What features differ between the XBLA and PC versions of minecraft?

Question

What differences does the Xbox 360 version of minecraft have compared to playing on the PC?

EDIT: At the risk of this being too localized, I'm asking more about differences exclusive to each platform, not just differences of features that will most likely be added in future updates (for example, crafting). Otherwise, I feel like this question could become similar to a "What is the difference between Minecraft version x and version y" question, which isn't really what I'm asking. A simple "the XBLA minecraft runs version x of minecraft" is enough for that.

Answer 1

According to the Minecraft Wiki, the Xbox version is closest to Beta 1.8.2. It is expected to be updated again.

Here are a few key differences between the versions. The full current list can be found here.

• Local 4 player split-screen multiplayer (requires HDTV, won't work on SD)
• Limited to 8 player online play (apparently cross platform multi, but not too sure about that)
• Newly designed crafting system
  • Seems to use a list for crafting, so you don't need to remember recipes
• World's limited to 862x862x128 blocks (PC is ∞X∞X256, expected to be increased in later versions)
• Cannot change difficulty mid-game
• Can't use mods, texture packs, or add player skins (8 skins included in game)
  • Texture packs and mods support is expected much later
• Includes tutorial mode
• Kinect support is expected to be added later

EDIT:

As of October 12th, 2012, the Xbox version was updated to include all features listed (here)

Answer 2

There are a few reviews of the new XBox version on YouTube. Here's one from CaptainSparklez:

It appears that the version used as the basis for the XBox version is pre-Adventure Update, so it doesn't have a lot of these newer features, like a food system, experience, sprinting, etc.

As far as XBox-specific features that have been added, here's a list of what I've seen so far:

• Nicely polished tutorials, particularly in-game ones.
• A new inventory/crafting UI that includes crafting recipes, so instead of a lot of trial and error to craft things it will tell you what you can make, what you need to make it, and how much of the ingredients you already have.
• Split screen play for up to 4 players.
• A world size limit, so there will be defined edges instead of an endless procedurally-generated map (which would take too much memory). It will still likely be huge, though.

Answer 3

Main thing is the screen split. You can play with 4 players in local mode. For now it's the only main difference that I know, you can't play on the xbox live network for now, though Notch said that it will be possible in the future. Except that, there is no major differences "for now". It has just been released so we can wait for upgrades.

Answer 4

Ok, since the update in October of 2012 Minecraft is now a 1.7.2 I believe. This update put in hunger, creative, strongholds, abandon mineshafts, host privileges, endermen (ender pearls), silverfish, stonebricks, stained glass, iron bars, and patched a few things. Now what everyone is waiting is blaze so they can beat the game. Another big thing they are waiting on is texture packs and lots of others.

On the other hand pc might have all that but what they don't have would be split screen. Lots of pc players want to have this but they might have to wait because the 360 edition is about 2 years behind in updates. However, Mojang and notch were already behind when it came so the must help the promises they made first to the 360 edition.

Answer 5

It does have the 2 by 2 crafting option you press X to open it. But the rest sounded about right and there's much much more that isn't there or doesn't work. One in particular was the ender pearl. I was rather suprized to find that it was available but didn't do anything.

Answer 6

The XBLA version seems to be an older version of Minecraft on the PC. The differences that I have seen are there is no food bar and you have the shearing punch with sheep again. The other big differences that I have seen is you don't have to know the crafting recipes for anything anymore and the multiplayer split screen.

If anyone can tell what version of Minecraft was used for the Xbox version then we can know all the differences.

Answer 7

I've read the answers but i have found significant differences. Someone mentioned the "minecraft wiki" which was completely unhelpful to me, given that i can only find a reference page to the 360 version... all other links on it just revert back to PC version. There are loads of differences. Here are some that i've experienced (someone please correct me if i'm wrong on any of these):

• no 2x2 crafting option
• far less available objects (iron bars, glass panes, sandstone variances etc.)
• no brewing, enchanting, breeding
• no naturally occurring npc villages in seeds
• i just saw "experience" the 360 doesn't have