This could be the year that Mojang stops meaning Minecraft and nothing but Minecraft. In an interview with Edge, CEO Carl Manneh says that there are two games in development that will be announced and possibly even be released as early as the first half of 2012. Minecraft creator Notch is working on one of these titles, having stepped back from lead development of his blocky baby. By my calculations – and keep in mind I haven’t checked in some time – it’s the first half of 2012 right now so that’s very exciting indeed. There is mention of a third title in the works, although that seems to be a more distant promise. Despite being released last year, Minecraft isn’t done either, far from it in fact. Update 1.1 landed yesterday and while I could tell you what it adds,there’s a funny video to do that for me.

If you can’t watch the video because you object strongly to British accents then you should be aware this post is written in refined Mancunian so there’s no escape really. Here’s the important changes though, in textual format:

– Bow Enchantments

– Golden Apple recipe

– New language translations.

– Slightly smoothed color transitions between biomes

– Reduced brewing time to 20 seconds

– Added spawn eggs to creative (the colors of the eggs even look like the mobs)

– Added world type options (currently only super-flat and default)

– Removed collision box from ladders

– Sheep eat grass and regain their wool

I’m pleased that sheep are being treated in a manner more befitting sheep, regrowing their wool and chomping on grass, but it’s not a huge update. If we receive new bits and bobs this regularly though, I’ll be a happy chappy. Scratch that – I’m already a happy chappy.

My thoughts now turn to what Mojang may do next, with all their games. Remember this news? I shall ponder things awhile and then say nothing until an announcement is made because who can truly know the minds of other men?