Building a Computer Inside a Game: The Amazing Story of Minecraft in Minecraft

Simulating Complex Systems

Redstone circuits provide redstone computer engineering capabilities within Minecraft. Early pioneers experimented with basic logic gates and memory units to start laying the foundations. Systems grew more advanced over time as redstone CPU designs incorporated concepts like arithmetic logic units, control units, and instruction sets.

Representing Data with Redstone

Digital systems require representing numbers in a systematic way. Two’s complement binary storage became a popular method, using patterns of activated or deactivated redstone dust to symbolize digits. Memory cells like D-flip-flops allowed preserving values even when power is removed. Combining memory with calculation circuits permitted general computation.

Performing Arithmetic Operations

Addition forms a core operation, so engineers developed ripple carry adders from AND, OR, and NOT gates. Subtraction and multiplication followed using more advanced circuit blueprints. Comparators emerged for evaluating relations like greater than. With number representation and manipulation covered, more sophisticated programs became feasible.

Programming with Instructions

Execution depends on instructions provided through some readable storage. Early solutions involved running programs line-by-line off hardened redstone circuits. Later, storage and fetching evolved into RAM/ROM controllers. Instruction sets standardized like adding, comparing, conditional jumps. Programs emerged as linear instruction sequences combining simple operations into complex behaviors.

Controlling Program Flow

Coordinating instruction execution requires control logic. CPUs integrated program counters to track progress and instruction registers to fetch commands. Conditional jump instructions divert flow based on register contents, enabling logic branches. With controlled sequencing, programs gained the ability to make decisions.

Developing a Virtual Machine

Self-contained hardware forms the basis of a computer, but software ties it all together. Emulating a complete system requires a virtual instruction set architecture and virtual hardware abstraction. By mapping virtual behaviors onto real circuits, general-purpose functionality emerges.

Running Minecraft Within Minecraft

Hans Lemurson took simulation to extremes by reproducing the entire Minecraft experience internally. His virtual computer rendered a 2D side-scrolling world. Players could move, harvest blocks, place items, and more - all confined to an 8x8 grid powered by redstone logic underneath.

Pushing Technological Boundaries

Lemurson’s creation showcases the immense potential for emergent behaviors from simple rules. His virtual computer blurs the line between physical and digital worlds by hosting simulations within simulations. As redstone technology matures, the ceiling rises for complex programs running on redstone hardware. Each breakthrough stimulates new ideas that stretch the limits of what’s conceivable.

Looking Towards the Future

Today’s most advanced Minecraft computers represent monumental engineering feats. Yet the sky remains the limit as we continue pushing into uncharted territories. Future developments may include 3D graphics, bigger worlds, multiplayer, advanced AI utilities and more. Perhaps one day a fully immersive virtual reality will take shape entirely from redstone. With continued innovation and experimentation, nearly anything becomes possible.