Minecraft turns the Tate into a virtual 3D world: The first releases are London and New York
The Tate is being transformed into a series of virtual 3-D worlds.
Minecraft, which produces the block-style adventure game, is creating a series of 'maps' which will be known as Tate Worlds.
People will be able to use the maps to journey through a series of artwork-inspired virtual worlds. The first lot will be available to download for free from Monday.
The first map features New York during the roaring twenties, and it is inspired by Christopher Nevinson's 'Soul of the Soulless City', which shows an elevated railway rising through the Manhattan skyline.
Focusing on the theme of cities, there's another based on André Derain's The Pool of London, which is a colourful view of the Thames from London Bridge.
The maps will let players partake in games such as building a skyscaper for the contemporary New York skyline.
There will be six more Tate World maps based on well-known artworks released over the coming year: John Singer Sargent’s, Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose, 1885-6; Peter Blake’s, The Toy Shop, 1962; John Martin’s, The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, 1822; and Cornelia Parker’s, Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View, 1991.
Tate Worlds will be launched at the Insomnia53 Gaming Festival which is being held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.