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Story Mode trailer, Windows 10 beta emerge from 'Minecraft' convention

A new beta for "Minecraft" will launch alongside Windows 10 on July 29

Nearly annual "Minecraft" convention MineCon took place in London on July 3-4, with a first trailer for "Minecraft: Story Mode," news of upcoming features, an ongoing urban development spin-off and a Windows 10 edition among the announcements made.

Minecraft: Story Mode trailer

How do you create a predefined, narrative adventure from a notoriously freeform, procedurally generated game?

That's the question asked of Telltale Games' "Minecraft: Story Mode," coming from the studio behind adaptations of "The Walking Dead," "Fables" and "Game of Thrones."

A debut trailer for the 2015 game introduced its lead character, Jesse, and the world-saving path he finds himself on. (youtu.be/HAnRtMEDrvU)

It's not just the style and scenery of "Minecraft" that make it into the game, but also its potential for fostering individual initiative and collaborative spirit, the trailer asks us to believe.

Upcoming features

One session was devoted to the near future of "Minecraft," which will help harmonize the experience across computers, mobile devices and consoles.

On computers, the game's final monster, the Ender Dragon, will became more difficult to beat in the computer version.

Meanwhile, the Pocket Edition on mobile will receive a major environment update in The Nether; players will be able to use Redstone to design and create their own circuits and machines; Mojang's subscription-based Minecraft Realms multiplayer hosting service will also be released for mobile users.

Another significant step-change allows players to hold two items at once, such as a sword and a shield.

Block by Block

The capacity of "Minecraft" as an educational and humanitarian tool was also showcased during a main stage presentation with United Nations project Block by Block.

UN Habitat was on hand to highlight how "Minecraft" is being used as a distributed urban planning tool, encouraging citizens -- especially children -- to get involved in the development of public spaces.

Windows 10 beta

Perhaps the most obvious beneficiary of Mojang's acquisition by Microsoft -- an event that contributed to MineCon taking a year off in 2014 -- was the announcement of a "Minecraft" for Windows 10.

It'll be free to the 20 million existing owners of "Minecraft" on PC and, mirroring the early funding model of "Minecraft," will otherwise cost a reduced $10 during its test period.

Among its features, the Windows 10 Edition Beta will feature multiplayer between players on Windows 10, Xbox Live and the Pocket Edition and will release day-and-date with Win 10 on July 29.