Windows 10 Edition

Windows 10 Edition
Author(s)	Mojang AB
Platform(s)
Written in	C++
Release date	Digital - Windows Store July 29th, 2015
Rating(s)	ESRB: E10+ PEGI: 7+ DEJUS: 10
Size	81.08 - 82.21 MB
License	Proprietary software
Source code	No
Other links	Store Feedback site

Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition is an adaptation of Minecraft Pocket Edition to run on the universal Windows 10 platform. It contains the same features as in Pocket Edition with a few additions, and is also capable of running on devices such as the HoloLens.

It was announced on July 4, 2015, and a beta version was released on July 29, 2015 for £7.69, US$9.99, or €9.89 on the Windows Store. People who have purchased the PC edition of Minecraft can get the Windows 10 edition beta for free.

Development

Prior to its official announcement on the Mojang blog, various promotional videos of Minecraft running universally on the HoloLens were shown by Microsoft. A version of Minecraft running on Windows 10 was later demoed publically at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2015 convention, where Lydia Winters on a Surface Pro and a Microsoft employee on the HoloLens were both playing and interacting with the game.

At Minecon 2015, some additional insight was given into the development of the Windows 10 Edition. It was explained that due to being a universal app, it was not possible to run the Java version of Minecraft as Microsoft does not support universal apps in Java.

The beta version is still in development and utilizes the official Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Beta feedback site to provide suggestions to the game.

Gameplay

Main article: Pocket Edition Gameplay

In addition to features existing in Pocket Edition, the Windows 10 Edition also has the ability to play with up to seven players using Xbox Live and also others using Pocket Edition through Pocket Realms or local multiplayer with an update that was released shortly after the initial beta version.

Some other additional exclusive features include multiple control schemes, a player feedback feature, and the ability to record and share gameplay with Windows 10's built in GameDVR.

Other platforms

Microsoft HoloLens

Minecraft on HoloLens in "reality" mode atop a table with Lydia Winters' world at E3 2015

Jens Bergensten initially tweeted after Microsoft's Windows 10 event on January 21, 2015 that a holographic version of Minecraft was being developed. It was stated that two Minecraft projects were being made, one being "a toy" and the other being "closer to the game."

A HoloLens and a Surface Pro 3 could be seen at Microsoft's segment at the E3 2015 convention, wherein both devices demoed were running the Windows 10 Edition of Minecraft and were seamlessly playing together.

Two different playable modes were shown, one being a "wall" mode where a player can use an Xbox controller to interact and play with a conventional Minecraft world that was being projected holographically onto a wall. It is possible to resize the projection and also to fix the projection into place which allows for peering through from the left or right to get a different perspective similar to that of a window without the need of a controller. The other was a "reality" mode in which players are able to project a world in 3D atop of real-world objects such as a table without the need for a controller.

In reality mode, players are able to use voice commands and hand gestures among other features of the headset to interact with the world. It is possible to target specific areas of the map with voice commands by glimpsing towards them, for example looking directly at an object and using a command such as "lightning strike" would summon a lightning bolt relative to that area. Another example is the ability to "markup" an area by looking at an object which creates a vertical beam of light similar to Beacons. Voice commands can also be used to change the view of the world and allows for following a player with modes such as "close up" or "overview" to change how close the camera is to the player. Hand gestures such as pinching can be used to zoom into a particular area, pan around the world and also to move the world vertically.

Oculus Rift

On September 15, 2015 it was announced that Minecraft would be coming to the Oculus Rift. The version will be an adaption of the Windows 10 Edition and will contain all of its features in addition to it being in full 3D. It will be purchasable from the Windows store and the Oculus store and is set to be released this spring.

Gear VR

During the Pocket Edition livestream it was announced that Minecraft would be coming to the Gear VR. This version will contain all of the same features that will be present in the Oculus Rift version.

During Galaxy Unpacked 2016, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Minecraft would be coming to the Gear VR this year.

The Gear VR Edition of Minecraft launched on April 27 2016.