Why Minecraft is awesome

If you haven’t heard what Minecraft is yet, then please go away and look it up on YouTube. The game, made by indie Swedish studio Mojang, has taken over the world in recent years. The reason that I do this is because whenever I am sitting around and just playing Minecraft, many people will come up to me and say things like:

Why are you playing Minecraft? Its gay and it has really bad graphics.
What’s the aim of the game anyway?

If I had enough time to explain to them without them still saying it’s ‘gay’ then they would get the answers they desired.

Anyway, on with the argument, however one-sided it may be.

Many people, who haven’t played, will give reasons for Minecraft being a bad game like:

  • It has really bad graphics, so pixelated.
  • What can you actually do? There’s no aim to the game.
  • It’s boring.
  • It’s childish.
  • It gets really repetitive.
  • It’s outdated.
  • It’s gay.

And for people that have played:

  • It gets really laggy (slow) sometimes.
  • You can’t ever find diamonds. Why not?
  • I always get killed by a creeper.
  • A creeper always blows up my house.
  • I always die.
  • Whenever I “get” diamonds I have to say I fell in lava to make people think that I actually got some.
  • Even when I don’t have diamonds I still fall in lava.
  • When you do finally get to the credits they take so long!

But the game is still absolutely amazing. Let me explain why, by dismissing the most common arguments that I have come across that are against it.

It has really bad graphics, so pixelated.

Seeing as the game is made by a few Swedes and is based around blocks, it is only right for the game to be all blocky. How would it ever work if you were continuously taking out spheres out of the Minecraft ‘world’? I mean, I think the designers of the game would have thought about graphics if it wasn’t part of the game. There is actually something you can do about this. You can design you own or get someone else’s texture pack which will give the game of Minecraft a completely different look, and in some cases make it HD quality.

What can you actually do? There’s no aim to the game.

If you had decided to pay attention, the game has been updated and now has a start to the aim of the game. It will take you a while to do, and a lot of preparation, but when you finally find the portal to get to the “end” then you can kill the only (at the moment) boss. Again, that might take you a while if you haven’t prepared properly, but it is still achievable.

 It’s boring. It’s childish. It gets really repetitive.

That’s your problem. If you get bored of computer games then don’t play them. I personally have been playing Minecraft for two years, for the plain reason that it is being continuously updated. If you really think its childish then, I’m sorry that you have grown up so fast. Seriously, did your guardians just not let you have a childhood? Did they just deprive you of games and instead make you read books all the time? If they did, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, then I feel for you. It gets really repetitive. This is stupid. There is so much you can do. You can make potions, build massive houses, build a farmhouse for all of your sheep and pigs, go and find a dungeon, get a saddle and go and fly a pig off of a mountain! There’s even an achievement for that.

It’s outdated.

You may say this because you don’t like indie games (refer to above) or you may say it because it is never updated. Well, Minecraft is updated so often that you have to read Twitter every day to check that there isn’t an update coming out with new features. I managed, within a week, to download a new Minecraft three times because of bug fixes and general updates.

IT’S GAY!

I know you are, but what am I?

It gets really laggy (slow) sometimes.

Get a better laptop. Or, you could even use the functions that have been implemented into the game to make it better/worse.

You can’t ever find diamonds. Why not? I always get killed by a creeper. A creeper always blows up my house. I always die. Whenever I “get” diamonds I have to say I fell in lava to make people think that I actually got some. Even when I don’t have diamonds I still fall in lava.

The simple answer is get better. The more complex answer is on the way.

When you do finally get to the credits they take so long!

Try the escape button. It does wonders for the impatient.

Conclusion

Minecraft is a really good game and there is always a valid reason why something is the way it is. There is always a forum, mod, texture pack or even multiplayer server that can answer all your prayers. If you have any questions or qualms then feel free to express yourself in the comments section below and I will be happy to reply, when I’m not digging for diamonds, of course.

277 Game and Gamestation stores shut and 2,104 jobs lost as group enters administration

Last week, we reported that the Game Group was set to enter administration, and now the company has confirmed the inevitable. 277 of their 609 UK stores have now shut, and 2,104 jobs have subsequently been lost, amounting to roughly 40% of the workforce. Reward Card/Elite points can still be collected but not redeemed, and gift cards are also useless for the time being. No trade-ins, exchanges or returns will be accepted, and there is a halt on pre-orders until further notice. A full list of the closed stores from MCV can be found below, so have a check there to see whether your local branch is facing the chop. Thankfully, my local Gamestation in Haywards Heath is still open, so I can breathe easily for the next couple of days at least, but let’s hope that somebody steps in to rescue one of the few retailers that people actually like. The group’s press release follows:

Further to our announcements of 21 March, the Board of Game has completed its discussions with lenders and third parties without resolution, and has therefore today appointed PWC LLP to act as administrators for the Group. This decision is taken after careful consideration and ceaseless interrogation of every possible alternative. The Board would like to thank the teams of Game and Gamestation colleagues around the world for their exemplary dedication, passion and professionalism.

  • Abergavenny Unit 3 Cibi Walk, Frogmore Street
  • Accrington 29 Broadway
  • Aintree Comet
  • Altrincham 97 George Street
  • Andover 49 High Street
  • Antrim Unit 42, Junction One Outlet Centre
  • Ashford 18 County Square
  • Ashington 12 Station Road, Ashington
  • Ashton Unit 28, The Arcade
  • Athlone Unit 44 Athlone Town Centre
  • Aylesbury Units 36-37, Friars Sq. Shopping Centre
  • Ballymena Unit 15 Fairhill Shopping Centre
  • Banbury 4B Castle Quay Shopping Centre
  • Bangor NI 9 Bloomfield Centre
  • Barking Unit 17 Vicarage Fields Shopping
  • Barnet Unit 10 The Spires Shopping Centre
  • Barnsley 32 Market Street
  • Barnstaple 30 High Street
  • Barrow In Furness Unit 26, Portland Walk
  • Basildon 84 Town Square
  • Basingstoke 3 Mayfair House
  • Bath SU7 St Lawrence Street, Southgate Centre
  • Beckton 19 Gallions Reach, 3 Armada Way
  • Belfast Unit 55 Castle Court Shopping Centre, Belfast
  • Belfast (Conns) Unit 20, Connswater Centre
  • Belfast (Forestside) Unit 12, Forestside Shopping Centre, Upper Galway
  • Birkenhead 35-37 Milton Pavement, Grange Precinct
  • Birmingham Unit 52, The Pallasades
  • Birmingham 138 New Street
  • Birmingham Fort Unit 3a The Fort Shopping Park
  • Bishop Auckland 59 Newgate Street
  • Blackburn Unit 7 Victoria Court, The Mall
  • Blackpool Unit 19, Houndshill Shopping Centre
  • Blanchardstown Unit 112, Blanchardstown Town Centre
  • Bluewater LO42 Lower Thames Walk, Bluewater
  • Bolton 37 Newport Street
  • Bootle Unit 7, 63 Parkside, Strand Shopping Centre
  • Boston 23 Strait Bargate
  • Bournemouth Unit 4, Avenue Centre, Commercial Road
  • Bournemouth 49 Commercial Street
  • Bracknell 39 Princess Square
  • Bradford Unit 2, The Broadway
  • Bradford 4-6 Darley Street
  • Brent Cross Unit B15, Brent Cross Shopping Centre
  • Bridgend 12/14 Adare Street
  • Bridlington Unit 11 The Promenades
  • Brighton 69 Western Road
  • Bristol SU16 Cabots Circus, Broadmead
  • Bromley 68-68A High Street
  • Burnley 68/70 St James Street
  • Burton on Trent 7 Underhill Walk
  • Bury 20 Princess Parade
  • Buxton Unit 13, Spring Gardens
  • Camden 124 Camden High Street
  • Cannock 6 Market Hall Street
  • Canterbury 14 High Street
  • Cardiff 92 Queen Street
  • Chatham 152 High Street
  • Cheltenham 100 High Street
  • Chester 39 Foregate Street
  • Chesterfield 22 Vicar Lane Shopping Centre (10 Vicar Lane)
  • Chiswick 350 High Road
  • Cirencester 26, Cricklade Street
  • Clacton on Sea 20-22 Station Road
  • Colchester 3 Shewell Walk, (Unit 13 The Culver Centre)
  • Coleraine 16 Kingsgate Street
  • Collierswood Unit 9a Tandem Centre, Christchurch Road
  • Congleton 45-47 High Street
  • Cork 6 Mahon Point, Cork
  • Cork 66 Patrick Street, , Cork, Eire,
  • Coventry Unit 22, West Orchards Centre, Smithford Way
  • Cowley 107 Pound Way, Templars Square Shopping Centre
  • Cramlington 4 Dudley Court
  • Crawley Unit 8, County Mall
  • Crawley 10-12 The Martlets
  • Crewe Unit 7, The Market Centre
  • Croydon 98/99 Whitgift Centre
  • Croydon (Purley Way) Comet
  • Cumbernauld Unit 29, Antonine Shopping Centre, Tryst Road
  • Dewsbury 12 Longcauseway
  • Doncaster 43/44 Market Place
  • Dorchester 55 South Street
  • Dublin 2 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, Eire,
  • Dublin Unit 18, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1
  • Dublin (Dundrum) Unit 10, Level 3, Dundrum Centre, Dublin
  • Dublin (Dundrum) Hamleys Dundrum
  • Dublin (Liffey) Unit 37, Liffey Valley Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin,
  • Dudley 7 Churchill Parade
  • Dudley (Merry Hill) Unit L87, Merry Hill Shopping Centre
  • Dumbarton 77/79 High Street
  • Dundee 40 Murraygate
  • Dunstable 6-8 Nicholas Way, Quadrant Shopping Centre, Dunstable, LU6 1TD
  • Durham Unit SU40, Land Of The Prince Bishops Shopping Centre
  • East Ham 111 High Street North
  • East Kilbride 5 The Olympia, Town Centre
  • Edinburgh 127 Princes Street
  • Edinburgh (Leith) Unit RU4, Ocean Terminal
  • Ellesmere Port 18 Mercers Walk
  • Enfield 37 Church Street
  • Enniskillen Unit 23, Erneside Shopping Centre
  • Evesham Unit 16, Riverside Centre
  • Exeter SU19 Princeshay
  • Falkirk Unit 34, Howgate Centre
  • Fleet 16 Hart Centre
  • Gainsborough Unit 13b, Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough
  • Galashiels Unit 8 Douglas Bridge, Galashiels
  • Galway 5 Eglington Street
  • Glasgow Unit L3/22 , Buchanan Galleries
  • Glasgow Hamleys Glasgow
  • Glasgow 146 Sauchiehall Street
  • Glasgow 83 Sauchiehall Street
  • Glenrothes 42 Unicorn Way
  • Gloucester 16 Kings Walk
  • Grantham 53 High Street
  • Great Yarmouth Unit 10 Market Gates Shopping Centre
  • Gretna Unit 53, Gretna Outlet Village
  • Grimsby 24 Victoria Street West
  • Halesowen 38 Hagley Mall, Cornbow Centre, Halesowen
  • Halifax 12 Woolshops
  • Hanley Unit F, The Potteries, Hanley
  • Hanley 214-215 The Potteries
  • Harlow 8 Broad Walk, Harlow
  • Harrogate 2D Cheltenham Parade
  • Harrow 68-70 St. Anns Road
  • Hartlepool 92 Middleton Grange Shopping Centre
  • Hastings 19 Queens Road
  • Hemel Hempstead Unit 201, The Marlowes Shopping Centre
  • Hemel Hempstead Unit 12, The Marlowes Shopping Centre
  • Hereford 56 Commercial Street
  • High Wycombe 16 Church Street
  • Hounslow Unit 13, The Treaty Centre, High Street
  • Hull Unit G46, Princes Quay
  • Huyton Unit 5 Cavendish Walk, Derby Road, Huyton
  • Hyde 8 The Square, Hyde
  • Ilford 172 – 174 High Road
  • Inverness 6-8 Ingliss Street
  • Jarrow 25 Viking Precinct, Jarrow
  • Kensington 185 High Street
  • Kettering 27 Gold Street
  • Kidderminster 82 Worcester Street
  • Kingston 64-66 Clarence Street
  • Lakeside Unit 282 Lakeside Shopping Centre
  • Lancaster Unit 15, Ashton Walk, St. Nicholas Arcade
  • Leamington Spa 83 Parade
  • Leeds 50-52 Albion Street
  • Leeds 18 Kirkgate
  • Leeds (Birstall) Unit 8b Birstall Shopping Park
  • Leeds (Crossgates) 58 Crossgates Shopping Centre
  • Leeds (Crown Point) Unit 5b Crown Point Retail park
  • Leicester 42 Granby Street
  • Lewisham 68 Lewisham Centre
  • Limmerick Unit 11A, Cruises Street, Limerick, Eire,
  • Lincoln (Valentine) Unit 2a Valentine Retail Park
  • Lisburn 6 Bow Street
  • Lisburn Unit A10, Bow St. Mall
  • Liverpool Unit 43/44 Clayton Square Shopping Centre
  • Liverpool Unit 44, South John Street
  • Llandudno 46 Mostyn Street
  • Llanelli Unit 1, Llanelli Shopping Centre
  • Long Eaton 10 Market Place
  • Lowestoft 43 London Road North
  • Luton 142-144 Andale Centre
  • Luton 39 George Street
  • Macclesfield 25 Mill Street
  • Maidenhead 75 Queens Walk, The Nicholson Centre
  • Maidstone 351 Chequers Centre
  • Manchester Unit L16 Arndale Centre
  • Manchester Unit 59, Arndale Centre
  • Manchester (Trafford) 124 Peel Centre, Trafford Centre
  • Mansfield 38A Westgate
  • Meadowhall Unit 29, High Street, Meadowhall Shopping Centre
  • Meadowhall Unit 52, High Street, Meadowhall Centre
  • Melton Mowbray 14-15 Market Place, Melton Mowbray
  • Merthyr Tydfill 4 Graham Way, Tydfils Shopping Centre
  • Merthyr Tydfill Unit 3 Beacons Place Shopping Centre
  • Metrocentre Unit 112 Lower blue hall, Metro Centre
  • Middlesbrough 108 Linthorpe Road
  • Middleton G14 Middleton Shopping Centre
  • Milton Keynes Unit SU 10, Midsumer Place
  • Monaghan Unit 27 Monaghan Shopping Centre
  • Newark 9 St Marks Place
  • Newbury 63A North Brook Street
  • Newcastle 8 High Friars, Eldon Square
  • Newcastle Fenwicks Concession
  • Newcastle 78 Grainger Street
  • Newport 13 Commercial Street
  • Newport Isle Of Wight 63 High Street
  • Newry Unit 12A, Buttercrane Shopping Centre
  • North Finchley 776 High Road
  • North Shields Comet
  • Northampton 17 Abingdon Street
  • Norwich 17 St Stephens Street
  • Norwich 3-4 Castle Mall Shopping Centre
  • Nottingham Unit 2, 33 Listergate
  • Nuneaton 2A Market Place
  • Oldham Unit 18, The Spindles Shopping Centre
  • Omagh Unit 5, Main Street Development
  • Orpington 79 – 81 The Walnuts, Orpington, BR6 0TW
  • Perth 9 Scott Street
  • Peterlee 21 Yoden Way
  • Plymouth 81/83 New George Street
  • Portadown Unit 6, High Street Mall
  • Portsmouth 7 Meadow Walk, Cascades Shopping Centre
  • Preston 8 Fishergate Centre
  • Preston 172 Friargate
  • Putney Unit 28, Exchange Shopping Centre
  • Ramsgate 30 High Street
  • Reading Unit 17 Oracle Shopping Centre
  • Redcar Unit 8, Regent Centre
  • Rhyl 64 High St
  • Rochdale 54 Market Way
  • Rugby 45-46 Clocktower Centre
  • Runcorn 48 Forest Walk, Halton Lea Shopping Centre
  • Salisbury 11 High Street
  • Scarborough 112B Westborough
  • Scunthorpe 58 High Street
  • Sheffield Unit 22/24, Fargate
  • Sheffield 37/41 The Moor
  • Shrewsbury 3-4 Castle Street
  • Skelmersdale UNIT 27 Upper Mall, The Concourse Shopping Centre
  • Slough N21 Curzon Mall, Queensmere Centre
  • Solihull Comet
  • South Shields 89/91 King Street
  • Southampton Unit SU8, West Quay Centre
  • Southampton 82 Above Bar Street
  • Southport 203 Lord Street
  • Speke Comet
  • St Albans Unit 32, The Maltings
  • Stafford 21 Gaolgate Street
  • Staines 54 High Street
  • Stevenage 64 Queensway
  • Stevenage 54 Queensway
  • Stirling Unit 24, The Thistle Centre
  • Stockport Comet
  • Stockton-on-Tees Unit SU32, Wellington Square
  • Stockton-on-Tees 134B High Street
  • Stratford 88 The Mall
  • Stratford upon Avon 13 Town Square Shopping Centre
  • Sunderland 251 High Street
  • Sunderland 27 Blandford Street
  • Sutton 192 High Street
  • Sutton Coldfield Unit SU7, New Hall Walk, Lower Sutton Parade
  • Swansea 12 Union Street
  • Swindon 9 Havelock Square, Brunel Shopping Centre
  • Swindon 7 Regent Sreet
  • Tallaght Unit 307, The Square
  • Tamworth Unit 18, Ankerside
  • Taunton 47 North Street
  • Telford Unit 6, 159 New Mall, Telford Shopping Centre
  • Telford 32 Sherwood Street, Telford Shopping Centre
  • Torquay 5 Union House
  • Truro Unit 2, 4/6 Pyder Street
  • Uxbridge 13 Market Square
  • Victoria 10 Victoria Place, Buckingham Palace Road
  • Wakefield 17 Kirkgate
  • Walsall 42 Old Square Shopping Centre
  • Walthamstow Unit 11A, Selbourne Centre
  • Wandsworth 61 South Mall, Wandsworth Shopping Centre
  • Warrington 46 The Mall
  • Washington Unit 30 Albany Mall, The Galleries
  • Washington 26 Albany Mall
  • Welwyn Garden City 21 The Howard Centre
  • Wembley 458 High Road
  • West Belfast Unit 4 Park Centre, Donegall Road
  • Weston Super Mare 85 High Street
  • Weymouth Unit 5, Bond Street Centre
  • Wigan 23 Market Place
  • Winchester 106A High Street
  • Windsor 21 King Edward Court
  • Woking 4 Middle Walk
  • Wolverhampton 27 Dudley Street
  • Wood Green 83 High Road
  • Woolwich 112 Powis Street
  • Wrexham 42-43 Hope Street
  • Wythenshawe 18 The Birtles, Wythenshawe
  • Yeovil 13-15 Vicarage Walk, Quedam Shopping Centre
  • York Unit 3, 5 Spurriergate

Why I love the PlayStation Vita

I am a PlayStation fanboy, and, when I heard about the PlayStation Vita, Sony’s new handheld, I knew it would be the console for me. Now I have had a few weeks with one, I love it even more.

As soon as I got it, I was struck by just how big the Vita was. I had seen pictures and renders of it beforehand, but not until it is in your hand do you actually realise how big it is compared to the older PSP models. See these comparisons with the PSP-3000 for a taster.

On older PSP models, only one shoulder button was located on either side, instead of the two that you would find on a traditional PlayStation controller. However, the Vita compensates for this oversight, having a rear capacitive touch panel in place of another trigger. Many people will say that they would have preferred to see two triggers rather than the capacitive panel and I did not feel too enthusiastic about Sony’s choice. However, having actually used the device, it can add greatly to the gameplay experience, providing the developers use all their resources to optimise their games for the Vita. One fantastic implementation of the panel is on FIFA Football, where one has the ability to shoot with quick taps on the rear of the console. To shoot at the bottom right corner of the goal, tap the bottom right. It could not be simpler, especially for penalties. In Uncharted: Golden Abyss, a Vita-exclusive launch title, different gestures result in different actions, such as climbing walls and slicing through the jungle and, as developers learn to take full advantage of what the Vita has to offer, things can only get better.

Furthermore, the the addition of dual analogue sticks to the Vita is also great as it gives you a proper feel of being just like a PS3 controller too. The old PSP had one analogue ‘stick’, but I could hardly regard it as that, due to the fact that it was just a little nub that was uncomfortable to use even for five minutes. Admittedly the sticks do protrude a fair bit, but they are 100% worth the added bulk.

The remote play is a lot better for the Vita and a lot easier to access and a lot more reliable. There are also a load of options to connect your Vita to your actual PlayStation Network/Sony Entertainment Network account to see who is online and talk to friends on party chat, just like you would if you were on your PS3. There are also better online connections to play against other people and, with an 802.11n WiFi chip, internet connectivity is much improved over that of the PSP. Also, with certain games available on both the Vita and the PS3, if you save the game to the cloud on your PS3, one can carry on with a Vita from your previous save point. This means you can play at home or out and about, which is a well thought out new feature to enhance the experience for the hardcore gamer.

The software on the horizon for the Vita is mouthwatering. Not only will great PS3 games such as FIFA 13, the inevitable Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, F1 2012, Grand Theft Auto V and Resident Evil be ported across and optimised for the dual touch panels and analogue sticks by developers, but a number of Vita exclusives are on the way from Sony and third parties, such as Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Touch My Katamari. Also, the prospect of downloadable PlayStation classics like Crash Bandicoot and Final Fantasy will give another dynamic, not only for the younger ones who will probably never have played the games before to give them a good experience, but also to the older ones who would of grown up playing these games and would probably love to revisit the classics of PlayStation gaming.

The PlayStation Vita is a great device and is well worth its price tag if you can afford it. I feel Sony have taken great time and effort to make it the best portable console ever and it certainly exceeds even my high expectations. The introduction of a new dimension to gaming makes it a better experience for hardcore players, who, up to this point, have been left out in the cold when it comes to gaming on the go. However, as most of us don’t have that sort of money at the moment, I suggest that, when the inevitable price drop occurs, you grab it because it will be a bargain that you can’t miss. I am sure that, if the price was about £169, they would fly off shelves like hot cakes, providing a large boost to retailers. If you do buy it, you will not be disappointed. You can take my word for it.

Technophobia: PS3 vs. Xbox 360 and why I don’t care

Technophobia is a column by James Hardy. Views expressed are not necessarily those of Digixav.

Before I start this article, I’d just like to point out that I’m writing this from the point of view of a neutral. I don’t own a PS3 or an Xbox. I have a Wii.

Yes, a Wii. Shut up.

So now it is time to face the age old question: PS3 or Xbox 360?

Well no, it’s not. Because frankly, I couldn’t care less.

The truth is, Xbox owners will pick Xbox, and PS3 owners will pick PS3.

Sure, you might get the occasional Xbox owner who thinks a PS3 is better, or vice versa, but these people are few and far between. They are outliers in the gaming world.

In general, people want what they have to be better than others. And they probably won’t admit it if they think it isn’t true. That is a fact of life.

And the arguments that these people use just get tedious. They are always the same ones. A typical argument goes something like this:

‘Xbox Live is better than PlayStation Network Sony Entertainment Network.’

‘PS3 has a Blu-ray.’

‘Xbox is cheaper.’

‘So? It’s better.’

‘Xbox is more popular.’

‘And? PS3 has better graphics.’

‘No it doesn’t.’

‘Yes it does.’

‘No it doesn’t.’

‘It does. And what’s up with that stupid Xbox controller?’

That last point is fair enough. Seriously Microsoft, I want my thumbs level with each other. Not a hard concept.

I can hear you trolling already.

‘OMG ur so biased u deffo have a ps3 really!’

The 360 is better value for money though. There we go, impartiality is resumed.

So, er, yeah. These arguments are pointless. And stupid.

Why bother?

Nintendo Network announced for 3DS and Wii U

Techland takes a look at the new Nintendo Network, Nintendo’s new online service for the 3DS and Wii U. Will it be enough to take on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, or will Nintendo continue on their downward spiral?

Mix Your Meme: Arrow to the Nyan

Welcome to Mix Your Meme, a new feature where I mix memes.

I used to be a flying space cat like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee.

Digixav Gaming!

Hello there,

Chris, having endlessly been telling me about Skyrim for 2 weeks, expressed an interest into bringing gaming news, reviews and biased opinions to Digixav.

Needing some sleep having been forced to wake up at 5am today for the Lord Mayor’s Show, I said yes.

And therefore a new gaming section has launched here, with the editorial talents of Bada-man Steinberg, the occasional review thing from me and a NEW member of staff in the form of serial commenter and PS3 fanatic Euan McGinty. Please welcome him with open arms.

Enjoy the posts to come,

Xavier