The news that the superlative sandbox game Minecraft will be available for PS3, PS4 and Vita in a matter of weeks means that a whole new crop of gamers could soon become minecrack addicts.
But, Minecraft’s creators Mojang and 4J Studios, who are creating the port, need to be aware that PS owners are a fastidious bunch, and only prime minecrack will satisfy their needs. So, if the PS version of Minecraft only provides a short hit, or worse still is seen to be a cut product, then many addicts might choose to go cold turkey rather than continue with their Minecraft habit.
So what exactly does Minecraft need to make it a success when it is launched on PlayStation systems?
First, some background. Minecraft is an open world sandbox game that was first released on the PC in 2009. It quickly gained massive success accompanied by boatloads of awards and for many players became not just a game but a way of life. The reason for Minecraft’s success is that there are so many ways to play the game, plus many clever add-ons that expand its lifespan, meaning the only limit to how you play it is your imagination. However, will this unparalleled success and innovation translate successfully to the PS? I believe it can as long as the port is handled correctly. Here are three suggestions that I believe will make Minecraft for the PS and Vita a superior 8-bit hit.
Firstly, despite the fantastic graphical abilities of the PS4, Minecraft’s graphics should remain totally 8-bit blocktacular. Why ? Well, Minecraft has a defined look and that is the retro-pixelated style; any attempts to update the graphics to a smoother modern look risks making the game less “minecrafty”. Minecraft has been both lambasted and praised for its "LEGO" look and the first time you play it you can’t help but feel like you’ve fallen through a gaming wormhole. But, it’s a game where at its most basic level you build using blocks, so therefore surely its graphics should reflect this and not need updating ?
Some critics say that because Minecraft launched the 8-bit graphic trend it’s time the game acted its age and dressed in a more appropriate fashion. Minecraft however set graphical trends as the forerunner of block fashion; many later games would emulate its style such as the indie platform antics of Thomas Was Alone or Terraria, the 2D open world side-scroller. To update the look of Minecraft would be like giving a child’s building blocks a makeover into more trendy shapes like polygons. Yes they would look cool, but what use is this if you can’t build? Like your dad at a school reunion disco, Minecraft would feel undressed without its retro fashion sense. So leave the blockly look in Minecraft, please.
Turn the page to see my second idea.
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My second idea to enable Minecraft on the PS to embrace success. To do that is the game should allow players to mod it as much as possible. The immense popularity of the PC version can surely be put down to the fact that players could tinker with the game to their heart’s content.
Game modding is the key to many franchises success, like Little Big Planet which has fully embraced customisation and level construction. Future games such as Mike Bithell’s new PS title Volume (that interestingly names one of Minecraft’s influences LEGO as an inspiration) will also enable players to construct custom levels. Why do it? Well it’s done because allowing players to customise a game increases its lifespan by years, and also players who have the patience and imagination to come up with ideas that the games’ creators would never think of or have time to implement. PC Minecraft has seen some insane mods from muskets to fully working computers, and if the PS version is moddable in as detailed way as possible then people will still be playing it in years to come.
To me Minecraft and modding go together like beer and pork products, and in my experience where you find both you find happy people. So it should come as no surprise that my favourite PC Minecraft mod was without no doubt the introduction of beer, add in the fact that you already have pork then the only thing missing for me is the moddable hangover. Which I hope means if I wake up after a night on the 8-bit beer feeling rough, I can just turn my hangover off.
Turn the page to see my third idea.
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Lastly, any game needs trophies, and the endless possibilities of playing in the Minecraft sandbox should encourage an abundance of trophies from bronze to platinum. But with a game that has such a wide scope as Minecraft, what trophies can you have that accurately reflect playing the game?
Simple, you can have a trophy for everything: Exploring, fighting, dying, crafting, making unicorns exploding and tunnelling to the centre of the earth are just a few examples. Then as updates are added more trophies should follow.
So, if a Minecraft update allows you to get drunk then trophies for brewing and quaffing ale should come with it. If the game introduces new areas to explore and new monsters to combat, then trophies for exploring, fighting new creatures and your inevitable death should be expected.
Why stop there? PS Minecraft can again learn from Little Big Planet and have trophies for level construction, sampling other people’s mods and playing a multi-player game and not immediately quitting. The possibilities are endless.
The only proviso here is that if there is a platinum trophy it shouldn’t be linked to online play else Minecraft may face the wrath of trophy hunters. Apart from that I want to see it rain trophies across the land of Minecraft. But if it does, give me fair warning so I can make sure I am safely inside first.
So, there you go three ideas that if they happen should make Minecraft for the PS as massive a hit as it was on the PC. Then PS gamers will be able to enjoy climbing every Minecraft mountain, fording every pixelated stream and following every 8-bit rainbow until they find their dream.