Concept Pitch
A Minecraft puzzle-based mini-game
What is MCC?
MCC or Minecraft Championships is a competitive online event hosted by NoxCrew. The event sees 40 content creators who stream on Twitch and Youtube compete in 10 teams of 4 in a series of unique and fun mini-games on Minecraft.
NoxCrew, the creators and hosts of the event describe it as:
“Ten teams of four go head to head in a variety of mini-games that have been made to test your core Minecraft skills; think parkour, survival, combat, teamwork and more. At the end of the event, the top two teams with the most coins will go up against one another in one final game to decide the ultimate champion.
The event is a focus on fun and competitive party games. You’ll find classic Minecraft mini-games (including some with a quirky spin), and some new and unique games too.”
Photo of the MCC 7 Champions, Credit @MCChampionship_ on twitter
What is Puzzle Cube?
The concept
Puzzle Cube is a randomly generated series of puzzle rooms, much like an escape room, that sees players race to complete as many rooms as they can. Each room tests a particular skill, ranging from parkour, building, PvE and more. Players may find themselves in a room alone or co-operating with a fellow team-mate(s). As players complete rooms they will earn coins.
The purpose
I created this concept as a personal passion project to ask the question “What if”, what if I could design/create my own mini-game for use in the biggest Minecraft championship games. This concept is completely unofficial and isn’t endorsed by NoxCrew, the creators and hosts of MC Championships.
The why
NoxCrew and Minecraft Championships build mini-games that test a range of core Minecraft skills, often aiming to test one skill per game. This has led to players becoming frustrated at particular mini-games that challenge a particular skill that plays into the abilities of pros whilst punishing the unskilled.
Puzzle Cube is intended as a game that can put all players on an even playing field and mix multiple Minecraft skills in quick succession.
Now the context is out of the way...
Let's talk in detail about this concept
Whilst I haven’t built this concept or its map inside of Minecraft, I’ve attempted to explain its concept in detail through sketches, diagrams and words.
The Player Experience
From the point at which the timer starts to when it stops, players will be frantically racing to complete as many puzzles and challenges as possible.
Teams will be presented with 4 separate paths, each player is expected to pick one path and complete the puzzles on its way. However, when players die, fall out of the world or reach a checkpoint they’ll be respawned and may have the opportunity to switch to an alternate path (one of the other four paths).
Earning points & winning the game
As a player completes a puzzle and moves on to the next one they will be awarded a set number of points which is related to the difficulty level of the puzzle.
To win, teams must gain as many points as possible.
Modules, puzzles & randomness
From the point at which the timer starts to when it stops, players will be frantically racing to complete as many puzzles and challenges as possible.
Teams will be presented with 4 separate paths, each player is expected to pick one path and complete the puzzles on its way. However, when players die, fall out of the world or reach a checkpoint they’ll be respawned and may have the opportunity to switch to an alternate path (one of the other four paths).
Earning points & winning the game
As a player completes a puzzle and moves on to the next one they will be awarded a set number of points which is related to the difficulty level of the puzzle.
To win, teams must gain as many points as possible.