'Minecraft' Video Calls: Verizon Makes In-Game Calls Possible
Browsing the web, sending selfies, and making video calls are activities people don't usually associate with "Minecraft." That's all about to change, though, as Verizon Wireless unveils its latest project slash promotional campaign that makes these all possible.
Verizon's new project aims to create a cell network in "Minecraft." This network can connect to the real world and enable players connect with other players in "Minecraft." Demos (videos below) from YouTubers and "Minecraft" enthusiasts CaptainSparklez and Seth Bling explain and show how everything works.
Crafting a phone and cell network
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First, players need to craft a phone. They do this by surrounding a white stained glass pane with iron blocks. Then, they need to build a tower, which is crafted in much the same way as making boots in the game. Using bone meal, engineers then set to work transforming the "tower sapling" into a full-fledged tower.
Once the cell tower or network is set up, players simply connect to it by hitting the home button in the "Minecraft" phone.
Verizon in "Minecraft" features
As mentioned earlier, the "Minecraft" phone has three features. Players can use the phone to make video calls, send a selfie, and browse the web, although as this is "Minecraft," everything is pixelated to stay true to the game's boxy feel.
When making video calls, "Minecraft" players will see the person on the other side translated as "Minecraft" blocks, while that person sees the player's avatar in the game. Everything happens in real time.
Combining the in-game phone with a stick will create a selfie stick by which players can take selfies. These "Minecraft" pictures can then be sent to any real-world phone through text or MMS.
Web browsing is a feature that's not very useful but is a lot of fun. Input any URL and the phone will load that same web page as "Minecraft" blocks. Players can even scroll up and down.
All of these features can be seen in action in the videos below.
This Verizon "Minecraft" project was made possible through Boxel, a web application that translates pages and videos into something that "Minecraft" can understand. The project is open-sourced so those who know how to code can tweak and improve it even more.
