Why I think it’s a perfect fit for the Vita, and why Sony have to make it happen. It could be the most practical version.
Minecraft is a absolute juggernaut of a franchise. A phenomenon in its own right. The original indie-gone-bigtime-create-what-you-want game. Created by Markus Persson, better known as “Notch” and officially released on the PC in 2011 and subsequently seeing Xbox 360 and Android/iOS versions, it has collectively sold more than 20 million copies across all platforms Whilst all the internet was recently awash with Jens Bergensten‘s comments that a PSN version depends on the exclusivity period for the Xbox, the story can be traced back to January when I found it on PlayFront.de and I then tweeted Jens myself and got no reply, hence not running a story at the time.
But with the apparent admission of an exclusivity deal, and the news that Fez’s period has expired and it could also make an appearance on PSN it just makes me think that this could happen so much sooner. And this is one that I think has a far wider appeal. And would be a perfect fit.
I lose myself for many hours sometimes on Minecraft. To be honest, I don’t play it as much as I like for a whole multitude or reasons, real life, this website and what the wife wants to watch. I can’t alsways have the monopoly on the TV these days. Otherwise I’d play this for hours at a time. Attempting to pretend I have any sort of creative expression.
But Minecraft on the PSN would be an absolute system seller, especially for me. With cross save you can take your created PS3 world with you. On the bus, on the train. To the park. Even on the sofa, whilst the wife watches Eastenders. You could carry on with your architectural masterpieces in ways not possible on other systems. And then send it back again. With cross buy, you would get two versions for the price of one, or even if it had a discount for two together. An outstanding Vita title in its own right or better with PS3.
With the touch screen and touch pad you could build and demolish at the same time. Could you imagine renovating the landscape at ease by flicking the touchpad on the back? The screen is big enough to take advantage of everything you would need to see. Accessing menus via touch and moving around the landscape, using both analogue sticks would be truly impressive.
Imagine using the cross play mechanics to play with other Vita and PS3 owners. Or even imagine using the Vita’s party chat to ensure that you and eight friends had a blast on building or destroying.
You could also edit or design your own skins for characters or blocks and share then via Near.
4J studios did an amazing job on the Xbox 360 version, and although some minor cutbacks had to be made to get it running on the 360, I’d happily take the same world size restrictions to see it on the Vita. With their experience, surely they would also be the best people to get this running too. As mentioned, there is a mobile version but this edition is very far behind in terms of current performance and it would be far better if it was a more up to date version. But even the pocket version would be a start, especially since Jens is now working on that version too and slowly bringing it upto date. But a more current edition would give the Vita an edge over the mobile devices somewhat.
The Vita needs an identity, and with 2013 seemingly filling the calendar with very welcomed indie titles, how amazing would it be if it got one of the biggest of them all. With 20 million copies sold across all platforms, half of which are across the mobile and 360 versions, there is no doubt that this sells itself, and seemingly sells platforms in the process.
