Download Minecraft 1.3 Pre-Release and New API

Exactly one week before the official release of 1.3 and you lucky Minecraft fans can get your mitts on the 1.3 pre-release AND a first look at the new API. The pre-release is as close as you'll get to the official version outside of the usual snapshot release cycle. Minecraft 1.3 adds the largest collection of new features than any of its predecessors.

Not to be confused with beta 1.3, the Final 1.3 version of Minecraft contains a staggering set of new features. It's one of the biggest updates for Minecraft in the history of the game. Introducing the new local multiplayer server, cheat commands, adventure mode and the awesome Enderchest and tripwire.

Jeb and the rest of the Mojang team have had a roughly couple of months. Their master plan to add a local multiplayer server to every players environment didn't go down to well. Plagued by performance bugs, Mojang gave itself a mountain to climb before 1.3 could be released. But what would you expect from the legendary Swedish outfit? Would they let Minecraft fans suffer? Nope, they worked till the early hours of the night fixing, tweaking and ironing out as many performance bugs as they possibly could. The end results, a splendid version of Minecraft that's as good as any predecessor.

So what are the new features in 1.3?

Where do we start! A whole tonne of new features have been added in the last 3 months, just take a look at the list below for some of the best:

New local multiplayer server (easier for friends to join via LAN)
New trading system with villagers (trade emeralds for everyday goods)
Vastly improved multiplayer including less lag, better server commands and less glitches
New Adventure mode for adventure maps (players cannot break blocks)
Cheat commands (SPC's) are now integrated into Minecraft (skip time, teleport, kick players..)
New inventory mode layout and tab interface
New cocoa beans in jungle biomes
New larger biomes (they're huge!)
New desert villages and desert temples
New emerald ore
Experience system revamped and fine tuned
Improved enchanting (max enchantment levels via 3rd slot)
New video options for VSync and Fullscreen mode
New demo mode (enjoy 5 Minecraft days for free)
New Ender Chest for sharing and storing items in multiple locations
New tripwire trap powered by redstone

Loads and loads of bug fixes

Not only do you get all of the new features above, but you get a serious number of bug fixes, far too many to list here. All you need to know is that practically every annoying bug you experienced in Minecraft 1.2.5 is gone. Yep!!

Minecraft API - Initial Commit

Yes it's true. The first commit for the Minecraft API (workbench) has been submitted. Nathan Adams (previously responsible for bukkit) has added a new project to the Github site. At the moment it's little more than an intention to deliver, but it does have a readme, pom.xml and workbench java class.

Using the Maven build tool, Nathan has already created the pom.xml (project object model) file describing the API that will be built. It's got the usual artefact, plugin, execution and other elements that you'd expect to see.

It's another sign of Mojang's commitment to deliver the API in version 1.4.

Although it's in the early stages, it's still worth a look..

Minecraft API - Github