News

Minecraft – Pocket Edition coming to Android on September 29th, Mojang demonstrates touchscreen controls

iOS edition coming before the end of the year

Minecraft – Pocket Edition coming to Android on September 29th, Mojang demonstrates touchscreen controls
|
| Minecraft

The platform-exclusive launch of Minecraft - Pocket Edition has been one of the principal jewels in the Xperia Play's crown so far. It was a boon for Sony Ericsson, probably economically sensible for Mojang, and a pain for Android and iOS gamers looking to get their build on.

The exclusivity period is coming to an end. Mojang has announced that Minecraft - Pocket Edition is coming to regular Android handsets this Thursday, September 29th.

The developer shares this information in the description for a YouTube clip demonstrating how the game will work with a touchscreen interface. It uses a virtual D-pad, and you swipe the screen to look around.

You tap an array of buttons at the bottom of the screen to select different types of building material, and you tap anywhere else to deposit a cube of this material. Holding down on a block makes it disappear.

We recently reported that Minecraft - Pocket Edition will be getting updated with Survival mode, which adds the potential for death and failure.

Mojang hasn't announced exactly when the iOS version will be out, but it has revealed to Pocket Gamer that it'll be before the end of the year.

yt
Subscribe to Pocket Gamer on
Rob Hearn
Rob Hearn
Having obtained a distinguished education, Rob became Steel Media's managing editor, now he's no longer here though.