| Map maker(s) | Mojang Studios |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| Release date | September 13, 2022 |
| Tags |
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| Genre(s) | Educational |
| Website page | |
| Article | "Discover the Frozen Planet II DLC" – Minecraft.net. |
Frozen Ocean, also known as Frozen Planet II: Frozen Ocean, is a lesson in Minecraft Education and a free Marketplace map in Bedrock Edition. As part of the Frozen Planet II lesson series, the map was inspired by BBC Earth's documentary series Frozen Planet II,[1] and introduces players to three Arctic species.
Summary
The player begins the map in a small room with blue walls, a jungle planks floor, and two flower pots with a door in between leading to a dark void.
Polar bear
The scene brightens into a cutscene in the Arctic ocean where the sun rises behind a chain of mountains. There, icy floes dot the ocean and, according to the narrator, polar bear cubs have to adapt to the everchanging state of the ocean. As a bear mother, the player has to lead their two cubs across the floes and to the other side of the ocean by following beacon beam checkpoints. Along the way, male bears target the cubs and must be warded by attacking them, after which they retreat temporarily.
Walrus
After completing the minigame, the cutscene moves to beneath the ocean where polar bears' prey, the ringed seal, swims beneath the ice and feeds on fish. Meanwhile, walruses are scattered across the shore, relying on their blood to warm up. However, due to the risk of overheating, they tend to tumble all the way downhill to the sea to cool off. The player is transported in a narrow passageway to the shore where they have to roll three walruses to the water while avoiding rocks and other walruses. Hitting any obstacle on the head resets the entire minigame, including the rolled walrus count.
Research base
After bringing all three walruses to the water, the player is transported in human form to one of the tents in the research base where they have to take pictures of animals to fill their researcher journal. These include a polar bear, a walrus, and polar bear cubs. Upon gathering the requisite photos and giving them to the researcher at camp, the researcher laments that climate change threatens the lifestyle of Arctic animals: polar bears are forced to live with humans, making attacks more frequent, and walruses get crammed in narrow lands to find. They then provide certain tips to reduce climate change effects, before the game darkens to show the key artwork. Upon skipping the artwork, the credits appear in a background showing the research base.
Quotes
External
Discover the frozen parts of our planet in five Minecraft worlds inspired by Frozen Planet II, the new BBC Studios series. In this world, get things rolling as a walrus, protect your polar bear cubs, and take on the role of a researcher in the Arctic Ocean. Experience life through the eyes of astounding animals and learn about the effects of climate change. World 2 of 5.
Internal
Researcher's statement
The seasonal extremes of the far north have always tested its inhabitants to the limit but climate change presents even more challenges for these animals. Climate change refers to long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
Climate change is causing the sea ice to melt. This means that polar bears, who depend on the sea ice to hunt for food, are being forced to travel further and spend more time on land.
They're increasingly being forced into areas where humans live, which can cause conflict. We've recently seen one right here in our research facility! Scientists worry that polar bears may become extinct within 100 years.
The loss of stable sea ice affects the walrus as well. Unable to find suitable platforms to rest on, walruses are gathering in large numbers on land, further from their feeding grounds. Walruses can be really big! Having too many in one place can be dangerous. Being on land also makes them more vulnerable to predators.
It's easy to get discouraged by these problems. It helps me to know that people around the world are working to slow the rate the climate is changing. You can help too! Vehicles are a large source of carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Consider options like public transportation, walking, cycling and car shares. Think about going somewhere local for your next vacation instead of flying. Let's work together to help save these amazing animals!
