Kalgoorlie-Boulder will be launched in the virtual world of Minecraft from Sunday when gamers will be able roam the streets and recreate the Goldfields’ capital.
The game, which has been developed by MineCrux co-producers Tim Neeson and Aidan Stevens as a tribute to the 125th anniversary of the founding of the city, will see players spawn in the virtual shed of the 331 Ideas Hub in Hannan Street.
After spawning, approved players will be able to build on a two-dimensional template which has been brought into the game by the developers who have superimposed maps, data and images of the city.
Other gamers will be able to enter the world and explore the city as the game begins to take a three-dimensional shape.
Mr Stevens — who has spent more than two years developing the virtual world — said he was looking forward to the official launch.
“I’ve spent months and months on this project and it is going to be amazing once it’s finally out to the public,” he said.
“The whole Kalgoorlie map in the world of Minecraft is about 700 million blocks so it’s a big project.”
Mr Neeson said once the world had become established, MineCrux would begin allowing access to other players.
“We just need to vet the builders and we want to build up young administrators who can then facilitate and mentor and work with other kids as they come into the world,” he said.
“Once we are confident with where it is going and we have got enough players who can vouch for other players it will be opened up to the rest of the world.
“It is giving people communication and design tools to be part of growing this town which has been shrinking for a long time.”
A launch party will be held at the 331 Ideas Hub on Sunday from 9am where budding gamers and administrators will be approved for the game.
Entry is by gold-coin donation with food provided and an IP address allowing players into the world to be published at 3pm.
Read more here: https://thewest.com.au/news/kalgoorlie-miner/kalgoorlie-boulder-joins-minecraft-virtual-reality-world-ng-b88885938z