If this blog had a sponsor, Rei’s Minimap would be that sponsor. However, Rei’s Minimap is a minimap mod for Minecraft and not a company which sponsors blog posts. As such, I will have to work a real job as well as writing this blog post.

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For the past few months, Minecraft has been made easier by the presence of a minimap in the top right corner of my screen. Beneath the fully customisable map, which I have chosen to reflect accuracy of landscape and light levels on the surface (as a compass/clock/map combo when underground), are my coordinates, so I never have to wait for the red box of F3 to subside and reveal my location!

Deep inside my cave farm, this was no exception. In a room made up of smooth stone and objects I’d placed, it was wonderful to have a sort of idea as to the location of North, and even the location of spawn. However, I suddenly realised, I had neglected to utilise one of the most amazing features of the minimap; waypoints. Waypoints were markers which you could add to the map at any three dimensional location which would show up on the minimap as diamonds when in range, or directional arrows when far away.

Deep, deep underground I began cursing my idiocy. How could I not have left waymarkers as I travelled? Escape then would have been as simple as walking point to point, backtracking all the way to the top. Before I could feel stupid again, I added a waypoint for my farm-in-a-cave, calling it MelonCave. I would remember that. That was a useful name. I coloured the arrow the closest green I could get to melon, and headed out. If I was to reach the surface, I would need to eliminate all the dead-ends in the underground maze of tunnels.

Turning left, and then left again, I make like a maze-professional and keep my elbow to the wall. If I follow this path forever, it will lead me to my freedom. It will probably take forever, but that would be better than endless, repetitive shots in the dark. I curse my stupidity at having not better documented my descent, and keep walking…