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{{Short description|2011 video game}} | |||
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{{About|the video game|the franchise|Minecraft (franchise){{!}}''Minecraft'' (franchise)|other uses}} | |||
{{Good article}} | |||
{{Distinguish|Minecart}} | |||
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024|cs1-dates=l}} | |||
{{Infobox video game | {{Infobox video game | ||
|title = Minecraft | | title = Minecraft | ||
|image = |
| image = Minecraft 2024 cover art.png | ||
|caption = |
| caption = Cover art since 2024 | ||
| developer = {{ubl| | |||
|developer = ]<br />] (], ]) | |||
|]{{efn|The original versions of the game for consoles (known as "legacy console" editions) were developed by ]. Additional studios responsible for helping develop specific versions of the game include ] Advanced Technology Group (ATG) and ] for the ''Bedrock Edition'', ] for the version on ], and ] for the localized version released in mainland China.}} | |||
|publisher = Mojang<br />] (Xbox 360, Xbox One) | |||
|designer = ] (2009-2011)<br />] | |||
|artist = ]<br />Markus "Junkboy" Toivonen | |||
|composer = Daniel "C418" Rosenfeld | |||
|released = '''PC, Mac, and Linux (Java)'''<br />{{vgrelease|WW=November 18, 2011<ref name="PC release date">{{cite web|title=Minecraft|url=http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate= October 21, 2012}}</ref>}} | |||
'''Android'''<br/>{{vgrelease|WW=October 7, 2011<ref name="Android release date">{{cite web|title=Minecraft -- Pocket Edition - Android|url=http://www.ign.com/games/minecraft/android-101490|work=]|accessdate=October 21, 2012}}</ref>}} | |||
'''iOS'''<br />{{vgrelease|WW=November 17, 2011<ref name="iOS release date">{{cite web|title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition|url=http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-pocket-edition/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=October 21, 2012}}</ref>}} | |||
'''Xbox 360 (Xbox Live)'''<br />{{vgrelease|WW=May 9, 2012<ref name="Xbox 360 release date">{{cite web | url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-03/22/minecraft-xbox-360-dated | title=Minecraft for Xbox 360 release date announced, amongst others | work=] | date= March 22, 2012 | accessdate=October 22, 2012 | last=Brown | first=Mark}}</ref>}} | |||
'''Xbox 360 (Retail Disc)'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA=June 4, 2013<ref name=xboxdiscrelease>{{cite web|url=http://playxbla.com/the-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-retail-disc-version-releases-today/|title=The Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Retail Disc Version Releases Today!|work=Play XBLA|publisher=Play XBLA|accessdate=June 4, 2013}}</ref>|EU=June 28, 2013 <ref name=xboxdiscreleaseeu>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-coming-to-uk-retail-in-june-6407792|title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition coming to UK retail in June|accessdate=June 20, 2012}}</ref>}} | |||
'''Raspberry Pi'''<br/>{{vgrelease|WW=February 11, 2013<ref name="Raspberry Pi Release Date">{{cite web|title=Minecraft Raspberry Pi|url=http://mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate= March 27, 2013}}</ref>}} | |||
'''Xbox One'''<br/>{{vgrelease|WW=TBA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/e3-2013-minecraft-coming-to-xbox-one| title= E3 2013: Minecraft Coming to Xbox One |publisher=IGN |date=June 10, 2013}}</ref>}} | |||
|genre = ], ] | |||
|modes = ], ] | |||
|media = ] | |||
|platforms = ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | |||
}} | }} | ||
| publisher = {{ubl| | |||
| Mojang Studios | |||
| ]{{efn|Versions of the game on PlayStation consoles were published by ], while the version of the game in mainland China is published by ].}} | |||
}} | |||
| designer = {{ubl| | |||
| ]{{efn|Left Mojang Studios in 2014}} | |||
| ] | |||
}} | |||
| artist = {{ubl| | |||
| Markus Toivonen | |||
| Jasper Boerstra | |||
| ] | |||
}} | |||
| composer = {{ubl| | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| Aaron Cherof | |||
}} | |||
| series = '']'' | |||
| platforms = {{Collapsible list | |||
| title = {{Nobold|]<br />]<br />]}} | |||
| ] | |||
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| ] | |||
| ] | |||
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| ] | |||
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}} | |||
| released = {{Collapsible list | |||
| title = {{nobold|18 November 2011}}{{efn|''Minecraft'' was first publicly available on 17 May 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=17 May 2009 |title=''Minecraft'' 0.0.11a for public consumption |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/109000107/minecraft-0-0-11a-for-public-consumption |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716115516/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/109000107/minecraft-0-0-11a-for-public-consumption |archive-date=16 July 2015 |access-date=1 April 2018 |website=The Word of Notch |via=]}}</ref> and, following many developmental phases over the next two years, was fully released on 18 November 2011.<ref name="PC release date" />}} | |||
| '''Windows''', '''macOS''', '''Linux''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|<!-- Don't change this to May 2009; this is the full release date; read the Development section -->18 November 2011}} | |||
| '''Android''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|7 October 2011}} | |||
| '''iOS''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|17 November 2011}} | |||
| '''Xbox 360''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|9 May 2012}} | |||
| '''Raspberry Pi''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|11 February 2013}} | |||
| '''PlayStation 3''' | |||
| {{Video game release|NA|17 December 2013|EU|18 December 2013}} | |||
| '''Fire OS''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|2 April 2014}} | |||
| '''PlayStation 4''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|4 September 2014}} | |||
| '''Xbox One''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|5 September 2014}} | |||
| '''PlayStation Vita''' | |||
| {{Video game release|NA|14 October 2014|EU|15 October 2014}} | |||
| '''Windows Phone''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|10 December 2014}} | |||
| '''Windows 10''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|29 July 2015}} | |||
| '''Wii U''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|17 December 2015}} | |||
| '''tvOS''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|19 December 2016}} | |||
| '''Nintendo Switch''' | |||
| {{Video game release|NA|11 May 2017|PAL|12 May 2017}} | |||
| '''New Nintendo 3DS''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|13 September 2017}} | |||
| '''ChromeOS''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|8 June 2023}} | |||
| '''PlayStation 5''' | |||
| {{Video game release|WW|22 October 2024}} | |||
}} | |||
| genre = ], ] | |||
| modes = ], ] | |||
}} | |||
'''''Minecraft''''' is a 2011 ] developed and published by Swedish video game developer ]. Originally created by ] using the ] ], the first ] build was released on 17 May 2009. The game would be continuously developed from then on, receiving a full release on 18 November 2011. Afterwards, Persson left Mojang and gave ] control over development. In the years since its release, it has been ] to several platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and various ]s. In 2014, Mojang and the ''Minecraft'' intellectual property were purchased by ] for {{US$|2.5}} billion. ''Minecraft'' is the ], with over 300 million copies sold and nearly 170 million monthly ] as of 2024. | |||
In ''Minecraft'', players explore a ], ] world with virtually infinite terrain made up of ]s. Players can discover and extract raw materials, ] tools and items, and build structures, ]s, and machines. Depending on their chosen ], players can fight hostile ]s, as well as cooperate with or compete against other players in ]. The game has two main modes; ], where players must acquire resources to survive, and a creative mode where players have unlimited resources and the ability to fly. Other game modes exist, such as one that allows players to spectate others and one that plays identically to survival mode, but features ]. The game's large community offers a wide variety of ], such as ]s, ]s, ]s, ]s, and custom maps, which add new ] and possibilities. | |||
'''''Minecraft''''' is a ] ] originally created by Swedish programmer ] and later developed and published by ]. It was publicly released for the ] on May 17, 2009, as a developmental ] version and, after gradual updates, was published as a full release version on November 18, 2011. A version for ] was released a month earlier on October 7, and an ] version was released on November 17, 2011. On May 9, 2012, the game was released on ] as an ] game, co-developed by ]. All versions of ''Minecraft'' receive periodic updates. | |||
''Minecraft'' has received critical acclaim, winning several awards and being cited as one of the ]; social media, ], adaptations, ], and the annual ] conventions played prominent roles in popularizing the game. ''Minecraft'' has been used in educational environments to teach chemistry, ], and ]. The game started ], which includes several spin-off games including '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. A ] film based on the game titled '']'' is scheduled for theatrical release in April 2025. | |||
The creative and building aspects of ''Minecraft'' allow players to build constructions out of textured ]s in a ] ] world. Other activities in the game include exploration, gathering resources, crafting, and combat. Gameplay in its commercial release has two principal modes: ], which requires players to acquire resources and maintain their ] and ]; and ], where players have an unlimited supply of resources, the ability to fly, and no health or hunger. A third gameplay mode named hardcore is the same as survival, differing only in difficulty; it is set to hardest setting and respawning is disabled, forcing players to delete their worlds upon death. | |||
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''Minecraft'' received five awards from the 2011 ]: it was awarded the Innovation Award, Best Downloadable Game Award, and the Best Debut Game Award from the ]; and the Audience Award, as well as the Seumas McNally Grand Prize, from the ] in 2011. In 2012, ''Minecraft'' was awarded a ] in the category Best Downloadable Game.<ref name="CVG Golden Joystick"/> As of April 8, 2013, the game has sold over 10 million copies on PC<ref name="Minecraft Stats">{{cite web | url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-hits-yet-another-milestone-with-10-million-copies-sold-on-pc/ | title=Minecraft hits yet another milestone with 10 million copies sold on PC | accessdate=April 9, 2013}}</ref> and as of January 22, 2013, over 20 million copies across all platforms.<ref name="Minecraft Sales hit 20 Million">{{cite web | url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/01/22/minecraft-sales-hit-20-million-mark-for-all-platforms/ | title=Minecraft sales hit 20 million mark for all platforms | date=January 22, 2013 | work = ] | accessdate=January 30, 2013 | author=Nunneley, Stephany}}</ref> | |||
== Gameplay == | == Gameplay == | ||
''Minecraft'' is a ] ] that has no required goals to accomplish, allowing players a large amount of freedom in choosing how to play the game.<ref name="IGN review">{{Cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=23 November 2011 |title=Minecraft Review — PC Review at IGN |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106165908/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |archive-date=6 November 2015 |access-date=18 December 2011 |website=]}}</ref> The game also features an optional ] system.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=30 March 2011 |title=Minecraft:Wolves, Achievements, Mods, Merch |work=] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/03/30/minecraft-mods/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093516/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/03/30/minecraft-mods/ |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> Gameplay is in the ] by default, but players have the option of a third-person perspective.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=23 November 2011 |title=Minecraft 1.0 launch patch notes |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-23-minecraft-1-0-launch-patch-notes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203113330/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-23-minecraft-1-0-launch-patch-notes |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |website=] |publisher=Eurogamer Network}}</ref> The game world is composed of rough 3D objects—mainly cubes, referred to as blocks—representing various materials, such as dirt, stone, ores, tree trunks, water, and lava. The core gameplay revolves around picking up and placing these objects. These blocks are arranged in a 3D grid, while players can move freely around the world. Players can break, or ''mine'', blocks and then place them elsewhere, enabling them to build things.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashdown |first=Jeremy |date=11 November 2010 |title=This is Minecraft |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/11/this-is-minecraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127020048/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/11/this-is-minecraft |archive-date=27 January 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |website=]}}</ref> The game also contains a material called redstone, which can be used to make primitive mechanical devices, electrical circuits, and ]s, allowing for the construction of many complex systems.<ref name="RedstoneComputer">{{Cite web |last=Tito |first=Greg |date=4 October 2010 |title=Player Creates Working Computer in ''Minecraft'' |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104029-Player-Creates-Working-Computer-in-Minecraft |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008064435/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104029-Player-Creates-Working-Computer-in-Minecraft |archive-date=8 October 2010 |access-date=4 January 2011 |publisher=Alloy Digital |magazine=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=updated |first=Katie Wickens last |date=8 September 2022 |title=Someone crafted a redstone PC in Minecraft to play Minecraft inside Minecraft |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraftception-redstone-pc-chungus/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202053949/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraftception-redstone-pc-chungus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many commentators have described the game's physics system as unrealistic.<ref name="Minecraft In Education">{{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Mark |date=25 November 2012 |title=Minecraft In Education: How Video Games Are Teaching Kids |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010082122/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ |archive-date=10 October 2013 |access-date=15 December 2012 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
]|alt=The default player skin, Steve, stands on a cliffside overlooking a village in a forest. In the distance, there is a small mountain range. The sun is setting to the right, making the sky turn pink and blue.|left]] | |||
Players can also ''craft'' a wide variety of items, such as armor, which mitigates damage from attacks; weapons (such as swords or axes), which allows monsters and animals to be killed more easily; and tools (such as pickaxes or shovels), which break certain types of blocks more quickly. Some items have multiple tiers depending on the material used to craft them, with higher-tier items being more effective and durable. They may also freely construct helpful blocks—such as furnaces which can cook food and smelt ores,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=15 September 2017 |title=Block of the Week: Furnace |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/block-week-furnace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223406/https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/block-week-furnace |archive-date=2 August 2018 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> and torches that produce light—or exchange items with a villager (]) through trading emeralds for different goods and vice versa.<ref name="Trading update">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=6 July 2012 |title=Gaming Minecraft update combines single and multiplayer, adds trading and tripwires |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/minecraft-update |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123141217/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/minecraft-update |archive-date=23 January 2013 |access-date=21 November 2012 |magazine=]}}</ref><ref name="Update May 2012" /> The game has an inventory system, allowing players to carry a limited number of items.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Using the Minecraft Inventory and Crafting Grid |url=https://www.dummies.com/programming/programming-games/minecraft/using-the-minecraft-inventory-and-crafting-grid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204072407/https://www.dummies.com/programming/programming-games/minecraft/using-the-minecraft-inventory-and-crafting-grid/ |archive-date=4 February 2021 |access-date=11 August 2020 |work=dummies |language=en}}</ref> | |||
The game world is virtually infinite and ] as players explore it, using a ] that is obtained from the ] at the time of world creation (or manually specified by the player).<ref name="NotchExplain1">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=10 March 2011 |title=Terrain generation, Part 1 |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/3746989361/terrain-generation-part-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312082752/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/3746989361/terrain-generation-part-1 |archive-date=12 March 2011 |access-date=24 October 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref><ref name="NotchExplain2">{{Cite web |last=Bergensten |first=Jens |date=23 February 2011 |title=A Short Demystification of the 'Map Seed' |url=http://www.mojang.com/2011/02/a-short-demystification-of-the-map-seed |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007083324/http://www.mojang.com/2011/02/a-short-demystification-of-the-map-seed/ |archive-date=7 October 2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref><ref name="Beginner's guide">{{Cite web |last=Miller-Watt |first=Josh |title=Minecraft beginner's guide |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-beginners-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711051549/http://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-beginners-guide/ |archive-date=11 July 2012 |access-date=24 October 2012 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> While there are limits on the world's verticality, ''Minecraft'' allows an infinitely large game world to be generated on the horizontal plane, up to 30 million blocks from the world's center.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guthrie |first=Robert |date=17 August 2016 |title=Minecraft's 'Infinite World' Versus No Man's Sky's 'Infinite World' |url=https://kotaku.com/minecraft-s-infinite-world-versus-no-man-s-skys-infi-1785395707 |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref> The game achieves this by splitting the world data into smaller 16 by 16 sections called chunks that are created or loaded only when players are nearby.<ref name="NotchExplain1" /> The world is divided into ]s ranging from deserts to jungles to snowfields;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=27 October 2010 |title=BiomeShock: The New Minecraft Worlds |work=] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/27/biomeshock-the-new-minecraft-worlds/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112224440/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/27/biomeshock-the-new-minecraft-worlds/ |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=20 January 2012 |title=Minecraft jungle biome, creatures coming soon |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-20-minecraft-jungle-biome-creatures-coming-soon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203113322/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-20-minecraft-jungle-biome-creatures-coming-soon |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |website=] |publisher=Eurogamer Network}}</ref> the terrain includes plains, mountains, forests, caves, and bodies of water or lava.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> The in-game ] follows a day and night cycle, with one full cycle lasting for 20 real-time minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maillot |first=Anastasia |date=30 May 2021 |title=Minecraft: Everything You Need To Know About The Daylight Cycle |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-daylight-cycle-guide/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114162835/https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-daylight-cycle-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft'' is an ] game that has no specific goals for the player to accomplish, allowing players a large amount of freedom in choosing how to play the game.<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web | url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review | title=Minecraft Review — PC Review at IGN | work=]| accessdate=December 18, 2011 | first=Anthony|last= Gallegos}}</ref> However, there is an optional ] system.<ref>{{cite web|last=Romero|first=Josh|title=Minecraft Achievements Guied.|url=http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2011/05/06/minecraft-achievements-guide-pc.htm|publisher=Video Game Blogger|accessdate=November 3, 2012}}</ref> The gameplay by default is first person, but players have the option to play in third person mode.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-23-minecraft-1-0-launch-patch-notes | title=Minecraft 1.0 launch patch notes | publisher=Eurogamer Network | work=]| date=November 23, 2011 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Purchese|first=Robert}}</ref> The core gameplay revolves around breaking and placing blocks. The game world is essentially composed of rough 3D objects—mainly cubes—that are arranged in a fixed grid pattern and represent different materials, such as dirt, stone, various ores, water, and tree trunks.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> While players can move freely across the world, objects and items can only be placed at fixed locations relative to the grid.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> Players can gather these material blocks and place them elsewhere, thus allowing for various constructions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/11/this-is-minecraft | title=This is Minecraft | work=] | date=November 11, 2010 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Ashdown|first=Jeremy}}</ref> | |||
], and a skeleton. All are from the Overworld.|alt=Standing on a flat grassy plain against a blue sky, there is a green zombie wearing a blue shirt and purple pants; a large spider with red eyes; a tall, black, slender creature with purple eyes; a green, four-legged creature; and a skeleton.]] | |||
At the start of the game, the player is placed on the surface of a ] and virtually infinite game world.<ref name="Beginner's guide">{{cite web|last=Miller-Watt|first=Josh|title=Minecraft beginner's guide|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-beginners-guide/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=October 24, 2012}}</ref> Players can walk across the ] consisting of plains, mountains, forests, caves, and various water bodies.<ref name="Beginner's guide"/> The world is divided into ]s ranging from deserts to jungles to snowfields.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/27/biomeshock-the-new-minecraft-worlds/ | title=BiomeShock: The New Minecraft Worlds | work=]| date=October 27, 2010 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Meer|first=Alec}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-20-minecraft-jungle-biome-creatures-coming-soon | title=Minecraft jungle biome, creatures coming soon | publisher=Eurogamer Network | work=] | date=January 20, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Phillips|first=Tom}}</ref> The in-game ] follows a day and night cycle, with one full cycle lasting 20 real time minutes.<ref name="Guide/FAQ"/> Throughout the course of the game, players encounter various ]s known as ], including animals, villagers and hostile creatures.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /><ref name="Update May 2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/05/24/minecraft-update-snapshot-includes-trading-currency-new-item-and-sandstone-stairs/ | title=Minecraft update snapshot includes trading, currency, new item and sandstone stairs | publisher=] | work=] | date=May 24, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Senior|first=Tom}}</ref> During the daytime, non-hostile animals, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, spawn. They may be hunted for food and crafting materials.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> During nighttime and in dark areas, hostile mobs, such as large spiders, skeletons, and zombies, spawn.<ref name="Beginner's guide"/> Some ''Minecraft''-unique creatures have been noted by reviewers, such as the Creeper, an exploding creature that sneaks up on the player, and the Enderman, a creature with the ability to ] and pick up blocks.<ref name=Eurogamer /> | |||
New players are given a randomly selected default character ] out of nine possibilities, including ] or Alex,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=27 April 2015 |title=You can finally choose to play as a girl in Minecraft |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/27/8503863/minecraft-female-default-character |website=The Verge |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428175512/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/27/8503863/minecraft-female-default-character |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Reporter |first1=CJ Wheeler Former News |last2=Wheeler |first2=C. J. |date=30 November 2022 |title=Minecraft Bedrock Edition now has seven more default skins |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-bedrock-edition-now-has-seven-more-default-skins |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102050842/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-bedrock-edition-now-has-seven-more-default-skins |url-status=live }}</ref> but are able to create and upload their own skins.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Quach |first=Michael |date=7 October 2010 |title=How to edit your skin in Minecraft |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-to-edit-your-skin-in-minecraft/ |magazine=PC Gamer |language=en-US |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616112500/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-to-edit-your-skin-in-minecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Players encounter various mobs (short for mobile entities) including animals, villagers, and hostile creatures.<ref name="Update May 2012">{{Cite web |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=24 May 2012 |title=Minecraft update snapshot includes trading, currency, new item and sandstone stairs |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/05/24/minecraft-update-snapshot-includes-trading-currency-new-item-and-sandstone-stairs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203114023/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/05/24/minecraft-update-snapshot-includes-trading-currency-new-item-and-sandstone-stairs/ |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Luis Joshua |last2=Hammill |first2=Dan |last3=Heaney |first3=Samuel |last4=Moreupdated |first4=+39 9k |title=All Minecraft Mobs - Minecraft Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/minecraft/All_Minecraft_Mobs |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=IGN |date=26 August 2011 |language=en |archive-date=7 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107140354/https://www.ign.com/wikis/minecraft/All_Minecraft_Mobs |url-status=live }}</ref> Passive mobs, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, can be hunted for food and crafting materials. They spawn in the daytime, while hostile mobs—including large spiders, witches, skeletons, and zombies—spawn during nighttime or in dark places such as caves.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last1=Stay |first1=Jesse |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jf_9BQAAQBAJ&q=Minecraft+For+Dummies |title=Minecraft For Dummies |last2=Stay |first2=Thomas |last3=Cordeiro |first3=Jacob |date=2015-01-20 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-96823-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Talley |first=Trevor |url=https://archive.org/details/minecrafter20adv0000tall/mode/2up?q=hostile |title=Minecrafter 2.0 advanced |date=2014 |publisher=Chicago, Illinois : Triumph Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-60078-998-4}}</ref> Some hostile mobs, such as zombies, skeletons and drowned (underwater versions of zombies), burn under the sun if they have no headgear and are not standing in water.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=Megan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PzGCDwAAQBAJ |title=The Big Book of Hacks for Minecrafters: The Biggest Unofficial Guide to Tips and Tricks That Other Guides Won't Teach You |date=2015-11-03 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-63450-952-7 |language=en}}</ref> Other creatures unique to ''Minecraft'' include the ] (an exploding creature that sneaks up on the player) and the enderman (a creature with the ability to ] as well as pick up and place blocks).<ref name="Eurogamer" /> There are also variants of mobs that spawn in different conditions; for example, zombies have husk and drowned variants that spawn in deserts and oceans, respectively.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Milton |first1=Stephanie |title=Minecraft: Guide to Exploration |last2=Davies |first2=Marsh |date=17 December 2018 |publisher=Random House Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-399-18201-3 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
The game world is procedurally generated as players explore it, using a ] which is obtained from the ] at the time of world creation unless manually specified by the player.<ref name="NotchExplain1">{{cite web |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/3746989361/terrain-generation-part-1 |title=Terrain generation, Part 1 |first=Markus |last=Persson |publisher=Mojang|date=March 10, 2011 |accessdate=October 24, 2010}}</ref><ref name="NotchExplain2">{{cite web |url=http://www.mojang.com/2011/02/a-short-demystification-of-the-map-seed |title=A Short Demystification of the ‘Map Seed’ |first=Jens |last=Bergensten |publisher=Mojang |date=February 23, 2011 |accessdate=October 6, 2012}}</ref> Although limits exist on vertical movement both up and down, ''Minecraft'' allows for an infinitely large game world to be generated on the horizontal plane, only running into technical problems when extremely distant locations are reached.{{#tag:ref|In a blog post,<ref name="NotchExplain1"/> Persson explains: | |||
=== Dimensions === | |||
::First of all, let me clarify some things about the "infinite" maps: They're not infinite, but there's no hard limit either. It'll just get ] and buggier the further out you are. Terrain is generated, saved and loaded, and (kind of) rendered in chunks of 16*16*128 blocks. These chunks have an ] value that is a ] ] roughly in the range negative two billion to positive two billion. If you go outside that range (about 25% of the distance from where you are now to the sun), loading and saving chunks will start overwriting old chunks. At a 16/th of that distance, things that use integers for block positions, such as using items and pathfinding, will start ] and acting weird. | |||
''Minecraft'' has two alternative dimensions besides the Overworld (the main world): the Nether and the End.<ref name="Eurogamer" /> | |||
==== The Nether ==== | |||
::Those are the two "hard" limits.|group=nb}} The game achieves this by splitting the game world data into smaller sections called "chunks", which are only created or loaded into memory when players are nearby. | |||
The Nether is a ]-like underworld dimension accessed via a player-built obsidian portal; newer versions of the game feature naturally generated damaged portals that the player can repair.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 June 2023 |title=Minecraft Nether portal dimensions and calculator |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/nether-portal-dimensions |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> The Nether contains many unique resources and can be used to travel great distances in the Overworld, due to every block traveled in the Nether being equivalent to 8 blocks traveled in the Overworld.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Tom |date=10 October 2010 |title=A clearer look at Minecraft's new hell dimension |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/a-clearer-look-at-minecrafts-new-hell-dimension/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101113601/http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/a-clearer-look-at-minecrafts-new-hell-dimension/ |archive-date=1 November 2012 |access-date=30 October 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> Mobs that populate the Nether include shrieking, fireball-shooting ghasts, alongside anthropomorphic mobs called piglins and their zombified counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=11 October 2019 |title=Visit the Nether! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/visit-nether- |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=The Minecraft Official Site |series=Deep Dives |publisher=Microsoft |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012174721/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/visit-nether- |url-status=live }}</ref> The piglins in particular have a ] system, where players can give them gold ingots and receive items in return.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marshall|first=Cass|date=1 July 2020|title=Everybody loves Minecraft's new Piglin, the rudest new NPCs|website=Polygon|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21310370/minecraft-nether-update-piglin-fan-reaction-trading-gold-looting|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003222747/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21310370/minecraft-nether-update-piglin-fan-reaction-trading-gold-looting|url-status=live}}</ref> The player can also build an optional ] mob called The Wither out of materials found in the Nether.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Staff |first1=Mojang AB (Firm) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jrb4MAAACAAJ&q=guide+to+nether+and+the+end |title=Minecraft Guide to the Nether and the End |last2=Milton |first2=Stephanie |date=1 September 2017 |publisher=Egmont UK Limited |isbn=978-1-4052-8599-5 |pages=32–33 |access-date=29 December 2017 |via=Google Books |archive-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505020425/https://books.google.com/books?id=Jrb4MAAACAAJ&q=guide+to+nether+and+the+end |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==== The End ==== | |||
The game's physics system, in which most solid blocks are unaffected by gravity, has often been described as unrealistic by commentators.<ref name="Minecraft In Education">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids-6400549/ | title=Minecraft In Education: How Video Games Are Teaching Kids | publisher=] | work=] | date=November 25, 2012 | accessdate=December 15, 2012 | last=Walton|first=Mark}}</ref> Liquids in the game flow from a source, a liquid block which can be removed by placing a solid block in place of it.<ref name="Guide/FAQ">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesradar.com/cheats/19703/ | title=Minecraft (PC) Guide/FAQ | publisher=] | work=] | date=November 14, 2010 | accessdate=December 15, 2012 | last=Garvani|first=Stephen}}</ref> Complex systems can be built using primitive mechanical devices, electrical circuits, and logic gates built with an in-game material known as redstone.<ref name="RedstoneComputer">{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104029-Player-Creates-Working-Computer-in-Minecraft |title=Player Creates Working Computer in ''Minecraft'' |work=]|publisher=Alloy Digital|last=Tito |first=Greg |date=October 4, 2010 |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref> | |||
The End is reached by underground portals in the Overworld. It consists of islands floating in a dark, bottomless void. A ] called the Ender Dragon guards the largest, central island.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liebl |first=Matt |date=5 May 2012 |title=Minecraft: The End, Ender Dragons, and Goop Portal All Explained |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/2011/10/11/minecraft-the-end-ender-dragons-and-goop-portal-all-explained |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615001422/http://www.gamezone.com/news/2011/10/11/minecraft-the-end-ender-dragons-and-goop-portal-all-explained |archive-date=15 June 2013 |access-date=31 October 2012 |website=GameZone |publisher=GameZone Online}}</ref> Killing the dragon opens access to an exit portal, which, when entered, cues the game's ending credits and the ], a roughly 1,500-word work written by Irish novelist ],<ref name="parker">{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=James |date=22 May 2014 |title=''Minecraft'': The Most Creative Game Ever Made |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-game-that-conquered-the-world/361615/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010808/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-game-that-conquered-the-world/361615/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which takes about nine minutes to scroll past,<ref name="litchfield">{{cite web |last1=Litchfield |first1=Ted |title=The writer of ''Minecraft''<span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'s</span> ending poem wants to 'liberate it from the corporate economy' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-writer-of-minecrafts-ending-poem-wants-to-liberate-it-from-the-corporate-economy/ |website=] |access-date=2 May 2023 |language=en |date=12 December 2022 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211223315/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-writer-of-minecrafts-ending-poem-wants-to-liberate-it-from-the-corporate-economy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is the game's only narrative text,<ref name="moloney">{{cite news |last1=Moloney |first1=Eoghan |title=Irishman who wrote ''Minecraft''<span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'s</span> revered 'End Poem' gives words away for free after declining to sign over rights to Microsoft |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irishman-who-wrote-minecrafts-revered-end-poem-gives-words-away-for-free-after-declining-to-sign-over-rights-to-microsoft/42206699.html |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=] |date=8 December 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010807/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irishman-who-wrote-minecrafts-revered-end-poem-gives-words-away-for-free-after-declining-to-sign-over-rights-to-microsoft/42206699.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the only text of significant length directed at the player.<ref name="anthony">{{Cite journal |last=Anthony |first=Jason |date=2015 |title=Current Key Perspectives in Video Gaming and Religion |url=https://media.suub.uni-bremen.de/bitstream/elib/3156/1/00104919-1.pdf |journal=Gamevironments |publisher=] |issue=3 |pages=7–15 |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010810/https://media.suub.uni-bremen.de/bitstream/elib/3156/1/00104919-1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|pp=10–12}} At the conclusion of the credits, the player is teleported back to their respawn point and may continue the game indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plafke |first=James |date=26 December 2012 |title=How to find the Ender Portal in Minecraft |url=https://www.geek.com/games/how-to-find-the-ender-portal-in-minecraft-1533760/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118175047/https://www.geek.com/games/how-to-find-the-ender-portal-in-minecraft-1533760/ |archive-date=18 November 2018 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=Geek.com}}</ref> Players can also explore further regions of the End beyond the main island, which can harbor structures known as end cities or ships to find valuable ] as well. | |||
=== Game modes === | |||
''Minecraft'' features two alternate dimensions besides the main world – the Nether and The End.<ref name=Eurogamer /> The Nether is a ]-like dimension accessed via player-built portals that contains many unique resources and can be used to travel great distances in the overworld.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/a-clearer-look-at-minecrafts-new-hell-dimension/ |title=A clearer look at Minecraft's new hell dimension |first=Tom |last=Francis |date=October 10, 2010 |work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=October 30, 2012}}</ref> The End is a barren land in which a ] dragon called the Ender Dragon dwells.<ref>{{cite web|last=Liebl|first=Matt|title=Minecraft: The End, Ender Dragons, and Goop Portal All Explained|url=http://www.gamezone.com/products/minecraft/news/minecraft-the-end-ender-dragons-and-goop-portal-all-explained|work=]|publisher=GameZone Online|accessdate=October 31, 2012}}</ref> Killing the dragon cues the game's ending credits, written by Irish author ].<ref name="Juilan Gough">{{cite web |url=http://boingboing.net/2012/01/09/ending-an-endless-game-an-int.html |title=Ending an endless game: an interview with Julian Gough, author of Minecraft's epic finale |first=Tom |last=Chatfield |date=January 9, 2012 |publisher=Boing Boing |accessdate=January 13, 2012}}</ref> Players are then allowed to teleport back to their original spawn point in the overworld, and will receive "The End" achievement. | |||
==== Survival mode ==== | |||
] as well as some other blocks and items in the player's inventory|alt=The player attempting to make a stone axe by placing the required materials into the crafting grid, a 3x3 block of item spaces hovering over the standard inventory, which is filled with other items.]] | |||
In survival mode, players have to gather natural resources such as wood and stone found in the environment in order to craft certain blocks and items.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> Depending on the difficulty, monsters spawn in darker areas outside a certain radius of the character, requiring players to build a shelter in order to survive at night.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> The mode also has a ] which is depleted by attacks from mobs, falls, drowning, falling into lava, suffocation, starvation, and other events. Players also have a hunger bar, which must be periodically refilled by eating food in-game unless the player is playing on peaceful difficulty.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Julia |date=20 August 2020 |title=How to regain health in Minecraft |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/20/21373772/how-to-regain-health-hp-food-potions |access-date=26 July 2021 |website=Polygon |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726120127/https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/20/21373772/how-to-regain-health-hp-food-potions |url-status=live }}</ref> If the hunger bar is empty, automatic healing stops and depletes. Health replenishes when players have a full hunger bar or continuously on peaceful.<ref name=":8" /> | |||
The game primarily consists of two game modes: survival and creative. It also has a changeable difficulty system of four levels; the easiest difficulty (peaceful) removes any hostile creatures that spawn.<ref name="Controls and Settings" /> | |||
Upon losing all health, items in the players' inventories are dropped unless the game is reconfigured not to do so. Players then re-spawn at their spawn point, which by default is where players first spawn in the game and can be reset by sleeping in a bed<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=John |date=18 February 2011 |title=Minecraft Is Getting Ready For Bed |work=] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/18/minecraft-is-getting-ready-for-bed/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109010753/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/18/minecraft-is-getting-ready-for-bed/ |archive-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> or using a respawn anchor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Ford |date=30 June 2020 |title=Minecraft Respawn Anchor: How to get one and set your spawn point in the Nether |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-respawn-anchor/ |access-date=10 August 2020 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122110123/https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-respawn-anchor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dropped items can be recovered if players can reach them before they disappear or despawn after 5 minutes. Players may acquire ]s by killing mobs and other players, mining, ] ores, ], and cooking food.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fillery |first=Jake |date=2023-02-03 |title=Minecraft: 8 Best Ways To Get XP |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-best-ways-earn-xp/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> Experience can then be spent on ] tools, armor and weapons. Enchanted items are generally more powerful, last longer, or have other special effects.<ref name=":11" /> | |||
=== Survival mode === | |||
] | |||
The game features two more game modes based on survival, known as "hardcore mode" and "adventure mode". Hardcore mode plays identically to survival mode, but features ], meaning players only have one life, forcing them to delete the world or explore it as a spectator after death.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=23 September 2011 |title=Minecraft hardcore mode teased. When you die, the world dies with you |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/23/minecraft-hardcore-mode-teased-when-you-die-the-world-dies-with-you/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004093330/http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/23/minecraft-hardcore-mode-teased-when-you-die-the-world-dies-with-you/ |archive-date=4 October 2012 |access-date=25 September 2012 |magazine=PC Gamer}}</ref> Adventure mode was added to the game in a post-launch update,<ref name="RPS - 1.3aug">{{cite web |last1=Co-Founder |first1=John Walker |last2=Walker |first2=John |date=August 2012 |title=Minecraft Updates To 1.3 With Adventure Mode, Trading |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/01/minecraft-updates-with-adventure-mode/ |access-date=4 January 2013 |work=]}}</ref> and prevents the player from directly modifying the game's world. It was designed primarily for use in custom maps, allowing map designers to let players experience it as intended.<ref name="RPS - 1.3aug" /><ref name="Gallegos" /> | |||
In this mode, players have to gather ]s (such as wood, stone, etc.) found in the environment in order to craft certain blocks and items.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> Depending on the difficulty, monsters spawn at darker places on the map, necessitating that the player builds a shelter at night.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> The mode also features a ] which is depleted by attacks from monsters, falls, drowning, falling into lava, suffocation, starvation, and other events.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> Players also have a hunger bar, which must be periodically refilled by eating food in-game.<ref name="Xbox update">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamezone.com/products/minecraft/news/new-minecraft-xbla-update-brings-endermen-hunger-gauge-and-more | title=New Minecraft XBLA update brings Endermen, hunger gauge, and more | work=]|publisher=GameZone Online | date=September 13, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Carmichael|first=Stephanie}}</ref> Health replenishes when players have a nearly full hunger bar, and also regenerates regardless of fullness if players play on the easiest difficulty.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /><ref name="Xbox update"/> | |||
==== Creative mode ==== | |||
There are a wide variety of items that players can craft in ''Minecraft''.<ref name=About.com>{{cite web|last=Marriott|first=Scott|title=Minecraft Review|url=http://compsimgames.about.com/od/citybuildingsims/fr/Minecraft-Review.htm|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate= November 10, 2012}}</ref> Players can craft armor, which can help mitigate damage from attacks, while weapons such as swords can be crafted to kill enemies and other animals.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> Players may acquire different resources to craft tools, such as weapons, armor, food, and various other items. By acquiring better resources, players can craft more effective items.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> For example, tools such as axes, shovels, or pickaxes, can be used to chop down trees, dig soil, and mine ores, respectively; and tools made out of better resources (such as iron in place of stone) perform their tasks more quickly and can be used more heavily before breaking.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> Players may also trade goods with villager mobs through a bartering system.<ref name="Trading update">{{cite web | url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/minecraft-update | title=Gaming Minecraft update combines single and multiplayer, adds trading and tripwires | work=]| date=July 6, 2012 | accessdate=November 21, 2012 | last=Brown | first=Mark}}</ref> Emerald ores are often the currency of the villagers, although some trade with wheat or other materials.<ref name="Update May 2012"/><ref name="Trading update"/> | |||
In creative mode, players have access to an infinite number of nearly all resources and items in the game through the inventory menu and can place or mine them instantly.<ref name="Creative Mode">{{Cite web |last=Steinlage |first=Tate |date=26 September 2012 |title=Creative Mode coming to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/2012/09/26/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519125126/http://www.gamezone.com/news/2012/09/26/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition |archive-date=19 May 2013 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=GameZone |publisher=GameZone Online}}</ref> Players can toggle the ability to fly freely around the game world at will, while their characters do not take any damage nor are affected by hunger.<ref name="Creative Mode 2">{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Sebastian |date=5 September 2012 |title=Creative Mode 'weeks away' for Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/09/05/creative-mode-weeks-away-for-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118033545/http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/05/creative-mode-weeks-away-for-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |archive-date=18 November 2012 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=5 September 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update: Creative Mode still "weeks away", 4J dresses Cliffy B up as Creeper |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/45572/minecraft-xbox-360-update-creative-mode-still-weeks-away-4j-dresses-cliffy-b-up-as-creeper/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430033503/http://www.totalxbox.com/45572/minecraft-xbox-360-update-creative-mode-still-weeks-away-4j-dresses-cliffy-b-up-as-creeper/ |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=1 December 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> The game mode helps players focus on building and creating projects of any size without disturbance.<ref name="Creative Mode" /> | |||
=== Multiplayer === | |||
The game has an inventory system and players are limited to the number of items they can carry. Upon dying, items in the players' inventories are dropped,<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> and players respawn at the current ], which is set by default where players begin the game, but can be reset if players sleep in beds in-game.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/18/minecraft-is-getting-ready-for-bed/ | title=Minecraft Is Getting Ready For Bed | work=]| date=February 18, 2011 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Walker|first=John}}</ref> Dropped items can be recovered if players can reach them before they despawn.<ref name=Guide/FAQ /> Players may acquire ]s by killing mobs and other players, mining, smelting ores, ], and cooking food. Experience can then be spent on ] tools, armor and weapons.<ref name="Controls and Settings">{{cite web | url=http://www.supercheats.com/guides/minecraft/controls-and-settings | title=Controls and Settings - Minecraft |work=Super Cheats| publisher=Videogamer Network | accessdate=January 3, 2013 | first=Chris}}</ref> Enchanted items are generally more powerful, last longer, or have other special effects.<ref name="Controls and Settings"/> | |||
{{See also|Minecraft server|l1=''Minecraft'' server}} | |||
Multiplayer in ''Minecraft'' enables multiple players to interact and communicate with each other on a single world. It is available through direct game-to-game multiplayer, LAN play, local split screen (console-only), and servers (player-hosted and business-hosted).<ref name="Multiplayer servers">{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Lee |date=10 September 2012 |title=Blocks with friends: How to run your own Minecraft server |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115100732/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=24 November 2012 |website=] |pages=1–4}}</ref> Players can run their own servers, use a hosting provider, or connect directly to another player's game via Xbox Live. Single-player worlds have ] support, allowing players to join a world on locally interconnected computers without a server setup.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=18 June 2012 |title=Modern! ''Minecraft'' Adds 'Local Area Network' Support |work=] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/06/18/modern-minecraft-adds-local-area-network-support/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918113739/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/06/18/modern-minecraft-adds-local-area-network-support/ |archive-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' multiplayer servers are guided by server operators, who have access to server commands such as setting the time of day and teleporting players. Operators can also set up restrictions concerning which usernames or ]es are allowed or disallowed to enter the server.<ref name="Multiplayer servers" /> Multiplayer servers have a wide range of activities, with some servers having their own unique rules and customs. The largest and most popular server is ], which has been visited by over 14 million unique players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=13 December 2018 |title=Creators of Popular 'Minecraft' Server Announce New Game 'Hytale' |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |access-date=15 December 2018 |website=] |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022409/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="riotgames">{{Cite news |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=13 December 2018 |title=Riot Games Leads Investment in Hypixel Game Studio |work=] |department=Tech |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221000646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |url-status=live }}</ref> ] combat (PvP) can be enabled to allow fighting between players.<ref name="pcgamer minecraft future">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=24 November 2012 |title=The Future of Minecraft: what lies ahead for the all-conquering sandbox game? |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/11/the-future-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124024439/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/11/the-future-of-minecraft/ |archive-date=24 November 2012 |access-date=24 November 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> | |||
Players may also play in hardcore mode, a variant of survival mode that differs primarily in the game being locked to the hardest gameplay setting as well as featuring ]; upon players' death, their world is deleted.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/23/minecraft-hardcore-mode-teased-when-you-die-the-world-dies-with-you/ | title=Minecraft hardcore mode teased. When you die, the world dies with you | work=]|publisher=]|date=September 23, 2011 | accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> | |||
=== |
==== ''Minecraft Realms'' ==== | ||
In 2013, Mojang announced ''Minecraft Realms'', a server hosting service intended to enable players to run server multiplayer games easily and safely without having to set up their own.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=18 March 2013 |title=Minecraft Realms hopes to make an increasingly complex game more family-friendly |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321113627/http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |archive-date=21 March 2013 |access-date=26 March 2013 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="pcgamesn">{{Cite news |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=14 March 2013 |title=Minecraft Realms is a subscription service for families that will "bring in more money than the game itself" |work=] |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |access-date=2 December 2019 |archive-date=19 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719142423/http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike a standard server, only invited players can join Realms servers, and these servers do not use IP addresses. ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' Realms server owners can invite up to twenty people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at a time. ''Minecraft'' Realms server owners can invite up to 3,000 people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at one time.<ref name="Minecraft Realms">{{Cite web |date=31 July 2017 |title=Minecraft Realms |url=https://minecraft.net/realms/ |access-date=8 March 2018 |website=Minecraft.net |archive-date=23 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323043639/https://minecraft.net/realms |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' Realms servers do not support user-made plugins, but players can play custom ''Minecraft'' maps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owen |date=24 October 2014 |title=Realms is packed with awesome maps |url=https://www.mojang.com/2014/10/realms-is-packed-with-awesome-maps/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710014841/https://mojang.com/2014/10/realms-is-packed-with-awesome-maps/ |archive-date=10 July 2019 |access-date=18 September 2017 |website=mojang.com}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' ''Bedrock'' Realms servers support user-made add-ons, resource packs, behavior packs, and custom ''Minecraft'' maps.<ref name="Minecraft Realms" /> At ], support for ] between ], ], and ] platforms was added through Realms starting in June 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=13 June 2016 |title=Minecraft gets cross-platform play later this year |url=http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616111115/http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |archive-date=16 June 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016 |website=]}}</ref> with ] and ] support to come later in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=11 June 2017 |title=Minecraft is unifying nearly all of its versions across all platforms, except Sony |url=https://www.destructoid.com/minecraft-is-unifying-nearly-all-of-its-versions-across-all-platforms-except-sony-439216.phtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617092549/https://www.destructoid.com/minecraft-is-unifying-nearly-all-of-its-versions-across-all-platforms-except-sony-439216.phtml |archive-date=17 June 2017 |access-date=11 June 2017 |website=]}}</ref> and support for ] devices. On 31 July 2017, Mojang released the beta version of the update allowing cross-platform play.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=31 July 2017 |title=Beta Test Better Together! |work=Minecraft.net |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/beta-test-better-together |access-date=1 August 2017 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810150645/https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/beta-test-better-together |url-status=live }}</ref> Nintendo Switch support for Realms was released in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2018 |title=Minecraft's Aquatic Update Phase Two Gets Wet And Wild Today On Switch |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/07/minecrafts_aquatic_update_phase_two_gets_wet_and_wild_today_on_switch |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=12 February 2019 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922123236/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/07/minecrafts_aquatic_update_phase_two_gets_wet_and_wild_today_on_switch |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
] | |||
=== Customization === | |||
In creative mode, players have access to most of the resources and items in the game through the inventory menu, and can place or remove them instantly.<ref name="Creative Mode">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamezone.com/products/minecraft-xbox-360-edition/news/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition | title=Creative Mode coming to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition | publisher=GameZone Online | work=] | date=September 26, 2012 | accessdate=December 1, 2012 | last=Steinlage|first=Tate}}</ref> Players, able to fly freely around the game world, do not take environmental or mob damage, and are not affected by hunger.<ref name="Creative Mode 2">{{cite web | url=http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/05/creative-mode-weeks-away-for-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ | title=Creative Mode ‘weeks away’ for Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition | work=] | date=September 5, 2012 | accessdate=December 1, 2012 | last=Haley|first=Sebastian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/45572/minecraft-xbox-360-update-creative-mode-still-weeks-away-4j-dresses-cliffy-b-up-as-creeper/ | title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update: Creative Mode still "weeks away", 4J dresses Cliffy B up as Creeper | publisher=Future Publishing | work=]|publisher=]| date=September 5, 2012 | accessdate=December 1, 2012 | last=Evans-Thirlwell|first=Edwin}}</ref> The game mode helps players focus on building and creating large projects.<ref name="Creative Mode"/> | |||
{{See also|Minecraft modding|l1=''Minecraft'' modding}} | |||
] | |||
The ''modding community'' consists of fans, users and third-party programmers. Using a variety of ] that have arisen over time, they have produced a wide variety of ] for ''Minecraft'', such as modifications, texture packs and custom maps. Modifications of the ''Minecraft'' code, called '']'', add a variety of gameplay changes, ranging from new blocks, items, and mobs to entire arrays of mechanisms.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=8 May 2012 |title=The 10 Best Minecraft Mods |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/05/08/the-10-best-minecraft-mods/ |url-status=live |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030095454/http://techland.time.com/2012/05/08/the-10-best-minecraft-mods/ |archive-date=30 October 2012 |access-date=28 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=29 February 2012 |title=Minecraft mod API to be developed by new team at Mojang |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/29/minecraft-mod-api-to-be-developed-by-new-team-at-mojang/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203114102/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/29/minecraft-mod-api-to-be-developed-by-new-team-at-mojang/ |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=28 October 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> The modding community is responsible for a substantial supply of mods from ones that enhance gameplay, such as ]s, waypoints, and durability counters, to ones that add to the game elements from other video games and media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-27 |title=The 56 best Minecraft mods September 2024 |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/twenty-best-minecraft-mods |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> While a variety of mod frameworks were independently developed by ] the code, Mojang has also enhanced ] ''Minecraft'' with official frameworks for modification, allowing the production of community-created resource packs, which alter certain game elements including textures and sounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dyer |first=Mitch |date=4 July 2013 |title=Minecraft 1.6 'Horse Update' Launching in July |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/25/minecraft-16-horse-update-launching-in-july |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708124020/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/25/minecraft-16-horse-update-launching-in-july |archive-date=8 July 2013 |publisher=IGN}}</ref> Players can also create their own "maps" (custom world save files) that often contain specific rules, challenges, puzzles and quests, and share them for others to play.<ref name="Savage 2012">{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Phil |title=The 25 best Minecraft custom maps |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/20/the-25-best-minecraft-custom-maps/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023211322/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/20/the-25-best-minecraft-custom-maps/ |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=28 October 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> Mojang added an adventure mode in August 2012<ref name="RPS – 1.3july">{{Cite news |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=6 July 2012 |title=Minecraft 1.3 Adding LAN, Adventure Mode In August |work=] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/07/06/minecraft-1-3-adding-lan-adventure-mode-in-august/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112203224/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/07/06/minecraft-1-3-adding-lan-adventure-mode-in-august/ |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref> and "command blocks" in October 2012,<ref name="Gallegos">{{Cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=27 July 2012 |title=Minecraft Adding New Block |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/27/minecraft-adding-new-block |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216094902/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/27/minecraft-adding-new-block |archive-date=16 December 2012 |access-date=28 October 2012 |website=]}}</ref> which were created specially for custom maps in ''Java Edition''. Data packs, introduced in version 1.13 of the ''Java Edition'', allow further customization, including the ability to add new achievements, dimensions, functions, loot tables, predicates, recipes, structures, tags, and world generation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Nathan |date=25 October 2017 |title=Minecraft Snapshot 17w43b |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-17w43a |access-date=19 July 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |language=en-US |archive-date=19 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719235854/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-17w43a |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Östergård |first=Adrian |date=8 July 2020 |title=Minecraft Snapshot 20w28a |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-20w28a |access-date=19 July 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |language=en-US |archive-date=19 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719235857/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-20w28a |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The ''Xbox 360 Edition'' supported ], which was available to purchase via the ]; these content packs usually contained additional character skins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=3 July 2012 |title=Minecraft XBLA adding DLC costumes |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/74638/minecraft-xbla-adding-dlc-costumes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204212358/http://www.shacknews.com/article/74638/minecraft-xbla-adding-dlc-costumes |archive-date=4 December 2012 |access-date=4 November 2012 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> It later received support for texture packs in its twelfth title update while introducing "mash-up packs", which combined texture packs with skin packs and changes to the game's sounds, music and user interface.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borthwick |first=Ben |date=24 August 2013 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Title Update 12 out now |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/60999/minecraft-xbox-360-title-update-12-out-now/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824122949/http://www.oxm.co.uk/60999/minecraft-xbox-360-title-update-12-out-now/ |archive-date=24 August 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013 |publisher=]}}</ref> The first mash-up pack (and by extension, the first texture pack) for the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' was released on 4 September 2013, and was themed after the '']'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conditt |first=Jessica |date=2 September 2013 |title=Mass Effect texture pack lands on Minecraft Xbox 360 |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/02/mass-effect-texture-pack-lands-on-minecraft-xbox-360/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906040913/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/02/mass-effect-texture-pack-lands-on-minecraft-xbox-360 |archive-date=6 September 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013 |publisher=Joystiq}}</ref> Unlike ''Java Edition'', however, the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' did not support player-made mods or custom maps.<ref name="IGN Xbox" /> A cross-promotional resource pack based on the '']'' franchise by Nintendo was released exclusively for the ''Wii U Edition'' worldwide on 17 May 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=9 May 2016 |title=Super Mario is coming to Minecraft |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/9/11604492/super-mario-new-content-minecraft-wii-u-nintendo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509123452/http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/9/11604492/super-mario-new-content-minecraft-wii-u-nintendo |archive-date=9 May 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=The Verge}}</ref> and later bundled free with the ''Nintendo Switch Edition'' at launch. Another based on '']'' was released on consoles that December,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=15 December 2016 |title=Fallout Mash-up Pack Incoming! |url=https://minecraft.net/en/article/fallout-mash-pack-incoming |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217135954/https://minecraft.net/en/article/fallout-mash-pack-incoming |archive-date=17 December 2016 |access-date=15 December 2016 |website=Minecraft}}</ref> and for Windows and Mobile in April 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fallout Mash-Up now on Pocket and Win 10 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/fallout-mash-now-pocket-and-win-10}}</ref> In April 2018, ] was discovered in several downloadable user-made ''Minecraft'' skins for use with the ''Java Edition'' of the game.<ref name="pcgamermalware" /><ref name="varietymalware1" /> ] stated that nearly 50,000 accounts were infected, and when activated, the malware would attempt to ] the user's hard drive.<ref name="varietymalware1">{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=18 April 2018 |title=Nearly 50,000 'Minecraft' Accounts Infected With Malware Thanks to Modified 'Skins' |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-malware-1202757936/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210205116/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-malware-1202757936/ |archive-date=10 December 2020 |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=] |publisher=Variety Media}}</ref><ref name="pcgamermalware">{{Cite magazine |last=Lilly |first=Paul |date=18 April 2018 |title=Beware of malicious Minecraft skins that attempt to erase your hard drive |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/beware-of-malicious-minecraft-skins-that-attempt-to-erase-your-hard-drive/ |url-status=live |magazine=] |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403155908/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/beware-of-malicious-minecraft-skins-that-attempt-to-erase-your-hard-drive/ |archive-date=3 April 2021}}</ref> Mojang promptly patched the issue, and released a statement stating that "the code would not be run or read by the game itself",<ref name="pcgamermalware" /> and would run only when the image containing the skin itself was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=19 April 2018 |title='Minecraft' Developer Issues Fix for Skins Virus |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907125202/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |archive-date=7 September 2018 |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=] |publisher=Variety Media}}</ref> | |||
=== Adventure mode === | |||
Adventure mode was added to ''Minecraft'' in version 1.3; it was designed specifically so that players could experience user crafted custom maps and adventures.<ref name="Custom maps" /><ref name="RPS - 1.3july">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/07/06/minecraft-1-3-adding-lan-adventure-mode-in-august/|title=Minecraft 1.3 Adding LAN, Adventure Mode In August|work=]|first=Nathan|last=Grayson|date=July 6, 2012|accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref><ref name="RPS - 1.3aug">{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/01/minecraft-updates-with-adventure-mode/|title=Minecraft Updates To 1.3 With Adventure Mode, Trading|work=]|first=John|last=Walker|date=August 1, 2012|accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> Gameplay is similar to survival mode but introduces various player restrictions such as disabling the ability to place blocks and destroy blocks without the appropriate tools.<ref name="RPS - 1.3july"/><ref name="RPS - 1.3aug"/> This is so that players can obtain the required items and experience adventures in the way that the mapmaker intended.<ref name="RPS - 1.3aug"/> Another addition designed for custom maps is the command block; this block allows mapmakers to expand interactions with players through server commands.<ref name="Gallegos">{{cite web|last=Gallegos|first=Anthony|title=Minecraft Adding New Block|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/27/minecraft-adding-new-block|work=]|accessdate=October 28, 2012}}</ref> | |||
In June 2017, Mojang released an update known as the "Discovery Update" to the ''Bedrock'' version of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazarides |first=Tasos |date=June 2017 |title='Minecraft PE' 1.1 Discovery Update Is Out, Adds Minecraft Marketplace, Skyrim Pack, Woodland Mansions, and More |url=http://toucharcade.com/2017/06/01/minecraft-pe-1-1-discovery-update-is-out-adds-minecraft-marketplace-skyrim-pack-woodland-mansions-and-more/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620220401/https://toucharcade.com/2017/06/01/minecraft-pe-1-1-discovery-update-is-out-adds-minecraft-marketplace-skyrim-pack-woodland-mansions-and-more/ |archive-date=20 June 2022 |access-date=16 July 2017 |website=TouchArcade}}</ref> The update includes a new map, a new game mode, the "Marketplace", a catalogue of user-generated content that gives ''Minecraft'' creators "another way to make a living from the game", and more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=10 April 2017 |title=Minecraft Marketplace offers a new place to buy maps and more |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/4/10/15224014/minecraft-marketplace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706075115/https://www.polygon.com/2017/4/10/15224014/minecraft-marketplace |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=17 September 2017 |website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2017 |title=It's time to discover... Marketplace! |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/its-time-discover-marketplace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707015248/https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/its-time-discover-marketplace |archive-date=7 July 2022 |access-date=17 September 2017 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2017 |title=Minecraft: New marketplace for community creators |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39553631/minecraft-new-marketplace-for-community-creators |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041306/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39553631/minecraft-new-marketplace-for-community-creators |archive-date=12 November 2020 |website=newsbeat |publisher=BBC}}</ref> | |||
=== Multiplayer === | |||
Multiplayer on ''Minecraft'' is available through player-hosted servers and enables multiple players to interact and communicate with each other on a single world.<ref name="Multiplayer servers">{{cite web | url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ | title=Blocks with friends: How to run your own Minecraft server | work=] | date=September 10, 2012 | accessdate=November 24, 2012 | last=Hutchinson|first=Lee | pages=1–4}}</ref> Players can run their own servers or use a hosting provider. Single player worlds have ] support, allowing players to join worlds on locally interconnected computers without a server setup.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/06/18/modern-minecraft-adds-local-area-network-support/ |title=Modern! ''Minecraft'' Adds ‘Local Area Network’ Support |work=] |first=Alec|last= Meer |date=June 18, 2012 |accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' multiplayer servers are guided by server operators, who have access to server commands such as setting the time of day and teleporting players around. Operators can also set up restrictions concerning which usernames or ]es are allowed to enter the server.<ref name="Multiplayer servers"/> Multiplayer servers offer players a wide range of activities, with some servers having their own unique rules and customs. Competitions are available in some servers, in which players can participate in a variety of games, including those resembling '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1224649p1.html| title=Survival Games is The Hunger Games of Minecraft | publisher=]| work=] | date=May 14, 2012 | accessdate=January 1, 2013 | last=Cocke|first= Taylor|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Ed67nbAP|archivedate=February 22, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/04/no-end-of-the-world-minez-is-zombie-survival-minecraft/ | title=No End Of The World: MineZ Is Zombie Survival Minecraft | work=]| date=August 4, 2012 | accessdate=January 1, 2013 | last=Pearson|first=Craig}}</ref> A gamemode, PvP (]), may be enabled to allow fighting between players.<ref name="pcgamer minecraft future" /> In 2013 Mojang announced Minecraft Realms, a server hosting service intended to enable children to run server multiplayer games easily and safely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more|title=Minecraft Realms hopes to make an increasingly complex game more family-friendly |work=]|accessdate=March 26, 2013}}</ref> | |||
== Development == | == Development == | ||
] at the ] in 2016]] | |||
{{Video game requirements | |||
] in 2011]] | |||
|caption = System requirements | |||
|useminandrec = yes | |||
|platform1 = Java<ref>{{cite web|title=What are the system requirements?|url=http://help.mojang.com/customer/portal/articles/325948-what-are-the-system-requirements-|work=help.mojang.com|publisher=Mojang|accessdate=November 14, 2012}}</ref> | |||
|os1 = | |||
|os1rec = | |||
|cpu1 = Intel P4/NetBurst Architecture or its AMD Equivalent | |||
|cpu1rec = Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 (K8) 2.6 GHz | |||
|memory1 = 2 GB of RAM | |||
|memory1rec = 4 GB of RAM | |||
|gpu1 = Intel GMA 950 or AMD Equivalent | |||
|gpu1rec = GeForce 6xxx or ATI Radeon 9xxx and up with OpenGL 2 Support | |||
|sound1 = | |||
|sound1rec = | |||
|network1 = Internet connection required for online multiplayer | |||
|network1rec = | |||
|hdspace1 = 90 MB | |||
|hdspace1rec = 150 MB | |||
}} | |||
Before coming up with ''Minecraft'', ] was a game developer with ] through March 2009, at the time serving mostly ]s, during which he learned a number of different programming languages.<ref name="wired origins">{{Cite magazine |last=Cheshire |first=Tom |date=15 September 2014 |title=Changing the game: how Notch made Minecraft a cult hit |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/changing-the-game |magazine=] |access-date=7 May 2020 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118102229/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/changing-the-game |url-status=live }}</ref> He would prototype his own games during his off-hours at home, often based on inspiration he found from other games, and participated frequently on the ] forums for independent developers.<ref name="wired origins" /> One of these personal projects was called "RubyDung", a base-building game inspired by '']'', but as an isometric three dimensional game like '']''.<ref name="TechRadar: History">{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Alex |date=13 June 2018 |title=The history of Minecraft |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/the-history-of-minecraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809090837/https://www.techradar.com/news/the-history-of-minecraft |archive-date=9 August 2018 |access-date=17 January 2019 |website=]}}</ref> He had already made a 3D texture mapper for another zombie game prototype he had started to try to emulate the style of '']''.<ref name="rubydung" /> Among the features in "RubyDung" he explored was a first-person view similar to '']'' but at the time, felt the graphics were too pixelated and omitted this mode.<ref name="rubydung">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=30 October 2009 |title=The origins of Minecraft |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/227922045/the-origins-of-minecraft |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212110808/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/1144331509/seecret-saturday-1-but-i-failed-biomes-again |archive-date=12 December 2018 |access-date=7 May 2020 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="GSint">{{Cite web |last=Handy |first=Alex |date=23 March 2010 |title=Interview: Markus 'Notch' Persson Talks Making ''Minecraft'' |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27719/Interview_Markus_Notch_Persson_Talks_Making_Minecraft.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509113422/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27719/Interview_Markus_Notch_Persson_Talks_Making_Minecraft.php |archive-date=9 May 2010 |access-date=26 June 2010 |publisher=]}}</ref> Around March 2009, Persson left King and joined ], but otherwise kept working on his prototypes.<ref name="Story of Mojang">{{Cite web |last=] |date=8 November 2013 |title=Minecraft: The Story of Mojang |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRgVo1X_18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503013353/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRgVo1X_18 |archive-date=3 May 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="GSint" /><ref name="GAMASUTRA">{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Kristoff |date=5 March 2012 |title=Minecraft Mastermind Markus Persson to Receive Bafta Special Award |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/164329/MINECRAFT_MASTERMIND_MARKUS_PERSSON_TO_RECEIVE_BAFTA_SPECIALAWARD.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127205331/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/164329/MINECRAFT_MASTERMIND_MARKUS_PERSSON_TO_RECEIVE_BAFTA_SPECIALAWARD.php |archive-date=27 November 2019 |access-date=15 July 2020 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
The developer of ''Minecraft'', ], began developing the game as an independent project while working for ] and later ].<ref name="GSint">{{cite web| url = http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27719/Interview_Markus_Notch_Persson_Talks_Making_Minecraft.php| title = Interview: Markus 'Notch' Persson Talks Making ''Minecraft''| last = Handy | first= Alex| publisher = ]| date = March 23, 2010| accessdate = June 26, 2010}}</ref><ref name="MCabout">{{cite web| url = http://minecraft.net/game|title = About the game| last=Persson |first=Markus |authorlink=Markus Persson |publisher= Mojang| accessdate = June 26, 2010}}</ref> He was inspired to create ''Minecraft'' by several other games such as '']'', '']'', and later '']''. At the time, he had visualized an isometric 3D building game that would be a cross between his inspirations and had made some early prototypes.<ref name="GSint"/> ''Infiniminer'' heavily influenced the style of gameplay, including the first-person aspect of the game, the "blocky" visual style and the block-building fundamentals.<ref name="MCabout"/> However, unlike ''Infiniminer'', Persson wanted ''Minecraft'' to have RPG elements.<ref name="Blockbuster">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/10/the-making-of-minecraft/ | title=Blockbuster – The Making of Minecraft | publisher=] | work=] | date=November 10, 2012 | accessdate=December 20, 2012 | last=Davies|first=Marsh}}</ref> | |||
'']'', a block-based open-ended mining game first released in April 2009, sparked Persson's inspiration for how to take "RubyDung" forward.<ref name="rubydung" /> ''Infiniminer'' heavily influenced the visual style of gameplay, including bringing back the first-person mode, the "blocky" visual style and the block-building fundamentals.<ref name="rubydung" /> However, unlike ''Infiniminer'', Persson wanted ''Minecraft'' to have ] elements.<ref name="Blockbuster">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=10 November 2012 |title=Blockbuster – The Making of Minecraft |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/10/the-making-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215122902/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/10/the-making-of-minecraft/ |archive-date=15 December 2012 |access-date=20 December 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft'' was released to the public on May 17, 2009, as a ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/06/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ | title=The First Moments of Minecraft | publisher=]| work=] | date=February 6, 2012 | accessdate=January 1, 2013 | last=Smith|first= Graham}}</ref> Although Persson maintained a day job with Jalbum.net at first, he later quit in order to work on ''Minecraft'' full-time as sales of the alpha version of the game expanded.<ref name="PCGAMERinterview">{{cite web|last=McDougal |first=Jaz |title=Community heroes: Notch, for ''Minecraft'' |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/29/community-heroes-notch-for-minecraft/ |work=] |publisher=] |accessdate=August 3, 2010 |date=July 29, 2010}}</ref> Persson continued to update the game with releases distributed to users automatically. These updates included features such as new items, new blocks, new mobs, survival mode, and changes to the game's behavior (e.g., how water flows).<ref name="PCGAMERinterview"/> | |||
The original ] build of Minecraft was released on 17 May 2009 on ''TIGSource'' forums.<ref name=":13" /> As years passed, Persson regularly released test builds which included more features, such as tools, mobs, and even entirely separate dimensions. In 2011, partially due to the rising popularity of the game, Persson decided to release a full 1.0 version, which later became the "Adventure Update". It was released on 18 November 2011.<ref name="PC release date" /> Soon afterward, Persson quit development on the game and gave the project lead to ].<ref name="bergleaddev" /> | |||
To back the development of ''Minecraft'', Persson set up a video game company, ], with the money earned from the game.<ref name="Cult and merchandise" /><ref name="LackOfUpdates">{{cite web|last=Persson |first=Markus |authorlink=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang |title=I'm sorry about the lack of updates |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1205447916/im-sorry-about-the-lack-of-updates |accessdate=October 18, 2010 |date=September 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name="MCcompany">{{cite web|last=Persson |first=Markus |authorlink=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang|title=Hiring some people, getting an office, and all that! |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1075326804/hiring-some-people-getting-an-office-and-all-that |accessdate=September 6, 2010 |date=September 6, 2010}}</ref> On December 11, 2010, Persson announced that ''Minecraft'' was entering its beta testing phase on December 20, 2010.<ref name="BetaDate">{{cite web|url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010|title=''Minecraft'' Beta: December 20, 2010 |last=Persson |first=Markus |authorlink=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang |date=December 11, 2010 |accessdate=December 21, 2010}}</ref> He further stated that users who bought the game after this date would no longer be guaranteed to receive all future content free of charge as it "scared both the lawyers and the board." However, bug fixes and all updates leading up to and including the release would still be free. Over the course of the development, Mojang hired several new employees to work on the project.<ref name="MCMannehMollstam">{{cite web|last=Persson|first=Markus |authorlink=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang |title=2011, here we go!|url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2582321901/2011-here-we-go|accessdate=January 3, 2011|date=January 3, 2011}}</ref> | |||
On 15 September 2014, ], developer of the ] operating system and the ] video game console, announced a $2.5 billion deal to buy Mojang, along with the ownership of the ''Minecraft'' intellectual property.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |last2=Hern |first2=Alex |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft sold: Microsoft buys Mojang for $2.5bn |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/microsoft-buys-minecraft-creator-mojang-for-25bn |access-date=9 August 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929140935/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/microsoft-buys-minecraft-creator-mojang-for-25bn |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft to join Microsoft |url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/09/15/minecraft-join-microsoft/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=The Official Microsoft Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527233735/https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/09/15/minecraft-join-microsoft/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Mojang |url=https://www.mojang.com/page/25/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=www.mojang.com |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924133553/https://www.mojang.com/page/25/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The deal was suggested by Persson when he posted on ] asking a corporation to buy his share of the game after receiving criticism for enforcing terms in the game's ] (EULA), which had been present in the EULA in the prior three years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=24 June 2014 |title=Minecraft: how a change to the rules is tearing the community apart |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |access-date=1 January 2021 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715224605/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogart |first=Nicole |date=15 September 2014 |title=Updated: September 15, 2014 8:35 pm Microsoft acquires 'Minecraft' maker for $2.5 billion |url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1563546/microsoft-acquires-minecraft-maker-for-2-5-billion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082220/http://globalnews.ca/news/1563546/microsoft-acquires-minecraft-maker-for-2-5-billion/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 |access-date=2 May 2015 |publisher=] |agency=]}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft4" /> According to Persson, Mojang CEO Carl Manneh received a call from a Microsoft executive shortly after the tweet, asking if Persson was serious about a deal. Mojang was also approached by other companies including ] and ].<ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft4" /> The deal with Microsoft was arbitrated on 6 November 2014 and led to Persson becoming one of '']''{{'}} "World's Billionaires".<ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft1">{{Cite web |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft Is Now Part of Microsoft, and It Only Cost $2.5 Billion |url=https://time.com/3377886/microsoft-buys-mojang/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915180920/http://time.com/3377886/microsoft-buys-mojang/ |archive-date=15 September 2014 |access-date=15 September 2014 |magazine=]}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft2">{{Cite news |last=Bass |first=Dina |date=15 September 2014 |title=Microsoft to Buy Minecraft Maker Mojang for $2.5 Billion |work=] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-15/microsoft-to-buy-minecraft-maker-mojang-for-2-5-billion.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916060156/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-15/microsoft-to-buy-minecraft-maker-mojang-for-2-5-billion.html |archive-date=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft3">{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=6 November 2014 |title=Microsoft officially owns Minecraft and developer Mojang now |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/6/7167349/microsoft-owns-minecraft-mojang-acquisition-closes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130141926/http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/6/7167349/microsoft-owns-minecraft-mojang-acquisition-closes |archive-date=30 November 2014 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft4">{{Cite web |last=Mac |first=Ryan |date=3 March 2015 |title=Inside The Post-Minecraft Life Of Billionaire Gamer God Markus Persson |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2015/03/03/minecraft-markus-persson-life-after-microsoft-sale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320155201/http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2015/03/03/minecraft-markus-persson-life-after-microsoft-sale/ |archive-date=20 March 2015 |access-date=25 March 2015 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
Mojang moved the game out of beta and released the full version on November 18, 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/251231/20111117/minecraft-version-available-minecon-live-streaming.htm | title=Minecraft Full Version Available; MineCon Live Streaming | work=]| date=November 17, 2012 | accessdate= October 17, 2012 | last=Fernandez | first=Carlo}}</ref> The game has been continuously updated since the release, with changes ranging from new game content to new server hosts.<ref name="notchMigr">{{cite web |title=The web server is struggling, we're migrating|url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2812089385/the-web-server-is-struggling-were-migrating |first=Markus |last=Persson |publisher=Mojang |date=January 18, 2011}}</ref> On December 1, 2011, ] took full creative control over ''Minecraft'', replacing Persson as lead developer.<ref name="bergleaddev">{{cite web|url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/13633493969/och-med-dom-orden-sa-passar-jag-micken|title=Och med dom orden så passar jag micken|last=Persson|first=Markus|work=]|publisher=Mojang|date=December 2, 2011|accessdate=December 2, 2011}}</ref> | |||
Since the first test build of ''Minecraft'', the game has been continuously updated with multiple feature drops, available for free to users who have already purchased the game.<ref name="notchMigr">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=18 January 2011 |title=The web server is struggling, we're migrating |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2812089385/the-web-server-is-struggling-were-migrating |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121031049/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2812089385/the-web-server-is-struggling-were-migrating |archive-date=21 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Each major drop adds new blocks, items, creatures, and locations for the player to explore. Early updates frequently introduced gameplay-altering mechanics and new concepts while the more recent ones tend to include quality-of-life changes and adjustments to existing features.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pentleton |first=Matthew |date=15 October 2021 |title=Every Major Minecraft Update, Ranked |url=https://www.thegamer.com/every-major-minecraft-update-expansion-ranked/ |access-date=18 June 2022 |website=The Gamer |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629132842/https://www.thegamer.com/every-major-minecraft-update-expansion-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (]).|date=June 2022}} As of 13 June 2024, the most recent major drop for the game was the 1.21 "Tricky Trials" update, which introduced a new Trial Chambers structure, a mob called the Breeze, and a Mace weapon, among other blocks and items.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Austin |first1=Sophie |date=18 June 2024 |title=Tricky Trials Update official release date |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/tricky-trials-update-official-release-date |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Audio === | |||
''Minecraft''{{'}}s music and sound effects are produced by German composer Daniel "C418" Rosenfeld.<ref name="credits">{{cite web|url=https://minecraft.net/game/credits|title=Minecraft.net Credits|work=Mojang|accessdate=January 1, 2013}}</ref> The ] in ''Minecraft'' is non-lyrical ]. On March 4, 2011, Rosenfeld released a ], titled ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha''; it includes most of the tracks featured in ''Minecraft'', as well as other music not featured in the game.<ref name="Bandcamp">{{cite web|url=http://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-alpha |title=''Minecraft'' Volume Alpha on Bandcamp |date=March 4, 2011 |accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> The video game blog ] chose the music in ''Minecraft'' as one of the best video game soundtracks of 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hamilton|first=Kirk|title=All of the Best Video Game Music of 2011|url=http://kotaku.com/gamemusic2011|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=November 14, 2012}}</ref> | |||
The original PC version of the game was renamed to ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' on 18 September 2017 to separate it from the cross-platform ''Bedrock Edition'', which was renamed to just ''Minecraft'' in the ''Better Together Update''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Corden |first=Jez |date=2 August 2017 |title=Minecraft "Better Together" FAQ: Xbox and Windows questions answered |language=en |work=Windows Central |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-better-together-faq-xbox-and-windows-questions-answered |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901190136/https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-better-together-faq-xbox-and-windows-questions-answered |archive-date=1 September 2022}}</ref> The ''Bedrock Edition'' has also been regularly updated, with these updates now matching the themes of ''Java Edition'' updates. Other versions of the game such as the various console editions and ''Pocket Edition'' were either merged into ''Bedrock'' or discontinued and as such have not received further updates.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
{{Track listing | |||
| headline = ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha'' | |||
| collapsed = yes | |||
| title1 = Key | |||
| length1 = 1:05 | |||
| title2 = Door | |||
| length2 = 1:51 | |||
| title3 = Subwoofer Lullaby | |||
| length3 = 3:28 | |||
| title4 = Death | |||
| length4 = 0:41 | |||
| title5 = Living Mice | |||
| length5 = 2:57 | |||
| title6 = Moog City | |||
| length6 = 2:40 | |||
| title7 = Haggstorm | |||
| length7 = 3:24 | |||
| title8 = Minecraft | |||
| length8 = 4:14 | |||
| title9 = Oxygène | |||
| length9 = 1:05 | |||
| title10 = Équinoxe | |||
| length10 = 1:54 | |||
| title11 = Mice on Venus | |||
| length11 = 4:41 | |||
| title12 = Dry Hands | |||
| length12 = 1:08 | |||
| title13 = Wet Hands | |||
| length13 = 1:30 | |||
| title14 = Clark | |||
| length14 = 3:11 | |||
| title15 = Chris | |||
| length15 = 1:27 | |||
| title16 = Thirteen | |||
| length16 = 2:56 | |||
| title17 = Excuse | |||
| length17 = 2:04 | |||
| title18 = Sweden | |||
| length18 = 3:35 | |||
| title19 = Cat | |||
| length19 = 3:06 | |||
| title20 = Dog | |||
| length20 = 2:25 | |||
| title21 = Danny | |||
| length21 = 4:14 | |||
| title22 = Beginning | |||
| length22 = 1:42 | |||
| title23 = Droopy likes ricochet | |||
| length23 = 1:36 | |||
| title24 = Droopy likes your face | |||
| length24 = 1:56 | |||
}} | |||
On 16 April 2020, a ''Bedrock Edition''-exclusive ] version of ''Minecraft'' called ''Minecraft RTX'' implementing ], ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leadbetter |first=Richard |date=22 August 2019 |title=Hands on with Minecraft RTX - the most astonishing ray tracing demo yet? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2019-hands-on-with-minecraft-rtx-path-tracing |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> and ] was released by ] on ]-enabled ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2020 |title=Minecraft ray tracing is now live on PC—and it's a must-play, if you can |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/04/the-minecraft-ray-tracing-guide-how-does-it-work-can-you-actually-play-it/ |access-date=19 April 2020 |publisher=] |quote='Currently, that limits interested players to Nvidia's "RTX" line of GPUs, since AMD has not yet released its own compatible line. Strangely, a Mojang representative told Ars last week that this week's beta would function on non-RTX graphics cards, albeit at an abysmal frame rate.' |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602123859/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/04/the-minecraft-ray-tracing-guide-how-does-it-work-can-you-actually-play-it/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The public release version was made available on 8 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lilly |first=Paul |date=8 December 2020 |title=Minecraft with RTX launches out of beta with a built-in benchmark scene |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-with-rtx-launches-out-of-beta-with-a-built-in-benchmark-scene/ |access-date=8 December 2020 |publisher=] |archive-date=25 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225054419/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-with-rtx-launches-out-of-beta-with-a-built-in-benchmark-scene/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Path tracing can only be enabled on supported worlds that can be downloaded for free via the in-game Minecraft Marketplace,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Hefford |first=Hayden |last2= |first2= |date=29 September 2021 |title=Minecraft: how to enable RTX ray tracing |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-ray-tracing |access-date=5 July 2024 |work=] |language=en}}</ref> with a texture pack that can be downloaded from Nvidia's website,<ref name=":1" /> or with compatible third-party texture packs;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lennox |first=Jesse |date=12 March 2024 |title=How to Enable Ray Tracing in Minecraft for Better Graphics |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/how-to-turn-on-ray-tracing-in-minecraft/ |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> it cannot simply be enabled by default with any texture pack on any world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiappetta |first=Marco |date=16 April 2020 |title=Minecraft With RTX May Be Ray Tracing's Killer App |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcochiappetta/2020/04/16/minecraft-with-rtx-may-be-ray-tracings-killer-app/ |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> However, according to Nvidia, it will be possible to activate the feature directly in-game in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 October 2019 |title=Minecraft With Ray Tracing: Your Questions Answered |url=https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/minecraft-ray-tracing-your-questions-answered/ |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=www.nvidia.com |language=en-us}}</ref> In the beginning, ''Minecraft RTX'' was affected by many ], display errors, and instability issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Matt |date=16 April 2020 |title=List of Minecraft RTX ray tracing known bugs and launch issues |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-rtx-ray-tracing-beta-bugs-issues |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zachary |first=Boddy |date=14 September 2020 |title=Minecraft with RTX gets 1.16.30.53 beta, fixes a few bugs and improves stability |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-rtx-gets-1163053-beta-fixes-few-bugs-and-improves-stability |access-date=24 August 2024 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Platforms == | |||
=== |
=== Editions === | ||
==== ''Java Edition'' ==== | |||
{{Video game timeline | |||
|title=''Java Edition'' major update release timeline | |||
|subtitle=Pre-release years in red | |||
|range1=2009–2010 | |||
|range2=2011–2024 | |||
|range1_color=red | |||
|range2_color=green | |||
|2009a=Pre-Classic | |||
|2009b=Classic | |||
|2009c=Survival Test | |||
|2010b=Infdev | |||
|2010c=Alpha | |||
|2010d=Alpha v1.2.0 - v1.2.6: "Halloween Update" | |||
|2010e=Beta | |||
|2011a=Beta | |||
|2011b=Release 1.0: "Adventure Update" | |||
|2012a=1.1 | |||
|2012b=1.2 | |||
|2012c=1.3 | |||
|2012d=1.4: "Pretty Scary Update" | |||
|2013a=1.5: "Redstone Update" | |||
|2013b=1.6: "Horse Update" | |||
|2013c=1.7: "The Update that Changed the World" | |||
|2014=1.8: "Bountiful Update" | |||
|2016a=1.9: "Combat Update" | |||
|2016b=1.10: "Frostburn Update" | |||
|2016c=1.11: "Exploration Update" | |||
|2017=1.12: "World of Color Update" | |||
|2018=1.13: "Update Aquatic" | |||
|2019a=1.14: "Village & Pillage" | |||
|2019b=1.15: "Buzzy Bees" | |||
|2020=1.16: "Nether Update" | |||
|2021a=1.17: "Caves & Cliffs: Part I" | |||
|2021b=1.18: "Caves & Cliffs: Part II" | |||
|2022=1.19: "The Wild Update" | |||
|2023=1.20: "Trails & Tales" | |||
|2024a=1.21: "Tricky Trials" | |||
|2009d=Indev}} | |||
Development began for the original edition of ''Minecraft -'' then known as ''Cave Game'', and now known as the ''Java Edition -'' on 10,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the game |url=http://www.minecraft.net/about.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090615065538/http://www.minecraft.net/about.jsp |archive-date=15 June 2009 |access-date=5 January 2025 |website=Minecraft}}</ref> 11<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2009 |title=#minecraft.20090525.log |url=https://ia803208.us.archive.org/12/items/Rotab-Minecraft-IRC-logs/%23minecraft.20090525.log |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=]}}</ref> or 12 May 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2009 |title=lwjgl IRC logs |url=https://echelog.com/logs/browse/lwjgl/1242165600 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208190915/https://echelog.com/logs/browse/lwjgl/1242165600 |archive-date=8 February 2014 |access-date=5 January 2025}}</ref> and ended on 13 May, when Persson released a test video on YouTube of an early version of the game, dubbed the "Cave game tech test " or the "Cave game tech demo".<ref name="rubydung" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=13 May 2009 |title=Cave game tech demo |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/107315028/cave-game-tech-demo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111034406/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/107315028/cave-game-tech-demo |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> The game was named ''Minecraft: Order of the Stone'' the next day, after a suggestion made by a player.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-05-18 |title=Minecraft (alpha) |url=https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=6273.msg201261#msg201261 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=forums.tigsource.com}}</ref> "Order of the Stone" came from the web comic ], and Minecraft was chosen "because it’s a good name".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=2009-05-14 |title=Minecraft: Order of the Stone |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/107676487/minecraft-order-of-the-stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314014848/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/107676487/minecraft-order-of-the-stone |archive-date=2012-03-14 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=]}}</ref> The base program of ''Minecraft'' was completed by Persson over a weekend in that month and a private testing was released on TigIRC on 16 May 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=16 May 2009 |title=Early private singleplayer alpha coming very soon |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/108652448/early-private-singleplayer-alpha-coming-very-soon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117122145/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/108652448/early-private-singleplayer-alpha-coming-very-soon |archive-date=17 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> The game was first released to the public on 17 May 2009 as a developmental release on ''TIGSource'' forums.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft (alpha) |url=https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=6273.0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241109011242/https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=6273.0 |archive-date=9 November 2024 |access-date=5 January 2024 |website=forums.tigsource.com}}</ref> Persson updated the game based on feedback from the forums.<ref name="wired origins" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Graham |date=6 February 2012 |title=The First Moments of Minecraft |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/06/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227001022/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/06/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ |archive-date=27 December 2012 |access-date=1 January 2013 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> This version later became known as the ''Classic'' version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=28 June 2010 |title=The server is back up! |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620024927/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |archive-date=20 June 2021 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> Further developmental phases dubbed as ''Survival Test'', ''Indev'', and ''Infdev'' were released in 2009 and 2010.<ref name="GSint" /> | |||
The PC was the original platform for ''Minecraft''; the game runs on multiple ]s including ], ], and ].<ref name="Multiplayer servers"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/minecraft-franchise-sales-hit-175-million-6401538 | title=Minecraft franchise sales hit 17.5 million | publisher=] | work=] | date=December 13, 2012 | accessdate=December 23, 2012 | last=Makuch|first=Eddie}}</ref> Apart from the main version, there are also other versions of ''Minecraft'' available for PC, including ''Minecraft Classic'' and ''Minecraft 4k''. | |||
The first major update, dubbed ], was released on 30 June 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=30 June 2020 |title=I fixed a few bugs in /game/, and the game is now playable offline |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/754041531/i-fixed-a-few-bugs-in-game-and-the-game-is-now |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111092942/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/754041531/i-fixed-a-few-bugs-in-game-and-the-game-is-now |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=2 July 2010 |title=Seecret Friday update the third! OooooOOOoo! |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/763147353/seecret-friday-update-the-third-oooooooooo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113154059/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/763147353/seecret-friday-update-the-third-oooooooooo |archive-date=13 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> Although Persson maintained a day job with Jalbum.net at first, he later quit in order to work on ''Minecraft'' full-time as sales of the alpha version of the game expanded.<ref name="PCGAMERinterview">{{Cite web |last=McDougal |first=Jaz |date=29 July 2010 |title=Community heroes: Notch, for ''Minecraft'' |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/community-heroes-notch-for-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012151922/http://www.pcgamer.com/community-heroes-notch-for-minecraft/ |archive-date=12 October 2014 |access-date=3 August 2010 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> Persson continued to update the game with releases distributed to users automatically. These updates included new items, new blocks, new mobs, survival mode, and changes to the game's behavior (e.g. how water flows).<ref name="PCGAMERinterview" /> To back the development of ''Minecraft'', Persson set up a video game company, Mojang, with the money earned from the game.<ref name="Cult and merchandise">{{Cite magazine |last=Cheshire |first=Tom |date=6 June 2012 |title=Changing the game: how Notch made Minecraft a cult hit |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/07/features/changing-the-game?page=all |url-status=live |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124095359/http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/07/features/changing-the-game?page=all |archive-date=24 November 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="LackOfUpdates">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=28 September 2010 |title=I'm sorry about the lack of updates |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1205447916/im-sorry-about-the-lack-of-updates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004184609/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1205447916/im-sorry-about-the-lack-of-updates |archive-date=4 October 2010 |access-date=18 October 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref><ref name="MCcompany">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=6 September 2010 |title=Hiring some people, getting an office, and all that! |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1075326804/hiring-some-people-getting-an-office-and-all-that |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908235613/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1075326804/hiring-some-people-getting-an-office-and-all-that |archive-date=8 September 2010 |access-date=6 September 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Mojang co-founders included Jakob Porser, one of Persson's coworkers from King, and Carl Manneh, jAlbum's CEO.<ref name="wired origins" /> | |||
''Minecraft Classic'' is an older version of ''Minecraft'', available online for players. Unlike newer versions of ''Minecraft'', the classic version is free to play, though it is no longer updated. It functions much the same as creative mode, allowing players to build and destroy any and all parts of the world either alone or in a multiplayer server. There are no computer creatures in this mode, and environmental hazards such as lava will not damage players. Some blocks function differently since their behavior was later changed during development.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft Classic|url=http://www.gamestats.com/objects/093/093451/index.html|work=GameStats|accessdate=October 31, 2012}}</ref> | |||
On 11 December 2010, Persson announced that ''Minecraft'' was entering its beta testing phase on 20 December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft Beta: December 20, 2010 |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206183106/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=The Word of Notch}}</ref> He further stated that bug fixes and all updates leading up to and including the release would still be free.<ref name="BetaDate">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=11 December 2010 |title=''Minecraft'' Beta: December 20, 2010 |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214061702/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |archive-date=14 December 2010 |access-date=21 December 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Over the course of the development, Mojang hired several new employees to work on the project.<ref name="MCMannehMollstam">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=3 January 2011 |title=2011, here we go! |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2582321901/2011-here-we-go |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106050104/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2582321901/2011-here-we-go |archive-date=6 January 2011 |access-date=3 January 2011 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft 4k'' is a simplified version of ''Minecraft'' similar to the classic version that was developed for the ] "in way less than 4 kilobytes".<ref name="m4k">{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/notch/status/86061084796125184 |title=Twitter/Notch: Minecraft in less than 4k |date=June 29, 2011 |accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> The map itself is finite—composed of 64×64×64 blocks—and the same world is generated every time. Players are restricted to placing or destroying blocks, which are randomly located and consist of grass, dirt, stone, wood, leaves, and brick.<ref>{{cite web|last=Donlan|first=Chris|title=The Friday Game: Minecraft 4k|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/friday-game-minecraft-4k/|publisher=]|publisher=]|accessdate=October 2, 2012|date=November 25, 2011}}</ref> | |||
Mojang moved the game out of beta and released the full version on 18 November 2011.<ref name="PC release date">{{Cite web |last=Fernandez |first=Carlo |date=17 November 2012 |title=Minecraft Full Version Available; MineCon Live Streaming |url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/251231/20111117/minecraft-version-available-minecon-live-streaming.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119224143/http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/251231/20111117/minecraft-version-available-minecon-live-streaming.htm |archive-date=19 November 2011 |access-date=17 October 2012 |website=]}}</ref> On 1 December 2011, ] took full creative control over ''Minecraft'', replacing Persson as lead designer.<ref name="bergleaddev">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=2 December 2011 |title=Och med dom orden så passar jag micken |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/13633493969/och-med-dom-orden-sa-passar-jag-micken |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227053605/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/13633493969/och-med-dom-orden-sa-passar-jag-micken |archive-date=27 December 2011 |access-date=2 December 2011 |website=] |publisher=Mojang |language=sv}}</ref> On 28 February 2012, Mojang announced that they had hired the developers of the popular "Bukkit" developer API for ''Minecraft'',<ref name="pcgamer minecraft future" /> to improve ''Minecraft''{{'s}} support of ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergensten |first=Jens |date=28 February 2012 |title=Minecraft Team Strengthened! |url=https://www.mojang.com/2012/02/minecraft-team-strengthened/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927162025/https://mojang.com/2012/02/minecraft-team-strengthened/ |archive-date=27 September 2013 |access-date=22 September 2013 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> This acquisition also included Mojang apparently taking full ownership of the CraftBukkit server mod that enables the use of Bukkit,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=21 August 2014 |title=Minecraft Bukkit team lead tries to end development, but Mojang steps in |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/21/minecraft-bukkit-team-lead-tries-to-end-development-but-mojang-steps-in/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824103031/http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/21/minecraft-bukkit-team-lead-tries-to-end-development-but-mojang-steps-in/ |archive-date=24 August 2014 |access-date=18 March 2020 |magazine=]}}</ref> although the validity of this claim was questioned due to its status as an ] project with many contributors, licensed under the ] and ].<ref name="gon-craftbukkitdmca">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Alex |date=5 September 2014 |title=Minecraft's CraftBukkit mod taken down by DMCA claim |work=games.on.net |url=http://games.on.net/2014/09/minecrafts-craftbukkit-mod-taken-down-by-dmca-claim/ |url-status=dead |access-date=29 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123142709/http://games.on.net/2014/09/minecrafts-craftbukkit-mod-taken-down-by-dmca-claim/ |archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> | |||
=== ''Minecraft – Pocket Edition'' === | |||
{{Anchor|Pocket Edition|MC:PE|MCPE}} | |||
On August 16, 2011, ''Minecraft – Pocket Edition'' was released for the ] on the ] as an early alpha version. It was then released for all other compatible devices on October 8, 2011.<ref name="MobileGamas">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33130/Official_Minecraft_iPhone_and_iPad_Release_Coming_Later_This_Year.php |title=Official ''Minecraft'' iOS, Android Release Coming Later This Year |first=Mike |last=Rose |work=] |date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=February 22, 2011}}</ref><ref name="MobileKotaku">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/#!5766336/official-minecraft-coming-to-iphone-ipad-android |title=Official ''Minecraft'' Coming to iPhone, iPad, Android |first=Brian |last=Crecente |work=]|publisher=]|date=February 21, 2011 |accessdate=February 22, 2011}}</ref> An iOS version of ''Minecraft'' was released on November 17, 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/16/minecraft-ios | title=''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' arrives on iPhone and iPad | work=] | date=November 16, 2011 | accessdate=November 18, 2011 | last=Brown | first=Mark}}</ref> The port concentrates on the creative building and the primitive survival aspect of the game, and does not contain all the features of the PC release. On his Twitter account, Jens Bergensten noted that the Pocket Edition of ''Minecraft'' is written in ] and not Java, due to iOS not being able to support Java.<ref name="PE_C++">{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/jeb_/statuses/122618933604925440|title=Twitter/jeb_: PE is in C++|date=October 8, 2011|accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> Gradual updates are periodically released to bring the port closer to the PC version.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ferrendelli|first=Charles|title=‘Minecraft: Pocket Edition’ 0.5.0 Adds Zombie Pigmen, Nether Reactor, + More|url=http://mobile.indiegamemag.com/minecraft-pocket-edition-0-5-0-gets-submitted-to-the-app-store/|publisher=Indie Game Magazine|accessdate= November 16, 2012|date= November 6, 2012}}</ref> | |||
=== '' |
==== ''Pocket Edition'' ==== | ||
{{Redirect|Pocket Edition|the type of book|Pocket edition}} | |||
In August 2011, ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' was released for the ] on the ] as an early alpha version. It was then released for several other compatible devices on 8 October 2011.<ref name="MobileGamas">{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=21 February 2011 |title=Official ''Minecraft'' iOS, Android Release Coming Later This Year |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33130/Official_Minecraft_iPhone_and_iPad_Release_Coming_Later_This_Year.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223004043/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33130/Official_Minecraft_iPhone_and_iPad_Release_Coming_Later_This_Year.php |archive-date=23 February 2011 |access-date=22 February 2011 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="MobileKotaku">{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=21 February 2011 |title=Official ''Minecraft'' Coming to iPhone, iPad, Android |url=http://kotaku.com/#!5766336/official-minecraft-coming-to-iphone-ipad-android |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106085901/http://kotaku.com/ |archive-date=6 November 2010 |access-date=22 February 2011 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> An ] version of ''Minecraft'' was released on 17 November 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=16 November 2011 |title=''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' arrives on iPhone and iPad |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/16/minecraft-ios |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118083636/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/16/minecraft-ios |archive-date=18 November 2011 |access-date=18 November 2011 |magazine=]}}</ref> A port was made available for ]s shortly after Microsoft acquired Mojang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=10 December 2014 |title=Minecraft Now Available for Windows Phones, See First Images Here |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-now-available-for-windows-phones-see-fir/1100-6424138/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228072451/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-now-available-for-windows-phones-see-fir/1100-6424138/ |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date=27 April 2015 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> The port concentrates on the creative building and the primitive survival aspect of the game and did not contain all the features of the PC release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyes |first=Emma |date=2011-08-16 |title=Minecraft Pocket Edition Now Available |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/16/minecraft-pocket-edition-now-available |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> On his Twitter account, Jens Bergensten said that the ''Pocket Edition'' of ''Minecraft'' is written in ] and not ], due to iOS not being able to support Java.<ref name="PE_C++">{{Cite web |date=8 October 2011 |title=jeb_: PE is in C++ |url=https://twitter.com/jeb_/statuses/122618933604925440 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024133240/https://twitter.com/jeb_/statuses/122618933604925440 |archive-date=24 October 2013 |access-date=25 September 2012 |publisher=Twitter}}</ref> However, there now exists a way to play ''Java Edition'' unofficially on both Android and iOS devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PojavLauncher {{!}} PojavLauncher |url=https://pojavlauncherteam.github.io/ |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=pojavlauncherteam.github.io |archive-date=10 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610161758/https://pojavlauncherteam.github.io/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2021 |title=How to play Minecraft Java Edition on Android & iOS with Pojav Launcher |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-play-minecraft-java-edition-smartphone/ |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=XDA |language=en-US |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628035346/https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-play-minecraft-java-edition-smartphone/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
On 10 December 2014, a port of ''Pocket Edition'' was released for ].<ref name="engadget-wpmc">{{Cite web |last=Seppala |first=Timothy J. |date=11 December 2014 |title=Finally, you can now play 'Minecraft' on Windows Phone too |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/12/11/finally-you-can-now-play-minecraft-on-windows-phone-too/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211145205/http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/11/finally-you-can-now-play-minecraft-on-windows-phone-too/ |archive-date=11 December 2014 |access-date=11 December 2014 |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL}}</ref> In January 2017, Microsoft announced that it would no longer maintain the Windows Phone versions of ''Pocket Edition''.<ref name="ars-mcw10discontinued">{{Cite web |last=Bright |first=Peter |date=18 January 2017 |title=Microsoft-owned Minecraft no longer supported on Microsoft-owned Windows Phone/Mobile |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/01/microsoft-owned-minecraft-no-longer-supported-on-microsoft-owned-windows-phonemobile/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118231144/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/01/microsoft-owned-minecraft-no-longer-supported-on-microsoft-owned-windows-phonemobile/ |archive-date=18 January 2017 |access-date=19 January 2017 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> On 19 December 2016, the full version of ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' was released on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. | |||
The Xbox 360 version of the game, developed by ], was released on May 9, 2012.<ref name="xboxpress">{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2011/jun11/06-06E32011PR.mspx | title=''Minecraft'' will feature cross-functionality between the PC and Xbox 360 versions.|work=Microsoft New Center|publisher=]|date=June 6, 2011|accessdate=January 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name="xboxreleasedate">{{cite web|url=http://majornelson.com/2012/03/22/announcing-arcade-next/|title=Xbox Live's Major Nelson|work=majornelson.com|first=Larry|last=Hryb|authorlink=Larry Hryb|date=March 22, 2012|accessdate=January 11, 2013}}</ref> On March 22, 2012, it was announced that ''Minecraft'' would be the flagship game in a new Xbox Live promotion called ''Arcade NEXT''.<ref name="xboxreleasedate"/> The game has some features that are exclusive to the Xbox 360 version, including the newly designed crafting system, the control interface, in-game tutorials, split-screen multiplayer, and the ability to play with friends via ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review/ | title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition review at Digital Trends|work=]| date=May 7, 2012}}</ref> The version's crafting interface does not require players to place items in the correct place in a crafting menu. The interface shows the blocks required to craft the selected item, and crafts it if the players have enough blocks.<ref name="GSpot Xbox"/> Also, the worlds in the version are not "infinite", and are essentially barricaded by invisible walls.<ref name="GSpot Xbox"/> The Xbox 360 version was originally similar in content to older PC versions, but is being gradually updated to bring it closer to the current PC version.<ref name="xboxpress"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/46662/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-out-today-10am-gmt/|title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update 1.8.2 out today, 10am GMT|work=]|publisher=]|first=Edwin|last=Evans-Thirlwell|date=October 16, 2012|accessdate=October 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/46307/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-4j-releases-enormous-final-contents-list/|title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update 1.8.2 - 4J releases enormous final contents list|work=]|publisher=]|first=Edwin|last=Evans-Thirlwell|date=October 2, 2012|accessdate=October 27, 2012}}</ref> | |||
''Pocket Edition'' was later remade into the ''Bedrock Edition'' in 2017, enabling ] with the new Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions of the game.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Thielenhaus |first=Kevin |date=13 June 2017 |title=The Better Together Update Is Coming To Minecraft – Here's Everything It Does |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-better-together-update-is-coming-to-minecraft-heres-everything-it-does/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618013301/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/walkthroughs/17777-Minecraft-Better-Together-Update-Everything-You-Need-To-Know |archive-date=18 June 2017 |access-date=8 March 2018 |website=Escapist Magazine}}</ref> | |||
=== ''Minecraft: Pi Edition'' === | |||
{{Anchor|Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition|14=PS4|23=Nintendo Switch|22=Nintendo Switch Edition|21=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition|20=Wii U|19=Wii U Edition|18=Minecraft: Wii U Edition|17=PSV|16=Minecraft: PSV Edition|15=Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition|13=Minecraft: PS4 Edition|Xbox 360 Edition|12=Minecraft: PlayStaion 4 Edition|11=PS3|10=PS3 Edition|9=Minecraft: PS3 Edition|8=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition|7=Xbox One|6=Xbox One Edition|5=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition|4=360|Xbox 360|24=Minecraft: Nintendo 3DS Edition|25=Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition}} | |||
A port of ''Minecraft'' for the ] was officially revealed at MineCon 2012. Mojang stated that the Pi Edition is similar to the Pocket Edition except that it is downgraded to an older version, and with the added ability of using text commands to edit the game world. Players can open the game code and use programming language to manipulate things in the game world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Protalinski|first=Emil|title=Minecraft ported to the Raspberry Pi, to be officially released as Minecraft: Pi Edition|url=http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/11/24/minecraft-ported-to-the-raspberry-pi-to-officially-be-released-as-minecraft-pi-edition/|publisher=]|accessdate=November 28, 2012|date=November 24, 2012}}</ref> The game was leaked on December 20, 2012, but was quickly pulled off.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pi.minecraft.net/?p=68 | title=Download Pi Edition now! | publisher=Mojang | date=December 20, 2012 | author=Owen}}</ref> It was officially released on February 11, 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download/ | title=Minecraft: Pi Edition is available for download! | publisher=Mojang | date=February 11, 2013 | author=Owen}}</ref> | |||
=== '' |
==== ''Bedrock Edition'' and ''Console Editions'' ==== | ||
An ] version of the game, developed by ], was released on 9 May 2012.<ref name="xboxpress">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2011 |title=''Minecraft'' will feature cross-functionality between the PC and Xbox 360 versions. |url=https://minecraftserver.net/news.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113180440/https://minecraftserver.net/news.php |archive-date=13 November 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014 |website=Microsoft New Center |publisher=]}}</ref><ref name="xboxreleasedate">{{Cite web |last=Hryb |first=Larry |author-link=Larry Hryb |date=22 March 2012 |title=Xbox Live's Major Nelson |url=http://majornelson.com/2012/03/22/announcing-arcade-next/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119085736/http://majornelson.com/2012/03/22/announcing-arcade-next/ |archive-date=19 January 2013 |access-date=11 January 2013 |website=majornelson.com}}</ref> On 22 March 2012, it was announced that ''Minecraft'' would be the flagship game in a new Xbox Live promotion called ''Arcade NEXT''.<ref name="xboxreleasedate" /> The game differs from the home computer versions in a number of ways, including a newly designed crafting system, the control interface, in-game tutorials, split-screen multiplayer, and the ability to play with friends via ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Adam |date=7 May 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition review at Digital Trends |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510035555/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review/ |archive-date=10 May 2012 |website=]}}</ref><ref name="GSpot Xbox" /> The worlds in the Xbox 360 version are also not "infinite", and are essentially barricaded by invisible walls.<ref name="GSpot Xbox" /> The Xbox 360 version was originally similar in content to older PC versions, but was gradually updated to bring it closer to the current PC version prior to its discontinuation.<ref name="xboxpress" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=16 October 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update 1.8.2 out today, 10am GMT |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/46662/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-out-today-10am-gmt/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430023106/http://www.totalxbox.com/46662/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-out-today-10am-gmt/ |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=28 October 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=2 October 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update 1.8.2 – 4J releases enormous final contents list |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/46307/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-4j-releases-enormous-final-contents-list/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430023804/http://www.totalxbox.com/46307/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-4j-releases-enormous-final-contents-list/ |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=27 October 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> An Xbox One version featuring larger worlds among other enhancements<ref name="Microsoft">{{Cite web |date=10 June 2013 |title=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition Announce Trailer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unVcuWYW0GI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617214819/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unVcuWYW0GI |archive-date=17 June 2013 |access-date=11 June 2013 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> was released on 5 September 2014.<ref name="Microsoft" /> | |||
Versions of the game for the ] and ] were released on 17 December 2013 and 4 September 2014 respectively.<ref name="PS4">{{Cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=3 September 2014 |title=Minecraft PS4 Edition Release Date Confirmed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/04/minecraft-ps4-edition-release-date-confirmed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001124534/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/04/minecraft-ps4-edition-release-date-confirmed |archive-date=1 October 2014 |access-date=3 October 2014 |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.}}</ref> The PlayStation 4 version was announced as a launch title, though it was eventually delayed.<ref name="ps4_launch">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=Gamescom: Minecraft Coming to PS4, PS3, Vita – IGN |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/20/gamescom-minecraft-coming-to-ps4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121072700/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/20/gamescom-minecraft-coming-to-ps4 |archive-date=21 November 2014 |access-date=9 December 2013 |publisher=Uk.ign.com}}</ref><ref name="gamespot1">{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=12 November 2013 |title=Minecraft not launching with PS4 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-not-launching-with-playstation-4/1100-6416102/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114094958/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-not-launching-with-playstation-4/1100-6416102/ |archive-date=14 November 2013 |access-date=12 November 2013 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> A version for ] was also released in October 2014.<ref name="vita_launch">{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Evan |date=10 October 2014 |title=Minecraft: PS Vita Edition Release Date Revealed for North America |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/10/minecraft-ps-vita-edition-release-date-revealed-for-north-america |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106170435/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/10/minecraft-ps-vita-edition-release-date-revealed-for-north-america |archive-date=6 November 2015 |access-date=15 February 2015 |website=IGN}}</ref> Like the Xbox versions, the PlayStation versions were developed by 4J Studios.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Partis |first1=Danielle |title=4J Studios on its pivot into publishing |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-on-its-pivot-into-publishing |access-date=8 October 2023 |work=GamesIndustry.biz |date=27 October 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102151322/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-on-its-pivot-into-publishing |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
During their ] press conference Microsoft showed a trailer for ''Minecraft: Xbox One Edition''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/e3-2013-minecraft-coming-to-xbox-one |title=E3 2013: Minecraft Coming to Xbox One |publisher=IGN |date=June 10, 2013 |accessdate=June 10, 2013}}</ref> It will build off ''Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition'' but feature larger worlds, expanded multiplayer features, and enhancements powered by the ]. This version will be released "within the Xbox One launch window".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unVcuWYW0GI |title=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition Announce Trailer |publisher=Microsoft |date=June 10, 2013 |accessdate=June 11, 2013}}</ref> | |||
On 17 December 2015, ''Minecraft: Wii U Edition'' was released. The ] version received a physical release on 17 June 2016 in North America,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenni |date=9 May 2016 |title=Super Mario Is Coming To The Minecraft: Wii U Edition This Month |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/05/09/super-mario-coming-minecraft-wii-u-edition-month/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514043603/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/05/09/super-mario-coming-minecraft-wii-u-edition-month/ |archive-date=14 May 2016 |access-date=13 May 2016 |website=Siliconera}}</ref> in Japan on 23 June 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agent |first=Lite |date=25 May 2016 |title=Minecraft Wii U Edition Also Coming Out At Retail Next Month in Japan |url=http://www.perfectly-nintendo.com/minecraft-wii-u-edition-also-coming-retail-next-month-japan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525154713/http://www.perfectly-nintendo.com/minecraft-wii-u-edition-also-coming-retail-next-month-japan/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 |access-date=25 May 2016 |website=Perfectly Nintendo}}</ref> and in ] on 30 June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=June 2016 |title=Minecraft: Wii U Edition Gets Its European Retail Release On 30th June |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/06/minecraft_wii_u_edition_gets_its_european_retail_release_on_30th_june |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602123234/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/06/minecraft_wii_u_edition_gets_its_european_retail_release_on_30th_june |archive-date=2 June 2016 |access-date=2 June 2016 |website=Nintendo Life}}</ref> A ] version of the game was released on the ] on 11 May 2017, along with a physical retail version set for a later date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=12 April 2017 |title=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Version Release Date Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/12/minecraft-nintendo-switch-version-release-date-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413063117/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/12/minecraft-nintendo-switch-version-release-date-announced |archive-date=13 April 2017 |access-date=13 April 2017 |website=IGN}}</ref> During a ] presentation on 13 September 2017, Nintendo announced that ''Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition,'' based on the ''Pocket Edition''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brian |date=2017-09-14 |title=Minecraft: New 3DS Edition details - local multiplayer to be added later, made by Other Ocean, more |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/minecraft-new-3ds-edition-details-local-multiplayer-to-be-added-later-made-by-other-ocean-more/ |access-date=2024-11-08 |website=Nintendo Everything |language=en}}</ref>'','' would be available for download immediately after the livestream, and a physical copy available on a later date. The game is compatible only with the ] or ] systems and does not work with the original ] or ] systems.<ref name="New3DS">{{Cite web |last=Pereira |first=Chris |date=13 September 2017 |title=New 3DS Version Of Minecraft Announced, Release Date Set For Today |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-3ds-version-of-minecraft-announced-release-dat/1100-6453329/ |access-date=13 September 2017 |website=GameSpot |archive-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914034352/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-3ds-version-of-minecraft-announced-release-dat/1100-6453329/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
== User-generated and downloadable content == | |||
On 18 December 2018, the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and Wii U versions of ''Minecraft'' received their final update and would later become known as "''Legacy Console Editions"''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santana |first=Steven |date=20 December 2018 |title=Minecraft No Longer Receiving Updates on Legacy Hardware |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-legacy-hardware-shutdown/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516150020/https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-legacy-hardware-shutdown/ |archive-date=16 May 2020 |access-date=19 March 2020 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}</ref> On 15 January 2019, the New Nintendo 3DS version of ''Minecraft'' received its final update, effectively becoming discontinued as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=15 January 2019 |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Receives its Final Update Only Two Years After Launch |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-final-update/ |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=DualShockers |language=en |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312185723/https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-final-update/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
A wide variety of user-generated content for ''Minecraft'', such as modifications, texture packs and custom maps, is available for download from the Internet. Modifications of the ''Minecraft'' code, called ], add a variety of gameplay changes, ranging from new blocks, new items, new mobs to entire arrays of mechanisms to craft.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peckham|first=Matt|title=The 10 Best Minecraft Mods|url=http://techland.time.com/2012/05/08/the-10-best-minecraft-mods/|accessdate= October 28, 2012|work=]|date= May 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/29/minecraft-mod-api-to-be-developed-by-new-team-at-mojang/ | title=Minecraft mod API to be developed by new team at Mojang | publisher=] | work=] | accessdate= October 28, 2012 | last=Senior | first=Tom}}</ref> The modding community is responsible for a substantial supply of mods, including ones that add to the game elements from '']'', ], and '']''. To make mods easier to create and install, Mojang announced in November 2012 that it plans to add an official modding ].<ref name="pcgamer minecraft future ">{{cite web|last=Davies|first=Marsh|title=The Future of Minecraft: what lies ahead for the all-conquering sandbox game?|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/11/the-future-of-minecraft/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=November 24, 2012|date=November 24, 2012}}</ref> | |||
On 20 September 2017, the ''Better Together Update'' was released on the Xbox One, Windows 10, VR, and mobile versions of the game, which used the ''Pocket Edition'' engine to enable cross-platform play between each of these versions. This version of the game became officially known as the ''Bedrock Edition'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderca |first=Cristina |date=2022-06-04 |title=Java & Bedrock Edition for PC is out on June 7 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/java---bedrock-edition-pc-out-june-7 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> although within the game itself, it is referred to simply as ''Minecraft'', as opposed to the original Java-based PC edition which received the ''Java Edition'' subtitle to differentiate it from the new ''Bedrock Edition''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2017 |title=The Better Together Update is Here |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/better-together-update-here |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184621/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/better-together-update-here |archive-date=9 July 2021 |access-date=5 July 2021 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> The same year, the ''Bedrock Edition'' was also ported to the Nintendo Switch. The PS4 version was updated in December 2019 and became part of the ''Bedrock Edition'', which enabled cross-platform play for users with a free Xbox Live account.<ref name="ps4 bedrock">{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=9 December 2019 |title=Finally, PlayStation gets cross-platform Minecraft tomorrow |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-finally-playstation-gets-cross-platform-minecraft-tomorrow |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209170647/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-finally-playstation-gets-cross-platform-minecraft-tomorrow |archive-date=9 December 2019 |access-date=9 December 2019 |work=]}}</ref> The newest console version to launch as part of ''Bedrock Edition'' is the ] version, which released on October 22, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=9 September 2024 |title=Minecraft ditching single summer update for more regular releases, PS5 version incoming |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/minecraft-ditching-single-summer-update-for-more-regular-releases-ps5-version-incoming |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft now available for PS5® |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-now-available-for-ps5--}}</ref> | |||
Texture packs that customize the game's graphics are also available.<ref name="Texture packs">{{cite web|last=Hatfield|first=Tom|title=The 10 best Minecraft skins|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/06/29/the-10-best-minecraft-skins/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate= October 28, 2012}}</ref> In version 1.6, texture packs were replaced with "resource packs". These play the same role as texture packs, but allow custom sounds as well.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dyer|first=Mitch|title=Minecraft 1.6 'Horse Update' Launching in July|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/25/minecraft-16-horse-update-launching-in-july|publisher=IGN|date=July 4, 2013}}</ref> Custom maps have become popular as well. Players can create their own maps, which often contain rules, challenges, puzzles and quests, and share them for others to play.<ref name="Custom maps">{{cite web|last=Savage|first=Phil|title=The 25 best Minecraft custom maps|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/20/the-25-best-minecraft-custom-maps/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=October 28, 2012}}</ref> In version 1.4, Mojang added content specifically designed for playing custom maps, such as adventure mode<ref name="Custom maps" /> and command blocks.<ref name="Gallegos"/> | |||
{{Anchor|Education Edition}} | |||
The Xbox 360 version supports ], which is available to purchase via the ]; these content packs contain additional character costumes.<ref>{{cite web|last=Watts|first=Steve|title=Minecraft XBLA adding DLC costumes|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/74638/minecraft-xbla-adding-dlc-costumes|accessdate=November 4, 2012|work=]|publisher=]|date=July 3, 2012}}</ref> Unlike the PC version, however, this version does not support player-made mods, texture packs or custom maps.<ref name="IGN Xbox" /> | |||
==== ''Minecraft Education'' ==== | |||
== Reception == | |||
Formerly ''Minecraft: Education Edition'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2022 |title=Minecraft Education: Product Name change |url=https://m365admin.handsontek.net/minecraft-education-product-name-change/ |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=M365 Admin |language=en-US |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125011340/https://m365admin.handsontek.net/minecraft-education-product-name-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref> an educational version of the game, designed specifically for use in educational establishments such as schools, released on 1 November 2016.<ref name=":14" /> It is available on ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web |date=1 November 2016 |title=Minecraft: Education Edition officially launches |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/01/minecraft-education-edition-officially-launches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122234307/https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/01/minecraft-education-edition-officially-launches/ |archive-date=22 November 2016 |access-date=8 March 2018 |publisher=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft: Education Edition Is Now Available On Chromebooks |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-education-edition-is-now-available-on-ch/1100-6480894/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203012425/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-education-edition-is-now-available-on-ch/1100-6480894/ |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> Based on the ''Bedrock Edition'' codebase, it includes a Chemistry Resource Pack,<ref>{{cite web |date=21 February 2018 |title=Minecraft Chemistry Update Goes Live |url=https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/02/21/minecraft-chemistry-update-goes-live.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226150714/https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/02/21/minecraft-chemistry-update-goes-live.aspx |archive-date=26 February 2018 |access-date=8 March 2018 |publisher=The Journal}}</ref> free lesson plans available online, and two free companion applications: Code Connection and Classroom Mode.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 May 2017 |title=Minecraft: Education Edition: Five Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/games/2017/05/minecraft-education-edition-code-builder-learn-to-code-student-engagement-free-trial-price-subjects-age-range/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502195005/https://heavy.com/games/2017/05/minecraft-education-edition-code-builder-learn-to-code-student-engagement-free-trial-price-subjects-age-range/ |archive-date=2 May 2017 |access-date=8 March 2018}}</ref> | |||
An initial beta test was carried out between 9 June and 1 November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beta Version of Minecraft: Education Edition Available for Download for Schools and Educators! Education World |url=https://www.educationworld.com/a_news/beta-version-minecraft-education-edition-available-download-schools-and-educators-822001136 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=www.educationworld.com |language=en |archive-date=17 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617054211/https://www.educationworld.com/a_news/beta-version-minecraft-education-edition-available-download-schools-and-educators-822001136 |url-status=live }}</ref> The full game was then released on Windows 10 and MacOS on 1 November 2016.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=September 2016 |first=Darren Allan 22 |title=Minecraft: Education Edition starts schooling students on November 1 |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-education-edition-starts-schooling-students-on-november-1-1329192 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=TechRadar |date=22 September 2016 |language=en |archive-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612115459/http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-education-edition-starts-schooling-students-on-november-1-1329192 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 20 August 2018, Mojang announced that it would bring ''Education Edition'' to iPadOS in Autumn 2018. It was released to the App Store on 6 September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Minecraft: Education Edition' arrives on iPad in September |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-20-minecraft-education-edition-arrives-ipad-september.html |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=Engadget |date=8 August 2019 |archive-date=5 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205183733/https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-20-minecraft-education-edition-arrives-ipad-september.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 27 March 2019, it was announced that it would be operated by ] in China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JD.com purchases rights to Minecraft: Education Edition in China |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-04-11-jd-com-purchases-rights-to-minecraft-education-edition-in-china |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-date=31 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531143435/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-04-11-jd-com-purchases-rights-to-minecraft-education-edition-in-china |url-status=live }}</ref> On 26 June 2020, a public beta for the ''Education Edition'' was made available to ] Store compatible Chromebooks. The full game was released to the Google Play Store for Chromebooks on 7 August 2020.<ref name=":22" /> | |||
=== Commercial === | |||
On January 12, 2011, ''Minecraft'' passed 1 million purchases, less than a month after entering its beta phase.<ref name="usercount12012011">{{cite web |url=http://www.minecraft.net/stats.jsp |last=Persson |first=Markus |authorlink=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang |title=''Minecraft'' – Statistics |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minecraft.net%2Fstats.jsp&date=2011-01-12 |archivedate=January 12, 2011 |accessdate=January 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name="usercountblog">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/12/minecraft-sales-pass-one-million |title=Minecraft Sales Pass One Million |last=Jim |first=Reilly |work=]|date=January 12, 2011 |accessdate=November 26, 2012}}</ref> At the same time, the game had no ] backing and has never been commercially advertised except through ],<ref name="noads">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5724989/why-minecraft-is-so-damn-popular |title=Why ''Minecraft'' Is So Damn Popular |work=]|publisher=] |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=January 4, 2011 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> and various unpaid references in popular media such as the ] webcomic.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/9/17/ | title=Mine All Mine, Part One | date=September 17, 2010 | accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> By April 2011, Persson estimated that ''Minecraft'' had made €23 million (US$33 million) in revenue, with 800,000 sales of the alpha version of the game, and over 1 million sales of the beta version.<ref name="GSAprilsales">{{cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |title=''Minecraft'' Draws Over $33 Million In Revenue From 1.8M Paying Customers |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33961/Minecraft_Draws_Over_33_Million_In_Revenue_From_18M_Paying_Customers.php |work=] |accessdate=April 6, 2011 |date=April 6, 2011}}</ref> In November 2011, prior to the game's full release, ''Minecraft'' beta surpassed 16 million registered users and 4 million purchases.<ref name="sales11092011">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/minecraft-beta-cracks-4-million-6344310 |title=Minecraft beta cracks 4 million|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=November 9, 2011}}</ref> By March 2012, ''Minecraft'' had become the 6th ] of all time.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/52470-Top_15_best_selling_PC_games_of_all_time | title=Top 15 best selling PC games of all time | publisher=SK Gaming | date=March 22, 2012 | accessdate=January 16, 2013 | author=Shields, Duncan}}</ref> At the beginning of April 2013, Minecraft broke 10 million sales for PC.<ref name="10mil">{{cite web|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20130406161657/http://minecraft.net/|archivedate=April 6, 2013 |url=https://minecraft.net/ |title=Minecraft |accessdate=April 24, 2013 (Archive) |publisher= ]; ]}}</ref> | |||
{{Anchor|Minecraft: China}} | |||
The Xbox 360 version of ''Minecraft'' became profitable within the first 24 hours of the game's release when the game broke the Xbox Live sales records with 400,000 players online.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/10/minecraft-breaks-xbox-live-sales-records.aspx | title=Minecraft Breaks Xbox Live Sales Records | work=] |publisher=GameStop| date=May 10, 2012 | accessdate=May 11, 2012 | last=Reilly | first=Jim}}</ref> Within a week of being on the Xbox Live Marketplace, ''Minecraft'' sold upwards of 1 million copies.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.giantbomb.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-live-arcade-sells-1-million-copies/4145/ | title=Minecraft for Xbox Live Arcade Sells 1 Million Copies | work=]|publisher=] | date=May 14, 2012 | accessdate=May 18, 2012 | last=Klepek | first=Patrick}}</ref> GameSpot announced in December 2012 that ''Minecraft'' sold over 4.48 million copies since the game debuted on ] in May 2012.<ref name="GSpot - sales">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/minecraft-franchise-sales-hit-175-million-6401538|title=Minecraft franchise sales hit 17.5 million|work=]|publisher=]|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|date=December 13, 2012|accessdate=December 14, 2012}}</ref> In 2012, ''Minecraft'' was the most purchased title on Xbox Live Arcade; it was also the fourth most played title on Xbox Live based on average ]s per day.<ref name="xboxlive-2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a453025/black-ops-2-minecraft-top-2012-xbox-live-activity-charts.html|title='Black Ops 2', 'Minecraft' top 2012 Xbox Live activity charts|work=]|first=Scott|last=Nichols|date=January 23, 2013|accessdate=January 26, 2013}}</ref> In addition, ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' has reached a figure of 7.3 million in sales bringing the total sales for ''Minecraft'' across all platforms to over 20 million.<ref name="Minecraft Sales hit 20 Million" /> | |||
=== |
==== ''China Edition'' ==== | ||
On 20 May 2016, ''China Edition'' (also known as ''My World'') was announced as a localized edition for China, where it was released under a licensing agreement between ] and Mojang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilhelm |first=Parker |date=20 May 2016 |title=Minecraft is finally coming to China, but it's not the version you know |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-is-finally-coming-to-china-but-it-s-not-the-version-you-know-1321862 |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=TechRadar |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610203106/https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-is-finally-coming-to-china-but-it-s-not-the-version-you-know-1321862 |url-status=live }}</ref> The PC edition was released for public testing on 8 August 2017. The iOS version was released on 15 September 2017, and the Android version was released on 12 October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:欢迎回家!《我的世界》中国版PC Java版今日开测 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/08/08/25510_704938.html |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415013709/http://mc.163.com/news/2017/08/08/25510_704938.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:《我的世界》手游今日App Store独家首发 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/09/15/25510_712984.html |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610203404/http://mc.163.com/news/2017/09/15/25510_712984.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:《我的世界》中国版全平台公测今日开启 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/10/12/25510_717885.html |access-date=12 October 2017 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415013708/http://mc.163.com/news/2017/10/12/25510_717885.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The PC edition is based on the original ''Java Edition'', while the iOS and Android mobile versions are based on the ''Bedrock Edition''. The edition is free-to-play and had over 300 million players by November 2019.<ref name="China-300m2">{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |title=Minecraft player count reaches 480 million |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119042458/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |archive-date=19 November 2019 |access-date=19 November 2019 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
{{Anchor|Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition|Windows 10 Edition|Windows 10|Minecraft 4K|}} | |||
==== Other PC versions ==== | |||
Apart from ''Minecraft: Java Edition'', there are other versions of ''Minecraft'' for PC, including ''Minecraft for Windows'', ''Minecraft Classic'', ''Minecraft 4k'', and a version for the ]. | |||
===== ''Minecraft for Windows'' ===== | |||
This version of Bedrock Edition is exclusive to Microsoft's ] and ] operating systems. The ] release for Windows 10 launched on the ] on 29 July 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen S. |date=4 July 2015 |title=Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition announced; beta begins July 29 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/4/8892897/minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta-july-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708133352/http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/4/8892897/minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta-july-29 |archive-date=8 July 2015 |access-date=10 July 2015 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
After nearly a year and a half in beta, Microsoft fully released the version on 19 December 2016. Called the "Ender Update", this release implemented new features to this version of ''Minecraft'' like world templates and add-on packs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Kit |date=20 December 2016 |title=Minecraft 1.0 release for Windows 10 and Pocket Editions brings Add-On Packages and World Templates |url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/minecraft-1-0-release-for-windows-10-and-pocket-editions-brings-add-on-packages-and-world-templates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420200634/https://www.onmsft.com/news/minecraft-1-0-release-for-windows-10-and-pocket-editions-brings-add-on-packages-and-world-templates |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=25 December 2021 |website=OnMSFT.com }}</ref> This version has the ability to play with Xbox Live friends, and to play local multiplayer with owners of ''Minecraft'' on other ''Bedrock'' platforms. Other features include the ability to use multiple control schemes such as a gamepad, keyboard, or touchscreen (for ] and other touchscreen-enabled devices). Virtual reality support has been implemented, as well as the ability to record and take screenshots in-game via the Windows built-in GameDVR.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 July 2015 |title=Announcing Minecraft Windows 10 edition beta |url=https://www.mojang.com/2015/07/announcing-minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801124616/https://mojang.com/2015/07/announcing-minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta/ |archive-date=1 August 2015 |access-date=30 July 2015 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
As of 7 June 2022, the ''Java'' and ''Bedrock Editions'' of ''Minecraft'' were merged into a single bundle for purchase on Windows; those who owned one version would automatically gain access to the other version. Both game versions would otherwise remain separate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/java-and-bedrock-edition |title=Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions are no more… separately |first=Chris |last=Capel |date=5 June 2022 |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=] |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605135728/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/java-and-bedrock-edition |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
===== ''Minecraft 4k'' ===== | |||
''Minecraft 4k'' is a simplified version of ''Minecraft'' similar to the Classic version that was developed for the ] "in way less than 4 kilobytes".<ref name="m4k">{{cite web |date=29 June 2011 |title=Notch: Minecraft in less than 4k |url=https://twitter.com/notch/status/86061084796125184 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107032559/https://twitter.com/notch/status/86061084796125184 |archive-date=7 November 2013 |access-date=25 September 2012 |publisher=Twitter}}</ref> The map itself is finite—composed of 64×64×64 blocks—and the same world is generated every time. Players are restricted to placing or destroying blocks, which consist of grass, dirt, stone, logs, leaves, and bricks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Donlan |first=Chris |date=25 November 2011 |title=The Friday Game: Minecraft 4k |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/friday-game-minecraft-4k/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404031224/http://www.edge-online.com/features/friday-game-minecraft-4k/ |archive-date=4 April 2013 |access-date=2 October 2012 |publisher=] |magazine=]}}</ref> | |||
===== ''Minecraft: Pi Edition'' ===== | |||
A version of ''Minecraft'' for the ] was officially revealed at ] 2012. The ''Pi Edition'' is based on an alpha version of ''Pocket Edition'' with the added ability of using text commands to edit the game world. Players can open the game code and use the ] programming language to manipulate things in the game world.<ref>{{cite web |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |date=24 November 2012 |title=Minecraft ported to the Raspberry Pi, to be officially released as Minecraft: Pi Edition |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/11/24/minecraft-ported-to-the-raspberry-pi-to-officially-be-released-as-minecraft-pi-edition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128035806/http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/11/24/minecraft-ported-to-the-raspberry-pi-to-officially-be-released-as-minecraft-pi-edition/ |archive-date=28 November 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012 |publisher=The Next Web}}</ref> It also includes a scripting API to modify the game, and server software for multiplayer. The game was leaked on 20 December 2012, but was quickly pulled off.<ref>{{cite web |author=Owen |date=20 December 2012 |title=Download Pi Edition now! |url=http://pi.minecraft.net/?p=68 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215014728/http://pi.minecraft.net/?p=68 |archive-date=15 February 2013 |access-date=11 February 2013 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> It was officially released on 11 February 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author=Owen |date=11 February 2013 |title=Minecraft: Pi Edition is available for download! |url=http://www.mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214025539/http://www.mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download/ |archive-date=14 February 2013 |access-date=18 March 2020 |website=Mojang.com |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Mojang stopped providing updates to ''Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition'' on 24 January 2016. It is preinstalled on ] and can be downloaded for free from the official ''Minecraft'' website.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=19 April 2021 |title=How To Play Minecraft On Raspberry Pi? |url=https://www.iottrends.tech/blog/how-to-play-minecraft-on-raspberry-pi/ |access-date=13 March 2022 |website=iotTrends.tech |language=en-US |archive-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119072442/https://www.iottrends.tech/blog/how-to-play-minecraft-on-raspberry-pi/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
=== Variants === | |||
{{Main|Minecraft (franchise)|l1=''Minecraft'' (franchise)}} | |||
For the tenth anniversary of the first public build's release, Mojang remade a version of ''Minecraft Classic'' in ] and made it available to play online.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://classic.minecraft.net/ |title=Minecraft Classic |website=classic.minecraft.net |access-date=21 December 2019 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208170844/https://classic.minecraft.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Abent |first=Eric |date=9 May 2019 |title=Minecraft Classic can now be played in your web browser |url=https://www.slashgear.com/minecraft-classic-can-now-be-played-in-your-web-browser-09576106/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=slashgear.com |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329173018/https://www.slashgear.com/minecraft-classic-can-now-be-played-in-your-web-browser-09576106/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It functions much the same as creative mode, allowing players to build and destroy any and all parts of the world either alone or in a multiplayer server. Environmental hazards such as lava do not damage players, and some blocks function differently since their behavior was later changed during development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Persson |first1=Markus |title=The server is back up! |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |website=The Word of Notch |access-date=17 September 2017 |date=28 June 2010 |archive-date=20 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620024927/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Minecraft |url=http://www.minecraft.net/ |website=Minecraft |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702141801/http://www.minecraft.net/ |archive-date=2 July 2010 |date=2 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Play Minecraft Classic |url=https://minecraft.net/classic/play |website=Minecraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910183326/https://minecraft.net/classic/play |archive-date=10 September 2015 |date=10 September 2015}}</ref> | |||
Around 2011, prior to ''Minecraft''{{'}}s full release, there had been collaboration between Mojang and ] to make a ] brick-based ''Minecraft'' game to be called ''Brickcraft''. This would have modified the base ''Minecraft'' game to use Lego bricks, which meant adapting the basic 1×1 block to account for larger pieces typically used in Lego sets. Persson had worked on the preliminary version of this game, which he had named "Project Rex Kwon Do" based on the joke from '']''. Lego had greenlit the project to go forward, and while Mojang had put two developers on the game for six months, they later opted to cancel the project, as Mojang felt that the Lego Group were too demanding on what they could do, according to Mojang's Daniel Kaplan. The Lego Group had considered buying out Mojang to complete the game, but at this point Microsoft made its offer to buy the company for over $2 billion. According to the Lego Group's Ronny Scherer, the company was not yet sure of the potential success of ''Minecraft'' at this point and backed off from acquisition after Microsoft brought this offer to Mojang.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-lego-minecraft-videogame-brickcraft-that-was-greenlit-and-why-it-never-happened/ |title=A Lego Minecraft game called 'Brickcraft' was prototyped and greenlit – here's why it never happened |first=Rich |last=Stanton |date=9 December 2020 |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=] |archive-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209155302/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-lego-minecraft-videogame-brickcraft-that-was-greenlit-and-why-it-never-happened/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==== Virtual reality ==== | |||
Early on, Persson planned to support the ] with a port of ''Minecraft''. However, after Facebook acquired Oculus in 2013, he abruptly canceled plans noting "Facebook creeps me out."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title='Minecraft' creator cancels Oculus Rift version following Facebook acquisition |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/25/5547626/minecraft-oculus-vr-cancelled |website=The Verge |access-date=14 September 2017 |date=25 March 2014 |archive-date=10 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510054553/https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/25/5547626/minecraft-oculus-vr-cancelled |url-status=live }}</ref> A community-made modification known as ''Minecraft VR'' was developed in 2016 to provide virtual reality support to ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' oriented toward Oculus Rift hardware. A ] of the ''Minecraft VR'' modification known as ''Vivecraft'' ported the mod to ], and is oriented toward supporting ] hardware.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/08/minecraft-vr-mod-shuts-down-as-microsoft-adds-official-rift-support/ |title=Minecraft VR mod shuts down as Microsoft adds official Rift support |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=15 August 2016 |website=Ars Technica |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816002328/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/08/minecraft-vr-mod-shuts-down-as-microsoft-adds-official-rift-support/ |archive-date=16 August 2016 |access-date=16 August 2016}}</ref> On 15 August 2016, Microsoft launched official Oculus Rift support for ''Windows 10 Edition''.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone" /> Upon its release, the ''Minecraft VR'' mod was discontinued by its developer due to trademark complaints issued by Microsoft, and ''Vivecraft'' was endorsed by the community makers of the ''Minecraft VR'' modification due to its Rift support and being superior to the original ''Minecraft VR'' mod.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone" /> Also available is a ] version, titled ''Minecraft: Gear VR Edition''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/04/27/minecraft-gear-vr-edition/ |title='Minecraft' arrives on Samsung's Gear VR headset |date=19 July 2019 |publisher=Engadget |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-date=7 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021352/https://www.engadget.com/2016/04/27/minecraft-gear-vr-edition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ] support was added in 2017. On 7 September 2020, Mojang Studios announced that the PlayStation 4 version of the game would get ] support in the same month.<ref name="PSVR">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/07/minecraft-adds-ps-vr-support-this-month/ |title=Minecraft adds PS VR support this month |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=8 September 2020 |publisher=PlayStation |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928093258/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/07/minecraft-adds-ps-vr-support-this-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The only officially supported VR versions of ''Minecraft'' are the ''PlayStation 4'' version, ''Minecraft: Gear VR Edition'' and ''Minecraft for Windows'' for Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://minecraft.net/vr/ |title=Virtual Reality |date=9 June 2021 |publisher=Mojang |access-date=9 March 2018 |archive-date=5 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505020435/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/vr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="PSVR" /> In September 2024, Minecraft announced they would no longer support PlayStation VR, which will receive its final update by March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=2024-09-19 |title=Minecraft Dropping PlayStation VR Support Next Year |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/minecraft-dropping-playstation-vr-support-next-year# |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Music and sound design == | |||
{{Main|Music of Minecraft|l1=Music of ''Minecraft''}} | |||
] in 2011|thumb]] | |||
''Minecraft''{{'s}} music and sound effects were produced by German musician Daniel Rosenfeld, better known as ].<ref name="credits">{{cite web |url=https://minecraft.net/game/credits |title=Minecraft.net Credits |website=Mojang |access-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226231247/http://minecraft.net/game/credits |archive-date=26 December 2012}}</ref> To create the sound effects for the game, Rosenfeld made extensive use of ] techniques. On learning the processes for the game, he remarked, "Foley’s an interesting thing, and I had to learn its subtleties. Early on, I wasn’t that knowledgeable about it. It’s a whole trial-and-error process. You just make a sound and eventually you go, 'Oh my God, that’s it! Get the microphone!' There’s no set way of doing anything at all."<ref name="FACT2">{{Cite magazine |date=5 September 2015 |title=Can You Dig It: FACT meets Minecraft composer C418 |url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/09/05/minecraft-c418-interview/ |access-date=21 March 2018 |magazine=] |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161810/http://www.factmag.com/2015/09/05/minecraft-c418-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="redbull">{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Todd L |date=21 August 2015 |title=Interview: Minecraft's Soundtrack Composer C418 |url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/08/c418-interview |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Red Bull Music Academy |language=en |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402013327/https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/08/c418-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He reminisced on creating the in-game sound for grass blocks, stating "It turns out that to make grass sounds you don’t actually walk on grass and record it, because grass sounds like nothing. What you want to do is get a VHS, break it apart, and just lightly touch the tape." According to Rosenfeld, his favorite sound to design for the game was the hisses of ]. He elaborates, "I like the spiders. Recording that was a whole day of me researching what a spider sounds like. Turns out, there are spiders that make little screeching sounds, so I think I got this recording of a fire hose, put it in a sampler, and just pitched it around until it sounded like a weird spider was talking to you."<ref name="FACT2" /> | |||
Many sounds for the game were created accidentally or spontaneously. On the creation for the sound for the creeper, Rosenfeld recalled, "That was just a complete accident by Markus and me {{sic}}. We just put in a placeholder sound of burning a matchstick. It seemed to work hilariously well, so we kept it."<ref name="TheGuardian">{{Cite web |last=Keith |first=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |title=How Daniel Rosenfeld wrote Minecraft's music |date=7 November 2014 |website=] |access-date=28 February 2024 |archive-date=6 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106014049/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |url-status=live }}</ref> On other sounds, such as those of the zombie, Rosenfeld remarked, "I actually never wanted the zombies so scary. I intentionally made them sound comical. It’s nice to hear that they work so well ."<ref name="TheGuardian" /> Rosenfeld remarked that the sound engine was "terrible" to work with, remembering "If you had two song files at once, it would actually crash. There were so many more weird ] like that the guys never really fixed because they were too busy with the actual game and not the sound engine."<ref name="redbull"/> | |||
The ] in ''Minecraft'' is instrumental ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2015 |title=Minecraft's Composer Explains Why the Music Is 'So Weird' |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d73q5a/minecrafts-composer-explains-why-the-music-is-so-weird |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=] |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416160218/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d73q5a/minecrafts-composer-explains-why-the-music-is-so-weird |url-status=live }}</ref> To compose the music of ''Minecraft'', Rosenfeld used the package from ], along with several additional plug-ins. Speaking on them, Rosenfeld said "They can be pretty much everything from an effect to an entire orchestra. Additionally, I’ve got some synthesizers that are attached to the computer. Like a ], Dave Smith Prophet 08 and a Virus TI."<ref name="TheGuardian" /> On 4 March 2011, Rosenfeld released a ] titled '']''; it includes most of the tracks featured in ''Minecraft'', as well as other music not featured in the game.<ref name="Bandcamp">{{cite web |url=http://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-alpha |title=''Minecraft'' Volume Alpha on Bandcamp |date=4 March 2011 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919182020/http://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-alpha |archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref> Kirk Hamilton of '']'' chose the music in ''Minecraft'' as one of the best video game soundtracks of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Kirk |title=All of the Best Video Game Music of 2011 |url=http://kotaku.com/gamemusic2011 |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=14 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120215837/http://kotaku.com/gamemusic2011 |archive-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> On 9 November 2013, Rosenfeld released the second official soundtrack, titled '']'', which includes the music that was added in later versions of the game.<ref name="Bandcamp2">{{cite web |url=http://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-beta |title=''Minecraft'' Volume Beta on Bandcamp |date=9 November 2013 |access-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109190435/http://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-beta |archive-date=9 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |first=Keith |last=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |title=How Daniel Rosenfeld wrote Minecraft's music |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106014049/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |archive-date=6 January 2017}}</ref> A physical release of ''Volume Alpha'', consisting of CDs, black vinyl, and limited-edition transparent green vinyl LPs, was issued by indie electronic label ] on 21 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/06/23/a-minecraft-soundtrack-coming-this-summer-on-vinyl/ |title=Minecraft soundtrack to receive vinyl release this summer |website=FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702034538/http://www.factmag.com/2015/06/23/a-minecraft-soundtrack-coming-this-summer-on-vinyl/ |archive-date=2 July 2015 |date=23 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghostly.com/releases/minecraft-volume-alpha |title=C418 presents Minecraft Volume Alpha |website=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629204833/http://ghostly.com/releases/minecraft-volume-alpha |archive-date=29 June 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=30 November 2015}}</ref> On 14 August 2020, Ghostly released ''Volume Beta'' on CD and vinyl, with alternate color LPs and lenticular cover pressings released in limited quantities.<ref>{{Citation |title=C418 – Minecraft Volume Beta |date=14 August 2020 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15791461-C418-Minecraft-Volume-Beta |language=en |access-date=23 September 2022 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923114746/https://www.discogs.com/release/15791461-C418-Minecraft-Volume-Beta |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghostly |date=18 June 2020 |title=Announcing the first-ever pressing of C418's Minecraft Volume Beta... |url=https://twitter.com/ghostly/status/1273261013782138880 |access-date=23 September 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721081941/https://twitter.com/ghostly/status/1273261013782138880 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The last update Rosenfeld worked on was Update Aquatic. His music remained the only music in the game until 2020's "The Nether Update", introducing pieces from ]. Since then, other composers have made contributions, including ], Samuel Åberg, and Aaron Cherof, with Raine remaining as the new primary composer. Ownership of all music besides Rosenfeld's independently released albums has been retained by Microsoft, with their label publishing all of the other artists' releases. ] also composed some of the music for the game's mini games from the Legacy Console editions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiborgh |first1=Thomas |title=The Sound of Scary |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-sound-scary |website=Minecraft.net |date=9 April 2020 |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004191505/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-sound-scary |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecrafts-nether-update-will-have-music-from-cele/1100-6475797/ |title=Minecraft's Nether Update Will Have Music From Celeste Composer |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=8 April 2020 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408232854/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecrafts-nether-update-will-have-music-from-cele/1100-6475797/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="116release">{{Cite web |last=Landin |first=Per |date=17 June 2020 |title=The Nether Update has a date! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-nether-update-has-date- |access-date=17 June 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617180330/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-nether-update-has-date- |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leston |first1=Ryan |title='Minecraft' just added some new music |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/minecraft-just-added-some-new-music-3075321 |website=NME |access-date=28 March 2022 |date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020201018/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/minecraft-just-added-some-new-music-3075321 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Rosenfeld had stated his intent to create ] for the game in a 2015 interview with '']'',<ref name="FACT2" /> and confirmed its existence in a 2017 ], stating that his work on the record as of then had tallied up to be longer than the previous two albums combined, which in total clocks in at over 3 hours and 18 minutes.<ref name="TwitterConfirmMusic">{{Cite tweet|number=829667788897783809|user=C418|title=I'm still far from done, but I tallied up a few numbers, and the third Minecraft soundtrack is gonna be longer than Alpha and Beta combined.|author=Daniel Rosenfeld|date=9 February 2017|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> However, due to licensing issues with Microsoft, the third volume has since not seen release. On 8 January 2021, Rosenfeld was asked in an interview with ] whether or not there was still a third volume of his music intended for release. Rosenfeld responded, saying, "I have something—I consider it finished—but things have become complicated, especially as ''Minecraft'' is now a big property, so I don't know."<ref name=Fantano-Third-Volume>{{Cite interview |last=Rosenfeld |first=Daniel |interviewer=] |title=10 Years of the Minecraft Soundtrack {{pipe}} C418 INTERVIEW |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mn47MqhbFY |work=The Needle Drop |date=8 January 2021 |author-link=C418 |via=] |time=31:40 |access-date=21 February 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421231151/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mn47MqhbFY |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
== Reception == | |||
{{Video game reviews | {{Video game reviews | ||
| MC = (PC) 93/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft |type=game |vgtype=pc |title=Minecraft |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419114328/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/minecraft/critic-reviews |archive-date=19 April 2012}}</ref><br />(PS4) 89/100<ref name="auto1">{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-playstation-4-edition |type=game |vgtype=playstation-4 |title=Minecraft: Playstation 4 Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321044636/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/minecraft-playstation-4-edition |archive-date=21 March 2015}}</ref><br />(XONE) 88/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-xbox-one-edition |type=game |vgtype=xbox-one |title=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition |access-date=14 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504140422/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/minecraft-xbox-one-edition |archive-date=4 May 2015}}</ref><br />(PS3) 86/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-playstation-3-edition |type=game |vgtype=playstation-3 |title=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131080310/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/minecraft-playstation-3-edition |archive-date=31 January 2014}}</ref><br />(NS) 86/100<ref name="NS">{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft |type=game |vgtype=switch |title=Minecraft (Switch) |access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref><br />(VITA) 84/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-playstation-vita-edition |type=game |vgtype=playstation-vita |title=Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508194752/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/minecraft-playstation-vita-edition |archive-date=8 May 2015}}</ref><br />(X360) 82/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-xbox-360-edition |type=game |vgtype=xbox-360 |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429092920/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/minecraft-xbox-360-edition |archive-date=29 April 2012}}</ref><br />(WIIU) 77/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-wii-u-edition |type=game |vgtype=wii-u |title=Minecraft: Wii U Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709015435/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/minecraft-wii-u-edition |archive-date=9 July 2016}}</ref><br />(3DS) 62/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition |type=game |vgtype=3ds |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition |access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref><br />(iOS) 53/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-pocket-edition |type=game |vgtype=ios |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612064826/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/minecraft-pocket-edition |archive-date=12 June 2013}}</ref> | |||
| GR = 92.79% (PC)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/606524-minecraft/index.html | title=''Minecraft'' for PC | publisher=] | work=] | accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref><br>83.63% (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/632873-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/index.html | title=''Minecraft'': Xbox 360 Edition | publisher=] | work=] | accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref><br>56.00% (Pocket Edition)<ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/633996-minecraft-pocket-edition/index.html|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=December 31, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| |
| 1UP = (PC) A+<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/minecraft-pc |title=Minecraft PC Reviews |website=] |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118232644/http://www.1up.com/reviews/minecraft-pc |archive-date=18 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| |
| Edge = (PC) 9/10<ref name="edgereview">{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/minecraft-review/ |title=Minecraft review |magazine=] |publisher=] |date=28 November 2011 |access-date=7 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404021304/http://www.edge-online.com/review/minecraft-review/ |archive-date=4 April 2013}}</ref> | ||
| EuroG = (PC) 10/10<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-18-minecraft-review |title=Minecraft Review • Reviews • |publisher=Eurogamer Network |website=] |date=18 November 2011 |access-date=18 December 2011 |last=Meer |first=Alec |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218211020/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-18-minecraft-review |archive-date=18 December 2011}}</ref><br />(X360) 9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-09-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Review |publisher=Eurogamer Network |website=] |date=18 November 2011 |access-date=18 December 2011 |last=Meer |first=Alec |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512033504/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-09-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review |archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref> | |||
| Edge = 9/10 (PC)<ref name="edgereview">{{cite web|url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/minecraft-review/|title=Minecraft review|work=]|publisher=]|date=November 28, 2011|accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| |
| GI = (PC) 9.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/pc/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx |title=More Toy Than Game, But That's Okay − Minecraft − PC |magazine=] |publisher=GameStop |first=Adam |last=Biessener |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807043745/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/pc/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx |archive-date=7 August 2012}}</ref><br />(X360) 8.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/xbox360/archive/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review.aspx |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition |publisher=GameStop |magazine=] |date=9 May 2012 |access-date=2 January 2013 |last=Cork |first=Jeff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111052356/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/xbox360/archive/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review.aspx |archive-date=11 January 2013}}</ref> | ||
| GSpot = 8.5/10 |
| GSpot = (PC) 8.5/10<ref name="GS review" /><br />(X360) 7.0/10<ref name="GSpot Xbox">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |website=] |publisher=] |date=10 May 2009 |last=Meunier |first=Nathan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215052841/http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |archive-date=15 December 2013 |access-date=18 December 2011}}</ref> | ||
| GSpy = |
| GSpy = (PC) 5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1213179p1.html |title=GameSpy: Minecraft Review — Page 1 |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601021713/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1213179p1.html |archive-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
| IGN = (PC) 9.0/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |title=Minecraft Review |website=] |date=24 November 2011 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=10 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710014717/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(iOS) 7.5/10<ref name="MC Pocket" /><br />(X360) 8.5/10<ref name="IGN Xbox">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-review |title=Minecraft (Xbox 360 Edition) |website=] |access-date=18 December 2011 |first=Anthony |last=Gallegos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511194605/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-review |archive-date=11 May 2012}}</ref><br />(PS3) 9.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/minecraft-review-2 |title=Minecraft PlayStation 3 Review – IGN |website=] |access-date=30 January 2014 |first=Brian |last=Albert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130074516/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/minecraft-review-2 |archive-date=30 January 2014 |date=24 January 2014}}</ref><br />(PS4) 9.7/10<ref name="IGN PS4 XBone">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |title=Minecraft PS4 And Xbox One Review – IGN |website=] |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 |first=Brian |last=Albert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922054507/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |archive-date=22 September 2014}}</ref><br />(XONE) 9.7/10<ref name="IGN PS4 XBone" /><br />(VITA) 9.5/10<ref name="IGN" /><br />(NS) 9.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/07/minecraft-switch-edition-review |title=Minecraft Switch Edition Review |website=IGN |date=7 June 2017 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309062512/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/07/minecraft-switch-edition-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| IGN = 9.0/10 (PC)<ref name="IGN review"/><br>8.5/10 (Xbox 360)<ref name="IGN Xbox">{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-review | title=Minecraft (Xbox 360 Edition)| work=]| accessdate=December 18, 2011 | first=Anthony|last= Gallegos}}</ref> | |||
| PCGUS = (PC) 96/100<ref name=PCReview>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-review/ |title=''Minecraft'' review |first=Jaz |last=McDougall |magazine=] |publisher=] |date=24 December 2011 |access-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424114602/http://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-review/ |archive-date=24 April 2015}}</ref> | |||
| GI = 9.25/10 (PC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/pc/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx |title=More Toy Than Game, But That's Okay − Minecraft − PC|work=] |publisher=GameStop|first= Adam|last=Biessener |date=November 22, 2011 |accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref><br>8.75/10 (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/xbox360/archive/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review.aspx | title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition | publisher=GameStop | work=] | date=May 9, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Cork|first=Jeff}}</ref> | |||
| rev1 = '']'' | |||
| rev1Score = (iOS) 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/11/18/minecraft-pocket-edition-review/ |title='Minecraft – Pocket Edition' Review – Bigger May Be Better |last=Khaw |first=Cassandra |date=18 November 2011 |website=] |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212133204/https://toucharcade.com/2011/11/18/minecraft-pocket-edition-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(Version 0.12) 5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/10/01/minecraft-pocket-edition-version-0-12-review |title='Minecraft – Pocket Edition Version 0.12' Review – You've Come A Long Way, Stevie |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=1 October 2015 |website=] |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920235009/https://toucharcade.com/2015/10/01/minecraft-pocket-edition-version-0-12-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| NLife = (WII U) 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu-eshop/minecraft_wii_u_edition/reviews |title=Minecraft: Wii U Edition |website=] |date=5 February 2016 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922080238/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu-eshop/minecraft_wii_u_edition/reviews |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(3DS) 6.6/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/new-3ds/minecraft_new_nintendo_3ds_edition/reviews |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition |website=Nintendo Life |date=30 August 2018 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203035313/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/new-3ds/minecraft_new_nintendo_3ds_edition/reviews |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(NS) 8.2/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/minecraft |title=Minecraft (Switch) |website=Nintendo Life |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315042653/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/minecraft |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
}} | }} | ||
=== Critics === | |||
''Minecraft'' has received widespread critical acclaim. The game has been praised for the creative freedom it grants players in-game, as well as the ease of enabling ].<ref name="PCGamerUK">{{Cite journal |first=Jim |last=Rossignol |authorlink=Jim Rossignol |title=Building-block World |journal=] |publisher=] |issue=204}}</ref><ref name="PCPowerPlay">{{cite journal |first=Daniel |last=Hindes |title=Trouble Down Mine |journal=] |publisher=] |issue=169}}</ref><ref name="Valve">{{cite web| url = http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4130&p=1 | title = Is that an Equalizer in your pocket?| last = Reinhart |first= Brandon| publisher = ]| date = July 28, 2010| accessdate = July 28, 2010}}</ref> Critics have praised ''Minecraft'''s complex crafting system, commenting that it is an important aspect of the game's open-ended gameplay.<ref name="GS review">{{cite web | url=http://gamespot.com/minecraft/reviews/minecraft-review-6346734/ | title=Minecraft Review | work=]|publisher=] | date=May 10, 2009 | accessdate=December 18, 2011 | last=Meunier | first=Nathan}}</ref> Most publications were impressed by the game's "blocky" graphics, with ] describing them as "instantly memorable".<ref name="IGN review" /> Reviewers also liked the game's adventure elements, noting that the game creates a good balance between exploring and building.<ref name="GS review"/> The game's multiplayer feature has been generally received favorably, with IGN commenting that "adventuring is always better with friends."<ref name="IGN review" /> | |||
Early versions of ''Minecraft'' received critical acclaim, praising the creative freedom it grants players in-game, as well as the ease of enabling ].<ref name="PCGamerUK">{{cite magazine |first=Jim |last=Rossignol |author-link=Jim Rossignol |title=Building-block World |magazine=] |issue=204}}</ref><ref name="PCPowerPlay">{{cite journal |first=Daniel |last=Hindes |title=Trouble Down Mine |journal=] |issue=169}}</ref><ref name="Valve">{{cite web |url=http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4130&p=1 |title=Is that an Equalizer in your pocket? |last=Reinhart |first=Brandon |publisher=] |date=28 July 2010 |access-date=28 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705053419/http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4130&p=1 |archive-date=5 July 2011}}</ref> Critics have expressed enjoyment in ''Minecraft''{{'s}} complex crafting system, commenting that it is an important aspect of the game's open-ended gameplay.<ref name="GS review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-review/1900-6346734/ |title=Minecraft Review |website=] |publisher=] |date=10 May 2009 |access-date=18 December 2011 |last=Meunier |first=Nathan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015220630/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-review/1900-6346734/ |archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> Most publications were impressed by the game's "blocky" graphics, with '']'' describing them as "instantly memorable".<ref name="IGN review" /> Reviewers also liked the game's adventure elements, noting that the game creates a good balance between exploring and building.<ref name="GS review" /> The game's multiplayer feature has been generally received favorably, with ''IGN'' commenting that "adventuring is always better with friends".<ref name="IGN review" /> Jaz McDougall of '']'' said ''Minecraft'' is "intuitively interesting and contagiously fun, with an unparalleled scope for creativity and memorable experiences".<ref name=PCReview /> It has been regarded as having introduced millions of children to the digital world, insofar as its basic ] are logically analogous to computer commands.<ref name="The Minecraft Generation">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/magazine/the-minecraft-generation.html?_r=0 |title=The Minecraft Generation How a clunky Swedish computer game is teaching millions of children to master the digital world. |date=14 April 2016 |access-date=14 April 2016 |author=Thompson, Clive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422050838/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/magazine/the-minecraft-generation.html?_r=0 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> | |||
''IGN'' was disappointed about the troublesome steps needed to set up multiplayer servers, calling it a "hassle".<ref name="IGN review" /> Critics also said that visual ] occur periodically.<ref name="GS review" /> Despite its release out of beta in 2011, '']'' said the game had an "unfinished feel", adding that some game elements seem "incomplete or thrown together in haste".<ref name="GS review" /> | |||
A review of the alpha version, by Scott Munro of the '']'', called it "already something special" and urged readers to buy it.<ref name="DRreview">{{cite web |last=Munro|first=Scott|title=''Minecraft'' (Alpha Review)|url=http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/gaming/2010/07/minecraft-alpha-review.html| |
A review of the alpha version, by Scott Munro of the '']'', called it "already something special" and urged readers to buy it.<ref name="DRreview">{{cite web |last=Munro |first=Scott |title=''Minecraft'' (Alpha Review) |url=http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/gaming/2010/07/minecraft-alpha-review.html |newspaper=] |publisher=] |access-date=3 August 2010 |date=27 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206150152/http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/gaming/2010/07/minecraft-alpha-review.html |archive-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ] of '']'' also recommended the alpha of the game, calling it "a kind of generative 8-bit ] '']''".<ref name="RPSreview">{{cite news |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |title=Chockablock: ''Minecraft'' Revisited |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/10/chockablock-minecraft-revisited/ |website=] |access-date=3 September 2010 |author-link=Jim Rossignol |date=10 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914100037/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/10/chockablock-minecraft-revisited/ |archive-date=14 September 2010}}</ref> On 17 September 2010, gaming ] ''Penny Arcade'' began a series of comics and news posts about the addictiveness of the game.<ref name="PennyArcade">{{cite web |last=Holkins |first=Jerry |title=Mine All Mine, Part One |url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/9/17/ |access-date=17 September 2010 |author-link=Jerry Holkins |publisher=] |date=17 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918055932/http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/9/17/ |archive-date=18 September 2010}}</ref> The Xbox 360 version was generally received positively by critics, but did not receive as much praise as the PC version. Although reviewers were disappointed by the lack of features such as mod support and content from the PC version, they acclaimed the port's addition of a tutorial and in-game tips and crafting recipes, saying that they make the game more user-friendly.<ref name="IGN Xbox" /> The ''Xbox One Edition'' was one of the best received ports, being praised for its relatively large worlds.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Albert |first1=Brian |title=Minecraft PS4 and Xbox One Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |website=Imagine Games Network |date=6 September 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922054507/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
The ''PlayStation 3 Edition'' also received generally favorable reviews, being compared to the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' and praised for its well-adapted controls.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woolsey |first1=Cameron |title=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-playstation-3-edition-review/1900-6415767/ |website=Game Spot |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721155812/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-playstation-3-edition-review/1900-6415767/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The PlayStation 4 edition was the best received port to date, being praised for having 36 times larger worlds than the PlayStation 3 edition and described as nearly identical to the Xbox One edition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunes |first1=Timothy |title=Minecraft PS4 Review: A creator's and Creeper's playground |url=https://www.psu.com/reviews/minecraft-ps4-review-a-creators-and-creepers-playground/ |website=Play Station Universe |date=16 September 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628223646/https://www.psu.com/reviews/minecraft-ps4-review-a-creators-and-creepers-playground/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1" /> The ''PlayStation Vita Edition'' received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for its technical limitations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=Minecraft: PS Vita Edition Review |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psvita/minecraft_ps_vita_edition |website=Push Square |date=24 October 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521115916/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psvita/minecraft_ps_vita_edition |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
The Xbox 360 version was generally received positively by critics, but did not receive as much praise as the PC version. Although reviewers were disappointed by the lack of features such as mod support and content from the PC version, they acclaimed the port's addition of a tutorial and in-game tips and crafting recipes, saying that they make the game more user-friendly.<ref name="IGN Xbox"/> | |||
The Wii U version received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for a lack of GamePad integration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Minuz |first1=Allesandra |title=Minecraft – Review |url=https://it.ign.com/minecraft/105970/review/minecraft-wii-u-edition-la-recensione |website=Imagine Games Network Italy |date=24 December 2015 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618132135/https://it.ign.com/minecraft/105970/review/minecraft-wii-u-edition-la-recensione |url-status=live }}</ref> The 3DS version received mixed reviews, being criticized for its high price, technical issues, and lack of cross-platform play.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sean |first1=Anthony |title=Minecraft on the go, again!, Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Review |url=https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/minecraft-on-the-go-again-minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-review/ |website=Gaming Trend |date=21 September 2017 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630200259/https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/minecraft-on-the-go-again-minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Nintendo Switch Edition'' received fairly positive reviews from critics, being praised, like other modern ports, for its relatively larger worlds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandt |first1=Oliver |title=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (eShop) Review |url=https://www.vooks.net/minecraft-nintendo-switch-edition-review/ |website=Vooks |date=30 May 2017 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704050916/https://www.vooks.net/minecraft-nintendo-switch-edition-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft – Pocket Edition'' received mixed reviews from critics. Although reviewers appreciated the game’s intuitive controls, they were disappointed by the lack of content. The inability in the game to collect resources and craft items, as well as the game’s lack of hostile mobs and limited types of blocks, were especially criticized.<ref name="MC Pocket">{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/19/minecraft-pocket-edition-review | title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition Review | publisher=IGN Entertainment | work=]| date=November 18, 2011 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Davis|first=Justin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/23/minecraft-pocket-edition-review | title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition review | work=] | date=November 23, 2011 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Geere|first=Duncan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/254349/minecraft_pocket_edition_review_build_blocky_masterpieces_on_the_go.html | title=Minecraft Pocket Edition Review: Build Blocky Masterpieces on the Go | publisher=]| work=]| date=April 25, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Purewal|first=Sarah}}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' initially received mixed reviews from critics. Although reviewers appreciated the game's intuitive controls, they were disappointed by the lack of content. The inability to collect resources and craft items, as well as the limited types of blocks and lack of hostile mobs, were especially criticized.<ref name="MC Pocket">{{cite web |last=Albert |first=Brian |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/13/minecraft-pocket-edition-review-2 |website=] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=28 February 2014 |date=13 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301203048/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/13/minecraft-pocket-edition-review-2 |archive-date=1 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/23/minecraft-pocket-edition-review |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition review |magazine=] |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=2 January 2013 |last=Geere |first=Duncan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123141226/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/23/minecraft-pocket-edition-review |archive-date=23 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/254349/minecraft_pocket_edition_review_build_blocky_masterpieces_on_the_go.html |title=Minecraft Pocket Edition Review: Build Blocky Masterpieces on the Go |publisher=] |magazine=] |date=25 April 2012 |access-date=2 January 2013 |last=Purewal |first=Sarah |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117041436/http://www.pcworld.com/article/254349/minecraft_pocket_edition_review_build_blocky_masterpieces_on_the_go.html |archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> After updates added more content, Pocket Edition started receiving more positive reviews. Reviewers complimented the controls and the graphics, but still noted a lack of content.<ref name="MC Pocket" /> | |||
===Awards=== | |||
In July 2010, '']'' listed ''Minecraft'' as the fourth-best game to play at work.<ref name="PCGamer">{{cite web|last=Rossignol|first=Jim|title=50 Games to Play at Work|work=] |date=July 5, 2010 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/05/50-games-to-play-at-work/5/ |authorlink=Jim Rossignol |publisher=]}}</ref> In December of that year, ] selected ''Minecraft'' as their choice for Best Downloadable Game of 2010,<ref name="GGaward">{{cite episode |title=GG Awards 2010: Best Downloadable Game |series=] |credits=]; ] |network=] |airdate=December 6, 2010|season=5 |number=43 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3085956.htm}}</ref> ] named it the eighth best game of the year as well as the eighth best indie game of the year,<ref name="GSaward">{{cite web|work=] |title=Gamasutra's Best Of 2010: The Top 10 Games Of The Year |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31930/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_The_Top_10_Games_Of_The_Year.php |date= December 23, 2010|accessdate=December 23, 2010}}</ref><ref name="GSaward2">{{cite web|work=]|title=Gamasutra's Best Of 2010: Top 10 Indie Games |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31924/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_Top_10_Indie_Games.php |date= December 17, 2010|accessdate=December 23, 2010}}</ref> and Rock, Paper, Shotgun named it the "game of the year".<ref name="RPSgoty">{{cite web |title=The Games Of Christmas '10: Day 24 |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/24/the-games-of-christmas-%E2%80%9910-day-24/ |work = ] |accessdate=December 24, 2010 |date=December 25, 2010}}</ref> ] awarded the game the 2010 Indie of the Year award as chosen by voters, in addition to two out of five Editor's Choice awards for Most Innovative and Best Singleplayer Indie.<ref name="IDBaward">{{cite web|title=Winners – 2010 Indie of the Year Awards – Indie DB |url=http://www.indiedb.com/events/2010-indie-of-the-year-awards/winners/ |publisher=Indie DB |accessdate=December 27, 2010 |date=December 24, 2010}}</ref> It was also awarded Game of the Year by ''PC Gamer UK''.<ref name="PCGamerUK1">{{cite web|title=''Minecraft'' – PC Gamer UK's Game Of The Year |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/12/31/pc-gamer-uks-game-of-the-year/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=December 31, 2010 |date=December 31, 2010}}</ref> The game was nominated for the Seumas McNally Grand Prize, Technical Excellence, and Excellence in Design awards at the March 2011 ] and won the Grand Prize along with community-voted Audience Award.<ref name="IGFnoms">{{cite web|title=2011 Independent Games Festival Reveals Main Competition Finalists |url=http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2011/01/2011_independent_games_festiva_10.html |publisher=IndieGames |last=Carless |first=Simon |accessdate=January 3, 2011 |date=January 3, 2011}}</ref><ref name="IGFwins">{{cite web|title=''Minecraft'', Amnesia Top Winners At 13th Annual IGF Awards |url=http://igf.com/2011/03/minecraft_amnesia_top_winners_.html |publisher=IndieGames |accessdate=March 3, 2011 |date=March 1, 2011}}</ref> At ] 2011, ''Minecraft'' won awards in the categories for Best Debut Game, Best Downloadable Game and Innovation Award, winning every award for which it was nominated.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/59350/Game-Developers-Choice-Awards-Big-Props-To-Minecraft-RDR | title=Game Developers Choice Awards — Big Props To Minecraft & RDR — Voodoo Extreme | work=]| accessdate=April 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/5849209/game-developers-choice-online-awards-honor-rift-minecraft-and-everquest | title=Game Developers' Choice Online Awards Honor Rift, Minecraft, and Everquest|work=]|publisher=] | date=October 12, 2011 | accessdate=April 23, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html | title=Game Developers Choice Awards | publisher=Gamechoiceawards.com | accessdate=April 23, 2012}}</ref> It has also won ]'s videogame arts prize.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15509330 | title=''Minecraft'' awarded GameCity videogame arts prize |work=]|publisher=BBC| date=October 29, 2011 | accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> On May 5, 2011, ''Minecraft'' was selected as one of the 80 games that would be displayed at the ] as part of ] exhibit that opened on March 16, 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/#!5799017/the-smithsonian-has-picked-the-games-of-its-art-of-video-games-exhibit | title=The Smithsonian Has Picked the Games of Its Art of Video Games Exhibit |work=]|publisher=]| date=May 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/ | title=The Art of Video Games | publisher=]}}</ref> At the 2011 ], ''Minecraft'' won the award for Best Independent Game and was nominated in the Best PC Game category.<ref name="spike - independent">{{cite web|url=http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011-nominees/voting/best-independent-game|title=Best Independent Game|publisher=]|accessdate=December 30, 2012}}</ref><ref name="spike - pc">{{cite web|url=http://www.spike.com/events/video-game-awards-2011-nominees/voting/best-pc-game|title=Best PC Game|publisher=]|accessdate=December 30, 2012}}</ref> In 2012, at the ], ''Minecraft'' was nominated in the GAME Award of 2011 category and Notch received The Special Award.<ref name="bafta">{{cite web|url=http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/nominees-winners-2012,2892,BA.html|title=Video Games Awards Winners & Nominees in 2012|publisher=]|date=February 12, 2012|accessdate=December 30, 2012}}</ref> In 2012, ''Minecraft'' XBLA was awarded a ] in the Best Downloadable Game category,<ref name="CVG Golden Joystick">{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Andy|title=GJA: Minecraft XBLA awarded Best Downloadable Game|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/374469/gja-minecraft-xbla-awarded-best-downloadable-game/|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=November 5, 2012|date=October 26, 2012}}</ref> and a ] Games Industry Award in the Best Arcade Game category.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Liam|title=TIGA Games Industry Awards 2012 winners revealed, Dear Esther wins big|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a435365/tiga-games-industry-awards-2012-winners-revealed-dear-esther-wins-big.html|work=]|accessdate=November 5, 2012|date=November 2, 2012}}</ref> | |||
== |
=== Sales === | ||
''Minecraft'' surpassed over a million purchases less than a month after entering its beta phase in early 2011.<ref name="usercount12012011">{{cite web |url=http://www.minecraft.net/stats.jsp |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang |title=''Minecraft'' – Statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114032123/http://www.minecraft.net/stats.jsp |archive-date=14 January 2011 |access-date=13 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="usercountblog">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/12/minecraft-sales-pass-one-million |title=Minecraft Sales Pass One Million |first=Jim |last=Reilly |website=] |date=12 January 2011 |access-date=26 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618031021/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/12/minecraft-sales-pass-one-million |archive-date=18 June 2013}}</ref> At the same time, the game had no ] backing and has never been commercially advertised except through ],<ref name="noads">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5724989/why-minecraft-is-so-damn-popular |title=Why ''Minecraft'' Is So Damn Popular |website=] |publisher=] |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=4 January 2011 |access-date=12 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109012135/http://kotaku.com/5724989/why-minecraft-is-so-damn-popular |archive-date=9 January 2011}}</ref> and various unpaid references in popular media such as the '']'' webcomic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/9/17/ |title=Mine All Mine, Part One |date=17 September 2010 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723105817/http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/9/17/ |archive-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> By April 2011, Persson estimated that ''Minecraft'' had made €23 million (US$33 million) in revenue, with 800,000 sales of the alpha version of the game, and over 1 million sales of the beta version.<ref name="GSAprilsales">{{cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |title=''Minecraft'' Draws Over $33 Million In Revenue From 1.8M Paying Customers |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33961/Minecraft_Draws_Over_33_Million_In_Revenue_From_18M_Paying_Customers.php |website=] |access-date=6 April 2011 |date=6 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408063046/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33961/Minecraft_Draws_Over_33_Million_In_Revenue_From_18M_Paying_Customers.php |archive-date=8 April 2011}}</ref> In November 2011, prior to the game's full release, ''Minecraft'' beta surpassed 16 million registered users and 4 million purchases.<ref name="sales11092011">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-beta-cracks-4-million/1100-6344310/ |title=Minecraft beta cracks 4 million |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=9 November 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301153546/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-beta-cracks-4-million/1100-6344310/ |archive-date=1 March 2014 |date=7 November 2011}}</ref> By March 2012, ''Minecraft'' had become the 6th ] of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/52470-Top_15_best_selling_PC_games_of_all_time |title=Top 15 best selling PC games of all time |publisher=SK Gaming |date=22 March 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |author=Shields, Duncan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312064404/http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/52470-Top_15_best_selling_PC_games_of_all_time |archive-date=12 March 2013}}</ref> {{As of|2014|10|10}}, the game had sold 17 million copies on PC, becoming the best-selling PC game of all time.<ref name="built to last">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/built-to-last-the-minecraft-model-9788669.html |title=Built to last: the Minecraft model |newspaper=] |date=10 October 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123074259/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/built-to-last-the-minecraft-model-9788669.html |archive-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> On 25 February 2014, the game reached 100 million registered users.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/26/original-minecraft-reaches-100-million-registered-users |title=Original Minecraft Reaches 100 Million Registered Users |last=Reilly |first=Luke |date=25 February 2014 |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=26 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227055809/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/26/original-minecraft-reaches-100-million-registered-users |archive-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> By May 2019, 180 million copies had been sold across all platforms, making it the single best-selling video game of all time. The free-to-play ''Minecraft China'' version had over 300 million players by November 2019.<ref name="China-300m">{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |title=Minecraft player count reaches 480 million |work=PCGamesN |access-date=19 November 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119042458/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |archive-date=19 November 2019}}</ref> By April 2021, ''Minecraft'' sold more than 238 million copies worldwide.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=April 2021 |title=Minecraft Franchise Fact Sheet |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Minecraft-Franchise-Fact-Sheet_April-2021.pdf |access-date=27 October 2021 |website=news.xbox.com |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809155838/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Minecraft-Franchise-Fact-Sheet_April-2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2023, the game has sold over 300 million copies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boddy |first=Zachary |date=15 October 2023 |title=Minecraft crosses 300 million copies sold as it prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-crosses-300-million-copies-sold-as-it-prepares-to-celebrate-its-15th-anniversary |access-date=15 October 2023 |website=Windows Central |language=en |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015182946/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-crosses-300-million-copies-sold-as-it-prepares-to-celebrate-its-15th-anniversary |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
{{main|MineCon}} | |||
] is an official ''Minecraft'' ] held annually. The first one was held on November 18–19, 2011, at ] Hotel and Casino in ], ]. All 4,500 tickets for MineCon 2011 were sold out by October 31.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/well-whaddaya-know-minecon-is-sold-out/ | title=Well Whaddaya Know: MineCon Is Sold Out |work=]|publisher=]|first=Owen|last=Good|date=October 31, 2012|accessdate=January 11, 2013}}</ref> The event included the official launch of ''Minecraft''; keynote speeches, including one by Persson; building and costume contests; ''Minecraft''-themed breakout classes; exhibits by leading gaming and ''Minecraft''-related companies; commemorative merchandise; and autograph and picture times with Mojang employees and well-known contributors from the ''Minecraft'' community.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1187399p1.html | title=GameSpy: Tickets for Minecraft Convention, MineCon, Now On Sale — Page 1 | work=]|publisher=]| date=August 11, 2011 | accessdate=December 18, 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Ed6ETSPG|archivedate=February 22, 2013}}</ref> After MineCon, there was an ''Into The Nether'' after-party with ] musician ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/22/deadmau5-blows-the-roof-off-of-minecon | title=Into the Nether party with deadmau5 | work=]| date=November 22, 2011 | accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref> Free codes were given to every attendee of MineCon that unlocked alpha versions of Mojang's other upcoming game, '']'', as well as an additional non-Mojang game, '']'', developed by Oxeye Game Studios.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/08/minecon-attendees-get-alpha-codes-for-cobalt-scrolls/ | title=MineCon attendees get alpha codes for Cobalt, Scrolls | work=]|publisher=] | date=September 8, 2011 | accessdate=November 23, 2012 | first=Griffin |last= McElroy}}</ref> Similar events occurred in MineCon 2012, which took place in ] from November 24–25.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20492574 | title=Minecraft fans gather for Minecon in Paris | work=]|publisher=BBC| date=November 26, 2012 | accessdate=December 23, 2012 | last=Ward|first= Mark }}</ref> The tickets for the 2012 event sold out in less than two hours.<ref>{{cite web|last=Corriera|first=Alexa Ray|work=]|publisher=]|title=Minecon 2012 tickets sell out in two hours, Mojang looking into releasing more|url=http://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/9/14/3332678/minecon-2012-ticket-sell-out|date=September 14, 2012|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> | |||
The Xbox 360 version of ''Minecraft'' became profitable within the first day of the game's release in 2012, when the game broke the Xbox Live sales records with 400,000 players online.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/10/minecraft-breaks-xbox-live-sales-records.aspx |title=Minecraft Breaks Xbox Live Sales Records |magazine=] |publisher=GameStop |date=10 May 2012 |access-date=11 May 2012 |last=Reilly |first=Jim |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512040304/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/10/minecraft-breaks-xbox-live-sales-records.aspx |archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref> Within a week of being on the Xbox Live Marketplace, ''Minecraft'' sold a million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-live-arcade-sells-1-million-copies/4145/ |title=Minecraft for Xbox Live Arcade Sells 1 Million Copies |website=] |publisher=] |date=14 May 2012 |access-date=18 May 2012 |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516235205/http://www.giantbomb.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-live-arcade-sells-1-million-copies/4145/ |archive-date=16 May 2012}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' announced in December 2012 that ''Minecraft'' sold over 4.48 million copies since the game debuted on ] in May 2012.<ref name="GSpot – sales">{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/minecraft-franchise-sales-hit-175-million-6401538 |title=Minecraft franchise sales hit 17.5 million |website=] |publisher=] |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |date=13 December 2012 |access-date=14 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217083605/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/minecraft-franchise-sales-hit-175-million-6401538 |archive-date=17 December 2012}}</ref> In 2012, ''Minecraft'' was the most purchased title on Xbox Live Arcade; it was also the fourth most played title on Xbox Live based on average ]s per day.<ref name="xboxlive-2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a453025/black-ops-2-minecraft-top-2012-xbox-live-activity-charts.html |title='Black Ops 2', 'Minecraft' top 2012 Xbox Live activity charts |website=] |first=Scott |last=Nichols |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=26 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123210404/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a453025/black-ops-2-minecraft-top-2012-xbox-live-activity-charts.html |archive-date=23 January 2013}}</ref> {{As of|2014|04|04}}, the Xbox 360 version has sold 12 million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-04-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-sales-hit-12m |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition sales hit 12 m |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=4 April 2014 |website=] |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=4 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406130301/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-04-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-sales-hit-12m |archive-date=6 April 2014}}</ref> In addition, ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' has reached a figure of 21 million in sales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mojang.com/2014/04/watch-our-pocket-edition-dev-stream/ |title=Watch our Pocket Edition stream. Now with footage! |publisher=Mojang |date=14 April 2014 |access-date=31 July 2014 |last=Hill |first=Owen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725020154/https://mojang.com/2014/04/watch-our-pocket-edition-dev-stream/ |archive-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> The ''PlayStation 3 Edition'' sold one million copies in five weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/209293/Minecraft_on_PS3_breaks_1_million_sales_in_five_weeks.php |title=Minecraft on PS3 breaks 1 million sales in five weeks |last=Wawro |first=Alex |date=24 January 2014 |website=] |publisher=Think Services |access-date=25 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129202621/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/209293/Minecraft_on_PS3_breaks_1_million_sales_in_five_weeks.php |archive-date=29 January 2014}}</ref> The release of the game's PlayStation Vita version boosted ''Minecraft'' sales by 79%, outselling both PS3 and PS4 debut releases and becoming the largest ''Minecraft'' launch on a PlayStation console.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-17-assassins-creed-unity-launch-beats-black-flags-in-uk-chart |title=Assassin's Creed: Unity launch beats Black Flag's in UK chart |date=17 November 2014 |author=Wesley Yin-Poole |website=Eurogamer |access-date=7 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118025436/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-17-assassins-creed-unity-launch-beats-black-flags-in-uk-chart |archive-date=18 November 2014}}</ref> The PS Vita version sold 100,000 digital copies in Japan within the first two months of release, according to an announcement by SCE Japan Asia.<ref>2014-12-17, {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224171052/http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/17/minecraft-on-vita-sells-100000-via-downloads-in-japan/ |date=24 February 2015 }}, Siliconera</ref> By January 2015, 500,000 digital copies of ''Minecraft'' were sold in Japan across all PlayStation platforms, with a surge in primary school children purchasing the PS Vita version.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201502/25072536.html |script-title=ja:国内PS版の『マインクラフト』が50万DLを突破、PS Vita版が牽引し小学生のあいだでブームの兆し |trans-title=Domestic PlayStation version of Minecraft tops 500,000 downloads, signs of the PS Vita version booming amongst elementary school students |date=25 February 2015 |magazine=] |language=ja |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225083620/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201502/25072536.html |archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> As of 2022, the Vita version has sold over 1.65 million physical copies in Japan, making it the best-selling Vita game in the country.<ref>{{cite book|title=2022ゲーム産業白書 (2022 Game Industry White Paper)|publisher=]|year=2022|isbn=978-4909977199}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' helped improve Microsoft's total first-party revenue by $63 million for the 2015 second quarter.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=Xbox Sales Rising, as Minecraft Continues to Perform Well for Microsoft |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-sales-rising-as-minecraft-continues-to-perfor/1100-6429074/ |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722222728/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-sales-rising-as-minecraft-continues-to-perfor/1100-6429074/ |archive-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=live |date=21 July 2015}}</ref> | |||
== Merchandise == | |||
{{See also|Lego Minecraft}} | |||
The game, including all of its versions, had over 112 million monthly active players by September 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fingas |first1=Jon |title='Minecraft' now has 112 million monthly players |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/15/minecraft-112-million-monthly-players/ |website=Engadget |date=16 September 2019 |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-date=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916062326/https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/15/minecraft-112-million-monthly-players/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On its 11th anniversary in May 2020, the company announced that ''Minecraft'' had reached over 200 million copies sold across platforms with over 126 million monthly active players.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262045/minecraft-sales-monthly-players-statistics-youtube |title=Minecraft still incredibly popular as sales top 200 million and 126 million play monthly |first=Tom |last=Warren |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020 |work=] |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518192410/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262045/minecraft-sales-monthly-players-statistics-youtube |url-status=live }}</ref> By April 2021, the number of active monthly users had climbed to 140 million.<ref name=":9">{{cite web |title=Minecraft Reached 140 Million Monthly Users And Generated Over $350 Million To Date |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-reached-140-million-monthly-users-and-generated-over-350-million-to-date/1100-6490962/ |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213054/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-reached-140-million-monthly-users-and-generated-over-350-million-to-date/1100-6490962/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":10" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-microsoft-fy21-q3-report |title=Minecraft now has nearly 140 million monthly active users and over 1 billion mod and add-on downloads |work=Windows Central |date=27 April 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=9 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609151429/https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-microsoft-fy21-q3-report |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
A ] set based on ''Minecraft'' called ] was released on June 6, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/lego-releases-minecraft-set-ve-waiting-160151420.html|title=Lego releases the Minecraft set you’ve been waiting for|work=]|publisher=]|first=Mariella|last=Moon|date=June 6, 2012}}</ref> The set, called "Micro World", centers around the game's default ] and a Creeper.<ref name = LegoMinecraft>{{cite web | last = MacManus | first = Christopher | url = http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57379791-1/lego-minecraft-available-for-preorder/ | title = Lego Minecraft available for preorder | date = February 16, 2012 | accessdate = February 17, 2012 | work = ]|publisher=] }}</ref> Mojang submitted the concept of ''Minecraft'' merchandise to ] in December 2011 for the ] program, from which it quickly received 10,000 votes by users, prompting Lego to review the concept.<ref name="LEGO">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5878848/there-will-be-official-minecraft-lego-sets|title=There Will Be Official Minecraft Lego Sets|work=]|publisher=]|first=Stephen|last=Totilo|date=January 24, 2012}}</ref> Lego Cuusoo approved the concept in January 2012 and began developing sets based around ''Minecraft''.<ref name="LEGO"/> | |||
=== Awards === | |||
Mojang collaborates with ], an online game merchandise store, to sell ''Minecraft'' merchandise, such as clothing, foam pickaxes, and toys of creatures in the game.<ref name="Cult and merchandise">{{cite web| url=http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/07/features/changing-the-game?page=all | title=Changing the game: how Notch made Minecraft a cult hit | work=] |date= June 6, 2012 | accessdate=October 18, 2012 | last=Cheshire | first=Tom}}</ref> By May 2012, over 1 million dollars were made from ''Minecraft'' merchandise sales. T-shirts and socks were the most popular products.<ref name="Merchandise sales">{{cite web|last=Nunneley|first=Stephany|title=Minecraft hits $80M in sales with over 5M paid downloads|url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/24/minecraft-hits-80m-in-sales-with-over-5m-paid-downloads/|work=VG 24/7|work=]|date= March 24, 2012| accessdate= November 11, 2012}}</ref> In March 2013 Mojang signed a deal with the children's book publisher ] to create ''Minecraft'' handbooks, ]s, poster books, and magazines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/26/4148622/minecraft-books-for-children-to-be-published-in-uk-this-september|title=Minecraft books for children to be published in UK this September |work=]|accessdate=March 26, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/43618/Minecraft-childrens-books-launching-in-September | title=Minecraft children's books launching in September | work=] | date=March 25, 2013 | accessdate=March 28, 2013 | author=Chapple, Craig}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-03/27/minecraft-books | title=Gaming Minecraft children's books announced | publisher=] | date=March 27, 2013 | accessdate=March 28, 2013 | author=Warr, Philippa}}</ref> | |||
In July 2010, ''PC Gamer'' listed ''Minecraft'' as the fourth-best game to play at work.<ref name="PCGamer">{{cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |title=50 Games to Play at Work |magazine=] |date=5 July 2010 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/05/50-games-to-play-at-work/5/ |author-link=Jim Rossignol |publisher=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709153851/http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/05/50-games-to-play-at-work/5 |archive-date=9 July 2010}}</ref> In December of that year, ] selected ''Minecraft'' as their choice for Best Downloadable Game of 2010,<ref name="GGaward">{{cite episode |title=GG Awards 2010: Best Downloadable Game |series=] |credits=]; ] |website=] |airdate=6 December 2010 |season=5 |number=43 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3085956.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211083934/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3085956.htm |archive-date=11 December 2010}}</ref> '']'' named it the eighth best game of the year as well as the eighth best indie game of the year,<ref name="GSaward">{{cite web |website=] |title=Gamasutra's Best Of 2010: The Top 10 Games of the Year |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31930/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_The_Top_10_Games_Of_The_Year.php |date=23 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225133934/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31930/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_The_Top_10_Games_Of_The_Year.php |archive-date=25 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="GSaward2">{{cite web |website=] |title=Gamasutra's Best of 2010: Top 10 Indie Games |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31924/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_Top_10_Indie_Games.php |date=17 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220105238/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31924/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_Top_10_Indie_Games.php |archive-date=20 December 2010}}</ref> and ''Rock, Paper, Shotgun'' named it the "game of the year".<ref name="RPSgoty">{{cite web |title=The Games Of Christmas '10: Day 24 |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/24/the-games-of-christmas-%E2%80%9910-day-24/ |website=] |access-date=24 December 2010 |date=25 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226032010/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/24/the-games-of-christmas-%E2%80%9910-day-24/ |archive-date=26 December 2010}}</ref> '']'' awarded the game the 2010 Indie of the Year award as chosen by voters, in addition to two out of five Editor's Choice awards for Most Innovative and Best Singleplayer Indie.<ref name="IDBaward">{{cite web |title=Winners – 2010 Indie of the Year Awards – Indie DB |url=http://www.indiedb.com/events/2010-indie-of-the-year-awards/winners/ |publisher=Indie DB |access-date=27 December 2010 |date=24 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030104126/http://www.indiedb.com/events/2010-indie-of-the-year-awards/winners |archive-date=30 October 2010}}</ref> It was also awarded Game of the Year by ''PC Gamer UK''.<ref name="PCGamerUK1">{{cite web |title=''Minecraft'' – PC Gamer UK's Game of the Year |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/12/31/pc-gamer-uks-game-of-the-year/ |magazine=] |publisher=] |access-date=31 December 2010 |date=31 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103020509/http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/12/31/pc-gamer-uks-game-of-the-year |archive-date=3 January 2011}}</ref> The game was nominated for the ], Technical Excellence, and Excellence in Design awards at the March 2011 ] and won the Grand Prize and the community-voted Audience Award.<ref name="IGFnoms">{{cite web |title=2011 Independent Games Festival Reveals Main Competition Finalists |url=http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2011/01/2011_independent_games_festiva_10.html |publisher=IndieGames |last=Carless |first=Simon |access-date=3 January 2011 |date=3 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106020831/http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2011/01/2011_independent_games_festiva_10.html |archive-date=6 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="IGFwins">{{cite web |title=''Minecraft'', Amnesia Top Winners At 13th Annual IGF Awards |url=http://igf.com/2011/03/minecraft_amnesia_top_winners_.html |publisher=IndieGames |access-date=3 March 2011 |date=1 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306073641/http://igf.com/2011/03/minecraft_amnesia_top_winners_.html |archive-date=6 March 2011}}</ref> At ] 2011, ''Minecraft'' won awards in the categories for Best Debut Game, Best Downloadable Game and Innovation Award, winning every award for which it was nominated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5849209/game-developers-choice-online-awards-honor-rift-minecraft-and-everquest |title=Game Developers' Choice Online Awards Honor Rift, Minecraft, and Everquest |website=] |publisher=] |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320185943/http://kotaku.com/5849209/game-developers-choice-online-awards-honor-rift-minecraft-and-everquest |archive-date=20 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards |publisher=Gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127063748/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html |archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref> It also won ]'s video game arts award.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15509330 |title=''Minecraft'' awarded GameCity videogame arts prize |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214054940/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15509330 |archive-date=14 December 2012 |work=BBC News |last1=Kelion |first1=Leo}}</ref> On 5 May 2011, ''Minecraft'' was selected as one of the 80 games that would be displayed at the ] as part of ] exhibit that opened on 16 March 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/#!5799017/the-smithsonian-has-picked-the-games-of-its-art-of-video-games-exhibit |title=The Smithsonian Has Picked the Games of Its Art of Video Games Exhibit |website=] |publisher=] |date=5 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106085901/http://kotaku.com/ |archive-date=6 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/ |title=The Art of Video Games |publisher=] |access-date=23 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110015838/http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/ |archive-date=10 January 2011}}</ref> At the 2011 ], ''Minecraft'' won the award for Best Independent Game and was nominated in the Best PC Game category.<ref name="spike – independent">{{cite press release |title=Spike Announces VGA Nominees & Honors "Legend Of Zelda" With First Ever Video Game Hall Of Fame Award |publisher=] |date=16 November 2011 |url=http://www.spike.com/press/2011/11/16/spike-announces-first-video-game-hall-of-fame-award-and-complete-list-of-vga-nominees/ |access-date=2 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921091444/http://www.spike.com/press/2011/11/16/spike-announces-first-video-game-hall-of-fame-award-and-complete-list-of-vga-nominees/ |archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="spike – pc">{{cite press release |title=SPIKE TV ANNOUNCES 2011 "VIDEO GAME AWARDS" WINNERS |publisher=] |date=10 December 2011 |url=http://www.spike.com/press/2011/12/10/spike-tv-announces-2011-%E2%80%9Cvideo-game-awards%E2%80%9D-winners/ |access-date=2 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927112411/http://www.spike.com/press/2011/12/10/spike-tv-announces-2011-%E2%80%9Cvideo-game-awards%E2%80%9D-winners/ |archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref> In 2012, at the ], ''Minecraft'' was nominated in the GAME Award of 2011 category and Persson received The Special Award.<ref name="bafta">{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/nominees-winners-2012,2892,BA.html |title=Video Games Awards Winners & Nominees in 2012 |publisher=] |date=12 February 2012 |access-date=30 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307203408/http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/nominees-winners-2012,2892,BA.html |archive-date=7 March 2012}}</ref> In 2012, ''Minecraft'' XBLA was awarded a ] in the Best Downloadable Game category,<ref name="CVG Golden Joystick">{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Andy |title=GJA: Minecraft XBLA awarded Best Downloadable Game |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/374469/gja-minecraft-xbla-awarded-best-downloadable-game/ |magazine=] |publisher=] |access-date=5 November 2012 |date=26 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031142158/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/374469/gja-minecraft-xbla-awarded-best-downloadable-game/ |archive-date=31 October 2012}}</ref> and a ] Games Industry Award in the Best Arcade Game category.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martin |first=Liam |title=TIGA Games Industry Awards 2012 winners revealed, Dear Esther wins big |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a435365/tiga-games-industry-awards-2012-winners-revealed-dear-esther-wins-big.html |website=] |access-date=5 November 2012 |date=2 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509110339/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a435365/tiga-games-industry-awards-2012-winners-revealed-dear-esther-wins-big.html |archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref> In 2013, it was nominated as the family game of the year at the British Academy Video Games Awards.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/feb/12/bafta-video-game-awards-nominations-2013 |title=Bafta Video Game Awards 2013 – nominees announced |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 February 2013 |access-date=1 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026045239/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/feb/12/bafta-video-game-awards-nominations-2013 |archive-date=26 October 2014 |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith}}</ref> During the ], the ] nominated the Xbox 360 version of ''Minecraft'' for "]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2013&idGameAwardType=129 |title=2013 Awards Category Details Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year |publisher=] |website=interactive.org |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> ''Minecraft Console Edition'' won the award for TIGA Game Of The Year in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/07/minecraft-forza-horizon-2-tiga-awards/ |title=Minecraft console takes out TIGA game of the year award |date=7 November 2014 |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |website=VG247 |access-date=14 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226083405/http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/07/minecraft-forza-horizon-2-tiga-awards/ |archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> In 2015, the game placed 6th on '']''{{'s}} The 15 Best Games Since 2000 list.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Mike |title=The 15 Best Games Since 2000, Number 6: Minecraft |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-6-minecraft |website=USgamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=4 August 2015 |date=3 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804142519/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-6-minecraft |archive-date=4 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, ''Minecraft'' placed 6th on ]'s The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Video Games of All Time |url=https://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/ |magazine=] |access-date=19 September 2016 |date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826010703/http://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/ |archive-date=26 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft'' was nominated for the ] for ], but lost to '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Amy |date=24 March 2013 |title=Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2013: Winners in full |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a468014/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2013-winners-in-full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817213139/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a468014/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2013-winners-in-full/ |archive-date=17 August 2020 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=]}}</ref> It was nominated for the ] for ], but lost to '']''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards: The Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/kids-choice-awards-2014-winners-692089/ |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=] |date=29 March 2014 |first1=Aaron |last1=Couch |first2=Arlene |last2=Washington |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401021126/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/kids-choice-awards-2014-winners-692089/ |archive-date=1 April 2022 }}</ref> The game later won the award for the Most Addicting Game at the ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2015 |title=Full List: Winners, 2015 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/88278-nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2015-winners-full-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510221835/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/88278-nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2015-winners-full-list/ |archive-date=10 May 2022 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=]}}</ref> In addition, the ''Java Edition'' was nominated for "Favorite Video Game" at the ],<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2018 |title=Kids' Choice Awards: Complete List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/kids-choice-awards-complete-list-winners-2018-1089562 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513082453/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/kids-choice-awards-complete-list-winners-2018-1089562 |archive-date=13 May 2018 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=]}}</ref> while the game itself won the "Still Playing" award at the ],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/Golden-Joystick-awards-2019-winners/ |title=Here's every winner from this year's Golden Joystick Awards, including the Ultimate Game of the Year |date=15 November 2019 |website=] |access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref> as well as the "Favorite Video Game" award at the ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gennis |first=Sadie |date=3 May 2020 |title=Kids Choice Awards 2020: Full Winners List |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/kids-choice-awards-2020-full-winners-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221133810/https://www.tvguide.com/news/kids-choice-awards-2020-full-winners-list/ |archive-date=21 February 2021 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=]}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' also won "Stream Game of the Year" at inaugural ] in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gamerant.com/the-streamer-awards-full-winners-list/ |title=The Streamer Awards Full Winners List |access-date=21 March 2022 |publisher=GameRant |date=13 March 2022}}</ref> The game later garnered a ] nomination for Favorite Video Game in ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=13 March 2021 |title=2021 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314025743/https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |archive-date=14 March 2021 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=]}}</ref> and won the same category in ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=9 April 2022 |title=Kids' Choice Awards: ''Spider-Man: No Way Home'' Wins Big; Dr. Jill Biden Speaks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-2022-winners-list-1235127819/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427034819/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-2022-winners-list-1235127819/ |archive-date=27 April 2022 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=4 March 2023 |title=''Wednesday'', ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'', Taylor Swift, Harry Styles Among Winners at 2023 Kids' Choice Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-winners-jenna-ortega-taylor-swift-harry-styles-1235341096/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305024337/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-winners-jenna-ortega-taylor-swift-harry-styles-1235341096/ |archive-date=5 March 2023 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
== Popular culture and social media== <!-- Section is linked from ] --> | |||
{{See also|Category:Minecraft clones}} | |||
=== Controversies === | |||
Social media sites such as ], ], and ] played a significant role in popularizing ''Minecraft''.<ref name="Social media">{{cite web | url=http://mashable.com/2010/10/01/minecraft-social-media/ | title=Minecraft: How Social Media Spawned a Gaming Sensation | work=]|publisher=Mashable Inc. | date=October 1, 2010 | accessdate=December 28, 2012 | last=Silverman|first=Matt}}</ref> Research conducted by the ]'s ] showed that one-third of ''Minecraft'' players learned about the game via Internet videos.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/mining-data-from-minecraft-6331569 | title=Mining data from Minecraft | publisher=] | work=] | date=August 28, 2011 | accessdate=December 28, 2012 | last=Tong|first=Sophia}}</ref> In 2010, ''Minecraft''-related videos began to gain popularity on YouTube, often made by commentators. The videos often contain screen-capture footage of the game and voice-overs.<ref name=salon>{{cite web|title=Inside the geeky, revolutionary world of "Minecraft" |url=http://www.salon.com/2011/12/06/inside_the_geeky_revolutionary_world_of_minecraft/singleton/ |work=]|publisher=Salon Media Group|accessdate=May 25, 2012|first=Rob|last= Spillman|date= December 6, 2011}}</ref> Common coverage in the videos includes creations made by players, ] of various tasks, and parodies of works in popular culture. By May 2012, over 4 million ''Minecraft''-related YouTube videos were uploaded.<ref name="Merchandise sales" /> Some of the popular commentators have received employment at ], a gaming video company that owns the most-viewed entertainment channel on YouTube.<ref name=salon/> ] is a British organisation that regularly produces ''Minecraft'' videos; their YouTube channel has attained millions of views, and their panel at MineCon 2011 had the highest attendance.<ref name=salon/><ref name="bbc tycoons">{{cite web|title=The TV tycoons you may have missed|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18768443|work=]|publisher=BBC|accessdate=July 10, 2012|first=Rory|last=Cellan-Jones|date=July 10, 2012}}</ref> Other famous YouTube personnel include ], who has created many ''Minecraft'' ], including "Minecraft Style", a parody of the international hit single "]".<ref name="Minecraft Style">{{cite web | url=http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/dig-minecraft-style-gangnam-style-parody-1C6601764 | title=Dig this 'Minecraft'-style 'Gangnam Style' parody | work=]|publisher=] | date=October 23, 2012 | accessdate=December 9, 2012 | last=Benedetti|first=Winda}}</ref> In 2012 Mojang received offers from Hollywood producers who want to produce ''Minecraft''-related TV shows; however, Mojang stated that they would engage in such projects when "the right idea comes along."<ref name="Merchandise sales" /> A documentary about the development of Mojang and ''Minecraft'' was released in December 2012. Titled '']'', the film was produced by ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://kotaku.com/5970346/minecraft-the-story-of-mojang-the-kotaku-review | title=Minecraft: The Story of Mojang: The Kotaku Review | work=]|publisher=] | date=December 21, 2012 | accessdate=January 3, 2013 | last=Hawkins|first=Matt}}</ref> | |||
==== 2014 EULA changes ==== | |||
''Minecraft'' has been referenced by other video games, such as '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dean|first=Paul|title=Creeping up on you: The best Minecraft references in video games|url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/creeping-you-best-minecraft-references-video-games|work=PCGamesN|publisher=Network N|accessdate=November 4, 2012}}</ref> It was also referenced by musician ] in his performances.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Sam|title=Deadmau5 References Minecraft in New Show|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/11/deadmau5-references-minecraft-in-new-show|work=]|accessdate=November 4, 2012}}</ref> After the release of ''Minecraft'', some video games were released with various similarities with ''Minecraft'', and some have been called "]" of the game. There have been a few ''Minecraft''-like and ''Minecraft''-inspired games across various gaming platforms since the game became popular. Examples include '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|title=Living under a blocky shadow: the world of Minecraft clones|url=http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/07/living-under-a-blocky-shadow-the-world-of-minecraft-clones/|work=]|accessdate=October 17, 2012}}</ref> | |||
Microsoft and Mojang announced in June 2014 that it would be changing the ''Minecraft'' ] (EULA) to prohibit servers from accepting donations or payments in exchange for the donating or paying players receiving in-game advantages on such server, essentially banning "]" servers. Mojang spokesperson Owen Hill provided examples of what it would and would not allow, saying company would allow for pay-to-play servers in which a player is required to pay a fee to access the server, or for cosmetic enhancements (such as in-game costumes or pets), but that Mojang would be cracking down on paying to obtain powerful swords or potions (providing a competitive advantage to the player versus other players). The new crackdowns were supported by Persson, citing him receiving multiple emails from parents of children who had spent hundreds of dollars on servers. The ''Minecraft'' community and server owners, however, heavily despised the new change in enforcement and protested en masse, which included comparing Mojang to monolithic video game publishers like ] and ], gaming companies often criticized online for their highly restrictive digital rights management and user license agreements. Many argued that the crackdown would force smaller servers to close their doors, and some blamed the crackdown on Mojang attempting to suppress competition for its own ''Minecraft Realms'' subscription service.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2014 |title=Minecraft: how a change to the rules is tearing the community apart |website=] |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |access-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715224605/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |archive-date=15 July 2022}}</ref> | |||
==== Account migration ==== | |||
== Applications == | |||
In 2020, Mojang Studios revealed that it would begin the process of requiring that ]s be used in order to log into the ''Java Edition'' of the game, and that older Mojang Studios accounts would be sunsetted. The move to Microsoft accounts also required ''Java Edition'' players to create ] Gamertags. Mojang Studios defended the move to Microsoft accounts by saying that improved security could be offered, which included Java accounts being able to use ], players could block cyberbullies in chat, and improve parental controls. The community responded with intense backlash against this announcement, particularly taking issue to the various technical difficulties encountered in the process and how account migration would be mandatory, even for those who do not play on servers. As of 10 March 2022, Microsoft required that all players migrate in order to access the ''Java Edition'' of ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coles |first=Jason |date=14 March 2022 |title=Microsoft's Minecraft migration meets a mixed response |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/account-migration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715032422/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/account-migration |archive-date=15 July 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rich |first=Rob |date=10 February 2022 |title=Microsoft Gives Minecraft: Java Edition Players A Deadline To Migrate Accounts |url=https://www.slashgear.com/764466/microsoft-gives-minecraft-java-edition-players-a-deadline-to-migrate-accounts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715032421/https://www.slashgear.com/764466/microsoft-gives-minecraft-java-edition-players-a-deadline-to-migrate-accounts/ |archive-date=15 July 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=SlashGear }}</ref> A deadline of 19 September 2023 was announced to complete account migration, after which all legacy Mojang accounts became inaccessible and unable to be migrated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mojang Account migration completed |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/account-migration-last-call |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919182110/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/account-migration-last-call |archive-date=19 September 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> | |||
The possible applications of ''Minecraft'' have been discussed extensively, especially in the fields of ] and ]. In a panel at MineCon 2011, a Swedish developer discussed the possibility of using the game to redesign public buildings and parks, stating that rendering using ''Minecraft'' was much more user-friendly for the community, making it easier to envision the functionality of new buildings and parks.<ref name=salon/> In 2012, a member of the ] group at the ], Cody Sumter, said that “Notch hasn't just built a game. He's tricked 40 million people into learning to use a ].” Various software has been developed to allow ] using professional ] or personal printers such as ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Cheshire|first=Tom|title=Want to learn computer-aided design (CAD)? Play Minecraft|url=http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/11/play/minecrafted|work=]|accessdate=November 23, 2012|date=November 22, 2012}}</ref> | |||
{{Anchor|saveminecraft}} | |||
==== ''Java Edition'' chat reporting ==== | |||
In June 2022, Microsoft and Mojang Studios announced it would be releasing a player reporting feature in all future builds of ''Java Edition''. In earlier development builds, players could report other players on multiplayer servers for sending messages that are prohibited by the Xbox Live Code of Conduct; report categories included profane language, substance abuse, hate speech, threats of violence, and nudity, though Microsoft in later builds has since excluded the profane language category from the player reporting feature. If a player was found to be in violation of Xbox Community Standards, the player would be banned from all servers for a specific period of time or permanently. The update containing the report feature (1.19.1) was released on 27 July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedberg |first=Mikael |date=27 July 2022 |title=Minecraft Java Edition 1.19.1 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901221701/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |work=Minecraft |publisher=Mojang Studios}}</ref> | |||
Microsoft and Mojang Studios received substantial backlash and protest from community members, one of the most common complaints being that banned players would be forbidden from joining any server, even private ones. Others took issue to what they saw as Microsoft increasing control over its player base and exercising censorship,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=24 June 2022 |title=Microsoft will start banning players from all private Minecraft servers |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/microsoft-will-start-banning-players-from-all-private-minecraft-servers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808125630/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/microsoft-will-start-banning-players-from-all-private-minecraft-servers/ |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellingham |first=Hope |date=23 June 2022 |title=The new Minecraft update can totally ban you from all online play |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-1191-pre-release/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917084703/https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-1191-pre-release/ |archive-date=17 September 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quick |first=Will |date=22 June 2022 |title=Online Minecraft Bans Will Be Able To Block You From Private Servers |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/online-minecraft-bans-now-block-you-from-personal-servers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731111427/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/online-minecraft-bans-now-block-you-from-personal-servers |archive-date=31 July 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=TechRaptor}}</ref> leading some to dub the version "1.19.84", in reference to the novel '']'', which deals with similar themes of censorship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gronich |first=Sara |title='Minecraft' Players Say '1984' Patch Turns Game Into Totalitarian Dystopia |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy777m/minecraft-players-say-1984-patch-turns-game-into-totalitarian-dystopia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813043857/https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy777m/minecraft-players-say-1984-patch-turns-game-into-totalitarian-dystopia |archive-date=13 August 2022 |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=] |date=August 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Save Minecraft" Trends on Twitter as Fans Protest Controversial Update |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/minecraft-update-1-19-save-twitter/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920035357/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/minecraft-update-1-19-save-twitter/ |archive-date=20 September 2022 |access-date=30 August 2022 |website=GAMING |date=28 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
In September 2012, Mojang began the ''Block By Block'' project in cooperation with ] to create real-world environments in ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eördögh|first=Fruzsina|title=Minecraft Partners With United Nations For Urban Planning|url=http://readwrite.com/2012/09/06/minecraft-partners-with-united-nations-for-urban-planning|work=]|publisher=]|accessdate=November 21, 2012|date=September 6, 2012}}</ref> The project allows young people who live in those environments to participate in designing the changes they would like to see. Using ''Minecraft'', the community has helped reconstruct the areas of concern, and citizens are invited to enter the ''Minecraft'' servers and modify their own neighborhood. Carl Manneh, Mojang's managing director, called the game "the perfect tool to facilitate this process," adding that “the three-year partnership will support UN-Habitat’s ] to upgrade 300 public spaces by 2016.” Mojang signed ''Minecraft'' building community, ''FyreUK'', to help render the environments into ''Minecraft''. The first pilot project began in ], one of ]’s informal settlements, and is in the planning phase. The ''Block By Block'' project is based on an earlier initiative started in October 2011, ''Mina Kvarter'' (My Block), which gave young people in Swedish communities a tool to visualize how they wanted to change their part of town. According to Manneh, the project was a helpful way to visualize urban planning ideas without necessarily having a training in architecture. The ideas presented by the citizens were a template for political decisions.<ref name="blockbyblock">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/05/minecraft-un-block-by-block-project-to-help-young-people-redesign-their-neighbourhoods/ | title=Minecraft UN Block By Block project to help young people redesign their neighbourhoods |work=]|publisher=] | date=September 5, 2012 | accessdate=September 5, 2012 | first=Tom|last= Senior}}</ref> | |||
==== Mob Vote ==== | |||
''Minecraft'' has also been used in educational settings.<ref name="Education">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids-6400549/ | title=Minecraft In Education: How Video Games Are Teaching Kids | publisher=] | work=] | date=November 25, 2012 | accessdate=December 9, 2012 | last=Walton|first=Mark}}</ref> In 2011, an educational organization named MinecraftEdu was formed with the goal of introducing the ''Minecraft'' into schools. The group works with Mojang to make the game affordable and accessible to schools. In September 2012, MinecraftEdu said that approximately 250,000 students around the world have access to ''Minecraft'' through the company.<ref name="MCEdu"/> A wide variety of educational activities involving the game have been developed to teach students various subjects, including history, language arts and science. For an example, one teacher built a world consisting of various historical landmarks for students to learn and explore.<ref name="MCEdu">{{cite web | url=http://techland.time.com/2012/09/21/minecraftedu-teaches-students-through-virtual-world-building/ | title=MinecraftEdu Teaches Students Through Virtual World-Building | work=] | date=September 21, 2012 | accessdate=December 9, 2012 | last=Waxman|first=Olivia}}</ref> | |||
The "Mob Vote" was an online event organized by Mojang in which the ''Minecraft'' community voted between three original mob concepts; the winning mob was officially implemented in a future update, while the losing mobs were scrapped, though elements of them would sometimes return in later updates as separate features. The first Mob Vote was held during ] and became an annual event starting with ]. The Mob Vote was often criticized for forcing players to choose one mob instead of implementing all three, causing divisions and ] within the community, and potentially allowing ]s and ''Minecraft'' content creators with large fanbases to conduct ].<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=10 October 2023 |title=Minecraft players go full propaganda mode as petition demanding the end of the 'mob vote' draws 300,000 signatures in just a few days |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-players-go-full-propaganda-mode-as-petition-demanding-the-end-of-the-mob-vote-draws-300000-signatures-in-just-a-few-days/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Currier |first=Sarah |title=After a proposed boycott, Minecraft mob vote faces more controversy in wake of rigging accusations |url=https://iowastatedaily.com/283322/limelight/after-a-proposed-boycott-minecraft-mob-vote-faces-even-more-controversy-in-wake-of-rigging-accusations-iowa-state-university-sarah-currier/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=Iowa State Daily}}</ref> The Mob Vote was also blamed for a perceived lack of new content added to ''Minecraft'' since Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang in 2014.<ref name=":7" /> | |||
The 2023 Mob Vote featured three passive mobs—the crab, the penguin, and the armadillo—with voting scheduled to start on 13 October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sophie |first=Austine |date=13 September 2023 |title=MINECRAFT LIVE IS BACK |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-live-2023-announcement |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Martin |date=8 October 2023 |title=Minecraft's 2023 Mob Vote Explained |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-2023-mob-vote-explained/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
In response, a ] petition was created on 6 October, demanding that Mojang eliminate the Mob Vote and instead implement all three mobs going forward. The petition received approximately 445,000 signatures by 13 October<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Savannah |date=17 October 2023 |title=Minecraft players boycott the Mob Vote |url=https://umlconnector.com/2023/10/minecraft-players-boycott-the-mob-vote/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=The UMass Lowell Connector |language=en-US}}</ref> and was joined by calls to ] the Mob Vote, as well as a partially-tongue-in-cheek "revolutionary" ] campaign in which sympathizers created anti-Mojang and pro-boycott posters in the vein of real 20th century propaganda posters.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Cooper |date=9 October 2023 |title=Petition to End the Minecraft Mob Vote is Blowing Up |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-mob-vote-2023-petition-boycott/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=Game Rant}}</ref> Mojang did not release an official response to the boycott and the Mob Vote otherwise proceeded normally, with the armadillo winning the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Austin |first=Sophie |date=15 October 2023 |title=Minecraft Live 2023: The Recap! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-live-2023--the-recap- |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> In September 2024, as part of a blog post detailing their future plans for ''Minecraft''<nowiki/>'s development, Mojang announced the Mob Vote would be retired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Ryan |date=9 September 2024 |title=The future of Minecraft's development |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-future-of-minecrafts-development |access-date=9 September 2024 |website=Minecraft}}</ref> | |||
{{Portal|Sweden|Video games}} | |||
* ], a Java library used by ''Minecraft''. | |||
* '']'', a 2D ]/] made by ]. | |||
{{-}} | |||
{{anchor|Popular culture and social media}} | |||
== Footnotes == | |||
== Cultural impact == | |||
{{Reflist|group=nb}} | |||
In September 2019, '']'' classified ''Minecraft'' as the best video game of the 21st century to date,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/sep/19/50-best-video-games-of-the-21st-century |title=The 50 best video games of the 21st century |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |last2=MacDonald |first2=Keza |date=19 September 2019 |work=] |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref> and in November 2019 | |||
'']'' called the game the "most important game of the decade" in its 2010s "decade in review".<ref>{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Charlie |url=https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/11/7/20952214/minecraft-most-important-game-of-the-decade-2010 |title=Why Minecraft is the most important game of the decade |date=7 November 2019 |work=Polygon |access-date=9 November 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109012513/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/11/7/20952214/minecraft-most-important-game-of-the-decade-2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 2019, '']'' gave ''Minecraft'' a special mention in a list of the best video games of the 2010s, stating that the game is "without a doubt one of the most important games of the last ten years."<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2020/12/31/the-best---and-most-important---video-games-of-the-decade-20102019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101040036/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2020/12/31/the-best---and-most-important---video-games-of-the-decade-20102019/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 January 2020 |title=The Best — And Most Important — Video Games Of The Decade |last=Kain |first=Erikmine |date=31 December 2019 |work=] |access-date=2 January 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, ''Minecraft'' was inducted into the ].<ref name=":6">{{cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-inducted-into-the-world-video-game-hall-of-fame/ |title=Minecraft inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame |first=Malindy |last=Hetfeld |work=PC Gamer |date=19 June 2020 |access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft'' is recognized as one of the first successful games to use an ] model to draw in sales prior to its full release version to help fund development.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33961/Minecraft_Draws_Over_33_Million_In_Revenue_From_18M_Paying_Customers.php |title=Minecraft Draws Over $33 Million In Revenue From 1.8M Paying Customers |publisher=] |date=6 April 2011 |access-date=16 October 2013 |first=Kyle |last=Orland}}</ref> As ''Minecraft'' helped to bolster indie game development in the early 2010s, it also helped to popularize the use of the early access model in indie game development.<ref name="gamasutra">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/40103/Design_success_means_knowing_what_to_do_with_feedback.php |title=Design success means knowing what to do with feedback |publisher=] |date=6 February 2012 |access-date=16 October 2013 |first=Soren |last=Johnson}}</ref> | |||
] (known professionally as "CaptainSparklez") is known for his musical ''Minecraft'' parodies of popular songs.]] | |||
Social media sites such as ], ], and ] have played a significant role in popularizing ''Minecraft''.<ref name="Social media">{{cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2010/10/01/minecraft-social-media/ |title=Minecraft: How Social Media Spawned a Gaming Sensation |website=] |publisher=Mashable Inc. |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |last=Silverman |first=Matt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230080505/http://mashable.com/2010/10/01/minecraft-social-media/ |archive-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> Research conducted by the ]'s ] showed that one-third of ''Minecraft'' players learned about the game via Internet videos.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mining-data-from-minecraft/1100-6331569/ |title=Mining data from Minecraft |publisher=] |website=] |date=28 August 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |last=Tong |first=Sophia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204023302/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mining-data-from-minecraft/1100-6331569/ |archive-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> In 2010, ''Minecraft''-related videos began to gain influence on YouTube, often made by commentators. The videos usually contain screen-capture footage of the game and voice-overs.<ref name="salon">{{cite web |title=Inside the geeky, revolutionary world of "Minecraft" |url=http://www.salon.com/2011/12/06/inside_the_geeky_revolutionary_world_of_minecraft/singleton/ |website=] |publisher=Salon Media Group |first=Rob |last=Spillman |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=23 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117145332/http://www.salon.com/2011/12/06/inside_the_geeky_revolutionary_world_of_minecraft/singleton/ |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> Common coverage in the videos includes creations made by players, ] of various tasks, and ] of works in popular culture. By May 2012, over four million ''Minecraft''-related YouTube videos had been uploaded.<ref name="Merchandise sales">{{cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=24 March 2012 |title=Minecraft hits $80M in sales with over 5M paid downloads |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/24/minecraft-hits-80m-in-sales-with-over-5m-paid-downloads/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326175441/http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/24/minecraft-hits-80m-in-sales-with-over-5m-paid-downloads/ |archive-date=26 March 2012 |access-date=11 November 2012 |website=]}}</ref> The game would go on to be a prominent fixture within YouTube's gaming scene during the entire 2010s; in 2014, it was the second-most searched term on the entire platform.<ref name="Alexander2019" /> By 2018, it was still YouTube's biggest game globally.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/18/17873772/youtube-biggest-top-game-minecraft-fortnite |title=Fortnite is not the biggest game on YouTube this year |work=] |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref> | |||
Some popular commentators have received employment at ], a now-defunct gaming video company that owned a highly watched entertainment channel on YouTube.<ref name="salon" /> ] is a British company that regularly produces ''Minecraft'' videos; their YouTube channel has attained billions of views, and their panel at ] had the highest attendance.<ref name="salon" /><ref name="bbc tycoons">{{cite news |title=The TV tycoons you may have missed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18768443 |access-date=10 July 2012 |first=Rory |last=Cellan-Jones |date=10 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805071240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18768443 |archive-date=5 August 2012 |work=]}}</ref> Another well-known YouTube personality is ], known online as Captain Sparklez, who has also created many ''Minecraft'' music parodies, including "Revenge", a parody of ] "]". ''Minecraft''{{'}}s popularity on YouTube was described by '']'' as quietly dominant, although in 2019, thanks in part to ]'s playthroughs of the game, ''Minecraft'' experienced a visible uptick in popularity on the platform.<ref name="Alexander2019">{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/7/20756845/minecraft-pewdiepie-youtube-resurgence-trend-creators-monetization |title=Minecraft's recent surge on YouTube proves that the 'PewDiePie Effect' is still real |work=] |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="Hernandez2019">{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/1/20727946/minecraft-youtube-popularity-memes-pewdiepie-grandayy-keemstar-minecraft-monday |title=Minecraft is having a big comeback in 2019 |work=] |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref> YouTube later announced that on 14 December 2021 that the total amount of ''Minecraft''-related views on the website have exceeded one trillion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/minecraft-crosses-1-trillion-views-on-youtube-most-popular-game-ever-on-platform/ |title=Minecraft crosses 1 trillion views on YouTube, most popular game ever on platform |first=Ian |last=Sherr |date=14 December 2021 |access-date=14 December 2021 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
''Minecraft'' has been referenced by other video games, such as '']'', '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Fortress 2 |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4130 |access-date=23 October 2022 |website=www.teamfortress.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2011 |title=Only One Man In The World Owns TF2's "Top Notch" Hat |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/only-one-man-in-the-world-owns-tf2s-top-notch-hat/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201020420/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/only-one-man-in-the-world-owns-tf2s-top-notch-hat/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2011 |access-date=23 October 2022 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Dean |first=Paul |title=Creeping up on you: The best Minecraft references in video games |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/creeping-you-best-minecraft-references-video-games |website=PCGamesN |date=24 September 2012 |publisher=Network N |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101121747/http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/creeping-you-best-minecraft-references-video-games |archive-date=1 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How The Stanley Parable goes down the rabbit hole of other games |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/81714/the-stanley-parable-creator-says-walkthrough-would-kill-the-magic |website=Shacknews |date=23 October 2013 |access-date=21 September 2017}}</ref> and '']'', the latter of which features a downloadable character and stage based on ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Next DLC Fighters Are Minecraft Characters |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/super-smash-bros-ultimates-next-dlc-fighter-is-minecrafts-steve |first=Joe |last=Skrebels |date=1 October 2020 |access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> It was also referenced by electronic music artist ] in his performances.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |title=Deadmau5 References Minecraft in New Show |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/11/deadmau5-references-minecraft-in-new-show |website=] |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110181644/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/11/deadmau5-references-minecraft-in-new-show |archive-date=10 November 2012 |date=11 August 2011}}</ref> The game is also referenced heavily in "]", the second episode of the ] of the animated television series '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |url=http://kotaku.com/this-weeks-south-park-is-all-about-minecraft-1427305010 |title=This Week's South Park Is All About ''Minecraft'' |date=30 September 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |website=Kotaku |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930203114/http://kotaku.com/this-weeks-south-park-is-all-about-minecraft-1427305010 |archive-date=30 September 2013}}</ref> | |||
=== Applications === | |||
The possible applications of ''Minecraft'' have been discussed extensively, especially in the fields of ] (CAD) and education. In a panel at Minecon 2011, a Swedish developer discussed the possibility of using the game to redesign public buildings and parks, stating that rendering using ''Minecraft'' was much more user-friendly for the community, making it easier to envision the functionality of new buildings and parks.<ref name=salon /> In 2012, a member of the ] group at the ], Cody Sumter, said: "Notch hasn't just built a game. He's tricked 40 million people into learning to use a CAD program." Various software has been developed to allow virtual designs to be printed using professional ] or personal printers such as ] and ].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cheshire |first=Tom |title=Want to learn computer-aided design (CAD)? Play Minecraft |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/11/play/minecrafted |magazine=] |access-date=23 November 2012 |date=22 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127171214/http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/11/play/minecrafted |archive-date=27 November 2012}}</ref> | |||
In September 2012, Mojang began the '']'' project in cooperation with ] to create real-world environments in ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Eördögh |first=Fruzsina |title=Minecraft Partners With United Nations For Urban Planning |url=http://readwrite.com/2012/09/06/minecraft-partners-with-united-nations-for-urban-planning |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=21 November 2012 |date=6 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124095401/http://readwrite.com/2012/09/06/minecraft-partners-with-united-nations-for-urban-planning |archive-date=24 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About Block By Block |url=https://www.blockbyblock.org/about |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915002207/https://www.blockbyblock.org/about |archive-date=15 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022 |website=Block by Block}}</ref> The project allows young people who live in those environments to participate in designing the changes they would like to see. Using ''Minecraft'', the community has helped reconstruct the areas of concern, and citizens are invited to enter the ''Minecraft'' servers and modify their own neighborhood. Carl Manneh, Mojang's managing director, called the game "the perfect tool to facilitate this process", adding "The three-year partnership will support UN-Habitat's Sustainable Urban Development Network to upgrade 300 public spaces by 2016." Mojang signed ''Minecraft'' building community, ''FyreUK'', to help render the environments into ''Minecraft''. The first pilot project began in ], one of ]'s informal settlements and is in the planning phase. The ''Block by Block'' project is based on an earlier initiative started in October 2011, ''Mina Kvarter'' (My Block), which gave young people in Swedish communities a tool to visualize how they wanted to change their part of town. According to Manneh, the project was a helpful way to visualize urban planning ideas without necessarily having a training in architecture. The ideas presented by the citizens were a template for political decisions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Block by Block Playbook: Using Minecraft as a participatory design tool in urban design and governance {{!}} UN-Habitat |url=https://unhabitat.org/the-block-by-block-playbook-using-minecraft-as-a-participatory-design-tool-in-urban-design-and |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915003142/https://unhabitat.org/the-block-by-block-playbook-using-minecraft-as-a-participatory-design-tool-in-urban-design-and |archive-date=15 September 2022 |access-date=14 September 2022 |website=unhabitat.org}}</ref><ref name="blockbyblock">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/05/minecraft-un-block-by-block-project-to-help-young-people-redesign-their-neighbourhoods/ |title=Minecraft UN Block By Block project to help young people redesign their neighbourhoods |magazine=] |publisher=] |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=5 September 2012 |first=Tom |last=Senior |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907235734/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/05/minecraft-un-block-by-block-project-to-help-young-people-redesign-their-neighbourhoods/ |archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref> | |||
] | |||
In April 2014, the ] generated all of Denmark in fullscale in ''Minecraft'' based on their own ].<ref name="DenmarkInMinecraft">{{cite press release |url=http://gst.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2014/apr/geodatastyrelsen-giver-de-unge-hele-danmark-i-3d/ |title=Geodatastyrelsen giver de unge hele Danmark i 3D |trans-title=The Geodata Agency gives the youth whole Denmark in 3D |publisher=The Danish Geodata Agency |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=25 April 2014 |language=da |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426235902/http://gst.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2014/apr/geodatastyrelsen-giver-de-unge-hele-danmark-i-3d/ |archive-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> This is possible because Denmark is ] with the highest point at 171 meters (ranking as the country with the 30th smallest elevation span), where the limit in default Minecraft was around 192 meters above in-game sea level when the project was completed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-guide-how-find-and-mine-diamond-gold-and-other-rare-ores |title=Minecraft for beginners: How to find diamond, gold, and other rare ores in |last=Boddy |first=Zachary |date=4 January 2020 |website=Windows Central |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-cheats/ |title=Minecraft commands and cheats: all the console commands you need for crafty success |last=Wilson |first=Iain |date=23 March 2020 |website=GamesRadar |language=en |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> | |||
Taking advantage of the game's accessibility where other websites are censored, the non-governmental organization ] has used an open ''Minecraft'' server to create ], a repository within the game of journalism by authors from countries (including Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam) who have been censored and arrested, such as ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-03-13-reporters-without-borders-builds-censorship-free-zone-in-minecraft |title=Reporters Without Borders builds censorship-free zone in Minecraft |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=14 March 2020 |newspaper=]}}</ref> The neoclassical virtual building was created over about 250 hours by an international team of 24 people.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Gerken |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51883247 |title=Minecraft 'loophole' library of banned journalism |work=BBC News |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref> | |||
Despite its unpredictable nature, ''Minecraft'' has become a popular game for ], where players time themselves from being dropped into a new world to reaching The End and defeating the Ender Dragon boss. Some speedrunners use a combination of mods, external programs, and debug menus, while other runners play the game in a more vanilla or more consistency-oriented way.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maillot |first=Anastasia |date=27 March 2021 |title=Minecraft: How To See The Debug Screen (And What It's Useful For) |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-debug-screen-keybinds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615150253/https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-debug-screen-keybinds/ |archive-date=15 June 2022 |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=The Gamer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/speedrun-world-record |title=A glimpse into the unpredictable world of Minecraft speedrunning |first=Jack |last=Yarwood |date=12 September 2020 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
==== Education ==== | |||
] | |||
''Minecraft'' has also been used in educational settings.<ref name="Education">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ |title=Minecraft In Education: How Video Games Are Teaching Kids |publisher=] |website=] |date=25 November 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012 |last=Walton |first=Mark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010082122/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ |archive-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> In 2011, an educational organization named MinecraftEdu was formed with the goal of introducing ''Minecraft'' into schools. The group works with Mojang to make the game affordable and accessible to schools. The version of ''Minecraft'' through MinecraftEdu includes unique features to allow teachers to monitor the students' progress within the virtual world, such as receiving screenshots from students to show completion of a lesson.<ref name="pcgamer edu 2019" /> In September 2012, MinecraftEdu said that approximately 250,000 students around the world have access to ''Minecraft'' through the company.<ref name="MCEdu" /> A wide variety of educational activities involving the game have been developed to teach students various subjects, including history, language arts and science. For an example, one teacher built a world consisting of various historical landmarks for students to learn and explore.<ref name="MCEdu">{{cite magazine |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/09/21/minecraftedu-teaches-students-through-virtual-world-building/ |title=MinecraftEdu Teaches Students Through Virtual World-Building |magazine=] |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012 |last=Waxman |first=Olivia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023101431/http://techland.time.com/2012/09/21/minecraftedu-teaches-students-through-virtual-world-building/ |archive-date=23 October 2012}}</ref> Another teacher created a large-scale representation of an animal ] within ''Minecraft'' that student could explore and learn how cell functions work.<ref name="pcgamer edu 2019">{{cite web |last=MacGregor |first=Jody |date=22 August 2019 |title=How teachers are using Minecraft in the classroom |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-teachers-are-using-minecraft-in-the-classroom/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706043232/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-teachers-are-using-minecraft-in-the-classroom/ |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=22 August 2014 |work=]}}</ref> ] has been recreated in ''Minecraft'', and it proposed that patients can use it to virtually explore the hospital before they visit it in real life.<ref>{{cite news |title=GOSH looks to DRIVE healthcare technology forward |url=https://www.digitalhealth.net/2018/10/gosh-drive-healthcare-technology/ |access-date=11 October 2018 |publisher=Digital Health |date=11 October 2018}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' may also prove as an innovation in computer-aided design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connell |first1=Kim |title=Minecraft Architecture: What Architects Can Learn From a Video Game |url=https://www.autodesk.com/redshift/minecraft-architecture |website=RedShift |date=2 February 2016 |access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' offers an outlet of collaboration in design and could have an impact on the industry.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=French |last2=Stone |last3=Nysetvold |last4=Hepworth |last5=Red |first1=David |first2=Brett |first3=Thomas |first4=Ammon |first5=Edward |title=Collaborative Design Principles From Minecraft With Applications to Multi-User CAD." Volume 1A: Codes and Standards |url=https://proceedings.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=2090490 |website=asmedigitalcollection |date=13 January 2015 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/DETC2014-35279 |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref> | |||
With the introduction of redstone blocks to represent electrical circuits, users have been able to build functional virtual computers within ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5650027/man-builds-computer-inside-computer-game |title=Man Builds Computer Inside Computer Game |first=Mike |last=Fahey |date=28 September 2016 |access-date=6 December 2016 |website=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220075116/http://kotaku.com/5650027/man-builds-computer-inside-computer-game |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> Such virtual creations include a working ],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/man-builds-working-hard-drive-inside-minecraft/ |title=Man Builds Working Hard Drive Inside Minecraft |first=Klint |last=Finley |date=21 August 2014 |access-date=6 December 2016 |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220084221/https://www.wired.com/2014/08/man-builds-working-hard-drive-inside-minecraft/ |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> an 8-bit virtual computer,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boingboing.net/2010/11/12/working-8-bit-cpu-in.html |title=Working 8-bit CPU in Minecraft |first=Cory |last=Doctorow |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=6 December 2016 |website=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220120358/http://boingboing.net/2010/11/12/working-8-bit-cpu-in.html |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> and even a smaller-scale version of ''Minecraft'' that is playable and able to be built completely in survival mode with no external modifications.<ref>{{Citation |title=I made Minecraft in Minecraft with redstone! | date=6 September 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BP7DhHTU-I |language=en |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref> In at least one instance, a mod has been created to use this feature to teach younger players how to program within a language set by a virtual computer within a ''Minecraft'' world.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/learntomod/ |title=New Minecraft Mod Teaches You Code as You Play |first=Klint |last=Finley |date=18 August 2014 |access-date=3 October 2016 |magazine=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005104234/https://www.wired.com/2014/08/learntomod/ |archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref> | |||
Another computational mechanic in ''Minecraft'' is the command block, a block that is only accessible in creative mode and can alter game logic. Examples of creations made using command blocks include an emulator for the ]<ref>{{Citation |title=Atari 2600 Emulator in Minecraft | date=6 December 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nViIUfDMJg |language=en |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=1fps Atari 2600 Emulator in Vanilla Minecraft 1.13 | date=26 January 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7T5_xH24M |language=en |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref> and a reimplementation of '']''.<ref>{{Citation |title=Pokémon Red INSIDE Minecraft — An Interview with the Creator, "Mr. Squishy'" | date=30 March 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-U96W89Z90 |language=en |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref> | |||
In September 2014, the ] in London announced plans to recreate its building along with all exhibits in ''Minecraft'' in conjunction with members of the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Museum to be digitally recreated in Minecraft |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29281051 |last1=Miller |first1=Joe |publisher=] |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921232006/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29281051 |archive-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> Microsoft and the non-profit organisation ] had teamed up to offer ''Minecraft''-based games, puzzles, and tutorials aimed to help teach children how to program; by March 2018, Microsoft and Code.org reported that more than 85 million children have used their tutorials.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-hour-of-code |title=Minecraft has taught 85 million young people to code |first=Vic |last=Hood |date=5 March 2018 |access-date=5 March 2018 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
=== Clones === | |||
Following the initial surge in popularity of ''Minecraft'' in 2010, other video games were criticised for having various similarities to ''Minecraft'', and some were described as being "]", often due to a direct inspiration from ''Minecraft'', or a superficial similarity. Examples include '']'', '']'', ''CraftWorld'', '']'', '']'', ''BlockWorld 3D'', ''Total Miner'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |title=Living under a blocky shadow: the world of Minecraft clones |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/07/living-under-a-blocky-shadow-the-world-of-minecraft-clones/ |website=] |access-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203103830/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/07/living-under-a-blocky-shadow-the-world-of-minecraft-clones/ |archive-date=3 December 2012 |date=27 July 2011}}</ref> and '']'' (formerly ''Minetest'').<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Saunders |first=Mike |date=November 2017 |title=Minetest |url=https://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2017/204/Minetest |url-status=live |journal=Linux Magazine |issue=204/2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203071242/https://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2017/204/Minetest |archive-date=3 February 2021 |access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> David Frampton, designer of '']'', reported that one failure of his 2D game was the "low resolution pixel art" that too closely resembled the art in ''Minecraft'', which resulted in "some resistance" from fans.<ref name=FramptonPostMort>{{cite web |author=Frampton, David |title=Postmortem: The Blockheads |date=12 October 2013 |publisher=] |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidFrampton/20131012/202246/Postmortem_The_Blockheads.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124102/http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidFrampton/20131012/202246/Postmortem_The_Blockheads.php |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> A ] adaptation of the alpha version of ''Minecraft'' for the ], titled ''DScraft'', has been released; it has been noted for its similarity to the original game considering the technical limitations of the system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Mark |title=Hands-on with Minecraft for DS, with homebrew version DScraft |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/DScraft+(Minecraft+DS)/news.asp?c=32674 |website=Pocket Gamer |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=20 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321083113/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/DScraft%20%28Minecraft%20DS%29/news.asp?c=32674 |archive-date=21 March 2017}}</ref> In response to Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang and their ''Minecraft'' IP, various developers announced further clone titles developed specifically for Nintendo's consoles, as they were the only major platforms not to officially receive ''Minecraft'' at the time.<ref name="NLcitesMinecraftWiiURumours">{{cite web |first=Damien |last=McFerran |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/12/rumour_minecraft_is_already_in_development_for_wii_u_gamepad_said_to_be_the_focus |title=Rumour: Minecraft Is Already In Development For Wii U, GamePad Said To Be The Focus |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=24 December 2013 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129014900/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/12/rumour_minecraft_is_already_in_development_for_wii_u_gamepad_said_to_be_the_focus |archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> These clone titles include ''UCraft'' (Nexis Games),<ref name="NLcitesUCraft">{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/nexis_games_is_developing_u_craft_a_minecraft_clone_for_the_eshop |title=Nexis Games is Developing U Craft, a Minecraft Clone, for the eShop |publisher=] |date=30 September 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110150412/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/nexis_games_is_developing_u_craft_a_minecraft_clone_for_the_eshop |archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref> '']'' (]),<ref name="NLcitesCLIS">{{cite web |first=Darren |last=Calvert |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/01/cube_life_island_survival_is_another_minecraft-inspired_title_heading_to_the_wii_u_eshop |title=Cube Life: Island Survival is Another Minecraft-Inspired Title Heading to the Wii U eShop |publisher=] |date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119235034/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/01/cube_life_island_survival_is_another_minecraft-inspired_title_heading_to_the_wii_u_eshop |archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref> ''Discovery'' (Noowanda),<ref name="NLcitesDiscovery">{{cite web |first=Darren |last=Calvert |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/12/prepare_to_get_creative_with_minecraft-inspired_game_discovery_coming_to_wii_u_eshop_soon |title=Prepare to Get Creative With Minecraft-Inspired Game Discovery Coming to Wii U eShop Soon |publisher=] |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=9 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410025511/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/12/prepare_to_get_creative_with_minecraft-inspired_game_discovery_coming_to_wii_u_eshop_soon |archive-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> ''Battleminer'' (Wobbly Tooth Games),<ref name="NLcitesBattleminer">{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/battleminer_screens_show_some_familiar_block_building_on_the_way_to_3ds |title=Battleminer Screens Show Some Familiar Block Building On the Way to 3DS |publisher=] |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102094010/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/battleminer_screens_show_some_familiar_block_building_on_the_way_to_3ds |archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> ''Cube Creator 3D'' (Big John Games),<ref name="NLcitesCubeCreator3D">{{cite web |first=Darren |last=Calvert |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/another_minecraft_clone_cube_creator_3d_coming_to_3ds_eshop |title=Another Minecraft Clone, Cube Creator 3D Coming To 3DS eShop |publisher=] |date=31 October 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102141601/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/another_minecraft_clone_cube_creator_3d_coming_to_3ds_eshop |archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> and ''Stone Shire'' (Finger Gun Games).<ref name="NLcitesStoneShire">{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/more_minecraft_mania_looks_set_for_wii_u_with_stone_shire |title=More Minecraft Mania Looks Set for Wii U With Stone Shire |publisher=] |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106014641/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/more_minecraft_mania_looks_set_for_wii_u_with_stone_shire |archive-date=6 November 2014}}</ref> Despite this, the fears of fans were unfounded, with official ''Minecraft'' releases on Nintendo consoles eventually resuming.<ref name="MCV-UK_interview">{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Calvin |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/mojang-s-block-party-what-is-next-for-minecraft/ |title=Mojang's block party – what is next for Minecraft? |publisher=MCV UK |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=11 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712044341/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/mojang-s-block-party-what-is-next-for-minecraft/ |archive-date=12 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="VergecitesMSMonWiiU">{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Webster |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/26/9207085/minecraft-story-mode-telltale-games-interview |title=Giving Minecraft a story |website=] |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827005650/http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/26/9207085/minecraft-story-mode-telltale-games-interview |archive-date=27 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="WiiU">{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=7 December 2015 |title=Minecraft Wii U Confirmed, Coming Very Soon |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-wii-u-confirmed-coming-very-soon/1100-6432876/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207140300/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-wii-u-confirmed-coming-very-soon/1100-6432876/ |archive-date=7 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=] |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
Markus Persson made another similar game, '']'', for a ] competition in 2011.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=19 December 2011 |title=Notch makes Minicraft in 48 hours for Ludum Dare |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/notch-makes-minicraft-in-48-hours-for-ludum-dare/ |access-date=11 August 2020 |magazine=PC Gamer |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025, Persson announced through a poll on his ] account that he was considering developing a ] to ''Minecraft''. He later clarified that he was "100% serious", and that he had "basically announced ]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stubbs |first=Mike |title=Notch Teases Making ‘Minecraft 2’ But Also Wants To Make A Roguelike |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikestubbs/2025/01/04/notch-teases-making-minecraft-2-but-also-wants-to-make-a-roguelike/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2025-01-04 |title=Minecraft creator Notch says that he 'basically announced minecraft 2' with a Twitter poll and a commitment to making a spiritual successor |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/minecraft-creator-notch-says-that-he-basically-announced-minecraft-2-with-a-twitter-poll-and-a-commitment-to-making-a-spiritual-successor/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |work=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Kyle |date=2025-01-04 |title=Minecraft 2 'Basically Announced' By Original Creator, But There's a Catch |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-2-spiritual-successor-announced/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> | |||
{{Main|Oasis (Minecraft clone){{!}}''Oasis'' (''Minecraft'' clone)}} | |||
In November 2024, artificial intelligence companies Decart and Etched released ], an ] version of ''Minecraft'', as a ]. Every in-game element is completely ] in real time and the model does not store world data, leading to "]" such as items and blocks appearing that were not there before.<ref>{{Cite web |title=This AI-generated version of Minecraft may represent the future of real-time video generation |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/31/1106461/this-ai-generated-minecraft-may-represent-the-future-of-real-time-video-generation/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en}}</ref> | |||
=== Minecon (Minecraft Live) === | |||
{{Main|Minecon}} | |||
Minecon, now known as Minecraft Live, is an annual official ] dedicated to ''Minecraft'' which usually reveals new games or feature drops, among others. The first full Minecon was held in November 2011 at the ] Hotel and Casino in ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/well-whaddaya-know-minecon-is-sold-out/ |title=Well Whaddaya Know: MineCon Is Sold Out |website=] |publisher=] |first=Owen |last=Good |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=11 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203113607/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/well-whaddaya-know-minecon-is-sold-out/ |archive-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The event included the official launch of ''Minecraft''; keynote speeches, including one by Persson; building and costume contests; ''Minecraft''-themed breakout classes; exhibits by leading gaming and ''Minecraft''-related companies; commemorative merchandise; and autograph and picture times with Mojang employees and well-known contributors from the ''Minecraft'' community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1187399p1.html |title=GameSpy: Tickets for Minecraft Convention, MineCon, Now On Sale — Page 1 |website=] |publisher=] |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203114001/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1187399p1.html |archive-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, Minecon was held in-person for the last time, with the following years featuring annual livestreams on minecraft.net and YouTube instead. | |||
== Notes == | |||
{{Notelist}} | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | |||
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
=== Further reading === | |||
* {{cite book |first=Colin |last=Gallagher |date=2014 |title=Minecraft in the Classroom: Ideas, Inspiration, and Student Projects for Teachers |location=Berkeley, CA |publisher=Peachpit Press |isbn=978-0-13-385801-3 |ref=none}} | |||
* {{cite book |first=Nate |last=Garrelts |author-link=Nate Garrelts |title=Understanding Minecraft: Essays on Play, Community and Possibilities |date=2014 |publisher=McFarland & Company |location=Jefferson, NC |isbn=978-0-7864-7974-0 |ref=none}} | |||
* {{cite book |first=Daniel |last=Goldberg |date=2013 |title=Minecraft: The Unlikely Tale of Markus "Notch" Persson and the Game That Changed Everything |location=New York |publisher=Seven Stories Press |isbn=978-1-60980-537-1 |title-link=Minecraft: The Unlikely Tale of Markus "Notch" Persson and the Game That Changed Everything |ref=none}} | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
* {{Official website}} | |||
{{Spoken Misplaced Pages|Minecraft.ogg|January 22, 2012}} | |||
* | |||
{{Commons}} | |||
* {{URL|https://classic.minecraft.net/|Minecraft Classic – a remake version based on an classic version of Minecraft}} | |||
*{{Official website|http://www.minecraft.net}} | |||
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*, a community wiki for ''Minecraft'' | |||
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{{Mojang}} | {{Mojang}} | ||
{{Markus Persson}} | |||
{{Xbox Game Studios}} | |||
{{Mattel}} | |||
{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Video Game}} | |||
{{Seumas McNally Grand Prize}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 10:03, 20 January 2025
2011 video game This article is about the video game. For the franchise, see Minecraft (franchise). For other uses, see Minecraft (disambiguation). Not to be confused with Minecart.2011 video game
Minecraft | |
---|---|
Cover art since 2024 | |
Developer(s) | |
Publisher(s) |
|
Designer(s) | |
Artist(s) |
|
Composer(s) |
|
Series | Minecraft |
Engine | |
Platform(s) |
Windows macOS Linux |
Release |
18 November 2011
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Genre(s) | Sandbox, survival |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Minecraft is a 2011 sandbox game developed and published by Swedish video game developer Mojang Studios. Originally created by Markus "Notch" Persson using the Java programming language, the first public alpha build was released on 17 May 2009. The game would be continuously developed from then on, receiving a full release on 18 November 2011. Afterwards, Persson left Mojang and gave Jens "Jeb" Bergensten control over development. In the years since its release, it has been ported to several platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and various video game consoles. In 2014, Mojang and the Minecraft intellectual property were purchased by Microsoft for US$2.5 billion. Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, with over 300 million copies sold and nearly 170 million monthly active players as of 2024.
In Minecraft, players explore a procedurally generated, three-dimensional world with virtually infinite terrain made up of voxels. Players can discover and extract raw materials, craft tools and items, and build structures, earthworks, and machines. Depending on their chosen game mode, players can fight hostile mobs, as well as cooperate with or compete against other players in multiplayer. The game has two main modes; survival mode, where players must acquire resources to survive, and a creative mode where players have unlimited resources and the ability to fly. Other game modes exist, such as one that allows players to spectate others and one that plays identically to survival mode, but features permadeath. The game's large community offers a wide variety of user-generated content, such as modifications, servers, skins, texture packs, and custom maps, which add new game mechanics and possibilities.
Minecraft has received critical acclaim, winning several awards and being cited as one of the greatest video games of all time; social media, parodies, adaptations, merchandise, and the annual Minecon conventions played prominent roles in popularizing the game. Minecraft has been used in educational environments to teach chemistry, computer-aided design, and computer science. The game started a franchise, which includes several spin-off games including Minecraft: Story Mode, Minecraft Earth, Minecraft Dungeons, and Minecraft Legends. A live action film based on the game titled A Minecraft Movie is scheduled for theatrical release in April 2025.
Gameplay
Minecraft is a 3D sandbox video game that has no required goals to accomplish, allowing players a large amount of freedom in choosing how to play the game. The game also features an optional achievement system. Gameplay is in the first-person perspective by default, but players have the option of a third-person perspective. The game world is composed of rough 3D objects—mainly cubes, referred to as blocks—representing various materials, such as dirt, stone, ores, tree trunks, water, and lava. The core gameplay revolves around picking up and placing these objects. These blocks are arranged in a 3D grid, while players can move freely around the world. Players can break, or mine, blocks and then place them elsewhere, enabling them to build things. The game also contains a material called redstone, which can be used to make primitive mechanical devices, electrical circuits, and logic gates, allowing for the construction of many complex systems. Many commentators have described the game's physics system as unrealistic.
Players can also craft a wide variety of items, such as armor, which mitigates damage from attacks; weapons (such as swords or axes), which allows monsters and animals to be killed more easily; and tools (such as pickaxes or shovels), which break certain types of blocks more quickly. Some items have multiple tiers depending on the material used to craft them, with higher-tier items being more effective and durable. They may also freely construct helpful blocks—such as furnaces which can cook food and smelt ores, and torches that produce light—or exchange items with a villager (NPC) through trading emeralds for different goods and vice versa. The game has an inventory system, allowing players to carry a limited number of items.
The game world is virtually infinite and procedurally generated as players explore it, using a map seed that is obtained from the system clock at the time of world creation (or manually specified by the player). While there are limits on the world's verticality, Minecraft allows an infinitely large game world to be generated on the horizontal plane, up to 30 million blocks from the world's center. The game achieves this by splitting the world data into smaller 16 by 16 sections called chunks that are created or loaded only when players are nearby. The world is divided into biomes ranging from deserts to jungles to snowfields; the terrain includes plains, mountains, forests, caves, and bodies of water or lava. The in-game time system follows a day and night cycle, with one full cycle lasting for 20 real-time minutes.
New players are given a randomly selected default character skin out of nine possibilities, including Steve or Alex, but are able to create and upload their own skins. Players encounter various mobs (short for mobile entities) including animals, villagers, and hostile creatures. Passive mobs, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, can be hunted for food and crafting materials. They spawn in the daytime, while hostile mobs—including large spiders, witches, skeletons, and zombies—spawn during nighttime or in dark places such as caves. Some hostile mobs, such as zombies, skeletons and drowned (underwater versions of zombies), burn under the sun if they have no headgear and are not standing in water. Other creatures unique to Minecraft include the creeper (an exploding creature that sneaks up on the player) and the enderman (a creature with the ability to teleport as well as pick up and place blocks). There are also variants of mobs that spawn in different conditions; for example, zombies have husk and drowned variants that spawn in deserts and oceans, respectively.
Dimensions
Minecraft has two alternative dimensions besides the Overworld (the main world): the Nether and the End.
The Nether
The Nether is a hell-like underworld dimension accessed via a player-built obsidian portal; newer versions of the game feature naturally generated damaged portals that the player can repair. The Nether contains many unique resources and can be used to travel great distances in the Overworld, due to every block traveled in the Nether being equivalent to 8 blocks traveled in the Overworld. Mobs that populate the Nether include shrieking, fireball-shooting ghasts, alongside anthropomorphic mobs called piglins and their zombified counterparts. The piglins in particular have a bartering system, where players can give them gold ingots and receive items in return. The player can also build an optional boss mob called The Wither out of materials found in the Nether.
The End
The End is reached by underground portals in the Overworld. It consists of islands floating in a dark, bottomless void. A boss enemy called the Ender Dragon guards the largest, central island. Killing the dragon opens access to an exit portal, which, when entered, cues the game's ending credits and the End Poem, a roughly 1,500-word work written by Irish novelist Julian Gough, which takes about nine minutes to scroll past, is the game's only narrative text, and the only text of significant length directed at the player. At the conclusion of the credits, the player is teleported back to their respawn point and may continue the game indefinitely. Players can also explore further regions of the End beyond the main island, which can harbor structures known as end cities or ships to find valuable loot as well.
Game modes
Survival mode
In survival mode, players have to gather natural resources such as wood and stone found in the environment in order to craft certain blocks and items. Depending on the difficulty, monsters spawn in darker areas outside a certain radius of the character, requiring players to build a shelter in order to survive at night. The mode also has a health bar which is depleted by attacks from mobs, falls, drowning, falling into lava, suffocation, starvation, and other events. Players also have a hunger bar, which must be periodically refilled by eating food in-game unless the player is playing on peaceful difficulty. If the hunger bar is empty, automatic healing stops and depletes. Health replenishes when players have a full hunger bar or continuously on peaceful.
Upon losing all health, items in the players' inventories are dropped unless the game is reconfigured not to do so. Players then re-spawn at their spawn point, which by default is where players first spawn in the game and can be reset by sleeping in a bed or using a respawn anchor. Dropped items can be recovered if players can reach them before they disappear or despawn after 5 minutes. Players may acquire experience points by killing mobs and other players, mining, smelting ores, breeding animals, and cooking food. Experience can then be spent on enchanting tools, armor and weapons. Enchanted items are generally more powerful, last longer, or have other special effects.
The game features two more game modes based on survival, known as "hardcore mode" and "adventure mode". Hardcore mode plays identically to survival mode, but features permadeath, meaning players only have one life, forcing them to delete the world or explore it as a spectator after death. Adventure mode was added to the game in a post-launch update, and prevents the player from directly modifying the game's world. It was designed primarily for use in custom maps, allowing map designers to let players experience it as intended.
Creative mode
In creative mode, players have access to an infinite number of nearly all resources and items in the game through the inventory menu and can place or mine them instantly. Players can toggle the ability to fly freely around the game world at will, while their characters do not take any damage nor are affected by hunger. The game mode helps players focus on building and creating projects of any size without disturbance.
Multiplayer
See also: Minecraft serverMultiplayer in Minecraft enables multiple players to interact and communicate with each other on a single world. It is available through direct game-to-game multiplayer, LAN play, local split screen (console-only), and servers (player-hosted and business-hosted). Players can run their own servers, use a hosting provider, or connect directly to another player's game via Xbox Live. Single-player worlds have local area network support, allowing players to join a world on locally interconnected computers without a server setup. Minecraft multiplayer servers are guided by server operators, who have access to server commands such as setting the time of day and teleporting players. Operators can also set up restrictions concerning which usernames or IP addresses are allowed or disallowed to enter the server. Multiplayer servers have a wide range of activities, with some servers having their own unique rules and customs. The largest and most popular server is Hypixel, which has been visited by over 14 million unique players. Player versus player combat (PvP) can be enabled to allow fighting between players.
Minecraft Realms
In 2013, Mojang announced Minecraft Realms, a server hosting service intended to enable players to run server multiplayer games easily and safely without having to set up their own. Unlike a standard server, only invited players can join Realms servers, and these servers do not use IP addresses. Minecraft: Java Edition Realms server owners can invite up to twenty people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at a time. Minecraft Realms server owners can invite up to 3,000 people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at one time. The Minecraft: Java Edition Realms servers do not support user-made plugins, but players can play custom Minecraft maps. Minecraft Bedrock Realms servers support user-made add-ons, resource packs, behavior packs, and custom Minecraft maps. At Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016, support for cross-platform play between Windows 10, iOS, and Android platforms was added through Realms starting in June 2016, with Xbox One and Nintendo Switch support to come later in 2017, and support for virtual reality devices. On 31 July 2017, Mojang released the beta version of the update allowing cross-platform play. Nintendo Switch support for Realms was released in July 2018.
Customization
See also: Minecraft moddingThe modding community consists of fans, users and third-party programmers. Using a variety of application program interfaces that have arisen over time, they have produced a wide variety of downloadable content for Minecraft, such as modifications, texture packs and custom maps. Modifications of the Minecraft code, called mods, add a variety of gameplay changes, ranging from new blocks, items, and mobs to entire arrays of mechanisms. The modding community is responsible for a substantial supply of mods from ones that enhance gameplay, such as mini-maps, waypoints, and durability counters, to ones that add to the game elements from other video games and media. While a variety of mod frameworks were independently developed by reverse engineering the code, Mojang has also enhanced vanilla Minecraft with official frameworks for modification, allowing the production of community-created resource packs, which alter certain game elements including textures and sounds. Players can also create their own "maps" (custom world save files) that often contain specific rules, challenges, puzzles and quests, and share them for others to play. Mojang added an adventure mode in August 2012 and "command blocks" in October 2012, which were created specially for custom maps in Java Edition. Data packs, introduced in version 1.13 of the Java Edition, allow further customization, including the ability to add new achievements, dimensions, functions, loot tables, predicates, recipes, structures, tags, and world generation.
The Xbox 360 Edition supported downloadable content, which was available to purchase via the Xbox Games Store; these content packs usually contained additional character skins. It later received support for texture packs in its twelfth title update while introducing "mash-up packs", which combined texture packs with skin packs and changes to the game's sounds, music and user interface. The first mash-up pack (and by extension, the first texture pack) for the Xbox 360 Edition was released on 4 September 2013, and was themed after the Mass Effect franchise. Unlike Java Edition, however, the Xbox 360 Edition did not support player-made mods or custom maps. A cross-promotional resource pack based on the Super Mario franchise by Nintendo was released exclusively for the Wii U Edition worldwide on 17 May 2016, and later bundled free with the Nintendo Switch Edition at launch. Another based on Fallout was released on consoles that December, and for Windows and Mobile in April 2017. In April 2018, malware was discovered in several downloadable user-made Minecraft skins for use with the Java Edition of the game. Avast stated that nearly 50,000 accounts were infected, and when activated, the malware would attempt to reformat the user's hard drive. Mojang promptly patched the issue, and released a statement stating that "the code would not be run or read by the game itself", and would run only when the image containing the skin itself was opened.
In June 2017, Mojang released an update known as the "Discovery Update" to the Bedrock version of the game. The update includes a new map, a new game mode, the "Marketplace", a catalogue of user-generated content that gives Minecraft creators "another way to make a living from the game", and more.
Development
Before coming up with Minecraft, Markus "Notch" Persson was a game developer with King through March 2009, at the time serving mostly browser games, during which he learned a number of different programming languages. He would prototype his own games during his off-hours at home, often based on inspiration he found from other games, and participated frequently on the TIGSource forums for independent developers. One of these personal projects was called "RubyDung", a base-building game inspired by Dwarf Fortress, but as an isometric three dimensional game like RollerCoaster Tycoon. He had already made a 3D texture mapper for another zombie game prototype he had started to try to emulate the style of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars. Among the features in "RubyDung" he explored was a first-person view similar to Dungeon Keeper but at the time, felt the graphics were too pixelated and omitted this mode. Around March 2009, Persson left King and joined jAlbum, but otherwise kept working on his prototypes.
Infiniminer, a block-based open-ended mining game first released in April 2009, sparked Persson's inspiration for how to take "RubyDung" forward. Infiniminer heavily influenced the visual style of gameplay, including bringing back the first-person mode, the "blocky" visual style and the block-building fundamentals. However, unlike Infiniminer, Persson wanted Minecraft to have RPG elements.
The original public alpha build of Minecraft was released on 17 May 2009 on TIGSource forums. As years passed, Persson regularly released test builds which included more features, such as tools, mobs, and even entirely separate dimensions. In 2011, partially due to the rising popularity of the game, Persson decided to release a full 1.0 version, which later became the "Adventure Update". It was released on 18 November 2011. Soon afterward, Persson quit development on the game and gave the project lead to Jens "Jeb" Bergensten.
On 15 September 2014, Microsoft, developer of the Windows operating system and the Xbox video game console, announced a $2.5 billion deal to buy Mojang, along with the ownership of the Minecraft intellectual property. The deal was suggested by Persson when he posted on Twitter asking a corporation to buy his share of the game after receiving criticism for enforcing terms in the game's end-user license agreement (EULA), which had been present in the EULA in the prior three years. According to Persson, Mojang CEO Carl Manneh received a call from a Microsoft executive shortly after the tweet, asking if Persson was serious about a deal. Mojang was also approached by other companies including Activision Blizzard and Electronic Arts. The deal with Microsoft was arbitrated on 6 November 2014 and led to Persson becoming one of Forbes' "World's Billionaires".
Since the first test build of Minecraft, the game has been continuously updated with multiple feature drops, available for free to users who have already purchased the game. Each major drop adds new blocks, items, creatures, and locations for the player to explore. Early updates frequently introduced gameplay-altering mechanics and new concepts while the more recent ones tend to include quality-of-life changes and adjustments to existing features. As of 13 June 2024, the most recent major drop for the game was the 1.21 "Tricky Trials" update, which introduced a new Trial Chambers structure, a mob called the Breeze, and a Mace weapon, among other blocks and items.
The original PC version of the game was renamed to Minecraft: Java Edition on 18 September 2017 to separate it from the cross-platform Bedrock Edition, which was renamed to just Minecraft in the Better Together Update. The Bedrock Edition has also been regularly updated, with these updates now matching the themes of Java Edition updates. Other versions of the game such as the various console editions and Pocket Edition were either merged into Bedrock or discontinued and as such have not received further updates.
On 16 April 2020, a Bedrock Edition-exclusive beta version of Minecraft called Minecraft RTX implementing physically based rendering, real-time path tracing, and DLSS was released by Nvidia on RTX-enabled GPUs. The public release version was made available on 8 December 2020. Path tracing can only be enabled on supported worlds that can be downloaded for free via the in-game Minecraft Marketplace, with a texture pack that can be downloaded from Nvidia's website, or with compatible third-party texture packs; it cannot simply be enabled by default with any texture pack on any world. However, according to Nvidia, it will be possible to activate the feature directly in-game in the future. In the beginning, Minecraft RTX was affected by many bugs, display errors, and instability issues.
Editions
Java Edition
2009 | Pre-Classic |
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Classic | |
Survival Test | |
Indev | |
2010 | Infdev |
Alpha | |
Alpha v1.2.0 - v1.2.6: "Halloween Update" | |
Beta | |
2011 | Beta |
Release 1.0: "Adventure Update" | |
2012 | 1.1 |
1.2 | |
1.3 | |
1.4: "Pretty Scary Update" | |
2013 | 1.5: "Redstone Update" |
1.6: "Horse Update" | |
1.7: "The Update that Changed the World" | |
2014 | 1.8: "Bountiful Update" |
2015 | |
2016 | 1.9: "Combat Update" |
1.10: "Frostburn Update" | |
1.11: "Exploration Update" | |
2017 | 1.12: "World of Color Update" |
2018 | 1.13: "Update Aquatic" |
2019 | 1.14: "Village & Pillage" |
1.15: "Buzzy Bees" | |
2020 | 1.16: "Nether Update" |
2021 | 1.17: "Caves & Cliffs: Part I" |
1.18: "Caves & Cliffs: Part II" | |
2022 | 1.19: "The Wild Update" |
2023 | 1.20: "Trails & Tales" |
2024 | 1.21: "Tricky Trials" |
Development began for the original edition of Minecraft - then known as Cave Game, and now known as the Java Edition - on 10, 11 or 12 May 2009, and ended on 13 May, when Persson released a test video on YouTube of an early version of the game, dubbed the "Cave game tech test " or the "Cave game tech demo". The game was named Minecraft: Order of the Stone the next day, after a suggestion made by a player. "Order of the Stone" came from the web comic The Order of the Stick, and Minecraft was chosen "because it’s a good name". The base program of Minecraft was completed by Persson over a weekend in that month and a private testing was released on TigIRC on 16 May 2009. The game was first released to the public on 17 May 2009 as a developmental release on TIGSource forums. Persson updated the game based on feedback from the forums. This version later became known as the Classic version. Further developmental phases dubbed as Survival Test, Indev, and Infdev were released in 2009 and 2010.
The first major update, dubbed Alpha, was released on 30 June 2010. Although Persson maintained a day job with Jalbum.net at first, he later quit in order to work on Minecraft full-time as sales of the alpha version of the game expanded. Persson continued to update the game with releases distributed to users automatically. These updates included new items, new blocks, new mobs, survival mode, and changes to the game's behavior (e.g. how water flows). To back the development of Minecraft, Persson set up a video game company, Mojang, with the money earned from the game. Mojang co-founders included Jakob Porser, one of Persson's coworkers from King, and Carl Manneh, jAlbum's CEO.
On 11 December 2010, Persson announced that Minecraft was entering its beta testing phase on 20 December 2010. He further stated that bug fixes and all updates leading up to and including the release would still be free. Over the course of the development, Mojang hired several new employees to work on the project.
Mojang moved the game out of beta and released the full version on 18 November 2011. On 1 December 2011, Jens "Jeb" Bergensten took full creative control over Minecraft, replacing Persson as lead designer. On 28 February 2012, Mojang announced that they had hired the developers of the popular "Bukkit" developer API for Minecraft, to improve Minecraft's support of server modifications. This acquisition also included Mojang apparently taking full ownership of the CraftBukkit server mod that enables the use of Bukkit, although the validity of this claim was questioned due to its status as an open-source project with many contributors, licensed under the GNU General Public License and Lesser General Public License.
Pocket Edition
"Pocket Edition" redirects here. For the type of book, see Pocket edition.In August 2011, Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released for the Xperia Play on the Android Market as an early alpha version. It was then released for several other compatible devices on 8 October 2011. An iOS version of Minecraft was released on 17 November 2011. A port was made available for Windows Phones shortly after Microsoft acquired Mojang. The port concentrates on the creative building and the primitive survival aspect of the game and did not contain all the features of the PC release. On his Twitter account, Jens Bergensten said that the Pocket Edition of Minecraft is written in C++ and not Java, due to iOS not being able to support Java. However, there now exists a way to play Java Edition unofficially on both Android and iOS devices.
On 10 December 2014, a port of Pocket Edition was released for Windows Phone 8.1. In January 2017, Microsoft announced that it would no longer maintain the Windows Phone versions of Pocket Edition. On 19 December 2016, the full version of Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Pocket Edition was later remade into the Bedrock Edition in 2017, enabling cross-platform play with the new Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions of the game.
Bedrock Edition and Console Editions
An Xbox 360 version of the game, developed by 4J Studios, was released on 9 May 2012. On 22 March 2012, it was announced that Minecraft would be the flagship game in a new Xbox Live promotion called Arcade NEXT. The game differs from the home computer versions in a number of ways, including a newly designed crafting system, the control interface, in-game tutorials, split-screen multiplayer, and the ability to play with friends via Xbox Live. The worlds in the Xbox 360 version are also not "infinite", and are essentially barricaded by invisible walls. The Xbox 360 version was originally similar in content to older PC versions, but was gradually updated to bring it closer to the current PC version prior to its discontinuation. An Xbox One version featuring larger worlds among other enhancements was released on 5 September 2014.
Versions of the game for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 were released on 17 December 2013 and 4 September 2014 respectively. The PlayStation 4 version was announced as a launch title, though it was eventually delayed. A version for PlayStation Vita was also released in October 2014. Like the Xbox versions, the PlayStation versions were developed by 4J Studios.
On 17 December 2015, Minecraft: Wii U Edition was released. The Wii U version received a physical release on 17 June 2016 in North America, in Japan on 23 June 2016, and in Europe on 30 June 2016. A Nintendo Switch version of the game was released on the Nintendo eShop on 11 May 2017, along with a physical retail version set for a later date. During a Nintendo Direct presentation on 13 September 2017, Nintendo announced that Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition, based on the Pocket Edition, would be available for download immediately after the livestream, and a physical copy available on a later date. The game is compatible only with the New Nintendo 3DS or New Nintendo 2DS XL systems and does not work with the original 3DS or 2DS systems.
On 18 December 2018, the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and Wii U versions of Minecraft received their final update and would later become known as "Legacy Console Editions". On 15 January 2019, the New Nintendo 3DS version of Minecraft received its final update, effectively becoming discontinued as well.
On 20 September 2017, the Better Together Update was released on the Xbox One, Windows 10, VR, and mobile versions of the game, which used the Pocket Edition engine to enable cross-platform play between each of these versions. This version of the game became officially known as the Bedrock Edition, although within the game itself, it is referred to simply as Minecraft, as opposed to the original Java-based PC edition which received the Java Edition subtitle to differentiate it from the new Bedrock Edition. The same year, the Bedrock Edition was also ported to the Nintendo Switch. The PS4 version was updated in December 2019 and became part of the Bedrock Edition, which enabled cross-platform play for users with a free Xbox Live account. The newest console version to launch as part of Bedrock Edition is the PlayStation 5 version, which released on October 22, 2024.
Minecraft Education
Formerly Minecraft: Education Edition, an educational version of the game, designed specifically for use in educational establishments such as schools, released on 1 November 2016. It is available on Windows, Android, MacOS, iPadOS, iOS, and ChromeOS. Based on the Bedrock Edition codebase, it includes a Chemistry Resource Pack, free lesson plans available online, and two free companion applications: Code Connection and Classroom Mode.
An initial beta test was carried out between 9 June and 1 November 2016. The full game was then released on Windows 10 and MacOS on 1 November 2016. On 20 August 2018, Mojang announced that it would bring Education Edition to iPadOS in Autumn 2018. It was released to the App Store on 6 September 2018. On 27 March 2019, it was announced that it would be operated by JD.com in China. On 26 June 2020, a public beta for the Education Edition was made available to Google Play Store compatible Chromebooks. The full game was released to the Google Play Store for Chromebooks on 7 August 2020.
China Edition
On 20 May 2016, China Edition (also known as My World) was announced as a localized edition for China, where it was released under a licensing agreement between NetEase and Mojang. The PC edition was released for public testing on 8 August 2017. The iOS version was released on 15 September 2017, and the Android version was released on 12 October 2017. The PC edition is based on the original Java Edition, while the iOS and Android mobile versions are based on the Bedrock Edition. The edition is free-to-play and had over 300 million players by November 2019.
Other PC versions
Apart from Minecraft: Java Edition, there are other versions of Minecraft for PC, including Minecraft for Windows, Minecraft Classic, Minecraft 4k, and a version for the Raspberry Pi.
Minecraft for Windows
This version of Bedrock Edition is exclusive to Microsoft's Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. The beta release for Windows 10 launched on the Windows Store on 29 July 2015.
After nearly a year and a half in beta, Microsoft fully released the version on 19 December 2016. Called the "Ender Update", this release implemented new features to this version of Minecraft like world templates and add-on packs. This version has the ability to play with Xbox Live friends, and to play local multiplayer with owners of Minecraft on other Bedrock platforms. Other features include the ability to use multiple control schemes such as a gamepad, keyboard, or touchscreen (for Microsoft Surface and other touchscreen-enabled devices). Virtual reality support has been implemented, as well as the ability to record and take screenshots in-game via the Windows built-in GameDVR.
As of 7 June 2022, the Java and Bedrock Editions of Minecraft were merged into a single bundle for purchase on Windows; those who owned one version would automatically gain access to the other version. Both game versions would otherwise remain separate.
Minecraft 4k
Minecraft 4k is a simplified version of Minecraft similar to the Classic version that was developed for the Java 4K Game Programming Contest "in way less than 4 kilobytes". The map itself is finite—composed of 64×64×64 blocks—and the same world is generated every time. Players are restricted to placing or destroying blocks, which consist of grass, dirt, stone, logs, leaves, and bricks.
Minecraft: Pi Edition
A version of Minecraft for the Raspberry Pi was officially revealed at Minecon 2012. The Pi Edition is based on an alpha version of Pocket Edition with the added ability of using text commands to edit the game world. Players can open the game code and use the Python programming language to manipulate things in the game world. It also includes a scripting API to modify the game, and server software for multiplayer. The game was leaked on 20 December 2012, but was quickly pulled off. It was officially released on 11 February 2013. Mojang stopped providing updates to Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition on 24 January 2016. It is preinstalled on Raspberry Pi OS and can be downloaded for free from the official Minecraft website.
Variants
Main article: Minecraft (franchise)For the tenth anniversary of the first public build's release, Mojang remade a version of Minecraft Classic in JavaScript and made it available to play online. It functions much the same as creative mode, allowing players to build and destroy any and all parts of the world either alone or in a multiplayer server. Environmental hazards such as lava do not damage players, and some blocks function differently since their behavior was later changed during development.
Around 2011, prior to Minecraft's full release, there had been collaboration between Mojang and The Lego Group to make a Lego brick-based Minecraft game to be called Brickcraft. This would have modified the base Minecraft game to use Lego bricks, which meant adapting the basic 1×1 block to account for larger pieces typically used in Lego sets. Persson had worked on the preliminary version of this game, which he had named "Project Rex Kwon Do" based on the joke from Napoleon Dynamite. Lego had greenlit the project to go forward, and while Mojang had put two developers on the game for six months, they later opted to cancel the project, as Mojang felt that the Lego Group were too demanding on what they could do, according to Mojang's Daniel Kaplan. The Lego Group had considered buying out Mojang to complete the game, but at this point Microsoft made its offer to buy the company for over $2 billion. According to the Lego Group's Ronny Scherer, the company was not yet sure of the potential success of Minecraft at this point and backed off from acquisition after Microsoft brought this offer to Mojang.
Virtual reality
Early on, Persson planned to support the Oculus Rift with a port of Minecraft. However, after Facebook acquired Oculus in 2013, he abruptly canceled plans noting "Facebook creeps me out." A community-made modification known as Minecraft VR was developed in 2016 to provide virtual reality support to Minecraft: Java Edition oriented toward Oculus Rift hardware. A fork of the Minecraft VR modification known as Vivecraft ported the mod to OpenVR, and is oriented toward supporting HTC Vive hardware. On 15 August 2016, Microsoft launched official Oculus Rift support for Windows 10 Edition. Upon its release, the Minecraft VR mod was discontinued by its developer due to trademark complaints issued by Microsoft, and Vivecraft was endorsed by the community makers of the Minecraft VR modification due to its Rift support and being superior to the original Minecraft VR mod. Also available is a Gear VR version, titled Minecraft: Gear VR Edition. Windows Mixed Reality support was added in 2017. On 7 September 2020, Mojang Studios announced that the PlayStation 4 version of the game would get PlayStation VR support in the same month. The only officially supported VR versions of Minecraft are the PlayStation 4 version, Minecraft: Gear VR Edition and Minecraft for Windows for Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. In September 2024, Minecraft announced they would no longer support PlayStation VR, which will receive its final update by March 2025.
Music and sound design
Main article: Music of MinecraftMinecraft's music and sound effects were produced by German musician Daniel Rosenfeld, better known as C418. To create the sound effects for the game, Rosenfeld made extensive use of foley techniques. On learning the processes for the game, he remarked, "Foley’s an interesting thing, and I had to learn its subtleties. Early on, I wasn’t that knowledgeable about it. It’s a whole trial-and-error process. You just make a sound and eventually you go, 'Oh my God, that’s it! Get the microphone!' There’s no set way of doing anything at all." He reminisced on creating the in-game sound for grass blocks, stating "It turns out that to make grass sounds you don’t actually walk on grass and record it, because grass sounds like nothing. What you want to do is get a VHS, break it apart, and just lightly touch the tape." According to Rosenfeld, his favorite sound to design for the game was the hisses of spiders. He elaborates, "I like the spiders. Recording that was a whole day of me researching what a spider sounds like. Turns out, there are spiders that make little screeching sounds, so I think I got this recording of a fire hose, put it in a sampler, and just pitched it around until it sounded like a weird spider was talking to you."
Many sounds for the game were created accidentally or spontaneously. On the creation for the sound for the creeper, Rosenfeld recalled, "That was just a complete accident by Markus and me [sic]. We just put in a placeholder sound of burning a matchstick. It seemed to work hilariously well, so we kept it." On other sounds, such as those of the zombie, Rosenfeld remarked, "I actually never wanted the zombies so scary. I intentionally made them sound comical. It’s nice to hear that they work so well ." Rosenfeld remarked that the sound engine was "terrible" to work with, remembering "If you had two song files at once, it would actually crash. There were so many more weird glitches like that the guys never really fixed because they were too busy with the actual game and not the sound engine."
The background music in Minecraft is instrumental ambient music. To compose the music of Minecraft, Rosenfeld used the package from Ableton Live, along with several additional plug-ins. Speaking on them, Rosenfeld said "They can be pretty much everything from an effect to an entire orchestra. Additionally, I’ve got some synthesizers that are attached to the computer. Like a Moog Voyager, Dave Smith Prophet 08 and a Virus TI." On 4 March 2011, Rosenfeld released a soundtrack titled Minecraft – Volume Alpha; it includes most of the tracks featured in Minecraft, as well as other music not featured in the game. Kirk Hamilton of Kotaku chose the music in Minecraft as one of the best video game soundtracks of 2011. On 9 November 2013, Rosenfeld released the second official soundtrack, titled Minecraft – Volume Beta, which includes the music that was added in later versions of the game. A physical release of Volume Alpha, consisting of CDs, black vinyl, and limited-edition transparent green vinyl LPs, was issued by indie electronic label Ghostly International on 21 August 2015. On 14 August 2020, Ghostly released Volume Beta on CD and vinyl, with alternate color LPs and lenticular cover pressings released in limited quantities.
The last update Rosenfeld worked on was Update Aquatic. His music remained the only music in the game until 2020's "The Nether Update", introducing pieces from Lena Raine. Since then, other composers have made contributions, including Kumi Tanioka, Samuel Åberg, and Aaron Cherof, with Raine remaining as the new primary composer. Ownership of all music besides Rosenfeld's independently released albums has been retained by Microsoft, with their label publishing all of the other artists' releases. Gareth Coker also composed some of the music for the game's mini games from the Legacy Console editions.
Rosenfeld had stated his intent to create a third album of music for the game in a 2015 interview with Fact, and confirmed its existence in a 2017 tweet, stating that his work on the record as of then had tallied up to be longer than the previous two albums combined, which in total clocks in at over 3 hours and 18 minutes. However, due to licensing issues with Microsoft, the third volume has since not seen release. On 8 January 2021, Rosenfeld was asked in an interview with Anthony Fantano whether or not there was still a third volume of his music intended for release. Rosenfeld responded, saying, "I have something—I consider it finished—but things have become complicated, especially as Minecraft is now a big property, so I don't know."
Reception
ReceptionAggregator | Score |
---|---|
Metacritic | (PC) 93/100 (PS4) 89/100 (XONE) 88/100 (PS3) 86/100 (NS) 86/100 (VITA) 84/100 (X360) 82/100 (WIIU) 77/100 (3DS) 62/100 (iOS) 53/100 |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
1Up.com | (PC) A+ |
Edge | (PC) 9/10 |
Eurogamer | (PC) 10/10 (X360) 9/10 |
Game Informer | (PC) 9.25/10 (X360) 8.75/10 |
GameSpot | (PC) 8.5/10 (X360) 7.0/10 |
GameSpy | (PC) 5/5 |
IGN | (PC) 9.0/10 (iOS) 7.5/10 (X360) 8.5/10 (PS3) 9.5/10 (PS4) 9.7/10 (XONE) 9.7/10 (VITA) 9.5/10 (NS) 9.5/10 |
Nintendo Life | (WII U) 7.5/10 (3DS) 6.6/10 (NS) 8.2/10 |
PC Gamer (US) | (PC) 96/100 |
TouchArcade | (iOS) 3.5/5 (Version 0.12) 5/5 |
Critics
Early versions of Minecraft received critical acclaim, praising the creative freedom it grants players in-game, as well as the ease of enabling emergent gameplay. Critics have expressed enjoyment in Minecraft's complex crafting system, commenting that it is an important aspect of the game's open-ended gameplay. Most publications were impressed by the game's "blocky" graphics, with IGN describing them as "instantly memorable". Reviewers also liked the game's adventure elements, noting that the game creates a good balance between exploring and building. The game's multiplayer feature has been generally received favorably, with IGN commenting that "adventuring is always better with friends". Jaz McDougall of PC Gamer said Minecraft is "intuitively interesting and contagiously fun, with an unparalleled scope for creativity and memorable experiences". It has been regarded as having introduced millions of children to the digital world, insofar as its basic game mechanics are logically analogous to computer commands.
IGN was disappointed about the troublesome steps needed to set up multiplayer servers, calling it a "hassle". Critics also said that visual glitches occur periodically. Despite its release out of beta in 2011, GameSpot said the game had an "unfinished feel", adding that some game elements seem "incomplete or thrown together in haste".
A review of the alpha version, by Scott Munro of the Daily Record, called it "already something special" and urged readers to buy it. Jim Rossignol of Rock Paper Shotgun also recommended the alpha of the game, calling it "a kind of generative 8-bit Lego Stalker". On 17 September 2010, gaming webcomic Penny Arcade began a series of comics and news posts about the addictiveness of the game. The Xbox 360 version was generally received positively by critics, but did not receive as much praise as the PC version. Although reviewers were disappointed by the lack of features such as mod support and content from the PC version, they acclaimed the port's addition of a tutorial and in-game tips and crafting recipes, saying that they make the game more user-friendly. The Xbox One Edition was one of the best received ports, being praised for its relatively large worlds.
The PlayStation 3 Edition also received generally favorable reviews, being compared to the Xbox 360 Edition and praised for its well-adapted controls. The PlayStation 4 edition was the best received port to date, being praised for having 36 times larger worlds than the PlayStation 3 edition and described as nearly identical to the Xbox One edition. The PlayStation Vita Edition received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for its technical limitations.
The Wii U version received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for a lack of GamePad integration. The 3DS version received mixed reviews, being criticized for its high price, technical issues, and lack of cross-platform play. The Nintendo Switch Edition received fairly positive reviews from critics, being praised, like other modern ports, for its relatively larger worlds.
Minecraft: Pocket Edition initially received mixed reviews from critics. Although reviewers appreciated the game's intuitive controls, they were disappointed by the lack of content. The inability to collect resources and craft items, as well as the limited types of blocks and lack of hostile mobs, were especially criticized. After updates added more content, Pocket Edition started receiving more positive reviews. Reviewers complimented the controls and the graphics, but still noted a lack of content.
Sales
Minecraft surpassed over a million purchases less than a month after entering its beta phase in early 2011. At the same time, the game had no publisher backing and has never been commercially advertised except through word of mouth, and various unpaid references in popular media such as the Penny Arcade webcomic. By April 2011, Persson estimated that Minecraft had made €23 million (US$33 million) in revenue, with 800,000 sales of the alpha version of the game, and over 1 million sales of the beta version. In November 2011, prior to the game's full release, Minecraft beta surpassed 16 million registered users and 4 million purchases. By March 2012, Minecraft had become the 6th best-selling PC game of all time. As of 10 October 2014, the game had sold 17 million copies on PC, becoming the best-selling PC game of all time. On 25 February 2014, the game reached 100 million registered users. By May 2019, 180 million copies had been sold across all platforms, making it the single best-selling video game of all time. The free-to-play Minecraft China version had over 300 million players by November 2019. By April 2021, Minecraft sold more than 238 million copies worldwide. As of 2023, the game has sold over 300 million copies.
The Xbox 360 version of Minecraft became profitable within the first day of the game's release in 2012, when the game broke the Xbox Live sales records with 400,000 players online. Within a week of being on the Xbox Live Marketplace, Minecraft sold a million copies. GameSpot announced in December 2012 that Minecraft sold over 4.48 million copies since the game debuted on Xbox Live Arcade in May 2012. In 2012, Minecraft was the most purchased title on Xbox Live Arcade; it was also the fourth most played title on Xbox Live based on average unique users per day. As of 4 April 2014, the Xbox 360 version has sold 12 million copies. In addition, Minecraft: Pocket Edition has reached a figure of 21 million in sales. The PlayStation 3 Edition sold one million copies in five weeks. The release of the game's PlayStation Vita version boosted Minecraft sales by 79%, outselling both PS3 and PS4 debut releases and becoming the largest Minecraft launch on a PlayStation console. The PS Vita version sold 100,000 digital copies in Japan within the first two months of release, according to an announcement by SCE Japan Asia. By January 2015, 500,000 digital copies of Minecraft were sold in Japan across all PlayStation platforms, with a surge in primary school children purchasing the PS Vita version. As of 2022, the Vita version has sold over 1.65 million physical copies in Japan, making it the best-selling Vita game in the country. Minecraft helped improve Microsoft's total first-party revenue by $63 million for the 2015 second quarter.
The game, including all of its versions, had over 112 million monthly active players by September 2019. On its 11th anniversary in May 2020, the company announced that Minecraft had reached over 200 million copies sold across platforms with over 126 million monthly active players. By April 2021, the number of active monthly users had climbed to 140 million.
Awards
In July 2010, PC Gamer listed Minecraft as the fourth-best game to play at work. In December of that year, Good Game selected Minecraft as their choice for Best Downloadable Game of 2010, Gamasutra named it the eighth best game of the year as well as the eighth best indie game of the year, and Rock, Paper, Shotgun named it the "game of the year". Indie DB awarded the game the 2010 Indie of the Year award as chosen by voters, in addition to two out of five Editor's Choice awards for Most Innovative and Best Singleplayer Indie. It was also awarded Game of the Year by PC Gamer UK. The game was nominated for the Seumas McNally Grand Prize, Technical Excellence, and Excellence in Design awards at the March 2011 Independent Games Festival and won the Grand Prize and the community-voted Audience Award. At Game Developers Choice Awards 2011, Minecraft won awards in the categories for Best Debut Game, Best Downloadable Game and Innovation Award, winning every award for which it was nominated. It also won GameCity's video game arts award. On 5 May 2011, Minecraft was selected as one of the 80 games that would be displayed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of The Art of Video Games exhibit that opened on 16 March 2012. At the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards, Minecraft won the award for Best Independent Game and was nominated in the Best PC Game category. In 2012, at the British Academy Video Games Awards, Minecraft was nominated in the GAME Award of 2011 category and Persson received The Special Award. In 2012, Minecraft XBLA was awarded a Golden Joystick Award in the Best Downloadable Game category, and a TIGA Games Industry Award in the Best Arcade Game category. In 2013, it was nominated as the family game of the year at the British Academy Video Games Awards. During the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated the Xbox 360 version of Minecraft for "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year". Minecraft Console Edition won the award for TIGA Game Of The Year in 2014. In 2015, the game placed 6th on USgamer's The 15 Best Games Since 2000 list. In 2016, Minecraft placed 6th on Time's The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list.
Minecraft was nominated for the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite App, but lost to Temple Run. It was nominated for the 2014 Kids' Choice Awards for Favorite Video Game, but lost to Just Dance 2014. The game later won the award for the Most Addicting Game at the 2015 Kids' Choice Awards. In addition, the Java Edition was nominated for "Favorite Video Game" at the 2018 Kids' Choice Awards, while the game itself won the "Still Playing" award at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards, as well as the "Favorite Video Game" award at the 2020 Kids' Choice Awards. Minecraft also won "Stream Game of the Year" at inaugural Streamer Awards in 2022. The game later garnered a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award nomination for Favorite Video Game in 2021, and won the same category in 2022 and 2023.
Controversies
2014 EULA changes
Microsoft and Mojang announced in June 2014 that it would be changing the Minecraft end-user license agreement (EULA) to prohibit servers from accepting donations or payments in exchange for the donating or paying players receiving in-game advantages on such server, essentially banning "pay-to-win" servers. Mojang spokesperson Owen Hill provided examples of what it would and would not allow, saying company would allow for pay-to-play servers in which a player is required to pay a fee to access the server, or for cosmetic enhancements (such as in-game costumes or pets), but that Mojang would be cracking down on paying to obtain powerful swords or potions (providing a competitive advantage to the player versus other players). The new crackdowns were supported by Persson, citing him receiving multiple emails from parents of children who had spent hundreds of dollars on servers. The Minecraft community and server owners, however, heavily despised the new change in enforcement and protested en masse, which included comparing Mojang to monolithic video game publishers like Electronic Arts and Activision, gaming companies often criticized online for their highly restrictive digital rights management and user license agreements. Many argued that the crackdown would force smaller servers to close their doors, and some blamed the crackdown on Mojang attempting to suppress competition for its own Minecraft Realms subscription service.
Account migration
In 2020, Mojang Studios revealed that it would begin the process of requiring that Microsoft accounts be used in order to log into the Java Edition of the game, and that older Mojang Studios accounts would be sunsetted. The move to Microsoft accounts also required Java Edition players to create Xbox network Gamertags. Mojang Studios defended the move to Microsoft accounts by saying that improved security could be offered, which included Java accounts being able to use two factor authentication, players could block cyberbullies in chat, and improve parental controls. The community responded with intense backlash against this announcement, particularly taking issue to the various technical difficulties encountered in the process and how account migration would be mandatory, even for those who do not play on servers. As of 10 March 2022, Microsoft required that all players migrate in order to access the Java Edition of Minecraft. A deadline of 19 September 2023 was announced to complete account migration, after which all legacy Mojang accounts became inaccessible and unable to be migrated.
Java Edition chat reporting
In June 2022, Microsoft and Mojang Studios announced it would be releasing a player reporting feature in all future builds of Java Edition. In earlier development builds, players could report other players on multiplayer servers for sending messages that are prohibited by the Xbox Live Code of Conduct; report categories included profane language, substance abuse, hate speech, threats of violence, and nudity, though Microsoft in later builds has since excluded the profane language category from the player reporting feature. If a player was found to be in violation of Xbox Community Standards, the player would be banned from all servers for a specific period of time or permanently. The update containing the report feature (1.19.1) was released on 27 July 2022.
Microsoft and Mojang Studios received substantial backlash and protest from community members, one of the most common complaints being that banned players would be forbidden from joining any server, even private ones. Others took issue to what they saw as Microsoft increasing control over its player base and exercising censorship, leading some to dub the version "1.19.84", in reference to the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which deals with similar themes of censorship.
Mob Vote
The "Mob Vote" was an online event organized by Mojang in which the Minecraft community voted between three original mob concepts; the winning mob was officially implemented in a future update, while the losing mobs were scrapped, though elements of them would sometimes return in later updates as separate features. The first Mob Vote was held during MINECON Earth 2017 and became an annual event starting with Minecraft Live 2020. The Mob Vote was often criticized for forcing players to choose one mob instead of implementing all three, causing divisions and flaming within the community, and potentially allowing internet bots and Minecraft content creators with large fanbases to conduct vote brigading. The Mob Vote was also blamed for a perceived lack of new content added to Minecraft since Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang in 2014.
The 2023 Mob Vote featured three passive mobs—the crab, the penguin, and the armadillo—with voting scheduled to start on 13 October. In response, a Change.org petition was created on 6 October, demanding that Mojang eliminate the Mob Vote and instead implement all three mobs going forward. The petition received approximately 445,000 signatures by 13 October and was joined by calls to boycott the Mob Vote, as well as a partially-tongue-in-cheek "revolutionary" propaganda campaign in which sympathizers created anti-Mojang and pro-boycott posters in the vein of real 20th century propaganda posters. Mojang did not release an official response to the boycott and the Mob Vote otherwise proceeded normally, with the armadillo winning the vote. In September 2024, as part of a blog post detailing their future plans for Minecraft's development, Mojang announced the Mob Vote would be retired.
Cultural impact
In September 2019, The Guardian classified Minecraft as the best video game of the 21st century to date, and in November 2019 Polygon called the game the "most important game of the decade" in its 2010s "decade in review". In December 2019, Forbes gave Minecraft a special mention in a list of the best video games of the 2010s, stating that the game is "without a doubt one of the most important games of the last ten years." In June 2020, Minecraft was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
Minecraft is recognized as one of the first successful games to use an early access model to draw in sales prior to its full release version to help fund development. As Minecraft helped to bolster indie game development in the early 2010s, it also helped to popularize the use of the early access model in indie game development.
Social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit have played a significant role in popularizing Minecraft. Research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School of Communication showed that one-third of Minecraft players learned about the game via Internet videos. In 2010, Minecraft-related videos began to gain influence on YouTube, often made by commentators. The videos usually contain screen-capture footage of the game and voice-overs. Common coverage in the videos includes creations made by players, walkthroughs of various tasks, and parodies of works in popular culture. By May 2012, over four million Minecraft-related YouTube videos had been uploaded. The game would go on to be a prominent fixture within YouTube's gaming scene during the entire 2010s; in 2014, it was the second-most searched term on the entire platform. By 2018, it was still YouTube's biggest game globally.
Some popular commentators have received employment at Machinima, a now-defunct gaming video company that owned a highly watched entertainment channel on YouTube. The Yogscast is a British company that regularly produces Minecraft videos; their YouTube channel has attained billions of views, and their panel at Minecon 2011 had the highest attendance. Another well-known YouTube personality is Jordan Maron, known online as Captain Sparklez, who has also created many Minecraft music parodies, including "Revenge", a parody of Usher's "DJ Got Us Falling in Love". Minecraft's popularity on YouTube was described by Polygon as quietly dominant, although in 2019, thanks in part to PewDiePie's playthroughs of the game, Minecraft experienced a visible uptick in popularity on the platform. YouTube later announced that on 14 December 2021 that the total amount of Minecraft-related views on the website have exceeded one trillion.
Minecraft has been referenced by other video games, such as Torchlight II, Team Fortress 2, Borderlands 2, Choplifter HD, Super Meat Boy, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Binding of Isaac, The Stanley Parable, FTL: Faster Than Light, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the latter of which features a downloadable character and stage based on Minecraft. It was also referenced by electronic music artist deadmau5 in his performances. The game is also referenced heavily in "Informative Murder Porn", the second episode of the seventeenth season of the animated television series South Park.
Applications
The possible applications of Minecraft have been discussed extensively, especially in the fields of computer-aided design (CAD) and education. In a panel at Minecon 2011, a Swedish developer discussed the possibility of using the game to redesign public buildings and parks, stating that rendering using Minecraft was much more user-friendly for the community, making it easier to envision the functionality of new buildings and parks. In 2012, a member of the Human Dynamics group at the MIT Media Lab, Cody Sumter, said: "Notch hasn't just built a game. He's tricked 40 million people into learning to use a CAD program." Various software has been developed to allow virtual designs to be printed using professional 3D printers or personal printers such as MakerBot and RepRap.
In September 2012, Mojang began the Block by Block project in cooperation with UN Habitat to create real-world environments in Minecraft. The project allows young people who live in those environments to participate in designing the changes they would like to see. Using Minecraft, the community has helped reconstruct the areas of concern, and citizens are invited to enter the Minecraft servers and modify their own neighborhood. Carl Manneh, Mojang's managing director, called the game "the perfect tool to facilitate this process", adding "The three-year partnership will support UN-Habitat's Sustainable Urban Development Network to upgrade 300 public spaces by 2016." Mojang signed Minecraft building community, FyreUK, to help render the environments into Minecraft. The first pilot project began in Kibera, one of Nairobi's informal settlements and is in the planning phase. The Block by Block project is based on an earlier initiative started in October 2011, Mina Kvarter (My Block), which gave young people in Swedish communities a tool to visualize how they wanted to change their part of town. According to Manneh, the project was a helpful way to visualize urban planning ideas without necessarily having a training in architecture. The ideas presented by the citizens were a template for political decisions.
In April 2014, the Danish Geodata Agency generated all of Denmark in fullscale in Minecraft based on their own geodata. This is possible because Denmark is one of the flattest countries with the highest point at 171 meters (ranking as the country with the 30th smallest elevation span), where the limit in default Minecraft was around 192 meters above in-game sea level when the project was completed.
Taking advantage of the game's accessibility where other websites are censored, the non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders has used an open Minecraft server to create the Uncensored Library, a repository within the game of journalism by authors from countries (including Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam) who have been censored and arrested, such as Jamal Khashoggi. The neoclassical virtual building was created over about 250 hours by an international team of 24 people.
Despite its unpredictable nature, Minecraft has become a popular game for speedrunning, where players time themselves from being dropped into a new world to reaching The End and defeating the Ender Dragon boss. Some speedrunners use a combination of mods, external programs, and debug menus, while other runners play the game in a more vanilla or more consistency-oriented way.
Education
Minecraft has also been used in educational settings. In 2011, an educational organization named MinecraftEdu was formed with the goal of introducing Minecraft into schools. The group works with Mojang to make the game affordable and accessible to schools. The version of Minecraft through MinecraftEdu includes unique features to allow teachers to monitor the students' progress within the virtual world, such as receiving screenshots from students to show completion of a lesson. In September 2012, MinecraftEdu said that approximately 250,000 students around the world have access to Minecraft through the company. A wide variety of educational activities involving the game have been developed to teach students various subjects, including history, language arts and science. For an example, one teacher built a world consisting of various historical landmarks for students to learn and explore. Another teacher created a large-scale representation of an animal cell within Minecraft that student could explore and learn how cell functions work. Great Ormond Street Hospital has been recreated in Minecraft, and it proposed that patients can use it to virtually explore the hospital before they visit it in real life. Minecraft may also prove as an innovation in computer-aided design. Minecraft offers an outlet of collaboration in design and could have an impact on the industry.
With the introduction of redstone blocks to represent electrical circuits, users have been able to build functional virtual computers within Minecraft. Such virtual creations include a working hard drive, an 8-bit virtual computer, and even a smaller-scale version of Minecraft that is playable and able to be built completely in survival mode with no external modifications. In at least one instance, a mod has been created to use this feature to teach younger players how to program within a language set by a virtual computer within a Minecraft world.
Another computational mechanic in Minecraft is the command block, a block that is only accessible in creative mode and can alter game logic. Examples of creations made using command blocks include an emulator for the Atari 2600 and a reimplementation of Pokémon Red Version.
In September 2014, the British Museum in London announced plans to recreate its building along with all exhibits in Minecraft in conjunction with members of the public. Microsoft and the non-profit organisation Code.org had teamed up to offer Minecraft-based games, puzzles, and tutorials aimed to help teach children how to program; by March 2018, Microsoft and Code.org reported that more than 85 million children have used their tutorials.
Clones
Following the initial surge in popularity of Minecraft in 2010, other video games were criticised for having various similarities to Minecraft, and some were described as being "clones", often due to a direct inspiration from Minecraft, or a superficial similarity. Examples include Ace of Spades, CastleMiner, CraftWorld, FortressCraft, Terraria, BlockWorld 3D, Total Miner, and Luanti (formerly Minetest). David Frampton, designer of The Blockheads, reported that one failure of his 2D game was the "low resolution pixel art" that too closely resembled the art in Minecraft, which resulted in "some resistance" from fans. A homebrew adaptation of the alpha version of Minecraft for the Nintendo DS, titled DScraft, has been released; it has been noted for its similarity to the original game considering the technical limitations of the system. In response to Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang and their Minecraft IP, various developers announced further clone titles developed specifically for Nintendo's consoles, as they were the only major platforms not to officially receive Minecraft at the time. These clone titles include UCraft (Nexis Games), Cube Life: Island Survival (Cypronia), Discovery (Noowanda), Battleminer (Wobbly Tooth Games), Cube Creator 3D (Big John Games), and Stone Shire (Finger Gun Games). Despite this, the fears of fans were unfounded, with official Minecraft releases on Nintendo consoles eventually resuming.
Markus Persson made another similar game, Minicraft, for a Ludum Dare competition in 2011. In 2025, Persson announced through a poll on his X account that he was considering developing a spiritual successor to Minecraft. He later clarified that he was "100% serious", and that he had "basically announced Minecraft 2".
Main article: Oasis (Minecraft clone)In November 2024, artificial intelligence companies Decart and Etched released Oasis, an artificially generated version of Minecraft, as a proof of concept. Every in-game element is completely AI generated in real time and the model does not store world data, leading to "hallucinations" such as items and blocks appearing that were not there before.
Minecon (Minecraft Live)
Main article: MineconMinecon, now known as Minecraft Live, is an annual official fan convention dedicated to Minecraft which usually reveals new games or feature drops, among others. The first full Minecon was held in November 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The event included the official launch of Minecraft; keynote speeches, including one by Persson; building and costume contests; Minecraft-themed breakout classes; exhibits by leading gaming and Minecraft-related companies; commemorative merchandise; and autograph and picture times with Mojang employees and well-known contributors from the Minecraft community. In 2016, Minecon was held in-person for the last time, with the following years featuring annual livestreams on minecraft.net and YouTube instead.
Notes
- Minecraft was first publicly available on 17 May 2009, and, following many developmental phases over the next two years, was fully released on 18 November 2011.
- The original versions of the game for consoles (known as "legacy console" editions) were developed by 4J Studios. Additional studios responsible for helping develop specific versions of the game include Xbox Game Studios Advanced Technology Group (ATG) and SkyBox Labs for the Bedrock Edition, Other Ocean Interactive for the version on New Nintendo 3DS, and NetEase for the localized version released in mainland China.
- Versions of the game on PlayStation consoles were published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, while the version of the game in mainland China is published by NetEase.
- Left Mojang Studios in 2014
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Further reading
- Gallagher, Colin (2014). Minecraft in the Classroom: Ideas, Inspiration, and Student Projects for Teachers. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press. ISBN 978-0-13-385801-3.
- Garrelts, Nate (2014). Understanding Minecraft: Essays on Play, Community and Possibilities. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-7974-0.
- Goldberg, Daniel (2013). Minecraft: The Unlikely Tale of Markus "Notch" Persson and the Game That Changed Everything. New York: Seven Stories Press. ISBN 978-1-60980-537-1.
External links
- Official website
- Official website of Minecraft RTX
- Minecraft Classic – a remake version based on an classic version of Minecraft
- Minecraft Wiki – an unofficial encyclopedia of Minecraft franchise
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