virtual world Archives

AppWizard

June 25, 2025

HOW DISGUISE BUILT OUT THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS FOR A MINECRAFT MOVIE

A Minecraft Movie, directed by Jared Hess, utilizes 3D voxel art to create its unique visual style, moving away from photorealistic graphics. The production involved a collaboration with Disguise, led by Dan Lemmon, and features a cast including Jason Momoa and Jack Black. Talia Finlayson, a Senior Unreal Artist at Disguise, emphasized the integration of the Virtual Art Department (VAD) throughout production, allowing for real-time live-compositing of the Minecraft world using Simulcam. Set designs were created in Rhinoceros 3D and transformed into interactive environments with Unreal Engine, incorporating assets from talented artists and the game itself. Flexibility was crucial, enabling rapid iteration based on feedback, with adjustments made to accommodate filming needs, such as removing a second story from a building. The design process considered practical aspects like camera movements and stunt choreography, ensuring cohesion with the Minecraft aesthetic. The use of Simulcam allowed for the merging of physical and virtual environments, enhancing production efficiency and creativity.

AppWizard

June 9, 2025

Texas YouTuber recreates San Antonio Tower Life Building in ‘Minecraft’

Eric, a Texas-based YouTuber known for his channel Mogswamp, has dedicated over 500 hours of gameplay and a year of planning to recreate the Tower Life building in Minecraft. He became fascinated with the building, the fifth tallest in San Antonio, due to its distinctive design and visibility across the city. To ensure accuracy in his recreation, Eric researched drone footage, historical background, blueprints, and took his own photographs. The San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology (SAMSAT) is using Minecraft Education to engage students in various subjects, offering summer camps that incorporate technology and education. The Tower Life building is currently undergoing renovations to convert vacant office floors into apartment units while remaining a prominent feature of the San Antonio skyline.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

I’m quitting PC Gamer to run a vending machine empire in the back streets of Japan after my idle game obsession shadow-dropped at the Wholesome Direct

The author became interested in managing a vending machine business in Japan after playing a demo of the game Vending Dokan!: Kozy Kiosk. The full version was announced immediately after a showcase, prompting the author to continue exploring the virtual vending business. The game offers a tranquil experience of overseeing a vending machine in a Japanese alleyway, which has inspired the author to consider real-life vending machine ventures and explore online vending machine auctions.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

What brands can learn from Minecraft’s Chicken Jockey

Brands are increasingly required to engage with customers in digital spaces, with platforms like Roblox attracting 90 million daily active users. 56% of Gen Z prioritize styling their avatars over their own appearance, highlighting the need for brands to adapt to virtual environments. The gaming sector provides opportunities for product testing using digital twin technology, allowing brands to simulate scenarios and analyze data for trend forecasting. Retailers like Temu, Shein, and TikTok are rapidly creating products in response to trends, necessitating a shift from traditional six-month development cycles to real-time supply chains. Demand spikes can arise from various sources, and without a robust Order Management System (OMS), businesses risk losing sales. Accurate, real-time inventory visibility is crucial for managing demand spikes and anticipating future needs. Nike has launched Nikeland on Roblox for product testing and consumer engagement, while Snapchat offers AR features for virtual try-ons, allowing brands to gauge interest before physical launches. The intersection of gaming and commerce presents unique opportunities for innovative consumer engagement.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

How to Build an Automatic Crop Farm in Minecraft (2025 Guide)

In Minecraft, players can create automated farming systems to enhance productivity. To build a basic automated crop farm using wheat, follow these steps: 1. Collection System: Excavate a 9x9 area, lay powered rails activated by redstone torches, and place a hopper connected to a chest at one end. Use a hopper minecart to collect crops. 2. Farming Platform: Build a 9x9 dirt platform above the rails, place a water source block on a bottom slab in the center, till the soil, and sow seeds. 3. Villager Introduction: Enclose three sides of the farm, add a villager with seeds, and seal the area for the villager to plant and harvest crops. 4. Farmer Assignment: Place a composter on the water slab to designate the villager as a farmer for continuous planting and harvesting. 5. Lighting: Use torches to illuminate the farm for consistent crop growth. Notable community builds for inspiration include Shulkercraft's Auto Wheat Farm, JC Playz's Compact Farm, Shulkercraft's Potato/Carrot Variant, and CaptainOwl's TNT Tree Farm. Automated farms significantly reduce resource generation time and encourage experimentation with redstone mechanics and crop diversity.