If you have chased your fair share of Minecraft Achievements, chances are you are aware how precious individual shared worlds can be for efficient hunting. The last thing anyone wants is to lose all of their hard work, so players should be particularly cautious about accessing the 1.11 beta which they may have received an invite to — even if they weren’t invited to the private build. 

Matt Gartzke@MattGartzke

We’re running into an issue where players are receiving the Minecraft 1.11 beta on Xbox One without being opted into the beta program. While we work on a fix, DO NOT open your worlds with the beta.8112:40 – 26 Mar 2019Twitter Ads information and privacy38 people are talking about this
Matt Gartzke is the Community Manager for Minecraft, and while no further details have been given it seems like beta invites have gone out to people who haven’t signed up — and therefore haven’t read all of the rules, warnings and details included in the sign-up page. One of the most critical aspects to understand about the beta is that crashes and lost saves are perfectly possible. If players access the Beta unawares, they may find themselves losing their meticulously crafted worlds.

At present there is no ETA on a fix to this accidental access, so the general consensus is to avoid the Beta invite completely for the time being. Perhaps this time around it’s best to simply wait until the features being tested in the Beta arrive in the final game.

Check out our Best Xbox Survival Games to Play in 2018 article for a compilation of other great games in this genre.

This Minecraft update includes a set of new weapons, a new lantern, new enemies, and, of all things, an adorable cat.

Gaming phenomenons have come and gone as the years have passed, but one game has stood the test of time in terms of popularity and that is Minecraft. To this day, countless amounts of players are still jumping into build creations and Microsft continues to add more and more content. And the latest patch has just been released adding a number of new items.

In this update, crossbows are making their way to the game, as well as shields that just need one iron ingot and 6 wooden planks to create. On top of that, lanterns will be joining the fray as well.

Another enemy has been added as well named Pillagers. However, the new enemy is only being added to Creative Mode in this Update.

Although there have been new items added, the real star of the update is the addition of Jellie, a cat fans voted to be added into Minecraft.

While Fortnite continues to dominate the video game scene and Apex Legends is growing in popularity as the days go by, Minecraft has continued to evolve and stay relevant even after the acquisition by Microsoft. It is quite impressive and doesn’t get the credit they deserve.

Minecraft is available across Xbox One, Windows 10, iOS, Android, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and practically any device with a screen. If you are thinking about finally jumping into Minecraft, you can pick up the game right here through Amazon. I have to say, there might not be a better game to just sit down, relax, and just build.

You’ve heard about the LEGO version of Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel that is in development? We’ve already got the bridge to get there thanks to this Minecraft builder.

Minecraft players have fruitful imaginations and are very creative and imaginative when designing new worlds. Others rebuild reality brick by brick, shovel by shovel. Jake Webb has constructed a replica of the Mackinac Bridgeand takes us across in this YouTube video.

If you have kids in your life you know about Minecraft. Maybe all you know is that kids disappear for hours at a time when you tell them to go play. I have a niece and nephew who haven’t stopped playing Minecraft for 6 years now. I don’t get it. Let me build a drug empire by beating up hookers and stealing cars while listening to a killer 80s soundtrack on the Wave, Emotion or V-Rock. Minecraft just has that droning, soothing, ambient soundtrack and there’s no real goal of the game- you can’t “win.”

You can, however, do interesting projects like rebuilding the Mackinac Bridge and taking the Labor Day Weekend walk across the span anytime you like.

We have just picked up a new achievement for Minecraft, related to the incoming Bedrock Update. 

There is 1 achievement worth a total of 20 Gamerscore, none of which are secret. You can check out the details below.

The achievement is also being added to the following versions of the game:

• Minecraft (Nintendo Switch) Achievements
• Minecraft (WP) Achievements
• Minecraft (Kindle Fire) Achievements
• Minecraft (Gear VR) Achievements
• Minecraft (iOS) Achievements
• Minecraft (Android) Achievements
• Minecraft (Win 10) Achievements

Note that the Apple TV, Xbox 360 and original Xbox One editions of the game will not receive this update. 

The achievement is tied to the incoming Bedrock update which adds a crossbow, three new enchantments, shield crafting, a loom (which we suspect will be needed for the achievement), a lectern and a lantern — plus a new type (breed? flavour?) of cat called Jellie, as picked by the community. A new enemy mob, the Pillager, is headed into the game too — but only in Creative Mode for the time being. The update from Mojang warns that with the new update, HD textures on mobile devices are causing crashes. It’s recommended that the HD textures are disabled until the developers get to the bottom of the issue.

Are you ready to jump back in to all of those versions for another precious Minecraft achievement? Let us know in the comments! Don’t forget, the latest Xbox One version — simply named Minecraft — is headed to Xbox Game Pass next month if you have yet to get around to that stack.

After a huge December, the Minecraft Marketplace quieted down in January. But a slow month for the in-game store is now 4.56 million downloads. That’s down from 10.8 million in December, but it’s flat compared to November’s 4.57 million.

The Minecraft Team and its community didn’t have too many new releases for January. Instead, people were showing up to download previously released free content. That includes the beta for the upcoming texture update and the Winter Gifts Bundle.

Let’s check out the charts for the most-downloaded and highest-grossing Minecraft Marketplace creations:

Top 10 most downloaded

Click to view slideshow.

1. Minecraft Texture Update Beta by Minecraft: “The extraordinary Minecraft Texture Update has been on the Java Edition in beta for quite a while and now it’s finally on Bedrock! We’re renovating the old textures of Minecraft and polishing them up for a new beginning. Don’t panic! This won’t completely overhaul the look of Minecraft — these new textures just give it a much-needed update!”
2. Winter Gifts Bundle by Minecraft: “Whether you were naughty or nice this year (hopefully nice!) this bundle is our holiday gift to you! Last Winter, we gave away amazing skins, worlds and adventures from some of your favorite Marketplace community creators. And now you can download them all again in this bundle of Winter Wonders!”
3. Catastrophic Pandamonium by Gamemode One: “Welcome to the Minecraft Preserve, a sanctuarky for the mobs of Minecraft. Your dream job is about to become a nightmare when you realize — the Pandas are missing!”
4. Purple Parrot Party Place by Minecraft: “A celebration of all things purple parrot party and palace! Master the mechanics of fireworks, armor stands, jukeboxes, and banners. Traverse a jungle island to find a massive parrot temple.”
5. Legacy Skin Pack by Minecraft: “Get cracking with these starter skins and old favorites brought over from Minecraft editions of yore.”
6. ABSTRACTION: Minecon Earth by Jigarbov Productions: “Featuring the logos that were just begging to be played on, MineCon Earth has floating landmasses with a surprising amount of hidden secrets and challenges.”
7. Grid Runners by Noxcrew: “Take on Noxcrew’s Grid Runners: a mini-game map made up of classic Minecraft challenges where you can craft, mine and jump your way to victory. Compete against the clock for the fastest times and team up with all of your friends to find out who is the ultimate Minecraft champion! This is a free map, created exclusively for Minecon Earth 2018.”
8. Inspiration Island by Minecraft: “Visit Inspiration Island, a floating theme park world filled with creative challenges. Whether you are new to Creative Mode or just need a little extra inspiration, a visit here sets you on the path to craft your own groundbreaking worlds.”
9. Luxury Life by PixelHeads: “Luxury Life is a world where you role-play life as a billionaire. Cruise the streets in a sports car or any of the 10 other vehicles, explore luxurious mansions and decorate with furniture!”
10. Aquatic Life by Cyclone Designs: “Get ready for a realistic aquarium experience with Aquatic Life! Dive into large tanks and swim with whale sharks! Discover dangerous shark species and hop on a boat and feed the Piranhas!”

Top 10 highest grossing

Click to view slideshow.

1. Luxury Life by PixelHeads: “Luxury Life is a world where you role-play life as a billionaire. Cruise the streets in a sports car or any of the 10 other vehicles, explore luxurious mansions and decorate with furniture!”
2. City Mash-Up by Everbloom Studios: “With over 1,000 hand-detailed rooms, there are stories, secrets, and mini-games around every corner. Build with the city’s full texture pack in your own worlds or take on any role you can imagine!”
3. Aquatic Life by Cyclone Designs: “Get ready for a realistic aquarium experience with Aquatic Life! Dive into large tanks and swim with whale sharks! Discover dangerous shark species and hop on a boat and feed the Piranhas!”
4. City Life by PixelHeads: “Cruise through the big city in City Life! Chase down a bandit in your police car, save the day as a firefighter or take your dog for a walk.”
5. CampCraft by Blockworks: “A vast wilderness awaits you and your friends in CampCraft. Discover forest animals, ride camper vans, toast marshmallows, sit around the campfire and set up your own camp!”
6. The Nightmare Before Christmas by Minecraft: “A nightmare? Before Christmas? Enjoy this themed pack by Minecraft.”
7. Ninja School Roleplay by Everbloom Studios: “Always wanted to be a ninja? Enroll in Ninja School! Learn the ways of the shinobi in this ancient village by practicing shuriken throwing, archery and katana fighting.”
8. Millionaire Mansions by Noxcrew: “Explore a town filled with beautiful mansions, sports cars, and a new toolset to help you design your dream house. Noxcrew’s Creative Toolbox is perfect for roleplay or building with your friends.”
9. Cobble Clicker by Polymaps: “Experience survival skyblock in a whole new way with Cobble Clicker. Start small with an island, then collect enough Cobblestone to unlock rewards.”
10. Dogs by Shapescape: “Get yourself a puppy from the pet store, go to the park or take it for a walk through the Nether. But above all, explore Minecraft with your new best friend!”

While everyone can’t stop talking about Apex Legends and Fortnite, Minecraftcontinues to be one of the most played games in the world. Microsoft revealed today that the block-building phenomenon still has more than 91 million monthly active players. For comparison, Epic Games said Fortnite has 78 million monthly active players back in September.

Minecraft has ascended into a gaming institution like Pokémon. And now, Microsoft is adding Minecraft to Xbox Game Pass. For $10 per month, you can get Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Crackdown 3, and — beginning April 4 — Minecraft.

“Since its launch in 2009, the Minecraft community has remained one of the most active and passionate in gaming, attracting over 91 million players [each month] of all ages from virtually every country in the world,” Xbox Game Pass marketing boss Parimal Deshpande said. “Those joining through Xbox Game Pass will enter a vibrant, global community that plays across 20 unique platforms like Windows 10, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and mobile.”

More people for Minecraft Marketplace

Minecraft is not free-to-play, but it still seems ubiquitous. But by adding Minecraft to Game Pass, Microsoft could amplify that effect. And it is simultaneously boosting Games while exposing more people to Minecraft’s in-game store.

“Xbox Game Pass players will also gain access to an ever-expanding array of content for purchase via the in-game Minecraft Marketplace,” said Deshpande. “[The Marketplace] contains over 1,000 pieces of content from 60 distinct creators.”

The Minecraft Marketplace is a major focus for Micorosft. It treats it more as an ongoing service. That’s why it’s available everywhere and supports cross-play. And enabling community creators to build and sell content is a part of that. This ensures the game continues to make revenue and players have an abundance of fresh content beyond The Minecraft Team’s frequent updates.

And now Game Pass players can hop into Minecraft without spending any extra money, and they may end up spending cash in the Marketplace instead.

Minecraft is an incredibly popular sandbox game which is played by around 91 million gamers every month. It has no only revolutionized the genre, but continues to thrill users with constant updates. A few months ago, Minecraft recieved an overhaul of underwater exploration which gives players even more reasons to explore the depths. Now, the team has set its sights on adding other highly-requested features.

Have you ever wanted to use a lantern instead of a torch? A crossbow instead of a traditional weapon? Well, you’re in luck because this update does just that. On Twitter, the official Minecraft Twitter account said, “Lanterns, shields, crossbows, and an already-famous feline named Jellie. Today’s Minecraft update is packed with content and will be rolling out on Xbox One, Windows 10… iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch today!” Unfortunately, it seems like the PlayStation 4 won’t be receiving these benefits due to lack of cross-play.

Today, Minecraft is much more than just mining for resources and building structures. The in-game store allows you to not only purchase skins and texture packs, but also adventures developed by community members. The fact that it features cross-play across a variety of platforms from consoles to mobile means that you can play with everyone, whenever you are.

Hopefully Minecraft will continue to grow in the coming years. It has not only benefits gamers, but also teachers in schools. There are a lot of academic institutions out there that rely on Minecraft to teach students about topics like geography. The game is coming to Xbox Game Pass in April, too.

The director of the Zero Escape series, which are some of the best visual novelsyou can play, has a new game in the works called AI: The Somnium Files, and it’ll arrive on PC on July 25, developer Spike Chunsoft has announced.

Director Kotaro Uchikoshi told Gematsu this week that the game will have less cutscenes than what we’re used to from Zero Escape, and is made “mainly for adventure game fans”, suggesting a focus on puzzles. You play detective Kaname Date, who is on the hunt for a serial killer in Tokyo after a women is found dead on a merry-go-round, her eye gouged out. You’ll have a prime suspect straightaway: a girl found nearby with a bloody ice pick in her hand, but all is not as it seems.

It sounds utterly surreal. As well as real-world investigation, Date can enter people’s dreams thanks to an artificial eye, hence why the trailer above shows a polar bear about to saw a woman in half. She’ll also have an AI assistant called Aiba, and the cast includes a light novel author and a teen internet pop star.

The Steam page is live here, if you want to give it a look. Katharine’s 90/100 review of Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is here, in case you want to know what all the fuss is about.

Thanks, RPS.

Minecraft players have turned the hub area of a once-popular server into a tribute to the server’s founder, who recently lost his battle with cancer.

Players have left tribute signs all over the hub of the Emenbee Minecraft server to Bryan, known in-game as Pendar2, who started the server back in 2011. At its peak, Emenbee contained 10 separate servers and had more than 1,500 concurrent players. More than one million players logged on during its lifespan. Pendar2 shut most of the server down—save for the hub—in October of last year.

“You built bonds that will last a lifetime, and there’s no way to repay or express…how much you’ve done for us,” reads one tribute at the hub. “Your server gave me memories I won’t forget…rest in peace,” says another. The image above was posted on Reddit by user remydesp.

In a post on the official Emenbee website, friend Mod_masta paid their own tribute to Pendar 2, who “influenced more people than most others have throughout their lifetime”.

“For years, he dedicated his life to creating a Minecraft server that many of us called our home for a while. It started out as a survival server, and eventually grew to have up to over 10 different servers and 1,500 concurrent players. For the last couple years of the server’s life, Bryan was not very active and many of you thought he had given up. The truth is that he was diagnosed with cancer. He endured chemo and surgery for several months, and eventually we thought he had been cured. But towards the end of last year, it unexpectedly came back. Recently, Bryan passed away,” Mod_masta said.

“To me Bryan was a partner, a friend, and an amazing server owner. Working with him for several years, I learned how much of a genius he truly was, in both his knowledge that allowed Emenbee to become so popular and in how he excelled at developing with so little experience. Our time spent together on Emenbee together were some of the best years of my life. It was truly an honor to have a friend like him. He did so much more for the server than most players thought he did. I could not have done anything without him.

“Without Bryan there would never have been an Emenbee, and so many of us would have been deprived of so many fun and exciting experiences. Bryan will be remembered as a genius, a compassionate person, and our hero.”

Thanks, Eurogamer.

Minecraft players have left tributes at an in-game memorial for a popular server’s creator after he died of cancer.

The touching community-created memorial includes hundreds of messages written on signs placed around the server’s hub.

Bryan, otherwise known as Pendar2, created the Emenbee Minecraft server back in 2011, and at its peak it hit 1531 concurrent players. Over the course of its seven-year life, Emenbee saw over one million unique players. But in October 2018, Pendar2 shut down the server after struggling to maintain it.

In a touching note on the Emenbee website, friend “Mod_masta” said goodbye to “a genius, a compassionate person, and our hero”.

“For the last couple years of the server’s life, Bryan was not very active and many of you thought he had given up. The truth is that he was diagnosed with cancer. He endured chemo and surgery for several months, and eventually we thought he had been cured. But towards the end of last year, it unexpectedly came back. Recently, Bryan passed away.

“To me Bryan was a partner, a friend, and an amazing server owner. Working with him for several years, I learned how much of a genius he truly was, in both his knowledge that allowed Emenbee to become so popular and in how he excelled at developing with so little experience. Our time spent together on Emenbee together were some of the best years of my life. It was truly an honour to have a friend like him. He did so much more for the server than most players thought he did. I could not have done anything without him.

“Without Bryan there would never have been an Emenbee, and so many of us would have been deprived of so many fun and exciting experiences. Bryan will be remembered as a genius, a compassionate person, and our hero. He accomplished so much in so little time and influenced more people than most others have throughout their lifetime.”

In-game, ex-Emenbee players came together to leave tributes to Pendar2, turning the server’s hub into a memorial.View image on Twitter

Mod_masta@Mod_masta

Bryan (Pendar2) was a true friend and an absolute gift to this world. He was an unbeatable server owner that I shared so many happy moments with. He will forever live in my memories. Rest in Peace.8010:00 AM – Mar 21, 201925 people are talking about thisTwitter Ads info and privacy

This image, posted to reddit by user remydesp, shows over a hundred messages written on boards in the hub.

“I played on this server since its birth, I’m saddened by its shutdown. The friends and memories I made are priceless. Thank you all for the time of my life,” reads one message.

“In its prime, this was the best part of my day,” reads another message. “Thank you for making EM the best place to be. I will never forget all that you’ve done for me as a person.”

“Emenbee was a definition of my early teen years,” said another. “Thank you.”

It’s one of the more impressive virtual memorials I’ve seen in a video game – and evidence Minecraft’s community can certainly be a wonderful one.

Mod_masta pointed those who would like to support Pendar2’s family to consider donating to Cancer Research.

Gamers have painstakingly rebuilt London in the virtual world of Minecraft.

Minecraft is what is known as a sandbox video game and allows players to build with a variety of different cubes in a 3D world.

Using virtual building blocks, real life blueprints and photos gamers from around the world have recreated some of London’s most iconic landmarks.

Video Journalist: Jamie Moreland.

What’s the point of buying a brand new gaming console without any games to play? In our opinion, console bundles are the way to go — and the best bang for your buck. More often than not, gaming console bundles come along with some of the hottest titles on the market, so it’s always a good idea to keep a keen eye out for these deals. As a matter of fact, we found a really great bundle just for you. 

This Xbox One S bundle is a great starting point for those just jumping in, and it comes with the cult-favorite Minecraft as well as a bonus game of your choice (from the three that Walmart is currently offering). For a total of $248.89 and $60 in savings, you’re truly getting your money’s worth from this kit.  

Coming with a hefty 1TB of storage, the Xbox One S can support games and stream entertainment in glorious 4K resolution and HDR. With a library containing upwards of 1,300 games from the current and last generation, you’ll never run out of things to play on your system. Not only do you get one of the best consoles on the market in this bundle, but you also get the opportunity to experience some of today’s most popular titles in gaming. 

Included with the base bundle is Minecraft, a cult-favorite sandbox game that allows players to build anything their minds can conjure up with 3D blocks in a procedurally generated world. In addition to Minecraft, those who purchase the bundle will also get to choose a bonus game from a list of three titles: Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Anthem, or Kingdom Hearts 3. 

The Division 2 will see you taking back a post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. from the corrupted powers that be, Anthem will put players in the shoes of high-powered Freelancers and their Javelin exosuits to bring balance to a world of diverse threats, and Kingdom Hearts 3 will take players on a thrilling Disney-themed adventure through the long awaited third installment in this cult-classic series. 

There’s plenty of variety here for all types of gamers — the choice is totally yours. Check out the Xbox One S 1TB Minecraft Bundle with your choice of a bonus game for $60 off at Walmart.  

Changing the world Block-by-Block

Here at Destructoid, we routinely host contests for various gaming prizes. Things like free copies of upcoming games to plush penises from Devolver Digital: Dtoid has given back to the community in small ways over the years. Those giveaways have brought some of you closer to us, for which I will always be grateful, but I was completely blown away by the story of one of our contest winners.

In November of last year, Mark Barnes Jr. entered our contest for some Pokémon-themed gear. After becoming the lucky winner, he got in touch with Wes about where to send the goodies and Wes noticed something quite peculiar. In the e-mail signature, Mark’s job description curiously read “Minecraft Consultant, UN-Habitat.” What in the world was that about?

Wes got a quick explanation about the project and passed the info onto us. Here was a guy using video games in a way that was actively helping the world out. This was an incredible story that needed to be told to a larger audience. Finding Mark’s tale fascinating, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to speak with him about the work he’s done with Mojang’s monster of a title.

First, some background. Mark Barnes Jr. was born in Tennessee in 1982. When he was two years old, his parents became Christian missionaries and moved his family to Papua New Guinea. His family was housed in a small compound smack in the middle of a mountain valley surrounded by rain forests. Along with Mark’s family, around 400 others were stationed at the compound, all filling in various roles for missionary work.

Mark’s parents were teachers at the local school there, which Mark told me was a weird way to grow up. For him, the best aspect was having many friends from different backgrounds that all had the freedom to be outside and go where they want. Some of Mark’s friends came from Australia, England, Ireland, India, South America, Belgium, and New Zealand. Due to the school being small, everyone knew each other and was relatively close-knit.

Living at a missionary compound, Mark’s childhood was rarely boring. At five years old, he got to watch a tribal battle commence across a ravine from the base. When the police had come to break up that fight and deployed tear gas, it actually blew into the compound and gassed the entire place. Mark recalls other bizarre things that happened to him, but states, “When I try to explain them to other people, they’re utterly baffled.” For him, it was normal – that was all he had ever known.

Having lived at that compound until he graduated high school, Mark was surrounded by people who wanted to help the outside world. This fueled his desire to find a career that would allow him to do the same. As he puts it, “I was brought up by people who took their toddler and baby to the other side of the globe to help people.” His mother’s parents did the exact same thing. To him, the only course of action was to enter a field that would let him give back to others.

To that end, Mark became a teacher. His Minecraft consulting days weren’t something he originally envisioned happening. For the most part, he had entered teaching to let others excel in the world. “I feel really good,” Mark states, “when I give people the tools they need to succeed at something. To me, that’s always been more motivating than a financial reward.” It was a chance opportunity that his friend introduced Mark to a role which would get him involved with Minecraft.

While studying for her master’s degree in urban planning, Mark’s friend brought his attention to a position at the United Nations related to her field. It was titled the Block-by-Block Program. This program involved a branch of the UN that focused on using models constructed in Minecraft to improve living conditions for people around the world. Their core focus was dealing with concerns around housing, access to drinking water, security, sanitation, and other problems plaguing impoverished countries. Since Mark had been a big fan of Minecraft since around 2008, his friend urged him to apply.

The Block-by-Block Program began in 2012 with the goal of integrating Minecraft into the public space to get community members more involved. With Minecraft‘s ease of use, members of communities that were often ignored would be able to have their voices heard with regards to public reformation. It was also a cost-effective way to visualize changes in a three-dimensional space and allowed for rapid sharing of ideas. It’s far easier to build and destroy something in Minecraft than real life.

The initial job was situated in The Solomon Islands, which was a perfect fit for Mark. Since he had grown up not far from there, it was only natural that Mark would be inclined to put his name in. Despite not thinking he had a chance, Mark was accepted for the job and would soon begin his life of helping people through Minecraft.

Mark came into the program in 2014 as a consultant. For each job, his task would begin after a project was planned out and initiated. The UN-Habitat would send him and an urban planner to different communities and begin teaching the inhabitants how to play Minecraft. Mark would also give some feedback about the various models they were making while the workshop was underway. After the workshops were finished, Mark would generate a final model of the town and write out a report explaining the outcome so that architects and urban planners could draw out blueprints. From there, these blueprints were then used to construct actual buildings, a bit that blows Mark’s mind.

As Mark told me, “Because Minecraft is so easy to learn, even people who have never used a computer can complete a model in just a few days. It levels the playing field and allows everyone to have a part in the design process without being talked over or ignored.” One of the biggest concerns for various reconstruction efforts is getting feedback from women and children at a public forum. Various communities discourage them from voicing their opinions, but Block-by-Block allows these people to be heard without getting ignored or talked over.

Over the course of the last four years, Mark has conducted workshops in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands. Mark recounted a particularly powerful moment that happened during his visit to Bangladesh. “I saw an older lady who had never used a computer in her life learn to play Minecraft. I hope I never forget the look on her face – joy, amazement, and pride all at once.” As he said, that is an accurate description of how it made him feel.

Another story he shared with me from Bangladesh was about a group of individuals from the slums. These were people that had virtually nothing to call their own. One man even had a leg injury and needed a cane just to walk. Each individual showed up on time every day to collaborate at the workshop and improve their community. “That’s powerful,” Mark said, “and it’s really inspiring to watch and help in whatever small way I can.”

When traveling to other countries, Mark tries to learn basic phrases so he can communicate better. He typically starts with thank you in an effort to congratulate these people for making the effort. During his trip to Bangladesh, Mark’s workshop partner explained that in Bangladeshi culture, it’s not customary for people to express gratitude unless someone does something incredibly important to them. At the end of each workshop, the various participants would approach Mark to shake his hand and thank him. As Mark told me, “I was fighting back tears the whole time.”

As well as being overwhelmed from how thankful these citizens were, Mark could be conjuring up his past experiences with video games. As any kid of the ’90s will tell you, growing up playing video games usually resulted in someone shouting “They’ll rot your brain,” or, “You’re wasting your time!” It’s even hard not to think that with modern titles, some of which seem positioned to drain your wallet more than stimulate any part of your brain. “Growing up, I always felt this twinge of guilt over how much I loved video games,” Mark told me.

When finishing off his English degree and starting work as a teacher, Mark began to see the power that this medium holds. “I started to realize that games had a lot of power for education and communication. Games are incredibly powerful tools, and I think that those of us who love games understand that on a fundamental level.” Seeing Minecraft shape and improve communities around the world hammered that notion home for Mark. Taking that 3D, abstract model and bringing it to life is something that, as Mark puts it, “is indescribably cool.”

While the Block-by-Block Program is unlikely to shift away from Minecraft and use other games, Mark has seen other instances where gaming has had an impact on real-world cities. “One guy I talked to works for a youth climate change activism group,” Mark explains, “and they use SimCity to model local pollution and get kids to look for ways to solve pollution problems. Gamers are creative people and I think that we’re only scratching the surface of ways that games can be used to make a positive difference in the world.”

That positive force doesn’t seem to be running out of steam, either. Mark explained how the response to Block-by-Block has been fairly positive. Since the UN-Habitat doesn’t come to other countries uninvited, communities need to make a formal request to have consultants like Mark come and visit their area. Because of making that request, there typically is very little (if any) pushback from local governments. A change in regime or stuck-up leadership might occasionally cause some conflicts, but most of the citizens are overjoyed to have the chance at fixing their residence.

At present, Mark’s contract with the UN has expired. This means that until he is needed by the UN-Habitat again, he is no longer involved with the Block-by-Block Program. He hasn’t forgotten about his time there and even has a blog dedicated to chronicling his workshops in different countries. While there was an absence of updates due to Mark pursuing a graduate degree, he is looking to leave his teaching job in the spring and resume updating the blog with stories left untold.

Mark might not have had an average upbringing, but his passion for helping others has led to one of the most unbelievable stories involving gaming I’ve ever heard. He may never return to Block-by-Block, but the good he has done with it is likely to stay with him forever. To Mark and everyone at the UN-Habitat, I salute you for being such a force of goodwill in this world. Hopefully, your remarkable story will inspire others to stick with this hobby, since it does truly matter.

If you’d like to contribute a donation to the Block-by-Block Program or even donate your own time, you can head over to this page for more information on how to help.

Inside Xbox announced Minecraft coming to the Xbox Game Pass and Halo: Master Chief Collection coming to PC and Steam. Halo Reach will be added to the Master Chief Collection and will be the first game available for PC players. Along with gaming news, we got a first look at the Phantom White Special Edition controller and Project xCloud, a game-streaming technology that will allow you to choose where and how you play your Xbox Games. Public testing will start later this year.

Can’t get enough Minecraft? You’re in luck! Ahead of Emerald City Comic Con 2019, Newsweek can exclusively reveal that Dark Horse, Mojang AB and Microsoft have teamed up for a new comic anthology set in the world of the smash-hit sandbox game. Minecraft: Stories from the Overworld is set to go on sale October 15.

Here’s the official lowdown, straight from the (Dark) Horse’s mouth:

“With tales of Witch and Pillager rivals finding common ground, a heartless griefer who bit off more than they could chew, and valiant heroes new (or not!) to the Overworld, Minecraft: Stories from the Overworld tells tales that span the world of the beloved game. Featuring stories from star writers Hope Larson (Batgirl), Kevin Panetta (Zodiac Starforce, Bloom), Rafer Roberts (Modern Fantasy, Grumble), and Ryan North (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl) and exciting artists Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie), Jenn St-Onge (Nancy Drew), Stephen McCranie (Space Boy) and more, this collection brings together stories from all Realms, leaving no block unturned!”

The 88-page anthology is available to pre-order now from Amazon, TFAW, Barnes & Noble and your friendly neighborhood comic shop. Check out an exclusive first look at the cover, featuring art by Cyarin, below:

‘Minecraft: Stories from the Overworld’ tells tales that span the world of the beloved game. The anthology hits stores October 15. Cover art by Cyarin.DARK HORSERELATED STORIES

But Minecraft fans can visit the Overworld well before October. Dark Horse, Mojang AB and Microsoft will also release a Free Comic Book Day offering with a Minecraft story on May 4. Just a month later, on June 4, Minecraft Volume One will hit comic store shelves. The series follows the story of Tyler, a kid who grows closer to Minecraft buddies when he’s suddenly uprooted from his hometown. Together, the gang embark on the Ultimate Quest: a journey to the End, where they’ll take on the Ender Dragon.

Dark Horse first announced its multi-project partnership with Mojang AB and Microsoft back in September 2018.

Don’t want to wait another second for more Minecraft goodness? In case you’d forgotten, the game is available on virtually every gaming device imaginable: Mac OS, Windows, Linux, Windows Phone, iOS, Android, Amazon Kindle Fire, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, New Nintendo 3DS, Apple TV, Oculus Rift, Windows MR and Gear VR. As of last October, the game has sold more than 154 million copies, according to Statista.

The most recent installment of Inside Xbox revealed some of the most glorious news Halo fans have been waiting for – The Master Chief Collection is coming to PC. While we don’t know exactly when the collection will be making its way to the platform, we do know a few other details, including the fact that it will also be available on Steam. According to Valve founder Gabe Newell, however, the credit should go entirely to Xboss Phil Spencer and the Microsoft team, who are apparently responsible for making Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Steam happen.

Newell has been up chipping away at fan emails recently, one of which has seemingly possibly (but probably not really) confirmed a new Half-Life game. More on that here. The one we’re here to talk about is from Reddit user ZagTheWag, who asked the Valve boss if it was a simple process of working with 343 Industries and Microsoft to get Halo on Steam. To this, Newell said, “The credit for this goes to Phil Spencer and his team at MS. They made it happen, so, yes, it was simple for us.”

Speaking to PC Gamer recently, Spencer noted that Microsoft is venturing more into the realm of PC gaming in 2019. “We know we have to move forward, informed by our past, with the unique wants, needs and challenges of the PC player at the center of decisions we make,” he said. “I know we’ve talked quite a bit over time about what we want to deliver for the player on PC, but at E3 this year, and throughout 2019, you’ll begin to see where we’ve been investing to deliver across Store, services, in Windows and in great games. It’s just the beginning.”

What better way to really kick that movement into gear than with the Master Chief himself? As stated above, it’s unknown when The Master Chief Collection is set to arrive on Steam and the Microsoft Store, but when it does, it will be in installments. You can read more about that right here.

What do you think about this? If Phil Spencer was able to get Halo on Steam, could he work some magic on a possible Half-Life 3? Sound off in the comment section below, or hit me up over on Twitter @anarkE7!

When one kimono design tried to get a little artsy with a vibrant green “mosaic” design, it accidentally became pretty much the best piece of Minecraft merch on the market. Now it just needs an Enderman in the background and a block of TNT, and this would legitimately be the best thing to hit Minecraft since Minecraft. Even if it was accidental.

While I couldn’t find the actual source of the kimono (yeah, I was tempted to buy it), I did see this while perusing 9gag for my daily dose of WTF. It’s not just that it’s pixelated either, it’s the exact color match of the Creepers in Minecraft, and in the exact perfect design? Maybe it was an inside joke, or maybe I’m wrong and this wasn’t a mosaic line (which is what several people over on the 9gag thread mentioned), but whatever the case may be, I’ll take 10.

In other Minecraft news (in actual news), the beloved building game is officially making its way to the Xbox Game Pass on April 4th! With a rich community of entire worlds built by players, to just sitting back and building something solo with the serene sounds of the game, it’s a great time for fans to get into the game if they haven’t already. The best part? As part of the Xbox Game Pass, it’s free for members of this subscription.

How the Xbox Game Pass works is that it allows players to enjoy unlimited access to over one hundred great Xbox One and Xbox 360 titles for only $9.99 per month, including fan-favorites like including exclusives like Halo, Gears of War, and Fable. With so many games to discover and download, your Xbox experience will never be the same:

• Play games across multiple genres, from action/adventure and family favorites to shooters, sports, puzzle games, and more. And with new titles added every month, you’ll always have a wide selection of great games to choose from.
• Download games directly to your console and play online or offline in full-fidelity, without any streaming or connectivity issues. Whether it’s a new story to immerse yourself in or an old journey you’re eager to revisit, experience your games as they were intended.
• Love an Xbox One game and want to own it? Interested in an add-on or Season Pass for a title you’re playing in the Xbox Game Pass catalog? Save 20% on Xbox One game purchases and 10% on all related add-ons, but only while the base game is currently in the catalog. Xbox 360 games do not qualify for discounts.

Thoughts on the above kimono or Minecraft in general? Sound off in the comment section below, or hit me up over on Twitter @DirtyEffinHippy.

Members of Xbox’s game subscription service can dive into the mega-popular sandbox game next month.

Microsoft debuted its Xbox Game Pass subscription service in 2017, allowing players to pay one monthly price ($9.99) for unlimited access to an ever-increasing number of games (ranging from family-friendly to mature). Xbox Game Pass can easily be described as Netflix, but for games, instead of television shows and movies.

New games are added to Xbox Game Pass on a regular basis, and April will see a huge title added to the catalog. Minecraft, the sandbox building game that became a phenomenon following its official launch in 2011, will be added to Xbox Game Pass on April 4.

Minecraft on Xbox Game Pass will have all of the same features players may be familiar with from playing the game on other platforms (including the standalone release on Xbox One). That is, players will have the freedom to explore a massive in-game world, and collect resources to construct whatever their imagination can think up.

The game will support cross-platform play, allowing players to interact with others across multiple platforms — everything from PC and Switch to mobile devices (with the exception of PlayStation 4). Players will also have access to the in-game store, called the Minecraft Marketplace, where they can spend real money to purchase extra in-game content.

Minecraft is the latest family-friendly game to be added to the Xbox Game Pass catalog. Pulling from the Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One game libraries, kid-friendly games like The Lego Movie Videogame and Disneyland Adventures are available alongside mature games for adults and parents to enjoy when the kids aren’t around (recent M-rated highlights include Just Cause 4 and Shadow of the Tomb Raider).