By Alec Meer on May 11th, 2011 at 12:46 pm.
Notch has just floated the idea of a Minecraft convention to celebrate the game’s ‘release’ on 11/11/11. “There’d be contests (costume, speed building, whatever else), Q&A sessions, parties and awesome food and such”, he says. Awesome food! He means cheese and pineapple on a stick, I can only presume. His question to you, however, is whether you’d be prepared to pay $90 to attend this fan-gathering, and whether the sleepy, unflashy city of Las Vegas is a location you’d be willing/able to get to for it.
You can vote yes/no/I’m helplessly indecisive here, with the results of the poll being a major factor in whether this inaugral MinecraftCon happens or not.
11/05/2011 at 12:49 pakoito says:
They are measuring more the yes quantity than the percentage. Few people can afford such expenses for trip + hotel + ticket.
11/05/2011 at 12:50 LimEJET says:
I hate pineapples.
11/05/2011 at 12:51 CMaster says:
Vegas seems a little odd of a choice.
I’d have thought you could get more minecraft players within a reasonable-cost travel radius in say Paris or Berlin. I guess Americans are more into this whole “con” thing than europeans though.
11/05/2011 at 12:55 AndrewC says:
Vegas is like the anti-minecraft! Icky! He should hold it on a fjord or something.
11/05/2011 at 13:14 apa says:
Vegas is being constantly rebuilt and torn down, new buildings spring out from nowhere… Does that remind you of any particular game? :D
(Yes, I’d prefer something where RyanAir flies cheaply).
11/05/2011 at 14:01 TillEulenspiegel says:
Honestly, I expect Markus just wants to go to Las Vegas. I don’t really understand the attraction; it’s a repulsive theme park of a city, especially when you’re a convention attendee.
Also, it’s November. While I’d normally support Berlin, as it’s cheap, fun (I doubt Vegas has anything like Berghain), and quite beautiful in summer, it’s likely to be depressingly gray and chilly in November. Naples (worth a trip for the pizza alone) or Barcelona might be nice options.
11/05/2011 at 14:39 Gap Gen says:
I dunno, having the statue of liberty next to the pyramids is quite Minecraft if you’re on a multiplayer server.
11/05/2011 at 16:02 tyrsius says:
Vegas has what, two outdoor attractions? And fremont street covers itself, so even if it did rain (in the desert) you wouldn’t care.
Vegas has 24-hour poker, guys handing out free limo rides in vain attempts to get you into a club, roller coasters, and indoor skydiving. I can’t be friends with anyone who can’t find something fun to do in that city.
11/05/2011 at 16:25 James says:
@tyrsius
Finding something to do is different than reconciling the fact that a bunch of criminals built an extravagant city in the desert and it somehow became an American pastime to travel there and be immoral (or just pay a lot for things that are cheaper anywhere else and give beeping light machines money).
I get your point, but I’m suggesting you could keep any friends that don’t agree with you and that would be alright.
11/05/2011 at 16:48 tyrsius says:
Technically, our founding fathers were traitors. Also, it takes some odd definitions of “immoral” to classify gambling, roller coasters, and indoor skydiving as immoral.
I like indoor skydiving. If they have that in hell, sign me up.
11/05/2011 at 17:38 James says:
I suggest that if you carefully read what I wrote again, you’ll realize I didn’t categorize those things as immoral…in fact, I specifically made that distinction between the immoral things you can do in Vegas and the activities you mentioned.
Also, traitor and criminal are different things, not that the founding fathers of the US have anything to do with this topic (at all).
11/05/2011 at 18:19 Tatourmi says:
Oh yes, in Paris, just do it.
11/05/2011 at 21:11 Araxiel says:
Who are those founding fathers? Are you maybe talking about Otto von Bismarck?
Or are you assuming the entire world and everybody on it is orbiting around some sort of weird country in the centre of the universe?
11/05/2011 at 23:56 RCGT says:
Jeez, you guys can make a stupid argument out of anything. I’m reminded why I don’t often participate in the comments threads here.
11/05/2011 at 12:54 Coriform says:
I think they’d be better off renting the country of Liechtenstein:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/15/liechtenstein-hire-rental-scheme
11/05/2011 at 18:00 Andy_Panthro says:
I heartily agree with that idea!
11/05/2011 at 12:54 DanPryce says:
It’s expensive given that it’s all the way over in Americaland, but $90 is what, £50? That’s still way cheaper than Blizzcon. I doubt Notch and Co. will be able to put on quite as flashy an event as that, but I’d happily pay £50 for tix if I didn’t have to fly there and find somewhere to crash.
Unless I bring 3 Wool and 3 Wooden planks, then I can just build a bed and bunk down anywhere.
11/05/2011 at 13:28 Eclipse says:
“That’s still way cheaper than Blizzcon”
Yeah only that… you know, it’s not Blizzcon.
11/05/2011 at 13:44 iniudan says:
@Eclipse Missing the elven cosplayer ?
11/05/2011 at 12:56 jimjames says:
But thats when Skyrim comes out! Everyone knows the world will stop for Skyrim day.
11/05/2011 at 13:40 BAReFOOt says:
That’s nothing. 11.11. @ 11:11 is the official kick-off of the carnival season in Deutschland (“Germany”). At least is Köln (or “Cologne” in your weird language ;) and Mainz there will be a state of emergency!
To give you a idea about how much that stops *everything*: Factories spontaneously become void of workers. Pretty much all kids skip school. And teachers *too*! The whole city comes to a grinding halt and people start drinking hard alcohol even before noon. By five o’clock people are drunk beyond the ability to walk and talk, and metro and cars will be stuck because of the street being flooded with beer bottles.
Nobody will even remember that there was a Skyrim… or nasty sex with someone who’s gender you can’t even remember… by the time it has ended. ;)
11/05/2011 at 13:52 Corrupt_Tiki says:
Mate, you need to try a Hardcore dance music festival.
Last one I went to a few months ago, we ended up drinking a bottle of vodka each(1litre) before it was even 10am, and then went to the festival, got even more messed up with Vodka+Redbull etc. I can’t remember shit, I lost my shirt, my shoes, my mate stuffed his iPhone thanks to the foam party, god. it was a good day though ^^
11/05/2011 at 14:54 jimjames says:
I went outside once! It was disappointing. :(
11/05/2011 at 16:15 James says:
@jimjames
I was outside not less than an hour ago, and I can confirm that it was massively unexciting.
11/05/2011 at 18:09 Dances to Podcasts says:
“it was a good day though ^^”
How do you know if you don’t remember?
12/05/2011 at 05:35 Corrupt_Tiki says:
I still had my Wallet, and phone, and no black eyes!
11/05/2011 at 12:56 Pannekaker says:
That was fast :P
11/05/2011 at 15:37 Teddy Leach says:
That’s what she- *dies.*
11/05/2011 at 13:10 Aymes says:
I like Minecraft. But not *that* much.
Unless they held it in the terribly inspirational city of Brum, then I probably won’t be attending.
11/05/2011 at 13:10 iniudan says:
Will it start at 11h11 ?
11/05/2011 at 13:13 olemars says:
I’d suggest western Norway, since then I would be able to attend.
11/05/2011 at 13:13 Valvarexart says:
Why not have it in Sweden? I mean, that’s where the devs work. I don’t even live in Sweden currently, but it would still seem cooler.
11/05/2011 at 13:15 olemars says:
Especially in november.
11/05/2011 at 13:23 iniudan says:
The Lapland would be much cooler, and with some luck Bo-Starr will come to shot a few villain right there for our enjoyment and “stun” the creepers by mistaking them for Grassman.
11/05/2011 at 13:20 adonf says:
Yeah, Sweden’s a much, much better idea than stupid Vegas.
11/05/2011 at 13:29 Eclipse says:
No thanks, I’d rather stay home playing Skyrim that day…
11/05/2011 at 13:40 iniudan says:
What about playing Skyrim at con then ? =p
11/05/2011 at 13:45 DeepSleeper says:
According to Notch’s twitter, he intends to be playing Skyrim at the con himself.
11/05/2011 at 14:51 Harlander says:
Bah! That’s like the guy who came to our RPG+boardgame club barbeque and played World of Warcraft on his laptop! He didn’t even join us in increasingly drunk Settlers of Catan
11/05/2011 at 15:20 Tams80 says:
@ Harlander
Now that really is bad form.
11/05/2011 at 13:39 DeepSleeper says:
I think the explanation here is that Notch would like to go to Vegas, and he’s interested in whether anyone else would like to come too.
11/05/2011 at 13:45 Birky says:
I’m only interested in attending if this is held in an actual mine.
11/05/2011 at 15:56 James says:
Your comment gives me great pleasure!
11/05/2011 at 13:49 Joe Duck says:
Probably Notch has looked at how many copies of Minecraft he has sold in the US and how many in Europe and decided that Vegas (central-ish location with good connections to all corners of the US and lots of convention facilities) is the best choice.
I find that although they keep an informal and relaxed tone, these Minecraft people are pretty spot on in their business decisions and rarely make mistakes. Already 1800 people have said “yes”…
Good move, in my opinion, and very probably a successful one.
11/05/2011 at 18:37 Torgen says:
Vegas, like Orlando, has cheap flights from damned near anywhere to there. Also, Vegas IS probably the city that closest resembles a Minecraft MP server, as mentioned above. You can always take the tour of Hoover dam for inspiration, too. : )
11/05/2011 at 13:51 Leyths says:
Why are these conventions always held in the US? There are people in Europe who would like to visit one and don’t have the time/money to fly to the States. :|
12/05/2011 at 03:10 moondog548 says:
Simple, 1) be more of you, and 2) be more willing to regularly spend your money on stupid shit.
11/05/2011 at 13:54 Corrupt_Tiki says:
Also; Should SO be held at LEGO land, like hire it out for 2-3 days, and build a giant minecraft esqe village, with working bars and clubs! god, I think I just came.
11/05/2011 at 15:22 Tams80 says:
That didn’t quite work out for James May…
11/05/2011 at 13:57 Pnikosis says:
In Sweden maybe I would go. But Vegas…
11/05/2011 at 14:12 Samonite says:
lolled at the 3000 people who want pay 90$ to attend to minecraftcon… yeah right..
11/05/2011 at 14:46 Kdansky says:
Renting space for hundreds or even thousands of people is expensive, and the 90$ are really cheap compared to flying and staying there for a day or two. It’s dirt cheap, to be honest. That said, I wouldn’t expect more than 10% of these 3000 to actually go there.
11/05/2011 at 14:49 James says:
Not that it doesn’t pain me to admit it, but there will easily be that many people willing to pay that to go to a “Minecraft Con”. I’d imagine most players are just that, players, but some are rabid dogs, or worse, children…and there are 2 million people that own it already.
That said, I think I’d prefer it if he/they actually put more thought into the game (that they got 2 million + preorders for (which is not the same as giving someone money to do whatever they want with)) instead of where to have the next super-awesome funtime Mojang is very popular yet still regular people party.
Notch/Markus is having fun with success, I get that, but he has a company funded only by Minecraft preorders and he took the only other developer there working on Minecraft off of it. It would be nice if RPS would mention it…gently, just as a reminder about why he’s got all that filthy, filthy money.
11/05/2011 at 15:10 Zabinatrix says:
Yes James, bohoo – people paid 10-15€, and all they got was a game. Somehow the price of a decent lunch didn’t buy you complete control over Notch’s time and actions!
Yes, how DARE Notch suggest a launch party/con for when the game is finished? That’s just madness.
11/05/2011 at 15:25 Kaira- says:
Minecraft discussion 101 – criticize Notch for something, you clearly have entitlement issues
11/05/2011 at 15:53 James says:
@Zabinatrix
You are ridiculous, but cute in your simple way.
@Kaira
Thanks, don’t I know it.
11/05/2011 at 18:40 Pointless Puppies says:
@James
Pot, meet kettle.
11/05/2011 at 20:51 James says:
@Pointless Puppies
I’d love if you would explain why you felt that comment was appropriate. Take your time and really think about it.
11/05/2011 at 14:15 mcwill says:
I will only go to the Minecraft Launch Party (lol, con, whatever you like Notch) if the entire place is filled with blocks.
And creepers.
11/05/2011 at 16:05 tyrsius says:
Oh, it will be filled with creepers. Don’t worry about that one.
11/05/2011 at 21:10 DJ Phantoon says:
HAH!
12/05/2011 at 11:39 Valvarexart says:
Ah yes, I’m pretty sure there will be both blokes and creepers there ;)
11/05/2011 at 14:19 Zaboomafoozarg says:
Indeed.
A conference for Minecraft nerds?
Not a conference for me,
indeed.
11/05/2011 at 14:51 Persus-9 says:
I think they should have a launch party in Vegas if they want a launch party in Vegas but if they want to have a yearly MinecraftCon then Stockholm is a far better location, I’d go to one in Stockholm. Full disclosure: I live in Stockholm.
11/05/2011 at 15:05 skurmedel says:
As someone who lives in Stockholm too, I heartily agree ;) We even have our own Viper Room where you can meet teenagers with fake IDs!
11/05/2011 at 18:26 Tatourmi says:
Frankly everything northenish in Europe would suit me. But vegas? Nah.
11/05/2011 at 20:42 Defiant Badger says:
I am of the same opinion.
11/05/2011 at 17:03 ManBroPig says:
Speaking as someone who went to the first “Minecraftcon” in Washington last year, I must say that this is a downright horrendous idea unless Notch has a private army of Security personnel. The first one, a small gathering in a public park, turned into an impromptu question and suggestion madhouse. The people who attended were an unsavory sort… the only saving grace was that the rain kept most of the nerd smell away.
11/05/2011 at 17:23 My2CENTS says:
That ain’t Minecraftcon its NerdCon.
11/05/2011 at 21:03 Araxiel says:
It seems you’re lost.
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11/05/2011 at 19:28 jonfitt says:
At last! A gaming meet up which does not take place in a London pub.
11/05/2011 at 20:44 Defiant Badger says:
Odd.
It’s almost as if your implying that’s a good thing.
11/05/2011 at 21:07 Araxiel says:
Minecraft-con. That sounds like a good ide…WHAT THE? VEGAS? Is there some sort of European city of the same name I’m unaware of? And what is that strange symbol infront of the 90? I only know £ and €.
But seriously, what a brainfart! Why in bloody america? He’s a damn European developer with an European sense of socialism. He should remain in frigging Europe. And if some colonialists want to visit Minecraft-con, then they have to move their lazy arses over here for once!
12/05/2011 at 02:30 Ryn Taylor says:
I wish they allowed a comment! I would gladly pay $90, but I wouldn’t go to Las Vegas even if someone paid me $90.
12/05/2011 at 02:33 Wedge says:
Wow. This just reeks of things like a TwiCon. In more ways than one. Get bent Notch.
PAX is $60 for 3 days btw… and what that offers compared to something like this… actually if he weren’t an egotistical maniac that refuses to work or be associated with anyone else, he’d just host a panel and get together there, instead of trying to make some Minecraft Holy Day.
12/05/2011 at 11:19 plugmonkey says:
I don’t want to put a downer on what is obviously an incredibly catchy date for the world’s marketing departments to jump on to launch absolutely everything and have an enormous party, but isn’t the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month already when we sort of, you know, honour our war dead in a single sombre moment of reflection on the madness of humanity, and the terrible lessons history has to teach us lest we be doomed to repeat them over and over for all eternity?
I mean, not that Minecraft and The Elder Scrolls aren’t super, super important as well…
16/05/2011 at 20:56 DrazharLn says:
Quite.