Minecraft clone FortressCraft hits XBLIG

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 23 February, 2011

What would Notch think?

Indie hit Minecraft has an admirer: FortressCraft, a shameless clone, will launch on 4th March for either 80 or 240 Microsoft Points.

The game is broken down into seven chapters to be released every four to six weeks," creator ProjectorGames said.

A developer of the game even took to Minecraft's forum to explain how it works.

"Chapter 1 is basically Minecraft's Creative, Chapter 2 adds in crafting, Chapter 3 adds in life, Chapter 4 adds in machinery, Chapter 5 adds in Minions, Chapter 6 adds in PvP, Chapter 7 adds in Fortress Assault mode... (or whatever)."

Over on FortressCraft's official website, there is a heated debate over the legality of the game, with some speculating that Minecraft developer Mojang may take legal action.

A representative of ProjectorGames described FortressCraft to Eurogamer as "a game kind of like Minecraft for Xbox". "It will have 32 player online support with voice chat, and use avatars as the actual characters." A gameplay video is below.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (55) Latest comment 10 months ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • FiReTiGeR2K #1 1 year ago

    you best be trolling.. that just isnt fair

  • Mortey #2 1 year ago

    Complete rip off of Minecraft and they seem to know it.

    I do want it though........is that wrong?

  • dmjennings #3 1 year ago

    Whilst I appreciate it was probably a good test for the coders it does not look a patch on minecraft - maybe its because I'm used to the original but the graphics just look wrong.

    I hope it inspires Notch to get a 360 version on live

  • Kanselier #4 1 year ago

    I bet Chapter 2 adds an exploding protagonist.

    edit: what a poor trailer. Misplaced music for one, and it is nothing more than semi-lengthy shots of the game placed in a sequence with very little feeling. Poor.
    Edited by 1 at 23/02/11 @ 08:50

  • FiReTiGeR2K #5 1 year ago

    its a joke surely unless microsoft purposefully found a loop hole or that notch maybe has no copyright? otherwise its court time!

  • Fellblade #6 1 year ago

    That video and article made me sad :(

  • Dizzy #7 1 year ago

    I expect a whole host of MC clones the next year or so. It is a bit of a new genre and there is plenty of room to add features.

    Maybe good for MC as well... competition is good. Just like everybody started making MMOs after Warcraft.

  • unacomn #8 1 year ago

    Bloom? Shaded water? Away with yee heathen!

  • Canyarion #9 1 year ago

    Why the Skype chat sound at the end? So confusing...

  • LFace #10 1 year ago

    It maybe a complete rip off of Minecraft (which I love religiously) but Minecraft itself is copying several others as well (such as Dwarf Fortress and Infiniminer) - Notch himself admits this as in the link Right Here

  • HoraceGoesSquiffy #11 1 year ago

    This goes beyond continuing a genre, and is clearly a complete clone of Minecraft. They even kept half the name for recognition value. If I was Notch, I'd be straight on the phone to the solicitors.

  • DwarfyP #12 1 year ago

    At least turn off Skype when you are recording your promo video

    @FiReTiGeR2K It has nothing to do with Microsoft, it is an Indie game not published by Microsoft. However Microsoft will have the same obligations as Apple when it comes to clone games and if Minecraft guys want it taken down then Microsoft will probably do it.
    Edited by 1 at 23/02/11 @ 08:58

  • FiReTiGeR2K #13 1 year ago

    but.. its on xbox live... someone must have approoved it or maybe M$ will turn a blind eye take the M$ points and then send the ensuing solicitors to the indie developer washing their hands of it?

  • funkateer #14 1 year ago

    Although it's obviously a rip-off, I don't see why it would be illegal.
    It doesn't actually copy graphics, sound or other content from the game does it? Remember you can't copyright an idea.

  • el_pollo_diablo #15 1 year ago

    Well that's put the wind out of Gameloft's next big reveal.

  • roquey Verified Lead Quality Assurance Tester and Compliance Specialist, Universally Speaking #16 1 year ago

    so is that 80 or 240 per episode? thats 640 to 1920 MSP if its the higher end why noot just buy minecraft and support the poeple who didnt have to copy a game to make money?

  • Cronan #17 1 year ago

    At least this is a finished game, unlike the massive joke Notch has managed to pull on tens of thousands of clueless geeks ...

    Yeah, that's right, neg me, you load of gullible nerds. Cognitive dissonance burns, doesn't it?
    Edited by 1 at 23/02/11 @ 09:21

  • Inquisitor #18 1 year ago

    Microsoft doesn't have to approve it, it's on the XBLIG channel. As long as it isn't considered 'offensive' MS have no say at all in what's released on there. Every game has to get a certain number of 'community reviews' before it can get uploaded.

    I've always felt Minecraft would be a good fit for XBLIG or Arcade, this actually looks alright, yes, it's a rip off but it's on a completely different platform at least. Doesn't excuse it but I doubt Notch had plans for an Xbox release (plus I'm being selfish and would like to play something like MC but my rubbish lappy crashes every time I load it).

  • Kanselier #19 1 year ago

    @Cronan

    How is FortressCraft finished? They already speak of seven DLC packages released every four to six weeks. Sounds to me the game is far from finished but they need to get it out of the door as soon as possible.

  • drchocapic #20 1 year ago

    If you can't create I guess you can rip off...

  • muters #21 1 year ago

    I think there's plenty of room to expand on Minecraft, and there's no reason it should hold a monopoly on this type of game, but FortressCraft really does just look like a texture pack. Unless they're hiding something legitimately distinctive, it all seems very dubious.

    Plus there's the natural downside of it being a console game: no unofficial mods.

  • PlugMonkey #22 1 year ago

    "If you can't create I guess you can rip off..."

    It's been said before, but it might as well be said again: Infiniminer. Look in any way familiar?

    From the same bloke who made the utterly brilliant (and also extremely original) SpaceChem.
    Edited by 1 at 23/02/11 @ 09:39

  • Xboxfanuk #23 1 year ago

    If nothing else hopefully Minecraft creator will port his game to XBLA or XBLIG

  • mcmonkeyplc #24 1 year ago

    Guess Mr Minecraft should release a proper version for the xbox now, cant see why he wouldn't. It's a fooking huge market. He's releasing a version on iOS. So it's not like he's not open to new platforms.

    Maybe the differentiator for this clone is Avatar support and whatever the hell assualt mode is.

  • arcam #25 1 year ago

    No one's getting sued, it's quite obvious. Firstly because they wouldn't win, and secondly because that really doesn't seem like notch's style.

    And Cronan, you are so clueless it hurts.

  • sonicyoda #26 1 year ago

    Has it become hip to hate on Minecraft?

    Whatever. I don't have to listen to you in my AWESOME CAVE.
    Edited by 1 at 23/02/11 @ 10:08

  • Subdominator #27 1 year ago

    Since game ideas can't be copyrighted (and Minecraft itself was heavily ... let's say inspired or influenced by other games as well) and his game runs in Java which he has stated several times that he has no intention to change (Xbox can't run Java) there is no real problem here. Successful game ideas get copied all the time and most of the time the originals are what the customers buy. Not the shameless copies. FortressCraft even seems to be bringing something new to the table with fortress assaults.

  • octavedoctor #28 1 year ago

    Looks great! Can't wait to play it.

    I like the idea of Minecraft but I don't play PC games as I sit at PC all day long and my back hurts (old codger me)

    I wonder, did people shout and scream like this when Duke Nukem came out as it's blatantly one of those shooty games like Doom!

  • gingerlink #29 1 year ago

    Right, so even if I was going to buy it, I should just buy chapter 7, right?

  • dwalker109 #30 1 year ago

    A slightly less shameless riding of the coat-tails and I'd be interested. Has promise.

  • arcam #31 1 year ago

    I don't play PC games as I sit at PC all day long and my back hurts

    Of topic I know, but if you find a sofa better for your back than a desk chair... you need a new chair.

  • SAMagic #32 1 year ago

    @Subdominator : You REALLY don't consider this a shameless rip-off? There's a huge difference between inspiration and outright theft of someone's idea. Are the people who are fine with FortressCraft also fine with the pathetic rip-off that Capcom did of Splosion Man?

    I think it crosses the line, but I'm unsure whether anything will legally happen.

    Edit: I think it's important to note that Minecraft isn't on XBL, so the makers of FortressCraft WILL be gaining revenue and recognition. Some XB gamers will be clueless as to Minecraft's existence.
    Edited by 1 at 23/02/11 @ 10:43

  • fizzyfish #33 1 year ago

    Sure, it has graphics, but has it got soul?

  • Whitster #34 1 year ago

    It's quite obviously a rip off, but also looks alot nicer and allows me to play with a pad, so I may well try the first episode if it indeed launches for 80 microsoft fun bucks.

  • octavedoctor #35 1 year ago

    Of topic I know, but if you find a sofa better for your back than a desk chair... you need a new chair.

    You're probably right there :)

  • Spekingur #36 1 year ago

    @LFace: Inspired by isn't the same as "cloning" (which is what FortressCraft is). Notch and Rolf started on Wurm Online well before Infiniminer was out - I remember playing Wurm Online in 2004 I think. I see a lot more relation in Minecraft to Wurm Online than Infiniminer and Dwarf Fortress to tell the truth :-P
    (Though there are elements from those two games present, obviously.)

    To people claiming those who already bought Minecraft as being fooled around by Notch - we have had games released from big gaming companies in worse state than Minecraft is currently. Those same people also have no knowledge of the indie scene.

  • Paul_cz #37 1 year ago

    You cannot "steal" a freaking idea, especially when the idea was already "stolen" (infiniminer).
    This is why IP laws are so freaking stupid.
    Imitation is the best form of flattery, and competition is what makes us improve. Bring on Minecraft-like games!

  • joe90 #38 1 year ago

    but minecraft was a copy of other games of the same genre..

  • Cronan #39 1 year ago

    Hurting Arcam, all in a day's work. So how's that cognitive dissonance?

  • miiiguel #40 1 year ago

    It looks nicer than Minecraft, and I bet it won't crash the system every 15 minutes.

  • arcam #41 1 year ago

    So how's that cognitive dissonance?

    Explain what you mean by this and I will tell you.

  • Harmonica #42 1 year ago

    There's a difference between 'homages', games which 'take inspiration', 'clones' and then bare-faced rip-offs which have copied every single element from the original like this.

    For those who think there's no legal case, you could try creating a copy of a game released by a major publisher and see how far you get with distributing it on XBLA. The only reason it exists is because Notch is an indie developer and indies are not usually prone to making legal cases against other developers, nor equipped with the funds to do so.

    It's a test-case for seeing if Notch is going to turn a blind eye, because honestly, who gives a shit about a copy, or whether he'll lawyer up.
    Edited by 1 at 23/02/11 @ 11:59

  • SFG_Clan #43 1 year ago

    Or you could just buy Minecraft and get all of that from the start for one price

  • deano2099 #44 1 year ago

    The problem is you can't copyright the game rules. For something like Doom or whatever, you're okay because the level design is clearly an independent work, and if everyone just copies the entire structure of each level, key placement, monster placement and so on, it's infringing quite clearly on your work (even if you change all the textures and models).

    Trouble with Minecraft is that everything is proceedurally generated, or built by the player using the in-game tools. Hence there's no obvious 'level design' to copy. You just have to copy the rules, and those rules are obvious and part of the game-world itself (there's no complicated AI routines or physics you need to copy).

    Desktop Dungeons ran in to similar problems with an iPhone clone, as the rules are simple and deterministic, and the levels randomly generated.

    It's a rip-off, but it's one that'd be hard to bring a case against under current copyright law. The law still needs to catch up.

  • coolbritannia #45 1 year ago

    I support Cronan. I'm buying this.

  • Drygore #46 1 year ago

    @coolbritannia

    Good for you, i won't though. Cronan clearly doesnt have a clue about what he's talking about. And it's not only "tens of thousands" anymore. It has sold over 1 million copies.

  • s3kShUn8 #47 1 year ago

    @Drygore, 1379129 copies to be precise ;) I just hope that this doesn't pressure Notch and Mojang to rush anything out for MC. The best thing they can do is take their time and get everything right.

  • Xboxfanuk #48 1 year ago

    If Minecraft isn't coming to Xbox then why moan if something similar is. Frankly I have yet to see what the problem is. I guess the internetz like to moan if their idols are fiddled with.

  • Harmonica #49 1 year ago

    You're a fucking idiot. What's the problem with someone taking everything someone has worked on for years, passing it off as their own work and then sticking it up for sale? Hmm, I wonder.

  • Matfink #50 1 year ago

    A bit of healthy competition can't hurt can it? ;)
    I get the strange feeling Notch's lawyers are itching to curtail Minecraft's future development. Just a feeling...

  • Gnoupi #51 1 year ago

    [link url=http://cache.gyazo.com/af48044650e973ec00095a1fbdcc7e e6.png
    ]http://ca che.gyazo.com/af48044650e973ec0...[/link]

    Nothing illegal in that, stop calling for lawsuits.

    He could have made a better effort in the name, true. But besides, it's a game made on the minecraft gameplay.
    Just like all shooters are coming from the wolfenstein and doom games.
    Just like all the Dota-like games recently.

    You can't copyright a gameplay idea, hopefully. Thanks to that, an idea can be improved, to make even better games in the future.

    Also, he took obviously inspiration from Minecraft, but he still had to program all his game from the beginning.
    Edited by 1 at 24/02/11 @ 08:43

  • djarcas #52 1 year ago

    One person who is NOT speculating on legal action would be the CEO of Mojang.


    http://tw itter.com/carlmanneh/status/403...

  • Harmonica #53 1 year ago

    The law is an ass. Legality is one thing, it being morally reprehensible is pretty obvious.

  • arty #54 1 year ago

    It might struggle to pass Peer Review.

  • Spyro40k #55 10 months ago

    all right lets get down to the facts, mojang can NOT copyright this game because it is simply not copy right.
    this game has taken the minecraft game mode and is trying to improve it. Minecraft did the same with a game called infiniminer so if Mojang copy right fortresscraft then Infiniminer can copy right minecraft.
    What i am trying to say is that a game would take another games idea and make it better like fps, when the first fps came out people loved it, when the second came out by a diffrent company people didnt say COPYRIGHT! or anything along those lines so dont say copyright when you dont even know what you are talking about and just play your games with peace, I love minecraft and yet I love fortresscraft so just leave it be and stop saying stupid lies about this game.