Alicia's Blog 7 - Changes to the original plans

Differences from the Plan to the Actual Build and Reasons for Changes

Mountain

The basic concept for the mountain remains unchanged from the concept drawings, except of course it is within the limitations of the Minecraft blocks available. The concept drawing is shown in two colours, whereas the depth required for texture in the final Minecraft version uses four tones: stone, cobblestone, grey hardened clay and andesite. The concept version is craggy, whereas the build version is a simpler shape to counter time limitations, but still contains a high level of detail from the colour/texture variation. In the concept drawing the entranceway is centred, but in the build it is not centred to create a more natural look that has been taken advantage of by the fairies, rather than a built entrance. As the surrounds have not yet been built except for the basic outline of the dirt surrounding the mountain, this part will be added to the description later.

Underground dance/ball area

The concept drawing for the underground dance/ball area has been completely adapted. In the initial part of the build I tried to make this a square room, but it just didn’t look right. In the concept drawing it looked clean and ‘built’, this didn’t fit with the idea that faeries would live there once I saw it. Instead, I had to go back to the beginning and rework this room. It is now more like a natural dug out in the rock where the faeries have made a room. I have kept the throne from the concept drawing in the real build, but instead of being made from formal materials it is made from the dirt/rock around it. I am considering revising this as it isn’t quite right yet. The plinth that the throne is set on in the concept also has a more natural look where faerie kind have carved it out of the natural materials around it. 

As I made the room from the bare material of the rock face it was too dark, I countered this problem by dropping glow stone randomly within the walls to create a low ambient light. This cannot really be seen from the dance floor area, but the glow lights up the area. It gives the general feel of glow worm caves like the ones at Waitomo, again reinforcing the natural elements rather than a built environment. When compared to the concept, I’ve also added a chandelier (not visible in the concept drawing). This is mentioned in the plan as both a lure effect, and the fact that it was difficult to sketch. In the build, this adds a formality to the room which reinforces its purpose as a space to ‘dance for all eternity’. Eventually, this room will lead to the nursery and the kitchen, this part of the description will be added later.