Minecraft's redstone has long been one of the most complex and gratifying free-form technology systems found in any sandbox game. Its complexity can range from opening a door that's a few blocks away to engineering a working bomber plane. The amount of applications it has are nearly endless, and numerous videos online show redstone being used in nigh-incomprehensible ways.
Though redstone is incredibly useful, that doesn't mean there aren't places it could be improved and expanded upon. Mojang has proven so by adding new Minecraft content such as the skulk sensor and target block. However, there is plenty more that can be done to further flesh out what is possible.
How Minecraft's Redstone Can Be Improved
Much of redstone's utility comes via the support of command blocks, which are incredibly powerful - able to be used to recreate entire mini-games like Snake within Minecraft. However, this means many complex and popular contraptions rely on a block that is unobtainable in survival mode. Mojang should work to fill in this gap by adding various new blocks that replicate creative features in survival.
One of the most subtle but effect ways to improve redstone functionality would be adding a little more placement flexibility. Before redstone released, the game was planned to have cogs instead, which could be placed on the ground and walls. Allowing for redstone to be placed on walls would simplify many contraptions, and allow for more possible types of devices to be built. This functionality could come in the form of redstone sticking to the sides of honey and slime blocks, which are naturally known for being sticky (though slime has bouncy qualities in the game).
Typically, building things like automatic crop farms are more of a novelty than they are useful because they require a lot of work for little payoff. Because of this, redstone might not see a lot of use by players who aren't as deep into redstone construction as others. Minecraft could aim to teach those deeper skills within the game itself. Ancient cities in the deep dark biome have areas with hidden redstone contraptions that can teach players about a few devices making use of redstone circuitry. Having more structures that generate these types of educational rooms would help improve redstone by simply making players more aware of what it can do.
Lastly, Minecraft could see the addition of more blocks that can have a redstone signal, or affect their outputs in some way. The target block is a great example, as it outputs a redstone signal if the player manages to hit one with an arrow. There could be more variations to this, such as a block that only emits a signal whenever hit with a certain type of tipped arrow or potion effect. Like the skulk sensor, which works via sound, there could be a block that emits a signal whenever looked at. This could be some type of Enderman-based block, as they are known for getting angry whenever a player gazes upon them.
As of now, Minecraft's redstone mechanics have few limitations, making it one of the most complex systems out there. Giving players more options and a sense of accessibility would only grow its popularity within the community. After all, sharing Minecraft builds and other ideas is the core ideal it was built upon.
Minecraft is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.