Minecraft Earth update: Release date, iOS and Android early access and more about the AR game

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With the mighty success of Pokemon Go, Wizards Unite and other augmented reality games, it stands to reason that software giant Microsoft wants a slice of that action. After all, it owns one of the biggest brands in gaming: Minecraft.

To be fair, it has bided its time, but is now ready to capitalise on the popularity of AR for its latest block-building mobile release, Minecraft Earth.

But what is Minecraft Earth? How does it work? And do you really have to stand in a park all day creating something on your phone? Read on to find out.

What is Minecraft Earth?

Minecraft Earth is a block building and adventure game, much like the existing Minecraft for PC, consoles and mobile devices. Where it differs is that it is solely designed for Android and iOS and uses augmented reality to overlay Minecraft creations onto the real world.

You can use your smartphone to build creations anywhere you like, placing them in parks, streets, even around and on top of your home. Then, other Minecraft Earth users can hold up their phones and view them.

It's not just a solo experience neither. You can collaborate on builds with friends or fellow 'crafters, with each of you using a tablet or phone to build and view the ongoing project.

And, if you're worried about having to stand in a park for hours to build a masterpiece, you will be able to build something at home and then place it anywhere outside you like: "Work on a smaller scale with friends before taking your builds out into the wild at full size," revealed Microsoft during the game's unveiling.

There will be adventure and collection elements too, with the ability to battle Mobs (creatures that inhabit the world of Minecraft) either placed by the game or other players. Once found and collected, you can then place your own Mobs in Minecraft Earth builds.

Minecraft Earth gameplay footage and exclusive content

The game was first demoed publicly during Apple's WWDC keynote at the beginning of June. We learned a few extra things about it during the on-stage presentation, not least that one of the features will be exclusive to iPhone and iPad.

The demo showed gameplay that will be available on both Android and iOS, with two members of the Microsoft-owned studio Mojang interacting with a previously-built castle.

As first, it was small and Lego-sized, sat on a tablet, but was then moved onto the stage floor and resized into a life-size building.

The iOS-exclusive feature was then revealed as one of the developers was automatically cut-out and placed inside the Minecraft Earth world. This is thanks to a new feature in Apple's ARKit 3.0: people occlusion.

The software automatically detects humans and can place them in a 3D space, placing virtual objects behind, to the sides and in front. This would usually have to be implemented by the developer manually. In addition, the ARKit tools can automatically recognise gestures for full, automated motion capture.

The Minecraft avatar in the demo, therefore, moved in sync with the player.

Other gameplay videos made by people with early access to the closed beta have appeared online. We've also played the beta version itself, which you can read about here: How to play Minecraft Earth and what to expect.

When and where will it be available?

Minecraft Earth started as a closed beta on iOS and Android, for select users that signed up on the dedicated pre-registration page. It is currently restricted to users in London, Mexico City, Seattle, Stockholm and Tokyo.

However, Microsoft has announced that the game will exit closed beta and enter early access in October, which means you won't need a closed beta invite to play it from that time.

We don't know the exact regions planned for the early access launch, but expect it to at least be available in the respective countries where the closed beta is now: UK, Mexico, US, Sweden and Japan.

What platforms will Minecraft Earth be available for?

Both Android and iOS are supported. You will need a device that is capable of running a decent AR experience, though.

That means you will need a device that runs either iOS 10 or Android 7.0 at the very least, as it is developed using Apple's ARKit and Google's ARCore development software respectively.

Some of the features, such as the iOS-exclusive people occlusion discussed above, will need more recently released handsets.

How much will it cost?

The Minecraft Earth is completely free, with all paid elements locked-off in the closed beta (but might become available in the early access build). The full version will be a free-to-play game, meaning you can download it at no cost and use the AR title as often as you like without hidden fees.

However, while Microsoft is yet to fully detail in-app purchasing there will be a store to purchase extra Mobs and skins.

There will be no loot boxes though, so you will get exactly what you paid for - no gambling aspect at all.

Minecraft Earth more information

You can find out more information about the game from the official website here.



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