Get your diamond pickaxe ready.
[dropcap size=small]A[/dropcap] new set of mini-games are coming to Minecraft for consoles with the first mini-game being a player versus player mode called Battle that is set to be available in June. The mini-games will be released via game updates for the consoles and in a similar style to several FPS on consoles, there will be additional maps available released afterwards for an undetermined price.
Microsoft’s marketing manager Jaime Limon commented on the news during Xbox Wire earlier today saying:
“Battle allows you to set up a competitive multiplayer fight for survival, where speed, strategy- and sometimes just pure luck- will make you the winner. Players in Battle matches use randomly generated resources found in chests placed in specially designed PVP maps and combat one another in a free for all death match until the final victor is determined. The fun’s not all over after you are defeated though, as fallen players can spectate the combat among remaining players in the match by freely flying around each arena as a bat. Battle matches can be played with up to four players in split-screen and up to 8 players online via Xbox Live. Or, you can find other community members to join your game via an in-game matchmaking system.”
What other kinds of mini-games Microsoft plans are unknown at this time. Hopefully, Minecraft’s Battle mode won’t turn into just another source of income for Microsoft and the company will stay true to the game’s original theme.