Games

Minecraft 2: 10 things it needs

If a sequel ever happens, this is what we want to see.

Written by Damien McFerran

7 min readPublished on 02.08.2016 · 10:08 UTC

Despite Microsoft's claims to the contrary, a sequel to the smash hit Minecraft isn't so unlikely – the software giant paid a whopping $2.5 billion for Mojang, the studio behind the hit building block game, and you can bet it'll be looking to recoup the cost somehow.

With that in mind, here's everything we'd like to see in a sequel, and before you say, we're aware that some of these improvements are already available in modded editions of the game – what we're suggesting here are things we'd like to see included in the sequel as standard, from day one.

1. Make mods easier

Modding is a massive part of Minecraft's appeal, with dedicated fans creating their own texture packs and mods – some of which can drastically change the way the game plays. While seasoned users have no issues with applying such mods to their game, it would be nice for the process to be streamlined so this fascinating element of Minecraft isn't off-limits to casual players. It means potentially opening up the game more than it is already, but it would be a great way for Microsoft to win over the hordes of modders, who are perhaps still skeptical about the company's plans for the title.

2. Use Microsoft’s tools to make it even better

Before you get too worked up, we're not suggesting that Microsoft should do anything silly like try to integrate Excel support into Minecraft, what we have in mind here is something a little more practical. Microsoft already has some incredible tools at its disposal – some of the best in the business, in fact – so why not use these to improve the overall Minecraft experience? Cloud storage service SkyDrive could be utilised to effortlessly back-up your created worlds and mods, and then share them between platforms, while Skype could be used to facilitate seamless video chat between players – something Microsoft already does to a certain degree on the Xbox One. Finally, with Windows 10 bringing more of the Xbox experience to PCs, we're hoping that we'll see the company using its new operating system to embrace cross-platform play between PC and Xbox One Minecraft fans.

3. The game world should never be static

Whenever you start a new game in Minecraft a fresh world is created, and seeing what mark you can leave on that world is a huge part of the game's appeal. However, the game is still too static – things remains largely as they are until you decide to change them. To lend Minecraft 2 a greater sense of realism (well, excitement at any rate), we'd love to see the landscape evolve, shift and change as the hours tick by. Vegetation should grow if unchecked, while water could erode parts of the landscape. Random effects – earthquakes and other natural disasters, say – could also leave their mark on the world, adding a welcome sense of unpredictability to proceedings.

4. More crossover packs

We've already seen Mass Effect, Skyrim and Halo crossover packs on the Xbox 360, so why not have more mash-ups in a sequel? Microsoft buying the game means that the company can use its library of IP in the game without too much trouble; we could have Minecraft Gears of War Edition, or Minecraft Sunset Overdrive missions. Of course, it shouldn't stop at just Microsoft-owned brands; rival publishers will be falling over themselves to get into one of the hottest games of recent memory, and deals could easily be inked for a whole range of mash-ups. Imagine Minecraft packs for Final Fantasy, Grand Theft Auto and Assassin's Creed. The sky is really the limit.

5. Use it to sell HoloLens

Announced alongside Windows 10, HoloLens is Microsoft's take on the whole augmented reality concept, and could potentially revolutionise not only the way we play games, but how we interact with computers in general. However, like any piece of tech, it needs a killer app to sell it – and Minecraft 2 could be just that. Microsoft showed off a Minecraft-style game in the HoloLens presentation, and it hints at the tantalizing possibilities the headset could offer. Imagine building your world not on a flat monitor, but across your dining room table, or even over the expanse of your entire living room floor. Twinned with this amazing piece of tech, a Minecraft sequel could well present an entirely new type of video game.

Minecraft’s simplicity is one reasons it’s big
© Mojang/Microsoft

6. Realistic wet stuff

Minecraft is intentionally very basic in its representation of its world – it's made up of blocks, after all – but with the next version we'd like to see some elements get a bit of an upgrade. The most pressing of these is the way water works. There's a lot of it in the game, and while it behaves like the real thing in a very rudimentary fashion, there's scope for improvement. Right now, water simply flows downwards, but we'd like to see flooding and pooling of liquid, if only to lend the game a more convincing sense of realism.

7. Mobs should be mean, not mediocre

Mobs are a Minecraft newcomer's worst nightmare. When you're thrust into the game's survival mode unprepared and inexperienced, the last thing you want is a horde of monsters descending on your fledgling homestead, destroying all of your hard work. However, to a seasoned player mobs don't pose a massive threat anymore, so we need to give them a drastic upgrade. Let's give mobs more intelligence, more possibilites and more tactics, making them a real threat to be wary of when you're exploring the game world.

8. Spruce up the visuals

Minecraft's intentionally basic graphics are part of its charm, but there's room for improvement here. While we don't want to see Microsoft move away from the iconic blocky visuals, things like reflective surfaces, light blooms and other minor graphical enhancements would liven things up considerably. Minecraft's aesthetic simplicity is one of its selling points, but it still needs to evolve in little steps to maintain our interest.

9. Make it a more immersive, emergent experience

Remember the first time you played Minecraft and knew nothing about how the game worked? Everything felt fresh and new, and that feeling of discovery was incredible. Given the kind of processing power PCs and next-gen consoles now offer, any sequel to the game should really be trying as hard as possible to maintain that sense of joyful exploration.

Worlds could be much, much larger – and therefore hold more secrets – and Microsoft could take the next step and push the idea of emergent gameplay even further, allowing the game to create unexpected scenarios or events based on a multitude of variables. Minecraft has created a generation of wide-eyed players, and the next step is to advance the gameplay in a fashion that will keep them hooked for the next decade, and beyond.

10. Keep it cross platform

Minecraft is currently available on the PS4, PS Vita and mobile but with Microsoft taking ownership of the series, it seems inevitable that any sequel will be exclusive to the PC and Xbox One. While this makes sense from a business perspective we'd dearly love to see any sequel remain cross-platform. More players means more scope for new levels and multiplayer, and will also mean a larger user base for feedback – and maybe an even better Minecraft 3! Or just a better original Minecraft. We're easy.

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