# In which I pimp Minecraft **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 1, 2011, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030 "2011-01-01T06:35:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/21 "2011-01-02T21:15:03Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > Not recommend to anyone? I find that hard to believe. It wouldn’t receive _my_ recommendation. Clear now? ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/22 "2011-01-02T21:19:30Z")
I’m actually not too sanguine about the future of Minecraft. I think it’s conceptually nearly as good as it will get. This notch guy will try to make it gamier and ruin what I like most about it- that it’s not a game. I also doubt that indie game makers are able to make compelling games for the modern gamer who expects their stories to be narrated with voice acting, and their grenades to be anti-aliased x 1,000. The future of Minecraft should be to fix the bugs and help the community invent shit. This game is so buggy, it’s like the nostril of a homeless person I saw on [Nothingtoxic.com](http://Nothingtoxic.com). And I know a thing or two about bugs; I’ve played New Vegas. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/23 "2011-01-02T21:30:03Z")
> [@Walmarticus](#): > > The future of Minecraft should be to fix the bugs and help the community invent shit. This game is so buggy, it’s like the nostril of a homeless person I saw on [Nothingtoxic.com](http://Nothingtoxic.com). And I know a thing or two about bugs; I’ve played New Vegas. Again, beta. And it runs remarkably well for that. ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/24 "2011-01-02T22:06:15Z")
He can call it a beta all he wants. It isn’t according to the traditional development cycle, since it isn’t feature complete. Never mind that it’s a buggy mess, so it doesn’t even run well at all. ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/25 "2011-01-02T22:06:58Z")
which is another reason I wouldn’t much hold it against pirates. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/26 "2011-01-03T01:53:38Z")
> [@Walmarticus](#): > > I’m actually not too sanguine about the future of Minecraft. I think it’s conceptually nearly as good as it will get. This notch guy will try to make it gamier and ruin what I like most about it- that it’s not a game. I also doubt that indie game makers are able to make compelling games for the modern gamer who expects their stories to be narrated with voice acting, and their grenades to be anti-aliased x 1,000. > > The future of Minecraft should be to fix the bugs and help the community invent shit. This game is so buggy, it’s like the nostril of a homeless person I saw on [Nothingtoxic.com](http://Nothingtoxic.com). And I know a thing or two about bugs; I’ve played New Vegas. In my opinion, Notch needs to get more stuff available to make. With what’s available now, it’s amazing what can be made, and yes, there’s clearly a balance to had by all of this as well. I’d like to see Notch get with the people that make the game [Alchemy](http://www.androlib.com/android.application.zed_0xff-android-alchemy-DFtB.aspx)on the Android to come up with recipes and things that could be had. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/27 "2011-01-03T02:08:03Z")
> [@Walmarticus](#): > > I’m actually not too sanguine about the future of Minecraft. I think it’s conceptually nearly as good as it will get. My personal opinion is that Notch really doesn’t know how to make a game out of the sandbox- right now, there really isn’t a \*game \*in it. I’d frankly be very surprised if there weren’t more than two or three game studios working on their own version of Minecraft. Notch basically created a new genre of game… but I think he’s taken it just about as far as he’s going to. Any improvements before the game officially ships will be, at best, incremental. I’d love to see what a professional game company could do with the concept. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/28 "2011-01-03T02:37:54Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > It wouldn’t receive _my_ recommendation. Clear now? Clear as mud…I guess. :dubious: > [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > In my opinion, Notch needs to get more stuff available to make. With what’s available now, it’s amazing what can be made, and yes, there’s clearly. Notch has already confirmed there will be LOTS more crafting options added during the Beta phase. I also hope he makes the game easier to add user-made objects, such as custom paintings & special blocks, instead of mere texture packs which do nothing except make the game look different. (Most importantly, I hope he fixes that bug which destroys your entire world whenever the power goes out…that one’s a MAJOR problem!!) > [@Lightnin](#): > > My personal opinion is that Notch really doesn’t know how to make a game out of the sandbox- right now, there really isn’t a \*game \*in it. There is NO game…that’s the whole point. The only achievements available are the ones you create for yourself. People who get that far in, get what Minecraft’s all about; and if you don’t get it, that’s perfectly fine…there are plenty of other games on the shelf. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/29 "2011-01-03T02:42:05Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > Clear as mud…I guess. :dubious: Seriously, what is there not to understand? I didn’t like it, thus I wouldn’t recommend it to people who I generally recommend things to. > [@fuzzypickles](#): > > There is NO game…that’s the whole point. The only achievements available are the ones you create for yourself. People who get that far in, get what Minecraft’s all about; and if you don’t get it, that’s perfectly fine…there are plenty of other games on the shelf. Oh yes, the “you don’t get it” line of defense. It’s not a matter of understanding. I “get” it; I spent several hours with it. I also didn’t like it. It’s cool that you “get” and enjoy it though! ---
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/30 "2011-01-03T02:51:27Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > There is NO game…that’s the whole point. The only achievements available are the ones you create for yourself. People who get that far in, get what Minecraft’s all about; and if you don’t get it, that’s perfectly fine…there are plenty of other games on the shelf. If the game is supposed to be about nothing, why does Notch keep talking about all of the gameplay modes he’s going to add? When people say Minecraft isn’t a game, they don’t mean there isn’t a goal. They mean nothing happens. It isn’t a sandbox chaos engine like people want, such as The Sims or Dwarf Fortress or Grand Theft Auto. It’s equivalent is MSPaint. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/31 "2011-01-03T03:21:56Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Oh yes, the “you don’t get it” line of defense. It’s not a matter of understanding. I “get” it; I spent several hours with it. I also didn’t like it. It’s cool that you “get” and enjoy it though! No no no, I didn’t mean “get” as equivalent to “get it”. What I meant is exactly what you said – you understand the game well enough to know it’s not your flavor of taffy, and therefore “get it” but don’t “get” it. See what I mean? It’s akin to how I don’t “get” Frank Zappa, though I completely understand why he’s so popular and respected. However, it does make me wonder one thing – if the game’s so unimportant to you, why are continuing the argument? ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/32 "2011-01-03T03:45:36Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > It’s equivalent is MSPaint. Well jeez, when you put it that way it makes me feel a little silly. Right as you may be. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/33 "2011-01-03T04:12:15Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > However, it does make me wonder one thing – if the game’s so unimportant to you, why are continuing the argument? Because the “argument” ceased to be about the game several posts ago. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/34 "2011-01-03T04:49:06Z")
To me, this game is about establishing a beachhead into a brutal yet fair world. You start with nothing, build your camp, farm resources, then check the countryside and repeat. Okay, so I approach it differently from others. Sue me. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/35 "2011-01-03T06:12:11Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > To me, this game is about establishing a beachhead into a brutal yet fair world. That’s precisely how I roleplay my main world – I’m a veteran spacefighter, dungeon-diver, and all-around adventurer who’s marooned on a beautiful yet dangerous planet, all alone, except for my pet soccer ball. It’s a great way to escape the real world. > [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > Because the “argument” ceased to be about the game several posts ago. What _is_ the argument about, then? ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/36 "2011-01-03T06:58:35Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > That said, I’ve told a few friends NOT to purchase the game just yet, due to some potentially game-breaking bugs which hopefully should be ironed out in Beta. One particular friend is a recovering Sims Addict, and when I told her about this game she asked me, _“Should I be afraid?”_ My reply: _“Oh yes, be afraid. Be VERY afraid.”_ 😃 Me: Have you heard of Minecraft? Brother in Law: Yeah. Me: You played it yet? BIL: No. Me: Good. BIL: Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/37 "2011-01-03T08:13:53Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > What _is_ the argument about, then? Clarifying what “recommendation” means, since you had trouble figuring that out for yourself, in addition to making it clear that it’s okay for me to not like the game, while totally fine for you to continue enjoying it. ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/38 "2011-01-03T08:29:41Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > No no no, I didn’t mean “get” as equivalent to “get it”. What I meant is exactly what you said – you understand the game well enough to know it’s not your flavor of taffy, and therefore “get it” but don’t “get” it. See what I mean? It’s akin to how I don’t “get” Frank Zappa, though I completely understand why he’s so popular and respected. > > However, it does make me wonder one thing – if the game’s so unimportant to you, why are continuing the argument? He get’s it, but not _into_ it. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/39 "2011-01-03T10:50:13Z")
> [@Palooka](#): > > The problem with Minecraft is, when you get down to it, there is no game in that game. It’s nearly 100% sandbox which gets boring pretty damn quickly. well…to each his own, I suppose. I’m still having a blast in survival mode. There is a game in there. I’ve had two really good maps. Both times the real fun came from struggling to build what I want while night and creepers tried to keep me from it. And yeah, for me, it was a challenge. Both times I picked building sites a decent distance from my spawn. I’d establish a safe cave somewhere near the spawn and then spend my days racing to the build sites, trying to get done what I could, then racing back to my safe cave to spend the night. I’m still enjoying beta survival. /FWIW, I also loved DF and the Sims ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030/40 "2011-01-03T16:27:38Z")
I think nights in survival mode are far too easy. All you have to do is dig a 3 block hole and cap it. I think daytime, when creepers linger, is far more challenging. Skeletons are the only mob I have trouble with. Everything else I can stab at atop a couple blocks and they can’t get near me. First thing I do when I encounter a mob is stack a couple blocks. Also, I’m kinda bummed 'cause my game crashes whenever I try to go into the nether. I’ve still never been. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-i-pimp-minecraft/566030.md?page=3)