geekosystem

  Could Minecraft -- a game that lets players essentially do anything and build anything they want -- be used by educators to teach students any subject, making it the ultimate educational tool? PBS Idea Channel seems to think so, and they're not alone. They cite some schools currently using the game to teach a wide range of subjects as well as game advocates calling for an increase in game-based learning. We love learning, and we love video games, so we're pretty much all for this.

Look, we know the Minecraft craze has mostly faded, but there's always something interesting being built within the confines of the sandbox game of all sandbox games. People like making things, especially if those things are scaled down versions of places represented in fiction and pop culture. We've even covered such things before, so believe us when we say that this version of King's Landing from Game of Thrones is perhaps the best thing ever built in Minecraft. No foolin'.

Minecraft has been around for a while now -- ages in Internet years -- and we've seen some incredible structures and locations built in the blocky world simulator. Sure, the scope of builds became virtually limitless once people figured out they could throw together some code and use a script that analyzes data from an outside source and then automatically translate it to in-game Minecraft blocks, but even then, some builds are just ridiculous. Case in point, World of Warcraft built in Minecraft. The project has been under construction for quite some time, but the beta was just released. Head on past the break to check out comparisons between the two games, as well as more info on the project.

Minecraft is a lot of things: A fun game that you can never quite fully quit, a shining beacon of the indie gaming industry, the epitome of a rags-to-riches story. Now, thanks to a fairly crazy experiment over on a particular Minecraft server, we can add "creepy psychological examination" to the list of things that Minecraft is.

Regardless of your feelings toward Minecraft, you have to admit that it has become a huge gaming phenomenon. However, there isn't actually too much Minecraft swag out in the world. Just some clothing, LEGOs, and the occasional toy. Luckily, there are some absolutely adorable 3D printed Minecraft figurines that you can buy and surround your dedicated Minecraft gaming PC with, because you have a dedicated Minecraft gaming PC, right? Delta Edge seems to know what's up when it comes 3D printed figurines, and their Minecraft selection is up to par. Check them out below.

Conan O'Brien is a lot of things: Comedian, musician, Tilda Swinton stand-in. But he is not a gamer. However, that has not stopped him from trying in a series of review videos called "Clueless Gamer." This week, the object of his bemusement was Minecraft. Things were off to a great start where, within seconds, the late-night funnyman compared it to 19th century Wales. I think he gets it. See the video, after the break.

It just isn't the weekend if someone isn't being sued over something frivolous. Uniloc, a company best known for suing scads of others, has filed suit against the developer of Minecraft -- Mojang -- over software patents. Specifically, the patents are in reference to a method used to prevent unauthorized access to data. It's this kind of broad language that has allowed Uniloc to happily start suing others like publisher Electronic Arts and now Mojang. This will clearly end well.

It's been three months since the release of Minecraft version 1.25, the longest interim to date between updates. But today, we rejoice! This morning on Mojang's official blog, a post appeared announcing the release date of version 1.3 as well as detailing some of the changes being added. This is gonna be a big one, folks!

It turns out that there is a little game that some people connected to this great series of tubes like to play. It's called "SWATing" and it involves calling law enforcement officers on the home of someone who irritated you on the Internet. On June 17, 16-year-old Jacob Neumann's home was surrounded by heavily armed police officers for banning a Minecraft player from the server he was administrating.

Hahaha! Get it? Notch! Like, the guy who made Minecraft! The group Corridor Digital created a live action Minecraft fan film titled Diamonds Are Forever. These gentleman are true geniuses in the field of putting cardboard boxes on their heads and producing high-intensity, creeper-killing action. First, I'm really sorry about the Notch joke. Second, you need to watch this video. I can only imagine how much time and effort was spent producing this thing. It is unbelievably epic with more than a few "Oh damn! Did you just see that?" moments. The gents over at Corridor Digital have a bit of experience with live action Minecraft videos. Watch this video.

Redditor Brony2you, and his pals TheGurw and Scooterboo have built Pokémon's Kanto region in Minecraft. That up there is Pallet Town, where we start travelling across the land, searching far and wide. According to Brony2you, some of the buildings, like in Fuchsia City, are not yet done, but the map and the blocks are all in place. He also encourages you to turn peaceful on, but why not take the extra step and throw in the Pokémobs Minecraft mod while you're at it. Your own first-person Pokémon game! It's a dream come true.

Minecraft Over-Engineered is a relatively new web-series in which YouTuber St3venAU picks a Minecraft concept and takes it to absurd extremes. This episode on TNT cannons is a perfect example. Aside from the awesome cannons, St3venAU is a joy to listen to and takes serious pride in his work. The whole thing is worth a look, and really sucks you in, but if you're more impatient, we've included a list of timestamps for the noteworthy explosions after the break.

When we think of the Mines of Moria, we think of either Gimli's crib or the place where Gandalf got crunk with the Balrog. But when Redditor and Minecraft enthusiast Tigerballs07 saw the Mines of Moria in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, all he saw was virtual 1-cubic-meter blocks. For roughly a year, Tigerballs07 and a team of over 40 volunteers worked to create a 1:1 scale replica of Middle Earth's Mines of Moria. Read on for a little more about this tremendous project, gallery included!

Forget pre-orders, forget voting on CUUSOO, forget dreaming: Today, your dream becomes a reality. Friends, the Minecraft LEGO set is available in the LEGO store. Now you can relive the daredevil escapades of Steve, the lone builder, and his Creeper buddy in real life. This is a good day.

Not content with a regular, fancy wedding, possibly outside somewhere in the rolling English countryside, Matt and Asia went for a Minecraft wedding instead. The couple met through their church -- Matt says he fell for Asia while watching her dance -- but they bonded while playing everyone's favorite blocky build 'em up. At MineCon, Matt proposed to Asia, so it's only fitting that the couple have a Minecraft wedding, complete with loaned props from MineCon, as well as Minecraft Jones Soda. Check out pictures of their pixelated wedding after the break.