They probably haven't overlooked that and are well aware of the possibilities of the gamepad. Most likely this is just a simple port from the Xbox version which doesn't have those

Well then it started as a big announcement and it'll just be an awful and late port :/

I doubt they would be that silly, I say give them the benefit of the doubt till they actually release it, they probably haven't got to it yet. I think its less likely that they have been working on the WIi U version for 3 years straight iirc, then them forgetting the gamepad in that same period of time.

if they cared they would've did it. There not stupid, lazy? sure. Greedy? probably, but not stupid. It still would have required more work, work they clearly dont want to do. Not agreeing with it, just saying it is what it is.

if it's just a map or inventory on the pad, then thats just barely to me. I know in case of Mario Maker, amiibo festival, and MP10 (havent played it) those are games that make more use of it. I wasnt talking just this year. Im talking there entire library up till now.

Edit: i could be wrong about the library too, but lets be honest and look at it from a broader perspective, the gamepad hasnt been something they've been pushing since the launch of the console, i havent seen any ads that talk about it.

If they had the game already only a few people were going to buy it.

the game wasnt going to do big numbers, but now it will do even less. IMHO im not quite sure what the point was in releasing this. Its too much for too little. As been proven time and time again anyone who wants this most likely already has it. Its been released on damn near everything else but 3ds at this point.

Oh no, it doesn't use the gamepad? Game ruined! How is it even playable! You can't play Minecraft without the inventory being on a second screen!

I wonder if the Minecraft clones on the WiiU actually make better use of the tablet?

Bit of a shame really, just as long as the button layout is nicely done tho it shouldn't have much impact, you equally can't use the Vita's touch screen for very much while playing that version of the game but it's still a fantastic version of the game, not to mention that the gamepads off tv play would be awesome for tapping away at Minecraft while others might be watching TV.