The project
Safari Explorers is a huge African-themed Minecraft world. It contains 24 species (newly created for the game) living in their natural habits. You can study all of these species with a unique DNA system. By unlocking the animals with their DNA, you can learn a lot about them in a big library. You may even collect animal statues.
You can also create your own electricity to use machines and craft any kind of vehicle.
![2021-07/1 2021-07/1](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1.png)
![2021-07/2 2021-07/2](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/2.jpg)
![2021-07/3 2021-07/3](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/3.png)
![2021-07/4 2021-07/4](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/4.png)
![2021-07/5 2021-07/5](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/5.jpg)
![2021-07/dessert 2021-07/dessert](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/dessert.jpg)
![2021-07/mesa 2021-07/mesa](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/mesa.jpg)
![2021-07/savanna 2021-07/savanna](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/savanna.jpg)
![2021-07/swamp 2021-07/swamp](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/swamp.jpg)
The Map
The map is divided into four parts: the savanna, the mesa, the desert, and the swamp. All of these biomes contain unique species that you can study, tame, and play with.
There is a big base located in the middle of the map where you find everything you may need to prepare for your future expeditions. It contains a laboratory, a garage, an airport, a library, a solar panel area, a cloning area, and much more. All of these parts have specific usage. For example, the solar panel area can be used to create energy for the base in order to use the machines and create vehicles.
![2021-07/mesa-biom 2021-07/mesa-biom](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/mesa-biom.jpg)
![2021-07/airport 2021-07/airport](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/airport.jpg)
![2021-07/small-village2 2021-07/small-village2](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/small-village2.jpg)
![2021-07/small-village 2021-07/small-village](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/small-village.jpg)
![2021-07/swamp-houses 2021-07/swamp-houses](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/swamp-houses.jpg)
![2021-07/small-village3 2021-07/small-village3](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/small-village3.jpg)
![2021-07/aligatoah-haus 2021-07/aligatoah-haus](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/aligatoah-haus.jpg)
![2021-07/desert 2021-07/desert](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/desert.jpg)
The animals
As previously said, the map contains a lot of species, all specially created for the game. All of these species have different looks, behavior, and specifics. For example, some animals may be much harder to find than others because they are endangered. Just like in real life.
A big part of the map is the DNA system. You can craft cotton buds from cotton that is growing everywhere on the map. Every time you interact with an animal using a cotton bud, you have a chance of around 20% to get its DNA.
You can then use this DNA in the laboratory to unlock the corresponding species and have access to its statue and its description in the library. You are also able to clone the animals in the cloning area to get their spawn eggs and create your own zoo.
Your goal as a perfect safari explorer is to unlock all the species on the map.
![2021-07/camel 2021-07/camel](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/camel.png)
![2021-07/crocodile 2021-07/crocodile](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/crocodile.png)
![2021-07/buffalo 2021-07/buffalo](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/buffalo.png)
![2021-07/baboon 2021-07/baboon](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/baboon.png)
![2021-07/fennec 2021-07/fennec](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/fennec.png)
![2021-07/elephant 2021-07/elephant](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/elephant.png)
![2021-07/gazelle 2021-07/gazelle](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/gazelle.png)
![2021-07/hippopotamus 2021-07/hippopotamus](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/hippopotamus.png)
![2021-07/hyena 2021-07/hyena](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/hyena.png)
![2021-07/giraffe 2021-07/giraffe](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/giraffe.png)
![2021-07/jackal 2021-07/jackal](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/jackal.png)
![2021-07/jaburi 2021-07/jaburi](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/jaburi.png)
![2021-07/lion 2021-07/lion](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/lion.png)
![2021-07/meerkat 2021-07/meerkat](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/meerkat.png)
![2021-07/pangolin 2021-07/pangolin](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/pangolin.png)
![2021-07/piranha 2021-07/piranha](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/piranha.png)
![2021-07/ostrich 2021-07/ostrich](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/ostrich.png)
![2021-07/rhinoceros 2021-07/rhinoceros](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/rhinoceros.png)
![2021-07/snake 2021-07/snake](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/snake.png)
![2021-07/porcupine 2021-07/porcupine](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/porcupine.png)
![2021-07/vulture 2021-07/vulture](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/vulture.png)
![2021-07/serval 2021-07/serval](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/serval.png)
![2021-07/warthog 2021-07/warthog](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/warthog.png)
![2021-07/zebra 2021-07/zebra](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/zebra.png)
The energy system
The energy system is another important part of the game and a big improvement for the gameplay. We wanted the map to be more realistic than a usual Vanilla Minecraft world. So we invented this energy system to provide a new way to create items. Energy is the resource that allows you to use the different machines that are available on the map.
You can create energy by placing solar panels in the energy area which is located at the base. Once you reach the maximum amount of energy, you can upgrade an energy tank to get a bigger storage capacity.
Creative Process
The map took more than one year to be completely finished. During this long period, we added tons of new features and implements that were not scheduled in the original project plan. For example, at the start of the project, the resource pack was designed in 16x16 pixels. In the middle of the project, we decided to change this to 32x32 to make the overall look of the map more realistic and beautiful.
After planning the project, we started building the map. While doing the level design, we focused on creating everything as easy as possible to understand for the player.
![2021-07/1626029429_ostrich 2021-07/1626029429_ostrich](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626029429_ostrich.png)
![2021-07/1626029429_cloner 2021-07/1626029429_cloner](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626029429_cloner.png)
![2021-07/1626029429_elephant 2021-07/1626029429_elephant](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626029429_elephant.png)
![2021-07/1626029430_solar-panel 2021-07/1626029430_solar-panel](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626029430_solar-panel.png)
![2021-07/1626029430_veterinary-table 2021-07/1626029430_veterinary-table](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626029430_veterinary-table.png)
![2021-07/1626029430_dirt-bike 2021-07/1626029430_dirt-bike](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626029430_dirt-bike.png)
The base was placed in the middle of the map so that every biome can be reached in nearly the same amount of time. Also, the round shape of the base makes it easy for the player to find their way. Every biome is differently designed. Because of that, the player can enjoy a totally unique experience wherever he or she goes.
When the map was finished, we continued with doing detailed research on the different animals. We put this information into the books of the library at the base. We kept an eye on creating the animals’ looks, behavior, and sounds as realistic as possible.
We needed to invent new tools to be able to implement camera paths into the world. Thanks to this, you can be excited about special cinematic recordings!
![2021-07/1626034076_map 2021-07/1626034076_map](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626034076_map.png)
![2021-07/1626034076_skins 2021-07/1626034076_skins](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626034076_skins.png)
![2021-07/1626034076_textures-resolutions 2021-07/1626034076_textures-resolutions](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/1626034076_textures-resolutions.png)
![2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-4- 2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-4-](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-4-.png)
![2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-3- 2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-3-](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-3-.png)
![2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-2- 2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-2-](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-2-.png)
![2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-1- 2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-1-](/thumbs/1280x0c/2021-07/safari-explorer-minecraft-1-.png)
- Creators
ThomasESC, ilibu, Honza, Totacky, FranjoSchnabel, SpielmitStil
- Release
- 7 September 2021