The next epoch is upon us! The skies are trembling, pigs are growing wings, and the nether is turning awfully cold, as Minecraft slowly crawls out of Alpha..
Minecraft will reach Beta status on December 20th, 2010.
With Beta comes a larger focus on polish and content, and we'll start early on with adding proper modding support with a stable API, and we'd love all input we can get on this from the modders out there. We'll also add some kind of non-intrusive narrative to the game to help drive the game experience early on, and to provide some kind of late game goal. There will be a bigger focus on testing and stability as well, with more time between updates.
When the game enters beta, the price will rise to 14.95 Euro (19.77 USD, 12.50 GBP).
We will also change the license to remove the line that promises all future versions of the game for free. Please note that this change only affects people who buy the game after December 20, so if you got the game during alpha, you will still get all future updates for free, despite this change. A promise is a promise.
Buying the game during beta will include all updates up until release, of course, and bug patches will be free.
Soon, you will be able to buy gift codes for Minecraft, perfectly timed for the holidays! Even better, if you buy those before December 20, accounts created from these codes will count as alpha accounts, and will receive all future updates for free.
And the next game update (with server-side inventory) is coming next week, before Beta
Merry holidays happy! :D
This is it guys. the final countdown to beta!
If this does not make the rotator, I will be resigned to NO news post EVER making the rotator from this game.
shame the only rotator one was the client release.
Anyway, yeah. beta. wow. better buy up an account while you can!
Awesome, i cant wait for the beta! :)
Although making people pay just for the beta is kind of lame....
They're still preordering the full game; they will get all versions of minecraft up until Minecraft 1.0 Gold, after which they will apparently only get bugfix patches.
Yay for having an alpha version ^^
But doesn't it screw over everyone who discovers Minecraft later on? That's going to hurt sales a bit.
hopefully they will at least get a discount or something.
Boy, am I glad to buy this in alpha last week. (Also bought it for my friends.)
good thing i got this a month ago, now i need to by it for my bro
i find the game costs alot compared to alot of other games
It dosn't cost alot, it currently costs more than you expect for whats out so far.
I'm actually surprised that it is going in Beta. I figured there would be a bit more time.
me too.....
same does any1 know WHEN the gift card will come out cuz my friend is too lazy to buy by the 20th and its a good x-mas gift lol
"late game goal" THIS is interesting. For now, when you finally craft your diamond tools, there's no more thing to do or to search for. The game is over.
Yay! hope there will be cake!
I dont really like the idea of him adding "expansion" to mine craft...
It will separate the community when he dose add something.
I have the alpha, but its still a bitch to not play a something cas your friend has not payed more $$ for a game he all ready bought.
Dont like the idea of buying the beta and not get the full game.
Also doesnt anyone mention the fact that Minecraft earned 2 Inside Gaming Awards?
I believe it was 3, actually.
Mine Craft got most original game and best indie game. But they should of also got best downloadable game and Game of the Year.
hopefully he wont make it pay as you go. i think if he is making people paythat much more it shouldnt be near beta. i expected alot more work to be done bedfore the beta and im not seeing it.
I think he's made enough progress.