Minecraft

Minecraft: Caves & Cliffs Update Coming Summer 2021

Since the last two posts have been about Minecraft, I figured why stop there? Check out the embedded video by xisumavoid to see what's in the next Minecraft update called the Caves & Cliffs Update. If you want to stay up to date with Minecraft news, his channel is definitely one of the best Minecraft channels to watch. This update enhances cave generation and adds a couple new biomes and blocks to them, including copper. There are also two new mobs you'll find in them, one is hostile, while the other is friendly. The former is blind and can only detect your movement. There are new blocks that will detect movement, even allowing for "wireless" Redstone. The latter... Read All

"I've Got A Bone" - Dan Bull

Now that it's October, Halloween season can begin!

This song has a fun "This Is Halloween" type vibe to it and I just thought I'd share!

Get Minecraft For Windows 10 For Free Until April 20th, 2020

If you bought Minecraft: Java Edition before October 19th, 2018 you can get the Windows 10 Edition for free! Hurry, this offer ends on April 20th, 2020! I think this is pretty important news, so I'm sharing it here. I think the offer expired some time ago, but it's back once again. If you have not yet taken advantage of this opportunity, I pretty much strongly recommend you do so. This version of Minecraft is called the "Bedrock Edition." It's the same game that is on consoles, (Switch, PS4, XBox One), Android/IOS phones and tablets and more. This also means that cross-play is a feature. Perhaps one of the best parts about the Bedrock Edition is performance. This... Read All

Shaders Make Minecraft Beautiful!

Wow, shaders really make Minecraft beautiful! If you haven't tried them, you're missing out. I've embedded a video that shows off some different ones. Beware that some shaders may require high-end hardware, but there are also some for low-end hardware, too (check out https://youtu.be/swOAdaTN770). You may want to look for information on the web about the various settings in each shader, some shaders have different presets you can use, which don't require you to change any settings. Otherwise, just play around with the different settings and see what looks and performs best for you.

I don't know if this applies to all shaders, but at least some of them require you to... Read All Wow, shaders really make Minecraft beautiful! If you haven't tried them, you're missing out. I've embedded a video that shows off some different ones. Beware that some shaders may require high-end hardware, but there are also some for low-end hardware, too (check out https://youtu.be/swOAdaTN770). You may want to look for information on the web about the various settings in each shader, some shaders have different presets you can use, which don't require you to change any settings. Otherwise, just play around with the different settings and see what looks and performs best for you.

I don't know if this applies to all shaders, but at least some of them require you to install Optifine. If you're running Minecraft on a computer, you should be using Optifine anyway. It comes with a lot of features that help the game look and perform better. Optifine doesn't work with snapshots, so if you want to try it out, you'll have to check Optifine's versions to see which Minecraft versions are compatible. You can check it out at https://optifine.net/downloads. Installation is easy. Download whatever version and wait for the "skip" option to appear in the top right side of the page (if you're using an Adblocker, you won't see an ad, just a banner). You'll download a .jar file, which requires that you have Java installed. Once all that's done, double click on the Optifine file and click "install" and it'll be installed quickly. You'll need to select the Optifine profile next to the "Play" button on the Launcher. Then, when in Minecraft, go to your video settings and check out all the options.

I decided to check out Sildur's Vibrant Shaders and it makes Minecraft look amazing! One quick tip I have for you is to turn off Vsync. I usually have Vsync on, because I don't like screen tearing, but I don't notice it in Minecraft unless I'm move the mouse really fast to see if I can see any screen tearing. Turning off Vsync will unlock your FPS potential, instead of limiting it. With the setting on, I was able to get 60 FPS (for my 60hz monitor), but it averaged about 40-50FPS sometimes, which I think is still playable. I turned Vsync off and now I'm seeing an average of abut 100 FPS.

Have you tried it out? Do you have a favorite shader pack? Are you using Optifinet? Feel free to let me know. If you want help, I can try to do that, too.

Minecraft To Get Ray Tracing

It looks like Ray Tracing is coming to Minecraft. According to an article (https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/render-dragon-and-nvidia-ray-tracing), Ray Tracing will come to Minecraft next year. The video trailer says "Windows 10," so I'm not sure whether or not that means it's coming to the Java Edition or just the Windows 10 Bedrock Edition. Check out the embedded video. It looks beautiful!

This actually makes me regret that I did not recently buy an RTX GPU. Part of that decision was because not a lot of games feature Ray Tracing yet, so it didn't seem like a technology I really cared about at the time. That part of the decision still holds true, although this... Read All

Minecraft The Essential Guide Book Review

jdodson gives this a solid "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

jdodson gives this a "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

As Minecraft is now one of the most influental and popular games of the last decade it made sense that someone would make a book about it. In fact a ton of books have been written about Minecraft but the one that I saw sold in stores and advertised the most is Scholastic's 2014 "Minecraft The Essential Guide." It's priced right for it's audience and at $7.99 it's an impulse buy for anyone curious about what the game is. So many copies of this book have been sold that I found it used at a second hand thrift store for $3. Since I own a few video game guides and this one is the right kind of pocket sized hardback in great condition, purchasing it seemed like the right... Read All As Minecraft is now one of the most influental and popular games of the last decade it made sense that someone would make a book about it. In fact a ton of books have been written about Minecraft but the one that I saw sold in stores and advertised the most is Scholastic's 2014 "Minecraft The Essential Guide." It's priced right for it's audience and at $7.99 it's an impulse buy for anyone curious about what the game is. So many copies of this book have been sold that I found it used at a second hand thrift store for $3. Since I own a few video game guides and this one is the right kind of pocket sized hardback in great condition, purchasing it seemed like the right thing to do.

If you've played Minecraft for a while now nothing in this book will be new to you. In fact, it's already aged as there are things in Minecraft the guide doesn't cover. That said, if you like collecting stuff about the games you love then this will be a fun romp through the high points of Minecraft. The book has a brief history of Minecraft and contains a really good primer on how to get in and play the game quickly. It even features sections by Paul Soares Jr, Notch and Jeb that really light up the book with a bigger context to the history of the game and some of it's biggest players. For Mincrafters like me that haven't memorized every recipe, it's nice to have this guide tell you but obviously an Internet search could yield the same result. Still, it's nice to have it all in this little book and if the Internet goes out and you HAVE to play Minecraft and need to craft a bucket this is a nice option.

This book is so well put together that it feels like Minecraft from the header fonts it uses that mirror the base game to how the pages are laid out. It really feels like a Minecraft field guide that you'd want if you were inside the game and I bet the kids that got this as a present loved it. The practical tips it gives are also spot on and one specifically from Paul Soares Jr. about building a house and putting a light on top of it you can see from a distance to not lose your house are super helpful.

If you love Minecraft or want to get a fun gift for someone this book hits the sweet spot at $7.99. But if you don't like Minecraft or the thought of owning some dead trees turned into a physical book isn't your thing, skip it.

Minecraft Pro Tip (Getting Mending)

Quick overview on how to easily get Mending in Minecraft 1.14

Mending uses the EXP you gain to repair your gear

Simple method: Put a lectern next to an "unemployed" villager (see videos)

Longer method: Find a good seed with a village near spawn, recreate world until you get a librarian

Quick explanation with video: Sl1pg8r recently created an elaborate way of transporting Villlagers and changing their professions. However if you watch this video (starting at 4:09), you’ll get an extremely quick look at how to get what you want: https://youtu.be/XJrBuKckez0?t=249 For a more detailed explanation, watch the video I’ve embedded in this post. Although xisumavoid shows you... Read All Quick overview on how to easily get Mending in Minecraft 1.14

Mending uses the EXP you gain to repair your gear

Simple method: Put a lectern next to an "unemployed" villager (see videos)

Longer method: Find a good seed with a village near spawn, recreate world until you get a librarian

Quick explanation with video: Sl1pg8r recently created an elaborate way of transporting Villlagers and changing their professions. However if you watch this video (starting at 4:09), you’ll get an extremely quick look at how to get what you want: https://youtu.be/XJrBuKckez0?t=249 For a more detailed explanation, watch the video I’ve embedded in this post. Although xisumavoid shows you how to do this, I think his method is a bit more complicated than the very quick bit of video you should watch of Sl1pg8r changing a Villager’s profession to get the Librarian trade(s) he’s looking for.

Method details: Mending is perhaps one of, if not the, most valuable enchantments in the game. It’s now much easier to get! This is because version 1.14 has made it so that Villagers can now change professions and you can get them to do this easily. A lectern (https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Lectern) is a new block that will turn a Villager into a Librarian. Basically, you just need to place one next to an “unemployed” Villager. If they already have a profession, you may want to trap them and remove any Work Tables. For a full list of these visit https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Villager#Professions. When they become “unemployed,” you can then put a lectern next to them to turn them into a Librarian. Then, look at their trades and see if they’re offering what you want (like Mending). If not, pick the lectern back up and they’ll turn back into “unemployed” and put it back down. Repeat this until you get the trade you’re looking for. And that’s it! It’s incredibly simple to do now.

What is Mending? One of the enchantments recently added is called Mending, which is definitely a game changer. It uses experience gathered and repairs an item with the enchantment. From the wiki, “when an item with the enchantment is held (main hand, offhand, or armor slots), XP orbs collected will repair the item at a rate of 2 durability per XP instead of adding the XP to the player's total. If multiple items have the enchantment, one will be chosen at random for each XP orb collected, and if the chosen item does not need repair, the XP will be added to the player's total as normal, rather than choosing another item to repair.” For more details check the wiki: https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Mending

Find a good seed: One way to get Mending is to find a village that has a Librarian. This could take you forever on a normal world with the Java version. You could just create some worlds until you get a village near spawn, but there are some good seeds out there already. Luckily, I found one that contains a village near a ravine. There is also an abandoned mine shaft under the village well (seed# 105899026). For more details check the link: https://minecraftseedhq.com/ravine-village-mineshaft-seed/ *Note* Since seeds can differ between versions, you may want to look online for a seed that contains a village near spawn for the version of the game you’re running.

With a good seed: The trick is to create your new world, go to the Librarian in the village, and see what you can trade. Librarians start off offering a random enchanted book for some emeralds and a book. If the Librarian isn’t offering Mending, recreate that world until Mending is the enchanted book being offered.

Minecraft Everywhere, With Super Mario on The Wii U!

"On May 17, the Super Mario Mash-Up Pack comes to Minecraft: Wii U Edition as a free game update. After downloading the update, players who own the Minecraft: Wii U Edition digital game, which launched last December, will have immediate access to new skins, a Super Mario-themed pre-made world and a set of Super Mario-themed music and item textures."

If you were looking for one of the coolest Minecraft updates it might be coming to the Wii U. The Super Mario Mash-Up Pack is going to add a ton of really incredible Mario themed gear in Minecraft making this version pretty compelling. I imagine you can get similar stuff on the PC with mods but this comes for free and... Read All

"34.7% More Hype" Right Here for Minecraft 1.9 The Combat Update

http://static2.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/1179/11799911/3008741-minecraft.jpg

Well, it's been over a year and Mojang is almost ready to release Minecraft version 1.9. I can't recall exactly when I was aware of this new version, but I know it's been quite a while now. As far as my own personal knowledge, this is called the "Combat Update" in which we will be able to dual-wield things such as holding a torch and a sword, maybe a shield? I also know that arrows are getting the various buffs or debufffs, so if you want to heal yourself, you can make healing arrows, shoot them straight into the sky to have them hit you, and then you'll have that buff.

Recently, I found out that the latest update is finally ispre-release and is expected to be fully... Read All Well, it's been over a year and Mojang is almost ready to release Minecraft version 1.9. I can't recall exactly when I was aware of this new version, but I know it's been quite a while now. As far as my own personal knowledge, this is called the "Combat Update" in which we will be able to dual-wield things such as holding a torch and a sword, maybe a shield? I also know that arrows are getting the various buffs or debufffs, so if you want to heal yourself, you can make healing arrows, shoot them straight into the sky to have them hit you, and then you'll have that buff.

Recently, I found out that the latest update is finally ispre-release and is expected to be fully released next week (2/25). Not much of what I've learned about this new release really makes me want to jump into the game again, but it also seems as the The End is getting a new area with new things, so I think that will be cool to check out.

I've recently decided to rewatch the Minecraft tutorial "Survive and Thrive" videos by Paul Soares, Jr. I watched all of his pre-1.8 videos before I played the game. It did take a while for me to become aware of the game. Initially, my son, Vinny, was really interested in it and I even had a copy for him to play on my computer, but I hadn't played it. Once I watched Paul's videos, I decided to jump in and it's hard to describe how it made me feel. I really enjoyed it, perhaps much more than I expected. I love the music, it seems so relaxing. I also enjoyed the open world exploration, mining, and crafting parts of it along with taming animals. So, since then, I've definitely fallen in love with the game and enjoyed it. It's even become something I've looked for in other games. I have, however, not done everything in the game. Re-watching Paul's videos reminds me of the things I've missed out on like the beacon and Wither boss.

So, I'm curious what my fellow Ghosts think about this new update. Are you excited about it or are you done with the game? Are you going to jump back into the game? After I told my son, Vinny, about the new release expected to come out next week, he's been pretty excited. He asked me how I feel about it and I honestly told him that I do want to play it again when the new version is released. He wants to play together again, on a server, which I've done for us before and I may do again. One of the cool things about the game is that it bridges so many generational gaps and allows people of all ages to play together and have fun. From my experience, it's definitely been something I've enjoyed doing together with my son.

Other versions of the game are expected to receive an update, too. I'll include links to those details below. I do have the Windows 10 and Kindle Fire versions of the game, but I've come to the conclusion that, so far, the regular PC version (for me at least) is the best. I expect other versions (like the Windows 10 beta) to grow and contain everything that's included in the main version of the game, but it's disappointing to play them now knowing that some things are missing.

I'm really hoping to jump in once the new version is released and I'll be more than happy to report my experience with it here at Cheerful Ghost. :)

1.9 patch notes news: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/latest-minecraft-patch-notes-include-bug-fixes-and/1100-6434894/
"Overworld" update for Windows 10 and other versions: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-overworld-update-introduces-new-skins-re/1100-6434924/
Paul Soares, Jr.'s Minecraft "Survie and Thrive" tutorials: https://youtu.be/B36Ehzf2cxE?list=PL7326EF82122776A9

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/20/2016 at 05:24pm

Interested in dual wielding for sure. That said, not much in that Gamespot article is mentioned for content for the patch.

The full list looks to be coming next week. Oh and yes, please post your review of 1.9!

GregoPeck Super Member Post Author wrote on 03/01/2016 at 02:29pm

So, I spent some time playing with the new update and thought I'd share my initial reaction. It seems a lot has been added, so you can look at the link below for more info. I did watch a video, which covered many of the new changes. Right away, the most notable change is the combat system (hence the name "Combat Update"), although this entails more than I was expecting.

Dual-wielding is as I described in this post, which is actually helpful. If you're walking around with a sword in your main hand and a torch in your "off-hand" slot, then you can right-click to place a torch without having to switch between the sword and torch individually. You can put items in that off-hand slot by clicking on them in your inventory and pressing the “F” key. Of course, the main item you probably want there is the newly added shield.

I think I read in another article or perhaps heard in the video I watched that blocking with a sword is no longer an option, which pretty much makes sense. I think it's pretty cool, especially since a skeleton can shoot you from a distance while you run up to it to hit it with your sword. This is especially good early in the game when you don't have a bow yet. Shields can also apparently be decorated with banners.

"Attacking now has a 'cool-down' delay, making it more important to time your attacks." This basically means that if you spam the attack button (left mouse button), your attacks will do less damage. So, it's better to wait between each attack. I think this also gives you time to use your shield while waiting for that “cool-down” period.

I also noticed that the sword has a new swing mechanic or animation and hearts appear on enemies when they take damage. I'm assuming this shows how much damage they've taken. Another thing I noticed is that some of the sounds are different. I'm not sure if squids had a sound before, but they definitely do now.

They have also made additions to the End. Apparently, there are new islands you can visit, but I think you get there after defeating the Ender Dragon. They've changed that battle a bit, too, as it now attacks differently and can be re-summoned. There is apparently something else in this new area that lets you fly, which seems pretty cool.

https://mojang.com/2016/02/minecraft-19-combat-update/

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/02/2016 at 12:18am

I think a separate post outlining what is in the update might be good so others can see it.

Thanks for the update Greg!

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Now Billionaire Minecraft Creator Feels Isolated

http://static4.gamespot.com/uploads/scale_super/536/5360430/2656294-minecraft-xb1-screen07-png.jpg

Minecraft was obviously a huge hit, it's still extremely popular and a work in progress. However, things have changed a bit for the creators of Minecraft, since Mojang was sold to Microsoft for a couple billion dollars. Markus "Notch" Persson recently tweeted about how he now feels more isolated and lonely than every before, proving that money doesn't necessarily buy happiness.

I do honestly feel sorry for him a bit. I watched the documentary, so I understand his story. He was a guy that just decided to make a game and it became a huge blockbuster which really shocked him. Instead of getting super excited about it, he retracted and decided to get away from the game and... Read All

jdodson Admin wrote on 09/03/2015 at 03:21am

I've heard it's lonely at the top. I don't know if that's true from personal experience, but all us bottom dwellers might want some personal time up there to find out for ourselves. /rimshot

I think if I had a ton of money I could turn into a total douche wad. I kind of skirt around being a proper asshole and a lovable one so I think a few bucks more would make me go "full douche-tard."

That said, i'd never turn it down and would welcome wealth. Because, you know, who wouldn't? But that's a dumb way to look at it as it this wasn't just hoisted on him unwittingly. He had a few choices in the matter.

That said, I don't really feel bad for him or take joy in this. It's more like a "huh, well I guess that could be a thing if I ever get there." Which will be never so you know, that.

GregoPeck Super Member Post Author wrote on 09/03/2015 at 04:20am

Well yeah, I'd love to take the money, too! Right now I could use it to pay off my near $50k student loan debt and move out West where I really want to be. Then, I could buy a mansion, invite friends to move in or come by some time. I'd not just have this sweet PC, but I'd have one with Titans, like Notch does!

I remember times in my life (college especially) when I felt extremely lonely (even though I wasn't alone). Now I feel like I've dominated that feeling and now actually more often than not wish to be alone. I, selfishly, want the freedom to do what I want when I want and as long as I want. That especially goes for sleeping and gaming. I also don't want to feel like a social or family slave. But all of that is just how I imagine it would be (really f'ing great), but I won't know how it will be until it happens and I doubt that it ever will.

At the same time, I feel like Notch in that I don't want fame. I don't want the spotlight or even 15 minutes of fame. I don't want everyone up my tail and with their nose constantly in my face. I think it must suck to be famous, having he public eye watching your every move, writing down your every word and expressing their contrasting opinions about, becoming the hot topic on Facebook. I think i'd like to be rich, but not famous. But I'll tell you honestly, if I just got a load of money, I'm sure the first thing I'd do is pay off that student loan debt (otherwise I don't see how it'll ever be paid).