hosts playing along to the hit CD Projekt Red releas, but with the worst graphics you could possibly imagine. Look at the initial screenshot of Geralt and you have a pretty good idea of how bad it’s going to get. We’re talking pop-ups all over the place in the environment; glitches galore; and so, so, so much more. It’s like a gloriously hilarious nightmare — or something along the lines of playing The Witcher IIIon the original PlayStation. Or Sega Saturn, maybe.
Hosts Joey Yee and “Witcher expert” Jake Decker are featured in the latest episode of the show, which is devoted to making good games look really, really bad. And boy, did they succeed here.
The clip starts out nicely enough on the high graphics settings; but about two minutes in, you’ll see Joey and Jake make an adjustment and suddenly turn the game into a polygonal mess. And then it gets running and suddenly you’ve got Geralt appearing in purple and dealing with some of the ugliest trees ever planted. The character interaction are also something else as you stare into the dead, dead eyes of the people that you’re conversing with. Also, that hair.
The team plays around with the visual options over the course of the video, but that doesn’t mean things get any better. In fact, they kind of get worse; this is especially true as you run through villages and realize how brown everything is. And then there’s getting to the love scene. No, we aren’t kidding.
Anyway, check out the video above, then rub your eyes and get back into the normal version of the game. It’ll be like a world of difference.
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is available now for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
Here’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt On Its Lowest Graphics Settings, and It’s Insane
May 27, 2018
Minecraft’s Update Aquatic Adds Unexpected Pufferfish Trap
Minecraft players who have been enjoying the first phase of Update Aquatic have found an innovative way to use the Pufferfish to their advantage.
One of the many new features added through Update Aquatic was the spiny Pufferfish that expands to defend itself when players draw to near to it. It can be a pain for players to navigate around – unless you have one of those fancy new Tridents to sort out the new mob – but these new Pufferfish addition can also be used by players to fend off more hostile enemies.
A Redditor by the name of SonicwaveMC shared the news within the Minecraft subreddit that Pufferfish could injure not only players, but also other mobs like Creepers and Skeletons. The user submitted a video that shows the Pufferfish defense system in action by dropping a gaggle of enemy mobs into a Pufferfish deathtrap as many of the fish expand to fend off the foes while making short work of each enemy.
You’ll notice that some of the Pufferfish do perish in the process, but this doesn’t appear to be a result of the fish hurting each other. A potion thrown by a Witch at the last second hits the water and clears out some of the Pufferfish, so the damage to the rest of the Pufferfish school isn’t done by the fish themselves.
The fact that they can damage mobs while not damaging each other opens the door to new defensive possibilities. One of the first things joked about in the Redditor’s thread was that this could be used to create a discount moat that protects players’ structures with Pufferfish instead of something more menacing like sharks or piranhas, but there’s still some truth to the joke. These new animals could absolutely be used to fill a body of water that surrounds something you don’t want enemies getting near since they’ll actively defend themselves against anything that gets near them. They’ll still damage players as well though, so you’ll have to make sure your entrance and exit strategy is Pufferfish-free.
It also makes sense to use the Pufferfish in a defensive manner like this since you really can’t do much with them otherwise. You can use them to create a water-breathing potion, but they’ll poison players once consumed and can’t be used to tame Ocelots. Players will have the most luck using these in Creative mode where you can place them where you please, but if you can reroute a large school of Pufferfish to the proper destination in Survival, it’ll be quite the defense against mobs.
Game of Thrones fan recreates the Great Castles of Westeros in Minecraft
Every episode of Game of Thrones opens with a bird’s eye view of the Seven Kingdoms (and occasionally Essos as well), as we admire one exotic castle after another. And while most of us might be content to simply take in the sight, one fan was not. Jake Schadewe used Minecraft, a video game that allows you to build anything you like using small blocks, to recreate the famous castles of Westeros down to a stunning level of detail. Behold, Schadewe’s recreation of King’s Landing.
From the Red Keep, to the Dragonpit and the Great Sept of Baelor, its hard to notice any details that Schadewe missed, although this is obviously before Cersei had her big moment. We think we even see the tunnel Arya came out while chasing cats back during season 1. King’s Landing looks like it took the most time to complete, but Schadewe’s other recreations were no less impressive. From the barely mentioned and never seen Gulltown in the Vale, to the godswood of Winterfell, Schadewe went all out.
Schadewe admitted via Reddit, that his creation is “actually helping” as he applies for software engineering jobs. Just don’t tell them how long you spent on it Mr. Schadewe. The full gallery can be found here, and includes renderings of Castle Black, Dragonstone, Riverrun and many more.
We can’t decide what’s more impressive, Schadewe’s version of King’s Landing, or that one they’ve been building in Belfast for the past couple months. What does everyone else think?
Game of Thrones fan recreates the Great Castles of Westeros in Minecraft
May 26, 2018
A special Minecraft map of Exeter has been released
Gamers have been invited to help shape the future of Exeter City Centre – on Minecraft.
Exeter City Futures released a unique map of the city, which encourages Minecrafters to put forward their ideas on how to shape the future of the city.
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The map, generated from Open Data, is an interactive and accessible map which can be used to redesign the city.
The best idea will be incorporated into a final version of the map, which will be released later this year.
The project is part of a collaborative vision of Exeter in 2025.
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Rick Lawrence, Digital Media Officer at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM), explained the work that went into to recreating the city centre at the meetup, on Friday at the City Futures Space in Broadwalk House, Southernhay.
Following the talk there was an opportunity to join a 16-person online server and collaboratively create a vision of future Exeter via Minecraft.
Some of the challenges Exeter City Futures is inviting people to answer to are how a car-free city centre would look like, a sustainable High Street, and alternative transport ideas.
