I Wrote Minecraft for a Calculator

The script introduces a port of the game Minecraft for the TI 84 graphing calculator, which is significantly less powerful than modern computers. It mentions the history of Minecraft ports on calculators, dating back to 2011, and highlights two notable ports: 'Minecraft 2D' for the TI nSpire by Jen's Kolbinger, which offers various game modes and features, and 'Crafti' by Vogtinator, which impressively includes full 3D graphics and redstone on a calculator. The author expresses a desire to bring a 3D version of Minecraft to the TI 84, despite its limitations in comparison to the TI nSpire, such as less RAM and processing power. The script also discusses the technical challenges and the chosen approach of using isometric projection to achieve 3D graphics on the TI 84.

This paragraph delves into the technical optimizations made to render 3D graphics on the TI 84 calculator. The author explains the use of a triangle grid to represent the Minecraft world, which significantly speeds up rendering by allowing the closest block to the camera to be drawn first. The introduction of a depth map further improves performance by enabling the drawing of blocks in any order. The script also covers the use of the TI 84's double buffering feature to reduce flickering and improve frame rates. The author describes the creative workaround for implementing water with transparency, given the calculator's limitations with indexed color, by using a portion of the palette for tinted versions of block colors. The paragraph concludes with the addition of player controls, a block selection GUI, and the ability to place and remove blocks, making the game more interactive.

The author discusses the implementation of shadows to enhance the visual appeal and depth perception in the Minecraft TI 84 port. Shadows are rendered using pre-drawn shadow masks combined with block textures through palette tricks, creating four possible shadow states for each block face. The sunlight direction determines which blocks are in shadow, and a second depth map helps identify top-left-most blocks that should be lit by the sun. The paragraph also touches on the addition of other features like save support, a main menu, and natural-looking world generation, as well as numerous bug fixes. The author reflects on the simplicity and charm of the calculator version, comparing it to the early days of Minecraft and the limitations imposed by the TI 84's memory and world size constraints.

In the final paragraph, the author humorously acknowledges that another developer, Michael2_3B, released his own isometric Minecraft port for the TI 84 around the same time. While the author was unable to test this other version, he notes that it includes features like redstone and gravity and praises its impressive lighting system. The author accepts his position as the creator of the second 3D Minecraft port for the TI 84 and expresses satisfaction with his achievement. The script ends with a playful apology to math teachers who might find students playing the game instead of focusing on math class, and a reminder that the game is available for free download.