Fortresscraft
Encyclopedia
FortressCraft is a video game released on Xbox Live
Indie Games
on April 8, 2011. FortressCraft is very strongly inspired by the two pioneers of the sandbox block-builder genre: Minecraft
and Infiniminer. The game utilizes textured cubes to create the landscape, as with other games in the genre.
FortressCraft makes use of Xbox Live Avatars that are associated with each player's Gamertag. Like the Creative version of Minecraft the first chapter of FortressCraft has no set parameters, quests, or objectives—gamers are to forge their own personal worlds block-by-block alone or with friends on Xbox Live.
There currently is a total of 61 different cubic blocks in the game, each with their own pattern and design, along with 64 custom user-defined blocks. These cubic blocks in conjunction with the custom user-defined blocks can be used to build anything the player wants. The blocks vary from simple color and texture variants to being quite unique--the trampoline block, for example, is a unique block that propels players up in the air with each jump. The trampoline block was also one of the many ideas suggested to the game's lead designer, Adam Sawkins, which was implemented into the game. These cubic blocks can be used to build anything the player wants.
The game also features a "Workshop", where the player can place down blocks to make an 8 x 8 x 8 block scale model which is then transformed into a single custom block allowing players to make unique blocks.
Markus Persson
, the creator of Minecraft
, has commented on the game, saying "FortressCraft is an obvious attempt to just take something popular and clone it as closely as possible. I still think it's important that people are allowed and able to do things like that, but it's hardly graceful." Adam Sawkins first responded to the criticism with an open letter to Persson, citing Minecraft as an inspiration, but crediting the differences present in FortressCraft. Sawkins later defended the credibility of FortressCraft in a feature run by IGN
, stating, "It might do well on the name alone, but if you want sexy graphics and shaders and the creative aspect, you have FortressCraft. If you want to fight monsters and share stuff with your friends, you have Total Miner
. Nobody will pay for Minecraft when they can pay $3.00 for Total Miner or FortressCraft".
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
Indie Games
Xbox Live Indie Games
Xbox Live Indie Games are user created video games released on Microsoft's Xbox Live Marketplace for the Xbox 360. The games are developed using Microsoft XNA, and developed by one or more independent developers that are registered with App Hub...
on April 8, 2011. FortressCraft is very strongly inspired by the two pioneers of the sandbox block-builder genre: Minecraft
Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox-building independent video game written in Java originally by Swedish creator Markus "Notch" Persson and now by his company, Mojang, formed from the proceeds of the game. It was released as an alpha on May 17, 2009, with a beta version on December 20, 2010...
and Infiniminer. The game utilizes textured cubes to create the landscape, as with other games in the genre.
FortressCraft makes use of Xbox Live Avatars that are associated with each player's Gamertag. Like the Creative version of Minecraft the first chapter of FortressCraft has no set parameters, quests, or objectives—gamers are to forge their own personal worlds block-by-block alone or with friends on Xbox Live.
Gameplay
Upon starting a new game players spawn on a water-filled tower in a randomly generated world. From this point they may start exploring their world or assembling structures with the various block sets given to them. Conversely they may also choose to dig through the ground, hunting for Relics that give bonuses such as the ability to fly, to jump higher, to place TNT charges and blow up blocks, and more.There currently is a total of 61 different cubic blocks in the game, each with their own pattern and design, along with 64 custom user-defined blocks. These cubic blocks in conjunction with the custom user-defined blocks can be used to build anything the player wants. The blocks vary from simple color and texture variants to being quite unique--the trampoline block, for example, is a unique block that propels players up in the air with each jump. The trampoline block was also one of the many ideas suggested to the game's lead designer, Adam Sawkins, which was implemented into the game. These cubic blocks can be used to build anything the player wants.
The game also features a "Workshop", where the player can place down blocks to make an 8 x 8 x 8 block scale model which is then transformed into a single custom block allowing players to make unique blocks.
Reception
FortressCraft has been met with favorable sales. Within the first two days of the game's release it was downloaded 40,000 times and purchased around 35,000 times. As of July 2011, with total gross surpassing US$1M, FortressCraft is the best-selling indie game on the Xbox Live Marketplace to date. The game's credits cite Minecraft, Infiminer, Dwarf Fortress and others as an influence/inspiration.Markus Persson
Markus Persson
Markus Alexej Persson is a Swedish indie game developer and founder of Mojang AB. He is best known for creating the sandbox building game Minecraft.- Biography :...
, the creator of Minecraft
Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox-building independent video game written in Java originally by Swedish creator Markus "Notch" Persson and now by his company, Mojang, formed from the proceeds of the game. It was released as an alpha on May 17, 2009, with a beta version on December 20, 2010...
, has commented on the game, saying "FortressCraft is an obvious attempt to just take something popular and clone it as closely as possible. I still think it's important that people are allowed and able to do things like that, but it's hardly graceful." Adam Sawkins first responded to the criticism with an open letter to Persson, citing Minecraft as an inspiration, but crediting the differences present in FortressCraft. Sawkins later defended the credibility of FortressCraft in a feature run by IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, stating, "It might do well on the name alone, but if you want sexy graphics and shaders and the creative aspect, you have FortressCraft. If you want to fight monsters and share stuff with your friends, you have Total Miner
Total Miner
Total Miner is a 2011 Xbox Live Indie Game developed and published by Greenstone Games. It is a block building sandbox style game inspired by Minecraft.-Gameplay:...
. Nobody will pay for Minecraft when they can pay $3.00 for Total Miner or FortressCraft".