by Stone Marshall | Oct 1, 2018 | Awesome Book News, Free, Intro, Minecraft News, Minecraft questions, news, parent-news, State of Stone, Stone Marshall Book News, Stone Marshall Books, Stone Marshall Club, Stone Marshall Minecraft Adventures, Uncategorized |
One of the most infuential and popular videogames of all time is headed to the comic store. Dark Horse Comics, Mojang AB and Microsoft are teaming up for a “multi-project publishing partnership” focused on Minecraft. The first offering? A series of Minecraft graphic novels, set for release next summer. Scroll down for an exclusive first look at Minecraft Volume One.
Here’s what we know about the story of the upcoming comic so far, courtesy of Dark Horse: “In Minecraft Volume One, everyday kid Tyler’s life is changed when his family moves away from the town he’s always known. Thankfully, Tyler has a strong group of friends forever linked in the world of Minecraft! Tyler, along with his friends Evan, Candace, Tobi and Grace, have gone on countless adventures together across the expanses of the overworld and are in need of a new challenge. They decide to go on the Ultimate Quest—to travel to the End and face off against the ender dragon!”
“We are very excited at the prospect of bringing Minecraft to comics,” said Dark Horse President and Founder Mike Richardson of the partnership. “The world of Minecraft is vast with countless stories to tell. We look forward to working with the great people at Mojang AB and Microsoft to bring these stories to its enormous fan base.”
Since its release in November 2011, Minecraft has sold 144 million copies across all platforms, making it the second best-selling video game of all time. (Tetris remains the king of the hill.) Nearly seven years on, the Minecraft fandom is going strong, with more than 75 million fans playing the game every month. “We can't wait to follow the incredible imaginations that Dark Horse's comic creators will bring to the world of Minecraft,” said Lydia Winters, Chief Brand Officer of Mojang AB, said of the collaboration.
Minecraft Volume One will feature the work of writer Sfé R. Monster (The Beyond Anthology, Seven Stories from the Sea), artist Sarah Graley (Kim Reaper: Vampire Island, Our Super Adventure) and letterer John J. Hill (Bedtime Games, Superman). Minecraft Volume One debuts summer 2019. The 80-page graphic novel will be released next summer, and is currently available for pre-order from Target, Amazon, TFAW and other retailers. It will sell for $9.99.
While you wait to get your hands on the graphic novel, Minecraft is available to play on just about every gaming device conceivable: Windows, Mac OS, Windows Phone, iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, Switch, DS, Apple TV, Oculus Rift and Gear VR.
by Stone Marshall | Oct 1, 2018 | Awesome Book News, Free, Intro, Minecraft News, Minecraft questions, news, parent-news, State of Stone, Stone Marshall Book News, Stone Marshall Books, Stone Marshall Club, Stone Marshall Minecraft Adventures, Uncategorized |
Children are already learning the skills they will need for a digital future through play, says Jaimie Johnston. The trick for the construction industry will be how to attract and harness this pool of talent
Jaimie Johnston BW 2018
Computer games may not sound like a big part of the future for construction design, but they could be. Through Minecraft, and games like it, kids are already learning the skills they will need to excel at virtual design.
For those of you who haven’t played it, Minecraft involves “mining” different kinds of 3D blocks and then “crafting” them into new creations. There are parallels with Lego, but Minecraft goes much further. On LinkedIn, tech commentator Joel Chappell says: “It’s like building something out of Lego after you made and moulded the plastic and dyed it with plants that you grew yourself, and then going on an adventure inside it through forests and deserts while monsters are chasing you”.
It’s entertainment, of course, but the skills required to play it are absolutely relevant to the process of virtual design. Players need to be able to build in response to different biomes (terrain), problem-solve in a “live” environment while facing pressure from monsters, use materials in creative and unique ways, and collaborate with others around the world.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Chartered Institute of Building, which has created “Craft Your Future” within the Minecraft world. Through it, young learners collaborate in teams to design, plan and build within Newtown, a specially created virtual city. Commercial and educational organisations have seen the potential of the system, too. When Sioux Steel was planning a new site earlier this year, young people were invited to contribute their ideas for the project through Lego and Minecraft. Also this summer, children in Northern Ireland had the opportunity to construct a virtual replica of the new Armagh collage campus through Minecraft.
All of this matters, because what the building industry needs from its designers is changing fast. A new generation of digital natives will work in partnership with algorithms. Their contribution will increasingly be the initial concept, which is where design value is greatest. A much smaller proportion of their time will go into documenting the idea than it does now. These skills will also be needed in many other industries, so construction must be able to compete to attract them – and some, like the
tech giants, have deep pockets.
The digital natives will drive a new kind of automated, or platform, construction. As in Minecraft, they will create unique structures from sets of standardised components, designed to fit together, as they do in manufacturing. This means much less waste and faster build times. And because efficient assembly processes can be designed in, site workers will need far less training than traditional trades require. The skills shortage we currently face makes that a very good thing.
Some might question whether digital natives can replace existing architectural training or cope with the practical challenges. A Minecraft building may not be structurally sound, for example. Yet structural requirements, and other standards – for fire resistance or electrical connectivity – could be designed in. The technology doesn’t exist yet, but it seems inevitable that it eventually will.
Others might argue that existing architectural education should simply be adapted to meet new needs, but architecture training is already very expensive – it can cost up to £120,00 for a five-year course. Moreover, technology is developing so fast that knowledge will need to be constantly renewed.
Ideas such as skills acquisition through Minecraft sound radical, but so does the future. The World Economic Forum estimates that 65% of children who are now in primary education will end up in jobs that don’t exist today. It’s a view echoed by Dell Technologies, which predicts that 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven’t yet been invented. Few would doubt that technology is driving change at an ever-increasing rate, but it is also extending the scope of human creativity. Today, young people can learn virtual design through play. Our industry will need their skills, and so will many others.
Jaimie Johnston is director and head of global systems, Bryden Wood
by Stone Marshall | Sep 30, 2018 | Awesome Book News, Free, Intro, Minecraft News, Minecraft questions, news, parent-news, State of Stone, Stone Marshall Book News, Stone Marshall Books, Stone Marshall Club, Stone Marshall Minecraft Adventures, Uncategorized |
Nintendo has officially revealed the Minecraft New Nintendo 2DS XL ‘Creeper Edition' for Europe.
Back in July, this luminous green beauty was confirmed for Japanese buyers alongside new Animal Crossing and Mario Kart bundles, but it was unclear whether or not the system would make it to western shores. Then, late last month, we spotted the console tucked away inside a PDF file sent by Nintendo RU around the time of Gamescom. It turns out that the PDF file wasn't lying after all, and the system is indeed about to arrive in Europe.
View image on TwitterView image on Twitter
Nintendo of Europe
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@NintendoEurope
On 19/10, look out for the #Minecraft New Nintendo #2DS XL – Creeper Edition, distinctively decked out with a Creeper design and pre-loaded with Minecraft: New Nintendo #3DS Edition!
Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition is available on #eShop now!
16:16 – 20 Sep 2018
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While the Creeper design is sure to be the major selling point of this one, the console also comes with a copy of Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition pre-loaded. If you're a Minecraft fan still looking for a new 2DS system, or know someone who is, you can't really get much better than this.
The console will be available in stores from 19th October.
by Stone Marshall | Sep 30, 2018 | Awesome Book News, Free, Intro, Minecraft News, Minecraft questions, news, parent-news, State of Stone, Stone Marshall Book News, Stone Marshall Books, Stone Marshall Club, Stone Marshall Minecraft Adventures, Uncategorized |
A museum is encouraging people to digitally rebuild Bristol by offering free Minecraft maps of the city.
We The Curious created the maps for its Minecraft workshops as part of its Festival of What If over the summer.
Life science officer Tom Rodgers said: “There was a rollercoaster, a giant rainbow and someone turned College Green into a volcano.”
Minecraft is a video game, but there is no winning or losing. Gamers create digital worlds.
“There was no Metrobus or Arena – maybe that's not what 12-year-olds are concerned about,” Mr Rodgers said.
The museum's maps cover the city centre around the Harbourside and can be downloaded from the museum's Twitter page.
Mr Rodgers said: “We've never done a digital event like this before, but really we just want to inspire people to have a go themselves and give them new ideas.”
by Stone Marshall | Sep 29, 2018 | Awesome Book News, Free, Intro, Minecraft News, Minecraft questions, news, parent-news, State of Stone, Stone Marshall Book News, Stone Marshall Books, Stone Marshall Club, Stone Marshall Minecraft Adventures, Uncategorized |
Microsoft is set to launch the iPad version of Minecraft: Education Edition to schools in September, the company confirms in a statement.
On its official website, Microsoft said students can now use their iPads to build historic monuments, bring creative stories to life, and swim through coral reefs through its Update Aquatic.
Students can also experiment with chemistry and document their accomplishments with its camera and portfolio features. Minecraft: Education Edition can also discuss subjects like STEM, history, language, art, among others.
Minecraft: Education Edition is designed to help teachers incorporate the software into their curriculum, including their lesson plans and sources. Microsoft said teachers who are using Minecraft: Education Edition could utilize the beginner's tutorial world and access the game's official website for a number of free classes online.
Teachers can also seek help year-round onboarding and classroom support from a global community of “Minecraft Mentors” and from the growing community composed of 35 million licensed teachers and students in 115 countries.
According to Kyriakos Koursaris, head of Education Technology for PaRK International School, Minecraft: Education Edition on iPad will open new ways of collaboration between students and teachers to explore curriculum and projects.
“The features allow for deep and meaningful learning, and the values it promotes, from inclusivity to 21 century skills, empower everyone to use technology with extraordinary results,” Koursaris said.
How To Get ‘Minecraft: Education Edition' On iPad?
Microsoft said that if a school is licensed through Microsoft 365 for Education (A3 or A5), it already has access to Minecraft: Education Edition and could download the app onto iPads in September. However, school administrators must assign the available licenses to the teachers who want to use it.
In addition, Microsoft has updated Intune for Education to help IT administrators manage student devices from a unified, streamlined console.
If a school is interested in introducing Minecraft: Education Edition on iPad to teachers and students, but has not purchased a license in the past, a volume licensing agreements is available through the Microsoft Store for Education and other resellers. Schools shell out for the annual subscription of the software, but they can try it out for free for up to 25 teacher logins and 10 student logins.
Update For ‘Minecraft' Windows 10 PC And Xbox Users
Microsoft said that Minecraft players and families who play outside of school using Windows 10 PC and Xbox console could now use the Chemistry Resource Pack that was originally released for Minecraft: Education Edition.
According to Microsoft, the Chemistry Resource Pack package includes lab tables, element blocks, and items that are craftable only using the new chemistry features. Players can enjoy the Chemistry Resource Pack by going to Create New World option in the game and toggle the Education option under the Cheats menu.
by Stone Marshall | Sep 29, 2018 | Awesome Book News, Free, Intro, Minecraft News, Minecraft questions, news, parent-news, State of Stone, Stone Marshall Book News, Stone Marshall Books, Stone Marshall Club, Stone Marshall Minecraft Adventures, Uncategorized |
4J Studios has finally released the long-anticipated Aquatic update for Minecraft today on Sony consoles. This update is available to download now on the PS3, PS Vita, and PS4 and will be released early tomorrow for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii U.
4J Studios has confirmed on their official Twitter account that this update is available now for Sony consoles and will launch later today or tomorrow for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii U. It was already available on PC, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One.
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You can find out more details about the Minecraft Aquatic update from the official website. Here are the patch notes for this new update that should be available to download now.
Added the Update Aquatic! The oceans of Minecraft are now teeming with new life!
Added 6 new Trophies!
Added Shipwrecks, Underwater Ruins, Coral Reefs, Icebergs, Underwater Caves/Ravines, and Buried Treasure to world generation.
Added new blocks: Coral, Dried Kelp, Sea Pickles, Sea Turtle Eggs, Stripped Logs, Blue Ice, Prismarine Stairs, and Prismarine Slabs.
Added new Kelp and Sea Grass underwater flora.
Added Trapdoors, Pressure Plates, and Buttons for every type of wood.
Added Bubble Columns that are created by underwater Magma or Soul Sand. Bubble Columns push players and mobs to the surface, or drag them under!
Added the Conduit, a block that provides underwater players with a powerful Status Effect.
Added Tridents, and their unique enchantments; Impaling, Channeling, Riptide, and Loyalty.
Added other new items: Dried Kelp, Fish Buckets, Turtle Shell Helmet, Heart of the Sea, Nautilus Shell, Scute, and Phantom Membrane.
Added new Potions and Arrows of the Turtle Master, and of Slow Falling.
Added Buried Treasure Explorer Maps that will lead you to great wealth hidden under the sands!
Added Cod, Salmon, Pufferfish, and 2700 types of Tropical Fish!
Added the Dolphin, a friendly mob that helps players out!
Added the Phantom, a mob that hunts down tired players.
Added the Sea Turtle, a mob that travels the world but always returns home.
Added the Drowned, a monster that attacks players that enter their underwater domain.
Added new Warm, Lukewarm, and Cold Ocean biomes to hold all this new stuff…
…And a new Tutorial world to show you how to use it!
Minecraft: Console Edition is available on the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, and PS Vita.
