HELP I don't get it (mine craft)

[Twilight_guy]

Minecraft wins because it (and I'm going to get hanged for this) is a level editor set to "easy, fun happy kid times" mode. It breaks level editing down to its rudimentary forma and gives the user the key to use it. This makes it significant easier and mroe fun then opening UDK, the geck, or the NWN editor and messing around and also means less asset creation and design but also gimps the whole process to such an extent that its no longer visible in its original context. Its a lobtomization of the process of level design in order to try and extract one of the most core fun parts of it. People just latched onto it like lamprey (my god, the teeth) and started treating it like crack because they could finally understand the process and make stuff without heavy technically knowledge. Now, I have to go find my flame shield as all the minecraft people are probably preparing to fire a volley of flaming arrows at me.

 

[Biodeamon]

Watch Zero Punctation's review he'll tell you why.
If you don't have the patience for 7 minutes of biting english humour then i'll tell you:most sandbox games give you all the tools and just go have fun! and leave you alone. But eventually you get bored of instant satisfaction, and you will get bored eventually. now with minecraft you actually have to work for your creation and it feels much more satisfying since you worked for it.

 

[mikecoulter]

I have never been one for creating my own games anyway, I never built my own level in LBP or designed my own campaign in any of the Civ games, but all of those games at least had a game at the core, but MC doesn't as far as I can tell, yet its being put on such a pedistle, why? creativity? They are making you guys do all the work? Keeping the fact that its an INDI company, I say again... I DON"T GET IT.

Here, watch this video series. They're fantastic. http://www.youtube.com/show?p=M-_uPjfjVzc&s=1

 

[SilentCom]

Its like giving you a blank sheet and the tools to go wild on it.

This person speaks the truth. This is basically all you need as far as an answer.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

It's fun because it uses your imagination and exploding bush penises. And if that hasn't sold it enough, mod in some planes for flying penis dog fights.

Capatcha: mouthings nonews, sounds like a pop song...

 

[killcannon71]

It's a world builder. The same people who play it play farmville and all the other non games. It's a sign of the times where the new gaming crowd is coming in. Look at angry birds, it's a game that has been around for years but someone repackages it and the least common denominator of gaming eats it up. Look who plays it, look what other games they have played in the past, and then you will know why it's so popular. Same with Minecraft, it's a poorly designed level editor, the same type of thing that's been around for years, repackage it and sell it to the same people who are playing browser games and phone apps. It's a fad and will fade in time. It's not novel, it's not a new idea, it's just accessible. So is Happy Fun Time Barbie Island Dream Maker.

You'd have to really try to top this in outright "wrongness". Look at who plays it? Look at what other games I play?

What is it about me?

What games have I played in the past?

Well you quoted me but you didn't say anything except this is wrong. How is it wrong? Angry birds players typically are not gamers, they are just bored people with phones. What do minecraft players play other than minecraft? What have they played in the past? Answer those questions and you will answer who plays minecraft. Are you a gamer with a long history of god games? strategy? fps's? Tell me minecraft is a new idea and you would be wrong, not I. It's an old idea with a shiny ribbon. So before you say this is wrong, perhaps you can say how it's wrong.

 

[theheroofaction]

It's like a 3d drawing pad, and you get to earn more pencils.

It's appeal is really for the people who have fun doodling.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Watch.


You can build whatever comes to your mind, and walk through and experience it. There's little stopping you from making it besides a bit (okay, a shitload) amount of time.

Try playing it with friends and set up your own server, it's the funnest time I've ever had.

 

[Hiphophippo]

It's a world builder. The same people who play it play farmville and all the other non games. It's a sign of the times where the new gaming crowd is coming in. Look at angry birds, it's a game that has been around for years but someone repackages it and the least common denominator of gaming eats it up. Look who plays it, look what other games they have played in the past, and then you will know why it's so popular. Same with Minecraft, it's a poorly designed level editor, the same type of thing that's been around for years, repackage it and sell it to the same people who are playing browser games and phone apps. It's a fad and will fade in time. It's not novel, it's not a new idea, it's just accessible. So is Happy Fun Time Barbie Island Dream Maker.

You'd have to really try to top this in outright "wrongness". Look at who plays it? Look at what other games I play?

What is it about me?

What games have I played in the past?

Well you quoted me but you didn't say anything except this is wrong. How is it wrong? Angry birds players typically are not gamers, they are just bored people with phones. What do minecraft players play other than minecraft? What have they played in the past? Answer those questions and you will answer who plays minecraft. Are you a gamer with a long history of god games? strategy? fps's? Tell me minecraft is a new idea and you would be wrong, not I. It's an old idea with a shiny ribbon. So before you say this is wrong, perhaps you can say how it's wrong.

My issue, really, is that you said it so contemptuously. As for my own personal history of games? My favorite games have long been anything that tries to tell a good story, regardless of the genre. With a special attention being paid to point and click adventure games. I grew up on the golden days of LucasArts and never really grew out of that. I'm missing the connection between those and Minecraft. Minecraft is popular because it's a great game. The idea of survival mode in Minecraft, while not new (and really, nothing is) is quite fresh in today's market. It might not be "new" but it's new to a ton of people.

 

[killcannon71]

It's a world builder. The same people who play it play farmville and all the other non games. It's a sign of the times where the new gaming crowd is coming in. Look at angry birds, it's a game that has been around for years but someone repackages it and the least common denominator of gaming eats it up. Look who plays it, look what other games they have played in the past, and then you will know why it's so popular. Same with Minecraft, it's a poorly designed level editor, the same type of thing that's been around for years, repackage it and sell it to the same people who are playing browser games and phone apps. It's a fad and will fade in time. It's not novel, it's not a new idea, it's just accessible. So is Happy Fun Time Barbie Island Dream Maker.

You'd have to really try to top this in outright "wrongness". Look at who plays it? Look at what other games I play?

What is it about me?

What games have I played in the past?

Well you quoted me but you didn't say anything except this is wrong. How is it wrong? Angry birds players typically are not gamers, they are just bored people with phones. What do minecraft players play other than minecraft? What have they played in the past? Answer those questions and you will answer who plays minecraft. Are you a gamer with a long history of god games? strategy? fps's? Tell me minecraft is a new idea and you would be wrong, not I. It's an old idea with a shiny ribbon. So before you say this is wrong, perhaps you can say how it's wrong.

My issue, really, is that you said it so contemptuously. As for my own personal history of games? My favorite games have long been anything that tries to tell a good story, regardless of the genre. With a special attention being paid to point and click adventure games. I grew up on the golden days of LucasArts and never really grew out of that. I'm missing the connection between those and Minecraft. Minecraft is popular because it's a great game. The idea of survival mode in Minecraft, while not new (and really, nothing is) is quite fresh in today's market. It might not be "new" but it's new to a ton of people.

I am contemptuous of the new gaming crowd and what is passing for gaming news and what is considered a game anymore. An accessible level editor isn't a game, it's an accessible level editor. Dragon Age 2 had a good story, but they phoned in the dungeons and character customization, Angry Birds is a direct rip off of other games, Zyngans are mostly tweens and housewives, and the CoD franchise is becoming the Madden of fps's. I loved the old Lucas Arts games, the same way I loved the old Black Isle games. While games are becoming more accessible, they are being dumbed down so a chimp can play them. While I don't love complexity in and of itself, I do miss the days of deep game play over ease of access. And, in my opinion, that's the only things these games bring to the table. We live in a time when consoles are capable of doing amazing things, not to mention PC's, yet what we see getting the attention in the gaming news are games like I mentioned before. Developers are starting to care less about their medium and more about their bottom line, and the less they can do and get away with and still make a buck is great by them. And meanwhile the new gamers eat it up and fund this dumbing down of gaming, and frankly it upsets me. I'm glad there are more people playing games, and I'm glad the industry is here to make some quality games, but the direction it seems we are headed in is the least common denominator, "What can we get away with while the nubs still buy it?" That's not good for anyone.

 

[Randvek]

An accessible level editor isn't a game, it's an accessible level editor.

So true. Minecraft may be a lot of fun for a lot of people, but calling it a game is stretching the definition a bit. It's like saying your favorite toy as a kid was crayons.

 

[Hiphophippo]

My issue, really, is that you said it so contemptuously. As for my own personal history of games? My favorite games have long been anything that tries to tell a good story, regardless of the genre. With a special attention being paid to point and click adventure games. I grew up on the golden days of LucasArts and never really grew out of that. I'm missing the connection between those and Minecraft. Minecraft is popular because it's a great game. The idea of survival mode in Minecraft, while not new (and really, nothing is) is quite fresh in today's market. It might not be "new" but it's new to a ton of people.

I am contemptuous of the new gaming crowd and what is passing for gaming news and what is considered a game anymore. An accessible level editor isn't a game, it's an accessible level editor. Dragon Age 2 had a good story, but they phoned in the dungeons and character customization, Angry Birds is a direct rip off of other games, Zyngans are mostly tweens and housewives, and the CoD franchise is becoming the Madden of fps's. I loved the old Lucas Arts games, the same way I loved the old Black Isle games. While games are becoming more accessible, they are being dumbed down so a chimp can play them. While I don't love complexity in and of itself, I do miss the days of deep game play over ease of access. And, in my opinion, that's the only things these games bring to the table. We live in a time when consoles are capable of doing amazing things, not to mention PC's, yet what we see getting the attention in the gaming news are games like I mentioned before. Developers are starting to care less about their medium and more about their bottom line, and the less they can do and get away with and still make a buck is great by them. And meanwhile the new gamers eat it up and fund this dumbing down of gaming, and frankly it upsets me. I'm glad there are more people playing games, and I'm glad the industry is here to make some quality games, but the direction it seems we are headed in is the least common denominator, "What can we get away with while the nubs still buy it?" That's not good for anyone.[/quote]

I'm sorry you haven't played Survival mode in minecraft. I'm sorry you think that Survival mode is a level editor (it isn't.) I'm sorry you think there are no more deep games out there. I'm sorry you think so highly of yourself that you have a problem letting people who don't normally understand games enjoy Angry Birds.

Gaming now is little different than it was years ago. All the types of games you seem to like exist in troves on PC. Just because all you hear about it seems to be bad ports and "dumbed down" console ports doesn't mean what you love doesn't exist. But I won't show it to you. If you want it bad enough you'll find it. Either that or you'll continue to hate what you don't understand because it's easier.

It's your call, really.

 

[The Last Nomad]

I get the fact that you don't like making you're own content, which is pretty much the point of the game. But there is anther way to enjoy it. I have one save file where I just do this. The world is (almost) infinite so why not just explore? keep walking in one direction and make up temporary camp at night. Don't bother sticking around anywhere for too long if your not gonna build anything. You will probably come across some really interesting scenery.

 

[Nerfherder17]

Its a good game concept, if you get it, but I stopped playing because, it took too much of my time (it has no end, it just gets better), I couldn't get online play to work properly (non legit copy made it hard)

 

[Lt. Vinciti]

It's like legos, except with walking green assholes who ruin your buildings every so often.

Siblings?


But really....Minecraft is like eLEGOs....Notch should team up w/ LEGO for Minecraft theme'd sets...would be badass tho redundant...

 

[spacewalker]

escapecraft is a good example of what can be done with this game. Fan made scenarios and levels that you can download. Apparently it is also very moddable.

 

[Torrasque]

I have never been one for creating my own games

Possible problem detected, inititaing unofficial Minecraft intro:
"My name is Notch and I'd like to ask you a question. Is a man not entitled to destroy a locked door?
No, says the man at Bethesda, you have to pick the lock!
No, says the man at Bioware, only jedi can do that!
No, says the man at Konami, you have to find a certain item first!
I rejected those answers. I chose the impossible, I chose... Minecraft.
Minecraft! The only doors are the ones you make, and if you decide you don't want them, you can always tear them down."

Four cookies if you get all th references.
In all seriousness, the fun is (in my case) giving monsters the finger as you switch on peaceful mode and freely shaping the world as you see fit. Mountains, rivers, lavaflows, slowly erased from existance if they're not wanted, replaced by whatever strikes your fancy.
Apart from that, there's the whole "people have opinions" thing, explaining how some can tolerate Ninja Gaiden and the like.

STOP! YOU HAVE VIOLATED THE LAW! PAY THE FINE OR I WILL HAVE TO TELEPATHICALLY ALERT EVERY SINGLE GUARD IN EXISTENCE OF YOUR LAW-BREAKING-NESS!
I got the other references, but am a little sleep deprived to make up jokes for them (its also been about half a century since I played kotor =/)

OP: Minecraft is an infinite canvas of endless possibilities. I have seen people make the Enterprise, Earth, and even a simple computer. I am currently working on my own glass pyramid that is 100 x 100 x 100 with a lava floor and water elevators. If you don't like to build, don't have patience, or think CoD is the best game ever, you won't enjoy Minecraft.

 

[rod_hynes]

I have never been one for creating my own games

If you don't like to build, don't have patience, or think CoD is the best game ever, you won't enjoy Minecraft.

so, those our only options? I've been watching the videos someone posted, the yogscast?

Its pretty funny when you enjoy watching a game more than playing it lol

 

[LostAlone]

It's very "make-your-own-fun". As it turns out, a lot of people like that.

It's a very, very good sandbox, but it's not really anything but a sandbox. If you don't like the whole "Here's a world, go build some shit (but we're not going to tell you what or why)" aspect, there's not much point in Minecraft.

You need the correct mindset for such a pure sandbox game, or you're not gonna enjoy it.

Yeah, I absolutely agree with you.

There's something to be said both for pure-sandbox games, and for the sheer simplicity of minecraft. It deserves respect because it did something that no-one else thought of, and let people do ANYTHING they could think of. That's an impressive thing to do, but ironically, it could only be done in a simple, objective-less world.

But its a deeply personal thing. For lots of people, minecraft has given a space for people to do stuff that previously they would only be able to do in miniature. Being able to walk through your creation is an amazing thing.

Personally though, I think Minecraft is dull . I have played it some and just ended up shrugging. Without any reason to do anything, I can't be bothered. The first few days are pretty cool, when its about surviving, desert island style, but after that, I lose interest.

Some people love to build their doom fortresses and such like, but I don't have the vision or interest to really want to bother. That's the real killer for me I think. Sure, I want a skull fortress, but I want a nation to rain fire onto. If you can't be evil, why have an evil lair ?

Its not the same as Lego, I don't care what anyone says. It's just not. Its all a real scale world, which is awesome, but I can't actually build working machines (like cars and spaceships and whatnot) so it takes most of the lego-fun out for me. With lego, you make spaceships and robots and then you suspend disbelief and make them fly and fight and stuff, but in minecraft all you can do is make fixed things. If you DO make things that do anything except sit still, it takes absurd amounts of work and scripting, and its not the same as actually making something that really moves and works.

My biggest gripe is that without a reason to make anything bigger/better/flashier I simply won't. I make a house with one big room with my table, forge and bed in, and then I'm out of stuff to do. Sure I could make a mansion, but it still doesn't achieve anything.

Thats not to say that Minecraft isn't a great idea, or that the creator is any less awesome than he is. He's made something REALLY special, and he deserves every iota of love he gets, its just not for me. I can absolutely appreciate the awesome things people build, and love to see their videos and stuff.

I just wish that there was a guiding principal with it. The addition of just a tiny bit of story line would make me love it. Some other little people who need you to build things for them maybe ? Just something to give me ideas and a reason to do something, as opposed to sitting in my house doing nothing. Just like 'build a house' or even 'build a sky scraper/giant cat/sculpture of the male sex organs'... Y'know what I mean ? Give me something to do so it feels like I'm a part of something rather than trying to satisfy an internal urge for creation that I seem to lack. To me, once its doing ts job ok, you can just stop and be fine.

 

[AtheistAndProud]

I had some of the same worries (maybe with better spelling) when I started playing.
Then I looked up, it was an hour later, and I had just built the coolest deathtrap for monsters ever.
Next time I looked up, my clock had rusted away, everything was covered in dust, and Wheatley was shouting at me to open the door.