Minecraft 1.6 Features - New Handheld Maps

Posted in minecraft

Apart from a long list of bug fixes, Minecraft 1.6 contains a new mapping feature. The handheld maps are just like real maps that track your progress as you explore a world. You can share maps with friends too but they'll only work when you're holding them.

When you craft a map, you get to choose the zoom level which also affects the level of detail. The higher the zoom lever the smaller the map is. It's a trade off between size of map and level of detail. As you explore the world, the map updates itself showing the places you've visited. See screenshot below:

Sharing maps

You can drop a map for another player to pick up. They'll be able to see where you've explored. Even better, you'll be able to clone a map to see exactly where other players are in the same area. Players appear on the map as blinking dots so its easy to see who is close by (great for multiplayer and adventure games).

The downside to the map is that it only updates when you're holding it. Thnakfully, it does fold down out of sight whilst you're walking. It's also not a real time map, so any changes to the world after you've explored an area will not appear i.e. if someone chops down a tree that you previously visited, it will not disappear on the map until you revisit the area.

Where to download Minecraft 1.6??

Minecraft 1.6 is an incremental Beta version. If you have bought a copy of the Beta game you'll automatically be updated the next time you play the game.

If you haven't bought a copy then visit the Official Minecraft Site