‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ Episode 8 Launch Trailer Released Alongside Season Finale

by Stone Marshall | Sep 13, 2016 | Minecraft News | 0 comments

‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ Episode 8 Launch Trailer Released Alongside Season Finale

Minecraft May Finally Be Coming To US Schools

by Stone Marshall | Sep 12, 2016 | Minecraft News | 0 comments

Shortly before the school year ended in June, 1,700 kids American kids got to do what most students can only dream of — play video games in class. No, the 100 educators that allowed this were not slacking off. They were helping Microsoft beta test a new Minecraft Education Edition, which the company plans to offer to schools across the globe within the next few weeks.

While the computer game, which challenges kids to use their imagination by building futuristic virtual worlds, has been offered in Swedish schools since 2013, it has not been widely embraced by educators elsewhere. But project director Deirdre Quarnstrom believes that this new education version, where students get to create their own stories and games, will be a huge success with both student and teachers.

Of course, the classroom version will have some differences from the traditional game you might play at home. Non-player characters, placed into the game by teachers, will provide guidance and narration, while a chalkboard will allow them to write instructions. A control panel called Classroom Mode will enable educators to grant students access to resources, monitor their location, send messages, and even teleport students to the right place should they wander off or get lost. Teachers unfamiliar with the game can select from numerous pre-created immersive lesson plans that range from exploring the Temple of Artemis to modeling biodiversity loss.

For educators concerned that bringing video games into the classroom might reduce classroom collaboration, there is a multi-player mode. Using this, students can enter other’s games and help their peers solve an issue they may be struggling with or test out new ideas.

However, while these features add more structure and allow teachers to give specific assignments, students still have complete freedom to use their imagination and creativity to program a game based on their interest, whether it’s a science-fiction movie or their favorite fantasy series. Quarnstrom says Microsoft has kept the game “pure” to ensure kids (aged 5 and above) have an authentic Minecraft experience.” The director believes that “a lot of what creates that kind of magical educational experience is the no-rules sandbox environment. Students really feel inspired to keep going and set up their own challenges, which is exactly what educators want to see.”

The students and teachers fortunate to be selected for the June beta test seem to agree. 13-year-old Elena Rezac, who built a quest-driven maze inspired by the science fiction movie,”The Maze Runner,” says that the game is “lots of fun because you can do whatever you want.” Her teacher, Steve Isaacs, approves of the game because it encourages students to be inventive. The educator says that the game’s varied choices allow every kid to find an area where he/she can succeed.

The Minecraft Education Edition that is expected to cost between $1 to $5 a student, will be launched sometime this month. Meanwhile, educators can introduce gaming to their classrooms by signing up for the beta version. While it doesn’t have all the features of the final product, it is a good way how students engage with this popular video game, without paying a dime.

Minecraft May Finally Be Coming To US Schools

‘Minecraft’ Latest News & Update: Pocket Edition Receives 0.16 Patch; What to Expect in the Update

by Stone Marshall | Sep 12, 2016 | Minecraft News | 0 comments

‘Minecraft’ Latest News & Update: Pocket Edition Receives 0.16 Patch; What to Expect in the Update

With all the great changes, it is easy to see that patch 0.16.0 offers more content to “Minecraft” PE compared to other updates which only provided minor improvements on the game’s performance and visuals.

At any rate, although there is no announcement, the update may only be exclusive to “Minecraft” Pocket Edition on Windows 10. Gamers will have to wait for more details about the 0.16 patch notes on the upcoming MineCon 2016 which will start on Sept. 24.

‘Minecraft’ Latest News & Update: Pocket Edition Receives 0.16 Patch; What to Expect in the Update

Minecraft: Story Mode’s eighth episode will end the tale on Sept. 13

by Stone Marshall | Sep 11, 2016 | Minecraft News | 0 comments

Telltale Games will release “A Journey’s End?”, the eighth and final entry in its Minecraft: Story Mode episodic adventure game, on September 13 for the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, and other platforms.

Telltale’s blog states:

So what are our heroes up against in this concluding chapter of the season? With Harper leading them to the world of the Old Builders, Jesse and crew finally have their chance to return home… but it won’t be easy, and the stakes are high. You’ll need to take on opponents in a series of gladiatorial games to win your freedom, save your friends, and maybe, just maybe, make it back to your own world!

The all-star cast gets two more new additions for Episode 8: ‘A Journey’s End?’, with Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh, Darkwing Duck) as Hadrian, the leader of the Old Builders; and Kari Wahlgren (Rick and Morty, The Fairly OddParents) as Mevia, the Enforcer.

Minecraft: Story Mode was originally announced as a five-episode game from Telltale back in the fall of 2015, but the developer decided to launch a three-episode extension in June. You can purchase those three extra “Adventure Pass” episodes for $14.99 if you already own the first episode, which is priced at $4.99

Minecraft: Story Mode’s eighth episode will end the tale on Sept. 13

‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ Episode 8 Release Date Confirmed For Next Week

by Stone Marshall | Sep 11, 2016 | Minecraft News | 0 comments

The final chapter of Minecraft: Story Mode’s first season is only a week away, Telltale Games confirmed on Wednesday, and the developers lined up two more guest stars for the eighth chapter of the episodic Minecraft adventure. And the best part of today’s announcement is that the duo, much like entire first season of Minecraft: Story Mode, should have something that appeals to both older and younger generations.

According to a press release, Telltale Games will publish the eighth episode of Minecraft: Story Mode on Sept. 13, wrapping up both the game’s first season of content and the content covered by the three-episode Adventure Pass that went on sale earlier this year. Details on the episode are relatively scarce, and there’s no trailer at this time, but Telltale did include a brief description of the season finale in today’s announcement. Here’s how the studio describes Episode 8:

In Episode 8: ‘A Journey’s End?’, with Harper leading them to the world of the Old Builders, Jesse and crew finally have their chance to return home… but it won’t be easy, and the stakes are high. You’ll need to take on opponents in a series of gladiatorial games to win your freedom, save your friends, and maybe, just maybe, make it back to your own world!

The final episode also features appearances from Jim Cummings (Darkwing Duck) and Kari Wahlgren (Rick and Morty) as newcomers Hadrian and Mevia. There’s still no word on an all-encompassing purchase for the first season, meaning you still have to purchase both the Season and Adventure passes to get all eight episodes, but at least you won’t have to wait much longer to marathon your way through Minecraft: Story Mode in one sitting.

Minecraft: Story Mode is available for PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, PS Vita, PC, iOS, Android and probably a few high-end refrigerators. The series’ eighth episode, “A Journey’s End?”, debuts Sept. 13.

‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ Episode 8 Release Date Confirmed For Next Week