Adventure Update and more!

"Most of the basics of the game engine is in place, so it’s time to flesh this game out into something more gamey. More content, more exploration, more things to do, and interesting combat! Once this update is out, there will only some tweaks, optimizations and code cleanups left to the core game before we can call it a full release.

We’ve got a list of some 40+ things we want to add to the game, some small, some big. Some huge. We’ve finished a fair number of the items, but there’s still a significant amount of work left. While I can’t reveal the date yet for various reasons, we do have a release date for the Adventure Update in mind, and we’re hoping we’ll be able to hit it.

Jens and I are keeping the exact contents of the update secret, but we do leak some information every now and then to keep people interested and to stop us from going insane. For the most immediate spoilers, you can follow us on Twitter (@notch and @jeb_), or on Google+ (+Markus Persson and +Jens Bergensten).

Here are a few of the things we’ve revealed so far:

• NPC villages
• Randomly generated dungeons
• New biome code
• Fully working Creative Mode (and individual admins can enter Creative Mode on a Survival Mode server if they choose)
• Critical hits
• Sprinting
• More farming options

As soon as I can reveal the release date we’re aiming for, I will!

Oh, and the modding support is happening, honest."

-From Notch's tumblr, the Word of Notch.

This is something I'm really excited about, and if you check the suggestions section you see some of this has been suggested here before. This really is the next step forward. Many players don't mind having just a canvas and making the game into whatever they like, but many more need a clear direction. Not just an end goal such as acquiring diamond tools, nether portals, cake, cookies, full iron armor, etc. But a story being told within the game. NPC villages are a good start, adventure mode is good, more comprehensive dungeons is good, and it all stays with the feel of "Minecraft". They would spawn in random spots, with random dimensions, random hardships to overcome. Notch and the rest of Mojang as they move forward with Minecraft seem to be keeping true to what makes the game great.

Got any more news you'd like me to cover? Drop me a story or tidbit in the question box and I'll consider writing a piece on it!