Microsoft will release the full version of "Minecraft: Education Edition" on November 1 that costs $5 per user, per year. The tech giant first rolled out an early access version of the new educational software in June for summer testing until school was back in session. Since then 35,000 teachers and students around the world have beta tested the new Minecraft version and provided feedback for the sandbox game.
The full version will include new features. A Classroom Mode app allows educators to change world settings and use a central user interface (UI) to communicate with students. The companion app displays the Minecraft world via a map view, lists all pupils in the world, and includes a chat window.
New features of the Minecraft game include the latest updates to "Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition" beta, according to PC Magazine. They include leads and horses, extra player skins, and updated UI.
"Minecraft: Education Edition" will require Windows 10 or OS X El Capitan at launch, and a free Office 365 account.
The site education.minecraft.net includes resources for teachers who use Minecraft in school classrooms. They include starter worlds, lesson plans including story-telling and city planning, tutorials, and mentoring program for educators who have used the didactic software as a teaching tool.
Microsoft also recently launched its Xbox One S Minecraft Favorites bundle for $300. The new slim console includes a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player and HDR support for gaming and video.
This bundle includes a 500GB One S console, wireless controller with Bluetooth support for Windows 10 PCs, download codes for "Minecraft: Xbox One Edition" and the beta version of "Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition," and 14-day Xbox Live Gold trial membership.
Download codes for the Builder's Pack and Favorites Pack are also included.
The Minecraft bundle is available at the Microsoft Store in the United States and Canada. It will be available to the United Kingdom, Western/Central Europe, Australia, and New Zealand on October 11.
In related news, Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi recently showed the future of movie-going that included Minecraft tournaments, according to CNET. The chief executive said on September 21, Wednesday that virtual reality (VR) and gaming will provide "alternative content" for the US' third-largest movie theater chain.