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Minecraft Earth takes centre stage at Apple’s WWDC

Upcoming augmented reality game used to show off ARKit 3 capabilities

Minecraft Earth takes centre stage at Apple’s WWDC

Microsoft and Mojang’s upcoming augmented reality game Minecraft Earth took centre stage at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) as it was used to show off the new ARKit 3.

Mojang chief brand office Lydia Winters and creative director Saxs Persson showed off how the game can work in a player’s surroundings.

The Minecraft level was first presented on a table setting, showing how users can wonder and interact with the world through their phones and avatars with others.

Using ARKit 3’s new motion capture features, Winters’ avatar was able to replicate her waving through Persson’s phone.

The game’s world was then expanded to fit the entire stage, with Winters now standing inside the level itself and interacting with it. Winters and Persson were able to do many of the things you might expect from Minecraft, to build and destroy.

In showing off the interactivity, Persson accidentally harmed an innocent chicken instead of the enemies.

The free-to-play mobile game is set to roll out this summer in a closed beta for both iOS and Android devices.

Those interested in getting their hands on the game can be in a chance of participating by signing up on the website.

You can check out more of our coverage from WWDC here.

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Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.