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DeepWorld is a 2D Minecraft-alike Coming to Mac And IOS

You might be able to describe the Deepworld if you put a bunch gaming catchwords into a hat, then took them out one at a time and then arranged them. It's a 2D steampunk post-apocalyptic sandbox game with Minecraft-style creation, and block graphics that allow players access to a quite varied and vast world of games. Deepworld is like it's too appealing to be true to its promises, but its developers Bytebin, consisting of three men with a lot of experience in server architecture, but not as much in game design and development, are aware of what they are promising.


But the version they kindly showed me at GDC last week definitely lived up to that promise at the very least, as two of their characters scurrying through the world together. Deepworld's graphics may not look amazing on the screen (they are... "stylistic", as some might argue), but you'll find charm in the world as you explore further. The game's beauty only discovered after a shelter was constructed with lights and lanterns.


There's a lot of beauty to be found in diverse mechanics. Minecraft stuff One of the devs describes the title as "a game based on a kind of scarcity" and that scarcity is a reference to all of the various resources found in this largely barren planet. You can find lava as you dig down. This creates steam which can then be transferred into pipes and utilized to power technology. There is a crafting system however, unlike Minecraft (where items need to be discovered and built) the game simply provides a menu of what you can build with the different resources you've collected.


The interface is nice and you can create whatever you like using the cursor in the Mac version, and even though the iOS version is in development ("There's some kinks in touch," Bytebin says) the ability to "draw" your designs on the iPad's display will be nice.


The main issue with Deepworld is not in the game itself. It's more likely to have to do in the administration of the servers. The game is divided into 1200x800 blocks "zones", and the developers hope to limit these zones to a limited number of players. They may also charge players to modify or save these zones. But there will be a metagame of sorts in "improving the ecosystem" of each zone It's not difficult to see how Bytebin could be in difficulties should the game prove to be uber popular, in terms of keeping its servers running.


Bytebin understands the concern (and it's true that the team's experience is in running large servers for corporate software, so they have an opportunity to win at least), but we'll know for certain what they'll do when the game goes to an open beta later on this year. Alpha will be available "in the next few weeks" and there's a beta signup available for the game. Deepworld is a fascinating game and is a game we will probably be proud to play available on Mac and iOS.