Minecraft Can Now be Used to Model and Print Objects via 3D Printer(minecraftprint.com) |
Minecraft Can Now be Used to Model and Print Objects via 3D Printer(minecraftprint.com) |
I don't know anything about it, only that it sounds like something that absorbs an unlimited amount of your free time and allows you to implement CPUs, programmable logic, and now 3D printer models.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z98iFceC0zY
Also there's an editor called mcedit that you can extend with python. For example I wrote a little script to trace caves and fill them with dirt.
I couldn't give the game a stronger recommendation.
I look at Minecraft as a good entry point for video game development. The modding community is huge, and getting larger now that Mojang is officially creating an API for modding. Also, because it is so transparent; the original map was nested folders (which is where converting to a 3D printer is so 'easy'). Logic-wise, its not built to make processors, the logic is slow. The aforementioned book would be a better suitable candidate for it.
But then again... I really liked Lego bricks as a child. If you weren't into that then it might not be the game for you.
On the other hand, if you are into gaming and want to experience a sandbox building game with a huge, albeit rather premature, community and lot of modding going on, give it a try, it is about 15 €. [1]
It allows a lot of creativity though.
It's a fun and creative game, even relaxing. However, sometime in the future there will be an adventure mode with NPC and a better fighting system, so it might become TOO fun for someone.
In the end, however, it depends on your personality.
You can have your own cat walking through your minecraft world.
stack level too deep (SystemStackError)e.g., chess and go hone the mind.
Minecraft could be used to hone some level of engineering thinking.
Sports hones the body and often relaxes the mind.
Guild leadership in MMOs hones the ability to lead human beings (that has no relation to the game itself though).
I like Minecraft, but I'd rather hack Lisp than play video games most of the time.
I get the impression a very large part of Minecraft is mindless worker-ant operations. Compared to, say, Portal, I feel my time is better spent with the latter- even though neither produce a tangible product or any apparent immediate benefit. (Not to mention the fact that Portal has an ending, instead of going forever)
Then there's the currency trade in most MMOs. That can be quite productive, from what I hear.