Minecraft, the sandbox game owned by Microsoft, is now available to play on Samsung's portable virtual reality headset, the Gear VR, Oculus announced on Wednesday evening.
"We worked closely with the Minecraft team to let you step inside your Minecraft world with friends. Now you can build, explore, battle mobs - and all your other favourite Minecraft activities - with the power of mobile virtual reality," the company said in a statement.
(Also see: Microsoft Showcases Minecraft in VR, Coming to Oculus Rift)
The new version of the game will work just like the Pocket Edition: giving you access to Creative and Survival modes, along with the option of multiplayer and skins. The Pocket Edition was first released for the Android smartphone, Sony Xperia Play, and then later arrived on iOS, Windows Phone, and Fire OS devices. You will require a controller to play the game, by the way.
There will be two viewing options for players, one being in theatre view which is basically like having a giant floating (virtual) screen in front inside a rusty-looking room, or the more immersive option that thrusts you into first-person view. Have a look at the video below for a better understanding.
"Minecraft is a game that you can both figuratively and literally lose yourself in," said John Carmack, CTO of Oculus VR. "In fact, my strongest memories of being inside VR are from the time I've spent exploring Minecraft on Gear VR."
(Also see: Microsoft Is Training AI With Minecraft, and Soon You Can Help Too)
"Experiencing it in virtual reality changes it from an abstract activity to a visceral one - it goes from a sense of playing the game to one of being inside your world, and spinning around to find a creeper sneaking up on you leaves a powerful impression. Infinite worlds have been explored, shaped, and shared by millions of people, and now in VR; that sounds a bit like the fabled Metaverse," Carmack said.
Minecraft: Gear VR Edition is available on the Oculus Store for $6.99 (roughly Rs. 460).
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