Look at your business data in a new way! This session, presented by Pat Patterson at GlueCon 2014, explains some of the workings of Minecraft, how to create 'mods' to extend the base game, and how to pull data from Web APIs such as the Force.com REST API.

2. Why Minecraft?
• Cheap ($26.95!) 3D Engine
• Java
• Vast community of developers
(‘modders’)
• Plugin Architecture (via Forge etc)
• Access to source code (kinda)
• It’s fun!
Image used under CC-BY-NC. Attribution: Orthotope on minecraft.gamepedia.com

3. Getting Started
• Prerequisites:
– Java JDK 6 or 7
– An 8-15 year old helper (optional, but
recommended!)
• Buy, download, install Minecraft
– minecraft.net/store/minecraft
• Download, install Forge (src build)
– www.minecraftforge.net/wiki/Installation/Source
• Follow some tutorials
– www.minecraftforge.net/wiki/Tutorials
Image used under CC-BY-NC. Attribution: Ventury on minecraft.gamepedia.com

4. A Blast from the Past:
Client-Server!
• One Minecraft server may support
many clients
• Server maintains world state for all players
• Client renders world for a player
• Mods can be server-only, client-only, or
client+server
Image used under CC-BY-NC. Attribution: BarracudaATA on minecraft.gamepedia.com

5. Going Beyond the
Basics
• Calling Web APIs
– Pick your favorite Java HTTP client
– Modify Forge’s build.gradle to create an ‘uber-
jar’
– Use the Gradle Shadow plugin to shade your
external dependencies
• github.com/johnrengelman/shadow
Image used under CC-BY-NC. Attribution: BarracudaATA on minecraft.gamepedia.com

6. Forcecraft
• “What if I generated an entire
dimension based on account data
from Salesforce?”
– Neuromancer’s Cyberspace
– github.com/metadaddy-sfdc/Forcecraft

7. Eye Candy!!!
Image used under CC-BY-NC. Attribution: BarracudaATA on minecraft.gamepedia.com

8. Code

9. APIs in Play
• OAuth 2.0 Resource Owner
Password Credentials Grant
– Username/password
• Force.com REST API
– /services/data/v29.0/query?q=SELECT+…
– /services/data/v29.0/sobjects/Account/…
• Force.com Streaming API
– new BayeuxClient(
salesforceStreamingEndpoint(endpoint),
transport);
Image used under CC-BY-NC. Attribution: BarracudaATA on minecraft.gamepedia.com

10. An Alternate Direction
• Minecraft Pi Edition
– pi.minecraft.net
– Similar to early versions of Pocket Edition
(Android/iOS)
• API included!
– Python, Java client libs bundled
– Ruby, Node.js and more from community
• Real world / game world interaction via
Raspberry Pi GPIO pins
– bit.ly/rpi-mc
Images used under CC-BY-NC. Attribution: Majr on minecraft.gamepedia.com