Sadiq Khan in Minecraft
(Picture: Design Future London)The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has been immortalised as a blocky-headed character in Minecraft.
This isn’t the work of politically inclined modders or a misjudged attempt to get the digital vote out, but official City Hall business. The Mayor appears in-game as a non-playable character (NPC) for an initiative between Minecraft Education, City Hall and C40 Cities to redesign Croydon using a ready-made template built by Design Future London.
“It was an honour to be rendered in blocks and join the Minecraft family to launch the Design Future London Schools Challenge to young Londoners,” said Khan.
“The London Minecraft World is a fun and engaging way for young Londoners to think critically about the built environment, collaborate with friends and peers, and be creative in showcasing their vision for the capital’s future.”
The 2023 Design Future London Schools Challenge is open to anyone in full or part-time education and asks a simple question: “How can we reimagine Croydon town centre to make it a greener, safer and more prosperous place for everyone?” Given previous ambitious Minecraft builds have included painstaking recreations of Middle Earth, Westeros and the Glass Bridge from Squid Game, the answers may prove surprising.
“First, you’ll download the special Design Future London world to explore in Minecraft Education,” said Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, in a video accompanying the challenge. “Once you’re inside the world, talk to the NPCs or non-player characters, including me and the Mayor.
“The NPCs will guide you through Croydon town centre from the North End Quarter, walking through the Whitgift Shopping Centre, and stroll towards Poplar Walk. Here you’ll have the chance to completely rebuild, reconstruct or enhance the town centre.”
While primary school-aged children can only submit their solutions via Minecraft blocks, those aged 11 and over “can create and present their designs using whatever medium they prefer, including Minecraft Education”. Team entries are encouraged, and a free Minecraft Education licence is offered to those eligible to take part.
Rather than interactively visiting each reimagining of Croydon, the judges request that two-minute videos be submitted showing off each creation’s selling points.
The closing date for entries is Tuesday, April 25, 2023, so interested students had best get their building shoes on quickly.
