A new version of Minecraft, which is arguably the most successful video game ever created by an indie developer, has been released today for free on the Raspberry Pi.
Built by Aron and Daniel over at Mojang, it features a revised feature set based on the Minecraft: Pocket Edition Android and iOS apps, and supports multiple programming languages straight out of the gate.
Minecraft already offers a pretty powerful creative mode, which strips away all of the game’s survival aspects and allows players to more easily create and destroy structures – thanks in no small part to the player’s ability to fly. However, with the Raspberry Pi it’s actually possible to edit the code at a base level, thereby manipulating the game in a much larger – and more raw – fashion.
“It’s like hacking your way into Minecraft and modifying the game world with code, a bit like being Notch, Jeb, or Nathan, but arguably more fun and less stressful,” Owen Hill, Chief Word Officer (CWO) at Mojang AB said on the company’s blog.
Minecraft: Pi Edition was announced back in November, and since then fans of the game have been waiting for its release with bated breath. It’s a lovely way for Mojang to give something back to its loyal fans – although the full game is now a paid for version on PC, Mac and the XBLA Marketplace, this edition is completely free.
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It follows the announcement that the game has been downloaded more than 15 million times across all platforms in 2012, with the apps on iOS and Android proving most popular.
Minecraft, created under Notch’s own video game company Mojang, has helped attract more attention in independent video game development than ever before over the last few years. Focussing almost solely on creation and user-generated content, the game has built a huge following of players willing to devote hours towards creating a masterpiece made out of textured 3D blocks.
So with the Raspberry Pi Foundation selling the stripped back computer from just $35, it’s safe to say that this is one of the most affordable ways to explore the game yet.
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