Minecraft Official Version Won't Have Delays, Set to Unleash
Minecraft 1.10 Out Soon
It was a busy September for Swedish creator Markus "Notch" Persson and fans of his indie video game originally written in Java with the leak or release of two adventure updates. October will be even busier and will culminate the years of waiting: Minecraft 1.10 will likely be sent for pre-release, and the full version will be ready days later.
Persson has announced on his Word of Notch blog site that only one or two major new features will be added to the official launch of the game that not only has a cult following but is also popular mainstream. His current plan is to get the games final feature set ready by Oct. 18 just one month before the official Minecraft launch date of Nov. 18. The launch date was originally scheduled for Nov. 11.
"Me and Jens have only two more major features we want to implement before the release in November. The plan it to stop all new development on October 18, and resume them again after the release on November 18. That will give us one month to focus on just fixing bugs, cleaning up the code, and optimizing the performance to make sure the release will be as good as possible," Persson said Sept. 28.
Although the game is still currently in "beta," Mojang, the video game developer founded by Persson, has already sold more than
3.65 million copies of Minecraft Beta, which has been continually updated and patched since the release of the initial version in December.
Versions for Android and Sony Xperia Play have been released. Versions for Apple's iOS and Microsoft Xbox 360 with Kinekt support are also slated for release this year.
The game is focused on creativity and building, allowing players to build models out of textured cubes in a 3D world.
Mojang developer Jens Bergensten leaked pre-release versions of Minecraft 1.8 and Minecraft 1.9 adventure updates via Twitter in September.
Included in Minecraft 1.9 are new mobs, including a Snow Golem and a Mooshrum Cow. As with prior pre-release versions, the leak will likely be buggy and will be more appropriate for expert players.
The Minecraft 1.8 adventure update is packed with new adventure elements including villages, dungeons, and new terrain plus a new "creative mode" that allows players to create constructions on a truly massive scale. The bug-free and full version of Minecraft 1.8 is available for download through the Minecraft launcher.
A Minecraft convention will be held on Nov. 18 to 29, at Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. The event will include the official launch of Minecraft; keynote speeches, including one by Persson; building and costume contests; Minecraft-themed breakout classes; exhibits by gaming and Minecraft-related companies; and commemorative merchandise. All MineCon attendees will receive a a free cloak, code to unlock Alpha versions of Mojang's other upcoming game,Scrolls, as well as an additional non-Mojang game, Cobalt.