Extended Early Game

I believe the early game in Minecraft goes by a bit too quick, and with the extended world height we are getting in the new update it's the perfect chance to extend the game a little more.

My first idea is to extend the time it takes to get to iron tools slightly. Bronze tools and armor are my idea for this. We have copper coming to the game so we just have to add tin. They would be just as good as iron as far as durability and speed, but wouldn't be able to mine diamonds and be a bit more complicated to make because bronze is a alloy. You may even need to use a new smelter to make it. The armor would also be just as good, meaning before late game players have more diversity in armor and weapons which is always nice. 

Now why would someone make bronze equipment instead of iron. Well I would make iron spawn at a deeper level than copper and tin. With the new cave generation making bigger and more open caves means more mobs are going to be spawning so you will want decent equipment before going too deep. Making the bronze armor before you go deep enough to get iron would be important.