Minecraft (if there’s anyone out there who doesn’t know yet) is both the world’s most popular software title; it’s also both a game, and a powerful modeling tool with many applications.
And now, its hometown of Goteborg, Sweden, has used it to create a complete virtual model of Sweden’s second largest city, and released it to the public to explore. While the city’s intent was to get students interested in urban planning, it’s also a fantastic tool for would-be or actual travelers.
Unlike many models, this one was built using the city’s actual data, representing every detail, down to the trees on the streets. And, there’s even a Christmas competition built in, with a virtual treasure chest hidden in each of the city’s 10 districts. There’s a prize for the first person to find them all by January 8th.
Gumbo could have used this: Back in March 2015, we used Wikimedia pictures to create one of only two Where In The World puzzles that wasn’t based on actual travel to the site. You can find it HERE
