by Stone Marshall | Jan 14, 2016 | Minecraft News |
There’s an old saying about a sucker being born every minute. If you need proof, you only have to look as far as the App Store, where Minecraft Pocket Edition 2 recently stormed into the top 5.
What’s that, you say? You don’t remember hearing anything from Mojang or Microsoft about an all-new mobile Minecraft game being released? That’s because they didn’t release one. No, Minecraft Pocket Edition 2 was just another scammy app uploaded to the app store by someone looking to make a quick buck, and $10.99 less Apple’s cut, it probably wound up being quite a few quick bucks. Lots of times apps with scam-riffic names get bounced at the door. Sometimes they get discovered shortly after being approved and are unceremoniously yanked.
Minecraft Pocket Edition 2 managed to stick around in the App Store for several weeks — long enough to fool enough Minecraft-crazed iOS users into installing it that it climbed all the way up Apple’s charts to the number four spot. Apparently someone finally clued in to the fact that PE2 wasn’t an official release.
The app’s name wasn’t the only clue it was bogus. The developer’s name was also pretty suspicious: Scott Cawthorn. It’s only one letter away from being Scott Cawthon, who is far too busy printing money with his Five Nights at Freddy’s games (and donating to charities) to bother building a Minecraft ripoff. Still, you put the right name on an app and slap a familiar-looking dev on it and you’re going to fill your trap pretty fast.
Eurogamer figures they know the real name of the guy behind PE2. Ironically enough, they found his name — Viktor Todorov — on the game’s copyright screen.
Minecraft ripoff skyrocketed into the App Store’s top 5
by Stone Marshall | Jan 13, 2016 | Minecraft News |
Top 10 free and paid game apps for the iPhone and iPad in Canada for Jan. 4-10.
Top Paid iPhone Game Apps
1. Minecraft: Pocket Edition (Mojang)
2. Geometry Dash (RobTop Games AB)
3. Heads Up! (Warner Bros.)
4. Plague Inc. (Ndemic Creations)
5. Minecraft: Story Mode (Telltale Inc.)
6. Cut the Rope: Magic (ZeptoLab UK Ltd.)
7. Bloons TD 5 (Ninja Kiwi)
8. The Game of Life Classic Edition (Electronic Arts)
9. Terraria (505 Games (US), Inc.)
10. True Skate (True Axis)
Top Free iPhone Game Apps
1. Clash Royale (Supercell)
2. Geometry Dash Meltdown (RobTop Games AB)
3. Color Switch (Samuel Ratumaitavuki)
4. Candy Crush Jelly Saga (King.com Ltd.)
5. Piano Tiles 2 (Don’t Tap The White Tile 2) (Cheetah Technology Corp. Ltd.)
6. Traffic Rider (Soner Kara)
7. Mobile Strike (Epic War LLC)
8. Swing (Ketchapp)
9. Surfingers (Digital Melody Games Kitajewski I Stalewski Spolka Jawna)
10. Solitaire (Harpan LLC)
Top Paid iPad Game Apps
1. Minecraft: Pocket Edition (Mojang)
2. Geometry Dash (RobTop Games AB)
3. Minecraft: Story Mode (Telltale Inc.)
4. Escapists – Back in Prison: Survival Hunter Mini Block Game with Multiplayer (Noah Mason)
5. Cut the Rope: Magic (ZeptoLab UK Ltd.)
6. Terraria (505 Games (US) Inc.)
7. Draw a Stickman: EPIC 2 (Hitcents.com, Inc.)
8. Heads Up! (Warner Bros.)
9. Bloons TD 5 HD (Ninja Kiwi)
10. Plague Inc. (Ndemic Creations)
Top Free iPad Game Apps
1. Clash Royale (Supercell)
2. Candy Crush Jelly Saga (King.com Ltd.)
3. Geometry Dash Meltdown (RobTop Games AB)
4. LEGO Nexo Knights: Merlok 2.0 (LEGO Systems Inc.)
5. World Chef (Social Point)
6. Piano Tiles 2 (Don’t Tap The White Tile 2) (Cheetah Technology Corp. Ltd.)
7. Subway Surfers (Kiloo)
8. Sky Burger (NimbleBit LLC)
9. Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes (Electronic Arts)
10. Solitaire (Zentertain Ltd.)
Top Paid TV Game Apps
1. Galaxy on Fire: Manticore Rising (FISHLABS)
2. Beat Sports (Harmonix Games LLC)
3. Golf Pro 2016 (Inlovewith AB)
4. Does not Commute TV (Mediocre AB)
5. Riptide GP2 (Vector Unit)
6. Battle Supremacy: Evolution (Atypical Games)
7. Oceanhorn (FDG Mobile Games GbR)
8. Snowboard Party 2 (Ratrod Studio)
9. Alto’s Adventure (Snowman)
10. Dumb Ways to Die: Wire Walk (Metro Trains Melbourne Pty Ltd.)
Top Free TV Game Apps
1. Just Dance Now (Ubisoft)
2. PAC-MAN 256 – Endless Arcade Maze (BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe)
3. GT Spirit (Eden Games Mobile)
4. Crossy Road – Endless Arcade Hopper (Hipster Whale)
5. Strike! Ten Pin Bowling (Touch Mechanics)
6. Despicable Me: Minion Rush (Gameloft)
7. Asphalt 8: Airborne (Gameloft)
8. Rayman Adventures (Ubisoft)
9. Beach Buggy Racing (Vector Unit)
10. Jetpack Joyride (Halfbrick Studios)
These game apps are available from the App Store on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch or atwww.itunes.ca/appstore.
The Canadian Press
‘Minecraft: Pocket Edition’ top paid iPhone game app in Canada
by Stone Marshall | Jan 13, 2016 | Minecraft News |
If your kid has been swept up in the “Minecraft” craze, you’ve probably come to realize that resistance is futile. It isn’t only the game itself that kids obsess over. There are Minecraft YouTube videos, “Minecraft”-like games, and lots more.
Here’s the know-how you need to engage with your kid on one of the coolest games out there.
A GUIDE TO THE “MINECRAFT” GAMES BY AGE
One of the best-selling, independently developed and published video games, Minecraft immerses kids in creative thinking, geometry, and even a little geology as they build imaginative block structures. Here’s the scoop on the games that make up “Minecraft’s” offerings:
_’Minecraft,’ age 8; platforms: Linux, Mac, Windows, Xbox 360
“Minecraft” is an open-ended, exploration- and creation-focused environment. Players can create items and buildings from scratch using materials they harvest from the world around them. Given carte blanche to sculpt virtually any creation of their choice in this 3-D space, kids can try tons of possibilities while working toward simple objectives. An option to work with others on larger building projects can help kids develop collaboration skills.
_’Minecraft-Pocket Edition,’ age 8; devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
“Minecraft-Pocket Edition” is a mobile version of the popular PC game. Players can build essentially anything in this game, so long as they’re able to mine the appropriate resources.
‘Minecraft: Story Mode,’ age 10; platforms: Mac, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iPhone
Though part of the fun of “Minecraft” is creating the story as you go along, “Story Mode” offers a storyline, characters, and plot for kids who prefer a narrative. This game offers positive messages about teamwork and diplomacy, and its learning curve isn’t as steep as the original.
‘MINECRAFT’ ON YOUTUBE
Since Minecraft is a game that spans many ages – and has infinite possibilities – not all YouTube videos will be appropriate for your kid. Here’s one of our faves for young players.
‘Wonder Quest’ (for age 6+)
This YouTube program is inspired by “Minecraft,” and its central character hails from creator Joseph Garrett’s other Internet hit, Stampylonghead. The videos do an excellent job blending comedy, adventure, and quality educational content under the premise of its heroes’ efforts to thwart a villain’s plan and return a collection of gems to their town. There are even social lessons that promote cooperation, kindness, and perseverance.
GAMES LIKE ‘MINECRAFT’
Because of its complexity, mild violence, and online community, we recommend “Minecraft” for kids age 8 and up. So what if your younger kids want to play but aren’t quite ready? These games can occupy them with a very similar style, without some of the tougher stuff.
‘Blox, 3D Junior,’ age 5
With a style similar to “Lego” and “Minecraft,” this app’s 3-D creation environment empowers kids to create, encourages visual acuity, and fosters critical thinking.
‘The Robot Factory,’ by Tinybop, age 6
This exploratory app for early elementary school-age kids is tailor-made for players who love to create, design, and experience free play.
‘Toca Builders,’ age 6
“Toca Builders” offers sandbox-style play where kids can create worlds. It’s easier to pick up and play than Minecraft, and there’s no fighting or monsters.
“Hovercraft – Build Fly, Retry,” age 7
Kids can learn about physics and problem solving as they design, test, and rebuild a hovercraft.
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.
Everything you need to know about ‘Minecraft’; a guide for all ages
by Stone Marshall | Jan 12, 2016 | Minecraft News |
Admittedly it looks and moves more like a worm (it’s even partly made ofslime blocks), but hey, it’s underwater and it keeps you dry. A bit proof of concept-y, but it’s a Minecraft submarine.
Designed by Minecrafter Alex_you, the sub is constructed out of slime andredstone blocks and glass, with glowstone for lighting and pistons that actually move the cabin forward. The start/stop mechanism is operated by way of flint & tinder, as the video shows:
Looks like a bumpy ride. Still, some engineering. If you wanna give it a try yourself, a download link to the map with the submarine in it can be found here, in the video description.
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Today’s Feat of Minecraft Engineering: A Working Submarine
