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{{Infobox video game
|title = Minecraft
|image = [[File:Minecraft logo.svg|270px]]
|caption = The ''Minecraft'' logo
|developer = [[Mojang]]<br />[[4J Studios]] (console versions<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/business/news/sony-playstation-deals-mean-more-minecraft-success-ahead-for-4j-studios-1.122851 |title=Sony PlayStation deals mean more Minecraft success ahead for 4J Studios |publisher=The Courier.co.uk |date=August 22, 2013 |accessdate=August 22, 2013}}</ref>)
|publisher = [[Mojang]] <small>(PC, Mobile)</small><br />[[Microsoft Studios]] <small>(Xbox 360, Xbox One, Windows Phone)</small><br />[[Sony Computer Entertainment]] <small>(PS3, PS4, PS Vita)</small>
|designer = [[Markus Persson]] (2009–2011)<br />[[Jens Bergensten]] (2011–present)
|artist = [[Kristoffer Zetterstrand]]<br />Markus "Junkboy" Toivonen
|composer = Daniel Rosenfeld
|released = {{collapsible list|title=November 18, 2011|
'''Windows, Mac, and Linux '''<br />{{vgrelease|WW=November 18, 2011<ref name="PC release date">{{cite web|title=Minecraft|url=http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft/|work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|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=[[IGN]]|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=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|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=[[Wired UK]] | 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=[[Mojang]]|publisher=[[Mojang]]|accessdate= March 27, 2013}}</ref>}}
'''PlayStation 3'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA=December 17, 2013|EU=December 18, 2013}}
'''PlayStation 4'''<br />September 4, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PlayStationEU/status/507437566313136128|title=PlayStation Europe on Twitter: "NEWS! Minecraft PS4 is OUT NOW in the PS Store €18.99. PS3 owners can upgrade for €3.99 --> http://t.co/pr61OfIGbv http://t.co/bpjrs9OdvZ"|publisher=|accessdate=October 13, 2014}}</ref>
<br />'''Xbox One (Xbox Live)'''<br />September 5, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-one-to-launch-on-friday/|title=Minecraft for Xbox One to launch on Friday|work=CNET|accessdate=October 13, 2014}}</ref>
<br />'''Xbox One (Retail Disc)'''<br />November 18, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xbox.com/2014/09/games-minecraft-xbox-one-edition-reaches-retail-stores-november-18|title=Xbox Wire|publisher=|accessdate=October 13, 2014}}</ref>
'''PlayStation Vita'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA=October 14, 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/10/minecraft-ps-vita-edition-release-date-revealed-for-north-america|title=Minecraft: PS Vita Edition Release Date Revealed for North America|work=IGN|accessdate=October 13, 2014}}</ref>|EU=October 15, 2014}} }}
|genre = [[Open world|Sandbox]], [[survival mode|survival]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|media = [[Digital distribution|Download]], [[optical disc]]
|platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]], [[Java (software platform)|Java platform]], [[Java applet]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[Windows Phone]], [[Xbox 360]], [[Xbox One]], [[Raspberry Pi]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation Vita]]}}

'''''Minecraft''''' is a [[open world|sandbox]] [[indie game]] originally created by Swedish programmer [[Markus Persson|Markus "Notch" Persson]] and later developed and published by [[Mojang]]. It was publicly released for the [[Personal computer|PC]] on May 17, 2009, as a developmental [[Video game alpha release|alpha version]] and, after gradual updates, was published as a full release version on November 18, 2011. A version for [[Android (operating system)|Android]] was released a month earlier on October 7, and an [[iOS]] version was released on November 17, 2011. The game was released on the [[Xbox 360]] as an [[Xbox Live Arcade]] game on May 9, 2012, and on the [[PlayStation 3]] on December 17, 2013. The game was released on the [[PlayStation 4]] on September 4, 2014, launching on the [[Xbox One]] the next day. All versions of ''Minecraft'' receive periodic updates, with the console editions being co-developed by [[4J Studios]].

The creative and building aspects of ''Minecraft'' allow players to build constructions out of textured cubes in a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[procedural generation|procedurally generated]] world. Other activities in the game include exploration, gathering resources, crafting, and combat. Multiple gameplay modes are available, including [[survival mode]]s where the player must acquire resources to build and maintain his or her health and hunger, a [[#Creative mode|creative mode]] where players have unlimited resources to build and the ability to fly, and an [[#Adventure mode|adventure mode]] where players can create custom [[Level (video gaming)|maps]] for other players to play.

''Minecraft'' received five awards during the 2011 [[Game Developers Conference]]. Of the [[Game Developers Choice Awards]], it won the Innovation Award, Best Downloadable Game Award, and Best Debut Game Award; from the [[Independent Games Festival]], it won the Audience Award and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. In 2012, ''Minecraft'' was awarded a [[Golden Joystick Award]] in the category Best Downloadable Game.

{{As of|2014|6|25|df=US}}, over 12 million copies of the game on the Xbox 360 and 15 million copies on PC have been sold; nearly 54 million copies have been sold across all platforms.

On September 15, 2014, [[Microsoft]] announced a deal to purchase the game's developer, [[Mojang]], granting the company ownership of the game's [[intellectual property]]. The all-cash deal is worth $2.5 billion.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Peckham|first1=Matt|title=Minecraft Is Now Part of Microsoft, and It Only Cost $2.5 Billion|url=http://time.com/3377886/microsoft-buys-mojang/|website=Time|publisher=Time Inc.|accessdate=15 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Bass|first1=Dina|title=Microsoft to Buy Minecraft Maker Mojang for $2.5 Billion|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-15/microsoft-to-buy-minecraft-maker-mojang-for-2-5-billion.html|website=Bloomberg L.P.|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref>

== Gameplay ==
''Minecraft'' is an [[open world]] 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&nbsp;— PC Review at IGN | work=[[IGN]]| accessdate=December 18, 2011 | first=Anthony|last= Gallegos}}</ref> However, there is an [[Achievement (video gaming)|achievement]] 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> 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=[[Eurogamer]]| 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. While players can move freely across the world, objects and items can only be placed at fixed locations relative to the grid. 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=[[IGN]] | date=November 11, 2010 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Ashdown|first=Jeremy}}</ref>

At the start of the game, the player is placed on the surface of a [[procedural generation|procedurally generated]] 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=[[GamesRadar]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=October 24, 2012}}</ref> Players can walk across the [[terrain]] consisting of plains, mountains, forests, caves, and various water bodies.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> The world is divided into [[biome]]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=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]| 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=[[Eurogamer]] | date=January 20, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Phillips|first=Tom}}</ref> The in-game [[Turns, rounds and time-keeping systems in games|time system]] follows a day and night cycle, with one full cycle lasting 20 real-time minutes. Throughout the course of the game, players encounter various [[non-player character]]s known as [[Mob (video gaming)|mobs]], including animals, villagers and hostile creatures.<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=[[Future plc]] | work=[[PC Gamer]] | date=May 24, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Senior|first=Tom}}</ref> Non-hostile animals—such as cows, pigs, and chickens—spawn during the daytime. The player may hunt them for food and crafting materials. By contrast, hostile mobs—such as large [[spider]]s, [[Skeleton (undead)|skeletons]], and [[Zombie (fictional)|zombies]]—spawn during nighttime and in dark places, such as caves.<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 [[Teleportation|teleport]] and pick up blocks.<ref name=Eurogamer />

[[File:Minecraft Mobs.png|thumb|left|A few of the hostile and neutral mobs displayed in ''Minecraft'' from left to right: Zombie, Spider, Enderman, Creeper, Skeleton]]
The game world is procedurally generated as players explore it, using a [[random seed|seed]] which is obtained from the [[system clock]] 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:

::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 [[software bug|buggier]] 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 [[offset (computer science)|offset]] value that is a [[32-bit|32 bit]] [[integer]] 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 [[arithmetic overflow|overflowing]] and acting weird.

::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.<ref name="NotchExplain1" />

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/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ | title=Minecraft In Education: How Video Games Are Teaching Kids | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[GameSpot]] | date=November 25, 2012 | accessdate=December 15, 2012 | last=Walton|first=Mark}}</ref> Liquids in the game flow from a source block, which can be removed by placing a solid block in its place, or by scooping it into a bucket. 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=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|publisher=Alloy Digital|last=Tito |first=Greg |date=October 4, 2010 |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref>

''Minecraft'' features two alternate dimensions besides the main world – the Nether and The End.<ref name=Eurogamer /> The Nether is a [[hell]]-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=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=October 30, 2012}}</ref> The End is a barren land in which a [[boss (video gaming)|boss]] 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/news/2011/10/11/minecraft-the-end-ender-dragons-and-goop-portal-all-explained|work=[[GameZone]]|publisher=GameZone Online|accessdate=October 31, 2012}}</ref> Killing the dragon cues the game's ending credits, written by Irish author [[Julian Gough]].<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. There is also a second boss called "The Wither", which drops materials used to build a placeable beacon that can enhance certain abilities of all nearby players. A third boss, which lives in the sea, is currently known as the Guardian, it has been added in the 1.8 update of ''Minecraft''.

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" />

=== Survival mode ===
[[File:Minecraft Beta 1.0.2 crafting a stone axe - from Commons.png|thumb|right|A screenshot of the ''Minecraft'' crafting screen, showing two stone axes being crafted]]

In this mode, players have to gather [[natural resource]]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 [[health (gaming)|health bar]] which is depleted by attacks from monsters, 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, except in peaceful mode, in which the hunger bar does not drain. If the hunger bar is depleted, then the health bar will slowly diminish. Health replenishes when players have a nearly full hunger bar, and also regenerates regardless of fullness if players play on the easiest difficulty.

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=[[About.com]]|publisher=[[IAC (company)|InterActiveCorp]]|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 more easily. 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. 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. 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=[[Wired UK]]| date=July 6, 2012 | accessdate=November 21, 2012 | last=Brown | first=Mark}}</ref> Emeralds are often the currency of the villagers, although some trade with wheat or other materials.<ref name="Update May 2012" /><ref name="Trading update" />

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, and players respawn at the current [[spawning (video gaming)|spawn point]], 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=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]| 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. Players may acquire [[experience point]]s by killing mobs and other players, mining, smelting ores, [[animal breeding|breeding animals]], and cooking food. Experience can then be spent on [[incantation|enchanting]] 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" />

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 [[Permanent death|permadeath]]; 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=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=September 23, 2011 | accessdate=September 25, 2012}}</ref>

=== Creative mode ===
[[File:Minecraft city hall.png|thumb|right|An example of a creation constructed in ''Minecraft'']]

In creative mode, players have access to all 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/news/2012/09/26/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition | title=Creative Mode coming to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition | publisher=GameZone Online | work=[[GameZone]] | 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=[[VentureBeat]] | date=September 5, 2012 | accessdate=December 1, 2012 | last=Haley|first=Sebastian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.totalxbox.com/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 plc]] | work=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]| 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" />

=== 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=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|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=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|first=John|last=Walker|date=August 1, 2012|accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> Gameplay is similar to survival mode but introduces various player restrictions. 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 certain 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=[[IGN]]|accessdate=October 28, 2012}}</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=[[Ars Technica]] | 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 [[local area network]] 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=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |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 [[IP address]]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. A stand-alone server called CraftBukkit<ref name="bukkit1">{{cite web |url= http://wiki.bukkit.org/Bukkit#What_is_the_difference_between_Bukkit_and_CraftBukkit.3F|title=What is the difference between Bukkit and CraftBukkit?|last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website= http://wiki.bukkit.org|publisher= |accessdate= June 17, 2014}}</ref> has been developed by the community to facilitate development of server-side plugins enabling otherwise impossible gameplay elements such as permissions, ranks, virtual currency, and chat formatting. Competitions are available in some servers, in which players can participate in a variety of games, including some resembling ''[[The Hunger Games]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1224649p1.html| title=Survival Games is The Hunger Games of Minecraft | publisher=[[Glu Mobile]]| work=[[GameSpy]] | 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=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]| date=August 4, 2012 | accessdate=January 1, 2013 | last=Pearson|first=Craig}}</ref> A gamemode, PvP ([[player versus player]]), 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 players to run server multiplayer games easily and safely without the hassle of setting up their own.<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=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|accessdate=March 26, 2013}}</ref>

== Development ==
The developer of ''Minecraft'', [[Markus Persson|Markus "Notch" Persson]], began developing the game as an independent project while working for [[King.com]] and later [[jAlbum]].<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 = [[Gamasutra]]| 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 ''[[Dwarf Fortress]]'', ''[[Dungeon Keeper]]'', and later ''[[Infiniminer]]''. 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=[[Future plc]] | work=[[PC Gamer]] | date=November 10, 2012 | accessdate=December 20, 2012 | last=Davies|first=Marsh}}</ref>

''Minecraft'' was first released to the public on May 17, 2009, as a developmental release on ''TIGSource'' forums,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/06/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ | title=The First Moments of Minecraft | publisher=[[Future plc]]| work=[[PC Gamer]] | date=February 6, 2012 | accessdate=January 1, 2013 | last=Smith|first= Graham}}</ref> later becoming known as the ''Classic'' version. Further milestones dubbed as ''Survival Test'', ''Indev'' and ''Infdev'' were released between September 2009 and February 2010, although the game saw updates in-between. The first major update, dubbed [[Video game alpha release|alpha]] version, was released on June 28, 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.<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=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |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" />

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" /><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>

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=[[International Business Times]]| 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, [[Jens Bergensten|Jens "Jeb" Bergensten]] 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=[[The Word of Notch]]|publisher=Mojang|date=December 2, 2011|accessdate=December 2, 2011}}</ref> On February 28, 2012, Mojang announced that they had hired the developers of the popular server platform "CraftBukkit"<ref name="bukkit1"/> to improve ''Minecraft''{{'}}s support of [[Mod (video gaming)|server and client modifications]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mojang.com/2012/02/minecraft-team-strengthened/ | title=Minecraft Team Strengthened! | work=Mojang.com | date=February 28, 2012 | accessdate= September 22, 2013 | last=Bergensten | first=Jens }}</ref> This acquisition also included Mojang apparently taking full ownership of the CraftBukkit modification,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/21/minecraft-bukkit-team-lead-tries-to-end-development-but-mojang-steps-in/ |title=Minecraft Bukkit team lead tries to end development, but Mojang steps in |publisher=[[PCGamer]] |date=August 21, 2014}}</ref> although the validity of this claim was questioned due to its status as an [[open source|open-source]] project with many contributors, licensed under the [[GNU General Public License]] and [[Lesser General Public License]].<ref name=gon-craftbukkitdmca>{{cite news|title=Minecraft’s CraftBukkit mod taken down by DMCA claim|url=http://games.on.net/2014/09/minecrafts-craftbukkit-mod-taken-down-by-dmca-claim/|accessdate=17 September 2014|work=games.on.net}}</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 [[background music]] in ''Minecraft'' is non-lyrical [[ambient music]]. On March 4, 2011, Rosenfeld released a [[Video game music|soundtrack]], 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 [[Kotaku]] 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=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|accessdate=November 14, 2012}}</ref> On November 9, 2013, Rosenfeld released the second official soundtrack, titled ''Minecraft – Volume Beta'', 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=November 9, 2013|accessdate=November 9, 2013}}</ref>

{{Infobox album
| Name = Minecraft – Volume Alpha
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = Daniel Rosenfeld
| Cover = Minecraft Volume Alpha.jpg
| Alt =
| Released = March 4, 2011
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Ambient music|Ambient]], [[Electronic music|electronic]]
| Length = 58:48
}}
{{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
| total_length = 58:48
}}
{{Infobox album
| Name = Minecraft – Volume Beta
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist = Daniel Rosenfeld
| Cover = Minecraft Volume Beta.jpg
| Alt =
| Released = November 9, 2013
| Recorded =
| Genre = [[Ambient music|Ambient]], [[Electronic music|electronic]]
| Length = 2:20:48
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = ''Minecraft – Volume Beta''
| collapsed = yes
| title1 = Ki
| length1 = 1:32
| title2 = Alpha
| length2 = 10:03
| title3 = Dead Voxel
| length3 = 4:56
| title4 = Blind Spots
| length4 = 5:32
| title5 = Flake
| length5 = 2:50
| title6 = Moog City 2
| length6 = 3:00
| title7 = Concrete Halls
| length7 = 4:14
| title8 = Biome Fest
| length8 = 6:18
| title9 = Mutation
| length9 = 3:05
| title10 = Haunt Muskie
| length10 = 6:01
| title11 = Warmth
| length11 = 3:59
| title12 = Floating Trees
| length12 = 4:04
| title13 = Aria Math
| length13 = 5:10
| title14 = Kyoto
| length14 = 4:09
| title15 = Ballad of the Cats
| length15 = 4:35
| title16 = Taswell
| length16 = 8:35
| title17 = Beginning 2
| length17 = 2:56
| title18 = Dreiton
| length18 = 8:17
| title19 = The End
| length19 = 15:04
| title20 = Chirp
| length20 = 3:06
| title21 = Wait
| length21 = 3:54
| title22 = Mellohi
| length22 = 1:38
| title23 = Stal
| length23 = 2:32
| title24 = Strad
| length24 = 3:08
| title25 = Eleven
| length25 = 1:11
| title26 = Ward
| length26 = 4:10
| title27 = Mall
| length27 = 3:18
| title28 = Blocks
| length28 = 5:43
| title29 = Far
| length29 = 3:12
| title30 = Intro
| length30 = 4:36
| total_length = 2:20:48
}}

== Platforms ==

=== Personal computer versions ===

The PC was the original platform for ''Minecraft''; the game runs on multiple [[operating system]]s including [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[OS X]], and [[Linux]].<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=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[GameSpot]] | date=December 13, 2012 | accessdate=December 23, 2012 | last=Makuch|first=Eddie}}</ref> Apart from the main version, there are other versions of ''Minecraft'' available for PC, including ''Minecraft Classic'' and ''Minecraft 4k''.

''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.
''Minecraft 4k'' is a simplified version of ''Minecraft'' similar to the classic version that was developed for the [[Java 4K Game Programming Contest|Java 4K game programming contest]] "in way less than 4 kilobytes".<ref name="m4k">{{cite web|url=http://twitter.com/notch/status/86061084796125184 |title=Notch: Minecraft in less than 4k |publisher=Twitter |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/|work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=October 2, 2012|date=November 25, 2011}}</ref>

A port of ''Minecraft'' for the [[Raspberry Pi]] 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=[[The Next Web]]|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>

=== Console versions ===

The Xbox 360 version of the game, developed by [[4J Studios]], 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=[[Microsoft]]|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 [[Xbox Live]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review/ | title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition review at Digital Trends|work=[[Digital Trends]]| 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.totalxbox.com/46662/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-out-today-10am-gmt/|title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update 1.8.2 out today, 10am GMT|work=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|first=Edwin|last=Evans-Thirlwell|date=October 16, 2012|accessdate=October 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totalxbox.com/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=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|first=Edwin|last=Evans-Thirlwell|date=October 2, 2012|accessdate=October 27, 2012}}</ref>

Similarly to the Xbox versions, the PlayStation versions are also being developed by 4J Studios. The PlayStation 3 version was released on December 17, 2013, and is nearly an exact clone of the Xbox 360 version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/PlayStation_3_Edition |title=Minecraft Wiki: PlayStation 3 Edition | date=January 16, 2014 |accessdate=January 16, 2014}}</ref>

During their [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013|E3 2013]] 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 [[Xbox One]]. This version was released on September 5, 2014.<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>

At [[Gamescom]] 2013, [[Sony]] said that Minecraft would be released as a [[PlayStation 4]] launch title, and would later be released as for the [[PlayStation Vita]] and [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/20/gamescom-minecraft-coming-to-ps4 |title=Gamescom: Minecraft Coming to PS4, PS3, Vita – IGN |publisher=Uk.ign.com |date=August 20, 2013 |accessdate=December 9, 2013}}</ref> However, the game was later delayed and the PlayStation 4 version did not launch alongside the console.<ref name="gamespot1">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-not-launching-with-playstation-4/1100-6416102/|title=Minecraft not launching with PS4 |publisher=GameSpot |date=November 12, 2013 |accessdate=November 12, 2013}}</ref> It was released on the PlayStation 3 on December 18, 2013, and on the Playstation 4 on September 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pitcher|first1=Jenna|title=Minecraft PS4 Edition Release Date Confirmed|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/04/minecraft-ps4-edition-release-date-confirmed|website=IGN|publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.|accessdate=3 October 2014}}</ref>

=== Handheld versions ===

On August 16, 2011, ''Minecraft&nbsp;– Pocket Edition'' was released for the [[Xperia Play]] on the [[Google Play|Android Market]] as an early alpha version. It was then released for several 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=[[Gamasutra]] |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=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|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=[[Wired UK]] | 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 [[C++]] 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=jeb_: PE is in C++|publisher=Twitter|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>

At [[Gamescom]] 2013, [[Sony]] confirmed that Minecraft would be released for the [[PlayStation Vita]].

== User-generated and downloadable content ==

A wide variety of user-generated content for ''Minecraft'', such as modifications, [[texture pack]]s and custom maps, is available for download from the Internet. Modifications of the ''Minecraft'' code, called [[Mod (video gaming)|mods]], 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=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|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=[[Future plc]]|work=[[PC Gamer]]|accessdate=October 28, 2012|last=Senior|first=Tom}}</ref> The modding community is responsible for a substantial supply of mods from ones that enhance gameplay, such as [[minimap]]s, waypoints, and durability counters, to ones that add to the game elements from ''[[Pokémon]]'', [[Portal (video game)|''Portal'']], and ''[[The Hunger Games]]''. To make mods easier to create and install, Mojang announced in November 2012 that it plans to add an official modding [[Application programming interface|API]].<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=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=November 24, 2012|date=November 24, 2012}}</ref> {{As of|2014|df=US}}, Mojang has yet to reveal more about their modding API.

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=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|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=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=October 28, 2012}}</ref> In version 1.3 [[Mojang]] added adventure mode <ref name="RPS – 1.3july" /> for custom maps and in 1.4, [[Mojang]] added command blocks,<ref name="Gallegos" /> which were created specially for custom maps. In ''Minecraft'' 1.8, Mojang is planning to allow resource packs to be implemented into the world save.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft snapshot 14w07a |url=https://mojang.com/2014/02/minecraft-snapshot-14w07a/| publisher=Mojang |accessdate=February 19, 2014}}</ref>

The ''Xbox 360 Edition'' supports [[downloadable content]], which is available to purchase via the [[Xbox Games Store]]; these content packs usually contain additional character skins.<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=[[Shacknews]]|publisher=[[GameFly]]|date=July 3, 2012}}</ref> It later received support for texture packs in its twelfth title update while introducing "mash-up packs", which combines texture packs with skin packs and changes to the game's sounds, music and user interface.<ref>{{cite web|last=Borthwick|first=Ben|title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Title Update 12 out now|url=http://www.totalxbox.com/60999/minecraft-xbox-360-title-update-12-out-now/|publisher=[[Official Xbox Magazine (UK)|OXM UK]]|accessdate=September 8, 2013|date=August 24, 2013 |archiveurl=//web.archive.org/web/20130824122949/http://www.oxm.co.uk/60999/minecraft-xbox-360-title-update-12-out-now/ |archivedate=August 24, 2013}}</ref> The first mash-up pack (and by extension, the first texture pack) for the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' was released on September 4, 2013, and is themed after the ''[[Mass Effect]]'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web|last=Conditt|first=Jessica|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/|publisher=Joystiq|accessdate=September 8, 2013|date=September 2, 2013}}</ref> Unlike the PC version, however, the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' does not support player-made mods or custom maps.<ref name="IGN Xbox" />

== Reception ==

=== 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''&nbsp;– 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=[[IGN]]|date=January 12, 2011 |accessdate=November 26, 2012}}</ref> At the same time, the game had no [[video game publisher|publisher]] backing and has never been commercially advertised except through [[word of mouth]],<ref name="noads">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5724989/why-minecraft-is-so-damn-popular |title=Why ''Minecraft'' Is So Damn Popular |work=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=January 4, 2011 |accessdate=January 12, 2011}}</ref> and various unpaid references in popular media such as the [[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]] 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}}{{dead link|date=May 2014}}</ref> By April 2011, Persson estimated that ''Minecraft'' had made €23&nbsp;million (US$33&nbsp;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=[[Gamasutra]] |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=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|accessdate=November 9, 2011}}</ref> By March 2012, ''Minecraft'' had become the 6th [[List of best-selling PC video games|best-selling PC game]] 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> {{As of|2014|4|29|df=US}}, the game has sold 15 million copies on PC, becoming the best-selling PC game of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/29/minecraft-sales-surpass-15-million-copies-on-pc|title=Minecraft sales surpass 15 million copies on PC|last=Campbell|first=Evan|date=29 April 2014|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|accessdate=26 June 2014}}</ref> {{As of|2014|6|25|df=US}}, the game has sold almost 54 million copies across all platforms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-26-minecrafts-console-versions-have-now-outsold-minecraft-on-pc-mac|title=Minecraft's console versions have now outsold Minecraft on PC, Mac|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=26 June 2014|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=Gamer Network|accessdate=26 June 2014}}</ref> On February 25, 2014, the game reached 100 million registered users.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://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|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|accessdate=26 February 2014}}</ref>

The Xbox 360 version of ''Minecraft'' became profitable within the first 24 hours of the game's release in 2012, 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=[[Game Informer]] |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=[[Giant Bomb]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | 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 [[Xbox LIVE Arcade]] 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=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|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 [[unique user]]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=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Scott|last=Nichols|date=January 23, 2013|accessdate=January 26, 2013}}</ref> {{As of|2014|4|4|df=US}}, 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 12m|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=4 April 2014|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=Gamer Network|accessdate=4 April 2014}}</ref> In addition, ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' has reached a figure of 21 million in sales.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mojang.com/2014/04/watch-our-pocket-edition-dev-stream/ | title=Watch our Pocket Edition stream. Now with footage! | publisher=Mojang | date=April 14, 2014 | accessdate=July 31, 2014 |last=Hill|first=Owen}}</ref> The PlayStation 3 version 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=January 24, 2014|work=[[Gamasutra]]|publisher=Think Services|accessdate=January 25, 2014}}</ref>

=== Critical ===
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 92.79% (PC)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/606524-minecraft/index.html | title=''Minecraft'' for PC | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[GameRankings]] | accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref><br />83.54% (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/632873-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/index.html | title=''Minecraft'': Xbox 360 Edition | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[GameRankings]] | accessdate=September 2, 2013}}</ref><br />53.33% (Pocket Edition)<ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/633996-minecraft-pocket-edition/index.html|work=[[Gamerankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|accessdate=September 2, 2013}}</ref>
| MC = 93/100 (PC)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/minecraft/critic-reviews | title=''Minecraft'' Critic Reviews for PC | publisher=CBS Interactive | work=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=May 1, 2012}}</ref><br />86/100 (PS3)<ref>{{cite web|title= Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition for PlayStation 3|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/minecraft-playstation-3-edition|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|accessdate=February 19, 2014}}</ref><br />82/100 (Xbox 360)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/minecraft-xbox-360-edition | title=''Minecraft'': Xbox 360 Edition for PC | publisher=CBS Interactive | work=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=May 1, 2012}}</ref><br />53/100 (Pocket Edition)<ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/minecraft-pocket-edition|work=[[Metacritic]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=March 8, 2013}}</ref>
| 1UP = A+ (PC)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/minecraft-pc | title=Minecraft PC Reviews | work=[[1UP.com]]| accessdate=December 18, 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Ed61AJ3R|archivedate=February 22, 2013}}</ref>
| Edge = 9/10 (PC)<ref name="edgereview">{{cite web|url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/minecraft-review/|title=Minecraft review|work=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=November 28, 2011|accessdate=June 7, 2012}}</ref>
| EuroG = 10/10 (PC)<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web | url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-18-minecraft-review | title=Minecraft Review • Reviews • | publisher=Eurogamer Network |work=[[Eurogamer]]| date=November 18, 2011 | accessdate=December 18, 2011 | last=Meer | first=Alec}}</ref><br />9/10 (Xbox 360)<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 |work=[[Eurogamer]]| date=November 18, 2011 | accessdate=December 18, 2011 | last=Meer | first=Alec}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.5/10 (PC)<ref name="GS review" /><br />7.0/10 (Xbox 360)<ref name="GSpot Xbox">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ | title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition | work=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]| date=May 10, 2009 | accessdate=December 18, 2011 | last=Meunier | first=Nathan | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20131215052841/http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ | archivedate=December 15, 2013}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{rating|5|5}} (PC)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1213179p1.html | title=GameSpy: Minecraft Review&nbsp;— Page 1 | work=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=[[Glu Mobile]] | accessdate=December 18, 2011|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Ed6BDv8C|archivedate=February 22, 2013}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.0/10 (PC)<ref name="IGN review" /><br />7.5/10 (Mobile)<ref name="MC Pocket" /><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=[[IGN]]| accessdate=December 18, 2011 | first=Anthony|last= Gallegos}}</ref><br />9.5/10 (PS3)<ref name="IGN">{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/minecraft-review-2 | title=Minecraft PlayStation 3 Review – IGN| work=[[IGN]]| accessdate=January 30, 2014 | first=Brian|last= Albert}}</ref><br />9.7/10 (PS4)<ref name="IGN PS4 XBone">{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review | title=Minecraft PS4 And Xbox One Review – IGN| work=[[IGN]] |date=September 5, 2014 |accessdate=September 22, 2014 | first=Brian|last= Albert}}</ref><br />9.7/10 (Xbox One)<ref name="IGN PS4 XBone" />
| 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=[[Game Informer]] |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=[[Game Informer]] | date=May 9, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Cork|first=Jeff}}</ref>
}}

''Minecraft'' has been praised for the creative freedom it grants players in-game, as well as the ease of enabling [[emergent gameplay]].<ref name="PCGamerUK">{{cite journal |first=Jim |last=Rossignol |authorlink=Jim Rossignol |title=Building-block World |journal=[[PC Gamer UK]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=204}}</ref><ref name="PCPowerPlay">{{cite journal |first=Daniel |last=Hindes |title=Trouble Down Mine |journal=[[PC PowerPlay]] |publisher=[[Nextmedia]] |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 = [[Valve Corporation]]| 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=[[GameSpot]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | date=May 10, 2009 | accessdate=December 18, 2011 | last=Meunier | first=Nathan}}</ref> Most publications were impressed by the game's "blocky" graphics, with [[IGN]] 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" />

Reviewers have criticized the game's lack of in-game tutorials and instructions, making it difficult for new players to learn how to play the game. IGN was disappointed about the troublesome steps needed to set up multiplayer servers, calling it a "hassle".<ref name="IGN review" /> Critics also noted visual glitches that occur periodically.<ref name="GS review" /> In 2009, [[GameSpot]] maintained that the game has 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 ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]'', 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|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |accessdate=August 3, 2010|date=July 27, 2010|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20101206150152/http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/gaming/2010/07/minecraft-alpha-review.html|archivedate=December 6, 2010|deadurl=yes}}</ref> [[Jim Rossignol]] of [[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] also recommended the alpha of the game, calling it "a kind of generative 8-bit [[Lego]] ''[[S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl|Stalker]]''".<ref name="RPSreview">{{cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |title=Chockablock: ''Minecraft'' Revisited |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/10/chockablock-minecraft-revisited/ |work= [[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |accessdate=September 3, 2010 |authorlink=Jim Rossignol |date=August 10, 2010}}</ref> On September 17, 2010, gaming [[webcomic]] [[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|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/ |accessdate=September 17, 2010 |authorlink=Jerry Holkins |publisher= [[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]] |date=September 17, 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" />

''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 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|last=Albert|first=Brian|title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition Review| url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/13/minecraft-pocket-edition-review-2|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=IGN Entertainment|accessdate=28 February 2014|date=13 February 2014}}</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=[[Wired UK]] | 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=[[IDG]]| work=[[PC World]]| date=April 25, 2012 | accessdate=January 2, 2013 | last=Purewal|first=Sarah}}</ref> Recently, though, it has starting receiving positive reviews, due to the game's updates adding more content. In addition to the controls, reviewers have complimented the graphics, though still note the lack of content and limited sized worlds.<ref name="MC Pocket" />

=== Awards ===
{{update|section|date=May 2014}}
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|work=[[PC Gamer]] |date=July 5, 2010 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/05/50-games-to-play-at-work/5/ |authorlink=Jim Rossignol |publisher=[[Future plc]]}}</ref> In December of that year, [[Good Game]] selected ''Minecraft'' as their choice for Best Downloadable Game of 2010,<ref name="GGaward">{{cite episode |title=GG Awards 2010: Best Downloadable Game |series=[[Good Game]] |credits=[[Stephanie Bendixsen|Bendixsen, Stephanie]]; [[Steven O'Donnell (Australian actor)|O'Donnell, Steven]] |network=[[ABC Television]] |airdate=December 6, 2010|season=5 |number=43 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3085956.htm}}</ref> [[Gamasutra]] 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=[[Gamasutra]] |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=[[Gamasutra]]|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 = [[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]] |accessdate=December 24, 2010 |date=December 25, 2010}}</ref> [[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.<ref name="IDBaward">{{cite web|title=Winners&nbsp;– 2010 Indie of the Year Awards&nbsp;– 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''&nbsp;– PC Gamer UK's Game Of The Year |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/12/31/pc-gamer-uks-game-of-the-year/|work=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|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 [[Independent Games Festival]] 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 [[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.<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=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]] | 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 [[GameCity]]'s videogame arts prize.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15509330 | title=''Minecraft'' awarded GameCity videogame arts prize |work=[[BBC News Online]]|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 [[Smithsonian American Art Museum]] as part of [[The Art of Video Games]] 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=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]| date=May 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/ | title=The Art of Video Games | publisher=[[Smithsonian American Art Museum]] | accessdate=November 23, 2013}}</ref> At the 2011 [[Spike Video Game Awards]], ''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 =[[Spike TV]] | date =November 16, 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/ | accessdate = August 2, 2013}}</ref><ref name="spike – pc">{{cite press release | title =SPIKE TV ANNOUNCES 2011 "VIDEO GAME AWARDS" WINNERS | publisher =[[Spike TV]] | date =December 10, 2011 | url =http://www.spike.com/press/2011/12/10/spike-tv-announces-2011-%E2%80%9Cvideo-game-awards%E2%80%9D-winners/ | accessdate = August 2, 2013}}</ref> In 2012, at the [[British Academy Video Games Awards]], ''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=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]]|date=February 12, 2012|accessdate=December 30, 2012}}</ref> In 2012, ''Minecraft'' XBLA was awarded a [[Golden Joystick Award]] 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=[[Computer and Video Games]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|accessdate=November 5, 2012|date=October 26, 2012}}</ref> and a [[The Independent Games Developers Association|TIGA]] 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=[[Digital Spy]]|accessdate=November 5, 2012|date=November 2, 2012}}</ref>

== MineCon ==
{{Main|MineCon}}
[[MineCon]] is an official ''Minecraft'' [[Fan convention|convention]]. The first one was held on November 18–19, 2011, at [[Mandalay Bay]] Hotel and Casino in [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]]. 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=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|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&nbsp;— Page 1 | work=[[GameSpy]]|publisher=[[Glu Mobile]]| 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 [[Electronic dance music|electronic]] musician [[deadmau5]].<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=[[IGN]]| 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, ''[[Scrolls (video game)|Scrolls]]'', as well as an additional non-Mojang game, ''[[Cobalt (video game)|Cobalt]]'', 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=[[Joystiq]]|publisher=[[AOL]] | date=September 8, 2011 | accessdate=November 23, 2012 | first=Griffin |last= McElroy}}</ref> Similar events occurred in MineCon 2012, which took place in [[Disneyland Paris]] 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=[[BBC News Online]]|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=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|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 2013 MineCon was held in Orlando, Florida, in the United States, on November 2–3.<ref>{{cite web|last=Winters|first=Lydia|url=https://twitter.com/LydiaWinters/status/320922859411230720|title=MINECON will be in the US this year. Sorry dear Brits. I'm not coming to scout locations!|publisher=Twitter|date=April 7, 2013|accessdate=June 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNG_Ayqb-ts|title=Where in the World is MINECON 2013? |publisher=YouTube|date=June 27, 2013|accessdate=June 27, 2013}}</ref> The next MineCon will be held in fall 2015 in [[London]], [[Great Britain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mojang.com/2014/08/minecon-2015/ |title=MINECON 2015 |publisher=Mojang AB|date=August 21, 2014|accessdate=September 6, 2014}}</ref>

== Merchandise ==
{{See also|Lego Minecraft}}

A [[Lego]] set based on ''Minecraft'' called [[Lego Minecraft|Lego ''Minecraft'']] 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=[[Yahoo! News]]|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|first=Mariella|last=Moon|date=June 6, 2012}}</ref> The set, called "Micro World", centers around the game's default [[player character]] 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 = [[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] }}</ref> Mojang submitted the concept of ''Minecraft'' merchandise to [[Lego]] in December 2011 for the [[Lego Cuusoo]] 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=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|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" /> Two more sets based off the Nether and village areas of the game were released on September 1, 2013. A fourth Micro World set, the End, was released in June 2014. Six more sets will be available November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|author1=LEGO|title=LEGO Minecraft|url=https://www.facebook.com/LEGOMinecraft/photos/a.299460193452063.72516.250707394994010/778262168905194/?type=1|website=Facebook.com|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=5 October 2014|date=2 September 2014}}</ref>

Mojang collaborates with [[Jinx (clothing)|Jinx]], 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=[[Wired UK]] |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=[[VG247]]|date= March 24, 2012| accessdate= November 11, 2012}}</ref> In March 2013 Mojang signed a deal with the children's book publisher [[Egmont Group|The Egmont Group]] to create ''Minecraft'' handbooks, [[Annual publication|annuals]], 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=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|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=[[Develop (magazine)|Develop]] | 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=[[Wired.com]] | date=March 27, 2013 | accessdate=March 28, 2013 | author=Warr, Philippa}}</ref>

== Popular culture and social media == <!-- Section is linked from [[List of Minecraft clones]] -->
{{See also|Category:Minecraft clones}}

Social media sites such as [[YouTube]], [[Facebook]], and [[Reddit]] 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=[[Mashable]]|publisher=Mashable Inc. | date=October 1, 2010 | accessdate=December 28, 2012 | last=Silverman|first=Matt}}</ref> Research conducted by the [[University of Pennsylvania]]'s [[Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania|Annenberg School of Communication]] 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=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[GameSpot]] | 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 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/ |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|publisher=Salon Media Group|accessdate=May 25, 2012|first=Rob|last= Spillman|date= December 6, 2011|accessdate= November 23, 2013}}</ref> Common coverage in the videos includes creations made by players, [[Strategy guide|walkthroughs]] 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 popular commentators have received employment at [[Machinima.com|Machinima]], a gaming video company that owns a highly watched entertainment channel on YouTube.<ref name=salon /> [[The Yogscast]] is a British organisation that regularly produces ''Minecraft'' videos; their YouTube channel has attained billions 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=[[BBC News Online]]|publisher=BBC|accessdate=July 10, 2012|first=Rory|last=Cellan-Jones|date=July 10, 2012}}</ref> Other famous YouTube personnel include [[Jordan Maron]], who has created many ''Minecraft'' [[parody|parodies]], including "Minecraft Style", a parody of the international hit single "[[Gangnam Style]]".<ref name="Minecraft Style">{{cite web | url=http://sys03-public.nbcnews.com/technology/dig-minecraft-style-gangnam-style-parody-1C6601764 | title=Dig this 'Minecraft'-style 'Gangnam Style' parody | work=[[NBC News]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal]] | date=October 23, 2012 | accessdate=December 9, 2012 | last=Benedetti|first=Winda}}</ref> Herobrine is a major community icon of ''Minecraft'', who first appeared as a single image on [[4chan]]'s /v/ board. According to rumors, Herobrine appears in players' worlds and builds strange constructions.<ref name=ign>{{cite web|last=Dean|first=Paul|title=Hauntings and Hoaxes: Gamings Weirdest Ghost Stories|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/31/hauntings-and-hoaxes-gamings-weirdest-ghost-stories|work=www.ign.com|accessdate=July 1, 2013}}</ref> However, Mojang has confirmed that Herobrine has never existed in ''Minecraft'', and there are no plans to add Herobrine.<ref name="dinnerbone-herobrine">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dinnerbone/status/238278012632707072|title=Dinnerbone: @Kizzycocoa We have no plans ...|last=Adams|first=Nathan|date=August 22, 2012|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=July 18, 2013}}</ref>

''Minecraft'' has been referenced by other video games, such as ''[[RuneScape]]'', ''[[Torchlight II]]'', ''[[Borderlands 2]]'', ''[[Choplifter HD]]'', ''[[Super Meat Boy]]'', ''[[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]]'', ''[[The Binding of Isaac (video game)|The Binding of Isaac]]'', ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'', and ''[[FTL: Faster Than Light]]''.<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 [[deadmau5]] 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=[[IGN]]|accessdate=November 4, 2012}}</ref> A simulation of the game was featured in [[Lady Gaga]]'s [[G.U.Y.]] music video, along with the command "/gamemode ''[[Artpop|ARTPOP]]''".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNu_-deVemE |title=Lady Gaga – G.U.Y. - An ARTPOP Film – YouTube |publisher=YouTube.com |date=2014-03-22 |accessdate=2014-07-06}}</ref> After the release of ''Minecraft'', some video games were released with various similarities with ''Minecraft'', and some have been called "[[Video game clone|clones]]" 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 ''[[Ace of Spades (video game)|Ace of Spades]]'', ''[[CastleMiner]]'', ''[[CraftWorld]]'', ''[[FortressCraft]]'', ''[[Terraria]]'', and ''[[Total Miner]]''.<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=[[Ars Technica]]|accessdate=October 17, 2012}}</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 ''[[Minecraft: The Story of Mojang]]'', the film was produced by [[2 Player Productions]].<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=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]] | date=December 21, 2012 | accessdate=January 3, 2013 | last=Hawkins|first=Matt}}</ref> The second episode of the [[South Park (season 17)|seventeenth season]] of the animated television series ''[[South Park]]'' titled "[[Informative Murder Porn]]", features the boys distracting their parents from fighting each other with ''Minecraft''.<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=September 30, 2013|accessdate=October 1, 2013|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> In the ''South Park'' episode, gruff character Corey Lanskin explained the ''Minecraft'' game by noting, "You punch the trees to get the wood, you get the wood to build a cabin. … Minecraft, it don't got no winner. It don't got no objective. You just fuckin' build an' shit. And seein' if other things can come and knock it down."<ref>{{cite web |first=Max |last=Nicholson |date=October 3, 2013 |title=Minecraft for dummies |work= [[IGN]] |url= http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/03/south-park-informative-murder-porn-review|accessdate=December 22, 2013}}</ref> On 27 February 2014, Notch revealed that Mojang is in talks with [[Warner Bros.]] regarding a Minecraft film to be produced by [[Roy Lee]] and [[Jill Messick]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft movie in the works with Warner Bros.|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/211920/Minecraft_movie_in_the_works_with_Warner_Bros.php|accessdate=28 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Busch |first=Anita |title=Video Game Sensation 'Minecraft' Coming To The Big Screen As Warner Bros Acquires Rights; 'Lego's' Roy Lee And Jill Messick Producing|url=http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/minecraft-movie-warner-bros-lego-movie-producer/ |publisher=Deadline |date=2014-02-27 |accessdate=2014-02-27}}</ref> On 8 October 2014, Mojang COO Vu Bui stated that the movie was "in its early days of development", saying that it was a "large-budget" production, and also said that it might not be released until 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft Movie Is "Large-Budget," Might Not Arrive Until 2018|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-movie-is-large-budget-might-not-arrive-u/1100-6422821/ |publisher=GameSpot|accessdate=October 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Minecraft movie will be 'large-budget' but unlikely to arrive before 2017|url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/08/minecraft-movies-youtube-mojang-licensing?view=desktop/|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=October 8, 2014}}</ref>

== Applications ==
The possible applications of ''Minecraft'' have been discussed extensively, especially in the fields of [[computer-aided design]] 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 [[Human Dynamics]] group at the [[MIT Media Lab]], Cody Sumter, said that "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 [[Computer-aided design|virtual designs to be printed]] using professional [[3D printing|3D printers]] or personal printers such as [[MakerBot]] and [[RepRap]].<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=[[Wired UK]]|accessdate=November 23, 2012|date=November 22, 2012}}</ref>

In September 2012, Mojang began the ''Block By Block'' project in cooperation with [[UN Habitat]] 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=[[ReadWrite]]|publisher=[[SAY Media]]|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 [[The Sustainable Urban Development Network (SUD-Net)|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.<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=[[PC Gamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]] | date=September 5, 2012 | accessdate=September 5, 2012 | first=Tom|last= Senior}}</ref>

In April 2014 The Danish Geodata Agency generated all of Denmark in a scale of 1:1 in Minecraft based on their own free geodata.<ref name="DenmarkInMinecraft">{{cite web | 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 (in English: The Geodata Agency gives the youth whole Denmark in 3D) | publisher=[http://gst.dk/ The Danish Geodata Agency] | work=Press release | date=April 24, 2014 | accessdate=April 25, 2014}}</ref> This is possible because Denmark is one of the most flat countries with the highest point at 171 meters where the limit in default Minecraft is about 192 meters above in-game sea level.

''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=[[CBS Interactive]] | work=[[GameSpot]] | 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 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=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] | date=September 21, 2012 | accessdate=December 9, 2012 | last=Waxman|first=Olivia}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=British Museum to be digitally recreated in Minecraft|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29281051|last1=Miller|first1=Joe|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=22 September 2014|accessdate=22 September 2014}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Lightweight Java Game Library]], a Java library used by ''Minecraft''
* ''[[Minicraft]]'', a top-down video game also by Markus Persson

== Footnotes ==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Minecraft.ogg|January 22, 2012}}
{{sisterlinks|d=Q49740|s=no|n=no|b=no|q=no|wikt=no|species=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|v=no}}
* {{Official website|http://www.minecraft.net}}
* [http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Minecraft_Wiki Minecraft Wiki]
* [https://mojang.com/ Official Mojang Website]
* [https://minecraft.net/realms Minecraft Realms]

{{Mojang}}
{{Seumas McNally Grand Prize}}
{{Portal bar|Sweden|Video games|border=yes}}

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Revision as of 14:26, 17 October 2014

Hi Austin Goldfarb is the inventor of minecraft daug

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