Cartograph G Tutorial

Okay, like I promised, I have made a tutorial for Cartograph G since Cartograph isn't working and here it is!

Cartograph No Longer Works - Use Cartograph G Instead

Well, my discovery is that since the Beta 1.3 update in Minecraft, the applet Cartograph can no longer be used. This is presumably due to the changing save system to be more efficient, and since the developer of the applet is no longer active on the forums where he posted it. Alas! There is hope! The community has taken it into their own hands to create something new... something better. Well, I will argue that it isn't better, but Cartograph G does the same thing that Cartograph did. So, I will be posting a tutorial of Cartograph G shortly, but until then, just try to work on it yourself. Here's the download link: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=1022&t=165779.

New Minecraft Launcher

So, Beta 1.3 came out a few days ago. I feel somewhat stupid for not posting anything about it, but this will have to to. Minecraft.net has been down for most of the day. I figured it was just some maintenance or something. Well, I re-downloaded Minecraft and discovered a new launcher! That's right, a whole new launcher. I may be a little overly excited, but I do think it is pretty cool. It has the latest updates and what they fix/do. And some other basic news. The only real complaint I have is that the actual login part is almost concealed to the bottom. Its not bad though. One of my favorite things is the inclusion of the Minecraft file directory. Click options (next to login) and then click on the directory; you're there! It saves time of searching for it every time. So, thats about all I have to say about that. And for extra effect, heres a screenshot: (Click to make it bigger)

Official Minecraft App for iOS and Android

Mojang (the Minecraft company) has officailly announced that there will be iOS and Android versions of Minecraft due out later this year. This is exciting news for pretty much everybody. We don't have to deal with crappy clones anymore, and instead get the full product! Well, maybe. I expect that this won't be quite as full featured as the actual game will develop into, but it will nonetheless be a great experience. This will be what will spread Minecraft to the ends of the earth! Stay tuned, as I plan to cover this pretty much as soon as I hear about it.

Minecraft Texture Pack Tutorial (Simple & HD)

So, I threw together a quick tutorial on how to patch different graphics packs into Minecraft. Its very simple, but I hope it helps! Enjoy!

Minecraft Documentary

Well, a Minecraft Documentary is in the works... for a short preview of what it will be like, visit here: Minecraft Video Game, Documentary HD | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com.

Really, it's something that really interests me. One, I am looking to become a game programmer. Two, I am a massive fan of not only Minecraft, but Notch. So, check out the video and if you feel inclined, donate!

Minecraft Commercial?

So Notch put out a video on his blog... and the most I could make of it is that it is a really, really weird commercial for Minecraft. At least it is about Minecraft, so I enjoy it nonetheless. Make what you want of it!

How to use Minecraft Cartograph

Here is a quick video I made, basically just testing out my new system. Starting next week, the Minecraft series will be underway, so stay tuned! Anyway, this video will walk you through the installation and use of the Minecraft tool: Cartograph. Enjoy!

Minecraft Proposal!

It was bound to happen eventually, wasn't it? Some hero thought it would be a good idea to propose to his girlfriend in Minecraft. Actually, I gotta give the guy some credit, simply because he had the balls to do it. Though, there is evidence that she too was a player in Minecraft, so I have a feeling that will be a lasting relationship. Remember, the couple that games together, stays together. So here, check out the video of it!


(I am somewhat worried that the first thing heard is a Nether portal...)

The Infection that is Minecraft

Minecraft is officially an infection in my book, and I am an infecter. That is one of the most amazing things about the game, or should I say lack of game. The before it even made beta, Minecraft had almost a million downloads. Thats HUGE for an indy game. The other thing is that there was absolutely zero advertising on the part of Notch. Everyone who has downloaded it, has done so simply because of word of mouth advertising. I'm not certain, but I think thats a record. Like I was saying, Minecraft is infecting everybody. Now, most people think it looks like a crappy game when they see it. Then they play it. Then it becomes a lifestyle. This would be bad if it were anything but Minecraft... but it is Minecraft. So help out; spread the word! I know that I have gotten over ten people playing it so far, with very little effort. And they too have gotten numerous others. So, help out Notch and be sure to tell people to BUY the game!

Cartograph

So Cartograph is a small tool that someone independently developed for Minecraft. I've gotta give them props, because working with Java can be tough, especially if it involves a whole different program. Anyway, this tool will allow you to map out your world and view it in several different ways. It can be both useful and intriguing. If you play Minecraft, I suggest you check it out. You can download it here: http://www.minecraftforum.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=13134. Don't forget to download the C++ package from the page as well, as it is necessary to make it work. I've been using it for a while, and absolutely love it. So check it out! I will probably be doing a video tutorial of how to get it going in a few days. Now here's some screenshots of mine:

Minecraft Songs

Recently, I have been listening to these amazing songs about Minecraft while playing Minecraft. Made by Bobby Yarsulik, every song focuses on a different aspect of Minecraft, from redstone to slimes. They all totally fit Minecraft and their subject matter (except for the diamond song in my opinion). Here is the link to all of his songs on his channel: Click Here. And below is a video that features his biggest song, about plainly Minecraft, with an awesome picture that the video scrolls over. I really recommend listening to these songs while you're playing, or just in general. Enjoy!

Creepers

Yes, creepers are a pain. A huge pain. Anyone who has ever played Minecraft for any length of time would know that. The picture above pretty much sums them up... Really, I just wanted to share this picture with those of you who haven't found it already.

Minecraft Update is Live!

That's right! Minecraft was updated at some point today and it proves to be quite the update. There may not be a whole lot more to actually do, but one thing is for sure: Minecraft is colorful now!

Minecraft Forward Base System

When playing Minecraft, there are several different methods that are possible to make the mining experience more efficient and more... well, better. Of course, you could create your own, which is exactly what I did, and now I am going to share it with you.

Minecraft for Android

So I found this little tid-bit of info flying around the web... there is a Minecraft for Android in development. Notch is working on something for Android for sure (I'm actually testing it). But apart from Notch's work, someone else has created something rather intriguing. With this application, the user can upload a Minecraft world and explore it on their phone. Nothing more, nothing less, but still a great proof of concept. There is more to come for sure, for now though, watch the video and take a look at what Notch is working on.

Minecraft Save Glitch

Well, a few days ago, my computer crashed while playing Minecraft. No biggie, right? Not until I realized that the world that I have been working on for nearly two weeks was gone. Very gone. That was depressing. So of course, I went to the great help of the internet. After some file renaming and various other things, I got my world back. Now, some things to be aware of when a glitch like this happens:

The Yogscast Minecraft Videos

I feel as though I should share this as it is the primary means for my Minecraft vodcast inspiration. From what I've seen, these videos are the most humorous and interesting than any of the others on the web. If you can find the time to watch them, you will be in for a treat. Here is the link to their playlist on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UdEFmxRmNE&feature=BF&list=PLF60520313D07F366&index=1. All of the current videos will take some time to watch, but it is more than worth it even if you aren't a Minecraft fan.

What is Minecraft?

For those of you that don't know what Minecraft is, you need to read this. If you do already know, read it anyway. Essentially, Minecraft is pointless. That certainly doesn't mean it isn't fun, however. There are several basic materials spread around in a massive, randomly generated world that you spawn in. You spawn in the daytime, but come nighttime, you've got trouble. Once the sun goes down, monsters of all types spawn, threating your materials and your very existence. So usually you want to build a dwelling. Anyway, you gather materials and build things that will allow you to spread out and gather different materials and build better things and eventually make a massive empire. In my game, I have a main base with interconnected bases everywhere, a journey I will take you all on soon. This pretty much sums up the first three nights you will spend in Minecraft as a newbie (Click to enlarge):

One of the most amazing things about Minecraft is the worlds that it generates. They are unutterably amazing. The farther out you go, the more it generates. This pretty much goes on forever like in this video:

This can keep on going until you get to like 8 times the size of the earth's surface, which at that point the coding for the game begins imploding upon itself. Here are some screenshots from one of my worlds that I find extremely awesome: 

If you aren't interested in Minecraft by now, there is something wrong. Soon, I will post some pictures from the world that I have been building in to show some of that aspect. Also, I will eventually put up a video tour and some tutorials and of course start the vodcast.

Minecraft Character Widget for Android

I found a sweet little widget available on Android enabled devices. If you are a Minecraft fan and have some extra space on your homescreen, don't pass up this free widget. It's really simple, it cycles through pictures of characters and mobs from Minecraft. When set up, you can set how long you want each picture to last. My screenshot to the left shows four of the characters featured, but there are plenty more Also, when you tap on the picture a little menu pops up that will let you stop the cycle or skip forward (bottom right widget).It doesn't really do a whole lot, but it will definitely show your Minecraft patronage.