Abertay University recreated in Minecraft replica allowing potential applicants to explore campus online

The challenge to recreate both the inside and outside of Abertay University using Minecraft took around six weeks in total and over 700,000 Minecraft blocks

The replica has been created by nine Masters students from the University’s School of Design and Informatics, who sought to come up with a creative solution to viewing both the inside and outside of the university online.

Those behind the project are students enrolled on Abertay University’s MPPOP Game Development Preparation course, which is run in collaboration with China-based education and entertainment company Perfect World.

With the degree split between Beijing and Dundee, where students ultimately complete their Masters degree, the team behind the project managed to complete the recreation over six weeks, using over 700,000 Minecraft blocks – before they had even attended the Abertay campus.

Team member Baron Zhang said: “We had a lot of material to work from, but to be honest it was quite hard!

“We gradually discovered tips and tricks in Minecraft to help us build our version of Abertay, and in the end we were happy with what we produced. We hadn’t been to the campus yet though, and we were a little worried that our Abertay would not look like the real thing.

“Now though, I feel like we did a good job and we all feel proud.”

4J Studios Chairman Chris van der Kuyl, an Abertay Honorary Graduate, said: “The creativity shown by the Minecraft fan community never fails to impress me and it’s great that these students have looked at it as a tool during the restrictions of the current pandemic, and that people will get to experience Abertay through the lens of Minecraft.

“Given Abertay’s reputation in producing talented gaming graduates, I think it’s very fitting.”

Minecraft Abertay can be accessed on Minecraft Java Edition, by entering the IP address: 34.105.192.136.

You can find out more about Abertay’s Computer Games courses here.

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