by Stone Marshall | Nov 20, 2015 | Minecraft News |
Minecraft maker Mojang has launched an online tutorial to help teach kids how to code.
It’s like a next-gen version of Logo, if you remember that.
The project, a collaboration between Mojang and Code.org, sees the player combining code snippets to accomplish tasks in a cut-down version of Minecraft.
It’s a smart idea and well laid out, so that after a series of exercises you are quickly incorporating code loops and other trickery.
By snapping together code you can command Minecraft protagonists Steve or Alex to move, harvest, plant crops, and eventually build houses or navigate a maze of explosive Creepers.
After you’re done you can then see the code version of the system you have created, showing how your work in the game’s colourful interface translates in programming language.
The project is meant to last an hour – making it perfect for classrooms.
I tried it myself and, as a barely-functioning adult with no experience of code, even I found it easy to use.
You can try it now for yourself at code.org/mc.
Now you can learn code while playing Minecraft C+ for effort.
by Stone Marshall | Nov 20, 2015 | Awesome Book News |
A “Teen Wolf” fan favourite is set to return in Season 5B of the hit MTV series. Comedian and actor Orny Adams will rejoin Tyler Posey and other cast members in the upcoming Season.
“Teen Wolf” Executive Producer Jeff Davis confirmed the casting news to Teen Wolf News, where Adams is set to reprise his role as Coach Bobby Finstock. Davis mentioned that Adams’ return to “Teen Wolf” Season 5B was supposed to be a secret. “Last I heard from publicity they didn’t want to say anything,” he said.
However, Adams’ casting news was already revealed by actress Arden Cho, who plays Kira Yukimura in the MTV series. In a Twitter message that has been deleted, Cho wrote, “Orny Adams, good seeing you today!!! Jelly you got wrapped early to celebrate your birthday!!! Have fun! Happy Birthday!”
Teen Wolf News initially reported Cho’s Twitter post as a possible error on her part. However, the actress reached out to Teen Wolf News about the incident and clarified that “it wasn’t a mistake…”
She added, “I just asked him (Jeff) also to reconfirm. I would love if you rephrase and really appreciate it because I try my best to always keep things under wrap and don’t want to spoil anything.”
Adams, who plays an economics teacher in “Teen Wolf” and Lacrosse coach, has been one of the regular characters in the MTV series. The first half of Season 5 was the first time that he has been absent from the show. It was in March when Adams announced that he won’t be joining Season 5A because of schedule conflicts, Hypable reported. He explained then that some of his prior engagements, which couldn’t be cancelled, were in conflict with “Teen Wolf” filming.
Meanwhile, apart from Adams’ return in “Teen Wolf” Season 5B, new characters will also be introduced in the upcoming season. “Teen Wolf” showrunner Jeff Davis has previously revealed that a new shapeshifter will be joining the series. The new shapeshifter, or Skinwalker, is based on an old lore from Native America and actual legends from the Navajo people indicates that the creature can transform into animals and even steal the identities of other people.
The addition of the new shapeshifter and other characters, plus Adams’ Coach Finstock’s return to the series, hints of an exciting storyline for Season 5B of MTV’s “Teen Wolf.” There’s still a few months of waiting before fans can enjoy seeing the hit series on the small screen again.
“Teen Wolf” season 5B will premiere in the U.S. on Jan. 5.
‘Teen Wolf’ Season 5B updates: Tyler Posey’s character to reunite with Lacrosse coach; Orny Adams returns
by Stone Marshall | Nov 19, 2015 | Awesome Book News |
After dealing with the classic British folklore in the first half of “Once Upon a Time” season 5, the residents of Storybrooke will be crossing paths with several characters from the Greek mythology in the second part of the season.
TVLine learned from an ABC spokesperson that Hercules and Meg will drop by Storybrooke in the 13th episode of “Once Upon a Time” season 5 titled “Labor of Love.”
The source revealed that new actor Jonathan Whitesell was tapped to play the role of Hercules for the series. Meanwhile, Meg (short for Megara) will be portrayed by “Hannibal” alum Kacey Rohl. Both actors are set to appear in one episode this season.
Hercules is known in Greek mythology as the son of the god Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, which makes him a demigod. Meg, on the other hand, is known to be a pawn of Hercules’ uncle Hades.
Last month, a spoiler from TVLine revealed that the series was on the lookout for two new characters. One is a “dashing, strapping young man who is a single-minded in his pursuit of his destiny: to be the greatest hero who ever lived,” while the other is a “plucky, 18-year-old female adventurer with a sly sense of humor and a tough, no-nonsense spirit.” These characters could fit the description of Hercules and Meg.
A separate report from TVLine also revealed that “Ally McBeal” star Greg Germann will return to the series after the winter hiatus as “The Distinguished Gentleman,” who could possibly be Hades himself.
Aside from the Greek mythology characters, “The Good Wife” actress Bailee Madison will reprise her role as the young Snow White in the hit fairy tale series in the same episode that is set to air when “Once Upon a Time” season 5B returns sometime in 2016.
‘Once Upon a Time’ season 5: Greek mythology’s Hercules, Megara to visit Storybrooke
by Stone Marshall | Nov 19, 2015 | Minecraft News |
Significant updates for Minecraft have been making the rounds amongst fans of the popular videogame series in recent days. Last week, Mojang released a snapshot of the upcoming Minecraft Update 1.9. At this time, the release date for Update 1.9 has not been confirmed. Meanwhile, 0.13.0 Beta for the Minecraft Pocket Edition is out.
New Update 1.9 Snapshot Reveals Additional Features
Under the designation 15w46a, a snapshot for Update 1.9 confirms major improvements to the gameplay.
For instance, mobs will no longer spawn on rails, powered rails, detector rails and activator rails. Also, players will be able to sprint without abruptly stopping. They can also not spawn in blocks that have buttons, tripwire hooks, pressure plates, levers, redstone torches, redstone repeaters, comparators or redstone dust.
Some issues are being addressed as well. One issue reportedly solved is an annoying bug that causes third-person view to switch over to first-person when the player’s head enters into a block.
Other fixes target boats inexplicably sinking into water, and guardians spawning in random spots. Doors now have placement sounds. Also, end portal frames will not behave like solid blocks. The redstone dust hitbox has been modified. A few loot changes will be implemented.
Rabbit sizes have been reduced by a little. Also, the creature can spawn in deserts, flower forests, taiga, mega taiga, cold taiga, ice plains, ice mountains, ice plains spikes and hills. Players will find that rabbits panic a lot faster. Additionally, rabbits will no longer place begging for food as priority over mating. A full list of new features can be found here.
Pocket Edition 0.13.0 Update Released
In the meantime, Android users have gotten a new update for the device version of Minecraft. Albeit, the so-called Pocket Edition 0.13.0 Update comes in beta form. Mojang has not said when the final update will be rolling out. Notable new features include Redstone Blocks. In this category, there are Redstone Wire, Buttons, Levers, Redstone, Tripwires, Pressure Plates, Detector Rails, Lamps and Torches.
Changes also include tweaks to the mobs. Ghasts and slimes spawn a lot faster, and skeleton will flee from wolves. Also, sheep will now fall victim to wolves. Villages will either follow or stay.
Those interested in participating with the beta can do so after signing a disclaimer agreement with Mojang. Bear in mind, that untested update may make the installed app game unstable. Players whom have never played Minecraft can easily download and install the game on their handsets for just $6.99.
– See more at: http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/59818/20151117/minecraft-update-news-new-1-9-snapshot-and-pocket-edition-0-13-beta-now-out.htm#sthash.SSxiWUPH.dpuf
Minecraft Pocket Edition 0.13 Beta Now Out, New Update 1.9 Snapshot Reveals Additional Features
by Stone Marshall | Nov 18, 2015 | Minecraft News |
LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 15: Mojang’s ‘Director of Fun’ Lydia Winters speaks about ‘Minecraft‘ during the Microsoft Xbox E3 press conference at the Galen Center on June 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The Microsoft press conference is held in conjunction with the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) which focuses on gaming systems and interactive entertainment, featuring introductions to new products and technologies (Photo : Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Pan European Game Information or PEGI recently posted that “Minecraft” Wii U Edition has been certified for release. Interestingly, Nintendo has not given an official statement on the said release.
A NeoGaf user posted a screenshot of the PEGI listing about the release of “Minecraft” Wii U Edition. It has a “7” rating, just like other console versions of “Minecraft.” It also has warning for the users stating that the game contains non-realistic violence towards the characters and the pictures and sounds from the game might be scary for children.
According to Neuro Gadget, “Minecraft” has been released to other portable platforms like “Minecraft: Pocket Edition” for smartphones and another edition for PlayStation Vita and Xbox. Unfortunately, there were no signs confirming that the game will be released for Nintendo’s Wii U. There is also no information if there will be any differences between the Wii U Edition and other platforms, but the Wii U’s game pad and stylus will definitely give the gamers nice options while building their world in the game.
While the Minecraft’s version for Xbox and PlayStation has sold millions of digital copies, the game’s Wii U version is still far from reality. When Microsoft bought Mojang, the developer said that Nintendo versions of Minecraft were still possible followed by news that “Minecraft Story Mode” was coming to Wii U. It will be the first appearance of the mega-series on any Nintendo game console.
That made “Minecraft” Wii U Edition seem possible to happen. The rating from PEGI, plus it seemed that the game would come out on Nov. 12 which was the date on PEGI’s listing. But then again, Nintendo did not mention anything about it during the most recent Nintendo Direct, as reported by iDigital Times.
Just recently, PEGI has removed the “Minecraft” Wii U listing from their website. Is it a sign that it won’t likely to happen, or does Nintendo simply want to direct users’ attention to the upcoming game “Terraria?” Maybe it’s not really ready yet or Nintendo is just saving it until after the holidays. It could be just an error on PEGI’s side. For now, gamers have to wait for Nintendo’s official statement to have their questions answered.
‘Minecraft’ Update: Minecraft Wii U Edition Classification from PEGI Removed, Leaving Gamers Hanging
