Minecraft Earth's closed beta for Android is now available in five different cities around the world, according to game developer Mojang.
The company announced on Friday that it has launched beta testing for the game for select players in London, Mexico City, Seattle, Stockholm, and Tokyo.
People who received the official invite will be able to play the latest Minecraft title, provided that they have an augmented reality-compatible device running on Android 7 OS or above.
Prior to this, Mojang had already rolled out Minecraft Earth beta for iOS devices in July.
'Minecraft Earth'
News about an augmented reality Minecraft game first came out in May with the release of a short teaser trailer online. It was later revealed that the new mobile game will be called Minecraft Earth and that it will share many AR elements with Pokémon Go.
Much like the popular pocket monster game, Minecraft Earth will feature creatures and collectibles that can be viewed in the real world through AR technology. Gamers can build different structures through the mobile app and view them as life-sized models.
At the start of the game, players will be allowed to collect various resources using in-game blocks known as Tappables. These blocks can be found in different places throughout the game's landscape.
The further players proceed in the game, the more they'll encounter other gameplay elements such as Adventures. These tasks may involve interacting with breakable bits of environment or going up against hostile creatures.
One of the biggest draws of the original Minecraft is its creative element. The game allows players to create almost anything they can think of using resources available in its open world. Some dedicated fans have gone on to build impressive set pieces or even massive worlds of their own inside the game. Gamers are practically only limited by their imagination.
Minecraft Earth promises to give this same level of creative freedom, only this time on mobile devices instead of PCs and consoles. The Build Plates included in the game allows players to craft items from simple tables and chairs to more complex objects such as life-sized statues and castles.
The game also encourages social interactions between players. Gamers can launch play sessions and invite their friends to join in. While traveling, players will also be able to view other people's Block Plates, which can be placed permanently in neighborhoods.
Closed Beta
Gamers who want to take part in Minecraft Earth's beta can sign up for the program via the official website. Participants must have an Android 7 or iOS10 device. They will also be asked to provide their Microsoft or Xbox Live account and app store log-in, as well as answer a quick questionnaire before they can complete the registration.
