Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta Info

Discussion in 'Announcements' started by c0wg0d, Jul 28, 2015.

  1. c0wg0d

    c0wg0d Master Owner Moderator Helper VIP

    Tomorrow, Microsoft will be releasing Windows 10 for free to one billion devices. It's pretty awesome. To coincide with the release of Windows 10, Mojang is releasing a new version of Minecraft built specifically for Windows 10. Here is what you need to know.

    Will I be able to play on The Sandlot with this version of Minecraft?

    No.

    Is it free?

    Yes, it is free if you currently own the PC/Mac/Linux version of Minecraft (which all of you do, because that's what you need to play on The Sandlot). All you have to do is create a Microsoft account (if you don't have one already) and claim the game. Details on how to do that can be found here: https://mojang.com/2015/07/get-minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta-for-free/

    If you don't have the PC/Mac/Linux version of Minecraft, you can buy this new version from the Windows 10 store for $10 during the beta period.

    What's the difference between the Windows 10 Edition and the one we have now?

    The Windows 10 Edition is using the same codebase as Minecraft Pocket Edition, which works on phones and tablets. It's built using C++ instead of Java, which many people believe will have better performance for low end computers. This also means that there are not nearly as many features as the version we have now.

    If I upgrade to Windows 10, will I still be able to use the Java version of Minecraft? Can I still play on The Sandlot?

    Yes! You can still load all your same programs on Windows 10 that you had on Windows 7 or Windows 8.

    I have a Mac. Will I still be able to play Minecraft?

    Yes. I think it would be a very bad move for Microsoft to stop supporting Minecraft on Mac and Linux. Don't worry, it's not going to be discontinued.

    So c0w, what do you think about it?

    You were totally going to ask me this, I just know it...

    This is purely speculation, but I believe that with Microsoft's purchase of Mojang, they are doing everything they can to merge all these different versions of Minecraft into a single codebase that can work on all devices. I believe that eventually this new Windows 10 version (and the PE editions) will eventually get feature parity with the current Java PC version, at which point the Java version will be discontinued and we'll be using the C++ version to play Minecraft.

    So what do you think? Are you going to be upgrading to Windows 10? Do you think Microsoft has big plans for the future of Minecraft?
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2015
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  2. Kayah57

    Kayah57 Master

    I'm not sure if it would become the main version, but I could see microsoft doing this, I wouldn't like it for plugin/mod coding (I am just getting the hang of java) but I guess more modders might like it seeing as most other games are written in C++.
    Just my thoughts,

    - Kayah
     
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Kyukuro

    Kyukuro Elegant Builder of Pointy Structures Moderator Elder Helper VIP

    I saw a demo of this at Minecon (I wasn't there - I saw videos) and it looked decent, to say the least. I'm a little skeptical, though, due to my lack of experience with the Pocket Edition version of Minecraft. Some of the new features looked nice, and there is added support for a gamepad/controller.

    I have claimed my free upgrade to Windows 10, and I will most likely check out the new version of Minecraft - For no reason other than curiosity. This will definitely not be long-term for me.
     
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  4. Windows 10 - it's theoretically built by the Win 7 and Win XP team rather than the Win 8 and Win ME team, so it should be ok...but I'm not gonna upgrade day one.

    C++ Minecraft - the Mojang/Mircosoft team has clearly stated that feature parity is the goal, which suggests that MC Java updates might come more slowly (note that we are currently in one of the longest periods between major releases) as they struggle to get the C++ version up to speed.

    C++ vs Java - the big issue will be mods, and Microsoft is going to have to find a way to deal with this. Steam learned just how mods are critical. C++ is much less friendly to mods, which may allow Microsoft to monetize the mod craze, but likely kill the golden goose (IMHO).

    All that being said, what is the remaining lifespan of Minecraft. As long as the mods and updates flowed freely, MC trucked on as a juggernaut. With this possibly slowing, I suspect that MC will slowly start sputtering and stalling. At that point, Microsoft will have to make a decision...and Microsoft's track record on decisions makes me nervous.

    On to the bonus conspiracy front...interesting that Mojang should be hit by a DDoS attack a week before Windows 10 Minecraft Beta release...
     
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  5. RosiKun

    RosiKun Master

    This Is Why Im Sticking With Windows 7
     
  6. Albinia

    Albinia Time Lady Helper

    I have a question, and it probably has a pretty obvious answer so bear with my ignorance...

    can we still use the old version of Minecraft to play on the Sandlot, if we decide to download the new Minecraft version? Or will it somehow override the current Minecraft?
    I'm just asking this before I get stuck without Sandlot ~~
     
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  7. riggs493

    riggs493 Master

    Idk, really, I am not so sure about this. I hope that they make Minecraft have a exception and run with Java script. I love JAVA, It might make Programs flow easier, but it is a bit scary about wat @JackenKracken said... Minecraft might have it's downfall. Question: WHY cant they just have Minecraft run on JAVA instead of C++?
     
    • Like Like x 1
  8. riggs, Microsoft's goal is a multiplatform program that scales from phones and tablets to computers, for that C++ is a "superior" solution, from their standpoint. Java is quite intensive and generally more of a security threat, at least in Microsoft's view.
     
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  9. albinia, this is a wholly new type of Minecraft for the PC. It will not impact your 1.8.7 for The Sandlot. What it will do is let PE players link to your PC session and vice versa (theoretically, we'll see how it works) and also should bring XBox into the same fold.
     
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  10. Kyukuro

    Kyukuro Elegant Builder of Pointy Structures Moderator Elder Helper VIP

    Yes - There is no obligation for anyone to play the new Windows 10 version. You don't even have to get Windows 10 itself.
    If you do get Windows 10, You'll still be able to play regular Minecraft and play on Sandlot.
     
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  11. Albinia

    Albinia Time Lady Helper

    Phew. Just checking :D
     
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  12. zxmonster

    zxmonster Everything! Helper

    this sounds amazing and all - (sorry if this has already be asked in a way) but if I do get windows 10, will my whole desktop be cleared? ( if you know )
     
  13. riggs493

    riggs493 Master

    PHEW! That makes me feel better!
     
    • Like Like x 1
  14. riggs493

    riggs493 Master

    They could just have a whole separate team for it like PE. I mean, It would let the PC versions continue as normal.
     
  15. Kyukuro

    Kyukuro Elegant Builder of Pointy Structures Moderator Elder Helper VIP

    They do have a separate team for Pocket Edition. There is nothing stating that what has been stated above will actually happen. It's purely speculation.
     
  16. bizarr0

    bizarr0 Master Moderator Elder VIP

    I've been using Windows 10 since Tech Preview 1 and using Minecraft on it. It's been working fine. Any issues I had were with the Windows beta OS, not Minecraft. When I read about the Windows 10 edition of Minecraft and that it was equivalent to the pocket edition, I doubted that I would even use it. The PC/Mac/Linux edition is just too feature rich for me to play the Windows 10 edition. The lack of feature parity is why I don't play the Xbox version of Minecraft very much anymore. Now, if they do bring feature parity and there's a good speed improvement, then sure, I'll switch over(as long as it works with Sandlot, otherwise, no bueno.). I plan to download it and give it a spin when it becomes available(which I hear is now) but if it's like playing on my phone or tablet, eh... no thanks.

    For those curious, I do recommend Windows 10 over Windows 8/8.1 if you have it. Windows 10 should have been the successor of Windows 7. Windows 10 works great on FreakyFaxon's computer and her computer came out when Windows 7 had just been released.

    biz
     
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  17. riggs493

    riggs493 Master

    Will Windows 10 interfere with my other games that run on Java or Lua?
     
  18. bizarr0

    bizarr0 Master Moderator Elder VIP

    I haven't seen anything issues so far with things that require java. I have not used Lua, so I can't comment on that.
     
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  19. camerongrace10

    camerongrace10 Artisan Helper

    If it is going to be like Pocket Edition I hope they don't change PvP mechanics to pocket edition PvP. That would be bad.
     
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  20. zilory

    zilory Watching the days go by Elder Helper

    I had read that Windows 10 auto updates may interfere with some video cards by replacing drivers and even causing games to freeze /crash. And the Microsoft "fix" was a program which allowed users to uninstall problematic drivers /updates that were automatically installed rather than to give users the option to manually choose to allow the update in the first place - the obvious problem being one can't uninstall a problematic update if ones computer is not working. And this assumes users can figure out which update caused the problem. Does anyone have additional information or experience with this ? It was not clear if this problem only affect certain games or if it is related solely to the video card and affects all games (and so far I've only read of this problem with Nvidia graphic cards).