Editing Steve (Minecraft) (section)

==Reception==
===Cultural impact===

Critics noted that Steve has achieved a level of cultural impact and viral recognition outside of the character's original purpose as a baseline or default skin for new players of ''Minecraft''. As the face of the franchise in [[Promotional material|promotional]] and [[advertising]] materials,<ref name=":0" /> some commentators consider Steve to be the closest character ''Minecraft'' has to a protagonist or [[main character]].{{sfn|Goldberg|Larsson|2013}}<ref name=":2" /> This is in spite of the fact that his existence is not asserted by way of an official backstory or in-game dialogue unlike most other video game characters.<ref name="Greatest">{{cite book |editor=Jaime Banks |editor2=Robert Mejia |editor3=Aubrie Adams |title=100 Greatest Video Game Characters |date=June 23, 2017 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield, 2017 |pages=184–186 |isbn=978-1-59582-768-5}}</ref> In 2016, ''[[Glixel]]'' staff ranked Steve as the 4th most iconic video game character of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.glixel.com/news/lists/50-most-iconic-video-game-characters-of-the-21st-century-w449203/steve-w449259 |title=50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters of the 21st Century |date=November 23, 2016 |website=Glixel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123084532/http://www.glixel.com/news/lists/50-most-iconic-video-game-characters-of-the-21st-century-w449203/steve-w449259 |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In a 2021 list published by ''[[GamesRadar]]'' which rank 50 iconic video game characters, Rachel Weber considered Steve to be the "enduring symbol" of ''Minecraft'', and his character model to be one of the most instantly recognizable silhouettes in video game culture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-game-characters/ |title=50 iconic video game characters |first=Rachel |last=Weber |date=November 8, 2021 |website=gamesradar}}</ref>

Steve has been the subject of multiple fan theories spread around Internet communities.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rundle |first=Michael |date=January 19, 2015 |title=This Theory Might Change The Way You Think About 'Minecraft' |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/19/minecraft-backstory-theory_n_6500852.html |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=HuffPost UK}}</ref> One theory alleged that Steve is based on [[Tommy Vercetti]], the protagonist of ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'', due to the alleged physical resemblance between both characters. It relied on a 2009 [[Tumblr]] post by Persson which documented his progress working on ''Minecraft'', where he confirmed that he used designs inspired by ''Grand Theft Auto'' video games as a foundation for his work.<ref name="SVG" /> In 2020, Persson publicly responded on social media and denied any tangible connections between both characters.<ref name="SVG" />

=== Herobrine phenomenon ===
Another fan-spread phenomenon, the Herobrine creepypasta, is regarded as a notable horror-themed urban legend in the video game industry.<ref name="ign">{{cite web |last=Dean |first=Paul |date=October 11, 2011 |title=Hauntings and Hoaxes: Gamings Weirdest Ghost Stories |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/31/hauntings-and-hoaxes-gamings-weirdest-ghost-stories |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930145226/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/10/31/hauntings-and-hoaxes-gamings-weirdest-ghost-stories |archive-date=September 30, 2016 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Devin |date=November 5, 2020 |title=Unintentionally Creepy Moments in Gaming |url=https://www.redbull.com/za-en/creepy-moments-in-gaming |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Red Bull}}</ref><ref>{{cite thesis |last=Powell |first=Daniel |title=Digital Dissonance: Horror Cultures in the Age of Convergent Technologies |publisher=[[University of Central Florida]] |url=https://stars.library.ucf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6482&context=etd |date=Spring 2017}}</ref> Following the anonymous 4chan post, the hoax became the subject of numerous threads on ''Minecraft'' internet forums as well as user generated videos on YouTube which report alleged sightings, often annotated with red text and eerily-themed music.<ref name="Creepypasta" /> Two popular ''Minecraft'' livestreamers, Copeland and Patimuss, were acknowledged by Lauren Morton from ''PC Gamer'' for their contributions towards popularizing the urban legend into a viral meme.<ref name="Creepypasta" /> For example, Copeland posted a few edited ''Minecraft'' screenshots which shows a depiction of Herobrine to get a reaction from his viewers and staged a hoax sighting for his livestream using a retextured painting which is made to look like Herobrine.<ref name="NME" /><ref name="Creepypasta" /> The popularity of the Herobrine creepypasta led to a placement on a 2013 poll of the "Top 50 Video Game Villains of All Time" organized by [[Guinness World Records]],<ref name="Hardcore">{{cite web |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2013/1/bowser-crowned-greatest-videogame-villain-of-all-time-in-poll-for-guinness-world-records-2013-gamer%E2%80%99s-edition-46745 |title=Bowser crowned 'greatest videogame villain of all time' in poll for Guinness World Records 2013 Gamer's Edition |work=Guinness World Records News |date=January 23, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2022}}</ref> spawned unofficial books such as ''The Legend of Herobrine'' and the ''[[Gameknight999]]'' series of novels, and inspired [[fan labor|fan-made skins]] patterned after the creepypasta.<ref name="Creepypasta" /> As an acknowledgement of the Herobrine meme, Mojang development staff often include the line "Removed Herobrine" within patch notes released for the game up until June 23, 2020, with the Java Edition 1.16 patch, also known as ''Minecraft''{{'s}} Nether Update.<ref name="Creepypasta" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Zeranko |first=Jacob |date=July 19, 2021 |title=Weirdest Minecraft Easter Eggs & Discoveries |url=https://screenrant.com/minecraft-easter-eggs-secrets-weird/ |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=ScreenRant}}</ref> Fan interest in the meme eventually culminated in early 2021 with the discovery of the world seed which contains the first instance of Herobrine's alleged sighting.<ref name="NME">{{cite web |last=Teixeira |first=Miri |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Legendary Herobrine seed finally found in 'Minecraft' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/legendary-herobrine-seed-finally-found-in-minecraft-2864327 |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=NME}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cryer |first=Hirun |date=January 25, 2021 |title=Notorious Minecraft Herobrine world seed has finally been unveiled |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-herobrine-world-seed/ |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=gamesradar}}</ref>

===''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''===
The announcement and introduction of ''Minecraft'' themed [[Downloadable content|DLC]] for ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', which is primarily represented by the Steve character, was met with a very enthusiastic response from critics and players.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ranking Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's New Character Introductions Over The Last 5 Years |url=https://kotaku.com/ranking-super-smash-bros-ultimates-new-character-intro-1848247989/slides/5 |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=Kotaku|date=December 20, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=October 14, 2020 |title=Minecraft's Steve is one of the zaniest Smash Ultimate additions yet, but by God it works |url=https://www.destructoid.com/minecrafts-steve-is-one-of-the-zaniest-smash-ultimate-additions-yet-but-by-god-it-works/ |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Destructoid}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=October 14, 2020 |title=You can't beat Minecraft Steve's Smash Bros. victory screen |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/14/21515823/super-smash-bros-ultimate-minecraft-dlc-steve-alex-enderman-zombie-victory-screen-poses |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Polygon}}</ref> Some commentators suggested that much of the excitement was due to the character's unprecedented inclusion into a popular fighting game, and that in the aftermath of the reveal, social media website [[Twitter]] may have struggled with the volume of postings which were generated in response.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gabe Gurwin |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/twitter-crashes-and-reacts-to-super-smash-bros-ultimates-minecraft-steve-reveal/1100-6482817/ |title=Twitter Crashes And Reacts To Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Minecraft Steve Reveal |date=October 3, 2020 |website=GameSpot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=October 2, 2020 |title=The Internet Thinks Minecraft in Smash Bros. Crashed Twitter |url=https://sea.ign.com/news/164435/the-internet-thinks-minecraft-in-smash-bros-crashed-twitter |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=IGN Southeast Asia}}</ref> Patricia Hernandez from ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' and Nadia Fox from ''US Gamer'' further noted that an awkward animation which is featured during the character's end-of-match win screen scandalized some viewers, which had the effect of generating further publicity surrounding the character's imminent debut in ''Smash''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=October 21, 2020 |title=Smash Bros. patches out Minecraft Steve's meat |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/21/21527893/minecraft-smash-bros-ultimate-steve-meat-victory-screen-patch-update |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Polygon}}</ref><ref name="USGamer">{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/unlike-arbys-minecrafts-steve-no-longer-has-the-meat |title=Unlike Arby's, Minecraft's Steve No Longer Has the Meat |work=USGamer |last=Oxford |first=Nadia |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507004356/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/unlike-arbys-minecrafts-steve-no-longer-has-the-meat |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In his review of the Steve DLC for ''Ultimate'', Mitchell Saltzman from ''[[IGN]]'' described Steve as one of the most complex fighters ever introduced in the game in terms of gameplay mechanics, and highlighted the inventive ways which the developers incorporated the resource collection and item crafting mechanics of ''Minecraft'' into his moveset.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Saltzman |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC Review – Minecraft Steve |url=https://sea.ign.com/review/165019/super-smash-bros-ultimate-dlc-review-minecraft-steve |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=IGN Southeast Asia}}</ref> ''Kotaku'' staff were divided over the playable iteration of Steve in ''Smash''. Ian Walker considered Steve to be one of the most exciting characters to play for ''Ultimate'' after  observing an event where one of the players displayed his ingenuity with Steve's construction capabilities.<ref name=":Eff">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Ian |date=July 20, 2020 |title=Smash Player Effs Up Opponent |url=https://kotaku.com/smash-player-effs-up-opponent-1847332620 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> Ari Notis took a less favorable view and called him the strangest character he has ever played. Notis described in detail the visual and gameplay dissonances he observed from the implementation of Steve in ''Ultimate''.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |last=Notis |first=Ari |date=October 14, 2020 |title=Minecraft's Steve Is Super Weird In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://kotaku.com/minecrafts-steve-is-super-weird-in-super-smash-bros-ul-1845372517 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Kotaku}}</ref>

Since Steve's addition to ''Ultimate'', the character became a point of contention within the game's [[Super Smash Bros. in esports|competitive community]], citing Steve's unorthodox playstyle and rapid rise in high placements at competitions. Some players began advocating for Steve to be banned from tournaments, fearing the character's dominance could negatively affect viewership like [[Bayonetta (character)|Bayonetta]] had for ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''. Opponents of a ban point out that Steve is a recent addition to the game, and that effective counterplay has yet to be developed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=Riley |date=2022-07-11 |title=Why Competitive Smash Ultimate Players Want to Ban Minecraft's Steve |url=https://www.cbr.com/smash-ultimate-competitive-ban-minecraft-steve-nintendo/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=CBR |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Varnson |first=Fletcher |date=2022-07-06 |title=Smash Bros. Ultimate: Pros & Cons Of Banning Steve |url=https://screenrant.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-ban-steve-pros-cons/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref> The calls for a ban intensified after the results and picks went higher.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smash Ultimate pros demand Steve ban after 15-year-old Acola wins major |url=https://www.dexerto.com/smash/smash-ultimate-pros-demand-steve-ban-after-15-year-old-acola-wins-major-1851710/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-15 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Competitive Community Really Hates Steve From Minecraft |url=https://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-minecraft-ban-steve-sora-onin-1849413171 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-15 |title=Steve from Minecraft was the big winner at Super Smash Con 2022 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/steve-super-smash-con-2022-big-winners/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA}}</ref> In February 2023, Steve was named the best character in ''Ultimate'' via tier list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Joshua |date=2023-02-25 |title=Minecraft Steve Is Officially Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Best Character |url=https://www.thegamer.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-best-character-minecraft-steve/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> As of March 2023, Steve was banned in several tournaments, due to the discovery of a new tech that negates hitstun.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Shepard |first1=Kenneth |title=Long-Hated Steve From Minecraft Is Being Banned In Competitive Smash Bros. |url=https://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-tournament-ban-steve-minecraft-glitch-1850185818 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |access-date=14 March 2023 |date=3 March 2023}}</ref>

===Analysis===
{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| align = right
| quote = "The creative agency that the process of skin design affords is also a feature of the player's interaction with the game's landscape. Here, Steve's role is again central. Whether the player is taking control of the default Steve or an adapted variant, the character itself is always abstract enough to allow players to assign their own meaning to it. The character is human enough to be relatable but not so realistic that meaning is fixed and the avatar's identity is othered. This arguably reduces the distance between the player and the game; players' experience is not mediated by another character, with its own associations, but by an avatar easily associated with themselves. This lack of distinctive backstory and gendered features also means that Steve's appeal is potentially wide; an unexceptional and relatable "every(hu)man"."
| source = — Chris Bailey, ''100 Greatest Video Game Characters''.<ref name="Greatest" />
}}
In an entry about Steve from the 2017 publication ''100 Greatest Video Game Characters'', Chris Bailey explained that what little is known about Steve helps illuminate how video game avatars are being perceived in relation to player identity, because the character embodies and conducts the spirit of freedom and customization inherent to [[sandbox video game]]s.<ref name="Greatest" /> He further elaborated that Steve exemplifies the "centrality" of relatable avatars in affording players their own creative agency in and around video games: while other games allow a certain level of avatar customization, Steve embodies this possibility more than most with a process akin to a kind of scaffolded pixel art enabling the redesign of the entire surface of the body beyond changing a pre-defined hairstyle or skin color. This process is particularly visible through the proliferation of online communities and forums set up to share user-generated adapted skins.<ref name="Greatest" />

With regards to the concept of Steve's gender being neutral and non-binary as asserted by Persson, Bailey took the view that it is "initially difficult" to account for the inclusion of an avatar with an "evidently gendered name".<ref name="Greatest" /> Nevertheless, he observed that ''Minecraft''{{'s}} player communities have embraced the game's general principle of openness due to their enthusiasm in engaging with the possibility of customizing their avatars' appearances.<ref name="Greatest" /> This is achieved through the process of overlaying a new skin over Steve's original form, which represents a player's direct input in how they want to be represented in-game.<ref name="Greatest" /> Similarly, H. Chad Lane said that the concept of skins in ''Minecraft'', represented by Steve and Alex as the baseline, can act as a reflection of the player's identify and self-perceptions, regardless of whether it is similar to or in contrast to the player's identity in the [[Real life|real world]].<ref name=":0" />

Gabriel Menotti cited the Herobrine hoax, which involved a character which was never a real in-game entity, as an example of how the recording of playthroughs might influence the universe of ''Minecraft'' in a radical way. He believed that Persson's ambiguous answer on whether Herobrine will ever be integrated into ''Minecraft'' suggests that there is always a possibility for player imagination to be incorporated into one of the game's future updates, which is consistent with the logic behind ''Minecraft''{{'s}} open development as well as its history of frequent updates that sometimes introduce game-changing novelties.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Menotti |first=Gabriel |date=2014 |title=Videorec as gameplay: Recording playthroughs and video game engagement |url=https://www.gamejournal.it/3_menotti/ |journal=The Italian Journal of Game Studies |volume=1 |issue=3 |page=91 |issn=2280-7705}}</ref> The authors of ''Mixing and Re-Purposing Realities'' observed that the popularity of the Herobrine meme represents the ''Minecraft'' community's embrace of creative efforts by its members with the transition of spontaneous user-generated content into ''Minecraft'' folklore. Their survey of the study's respondents found that Herobrine is treated as a mythological destructive character which some similar traits as [[superhero]] characters.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Flint |first1=Tom |last2=Hall |first2=Lynne |last3=Stewart |first3=Fiona |last4=O'Brien |first4=Catherine A. |date=July 2018 |title=Mixing and Re-Purposing Realities |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.14236/ewic/hci2018.39 |journal=Proceedings of the 32nd International BCS Human Computer Interaction Conference (HCI) |series=Electronic Workshops in Computing |publisher=BCS Learning & Development |page=6 |doi=10.14236/ewic/hci2018.39 |s2cid=53062295}}</ref>