Notch reveals sci-fi game “0x10c”

Minecraft creator Notch has officially revealed his next big project, space game 0x10c. Advertised as a “hard science fiction” game on its website, the project carries an extensive list of features that promise what sounds like an open-world space sim.

The website’s features list advertises concepts ranging from “lots of engineering” to randomized encounters and duct tape. On top of that is a promise of mining and the ability to land on planets, which could suggest a Minecraft-esque inspiration to some of the gameplay.

Elements like power will also be a factor, with things like cloaking fields representing large power drains that would require a player to shut off other systems and dim his or her ship’s lights. If the prospect of sending all power to the engines while whispering “I’m giving her all she’s got, Captain!” to yourself in a vaguely Scottish accent doesn’t excite you, then you’re playing this game wrong.

Another feature is the inclusion of a fully-working 16-bit computer system. The 16-bit aspect refers to the backstory of the game, which involves an alternate reality where the space race never really ended after the lunar landing.

In this parallel world, the ’80s see the development of “deep sleep” cells. An innocent error in the coding of the complementary 16-bit computers, which provides for the game’s name, results in the first users of these cells waking up in the distant future, where the universe is “on the brink of extinction.” Lovely.

The 16-bit computer will offer full control over the entire ship, and Notch intends on releasing the specifications of the computer in order to allow 16-bit programmers to have their fun in advance.

While the game is still early in development, Notch has said that they will likely provide early-build releases in the style of Minecraft’s development.

Pricing for the single-player has yet to be worked out, but the idea for a monthly fee has been bandied about for the multiplayer component.