Microsoft announced that Minecraft is already playable on the Apple TV, which should please fans who will now get to try the game on a big screen for their holiday break.
Apple TV Debut
Minecraft's availability on the Apple TV is not exactly a surprising development as Apple has teased its availability on its TV platform during the company's October event.
The rollout included seven downloadable contents being dubbed as Apple TV Edition. It will, however, be up for a limited period only.
"We've just released Minecraft for the slim black boxes," Minecraft's Owen Jones said. "Apple TV Edition currently includes the Holiday 2015, Town Folk, and City Folk skin packs, along with the Plastic, Natural, Cartoon, and Festive 2016 mash-ups."
According to Owens, the Ender Update is also included in the Apple TV Edition DLCs. This introduces several gameplay elements such as the availability of Ender Dragon, The End, which serves as the dragon's home and the Dragon's Breath potion, among others.
The game will cost you $20 and should now be available in all regions.
Minecraft 101
If you have lived under a rock and have no clue about Minecraft whatsoever, it is a block-stacking game that lets you explore a huge world and also recreate it according to your taste.
The concept is analogous to a virtual Lego land although it has more dimensions. Aside from building things such as trees and castles, you will also get to battle enemies and deal with obstacles within its Survival Mode.
Minecraft has also expanded its utility beyond pure entertainment. Mojang, its developer, has recently released an Education Edition, which allows teachers to integrate the game in academic instruction. In the Classroom Mode, for instance, teachers control the world settings via a dedicated app so that the platform can be used to complement lessons.
Minecraft was launched last 2009 and its publisher Mojang was acquired by Microsoft in 2014 to the tune of $2.5 billion.
Minecraft Apple TV Edition Limitations
With Minecraft's entry, Apple TV can finally burnish its credential as a gaming platform. The company has been working to establish this particular product as some form of poor man's gaming console.
Before you try Minecraft Apple TV Edition, you should remember that it still has some limitations. For instance, it does not support Minecraft Realms and Xbox Live. Owens has reassured fans, however, that it will be heading their way in future updates. Players will be able to play both Creative and Survival modes in the meantime. The former also offers unlimited resources.
