Minecraft stays strong after 10 years with 112 million players per month
Minecraft stays dominant in the video game industry with 112 million players per month, even though 10 years have passed since it launched. The game's wide availability contributed to the achievement, but making the milestone more impressive is that it is not free-to-play, unlike today's standard-bearers.
Facebook taps Minecraft as training ground for next stage of A.I.
Facebook researchers have chosen Minecraft as the training environment for the next stage of artificial intelligence. A.I. assistants are currently limited to performing one task well, but the game may help create a generalist A.I. that is capable of carrying out different kinds of activities.
Minecraft Earth beta rolls out for Android with feature not found in iOS version
The Minecraft Earth closed beta is now available for invited Android players, starting in Seattle, London, Tokyo, Stockholm, and Mexico City. To make up for the delayed beta release on Android compared to the iOS version, the Android beta will offer a feature that is currently not available on iOS.
Bees are all the buzz in the latest Minecraft Java Edition update
The latest Minecraft: Java Edition update added bees and honey to a trio of biomes. Please don't agitate the bees, as they have important work to do. Beekeeping work in Minecraft sounds both fun and educational, and you will reap the rewards for being a gracious and helpful host.
Minecraft, Watch Dogs, Call of Duty boost ray-traced games list to a handful
Nvidia has partnered with a number of game developers to push ray tracing technology into a handful of new games, showcased at Gamescom 2019. The list now includes Minecraft, Watch Dogs: Legion, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and Synced: Off-Planet, as well as a new Metro: Exodus DLC.
Go all-digital and get three games with this Prime Day Xbox One deal
Amazon is currently offering the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition with three game vouchers and an extra controller for just $200. The console itself typically costs more than that price, and it is identical to the standard Xbox One S but with the standard disc drive removed from the front.
Minecraft Earth closed beta launches on iOS first: Here’s how to sign up
The Minecraft Earth closed beta will launch this month for the iOS, with the Android version to follow soon. Players who would like to participate as testers will still be able to sign up, and if chosen, they will be required to play the game at least once every seven days or they will lose their spot.
Digital Trends Live: Alexa-enabled robot, Facebook plays poker, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, host Greg Nibler and DT Producer Adrien Warner discuss the trending tech topics of the day, including Amazon’s Alexa-enabled robot, Facebook’s A.I. beats professional poker players, a bike lane delivery robot, Minecraft Earth, and more.
Minecraft Earth gameplay debuts at WWDC with augmented reality build
During Apple's WWDC event, Mojang was given a moment to shine on stage. Two Mojang staff members grabbed their smartphones and debuted the augmented reality gameplay for Minecraft Earth, showing off building skills, multiplayer interaction, and more.
Minecraft: Story Mode will no longer be available for download on June 25
Minecraft: Story Mode Season 1 and 2 will be taken down permanently on June 25, with all episodes to no longer be available for download on that date. The game is the latest casualty of the closure of Telltale Games, which laid off most of its employees and canceled multiple titles last year.
Minecraft may be best-selling video game in history with 176 million copies sold
Minecraft has sold more than 176 million copies since it was launched 10 years ago, across all platforms where it is available. The milestone may make it the best-selling video game in history, ahead of Grand Theft Auto V and possibly also Tetris, though it is difficult to make a direct comparison.
Everything you need to know about Minecraft Earth
Minecraft Earth is the new augmented reality mobile game that uses the Minecraft engine. We've rounded up everything you need to know including the release date, features, price, phone compatibility, and more.
Minecraft Earth hands-on preview: The next big AR craze Is coming
Minecraft Earth is a new mobile augmented reality game from Microsoft that has Pokémon Go dead in its sites. The cute monster collect-them-all started the genre, but Minecraft Earth is about to prove what augmented reality can really do.
Minecraft AR teased during Microsoft Build 2019, full reveal arrives on May 17
The Vision Keynote during the first day of Microsoft Build 2019 closed out with a quick teaser of what may a big hit experience for augmented reality. The trailer showed off an upcoming Minecraft AR application that we'll hear more about later this month during the full reveal on May 17.
Streamer’s five-year hardcore Minecraft run is ended by a baby zombie
Everything must come to an end. Streamer Philza has been battling it out in Minecraft's hardcore mode, where players have only one life and the game is locked on the hard difficulty, for five years. An unfortunate encounter with a baby zombie and a stray spider ended the glorious run.
Minecraft update removes the name of its creator, Notch
Minecraft developer Mojang appears to have quietly removed most mentions of original creator Markus "Notch" Persson from the game. Persson has not been involved with development for several years, and has found himself in controversy after he posted several offensive statements on social media.
Reality shines into your ‘Minecraft’ escape via Windows Mixed Reality Flashlight
What’s great about VR is that you can get the full building experience in Minecraft given the blocky world consumes your entire view. The drawback is that you don’t have visual access to the real world without lifting the headset or completely removing the device altogether. Microsoft has a fix.
Netflix viewers control the story with interactive ‘Minecraft: Story Mode’
Netflix and Telltale Games have partnered to bring an interactive version of Minecraft: Story Mode to the movie and television streaming service. Though not a full game, it will let viewers make choices. The standard version of Minecraft: Story Mode is available on consoles, mobile, and PC.
Get your pickaxe ready: The next MineCon Earth show streams in September
Microsoft and Mojang revealed the date for the next MineCon Earth live-stream event. Taking place this September, the show will include live gameplay, discussions between Lydia Winters and community co-hosts, and more Minecraft goodness. There will also be chances to personally appear during the show.
5 romantic gestures you can make to your significant other in video games
Show your video game-playing valentine how much you care by putting in some effort with these romantic in-game activities.
Kano Computer Kit Complete Review
Our Computer Kit Complete review reveals a platform for teaching the ins and outs of computers, and how to program for those devices.
Better Together update for ‘Minecraft’ is rolling out now
Mojang has announced that the Better Together update for Minecraft is now being rolled out, but the Switch release will have to wait.
‘Minecraft’ for Xbox One finally gets mouse and keyboard support
It's been confirmed that the Better Together update for Minecraft will allow Xbox One players to utilize a keyboard and mouse control scheme.
Games for Change Awards presents its winners for 2017
Minecraft: Education Edition failed to win any awards at this year's Games for Change show, despite being a finalist in multiple categories.
‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ Season 2, Episode 1 review
‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ season 2 continues where the first season left off as a solid entry in Telltale’s canon without rocking the boat in any substantial way.
Director Ben Wheatley used ‘Minecraft’ to map out action scenes for ‘Free Fire’
Director Ben Wheatley used sets built in Minecraft to prepare to shoot the massive gunfight at the heart of his new film, Free Fire.
‘Minecraft’ builds on new Bedrock Engine for stunning 4K graphics, cross-platform play
The Bedrock Engine, a unified platform for Minecraft, will enable cross-platform play on Xbox and Nintendo Switch.
Rock out with your block out: The coolest Minecraft creations of all time
The Minecraft community is notorious for building mind-blowing worlds and structures. We run down our favorite creations and adventure maps.
Minecraft Code Builder tool now available in ‘Education Edition’
Microsoft has officially launched its Code Builder toolset for students and educators playing Minecraft: Education Edition.
Biggest-ever Lego Minecraft set (a whopping 2,863 pieces!) coming soon
Here's something to keep you quiet for many hours: Lego's biggest Minecraft set yet, with more than 2,800 pieces.
Microsoft unveils Surface Laptop, lightweight OS at education-themed press event
Microsoft held a press event in New York City on Tuesday covering five specific areas in education, and we explain what you need to know.
Microsoft enhances learning using Code Builder for ‘Minecraft’ and mixed reality
During the #MicrosoftEDU press event, Microsoft introduced Code Builder for Minecraft: Education Edition that's available now as a beta.
Nvidia issues hotfix driver addressing problems with ‘Minecraft,’ overclocking
This week, Nvidia released a hotfix driver to resolve two issues related to its GeForce graphics cards and discrete GPUs in notebooks.
Block out some class time: Minecraft Education Edition hits v1.0
Minecraft Education Edition has now hit version 1.0, which means it has The End, among other features, and some new tools for teachers.