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'Minecraft Earth' early access now available in the US

Microsoft's augmented reality 'Minecraft Earth' is now available to play in early access in the United States, letting you build with your friends on your iPhone or iPad in the real world.

After a small-scale test, 'Minecraft Earth' is opening itself up to players in the United States as part of a previously-advised early access period. Like the original "Minecraft," players will be able to collaborate on structure construction, and to team up for mini-adventures and battles.

"Minecraft Earth"is an augmented reality game that brings Minecraft into the real world. Players will be able to build structures that "overlap" with the real world when viewed on a phone screen. Other games, such as "Pokemon Go," have similar AR features.

Players will be able to create structures using materials they find and place them in a persistent real world. Structures can be built at a small scale, but then later deployed at full-size, giving a new perspective to player creations.

A collection aspect will be offered, with the option to breed new creatures that can be used to populate the builds.

"Minecraft Earth" will be available on devices that can run iOS 10 and up, plus Android 7 and newer versions. The game is free, but there are substantial in-game currency purchases available.