{{About|the video game|the franchise|Minecraft (franchise){{!}}''Minecraft'' (franchise)|other uses}}
{{About|the video game|the franchise|Minecraft (franchise)|the Java Edition game data folder|.minecraft|the edition that uses the title "Minecraft"|Bedrock Edition|other uses|Minecraft (disambiguation)}}{{Program
{{Pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
| title = ''Minecraft''
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022|cs1-dates=l}}
| image = <gallery>
{{Infobox video game
MainMenu.png|Java
| title = Minecraft
BEMenuScreen.png|Bedrock
| image = Minecraft cover.png
EEMenuScreen.png|Education
| alt = The default player skin, Steve, running across a grassy plain while carrying an Iron pickaxe. Alongside him is a tame wolf. In the background, there is a pig, a chicken, a cow, a skeleton, a zombie, and a creeper. Mountains and cliffs fill the background, and the sky is blue, filled with clouds. Hovering over the scene is the Minecraft logo.
</gallery>
| developer = [[Mojang Studios]]{{efn|Ports to consoles developed by [[4J Studios]];<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harper |first=Gavin |author-link=<!-- *not* [[Gavin Harper]] --> |date=2021-12-23 |title=''Minecraft'': Gaming 'phenomenon' developed in Dundee passes 1 trillion YouTube views |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business-environment/2849097/minecraft-gaming-phenomenon-developed-in-dundee-passes-1-trillion-youtube-views/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |location=Dundee, Scotland, UK |website=[[The Courier (Dundee)|The Courier]] |language=en}}</ref> New Nintendo 3DS port developed by [[Other Ocean Interactive]].}}
: [[PlayStation Vita Edition|'''PS Vita''' & '''PS TV''']]: October 14, 2014
: [[Wii U Edition|'''Wii U''']]: <small>December 17, 2015</small><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151207180938/https://www.mojang.com/2015/12/minecraft-coming-to-nintendo-wii-u/ Minecraft coming to Nintendo Wii U] - Mojang.com; December 7, 2015</ref>
: November 1, 2016<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161104025605/http://mojang.com/2016/11/minecraft-education-edition-has-launched ''Minecraft: Education Edition'' has launched!] - Mojang.com; November 1, 2016</ref>
;{{el|ce}}
: August 8, 2017<ref>
[https://mc.163.com/news/20180619/29175_704938.html “Minecraft: China Edition is out!] - mc.163.com; August 8, 2017</ref>
;<small>{{el|ds}}</small>
: September 13, 2017<ref>{{Mcnet|minecraft-new-3ds|Minecraft on new 3DS!}}</ref>
| series = ''[[Minecraft (franchise)|Minecraft]]''
{{Q|Prepare for an adventure of limitless possibilities as you build, mine, battle mobs, and explore the ever-changing Minecraft landscape.|[[minecraft.net]]|''Minecraft''}}[[File:Minecraft horizontal key art.webp|250px|thumb|Key art by Mojang Studios]]
| platforms = {{Collapsible list
| title = {{Nobold|[[Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Linux]]}}
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| [[iOS]]
| [[iPadOS]]
| [[Xbox 360]]
| [[Raspberry Pi]]
| [[Windows Phone]]
| [[PlayStation 3]]
| [[Fire OS]]
| [[PlayStation 4]]
| [[Xbox One]]
| [[PlayStation Vita]]
| [[Wii U]]
| [[Apple TV]]
| [[tvOS]]
| [[Nintendo Switch]]
| [[New Nintendo 3DS]]
| [[ChromeOS]]
}}
| released = {{Collapsible list
| title = {{nobold|18 November 2011}}{{efn|''Minecraft'' was first publicly available on 17 May 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=17 May 2009 |title=''Minecraft'' 0.0.11a for public consumption |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/109000107/minecraft-0-0-11a-for-public-consumption |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716115516/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/109000107/minecraft-0-0-11a-for-public-consumption |archive-date=16 July 2015 |access-date=1 April 2018 |website=The Word of Notch |via=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> and was fully released on 18 November 2011.<ref name="PC release date" />}}
| '''Windows''', '''macOS''', '''Linux'''
| {{Video game release|WW|<!-- Don't change this to 2009; this is the full release date; read the Development section -->18 November 2011}}
| '''Android'''
| {{Video game release|WW|7 October 2011<ref name="Android release date">{{Cite web |title=''Minecraft–Pocket Edition''–Android |url=https://www.ign.com/games/minecraft/android-101490 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116020619/http://www.ign.com/games/minecraft/android-101490 |archive-date=16 November 2012 |access-date=21 October 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>}}
| '''iOS'''
| {{Video game release|WW|17 November 2011<ref name="iOS release date">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition |url=http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-pocket-edition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023031722/http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-pocket-edition/ |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=21 October 2012 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref>}}
| '''Xbox 360'''
| {{Video game release|WW|9 May 2012<ref name="Xbox 360 release date">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=22 March 2012 |title=Minecraft for Xbox 360 release date announced, amongst others |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-03/22/minecraft-xbox-360-dated |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218065518/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-03/22/minecraft-xbox-360-dated |archive-date=18 December 2012 |access-date=22 October 2012 |magazine=[[Wired UK]]}}</ref>}}
| '''Raspberry Pi'''
| {{Video game release|WW|11 February 2013<ref name="Raspberry Pi Release Date">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft Raspberry Pi |url=http://www.mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327003305/http://mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download/ |archive-date=27 March 2013 |access-date=27 March 2013 |publisher=[[Mojang]]}}</ref>}}
| '''PlayStation 3'''
| {{Video game release|NA|17 December 2013|EU|18 December 2013}}
| '''Fire OS'''
| {{Video game release|WW|2 April 2014<ref>{{Cite news |title=Amazon's first Fire TV games include in-house titles and Minecraft (update: video) |work=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/04/02/amazons-fire-tv-game-lineup/ |access-date=25 September 2018}}</ref>}}
| '''PlayStation 4'''
| {{Video game release|WW|4 September 2014<ref name="PS4">{{Cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=3 September 2014 |title=Minecraft PS4 Edition Release Date Confirmed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/04/minecraft-ps4-edition-release-date-confirmed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001124534/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/04/minecraft-ps4-edition-release-date-confirmed |archive-date=1 October 2014 |access-date=3 October 2014 |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc.}}</ref>}}
| '''Xbox One'''
| {{Video game release|WW|5 September 2014<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft for Xbox One to launch on Friday |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-one-to-launch-on-friday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007081727/http://www.cnet.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-one-to-launch-on-friday/ |archive-date=7 October 2014 |access-date=13 October 2014 |website=CNET}}</ref>}}
| '''PlayStation Vita
| {{Video game release|NA|14 October 2014<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 October 2014 |title=Minecraft: PS Vita Edition Release Date Revealed for North America |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/10/minecraft-ps-vita-edition-release-date-revealed-for-north-america |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012184258/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/10/minecraft-ps-vita-edition-release-date-revealed-for-north-america |archive-date=12 October 2014 |access-date=13 October 2014 |website=IGN}}</ref>|EU|15 October 2014}}
| '''Windows Phone'''
| {{Video game release|WW|10 December 2014<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2019 |title=Minecraft Comes to Windows Phones |url=https://www.mojang.com/2014/12/pocket-edition-comes-to-windows-phones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230104436/https://mojang.com/2014/12/pocket-edition-comes-to-windows-phones/ |archive-date=30 December 2014 |website=Mojang}}</ref>}}
| '''Windows 10'''
| {{Video game release|WW|29 July 2015<ref>{{Cite web |title=Announcing Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Beta |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-one-to-launch-on-friday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709070948/http://www.cnet.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-one-to-launch-on-friday/ |archive-date=9 July 2015}}</ref>}}
| '''Wii U'''
| {{Video game release|WW|17 December 2015<ref name="WiiU">{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=7 December 2015 |title=Minecraft Wii U Confirmed, Coming Very Soon |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-wii-u-confirmed-coming-very-soon/1100-6432876/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207140300/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-wii-u-confirmed-coming-very-soon/1100-6432876/ |archive-date=7 December 2015 |access-date=8 December 2015 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref>}}
| '''tvOS'''
| {{Video game release|WW|19 December 2016<ref name="AppleTV">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Owen |date=19 December 2016 |title=minecraft.net – Apple TV Edition released! |url=https://minecraft.net/en/article/apple-tv-edition-released |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227200120/https://minecraft.net/en/article/apple-tv-edition-released |archive-date=27 December 2016 |access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>}}
| '''Nintendo Switch'''
| {{Video game release|NA|11 May 2017|PAL|12 May 2017}}
| '''New Nintendo 3DS'''
| {{Video game release|WW|13 September 2017<ref name="New3DS">{{Cite web |last=Pereira |first=Chris |date=13 September 2017 |title=New 3DS Version Of Minecraft Announced, Release Date Set For Today |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-3ds-version-of-minecraft-announced-release-dat/1100-6453329/ |access-date=13 September 2017 |website=GameSpot}}</ref>|EU|20 September 2018}}
'''''Minecraft''''' is a [[sandbox game]] developed by [[Mojang Studios]] and originally released in 2009. The game was created by [[Markus Persson|Markus "Notch" Persson]] in the [[Java (programming language)|Java]] [[programming language]]. Following several early private testing versions, it was first made public in May 2009 before being fully released in November 2011, with Notch stepping down and [[Jens Bergensten|Jens "Jeb" Bergensten]] taking over [[Video game development|development]]. ''Minecraft'' has become the [[List of best-selling video games|best-selling video game in history]], with over 300 million copies sold and nearly 140 million monthly [[Active users|active players]] {{as of|2023|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=published |first=Zachary Boddy |date=2023-10-15 |title=Minecraft crosses 300 million copies sold as it prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-crosses-300-million-copies-sold-as-it-prepares-to-celebrate-its-15th-anniversary |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref> It has been ported to several platforms.
In ''Minecraft'', players explore a blocky, [[Procedural generation|procedurally generated]], [[Three-dimensional space|three-dimensional]] world with virtually infinite terrain. Players can discover and extract raw materials, [[Glossary of video game terms#Crafting|craft]] tools and items, and build structures, [[Earthworks (engineering)|earthworks]], and machines. Depending on their chosen [[Game mechanics|game mode]], players can fight hostile [[Mob (video games)|mobs]], as well as cooperate with or compete against other players in the same world. Game modes include a survival mode (in which players must acquire resources to build in the world and maintain health) and a creative mode (in which players have unlimited resources and access to flight). The game's large community also offers a wide variety of [[user-generated content]], such as [[Minecraft modding|modifications]], [[Minecraft server|servers]], [[Skin (computing)#Video gaming|skins]], [[Texture mapping|texture packs]], and custom maps, which add new game mechanics and possibilities.
''Minecraft'' has received critical acclaim, winning several awards and being cited by some as one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games ever created]]. [[Social media]], [[Parody|parodies]], adaptations, [[Merchandising|merchandise]], and the annual [[Minecon]] conventions played prominent roles in popularizing the game. The game has also been used in educational environments to teach [[chemistry]], [[computer-aided design]], and [[computer science]]. In 2014, Mojang and the ''Minecraft'' intellectual property were purchased by [[Microsoft]] for {{US$|2.5}} billion. Several spin-offs have also been made, including ''[[Minecraft: Story Mode]]'', ''[[Minecraft Earth]]'', ''[[Minecraft Dungeons]]'', and the most recent release, ''[[Minecraft Legends]]''.
{{TOClimit|limit=3}}
== Gameplay ==
''Minecraft'' is a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[sandbox game]] that has no required goals to accomplish, allowing players a large amount of freedom in choosing how to play the game.<ref name="IGN review">{{Cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=23 November 2011 |title=Minecraft Review — PC Review at IGN |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106165908/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |archive-date=6 November 2015 |access-date=18 December 2011 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> However, there is an [[Achievement (video games)|achievement]] system,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=30 March 2011 |title=Minecraft:Wolves, Achievements, Mods, Merch |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/03/30/minecraft-mods/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093516/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/03/30/minecraft-mods/ |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> known as "advancements" in the ''Java Edition'' of the game, "[[PlayStation Network#Trophies|trophies]]" on the PlayStation ports, and "achievements" in ''Bedrock Edition'' and the Xbox ports.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Advancements in Minecraft |url=https://www.digminecraft.com/getting_started/advancements.php |access-date=11 August 2020 |website=www.digminecraft.com}}</ref> Gameplay is in the [[First-person (video games)|first-person perspective]] by default, but players have the option of a third-person perspective.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=23 November 2011 |title=Minecraft 1.0 launch patch notes |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-23-minecraft-1-0-launch-patch-notes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203113330/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-23-minecraft-1-0-launch-patch-notes |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network}}</ref> The game world is composed of rough 3D objects—mainly cubes and fluids, and commonly called "blocks"—representing various materials, such as dirt, stone, ores, tree trunks, water, and lava. The core gameplay revolves around picking up and placing these objects. These blocks are arranged in a 3D grid, while players can move freely around the world. Players can "mine" blocks and then place them elsewhere, enabling them to build things.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashdown |first=Jeremy |date=11 November 2010 |title=This is Minecraft |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/11/this-is-minecraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127020048/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/11/11/this-is-minecraft |archive-date=27 January 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Many commentators have described the game's physics system as unrealistic.<ref name="Minecraft In Education">{{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Mark |date=25 November 2012 |title=Minecraft In Education: How Video Games Are Teaching Kids |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010082122/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ |archive-date=10 October 2013 |access-date=15 December 2012 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref> The game also contains a material called redstone, which can be used to make primitive mechanical devices, electrical circuits, and [[logic gate]]s, allowing for the construction of many complex systems.<ref name="RedstoneComputer">{{Cite web |last=Tito |first=Greg |date=4 October 2010 |title=Player Creates Working Computer in ''Minecraft'' |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104029-Player-Creates-Working-Computer-in-Minecraft |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008064435/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/104029-Player-Creates-Working-Computer-in-Minecraft |archive-date=8 October 2010 |access-date=4 January 2011 |publisher=Alloy Digital |magazine=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]}}</ref>
[[File:Minecraft explore landscape.png|thumb|An example of ''Minecraft''{{'s}} procedurally generated terrain, including a village and the default skin [[Steve (Minecraft)|Steve]]|alt=The default player skin, Steve, stands on a cliffside overlooking a village in a forest. In the distance, there is a small mountain range. The sun is setting to the right, making the sky turn pink and blue.]]
The game world is virtually infinite and [[procedural generation|procedurally generated]] as players explore it, using a [[map seed]] that is obtained from the [[System time|system clock]] at the time of world creation (or manually specified by the player).<ref name="NotchExplain1">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=10 March 2011 |title=Terrain generation, Part 1 |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/3746989361/terrain-generation-part-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312082752/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/3746989361/terrain-generation-part-1 |archive-date=12 March 2011 |access-date=24 October 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref><ref name="NotchExplain2">{{Cite web |last=Bergensten |first=Jens |date=23 February 2011 |title=A Short Demystification of the 'Map Seed' |url=http://www.mojang.com/2011/02/a-short-demystification-of-the-map-seed |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007083324/http://www.mojang.com/2011/02/a-short-demystification-of-the-map-seed/ |archive-date=7 October 2012 |access-date=6 October 2012 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref><ref name="Beginner's guide">{{Cite web |last=Miller-Watt |first=Josh |title=Minecraft beginner's guide |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-beginners-guide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711051549/http://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-beginners-guide/ |archive-date=11 July 2012 |access-date=24 October 2012 |website=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]]}}</ref> There are limits on vertical movement, but ''Minecraft'' allows an infinitely large game world to be generated on the horizontal plane. Due to technical issues when extremely distant locations are reached, however, there is a barrier preventing players from traversing to locations beyond 30 million blocks from the center.{{Efn|In a blog post,<ref name="NotchExplain1" /> Persson explains:
::"... 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."|name=|group=}}{{Obsolete source|reason=Source is from 2011. The game quite likely works different now at a technical level than it did back then.|date=October 2022}} The game achieves this by splitting the world data into smaller 16 by 16 sections called "chunks" that are only created or loaded when players are nearby.<ref name="NotchExplain1" /> The world is divided into [[biome]]s ranging from deserts to jungles to snowfields;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=27 October 2010 |title=BiomeShock: The New Minecraft Worlds |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/27/biomeshock-the-new-minecraft-worlds/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112224440/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/27/biomeshock-the-new-minecraft-worlds/ |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=20 January 2012 |title=Minecraft jungle biome, creatures coming soon |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-20-minecraft-jungle-biome-creatures-coming-soon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203113322/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-20-minecraft-jungle-biome-creatures-coming-soon |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network}}</ref> the terrain includes plains, mountains, forests, caves, and bodies of water or lava.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> The in-game [[Timekeeping in games|time system]] follows a day and night cycle, with one full cycle lasting for 20 real-time minutes.
[[File:Minecraft Mobs.png|thumb|left|Some of ''Minecraft''{{'s}} monsters, displayed from left to right: a zombie, a spider, an enderman, a [[Creeper (Minecraft)|creeper]], and a skeleton. All are from the Overworld.|alt=Standing on a flat grassy plain against a blue sky, there is a green zombie wearing a blue shirt and purple pants; a large spider with red eyes; a tall, black, slender creature with purple eyes; a green, four-legged creature; and a skeleton.]]
When starting a new world, players must choose one of five game modes, as well as one of four difficulties, ranging from "Peaceful" to "Hard". Increasing the difficulty of the game causes the player to take more [[Health (game terminology)|damage]] from [[Mob (video games)|mobs]] (non-player characters), as well as having other difficulty-specific effects. For example, the Peaceful difficulty prevents hostile mobs from [[spawning (video games)|spawning]], and the Hard difficulty allows players to starve to death if their hunger bar is depleted.<ref name="Controls and Settings" /> Once selected, the difficulty can be changed, but the game mode is locked and can only be changed with [[Cheating in video games|cheats]].
New players are given a randomly selected default character [[Skin (computing)|skin]] out of 9 possibilities, including [[Steve (Minecraft)|Steve]] or Alex,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=27 April 2015 |title=You can finally choose to play as a girl in Minecraft |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/27/8503863/minecraft-female-default-character |website=The Verge}}</ref> but the option to create custom skins was made available in 2010.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Quach |first=Michael |date=7 October 2010 |title=How to edit your skin in Minecraft |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-to-edit-your-skin-in-minecraft/ |magazine=PC Gamer |language=en-US |access-date=19 March 2020}}</ref> Players encounter various mobs, such as animals, villagers, and hostile creatures.<ref name="Update May 2012">{{Cite web |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=24 May 2012 |title=Minecraft update snapshot includes trading, currency, new item and sandstone stairs |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/05/24/minecraft-update-snapshot-includes-trading-currency-new-item-and-sandstone-stairs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203114023/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/05/24/minecraft-update-snapshot-includes-trading-currency-new-item-and-sandstone-stairs/ |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> Passive mobs, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, can be hunted for food and crafting materials. They spawn in the daytime, while hostile mobs—including large spiders, skeletons, and zombies—spawn during nighttime or in dark places such as caves.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> Some hostile mobs, such as zombies, skeletons and drowned (underwater versions of zombies), burn under the sun if they have no headgear.<ref name=":1" /> Other creatures unique to ''Minecraft'' include the [[Creeper (Minecraft)|creeper]] (an exploding creature that sneaks up on the player) and the enderman (a creature with the ability to [[Teleportation|teleport]] as well as pick up and place blocks).<ref name=Eurogamer /> There are also variants of mobs that spawn in different conditions; for example, zombies have husk and drowned variants that spawn in deserts and oceans, respectively.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Milton |first1=Stephanie |title=Minecraft: Guide to Exploration |last2=Davies |first2=Marsh |date=17 December 2018 |publisher=Random House Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-399-18201-3 |language=en}}</ref>
=== Dimensions ===
''Minecraft'' has two alternative dimensions besides the Overworld (the main world): the Nether and the End.<ref name="Eurogamer" />
==== The Nether ====
The Nether is a [[hell]]-like underworld dimension accessed via either a player-built obsidian portal or one of the Ruined Portals randomly generated throughout the world. It contains many unique resources and can be used to travel great distances in the Overworld, due to every block traveled in the Nether being equivalent to 8 blocks traveled in the Overworld.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Francis |first=Tom |date=10 October 2010 |title=A clearer look at Minecraft's new hell dimension |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/a-clearer-look-at-minecrafts-new-hell-dimension/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101113601/http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/a-clearer-look-at-minecrafts-new-hell-dimension/ |archive-date=1 November 2012 |access-date=30 October 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> Water cannot exist in the Nether, as it vaporizes instantly.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} The Nether is mainly populated by pigman-like mobs called piglins and their zombified counterparts, plus floating balloon-like mobs called ghasts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=11 October 2019 |title=Visit the Nether! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/visit-nether- |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=The Minecraft Official Site |series=Deep Dives |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> The piglins are considered particularly noteworthy because of their [[bartering]] system, where the player can give them gold ingots and receive items in return.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marshall|first=Cass|date=1 July 2020|title=Everybody loves Minecraft's new Piglin, the rudest new NPCs|website=Polygon|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21310370/minecraft-nether-update-piglin-fan-reaction-trading-gold-looting|access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> The player can also build an optional [[Boss (video games)|boss]] mob called The Wither out of materials found in the Nether.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Staff |first1=Mojang AB (Firm) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jrb4MAAACAAJ&q=guide+to+nether+and+the+end |title=Minecraft Guide to the Nether and the End |last2=Milton |first2=Stephanie |date=1 September 2017 |publisher=Egmont UK Limited |isbn=978-1-4052-8599-5 |pages=32–33 |access-date=29 December 2017 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
==== The End ====
The End is reached by underground portals in the Overworld. It consists of islands floating above a dark, bottomless void. A boss dragon called the Ender Dragon guards the largest, central island.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liebl |first=Matt |date=5 May 2012 |title=Minecraft: The End, Ender Dragons, and Goop Portal All Explained |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/2011/10/11/minecraft-the-end-ender-dragons-and-goop-portal-all-explained |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615001422/http://www.gamezone.com/news/2011/10/11/minecraft-the-end-ender-dragons-and-goop-portal-all-explained |archive-date=15 June 2013 |access-date=31 October 2012 |website=GameZone |publisher=GameZone Online}}</ref> Killing the dragon opens access to an exit portal, which, when entered, cues the game's ending credits and the [[End Poem]], a roughly 1,500-word work written by Irish novelist [[Julian Gough]],<ref name="parker">{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=James |date=2014-05-22 |title=''Minecraft'': The Most Creative Game Ever Made |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-game-that-conquered-the-world/361615/ |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=[[The Atlantic]] |language=en}}</ref> which takes about nine minutes to scroll past<ref name="litchfield">{{cite web |last1=Litchfield |first1=Ted |title=The writer of ''Minecraft''<span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'s</span> ending poem wants to 'liberate it from the corporate economy' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-writer-of-minecrafts-ending-poem-wants-to-liberate-it-from-the-corporate-economy/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=2 May 2023 |language=en |date=12 December 2022}}</ref> and is the game's only narrative text<ref name="moloney">{{cite news |last1=Moloney |first1=Eoghan |title=Irishman who wrote ''Minecraft''<span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'s</span> revered 'End Poem' gives words away for free after declining to sign over rights to Microsoft |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irishman-who-wrote-minecrafts-revered-end-poem-gives-words-away-for-free-after-declining-to-sign-over-rights-to-microsoft/42206699.html |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=[[Irish Independent]] |date=2022-12-08 |language=en}}</ref> and only text of significant length directed at the player.<ref name="anthony">{{Cite journal |last=Anthony |first=Jason |date=2015 |title=Current Key Perspectives in Video Gaming and Religion |url=https://media.suub.uni-bremen.de/bitstream/elib/3156/1/00104919-1.pdf |journal=[[Gamevironments]] |publisher=[[University of Bremen]] |issue=3 |pages=7–15 |access-date=1 May 2023}}</ref>{{rp|pp=10–12}} At the conclusion of the credits, the player is teleported back to their respawn point and may continue the game indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plafke |first=James |date=26 December 2012 |title=How to find the Ender Portal in Minecraft |url=https://www.geek.com/games/how-to-find-the-ender-portal-in-minecraft-1533760/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118175047/https://www.geek.com/games/how-to-find-the-ender-portal-in-minecraft-1533760/ |archive-date=18 November 2018 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=Geek.com}}</ref>
=== Game modes ===
==== Survival mode ====
[[File:Minecraft - Crafting a stone axe screenshot.png|thumb|The crafting menu in ''Minecraft'', showing the crafting recipe of a stone axe as well as some other blocks and items in the player's inventory|alt=The player attempting to make a stone axe by placing the required materials into the crafting grid, a 3x3 block of item spaces hovering over the standard inventory, which is filled with other items.]]
In survival mode, players have to gather natural resources such as wood and stone found in the environment in order to craft certain blocks and items.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> Depending on the difficulty, monsters spawn in darker areas outside a certain radius of the character, requiring players to build a shelter at night.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> The mode also has a [[Health (game terminology)|health bar]] which is depleted by attacks from mobs, falls, drowning, falling into lava, suffocation, starvation, and other events.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=Health, Food, and Experience in Minecraft |url=https://www.digminecraft.com/getting_started/health_food_experience.php |access-date=2021-07-26 |website=www.digminecraft.com}}</ref> Players also have a hunger bar, which must be periodically refilled by eating food in-game (except in peaceful difficulty).<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Julia |date=2020-08-20 |title=How to regain health in Minecraft |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/20/21373772/how-to-regain-health-hp-food-potions |access-date=2021-07-26 |website=Polygon |language=en}}</ref> If the hunger bar is depleted, automatic healing will stop and eventually health will deplete. Health replenishes when players have a nearly full hunger bar or continuously on peaceful difficulty.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Difficulty Modes in Minecraft |url=https://www.digminecraft.com/getting_started/difficulty.php |access-date=2021-07-26 |website=www.digminecraft.com}}</ref>
Players can craft a wide variety of items in ''Minecraft''. Craftable items include armor, which mitigates damage from attacks; weapons (such as swords or axes), which allows monsters and animals to be killed more easily; and tools (such as pickaxes or hoes), which break certain types of blocks more quickly. Some items have multiple tiers depending on the material used to craft them, with higher-tier items being more effective and durable. Players can construct furnaces, which can cook food, process ores, and convert materials into other materials.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=15 September 2017 |title=Block of the Week: Furnace |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/block-week-furnace |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> Players may also exchange goods with a villager ([[Non-player character|NPC]]) through a trading system, which involves trading emeralds for different goods and vice versa.<ref name="Trading update">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=6 July 2012 |title=Gaming Minecraft update combines single and multiplayer, adds trading and tripwires |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/minecraft-update |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123141217/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/minecraft-update |archive-date=23 January 2013 |access-date=21 November 2012 |magazine=[[Wired UK]]}}</ref><ref name="Update May 2012" />
The game has an inventory system, allowing players to carry a limited number of items.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Using the Minecraft Inventory and Crafting Grid |language=en |work=dummies |url=https://www.dummies.com/programming/programming-games/minecraft/using-the-minecraft-inventory-and-crafting-grid/ |access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref> Upon dying, items in the players' inventories are dropped unless the game is reconfigured not to do so. Players then re-spawn at their spawn point, which by default is where players first spawn in the game and can be reset by sleeping in a bed (in the overworld)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=John |date=18 February 2011 |title=Minecraft Is Getting Ready For Bed |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/18/minecraft-is-getting-ready-for-bed/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109010753/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/02/18/minecraft-is-getting-ready-for-bed/ |archive-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> or using a respawn anchor (in the Nether).<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Ford |date=30 June 2020 |title=Minecraft Respawn Anchor: How to get one and set your spawn point in the Nether |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-respawn-anchor/ |access-date=10 August 2020 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref> Dropped items can be recovered if players can reach them before they disappear or despawn after 5 minutes. 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 |last=Boots-Faubert |first=Chris |title=Controls and Settings – Minecraft |url=http://www.supercheats.com/guides/minecraft/controls-and-settings |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511083411/http://www.supercheats.com/guides/minecraft/controls-and-settings |archive-date=11 May 2013 |access-date=3 January 2013 |website=Super Cheats |publisher=Videogamer Network}}</ref> Enchanted items are generally more powerful, last longer, or have other special effects.<ref name="Controls and Settings" />
==== Creative mode ====
In creative mode, players have access to nearly all resources and items in the game through the inventory menu and can place or remove them instantly.<ref name="Creative Mode">{{Cite web |last=Steinlage |first=Tate |date=26 September 2012 |title=Creative Mode coming to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/2012/09/26/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519125126/http://www.gamezone.com/news/2012/09/26/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition |archive-date=19 May 2013 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=GameZone |publisher=GameZone Online}}</ref> Players can toggle the ability to fly freely around the game world at will, and their characters do not take any damage and are not affected by hunger.<ref name="Creative Mode 2">{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Sebastian |date=5 September 2012 |title=Creative Mode 'weeks away' for Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/09/05/creative-mode-weeks-away-for-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118033545/http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/05/creative-mode-weeks-away-for-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |archive-date=18 November 2012 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=[[VentureBeat]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=5 September 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update: Creative Mode still "weeks away", 4J dresses Cliffy B up as Creeper |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/45572/minecraft-xbox-360-update-creative-mode-still-weeks-away-4j-dresses-cliffy-b-up-as-creeper/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430033503/http://www.totalxbox.com/45572/minecraft-xbox-360-update-creative-mode-still-weeks-away-4j-dresses-cliffy-b-up-as-creeper/ |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=1 December 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]}}</ref> The game mode helps players focus on building and creating projects of any size without disturbance.<ref name="Creative Mode" />
==== Other game modes ====
''Minecraft'' includes other game modes such as spectator mode, which allows players to fly through blocks. Hardcore mode is a survival mode variant in which, upon death, the player may only view the world in spectator mode or return to the game’s menu. This is only available in ''Java Edition'', however.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ackroyd |first=Luke |date=2021-06-02 |title=Minecraft: Everything You Need To Know About Hardcore Mode |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-hardcore-mode-guide/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> Adventure mode is a survival mode variant with possible restrictions added by a creator of a map.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stay |first1=Jesse |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wRqy2trX2qwC |title=Minecraft For Dummies |last2=Stay |first2=Thomas |last3=Corderio |first3=Thomas |date=29 December 2014 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-53716-9 |page=288}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=23 September 2011 |title=Minecraft hardcore mode teased. When you die, the world dies with you |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/23/minecraft-hardcore-mode-teased-when-you-die-the-world-dies-with-you/ |url-status=live |magazine=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004093330/http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/23/minecraft-hardcore-mode-teased-when-you-die-the-world-dies-with-you/ |archive-date=4 October 2012 |access-date=25 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="RPS – 1.3aug">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=John |date=1 August 2012 |title=Minecraft Updates To 1.3 With Adventure Mode, Trading |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/01/minecraft-updates-with-adventure-mode/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117043757/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/01/minecraft-updates-with-adventure-mode/ |archive-date=17 November 2012}}</ref>
Multiplayer in ''Minecraft'' enables multiple players to interact and communicate with each other on a single world. It is available through direct game-to-game multiplayer, LAN play, local split screen (console-only), and servers (player-hosted and business-hosted).<ref name="Multiplayer servers">{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Lee |date=10 September 2012 |title=Blocks with friends: How to run your own Minecraft server |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115100732/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/blocks-with-friends-how-to-run-your-own-minecraft-server/ |archive-date=15 November 2012 |access-date=24 November 2012 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |pages=1–4}}</ref> Players can run their own servers, use a hosting provider, or connect directly to another player's game via Xbox Live. Single-player worlds have [[local area network]] support, allowing players to join a world on locally interconnected computers without a server setup.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meer |first=Alec |date=18 June 2012 |title=Modern! ''Minecraft'' Adds 'Local Area Network' Support |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/06/18/modern-minecraft-adds-local-area-network-support/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918113739/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/06/18/modern-minecraft-adds-local-area-network-support/ |archive-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' multiplayer servers are guided by server operators, who have access to server commands such as setting the time of day and teleporting players. Operators can also set up restrictions concerning which usernames or [[IP address]]es are allowed or disallowed to enter the server.<ref name="Multiplayer servers" /> Multiplayer servers have a wide range of activities, with some servers having their own unique rules and customs. The largest and most popular server is [[Hypixel]], which has been visited by over 14 million unique players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=13 December 2018 |title=Creators of Popular 'Minecraft' Server Announce New Game 'Hytale' |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |access-date=15 December 2018 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="riotgames">{{Cite news |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=13 December 2018 |title=Riot Games Leads Investment in Hypixel Game Studio |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |department=Tech |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref> [[Player versus player]] combat (PvP) can be enabled to allow fighting between players.<ref name="pcgamer minecraft future">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=24 November 2012 |title=The Future of Minecraft: what lies ahead for the all-conquering sandbox game? |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/11/the-future-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124024439/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/11/the-future-of-minecraft/ |archive-date=24 November 2012 |access-date=24 November 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> Many servers have custom plugins that allow actions that are not normally possible.
==== ''Minecraft Realms'' ====
In 2013, Mojang announced ''Minecraft Realms'', a server hosting service intended to enable players to run server multiplayer games easily and safely without having to set up their own.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=18 March 2013 |title=Minecraft Realms hopes to make an increasingly complex game more family-friendly |url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321113627/http://www.polygon.com/2013/3/18/4118526/minecraft-realms-hopes-to-make-an-increasingly-complex-game-more |archive-date=21 March 2013 |access-date=26 March 2013 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref name="pcgamesn">{{Cite news |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=14 March 2013 |title=Minecraft Realms is a subscription service for families that will "bring in more money than the game itself" |work=[[PCGamesN]] |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |access-date=2 December 2019}}</ref> Unlike a standard server, only invited players can join Realms servers, and these servers do not use IP addresses. ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' Realms server owners can invite up to twenty people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at a time. ''Minecraft'' Realms server owners can invite up to 3,000 people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at one time.<ref name="Minecraft Realms">{{Cite web |date=31 July 2017 |title=Minecraft Realms |url=https://minecraft.net/realms/ |access-date=8 March 2018 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> The ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' Realms servers do not support user-made plugins, but players can play custom ''Minecraft'' maps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owen |date=24 October 2014 |title=Realms is packed with awesome maps |url=https://www.mojang.com/2014/10/realms-is-packed-with-awesome-maps/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710014841/https://mojang.com/2014/10/realms-is-packed-with-awesome-maps/ |archive-date=10 July 2019 |access-date=18 September 2017 |website=mojang.com}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' Realms servers support user-made add-ons, resource packs, behavior packs, and custom ''Minecraft'' maps.<ref name="Minecraft Realms" /> At [[E3 2016|Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016]], support for [[cross-platform play]] between [[Windows 10]], [[iOS]], and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] platforms was added through Realms starting in June 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=13 June 2016 |title=Minecraft gets cross-platform play later this year |url=http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616111115/http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/13/11922908/minecraft-cross-platform-e3-2016 |archive-date=16 June 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> with [[Xbox One]] and [[Nintendo Switch]] support to come later in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=11 June 2017 |title=Minecraft is unifying nearly all of its versions across all platforms, except Sony |url=https://www.destructoid.com/minecraft-is-unifying-nearly-all-of-its-versions-across-all-platforms-except-sony-439216.phtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617092549/https://www.destructoid.com/minecraft-is-unifying-nearly-all-of-its-versions-across-all-platforms-except-sony-439216.phtml |archive-date=17 June 2017 |access-date=11 June 2017 |website=[[Destructoid]]}}</ref> and support for [[virtual reality]] devices. On 31 July 2017, Mojang released the beta version of the update allowing cross-platform play.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=31 July 2017 |title=Beta Test Better Together! |work=Minecraft.net |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/beta-test-better-together |access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref> Nintendo Switch support for Realms was released in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2018 |title=Minecraft's Aquatic Update Phase Two Gets Wet And Wild Today On Switch |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/07/minecrafts_aquatic_update_phase_two_gets_wet_and_wild_today_on_switch |website=Nintendo Life}}</ref>
[[File:Tinkers Construct smeltery.png|thumb|A smeltery within the mod ''Tinkers' Construct'']]
The ''modding community'' consists of fans, users and third-party programmers. Using a variety of [[API|application program interfaces]] that have arisen over time, they have produced a wide variety of [[downloadable content]] for ''Minecraft'', such as modifications, texture packs and custom maps. Modifications of the ''Minecraft'' code, called ''[[Video game modding|mods]]'', add a variety of gameplay changes, ranging from new blocks, items, and mobs to entire arrays of mechanisms.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=8 May 2012 |title=The 10 Best Minecraft Mods |url=http://techland.time.com/2012/05/08/the-10-best-minecraft-mods/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030095454/http://techland.time.com/2012/05/08/the-10-best-minecraft-mods/ |archive-date=30 October 2012 |access-date=28 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=29 February 2012 |title=Minecraft mod API to be developed by new team at Mojang |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/29/minecraft-mod-api-to-be-developed-by-new-team-at-mojang/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203114102/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/29/minecraft-mod-api-to-be-developed-by-new-team-at-mojang/ |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=28 October 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> The modding community is responsible for a substantial supply of mods from ones that enhance gameplay, such as [[Mini-map|minimaps]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Xaeros Minimap Mod from CurseForge |url=https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/xaeros-minimap}}</ref> waypoints, and durability counters,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Durability Counter v1.1.1 for Minecraft BE 1.16/1.17.2 |url=https://for-minecraft.com/texture-for-minecraft-pocket-edition/5209-durability-counter-for-minecraft-be.html |website=For-Minecraft.com}}</ref> to ones that add to the game elements from other video games and media. While a variety of mod frameworks were independently developed by [[reverse engineering]] the code, Mojang has also enhanced [[Vanilla software|vanilla]] ''Minecraft'' with official frameworks for modification, allowing the production of community-created resource packs, which alter certain game elements including textures and sounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dyer |first=Mitch |date=4 July 2013 |title=Minecraft 1.6 'Horse Update' Launching in July |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/25/minecraft-16-horse-update-launching-in-july |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708124020/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/25/minecraft-16-horse-update-launching-in-july |archive-date=8 July 2013 |publisher=IGN}}</ref> Players can also create their own "maps" (custom world save files) which often contain specific 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/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023211322/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/20/the-25-best-minecraft-custom-maps/ |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=28 October 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> Mojang added an adventure mode in August 2012<ref name="RPS – 1.3july">{{Cite news |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=6 July 2012 |title=Minecraft 1.3 Adding LAN, Adventure Mode In August |work=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/07/06/minecraft-1-3-adding-lan-adventure-mode-in-august/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112203224/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/07/06/minecraft-1-3-adding-lan-adventure-mode-in-august/ |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref> and "command blocks" in October 2012,<ref name="Gallegos">{{Cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=27 July 2012 |title=Minecraft Adding New Block |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/27/minecraft-adding-new-block |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216094902/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/07/27/minecraft-adding-new-block |archive-date=16 December 2012 |access-date=28 October 2012 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref> which were created specially for custom maps in ''Java Edition''. Data packs, introduced in version 1.13 of the ''Java Edition'', allow further customization, including the ability to add new advancements, dimensions, functions, loot tables, predicates, recipes, structures, tags, world generation settings, and biomes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Nathan |date=25 October 2017 |title=Minecraft Snapshot 17w43b |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-17w43a |access-date=19 July 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Östergård |first=Adrian |date=8 July 2020 |title=Minecraft Snapshot 20w28a |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-20w28a |access-date=19 July 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |language=en-US}}</ref>
The ''Xbox 360 Edition'' supported downloadable content, which was available to purchase via the [[Xbox Games Store]]; these content packs usually contained additional character skins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |date=3 July 2012 |title=Minecraft XBLA adding DLC costumes |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/74638/minecraft-xbla-adding-dlc-costumes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204212358/http://www.shacknews.com/article/74638/minecraft-xbla-adding-dlc-costumes |archive-date=4 December 2012 |access-date=4 November 2012 |website=[[Shacknews]] |publisher=[[GameFly]]}}</ref> It later received support for texture packs in its twelfth title update while introducing "mash-up packs", which combined texture packs with skin packs and changes to the game's sounds, music and user interface.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borthwick |first=Ben |date=24 August 2013 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Title Update 12 out now |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/60999/minecraft-xbox-360-title-update-12-out-now/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824122949/http://www.oxm.co.uk/60999/minecraft-xbox-360-title-update-12-out-now/ |archive-date=24 August 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013 |publisher=[[Official Xbox Magazine (UK)|OXM UK]]}}</ref> The first mash-up pack (and by extension, the first texture pack) for the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' was released on 4 September 2013, and was themed after the ''[[Mass Effect]]'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conditt |first=Jessica |date=2 September 2013 |title=Mass Effect texture pack lands on Minecraft Xbox 360 |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/02/mass-effect-texture-pack-lands-on-minecraft-xbox-360/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906040913/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/09/02/mass-effect-texture-pack-lands-on-minecraft-xbox-360 |archive-date=6 September 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013 |publisher=Joystiq}}</ref> Unlike ''Java Edition'', however, the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' did not support player-made mods or custom maps.<ref name="IGN Xbox" /> A cross-promotional resource pack based on the ''[[Super Mario]]'' franchise by Nintendo was released for the ''Wii U Edition'' worldwide on 17 May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=9 May 2016 |title=Super Mario is coming to Minecraft |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/9/11604492/super-mario-new-content-minecraft-wii-u-nintendo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509123452/http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/9/11604492/super-mario-new-content-minecraft-wii-u-nintendo |archive-date=9 May 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=The Verge}}</ref> A mash-up pack based on ''Fallout'' was announced for release on the ''Wii U Edition''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=15 December 2016 |title=Fallout Mash-up Pack Incoming! |url=https://minecraft.net/en/article/fallout-mash-pack-incoming |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217135954/https://minecraft.net/en/article/fallout-mash-pack-incoming |archive-date=17 December 2016 |access-date=15 December 2016 |website=Minecraft}}</ref> In April 2018, [[malware]] was discovered in several downloadable user-made ''Minecraft'' skins for use with the ''Java Edition'' of the game.<ref name="pcgamermalware" /><ref name="varietymalware1" /> [[Avast]] stated that nearly 50,000 accounts were infected, and when activated, the malware would attempt to [[Disk formatting#Reformatting|reformat]] the user's hard drive.<ref name="varietymalware1">{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=18 April 2018 |title=Nearly 50,000 'Minecraft' Accounts Infected With Malware Thanks to Modified 'Skins' |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-malware-1202757936/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210205116/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-malware-1202757936/ |archive-date=10 December 2020 |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=Variety Media}}</ref><ref name="pcgamermalware">{{Cite magazine |last=Lilly |first=Paul |date=18 April 2018 |title=Beware of malicious Minecraft skins that attempt to erase your hard drive |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/beware-of-malicious-minecraft-skins-that-attempt-to-erase-your-hard-drive/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403155908/https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/beware-of-malicious-minecraft-skins-that-attempt-to-erase-your-hard-drive/ |archive-date=3 April 2021}}</ref> Mojang promptly patched the issue, and released a statement stating that "the code would not be run or read by the game itself",<ref name="pcgamermalware" /> and would only run when the image containing the skin itself was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=19 April 2018 |title='Minecraft' Developer Issues Fix for Skins Virus |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907125202/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |archive-date=7 September 2018 |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=Variety Media}}</ref>
In June 2017, Mojang released an update known as the "Discovery Update" to the ''Bedrock'' version of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazarides |first=Tasos |date=June 2017 |title='Minecraft PE' 1.1 Discovery Update Is Out, Adds Minecraft Marketplace, Skyrim Pack, Woodland Mansions, and More |url=http://toucharcade.com/2017/06/01/minecraft-pe-1-1-discovery-update-is-out-adds-minecraft-marketplace-skyrim-pack-woodland-mansions-and-more/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620220401/https://toucharcade.com/2017/06/01/minecraft-pe-1-1-discovery-update-is-out-adds-minecraft-marketplace-skyrim-pack-woodland-mansions-and-more/ |archive-date=20 June 2022 |access-date=16 July 2017 |website=TouchArcade}}</ref> The update includes a new map, a new game mode, the "Marketplace", a catalogue of user-generated content that gives ''Minecraft'' creators "another way to make a living from the game", and more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Colin |date=10 April 2017 |title=Minecraft Marketplace offers a new place to buy maps and more |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/4/10/15224014/minecraft-marketplace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706075115/https://www.polygon.com/2017/4/10/15224014/minecraft-marketplace |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=17 September 2017 |website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2017 |title=It's time to discover... Marketplace! |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/its-time-discover-marketplace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707015248/https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/its-time-discover-marketplace |archive-date=7 July 2022 |access-date=17 September 2017 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2017 |title=Minecraft: New marketplace for community creators |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39553631/minecraft-new-marketplace-for-community-creators |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041306/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39553631/minecraft-new-marketplace-for-community-creators |archive-date=12 November 2020 |website=newsbeat |publisher=BBC}}</ref>
== Development ==
[[File:Notch receives the Pioneer Award at GDC 2016 (cropped).jpg|alt=|left|thumb|205x205px|''Minecraft'' creator [[Markus Persson|Markus "Notch" Persson]] at the [[Game Developers Conference|GDC]] in 2016]]
[[File:Jens Bergensten Minecon.jpg|left|thumb|180x180px|''Minecraft'' lead designer and creative director [[Jens Bergensten|Jens "Jeb_" Bergensten]] in 2011]]
{{Video game timeline
|title=Java Edition major update release timeline
|subtitle=Pre-release years in red
|range1=2009–2011
|range2=2011–2021
|range1_color=red
|range2_color=#0BDA51 #228B22
|2009a=Pre-Classic
|2009b=Classic
|2009c=Survival Test
|2010a=Indev
|2010b=Infdev
|2010c=Alpha
|2010d=Beta
|2011a=Beta
|2011b=Release 1.0: "Adventure Update"
|2012a=1.1
|2012b=1.2
|2012c=1.3
|2012d=1.4: "Pretty Scary Update"
|2013a=1.5: "Redstone Update"
|2013b=1.6: "Horse Update"
|2013c=1.7: "The Update that Changed the World"
|2014=1.8: "Bountiful Update"
|2016a=1.9: "Combat Update"
|2016b=1.10: "Frostburn Update"
|2016c=1.11: "Exploration Update"
|2017=1.12: "World of Color Update"
|2018=1.13: "Update Aquatic"
|2019a=1.14: "Village & Pillage"
|2019b=1.15: "Buzzy Bees"
|2020=1.16: "Nether Update"
|2021a=1.17: "Caves & Cliffs: Part I"
|2021b=1.18: "Caves & Cliffs: Part II"
|2022=1.19: "The Wild Update"
|2023=1.20: "Trails & Tales"
|2024=1.21: Unnamed update
}}
Before coming up with ''Minecraft'', [[Markus Persson|Markus "Notch" Persson]] was a game developer with [[King (company)|King]] through March 2009, at the time serving mostly [[browser game]]s, during which he learnt a number of different programming languages.<ref name="wired origins">{{Cite magazine |last=Cheshire |first=Tom |date=15 September 2014 |title=Changing the game: how Notch made Minecraft a cult hit |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/changing-the-game |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> He would prototype his own games during his off-hours at home, often based on inspiration he found from other games, and participated frequently on the [[TIGSource]] forums for independent developers.<ref name="wired origins" /> One of these personal projects was called "RubyDung", a base-building game inspired by ''[[Dwarf Fortress]]'', but as an isometric three dimensional game like ''[[RollerCoaster Tycoon]]''.<ref name="TechRadar: History">{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Alex |date=13 June 2018 |title=The history of Minecraft |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/the-history-of-minecraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809090837/https://www.techradar.com/news/the-history-of-minecraft |archive-date=9 August 2018 |access-date=17 January 2019 |website=[[TechRadar]]}}</ref> He had already made a 3D texture mapper for another zombie game prototype he had started to try to emulate the style of ''[[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars]]''.<ref name="rubydung" /> Among the features in "RubyDung" he explored was a first-person view similar to ''[[Dungeon Keeper]]'' but at the time, felt the graphics were too pixelated and omitted this mode.<ref name="rubydung">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=30 October 2009 |title=The origins of Minecraft |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/227922045/the-origins-of-minecraft |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181212110808/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/1144331509/seecret-saturday-1-but-i-failed-biomes-again |archive-date=12 December 2018 |access-date=7 May 2020 |publisher=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref><ref name="GSint">{{Cite web |last=Handy |first=Alex |date=23 March 2010 |title=Interview: Markus 'Notch' Persson Talks Making ''Minecraft'' |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27719/Interview_Markus_Notch_Persson_Talks_Making_Minecraft.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100509113422/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27719/Interview_Markus_Notch_Persson_Talks_Making_Minecraft.php |archive-date=9 May 2010 |access-date=26 June 2010 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref> Around March 2009, Persson left King and joined [[jAlbum]], but otherwise kept working on his prototypes.<ref name="Story of Mojang">{{Cite web |last=[[2 Player Productions]] |date=8 November 2013 |title=Minecraft: The Story of Mojang |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRgVo1X_18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503013353/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRgVo1X_18 |archive-date=3 May 2014 |access-date=2 May 2014 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="GSint" /><ref name="GAMASUTRA">{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Kristoff |date=5 March 2012 |title=Minecraft Mastermind Markus Persson to Receive Bafta Special Award |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/164329/MINECRAFT_MASTERMIND_MARKUS_PERSSON_TO_RECEIVE_BAFTA_SPECIALAWARD.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127205331/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/164329/MINECRAFT_MASTERMIND_MARKUS_PERSSON_TO_RECEIVE_BAFTA_SPECIALAWARD.php |archive-date=27 November 2019 |access-date=15 July 2020 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref>
''[[Zachtronics|Infiniminer]]'', a block-based open-ended mining game first released in April 2009, sparked Persson's inspiration for how to take "RubyDung" forward.<ref name="rubydung" /> ''Infiniminer'' heavily influenced the visual style of gameplay, including bringing back the first-person mode, the "blocky" visual style and the block-building fundamentals.<ref name="rubydung" /> However, unlike ''Infiniminer'', Persson wanted ''Minecraft'' to have [[Role-playing game|RPG]] elements.<ref name="Blockbuster">{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=10 November 2012 |title=Blockbuster – The Making of Minecraft |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/10/the-making-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215122902/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/11/10/the-making-of-minecraft/ |archive-date=15 December 2012 |access-date=20 December 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref>
The original edition of ''Minecraft'', now known as the ''Java Edition'', was first developed in May 2009. Persson released a test video on YouTube of an early version of ''Minecraft''.<ref name="rubydung" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=13 May 2009 |title=Cave game tech demo |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/107315028/cave-game-tech-demo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111034406/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/107315028/cave-game-tech-demo |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> The base program of ''Minecraft'' was completed by Persson over a weekend in that month and a private testing was released on TigIRC on 16 May 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=16 May 2009 |title=Early private singleplayer alpha coming very soon |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/108652448/early-private-singleplayer-alpha-coming-very-soon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117122145/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/108652448/early-private-singleplayer-alpha-coming-very-soon |archive-date=17 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> The game was first released to the public on 17 May 2009 as a developmental release on ''TIGSource'' forums.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft (alpha) |url=https://forums.tigsource.com/index.php?topic=6273.0 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=forums.tigsource.com}}</ref> Persson updated the game based on feedback from the forums.<ref name="wired origins" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Graham |date=6 February 2012 |title=The First Moments of Minecraft |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/06/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227001022/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/02/06/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/ |archive-date=27 December 2012 |access-date=1 January 2013 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> This version later became known as the ''Classic'' version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=28 June 2010 |title=The server is back up! |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620024927/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |archive-date=20 June 2021 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> Further developmental phases dubbed as ''Survival Test'', ''Indev,'' and ''Infdev'' were released in 2009 and 2010.<ref name="GSint" />
The first major update, dubbed [[Video game development|Alpha]], was released on 30 June 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=30 June 2020 |title=I fixed a few bugs in /game/, and the game is now playable offline |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/754041531/i-fixed-a-few-bugs-in-game-and-the-game-is-now |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111092942/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/754041531/i-fixed-a-few-bugs-in-game-and-the-game-is-now |archive-date=11 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=2 July 2010 |title=Seecret Friday update the third! OooooOOOoo! |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/763147353/seecret-friday-update-the-third-oooooooooo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113154059/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/763147353/seecret-friday-update-the-third-oooooooooo |archive-date=13 November 2020 |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=Tumblr}}</ref> Although Persson maintained a day job with Jalbum.net at first, he later quit in order to work on ''Minecraft'' full-time as sales of the alpha version of the game expanded.<ref name="PCGAMERinterview">{{Cite web |last=McDougal |first=Jaz |date=29 July 2010 |title=Community heroes: Notch, for ''Minecraft'' |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/community-heroes-notch-for-minecraft/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012151922/http://www.pcgamer.com/community-heroes-notch-for-minecraft/ |archive-date=12 October 2014 |access-date=3 August 2010 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> Persson continued to update the game with releases distributed to users automatically. These updates included new items, new blocks, new mobs, survival mode, and changes to the game's behavior (e.g. how water flows).<ref name="PCGAMERinterview" /> To back the development of ''Minecraft'', Persson set up a video game company, Mojang, with the money earned from the game.<ref name="Cult and merchandise">{{Cite magazine |last=Cheshire |first=Tom |date=6 June 2012 |title=Changing the game: how Notch made Minecraft a cult hit |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/07/features/changing-the-game?page=all |url-status=live |magazine=[[Wired UK]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124095359/http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/07/features/changing-the-game?page=all |archive-date=24 November 2012 |access-date=18 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="LackOfUpdates">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=28 September 2010 |title=I'm sorry about the lack of updates |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1205447916/im-sorry-about-the-lack-of-updates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004184609/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1205447916/im-sorry-about-the-lack-of-updates |archive-date=4 October 2010 |access-date=18 October 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref><ref name="MCcompany">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=6 September 2010 |title=Hiring some people, getting an office, and all that! |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1075326804/hiring-some-people-getting-an-office-and-all-that |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908235613/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/1075326804/hiring-some-people-getting-an-office-and-all-that |archive-date=8 September 2010 |access-date=6 September 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Mojang co-founders included Jakob Porser, one of Persson's coworkers from King, and Carl Manneh, jAlbum's CEO.<ref name="wired origins" />
On 11 December 2010, Persson announced that ''Minecraft'' was entering its beta testing phase on 20 December 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft Beta: December 20, 2010 |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206183106/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=The Word of Notch}}</ref> He further stated that bug fixes and all updates leading up to and including the release would still be free.<ref name="BetaDate">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=11 December 2010 |title=''Minecraft'' Beta: December 20, 2010 |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214061702/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2175441966/minecraft-beta-december-20-2010 |archive-date=14 December 2010 |access-date=21 December 2010 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Over the course of the development, Mojang hired several new employees to work on the project.<ref name="MCMannehMollstam">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=3 January 2011 |title=2011, here we go! |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2582321901/2011-here-we-go |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106050104/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2582321901/2011-here-we-go |archive-date=6 January 2011 |access-date=3 January 2011 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref>
Mojang moved the game out of beta and released the full version on 18 November 2011.<ref name="PC release date">{{Cite web |last=Fernandez |first=Carlo |date=17 November 2012 |title=Minecraft Full Version Available; MineCon Live Streaming |url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/251231/20111117/minecraft-version-available-minecon-live-streaming.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119224143/http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/251231/20111117/minecraft-version-available-minecon-live-streaming.htm |archive-date=19 November 2011 |access-date=17 October 2012 |website=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref> On 1 December 2011, [[Jens Bergensten|Jens "Jeb" Bergensten]] took full creative control over ''Minecraft'', replacing Persson as lead designer.<ref name="bergleaddev">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=2 December 2011 |title=Och med dom orden så passar jag micken |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/13633493969/och-med-dom-orden-sa-passar-jag-micken |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227053605/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/13633493969/och-med-dom-orden-sa-passar-jag-micken |archive-date=27 December 2011 |access-date=2 December 2011 |website=[[The Word of Notch]] |publisher=Mojang |language=sv}}</ref> On 28 February 2012, Mojang announced that they had hired the developers of the popular "Bukkit" developer API for ''Minecraft'',<ref name="pcgamer minecraft future" /> to improve ''Minecraft''{{'s}} support of [[Minecraft modding|server modifications]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergensten |first=Jens |date=28 February 2012 |title=Minecraft Team Strengthened! |url=https://www.mojang.com/2012/02/minecraft-team-strengthened/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927162025/https://mojang.com/2012/02/minecraft-team-strengthened/ |archive-date=27 September 2013 |access-date=22 September 2013 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> This acquisition also included Mojang apparently taking full ownership of the CraftBukkit server mod which enables the use of Bukkit,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=21 August 2014 |title=Minecraft Bukkit team lead tries to end development, but Mojang steps in |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/21/minecraft-bukkit-team-lead-tries-to-end-development-but-mojang-steps-in/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824103031/http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/08/21/minecraft-bukkit-team-lead-tries-to-end-development-but-mojang-steps-in/ |archive-date=24 August 2014 |access-date=18 March 2020 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> although the validity of this claim was questioned due to its status as an [[open-source software|open-source]] project with many contributors, licensed under the [[GNU General Public License]] and [[GNU Lesser General Public License|Lesser General Public License]].<ref name="gon-craftbukkitdmca">{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=Alex |date=5 September 2014 |title=Minecraft's CraftBukkit mod taken down by DMCA claim |work=games.on.net |url=http://games.on.net/2014/09/minecrafts-craftbukkit-mod-taken-down-by-dmca-claim/ |url-status=dead |access-date=29 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123142709/http://games.on.net/2014/09/minecrafts-craftbukkit-mod-taken-down-by-dmca-claim/ |archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>
On 15 September 2014, [[Microsoft]] announced a $2.5 billion deal to buy Mojang, along with the ownership of the ''Minecraft'' intellectual property.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |last2=Hern |first2=Alex |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft sold: Microsoft buys Mojang for $2.5bn |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/microsoft-buys-minecraft-creator-mojang-for-25bn |access-date=9 August 2020 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft to join Microsoft |url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/09/15/minecraft-join-microsoft/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=The Official Microsoft Blog |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Mojang |url=https://www.mojang.com/page/25/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=www.mojang.com}}</ref> The deal was suggested by Persson when he posted a tweet asking a corporation to buy his share of the game after receiving criticism for enforcing terms in the game's [[end-user license agreement]] (EULA), which had been present in the EULA in the prior three years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=24 June 2014 |title=Minecraft: how a change to the rules is tearing the community apart |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |access-date=1 January 2021 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogart |first=Nicole |date=15 September 2014 |title=Updated: September 15, 2014 8:35 pm Microsoft acquires 'Minecraft' maker for $2.5 billion |url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1563546/microsoft-acquires-minecraft-maker-for-2-5-billion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082220/http://globalnews.ca/news/1563546/microsoft-acquires-minecraft-maker-for-2-5-billion/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 |access-date=2 May 2015 |publisher=[[Shaw Media]] |agency=[[Global News]]}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft4" /> According to Persson, Mojang CEO Carl Manneh received a call from a Microsoft executive shortly after the tweet, asking if Persson was serious about a deal. Mojang was also approached by other companies including [[Activision Blizzard]] and [[Electronic Arts]].<ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft4" /> The deal with Microsoft was arbitrated on 6 November 2014 and led to Persson becoming one of ''[[Forbes]]''{{'}} "World's Billionaires".<ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft1">{{Cite web |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft Is Now Part of Microsoft, and It Only Cost $2.5 Billion |url=http://time.com/3377886/microsoft-buys-mojang/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915180920/http://time.com/3377886/microsoft-buys-mojang/ |archive-date=15 September 2014 |access-date=15 September 2014 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft2">{{Cite news |last=Bass |first=Dina |date=15 September 2014 |title=Microsoft to Buy Minecraft Maker Mojang for $2.5 Billion |work=[[Bloomberg Business]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-15/microsoft-to-buy-minecraft-maker-mojang-for-2-5-billion.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916060156/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-15/microsoft-to-buy-minecraft-maker-mojang-for-2-5-billion.html |archive-date=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft3">{{Cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=6 November 2014 |title=Microsoft officially owns Minecraft and developer Mojang now |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/6/7167349/microsoft-owns-minecraft-mojang-acquisition-closes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130141926/http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/6/7167349/microsoft-owns-minecraft-mojang-acquisition-closes |archive-date=30 November 2014 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft4">{{Cite web |last=Mac |first=Ryan |date=3 March 2015 |title=Inside The Post-Minecraft Life Of Billionaire Gamer God Markus Persson |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2015/03/03/minecraft-markus-persson-life-after-microsoft-sale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320155201/http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2015/03/03/minecraft-markus-persson-life-after-microsoft-sale/ |archive-date=20 March 2015 |access-date=25 March 2015 |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref>
Since the first full release of ''Minecraft'', dubbed the "Adventure Update", the game has been continuously updated with many major updates, available for free to users who have already purchased the game.<ref name="notchMigr">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=18 January 2011 |title=The web server is struggling, we're migrating |url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2812089385/the-web-server-is-struggling-were-migrating |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121031049/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/2812089385/the-web-server-is-struggling-were-migrating |archive-date=21 January 2011 |access-date=26 January 2011 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Early updates frequently introduced gameplay-altering mechanics while more recent updates tend to enhance the game through additional content or tweaks to existing features.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pentleton |first=Matthew |date=15 October 2021 |title=Every Major Minecraft Update, Ranked |url=https://www.thegamer.com/every-major-minecraft-update-expansion-ranked/ |access-date=18 June 2022 |website=The Gamer}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=June 2022}} The most recent major update to the game was "Trails & Tales", which released in June 2023 and added new creatures, biomes, and items.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dankis |first1=Sofia |last2=Austin |first2=Sophie |date=2023-05-26 |title=The Trails & Tales Update Is Coming |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/trails-tales-update-coming |access-date=2023-06-09 |website=Minecraft.net |language=en}}</ref>
'''''Minecraft''''' is a 3D {{w|sandbox game}} created by Swedish game developer [[Notch|Markus "Notch" Persson]]. It is maintained by [[Mojang Studios]], a part of [[Xbox Game Studios]], which in turn is part of {{w|Microsoft}}.
The original version of the game was renamed to ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' on 18 September 2017 to separate it from ''Bedrock Edition'', which was renamed to just ''Minecraft'' by the ''Better Together Update''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Corden |first=Jez |date=2 August 2017 |title=Minecraft "Better Together" FAQ: Xbox and Windows questions answered |language=en |work=Windows Central |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-better-together-faq-xbox-and-windows-questions-answered |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901190136/https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-better-together-faq-xbox-and-windows-questions-answered |archive-date=1 September 2022}}</ref>
From its creation, ''Minecraft'' was developed almost exclusively by Notch until [[Jeb|Jens "Jeb" Bergensten]] started working with him and has since become head of its development. It features [[music]] by [[C418|Daniel "C418" Rosenfeld]], [[Kumi Tanioka]], [[Lena Raine]] and [[Aaron Cherof]], as well as [[painting]]s by [[Kristoffer Zetterstrand]]. Initially released as what is now known as ''Minecraft'' [[Classic]] on May 17, 2009, the game was [[Java Edition#Official release|fully released]] on November 18, 2011. Since its release, ''Minecraft'' has expanded to [[Bedrock Edition|mobile devices and consoles]]. On November 6, 2014, ''Minecraft'' and all of [[Mojang Studios]]' assets were acquired by {{w|Microsoft}} for US$2.5 billion.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140915131835/https://mojang.com/2014/09/yes-were-being-bought-by-microsoft/ Yes, we're being bought by Microsoft] - Mojang.com; September 15, 2014</ref><ref>{{tweet|xboxp3|530368089418784768}}</ref> [[Markus Persson|Notch]] has since left [[Mojang Studios|Mojang]] and is no longer working on ''Minecraft''.
The ''Bedrock Edition'' has also been regularly updated, with these updates now matching the themes of ''Java Edition'' updates. Other versions of the game such as the various console editions and ''Pocket Edition'' were either merged into ''Bedrock'' or discontinued and as such have not received further updates.<ref name=":0" />
''Minecraft'' focuses on allowing the [[player]] to explore, interact with and modify a dynamically-generated [[Overworld|map]] made of {{w|Cubic metre|one-cubic-meter-sized}} [[blocks]]. In addition to blocks, the environment features [[plants]], [[mobs]] and [[items]]. Some activities in the game include building, mining for [[ore]], fighting hostile [[mobs]] and [[crafting]] new blocks and [[tools]] by gathering various resources found in the game. The game's open-ended model allows players to create [[Generated structures|structures]], creations and artwork on various [[Combat|competitive]] or collaborative [[multiplayer]] servers or their single-player maps. Other features include [[redstone circuits]] for logic computations and remote actions, [[minecart]]s and [[Rail|tracks]], and a mysterious underworld called [[the Nether]]. A designated but completely optional goal of the game is to travel to a dimension called [[the End]] and defeat the [[ender dragon]].
On 16 April 2020, a [[Software release life cycle#Beta|beta]] version of ''Minecraft'' implementing [[physically based rendering]], [[Ray tracing (graphics)|ray tracing]], and [[Deep learning super sampling|DLSS]] was released by [[Nvidia]] on [[Nvidia RTX|RTX]]-enabled [[Graphics processing unit|GPUs]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2020 |title=Minecraft ray tracing is now live on PC—and it's a must-play, if you can |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/04/the-minecraft-ray-tracing-guide-how-does-it-work-can-you-actually-play-it/ |access-date=19 April 2020 |publisher=[[Ars Technica]] |quote='Currently, that limits interested players to Nvidia's "RTX" line of GPUs, since AMD has not yet released its own compatible line. Strangely, a Mojang representative told Ars last week that this week's beta would function on non-RTX graphics cards, albeit at an abysmal frame rate.'}}</ref> The final version was released on 8 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lilly |first=Paul |date=8 December 2020 |title=Minecraft with RTX launches out of beta with a built-in benchmark scene |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-with-rtx-launches-out-of-beta-with-a-built-in-benchmark-scene/ |access-date=8 December 2020 |publisher=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref>
{{JE}} can be purchased from [https://minecraft.net/store/minecraft-java-bedrock-edition-pc minecraft.net] and [https://xbox.com/games/store/-/9NXP44L49SHJ Microsoft Store]. Gift codes can be bought for others, for the same price as buying the game for oneself. The demo version can be played for free. ''Java Edition'' can not run on Windows RT, ChromiumOS/ChromeOS (unless "Linux development environment" is turned on), or on some non-PC devices that use Java, such as a car, a toaster, or an Android device.
{{Anchor|Pocket Edition|MC:PE|MCPE}}
{{BE}} can be purchased on [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mojang.minecraftpe Google Play] (ChromeOS & Android), the [https://geo.itunes.apple.com/app/479516143 Apple App Store] (iOS & iPadOS), the [[Bedrock Edition/Fire store pages|Amazon Appstore]] (Fire), [https://minecraft.net/store/minecraft-java-bedrock-edition-pc minecraft.net] (Windows), Microsoft Store ([https://xbox.com/games/store/-/9NXP44L49SHJ Windows] & [https://xbox.com/games/store/-/9MVXMVT8ZKWC Xbox One]), [[Bedrock Edition/Nintendo Switch store pages|Nintendo eShop]] (Nintendo Switch), and [https://playstation.com/games/minecraft PlayStation Store] (PlayStation 4).
=== ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' ===
Alternatively, Xbox Game Pass for Console provides access to ''Bedrock Edition'' on Xbox consoles, PC Game Pass provides access to ''Java Edition'' on PC and ''Bedrock Edition'' on Windows PCs, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate provides access to ''Java Edition'' on PC and ''Bedrock Edition'' on Windows PCs and Xbox consoles.
In August 2011, ''Minecraft: 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 8 October 2011.<ref name="MobileGamas">{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=21 February 2011 |title=Official ''Minecraft'' iOS, Android Release Coming Later This Year |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33130/Official_Minecraft_iPhone_and_iPad_Release_Coming_Later_This_Year.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223004043/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33130/Official_Minecraft_iPhone_and_iPad_Release_Coming_Later_This_Year.php |archive-date=23 February 2011 |access-date=22 February 2011 |website=[[Gamasutra]]}}</ref><ref name="MobileKotaku">{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=21 February 2011 |title=Official ''Minecraft'' Coming to iPhone, iPad, Android |url=http://kotaku.com/#!5766336/official-minecraft-coming-to-iphone-ipad-android |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106085901/http://kotaku.com/ |archive-date=6 November 2010 |access-date=22 February 2011 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]]}}</ref> An [[iOS]] version of ''Minecraft'' was released on 17 November 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=16 November 2011 |title=''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' arrives on iPhone and iPad |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/16/minecraft-ios |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118083636/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/16/minecraft-ios |archive-date=18 November 2011 |access-date=18 November 2011 |magazine=[[Wired UK]]}}</ref> A port was made available for [[Windows Phone]]s shortly after Microsoft acquired Mojang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=10 December 2014 |title=Minecraft Now Available for Windows Phones, See First Images Here |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-now-available-for-windows-phones-see-fir/1100-6424138/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228072451/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-now-available-for-windows-phones-see-fir/1100-6424138/ |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date=27 April 2015 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> The port concentrates on the creative building and the primitive survival aspect of the game and did not contain all the features of the PC release.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} On his Twitter account, Jens Bergensten said that the ''Pocket Edition'' of ''Minecraft'' is written in C++ and not Java, due to iOS not being able to support Java.<ref name="PE_C++">{{Cite web |date=8 October 2011 |title=jeb_: PE is in C++ |url=https://twitter.com/jeb_/statuses/122618933604925440 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024133240/https://twitter.com/jeb_/statuses/122618933604925440 |archive-date=24 October 2013 |access-date=25 September 2012 |publisher=Twitter}}</ref> However, there now exists a way to play ''Java Edition'' on both Android and iOS devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PojavLauncher {{!}} PojavLauncher |url=https://pojavlauncherteam.github.io/ |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=pojavlauncherteam.github.io}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-27 |title=How to play Minecraft Java Edition on Android & iOS with Pojav Launcher |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-play-minecraft-java-edition-smartphone/ |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=XDA |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 10 December 2014, a port of ''Pocket Edition'' was released for [[Windows Phone 8.1]].<ref name="engadget-wpmc">{{Cite web |last=Seppala |first=Timothy J. |date=11 December 2014 |title=Finally, you can now play 'Minecraft' on Windows Phone too |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/12/11/finally-you-can-now-play-minecraft-on-windows-phone-too/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211145205/http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/11/finally-you-can-now-play-minecraft-on-windows-phone-too/ |archive-date=11 December 2014 |access-date=11 December 2014 |website=Engadget |publisher=AOL}}</ref> In January 2017, Microsoft announced that it would no longer maintain the Windows Phone versions of ''Pocket Edition''.<ref name="ars-mcw10discontinued">{{Cite web |last=Bright |first=Peter |date=18 January 2017 |title=Microsoft-owned Minecraft no longer supported on Microsoft-owned Windows Phone/Mobile |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/01/microsoft-owned-minecraft-no-longer-supported-on-microsoft-owned-windows-phonemobile/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118231144/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/01/microsoft-owned-minecraft-no-longer-supported-on-microsoft-owned-windows-phonemobile/ |archive-date=18 January 2017 |access-date=19 January 2017 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> On 19 December 2016, the full version of ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' was released on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
{{el|lce}} can be purchased on physical media (excluding {{el|ns}}) or on the respective platform's store, including [https://marketplace.xbox.com/Product/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d802584111f7 Xbox Games Store] for {{el|360}}. The {{els|ps3|psv}} can only be purchased through the console. The [[Xbox One Edition|''Xbox One'']], [[PlayStation 4 Edition|''PlayStation 4'']], [[Wii U Edition|''Wii U'']], and ''Nintendo Switch'' editions are no longer available for direct digital purchase.
''Pocket Edition'' was remade into the ''Bedrock Edition'' in 2017, enabling [[cross-platform play]] with the ''Xbox One'' and ''Nintendo Switch Editions''.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Thielenhaus |first=Kevin |date=13 June 2017 |title=The Better Together Update Is Coming To Minecraft – Here's Everything It Does |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/the-better-together-update-is-coming-to-minecraft-heres-everything-it-does/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618013301/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/walkthroughs/17777-Minecraft-Better-Together-Update-Everything-You-Need-To-Know |archive-date=18 June 2017 |access-date=8 March 2018 |website=Escapist Magazine}}</ref>
The North American version of {{el|ds}} can be purchased on physical media. It is no longer available for direct digital purchase.
{{Anchor|Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition|14=PS4|23=Nintendo Switch|22=Nintendo Switch Edition|21=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition|20=Wii U|19=Wii U Edition|18=Minecraft: Wii U Edition|17=PSV|16=Minecraft: PSV Edition|15=Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition|13=Minecraft: PS4 Edition|Xbox 360 Edition|12=Minecraft: PlayStaion 4 Edition|11=PS3|10=PS3 Edition|9=Minecraft: PS3 Edition|8=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition|7=Xbox One|6=Xbox One Edition|5=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition|4=360|Xbox 360|24=Minecraft: Nintendo 3DS Edition}}
[[Classic 0.0.23a_01 (remake)|''Minecraft Classic'']] can be played at [https://classic.minecraft.net classic.minecraft.net] for free.
=== ''Legacy Console Editions'' ===
==Gameplay==
An [[Xbox 360]] version of the game, developed by [[4J Studios]], was released on 9 May 2012.<ref name="xboxpress">{{Cite web |date=6 June 2011 |title=''Minecraft'' will feature cross-functionality between the PC and Xbox 360 versions. |url=https://minecraftserver.net/news.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113180440/https://minecraftserver.net/news.php |archive-date=13 November 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014 |website=Microsoft New Center |publisher=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref><ref name="xboxreleasedate">{{Cite web |last=Hryb |first=Larry |author-link=Larry Hryb |date=22 March 2012 |title=Xbox Live's Major Nelson |url=http://majornelson.com/2012/03/22/announcing-arcade-next/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119085736/http://majornelson.com/2012/03/22/announcing-arcade-next/ |archive-date=19 January 2013 |access-date=11 January 2013 |website=majornelson.com}}</ref> On 22 March 2012, it was announced that ''Minecraft'' would be the flagship game in a new Xbox Live promotion called ''Arcade NEXT''.<ref name="xboxreleasedate" /> The game differs from the home computer versions in a number of ways, including a newly designed crafting system, the control interface, in-game tutorials, split-screen multiplayer, and the ability to play with friends via [[Xbox network|Xbox Live]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Adam |date=7 May 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition review at Digital Trends |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510035555/http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review/ |archive-date=10 May 2012 |website=[[Digital Trends]]}}</ref><ref name="GSpot Xbox" /> The worlds in the Xbox 360 version are also not "infinite", and are essentially barricaded by invisible walls.<ref name="GSpot Xbox" /> The Xbox 360 version was originally similar in content to older PC versions, but was gradually updated to bring it closer to the current PC version prior to its discontinuation.<ref name="xboxpress" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=16 October 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update 1.8.2 out today, 10am GMT |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/46662/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-out-today-10am-gmt/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430023106/http://www.totalxbox.com/46662/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-out-today-10am-gmt/ |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=28 October 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=2 October 2012 |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 update 1.8.2 – 4J releases enormous final contents list |url=http://www.totalxbox.com/46307/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-4j-releases-enormous-final-contents-list/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430023804/http://www.totalxbox.com/46307/minecraft-xbox-360-update-182-4j-releases-enormous-final-contents-list/ |archive-date=30 April 2014 |access-date=27 October 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]}}</ref> An Xbox One version featuring larger worlds among other enhancements<ref name="Microsoft">{{Cite web |date=10 June 2013 |title=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition Announce Trailer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unVcuWYW0GI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617214819/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unVcuWYW0GI |archive-date=17 June 2013 |access-date=11 June 2013 |publisher=Microsoft}}</ref> was released on 5 September 2014.<ref name="Microsoft" />
{{main|Gameplay}}
[[File:Survival1.13.png|right|thumb|A newly created ''Minecraft'' world.]]
Versions of the game for the [[PlayStation 3]] and [[PlayStation 4]] were released on 17 December 2013 and 4 September 2014 respectively.<ref name="PS4" /> The PlayStation 4 version was announced as a launch title, though it was eventually delayed.<ref name="ps4_launch">{{Cite web |date=20 August 2013 |title=Gamescom: Minecraft Coming to PS4, PS3, Vita – IGN |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/20/gamescom-minecraft-coming-to-ps4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121072700/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/20/gamescom-minecraft-coming-to-ps4 |archive-date=21 November 2014 |access-date=9 December 2013 |publisher=Uk.ign.com}}</ref><ref name="gamespot1">{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=12 November 2013 |title=Minecraft not launching with PS4 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-not-launching-with-playstation-4/1100-6416102/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114094958/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-not-launching-with-playstation-4/1100-6416102/ |archive-date=14 November 2013 |access-date=12 November 2013 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> A version for [[PlayStation Vita]] was also released in October 2014.<ref name="vita_launch">{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Evan |date=10 October 2014 |title=Minecraft: PS Vita Edition Release Date Revealed for North America |url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/10/minecraft-ps-vita-edition-release-date-revealed-for-north-america |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106170435/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/10/minecraft-ps-vita-edition-release-date-revealed-for-north-america |archive-date=6 November 2015 |access-date=15 February 2015 |website=IGN}}</ref> Like the Xbox versions, the PlayStation versions were developed by 4J Studios.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Partis |first1=Danielle |title=4J Studios on its pivot into publishing |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-on-its-pivot-into-publishing |access-date=8 October 2023 |work=GamesIndustry.biz |date=27 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
===Player===
{{main|Player}}
[[File:Steve (classic) JE6.png|thumb|upright|alt=Steve player character model|One of the nine default [[player]] characters, called Steve.|left]]
The player is the person that the user controls in the [[world]]. When the user starts a game, the player is put in a [[world]], generated from a random or specified [[Seed (level generation)|seed]], with an empty [[inventory]]. If the [[bonus chest]] option is enabled, a chest filled with basic items generates near the player. The player has a [[health]] bar with 10 hearts and can be depleted when they are [[damage]]d. Damage to health can be mitigated by [[armor]] or the [[Resistance]] effect; while health can be restored by keeping the [[hunger]] bar full enough or by drinking specific [[potion]]s. If the [[difficulty]] is set to Peaceful, health regenerates on its own.
On 17 December 2015, ''Minecraft: Wii U Edition'' was released. The [[Wii U]] version received a physical release on 17 June 2016 in North America,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenni |date=9 May 2016 |title=Super Mario Is Coming To The Minecraft: Wii U Edition This Month |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2016/05/09/super-mario-coming-minecraft-wii-u-edition-month/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514043603/http://www.siliconera.com/2016/05/09/super-mario-coming-minecraft-wii-u-edition-month/ |archive-date=14 May 2016 |access-date=13 May 2016 |website=Siliconera}}</ref> in Japan on 23 June 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agent |first=Lite |date=25 May 2016 |title=Minecraft Wii U Edition Also Coming Out At Retail Next Month in Japan |url=http://www.perfectly-nintendo.com/minecraft-wii-u-edition-also-coming-retail-next-month-japan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525154713/http://www.perfectly-nintendo.com/minecraft-wii-u-edition-also-coming-retail-next-month-japan/ |archive-date=25 May 2016 |access-date=25 May 2016 |website=Perfectly Nintendo}}</ref> and in Europe on 30 June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Thomas |date=June 2016 |title=Minecraft: Wii U Edition Gets Its European Retail Release On 30th June |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/06/minecraft_wii_u_edition_gets_its_european_retail_release_on_30th_june |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602123234/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/06/minecraft_wii_u_edition_gets_its_european_retail_release_on_30th_june |archive-date=2 June 2016 |access-date=2 June 2016 |website=Nintendo Life}}</ref> A [[Nintendo Switch]] version of the game was released on the [[Nintendo eShop]] on 11 May 2017, along with a physical retail version set for a later date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=12 April 2017 |title=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Version Release Date Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/12/minecraft-nintendo-switch-version-release-date-announced |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413063117/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/04/12/minecraft-nintendo-switch-version-release-date-announced |archive-date=13 April 2017 |access-date=13 April 2017 |website=IGN}}</ref> During a [[Nintendo Direct]] presentation on 13 September 2017, Nintendo announced that ''Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition'' would be available for download immediately after the livestream, and a physical copy available on a later date. The game is only compatible with the [[New Nintendo 3DS|New 3DS and New 3DS XL]] or [[New Nintendo 2DS XL|New 2DS XL]] systems and does not work with the original [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS and 3DS XL]] or [[Nintendo 2DS|2DS]] systems.<ref name="New3DS" />
Each player can have a unique look via 9 default [[Skin|skins]], or by creating their own custom skin. A player can change their [[skin]] on the profile page of [[minecraft.net]] or in the ''[[Minecraft Launcher]]'' in ''Java Edition'' and in the pause or main menus on ''Bedrock Edition''.
On 20 September 2017, the ''Better Together Update'' was released on the Xbox One, Windows 10, VR, and mobile versions of the game, which used the ''Pocket Edition'' engine to enable cross-platform play between each of these versions. This version of the game eventually became known as the ''Bedrock Edition''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2017 |title=The Better Together Update is Here |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/better-together-update-here |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> Shortly after, the ''Bedrock Edition'' was also ported to the Nintendo Switch.
===Blocks===
{{main|Block}}
[[File:Ancient Greece.jpg|alt=A building based on a Greek acropolis.|thumb|280x280px|A building based on a Greek acropolis.]]
The world of ''Minecraft'' takes place within a {{w|Cubic honeycomb|three-dimensional grid of cubes}}, with each cube being occupied by a certain type of block, not all of which are necessarily cubic. There are different types of blocks; natural blocks such as [[grass]], [[stone]] and [[ore]]s that generate randomly within the world. There are also blocks that players can [[Crafting|craft]], such as a [[crafting table]] and a [[furnace]]. Resources can be extracted from blocks by hand or by using [[tools]]. Some of these resources are simply blocks in the player's inventory that can be placed elsewhere, while others are used as material to create other blocks or tools. Others yield no practical use whatsoever. Some blocks cannot be broken through normal Survival means, e.g. [[bedrock]], [[end portal frame]]s, [[command block]]s, [[Nether Portal (block)|nether]] and [[End Portal (block)|end portals]], [[barrier]]s and [[air]].
On 18 December 2018, the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and Wii U versions of ''Minecraft'' received their final update and would later become known as ''Legacy Console Editions''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santana |first=Steven |date=20 December 2018 |title=Minecraft No Longer Receiving Updates on Legacy Hardware |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-legacy-hardware-shutdown/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516150020/https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-legacy-hardware-shutdown/ |archive-date=16 May 2020 |access-date=19 March 2020 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}</ref>
===Mining===
{{main|Mining}}
[[File:MultipleOreBlobs.png|right|thumb|Various [[ore]]s (in proximity of [[lava]]) that can be mined with a [[pickaxe]].]]
[[Tutorials/Mining|Mining]] is one of the main aspects of ''Minecraft'' and is done to extract [[ore]] and other materials mainly from below the surface of the map. These ores include [[coal ore|coal]], [[iron ore|iron]], [[gold ore|gold]], [[redstone ore|redstone]], [[diamond ore|diamond]], [[lapis lazuli ore|lapis lazuli]], [[copper ore|copper]] and [[emerald ore|emerald]]. Mining can involve [[digging]] a hole from the surface or going down through a [[cave]]. [[Mineshaft]]s and [[ravine]]s create extra areas that may contain resources, since they are usually rich in ores.
On 15 January 2019, the New Nintendo 3DS version of ''Minecraft'' received its final update, effectively becoming discontinued as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=2019-01-15 |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Receives its Final Update Only Two Years After Launch |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-final-update/ |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}</ref>
=== Crafting and smelting===
{{Main|Crafting|Smelting}}
[[File:Crafting Table.png|thumb|upright|left|A [[Crafting Table|crafting table]] is used to create most of the blocks and items in ''Minecraft''.]]
[[Crafting]] allows players to create new [[tool]]s and [[block]]s using items from their [[inventory]]. Subsequent versions often contain crafting [[recipe]]s for new blocks and [[item]]s. A player can use the 2×2 grid in the inventory or the 3×3 grid provided by a [[crafting table]] to craft. Smelting requires a [[furnace]] in addition to fuel and processes blocks into a more useful form such as from [[raw iron]] into [[iron ingot]]s, which can then be crafted into iron [[tool]]s and iron [[armor]].
The PlayStation 4 version of ''Minecraft'' was updated in December 2019 and became part of the ''Bedrock Edition'', which enabled cross-platform play for users with a free Xbox Live account.<ref name="ps4 bedrock">{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=9 December 2019 |title=Finally, PlayStation gets cross-platform Minecraft tomorrow |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-finally-playstation-gets-cross-platform-minecraft-tomorrow |access-date=9 December 2019 |work=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>
===Brewing and enchanting ===
{{Main|Brewing|Enchanting}}
[[File:Enchantment Table animated experience.gif|right|thumb|An [[Enchanting Table|enchanting table]] with glyphs being absorbed into it.]]
[[Brewing]] creates [[potion]]s from various ingredients and [[water]] using a [[brewing stand]]. They are stored in a [[glass bottle]] and then consumed by the player or thrown at other mobs to generate a certain effect based on the magical ingredients used to create the [[potion]]. [[Enchanting]] is also used to upgrade [[armor]], tools or [[weapon]]s with an [[enchanting table]] or [[anvil]]. More powerful enchantments can be accessed by gaining [[experience]] and placing [[Bookshelf|bookshelves]] around the enchanting table.
{{Anchor|Education Edition}}
===Mobs===
{{main|Mobs}}
[[File:Creeper in forest.png|thumb|upright|right|A [[creeper]] in a [[forest]]. Creepers stalk the player and then explode once they get near.]]
[[Mob]]s (short for "mobiles") are the animals and other creatures that inhabit the map. [[Mob|Hostile]] mobs attack the player while passive mobs do not. Neutral mobs attack when provoked (not all neutral mobs are provoked the same way).
=== ''Minecraft Education'' ===
The [[Overworld]] contains many passive mobs that may be killed for [[food]] or [[Breeding|bred]] with one another; these include:
''Minecraft Education'' (known as ''Minecraft: Education Edition'' until December 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-16 |title=Minecraft Education: Product Name change |url=https://m365admin.handsontek.net/minecraft-education-product-name-change/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=M365 Admin |language=en-US}}</ref> is an educational version of the game, designed specifically for use in educational establishments such as schools, and built off of the ''Bedrock Edition'' codebase. It is available on [[Windows 10]], [[MacOS]], [[iPadOS]], and [[ChromeOS]].<ref>{{cite web |date=1 November 2016 |title=Minecraft: Education Edition officially launches |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/01/minecraft-education-edition-officially-launches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122234307/https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/01/minecraft-education-edition-officially-launches/ |archive-date=22 November 2016 |access-date=8 March 2018 |publisher=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft: Education Edition Is Now Available On Chromebooks |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-education-edition-is-now-available-on-ch/1100-6480894/ |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> It includes a Chemistry Resource Pack,<ref>{{cite web |date=21 February 2018 |title=Minecraft Chemistry Update Goes Live |url=https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/02/21/minecraft-chemistry-update-goes-live.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226150714/https://thejournal.com/articles/2018/02/21/minecraft-chemistry-update-goes-live.aspx |archive-date=26 February 2018 |access-date=8 March 2018 |publisher=The Journal}}</ref> free lesson plans available online, and two free companion applications: Code Connection and Classroom Mode.<ref>{{cite web |date=2 May 2017 |title=Minecraft: Education Edition: Five Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/games/2017/05/minecraft-education-edition-code-builder-learn-to-code-student-engagement-free-trial-price-subjects-age-range/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502195005/https://heavy.com/games/2017/05/minecraft-education-edition-code-builder-learn-to-code-student-engagement-free-trial-price-subjects-age-range/ |archive-date=2 May 2017 |access-date=8 March 2018}}</ref>
*{{EntityLink|Pig}}s: drop [[Raw Porkchop|raw porkchops]] upon death and can be ridden using a [[saddle]] and holding a [[carrot on a stick]].
*{{EntityLink|Cow}}s: drop [[Raw Beef|raw beef]] upon death and can be milked using a [[bucket]].
*{{EntityLink|Sheep}}: drop [[Raw Mutton|raw mutton]] and 1 [[wool]] upon death and can be [[Shears|sheared]] to produce 1–3 wools.
* {{EntityLink|Chicken}}s: drop [[Raw Chicken|raw chicken]] and feathers upon death and lay [[egg]]s.
*{{EntityLink|Horse}}s: drop [[leather]] upon death and can be ridden using a saddle, traveling much faster than pigs.
*{{EntityLink|Rabbit}}s: drop [[Raw Rabbit|rabbit meat]], hide and its [[Rabbit's Foot|foot]], a brewing item.
*{{EntityLink|Bat}}s: ambient [[mob]]s that fly around caves.
*{{EntitySprite|cod}}{{EntitySprite|tropical-fish}}{{EntitySprite|salmon}}{{EntitySprite|pufferfish}} [[Aquatic|Fish]]: passive ambient mobs that drop diverse items such as food or [[bone]]s ([[Bone Meal|bone meal]] in ''[[Java Edition]]'')
Mobs that drop food drop the raw version of their [[food]] unless killed while on [[fire]].
An initial beta test was carried out between 9 June and 1 November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beta Version of Minecraft: Education Edition Available for Download for Schools and Educators! Education World |url=https://www.educationworld.com/a_news/beta-version-minecraft-education-edition-available-download-schools-and-educators-822001136 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=www.educationworld.com |language=en}}</ref> The full game was then released on Windows 10 and MacOS on 1 November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=September 2016 |first=Darren Allan 22 |title=Minecraft: Education Edition starts schooling students on November 1 |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-education-edition-starts-schooling-students-on-november-1-1329192 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=TechRadar |date=22 September 2016 |language=en}}</ref> On 20 August 2018, Mojang announced that it would bring ''Education Edition'' to iPadOS in Autumn 2018. It was released to the App Store on 6 September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Minecraft: Education Edition' arrives on iPad in September |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-20-minecraft-education-edition-arrives-ipad-september.html |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=Engadget|date=8 August 2019 }}</ref> On 27 March 2019, it was announced that it would be operated by [[JD.com]] in China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JD.com purchases rights to Minecraft: Education Edition in China |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-04-11-jd-com-purchases-rights-to-minecraft-education-edition-in-china |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref> On 26 June 2020, a public beta for the ''Education Edition'' was made available to [[Google Play]] Store compatible Chromebooks. The full game was released to the Google Play Store for Chromebooks on 7 August 2020.<ref name=":22" />
Common hostile mobs found throughout the Overworld include:
*{{EntityLink|Zombie}}s: attack by melee damage.
*{{EntityLink|Skeleton}}s: have a [[bow]] and infinitely many [[arrow]]s.
*{{EntityLink|Spider}}s: leap large distances and climb walls.
*{{EntityLink|Witch}}es: use [[potion]]s and are almost immune to many effects.
*{{EntityLink|Creeper}}s: explode when near the player.
* {{EntityLink|Enderman|Endermen}}: are tall and black creatures with purple eyes which turn aggressive when the [[player]] looks at them.
{{Anchor|Minecraft: China}}
The Overworld also contains some rarer mobs that spawn only on occasion or in specific [[biome]]s, places or times:
* {{EntityLink|Spider Jockey|Spider jockey}}s: a [[skeleton]] riding a [[spider]].
*{{EntityLink|Chicken Jockey|Chicken jockey}}s: a baby [[zombie]] riding a [[chicken]].
*{{EntityLink|Slime}}s: spawn deep within the map and in [[Swamp|swamplands]].
*{{EntityLink|Villager}}s: inhabit [[village]]s and can [[trade]] with the [[player]].
*{{EntityLink|Cat}}s: can be tamed and inhabit [[village]]s or [[swamp hut]]s.
* {{EntityLink|Parrot}}s: spawn in [[jungle]]s and can imitate the sounds of nearby hostile [[mob]]s.
*{{EntityLink|Wolf|Wolves}}: can be tamed by the player and attack enemy mobs if the player engages or is attacked by them.
*{{EntityLink|Llama}}s: can store items and form caravans.
*{{EntityLink|Mooshroom}}s: mushroom-covered [[cow]]s that spawn in [[mushroom fields]] [[biome]]s.
*{{EntityLink|Vindicator}}s: spawn in [[Woodland Mansion|woodland mansions]] and [[raid]]s.
*{{EntityLink|Pillager}}s: spawn in [[Pillager Outpost|pillager outposts]] and [[raid]]s.
* {{EntityLink|Evoker}}s: spawn in [[Woodland Mansion|woodland mansions]] and [[raid]]s.
*{{EntityLink|Phantom}}s: spawn when the [[player]] hasn't slept for three in-game days.
*{{EntityLink|Panda}}s: spawn in [[jungle]]s but are more common in [[:en:Jungle#Bamboo Jungle|bamboo jungles]], and have different personalities.
* {{EntityLink|Camel}}s: spawn in [[desert village]]s.
=== ''Minecraft China'' ===
Some are found exclusively in [[the Nether]], including:
On 20 May 2016, ''Minecraft China'' was announced as a localized edition for China, where it was released under a licensing agreement between [[NetEase]] and Mojang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilhelm |first=Parker |date=20 May 2016 |title=Minecraft is finally coming to China, but it's not the version you know |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-is-finally-coming-to-china-but-it-s-not-the-version-you-know-1321862 |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref> The PC edition was released for public testing on 8 August 2017. The iOS version was released on 15 September 2017, and the Android version was released on 12 October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:欢迎回家!《我的世界》中国版PC Java版今日开测 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/08/08/25510_704938.html |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:《我的世界》手游今日App Store独家首发 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/09/15/25510_712984.html |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:《我的世界》中国版全平台公测今日开启 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/10/12/25510_717885.html |access-date=12 October 2017 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh}}</ref> The PC edition is based on the original ''Java Edition'', while the iOS and Android mobile version is based on the ''Bedrock Edition''. The edition is free-to-play and had over 300 million players by November 2019.<ref name="China-300m2">{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |title=Minecraft player count reaches 480 million |work=PCGamesN |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |url-status=live |access-date=19 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119042458/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |archive-date=19 November 2019}}</ref>
*{{EntityLink|Ghast}}s: flying ghosts that shoot exploding [[fireball]]s at the player.
*{{EntityLink|Zombified Piglin|Zombified piglin}}s: wield [[golden sword]]s and attack in hordes if provoked.
*{{EntityLink|Piglin}}s: can [[Bartering|barter]] to provide ingredients or [[block]]s.
*{{EntityLink|Wither Skeleton|Wither skeleton}}s: tall skeletons that wield stone swords and drop coal or, occasionally, [[Wither Skeleton Skull|wither skeleton skulls]]<nowiki/> that can be used to summon an optional boss: the [[wither]].
*{{EntityLink|Blaze}}s: shoot fireballs at players and hover above the ground.
* {{EntityLink|Magma Cube|Magma cube}}s: similar to Overworld [[slimes]], but they are fire resistant and do more damage.
*{{EntityLink|Strider}}s: are the only passive mobs naturally spawning in [[the Nether]], which can walk on lava and can be saddled and ridden with a [[warped fungus on a stick]].
{{Anchor|Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition|Windows 10 Edition|Windows 10|Minecraft 4K|}}
[[The End]] contains the [[Ender Dragon|ender dragon]], which is the main boss mob in ''Minecraft'' and allows the player to exit back to the Overworld when it dies, as well as [[shulker]]s, block-like mobs that shoot homing bullets at the player which inflict the [[Levitation|Levitation effect]]. They also drop their [[Shulker Shell|shells]], allowing the player to craft [[shulker box]]es.
=== Other PC versions ===
Apart from ''Minecraft: Java Edition'', there are other versions of ''Minecraft'' for PC, including ''Minecraft for Windows'', ''Minecraft Classic'', ''Minecraft 4K'', and a version for the [[Raspberry Pi]].
==== ''Minecraft for Windows'' ====
''Minecraft for Windows'' is exclusive to Microsoft's Windows 10 and [[Windows 11]] operating systems. The [[Video game development#Beta|beta]] release for Windows 10 launched on the [[Microsoft Store|Windows Store]] on July 29, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Good |first1=Owen S. |date=4 July 2015 |title=Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition announced; beta begins July 29 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/4/8892897/minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta-july-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708133352/http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/4/8892897/minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta-july-29 |archive-date=8 July 2015 |access-date=10 July 2015 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref>
After nearly one and a half years in beta, Microsoft fully released ''Minecraft for Windows'' on December 19, 2016. Called the "Ender Update", this release implemented new features to this version of ''Minecraft'' like world templates and add-on packs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Kit |date=20 December 2016 |title=Minecraft 1.0 release for Windows 10 and Pocket Editions brings Add-On Packages and World Templates |url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/minecraft-1-0-release-for-windows-10-and-pocket-editions-brings-add-on-packages-and-world-templates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420200634/https://www.onmsft.com/news/minecraft-1-0-release-for-windows-10-and-pocket-editions-brings-add-on-packages-and-world-templates |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=25 December 2021 |website=OnMSFT.com }}</ref> This version has the ability to play with Xbox Live friends, and to play local multiplayer with owners of ''Minecraft'' on other ''Bedrock'' platforms. Other features include the ability to use multiple control schemes such as a gamepad, keyboard, or touchscreen (for [[Microsoft Surface]] and other touchscreen-enabled devices). Virtual reality support has been implemented, as well as the ability to record and take screenshots in-game via the Windows built-in GameDVR.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 July 2015 |title=Announcing Minecraft Windows 10 edition beta |url=https://www.mojang.com/2015/07/announcing-minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801124616/https://mojang.com/2015/07/announcing-minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta/ |archive-date=1 August 2015 |access-date=30 July 2015 |website=mojang.com}}</ref>
As of 7 June 2022, the ''Java'' and ''Bedrock Editions'' of ''Minecraft'' for Windows were merged into a single title for purchase; those who owned one version would automatically gain access to the other version. Both game versions would otherwise remain separate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/java-and-bedrock-edition |title=Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions are no more… separately |first=Chris |last=Capel |date=5 June 2022 |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=[[PCGamesN]]}}</ref>
==== ''Minecraft 4K'' ====
''Minecraft 4K'' is a simplified version of ''Minecraft'' similar to the Classic version that was developed for the [[Java 4K Game Programming Contest]] "in way less than 4 kilobytes".<ref name="m4k">{{cite web |date=29 June 2011 |title=Notch: Minecraft in less than 4k |url=https://twitter.com/notch/status/86061084796125184 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107032559/https://twitter.com/notch/status/86061084796125184 |archive-date=7 November 2013 |access-date=25 September 2012 |publisher=Twitter}}</ref> The map itself is finite—composed of 64×64×64 blocks—and the same world is generated every time. Players are restricted to placing or destroying blocks, which consist of grass, dirt, stone, wood, leaves, and brick.<ref>{{cite web |last=Donlan |first=Chris |date=25 November 2011 |title=The Friday Game: Minecraft 4k |url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/friday-game-minecraft-4k/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404031224/http://www.edge-online.com/features/friday-game-minecraft-4k/ |archive-date=4 April 2013 |access-date=2 October 2012 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]}}</ref>
==== Raspberry Pi ====
A version of ''Minecraft'' for the Raspberry Pi was officially revealed at [[Minecon]] 2012. The ''Pi Edition'' is based on an alpha version of ''Pocket Edition'' with the added ability of using text commands to edit the game world. Players can open the game code and use the [[Python (programming language)|Python]] programming language to manipulate things in the game world.<ref>{{cite web |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |date=24 November 2012 |title=Minecraft ported to the Raspberry Pi, to be officially released as Minecraft: Pi Edition |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/11/24/minecraft-ported-to-the-raspberry-pi-to-officially-be-released-as-minecraft-pi-edition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128035806/http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/11/24/minecraft-ported-to-the-raspberry-pi-to-officially-be-released-as-minecraft-pi-edition/ |archive-date=28 November 2012 |access-date=28 November 2012 |publisher=The Next Web}}</ref> It also includes a scripting API to modify the game, and server software for multiplayer. The game was leaked on 20 December 2012, but was quickly pulled off.<ref>{{cite web |author=Owen |date=20 December 2012 |title=Download Pi Edition now! |url=http://pi.minecraft.net/?p=68 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215014728/http://pi.minecraft.net/?p=68 |archive-date=15 February 2013 |access-date=11 February 2013 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> It was officially released on 11 February 2013.<ref>{{cite web |author=Owen |date=11 February 2013 |title=Minecraft: Pi Edition is available for download! |url=http://www.mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214025539/http://www.mojang.com/2013/02/minecraft-pi-edition-is-available-for-download/ |archive-date=14 February 2013 |access-date=18 March 2020 |website=Mojang.com |publisher=Mojang}}</ref> Mojang stopped providing updates to ''Minecraft: Raspberry Pi Edition'' in 2016. It is preinstalled on [[Raspberry Pi OS]] and can be downloaded for free from the official ''Minecraft'' website.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-04-19 |title=How To Play Minecraft On Raspberry Pi? |url=https://www.iottrends.tech/blog/how-to-play-minecraft-on-raspberry-pi/ |access-date=2022-03-13 |website=iotTrends.tech |language=en-US |archive-date=19 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119072442/https://www.iottrends.tech/blog/how-to-play-minecraft-on-raspberry-pi/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Minecraft|l1=Music of ''Minecraft''}}
''Minecraft''{{'s}} music and sound effects were produced by German musician Daniel Rosenfeld, better known as [[C418]].<ref name="credits">{{cite web |url=https://minecraft.net/game/credits |title=Minecraft.net Credits |website=Mojang |access-date=1 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226231247/http://minecraft.net/game/credits |archive-date=26 December 2012}}</ref> The [[background music]] in ''Minecraft'' is instrumental [[ambient music]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft's Composer Explains Why the Music Is 'So Weird' |url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d73q5a/minecrafts-composer-explains-why-the-music-is-so-weird |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=www.vice.com |date=29 June 2015 |language=en}}</ref> On 4 March 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=4 March 2011 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919182020/http://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-alpha |archive-date=19 September 2012}}</ref> Kirk Hamilton of ''[[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 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |access-date=14 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120215837/http://kotaku.com/gamemusic2011 |archive-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> On 9 November 2013, Rosenfeld released the second official soundtrack, titled ''[[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=9 November 2013 |access-date=9 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109190435/http://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-beta |archive-date=9 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |first=Keith |last=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |title=How Daniel Rosenfeld wrote Minecraft's music |newspaper=The Guardian |date=7 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106014049/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |archive-date=6 January 2017}}</ref> A physical release of ''Volume Alpha'', consisting of CDs, black vinyl, and limited-edition transparent green vinyl LPs, was issued by indie electronic label [[Ghostly International]] on 21 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/06/23/a-minecraft-soundtrack-coming-this-summer-on-vinyl/ |title=Minecraft soundtrack to receive vinyl release this summer |website=FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702034538/http://www.factmag.com/2015/06/23/a-minecraft-soundtrack-coming-this-summer-on-vinyl/ |archive-date=2 July 2015 |date=23 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ghostly.com/releases/minecraft-volume-alpha |title=C418 presents Minecraft Volume Alpha |website=[[Ghostly International]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629204833/http://ghostly.com/releases/minecraft-volume-alpha |archive-date=29 June 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=30 November 2015}}</ref>
Rosenfeld's music remained the only music in the game until in 2020, "The Nether Update" invited a new composer, [[Lena Raine]]. since then, Minecraft has invited more composers with Raine remaining as the new primary composer, such as in 1.18 "Caves & Cliffs" soundtrack, along with [[Kumi Tanioka]], 1.19 "The Wild Update" soundtrack with Samuel Åberg, and 1.20 "Trails and Tales" Soundtrack, with the addition of Aaron Cherof's music. [[Gareth Coker]] also composed some of the music for the game's mini games from the Legacy Console editions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiborgh |first1=Thomas |title=The Sound of Scary |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-sound-scary |website=Minecraft.net |date=9 April 2020 |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecrafts-nether-update-will-have-music-from-cele/1100-6475797/ |title=Minecraft's Nether Update Will Have Music From Celeste Composer |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=8 April 2020 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |access-date=8 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="116release">{{Cite web |last=Landin |first=Per |date=17 June 2020 |title=The Nether Update has a date! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-nether-update-has-date- |access-date=17 June 2020 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leston |first1=Ryan |title='Minecraft' just added some new music |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/minecraft-just-added-some-new-music-3075321 |website=NME |access-date=28 March 2022 |date=20 October 2021}}</ref>
For the tenth anniversary of the game's release, Mojang remade a version of ''Minecraft Classic'' in [[JavaScript]] and made it available to play online.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://classic.minecraft.net/ |title=Minecraft Classic |website=classic.minecraft.net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Abent |first=Eric |date=9 May 2019 |title=Minecraft Classic can now be played in your web browser |url=https://www.slashgear.com/minecraft-classic-can-now-be-played-in-your-web-browser-09576106/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=slashgear.com}}</ref> It functions much the same as creative mode, allowing players to build and destroy any and all parts of the world either alone or in a multiplayer server. Environmental hazards such as lava do not damage players, and some blocks function differently since their behavior was later changed during development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Persson |first1=Markus |title=The server is back up! |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |website=The Word of Notch |access-date=17 September 2017 |date=28 June 2010 |archive-date=20 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620024927/https://notch.tumblr.com/post/746938105/the-server-is-back-up |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Minecraft |url=http://www.minecraft.net/ |website=Minecraft |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702141801/http://www.minecraft.net/ |archive-date=2 July 2010 |date=2 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Play Minecraft Classic |url=https://minecraft.net/classic/play |website=Minecraft |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910183326/https://minecraft.net/classic/play |archive-date=10 September 2015 |date=10 September 2015}}</ref>
Around 2011, prior to ''Minecraft''{{'}}s full release, there had been collaboration between Mojang and [[The Lego Group]] to make a [[Lego]] brick-based ''Minecraft'' game to be called ''Brickcraft''. This would have modified the base ''Minecraft'' game to use Lego bricks, which meant adapting the basic 1×1 block to account for larger pieces typically used in Lego sets. Persson had worked on the preliminary version of this game, which he had named "Project Rex Kwon Do" based on the joke from ''[[Napoleon Dynamite]]''. Lego had greenlit the project to go forward, and while Mojang had put two developers on the game for six months, they later opted to cancel the project, as Mojang felt that the Lego Group were too demanding on what they could do, according to Mojang's Daniel Kaplan. The Lego Group had considered buying out Mojang to complete the game, but at this point Microsoft made its offer to buy the company for over $2 billion. According to the Lego Group's Ronny Scherer, the company was not yet sure of the potential success of ''Minecraft'' at this point and backed off from acquisition after Microsoft brought this offer to Mojang.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-lego-minecraft-videogame-brickcraft-that-was-greenlit-and-why-it-never-happened/ |title=A Lego Minecraft game called 'Brickcraft' was prototyped and greenlit – here's why it never happened |first=Rich |last=Stanton |date=9 December 2020 |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref>
==== Virtual reality ====
Early on, Persson planned to support the [[Oculus Rift]] with a port of ''Minecraft''. However, after Facebook acquired Oculus in 2013, he abruptly canceled plans noting "Facebook creeps me out."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title='Minecraft' creator cancels Oculus Rift version following Facebook acquisition |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/25/5547626/minecraft-oculus-vr-cancelled |website=The Verge |access-date=14 September 2017 |date=25 March 2014}}</ref> A community-made modification known as ''Minecraft VR'' was developed in 2016 to provide virtual reality support to ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' oriented towards Oculus Rift hardware. A [[fork (software development)|fork]] of the ''Minecraft VR'' modification known as ''Vivecraft'' ported the mod to [[OpenVR]], and is oriented towards supporting [[HTC Vive]] hardware.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone">{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/08/minecraft-vr-mod-shuts-down-as-microsoft-adds-official-rift-support/ |title=Minecraft VR mod shuts down as Microsoft adds official Rift support |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=15 August 2016 |website=Ars Technica |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816002328/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/08/minecraft-vr-mod-shuts-down-as-microsoft-adds-official-rift-support/ |archive-date=16 August 2016 |access-date=16 August 2016}}</ref> On 15 August 2016, Microsoft launched official Oculus Rift support for ''Minecraft'' on Windows 10.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone" /> Upon its release, the ''Minecraft VR'' mod was discontinued by its developer due to trademark complaints issued by Microsoft, and ''Vivecraft'' was endorsed by the community makers of the ''Minecraft VR'' modification due to its Rift support and being superior to the original ''Minecraft VR'' mod.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone" /> Also available is a [[Samsung Gear VR|Gear VR]] version, titled ''Minecraft: Gear VR Edition''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/04/27/minecraft-gear-vr-edition/ |title='Minecraft' arrives on Samsung's Gear VR headset |date=19 July 2019 |publisher=Engadget}}</ref> [[Windows Mixed Reality]] support was added in 2017. On 7 September 2020, Mojang Studios announced that the PlayStation 4 version of the game would be getting [[PlayStation VR]] support in the same month.<ref name="PSVR">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/07/minecraft-adds-ps-vr-support-this-month/ |title=Minecraft adds PS VR support this month |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=8 September 2020 |publisher=PlayStation}}</ref> The only officially supported VR versions of ''Minecraft'' are the ''PlayStation 4'' version, ''Minecraft: Gear VR Edition'' and ''Minecraft for Windows 10'' for Oculus Rift and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://minecraft.net/vr/ |title=Virtual Reality |date=9 June 2021 |publisher=Mojang}}</ref><ref name="PSVR" />
== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 93/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft |type=game |vgtype=pc |title=Minecraft |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419114328/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/minecraft/critic-reviews |archive-date=19 April 2012}}</ref><br />(PS4) 89/100<ref name="auto1">{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-playstation-4-edition |type=game |vgtype=playstation-4 |title=Minecraft: Playstation 4 Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321044636/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/minecraft-playstation-4-edition |archive-date=21 March 2015}}</ref><br />(XONE) 88/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-xbox-one-edition |type=game |vgtype=xbox-one |title=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition |access-date=14 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504140422/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/minecraft-xbox-one-edition |archive-date=4 May 2015}}</ref><br />(PS3) 86/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-playstation-3-edition |type=game |vgtype=playstation-3 |title=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131080310/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/minecraft-playstation-3-edition |archive-date=31 January 2014}}</ref><br />(NS) 86/100<ref name="NS">{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft |type=game |vgtype=switch |title=Minecraft (Switch) |access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref><br />(VITA) 84/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-playstation-vita-edition |type=game |vgtype=playstation-vita |title=Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508194752/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/minecraft-playstation-vita-edition |archive-date=8 May 2015}}</ref><br />(X360) 82/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-xbox-360-edition |type=game |vgtype=xbox-360 |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429092920/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/minecraft-xbox-360-edition |archive-date=29 April 2012}}</ref><br />(WIIU) 77/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-wii-u-edition |type=game |vgtype=wii-u |title=Minecraft: Wii U Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709015435/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/minecraft-wii-u-edition |archive-date=9 July 2016}}</ref><br />(3DS) 62/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition |type=game |vgtype=3ds |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition |access-date=15 February 2021}}</ref><br />(iOS) 53/100<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=minecraft-pocket-edition |type=game |vgtype=ios |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition |access-date=15 February 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612064826/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/minecraft-pocket-edition |archive-date=12 June 2013}}</ref>
| 1UP = (PC) A+<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/minecraft-pc |title=Minecraft PC Reviews |website=[[1UP.com]] |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118232644/http://www.1up.com/reviews/minecraft-pc |archive-date=18 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Edge = (PC) 9/10<ref name="edgereview">{{cite web |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/minecraft-review/ |title=Minecraft review |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=28 November 2011 |access-date=7 June 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404021304/http://www.edge-online.com/review/minecraft-review/ |archive-date=4 April 2013}}</ref>
| EuroG = (PC) 10/10<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-18-minecraft-review |title=Minecraft Review • Reviews • |publisher=Eurogamer Network |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=18 November 2011 |access-date=18 December 2011 |last=Meer |first=Alec |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218211020/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-18-minecraft-review |archive-date=18 December 2011}}</ref><br />(X360) 9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-09-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Review |publisher=Eurogamer Network |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=18 November 2011 |access-date=18 December 2011 |last=Meer |first=Alec |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512033504/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-09-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review |archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref>
| GI = (PC) 9.25/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/pc/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx |title=More Toy Than Game, But That's Okay − Minecraft − PC |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=GameStop |first=Adam |last=Biessener |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807043745/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/pc/archive/2011/11/22/review.aspx |archive-date=7 August 2012}}</ref><br />(X360) 8.75/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/xbox360/archive/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review.aspx |title=Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition |publisher=GameStop |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=9 May 2012 |access-date=2 January 2013 |last=Cork |first=Jeff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111052356/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/xbox360/archive/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-edition-review.aspx |archive-date=11 January 2013}}</ref>
| GSpot = (PC) 8.5/10<ref name="GS review" /><br />(X360) 7.0/10<ref name="GSpot Xbox">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=10 May 2009 |last=Meunier |first=Nathan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215052841/http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |archive-date=15 December 2013 |access-date=18 December 2011}}</ref>
| GSpy = (PC) {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1213179p1.html |title=GameSpy: Minecraft Review — Page 1 |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[Glu Mobile]] |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601021713/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1213179p1.html |archive-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| IGN = (PC) 9.0/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |title=Minecraft Review |website=[[IGN]] |date=24 November 2011 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref><br />(iOS) 7.5/10<ref name="MC Pocket" /><br />(X360) 8.5/10<ref name="IGN Xbox">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-review |title=Minecraft (Xbox 360 Edition) |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=18 December 2011 |first=Anthony |last=Gallegos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511194605/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-review |archive-date=11 May 2012}}</ref><br />(PS3) 9.5/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/minecraft-review-2 |title=Minecraft PlayStation 3 Review – IGN |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=30 January 2014 |first=Brian |last=Albert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130074516/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/24/minecraft-review-2 |archive-date=30 January 2014 |date=24 January 2014}}</ref><br />(PS4) 9.7/10<ref name="IGN PS4 XBone">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |title=Minecraft PS4 And Xbox One Review – IGN |website=[[IGN]] |date=5 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 |first=Brian |last=Albert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922054507/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |archive-date=22 September 2014}}</ref><br />(XONE) 9.7/10<ref name="IGN PS4 XBone" /><br />(VITA) 9.5/10<ref name="IGN" /><br />(NS) 9.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/07/minecraft-switch-edition-review |title=Minecraft Switch Edition Review |website=IGN |date=7 June 2017 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref>
| PCGUS = (PC) 96/100<ref name=PCReview>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-review/ |title=''Minecraft'' review |first=Jaz |last=McDougall |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |date=24 December 2011 |access-date=19 May 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424114602/http://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-review/ |archive-date=24 April 2015}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[TouchArcade]]''
| rev1Score = (iOS) {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/11/18/minecraft-pocket-edition-review/ |title='Minecraft – Pocket Edition' Review – Bigger May Be Better |last=Khaw |first=Cassandra |date=18 November 2011 |website=[[TouchArcade]] |access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref><br />(Version 0.12) {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/10/01/minecraft-pocket-edition-version-0-12-review |title='Minecraft – Pocket Edition Version 0.12' Review – You've Come A Long Way, Stevie |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=1 October 2015 |website=[[TouchArcade]] |access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref>
| NLife = (WII U) 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu-eshop/minecraft_wii_u_edition/reviews |title=Minecraft: Wii U Edition |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=5 February 2016 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref><br />(3DS) 6.6/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/new-3ds/minecraft_new_nintendo_3ds_edition/reviews |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition |website=Nintendo Life |date=30 August 2018 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref><br />(NS) 8.2/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/minecraft |title=Minecraft (Switch) |website=Nintendo Life |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020}}</ref>
}}
=== Critics ===
{{EntityLink|Wither}}s are the second boss mob in ''Minecraft'' and are created by the player by placing [[wither skeleton skull]]s on top of [[soul sand]] or [[Soul Soil|soul soil]] in a specific pattern. When spawned, they shoot wither skulls at nearby non-[[undead]] mobs, while also causing any mob hit by the skulls to get the [[Wither (effect)|Wither effect]].
Early versions of ''Minecraft'' received critical acclaim, praising the creative freedom it grants players in-game, as well as the ease of enabling [[emergent gameplay]].<ref name="PCGamerUK">{{cite magazine |first=Jim |last=Rossignol |author-link=Jim Rossignol |title=Building-block World |magazine=[[PC Gamer UK]] |issue=204}}</ref><ref name="PCPowerPlay">{{cite journal |first=Daniel |last=Hindes |title=Trouble Down Mine |journal=[[PC PowerPlay]] |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|Valve]] |date=28 July 2010 |access-date=28 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705053419/http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4130&p=1 |archive-date=5 July 2011}}</ref> Critics have 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://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-review/1900-6346734/ |title=Minecraft Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=10 May 2009 |access-date=18 December 2011 |last=Meunier |first=Nathan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015220630/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-review/1900-6346734/ |archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> Most publications were impressed by the game's "blocky" graphics, with [[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" /> Jaz McDougall of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' said ''Minecraft'' is "intuitively interesting and contagiously fun, with an unparalleled scope for creativity and memorable experiences".<ref name=PCReview /> It has been regarded as having introduced millions of children to the digital world, insofar as its basic [[game mechanics]] are logically analogous to computer commands.<ref name="The Minecraft Generation">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/magazine/the-minecraft-generation.html?_r=0 |title=The Minecraft Generation How a clunky Swedish computer game is teaching millions of children to master the digital world. |date=14 April 2016 |access-date=14 April 2016 |author=Thompson, Clive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422050838/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/magazine/the-minecraft-generation.html?_r=0 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
IGN was disappointed about the troublesome steps needed to set up multiplayer servers, calling it a "hassle".<ref name="IGN review" /> Critics also said that visual glitches occur periodically.<ref name="GS review" /> Despite its release out of beta in 2011, [[GameSpot]] said the game had an "unfinished feel", adding that some game elements seem "incomplete or thrown together in haste".<ref name="GS review" />
===The Nether===
{{main|The Nether}}
[[File:The Nether.png|thumb|right|The Nether.]]
The Nether is a dimension in ''Minecraft'' accessible from the [[Overworld]] by a [[nether portal]]. It consists of five unique [[biome]]s, which are the [[nether wastes]], the [[basalt deltas]], the [[Crimson Forest|crimson]] and [[Warped Forest|warped forests]] and the [[soul sand valley]]s. Each biome has unique generation and terrain. It is populated by [[zombified piglins]], [[blaze]]s, [[ghast]]s, [[wither skeleton]]s, [[magma cube]]s, [[piglin]]s and [[hoglin]]s. Ores in the Nether include [[nether quartz]], [[Nether Gold Ore|nether gold]] and [[Ancient Debris|ancient debris]]. The Nether also has large oceans of [[lava]] that have [[strider]]s walking on them.
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 |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]] |access-date=3 August 2010 |date=27 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206150152/http://blogs.dailyrecord.co.uk/gaming/2010/07/minecraft-alpha-review.html |archive-date=6 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[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 news |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |title=Chockablock: ''Minecraft'' Revisited |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/10/chockablock-minecraft-revisited/ |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |access-date=3 September 2010 |author-link=Jim Rossignol |date=10 August 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914100037/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/10/chockablock-minecraft-revisited/ |archive-date=14 September 2010}}</ref> On 17 September 2010, gaming [[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/ |access-date=17 September 2010 |author-link=Jerry Holkins |publisher=[[Penny Arcade (webcomic)|Penny Arcade]] |date=17 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918055932/http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/9/17/ |archive-date=18 September 2010}}</ref> The Xbox 360 version was generally received positively by critics, but did not receive as much praise as the PC version. Although reviewers were disappointed by the lack of features such as mod support and content from the PC version, they acclaimed the port's addition of a tutorial and in-game tips and crafting recipes, saying that they make the game more user-friendly.<ref name="IGN Xbox" /> The ''Xbox One Edition'' was one of the best received ports, being praised for its relatively large worlds.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Albert |first1=Brian |title=Minecraft PS4 and Xbox One Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |website=Imagine Games Network |date=6 September 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref>
===The End===
{{main|The End}}
[[File:The End.png|thumb|right|The End.]]
The End is another dimension of the game where the player battles the [[ender dragon]]. The End is accessed by entering an [[end portal]] found in a [[stronghold]]. The End is composed of [[end stone]] and is inhabited by [[endermen]]. It also contains tall [[obsidian pillar]]s on top of which are [[end crystal]]s that heal the ender dragon. Once the ender dragon is slain, the [[exit portal]] is created in the center of the map and an [[end gateway portal]] is created near an edge of the map, which transports the player to the expansive [[outer End islands]] which are full of [[chorus fruit]] forests and [[End City|end cities]] filled of [[chest loot]] and [[shulker]]s. The end gateway portal is only accessed by throwing an [[Ender Pearl|ender pearl]], using [[elytra]] or [[trapdoor]]s{{only|java}} to enter the portal. There are no ores in the End.
The ''PlayStation 3 Edition'' also received generally favorable reviews, being compared to the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' and praised for its well-adapted controls.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woolsey |first1=Cameron |title=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-playstation-3-edition-review/1900-6415767/ |website=Game Spot |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref> The PlayStation 4 edition was the best received port to date, being praised for having 36 times larger worlds than the PlayStation 3 edition and described as nearly identical to the Xbox One edition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunes |first1=Timothy |title=Minecraft PS4 Review: A creator's and Creeper's playground |url=https://www.psu.com/reviews/minecraft-ps4-review-a-creators-and-creepers-playground/ |website=Play Station Universe |date=16 September 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1" /> The ''PlayStation Vita Edition'' received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for its technical limitations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=Minecraft: PS Vita Edition Review |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psvita/minecraft_ps_vita_edition |website=Push Square |date=24 October 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref>
===Multiplayer (''Java'')===
{{Main|Server|Multiplayer}}
[[File:PlayerVersusPlayer.png|thumb|right|PvP (player vs player) on a multiplayer server.]]
''Minecraft'' multiplayer servers have developed to include their own rules and customs, guided by their [[admin]]istrators and moderators. The term [[Tutorials/Griefing|griefer]], meaning a player who causes grief, is a typical term on the internet but has taken up its definition on ''Minecraft'' servers: a person who destroys or defiles other users' creations on servers.
The Wii U version received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for a lack of GamePad integration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Minuz |first1=Allesandra |title=Minecraft – Review |url=https://it.ign.com/minecraft/105970/review/minecraft-wii-u-edition-la-recensione |website=Imagine Games Network Italy |date=24 December 2015 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref> The 3DS version received mixed reviews, being criticized for its high price, technical issues, and lack of cross-platform play.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sean |first1=Anthony |title=Minecraft on the go, again!, Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Review |url=https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/minecraft-on-the-go-again-minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-review/ |website=Gaming Trend |date=21 September 2017 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref> The ''Nintendo Switch Edition'' received fairly positive reviews from critics, being praised, like other modern ports, for its relatively larger worlds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandt |first1=Oliver |title=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (eShop) Review |url=https://www.vooks.net/minecraft-nintendo-switch-edition-review/ |website=Vooks |date=30 May 2017 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref>
Griefers are the reason many server administrators make rules, but this has been taken a step further with modifications to the ''Minecraft'' server and even plugin-based replacement servers such as [[mcservers:Bukkit|Bukkit]]. Because of these plugin-based servers, new user-created features have shown up in ''Minecraft''. This includes features like money, vehicles, protection, RPG elements and more. These features normally do not require modification to a user's client and can be accessed by using chat commands. With the default controls, the chat screen is brought up by pressing {{key|T}}.
''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' initially received mixed reviews from critics. Although reviewers appreciated the game's intuitive controls, they were disappointed by the lack of content. The inability to collect resources and craft items, as well as the limited types of blocks and lack of hostile mobs, were especially criticized.<ref name="MC Pocket">{{cite web |last=Albert |first=Brian |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/13/minecraft-pocket-edition-review-2 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=28 February 2014 |date=13 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301203048/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/13/minecraft-pocket-edition-review-2 |archive-date=1 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/23/minecraft-pocket-edition-review |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition review |magazine=[[Wired UK]] |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=2 January 2013 |last=Geere |first=Duncan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123141226/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/23/minecraft-pocket-edition-review |archive-date=23 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/254349/minecraft_pocket_edition_review_build_blocky_masterpieces_on_the_go.html |title=Minecraft Pocket Edition Review: Build Blocky Masterpieces on the Go |publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]] |magazine=[[PC World]] |date=25 April 2012 |access-date=2 January 2013 |last=Purewal |first=Sarah |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117041436/http://www.pcworld.com/article/254349/minecraft_pocket_edition_review_build_blocky_masterpieces_on_the_go.html |archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> After updates added more content, Pocket Edition started receiving more positive reviews. Reviewers complimented the controls and the graphics, but still noted a lack of content.<ref name="MC Pocket" />
One popular game on multiplayer servers is [[Spleef]] (a play on the word "grief"), a game where the player aims to make another player drop through the floor by destroying blocks beneath the opponent's feet. This is typically played in a designated area and is usually run automatically using server plugins.
=== Sales ===
Many popular multiplayer servers exist that may contain, PvP arenas, custom [[minigames]] or large [[Survival]] or [[Creative]] worlds.
''Minecraft'' surpassed over a million purchases less than a month after entering its beta phase in early 2011.<ref name="usercount12012011">{{cite web |url=http://www.minecraft.net/stats.jsp |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang |title=''Minecraft'' – Statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114032123/http://www.minecraft.net/stats.jsp |archive-date=14 January 2011 |access-date=13 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="usercountblog">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/12/minecraft-sales-pass-one-million |title=Minecraft Sales Pass One Million |first=Jim |last=Reilly |website=[[IGN]] |date=12 January 2011 |access-date=26 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618031021/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/12/minecraft-sales-pass-one-million |archive-date=18 June 2013}}</ref> At the same time, the game had no [[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 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=4 January 2011 |access-date=12 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109012135/http://kotaku.com/5724989/why-minecraft-is-so-damn-popular |archive-date=9 January 2011}}</ref> and various unpaid references in popular media such as the ''[[Penny Arcade]]'' webcomic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/9/17/ |title=Mine All Mine, Part One |date=17 September 2010 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723105817/http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/9/17/ |archive-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> By April 2011, Persson estimated that ''Minecraft'' had made €23 million (US$33 million) in revenue, with 800,000 sales of the alpha version of the game, and over 1 million sales of the beta version.<ref name="GSAprilsales">{{cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |title=''Minecraft'' Draws Over $33 Million In Revenue From 1.8M Paying Customers |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33961/Minecraft_Draws_Over_33_Million_In_Revenue_From_18M_Paying_Customers.php |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=6 April 2011 |date=6 April 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408063046/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33961/Minecraft_Draws_Over_33_Million_In_Revenue_From_18M_Paying_Customers.php |archive-date=8 April 2011}}</ref> In November 2011, prior to the game's full release, ''Minecraft'' beta surpassed 16 million registered users and 4 million purchases.<ref name="sales11092011">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-beta-cracks-4-million/1100-6344310/ |title=Minecraft beta cracks 4 million |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=9 November 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301153546/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-beta-cracks-4-million/1100-6344310/ |archive-date=1 March 2014 |date=7 November 2011}}</ref> By March 2012, ''Minecraft'' had become the 6th [[List of best-selling PC 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=22 March 2012 |access-date=16 January 2013 |author=Shields, Duncan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312064404/http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/52470-Top_15_best_selling_PC_games_of_all_time |archive-date=12 March 2013}}</ref> {{As of|2014|10|10}}, the game had sold 17 million copies on PC, becoming the best-selling PC game of all time.<ref name="built to last">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/built-to-last-the-minecraft-model-9788669.html |title=Built to last: the Minecraft model |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=10 October 2014 |access-date=13 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123074259/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/built-to-last-the-minecraft-model-9788669.html |archive-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> On 25 February 2014, the game reached 100 million registered users.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/26/original-minecraft-reaches-100-million-registered-users |title=Original Minecraft Reaches 100 Million Registered Users |last=Reilly |first=Luke |date=25 February 2014 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=26 February 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227055809/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/26/original-minecraft-reaches-100-million-registered-users |archive-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> By May 2019, 180 million copies had been sold across all platforms, making it the single best-selling video game of all time. The free-to-play ''Minecraft China'' version had over 300 million players by November 2019.<ref name="China-300m">{{cite news |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |title=Minecraft player count reaches 480 million |work=PCGamesN |access-date=19 November 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119042458/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-player-count |archive-date=19 November 2019}}</ref> By April 2021, ''Minecraft'' sold more than 238 million copies worldwide.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=April 2021 |title=Minecraft Franchise Fact Sheet |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Minecraft-Franchise-Fact-Sheet_April-2021.pdf |access-date=27 October 2021 |website=news.xbox.com}}</ref>
The Xbox 360 version of ''Minecraft'' became profitable within the first day of the game's release in 2012, when the game broke the Xbox Live sales records with 400,000 players online.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/10/minecraft-breaks-xbox-live-sales-records.aspx |title=Minecraft Breaks Xbox Live Sales Records |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=GameStop |date=10 May 2012 |access-date=11 May 2012 |last=Reilly |first=Jim |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512040304/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/10/minecraft-breaks-xbox-live-sales-records.aspx |archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref> Within a week of being on the Xbox Live Marketplace, ''Minecraft'' sold upwards of a million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-live-arcade-sells-1-million-copies/4145/ |title=Minecraft for Xbox Live Arcade Sells 1 Million Copies |website=[[Giant Bomb]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=14 May 2012 |access-date=18 May 2012 |last=Klepek |first=Patrick |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516235205/http://www.giantbomb.com/news/minecraft-for-xbox-live-arcade-sells-1-million-copies/4145/ |archive-date=16 May 2012}}</ref> GameSpot announced in December 2012 that ''Minecraft'' sold over 4.48 million copies since the game debuted on [[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 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |date=13 December 2012 |access-date=14 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217083605/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/minecraft-franchise-sales-hit-175-million-6401538 |archive-date=17 December 2012}}</ref> In 2012, ''Minecraft'' was the most purchased title on Xbox Live Arcade; it was also the fourth most played title on Xbox Live based on average [[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 |website=[[Digital Spy]] |first=Scott |last=Nichols |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=26 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123210404/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a453025/black-ops-2-minecraft-top-2012-xbox-live-activity-charts.html |archive-date=23 January 2013}}</ref> {{As of|2014|04|04}}, the Xbox 360 version has sold 12 million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-04-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-sales-hit-12m |title=Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition sales hit 12 m |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=4 April 2014 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=4 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406130301/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-04-minecraft-xbox-360-edition-sales-hit-12m |archive-date=6 April 2014}}</ref> In addition, ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' has reached a figure of 21 million in sales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mojang.com/2014/04/watch-our-pocket-edition-dev-stream/ |title=Watch our Pocket Edition stream. Now with footage! |publisher=Mojang |date=14 April 2014 |access-date=31 July 2014 |last=Hill |first=Owen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725020154/https://mojang.com/2014/04/watch-our-pocket-edition-dev-stream/ |archive-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> The ''PlayStation 3 Edition'' sold one million copies in five weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/209293/Minecraft_on_PS3_breaks_1_million_sales_in_five_weeks.php |title=Minecraft on PS3 breaks 1 million sales in five weeks |last=Wawro |first=Alex |date=24 January 2014 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |publisher=Think Services |access-date=25 January 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129202621/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/209293/Minecraft_on_PS3_breaks_1_million_sales_in_five_weeks.php |archive-date=29 January 2014}}</ref> The release of the game's PlayStation Vita version boosted ''Minecraft'' sales by 79%, outselling both PS3 and PS4 debut releases and becoming the largest ''Minecraft'' launch on a PlayStation console.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-17-assassins-creed-unity-launch-beats-black-flags-in-uk-chart |title=Assassin's Creed: Unity launch beats Black Flag's in UK chart |date=17 November 2014 |author=Wesley Yin-Poole |website=Eurogamer |access-date=7 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118025436/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-17-assassins-creed-unity-launch-beats-black-flags-in-uk-chart |archive-date=18 November 2014}}</ref> The PS Vita version sold 100,000 digital copies in Japan within the first two months of release, according to an announcement by SCE Japan Asia.<ref>2014-12-17, [http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/17/minecraft-on-vita-sells-100000-via-downloads-in-japan/ Minecraft On Vita Sells 100,000 Via Downloads In Japan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224171052/http://www.siliconera.com/2014/12/17/minecraft-on-vita-sells-100000-via-downloads-in-japan/ |date=24 February 2015 }}, Siliconera</ref> By January 2015, 500,000 digital copies of ''Minecraft'' were sold in Japan across all PlayStation platforms, with a surge in primary school children purchasing the PS Vita version.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201502/25072536.html |script-title=ja:国内PS版の『マインクラフト』が50万DLを突破、PS Vita版が牽引し小学生のあいだでブームの兆し |trans-title=Domestic PlayStation version of Minecraft tops 500,000 downloads, signs of the PS Vita version booming amongst elementary school students |date=25 February 2015 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=ja |access-date=25 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225083620/http://www.famitsu.com/news/201502/25072536.html |archive-date=25 February 2015}}</ref> As of 2022, the Vita version has sold over 1.65 million physical copies in Japan, making it the best-selling Vita game in the country.<ref>{{cite book|title=2022ゲーム産業白書 (2022 Game Industry White Paper)|publisher=[[Media Create]]|year=2022|isbn=978-4909977199}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' helped improve Microsoft's total first-party revenue by $63 million for the 2015 second quarter.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=Xbox Sales Rising, as Minecraft Continues to Perform Well for Microsoft |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-sales-rising-as-minecraft-continues-to-perfor/1100-6429074/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=22 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722222728/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-sales-rising-as-minecraft-continues-to-perfor/1100-6429074/ |archive-date=22 July 2015 |url-status=live |date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
=== Multiplayer (''Bedrock'')===
Multiplayer {{in|be}} differs from multiplayer on the ''Java Edition'' in that it is centered around a friend system. A player can add friends through the Friends tab in the menu or in the pause screen of a world. A player may invite friends to a world instead of having to pay for a server or realm. ''Minecraft'' has [[featured servers]] on ''Bedrock'', which means that they are available when opening the game. There are six featured servers: The Hive, CubeCraft, Lifeboat, Mineville, Galaxite, and Pixel Paradise.
The game, including all of its versions, had over 112 million monthly active players by September 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fingas |first1=Jon |title='Minecraft' now has 112 million monthly players |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/15/minecraft-112-million-monthly-players/ |website=Engadget |date=16 September 2019 |access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref> On its 11th anniversary in May 2020, the company announced that ''Minecraft'' had reached over 200 million copies sold across platforms with over 126 million monthly active players.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262045/minecraft-sales-monthly-players-statistics-youtube |title=Minecraft still incredibly popular as sales top 200 million and 126 million play monthly |first=Tom |last=Warren |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> By April 2021, the number of active monthly users had climbed to 140 million.<ref name=":9">{{cite web |title=Minecraft Reached 140 Million Monthly Users And Generated Over $350 Million To Date |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-reached-140-million-monthly-users-and-generated-over-350-million-to-date/1100-6490962/ |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=GameSpot}}</ref><ref name=":10" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-microsoft-fy21-q3-report |title=Minecraft now has nearly 140 million monthly active users and over 1 billion mod and add-on downloads |work=Windows Central |date=27 April 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021}}</ref>
===''Minecraft'' Realms===
{{main|Realms}}
'''''Minecraft'' Realms''' is an official subscription-based [[server]] hosting service that allows players to create and manage their own private ''Minecraft'' multiplayer worlds. Hosted by [[Mojang Studios]], Realms provides an easy and fast way to create servers and allows the owner to manage them from inside the game, without prior knowledge of the concepts for hosting on the internet. However, Realms are not intended for large public servers, but for groups of friends or as a family server.<ref>{{tweet|danfrisk|311725356434460672}}</ref> Private Realms servers are easy to set up and available 24/7 as long as the owner pays for it.
=== Awards ===
==Editions==
In July 2010, ''PC Gamer'' listed ''Minecraft'' as the fourth-best game to play at work.<ref name="PCGamer">{{cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |title=50 Games to Play at Work |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |date=5 July 2010 |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/05/50-games-to-play-at-work/5/ |author-link=Jim Rossignol |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709153851/http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/05/50-games-to-play-at-work/5 |archive-date=9 July 2010}}</ref> In December of that year, [[Good Game (TV program)|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 (TV program)|Good Game]] |credits=[[Stephanie Bendixsen|Bendixsen, Stephanie]]; [[Steven O'Donnell (Australian actor)|O'Donnell, Steven]] |website=[[ABC Television]] |airdate=6 December 2010 |season=5 |number=43 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3085956.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211083934/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3085956.htm |archive-date=11 December 2010}}</ref> [[Game Developer (website)|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 |website=[[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=23 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225133934/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31930/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_The_Top_10_Games_Of_The_Year.php |archive-date=25 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="GSaward2">{{cite web |website=[[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=17 December 2010 |access-date=23 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220105238/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/31924/Gamasutras_Best_Of_2010_Top_10_Indie_Games.php |archive-date=20 December 2010}}</ref> and Rock, Paper, Shotgun named it the "game of the year".<ref name="RPSgoty">{{cite web |title=The Games Of Christmas '10: Day 24 |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/24/the-games-of-christmas-%E2%80%9910-day-24/ |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |access-date=24 December 2010 |date=25 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226032010/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/24/the-games-of-christmas-%E2%80%9910-day-24/ |archive-date=26 December 2010}}</ref> [[Mod DB|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 – 2010 Indie of the Year Awards – Indie DB |url=http://www.indiedb.com/events/2010-indie-of-the-year-awards/winners/ |publisher=Indie DB |access-date=27 December 2010 |date=24 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030104126/http://www.indiedb.com/events/2010-indie-of-the-year-awards/winners |archive-date=30 October 2010}}</ref> It was also awarded Game of the Year by ''PC Gamer UK''.<ref name="PCGamerUK1">{{cite web |title=''Minecraft'' – PC Gamer UK's Game of the Year |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/12/31/pc-gamer-uks-game-of-the-year/ |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=31 December 2010 |date=31 December 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103020509/http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/12/31/pc-gamer-uks-game-of-the-year |archive-date=3 January 2011}}</ref> The game was nominated for the [[Seumas McNally Grand Prize]], Technical Excellence, and Excellence in Design awards at the March 2011 [[Independent Games Festival]] and won the Grand Prize and the community-voted Audience Award.<ref name="IGFnoms">{{cite web |title=2011 Independent Games Festival Reveals Main Competition Finalists |url=http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2011/01/2011_independent_games_festiva_10.html |publisher=IndieGames |last=Carless |first=Simon |access-date=3 January 2011 |date=3 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106020831/http://www.indiegames.com/blog/2011/01/2011_independent_games_festiva_10.html |archive-date=6 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="IGFwins">{{cite web |title=''Minecraft'', Amnesia Top Winners At 13th Annual IGF Awards |url=http://igf.com/2011/03/minecraft_amnesia_top_winners_.html |publisher=IndieGames |access-date=3 March 2011 |date=1 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306073641/http://igf.com/2011/03/minecraft_amnesia_top_winners_.html |archive-date=6 March 2011}}</ref> At [[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 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |date=12 October 2011 |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320185943/http://kotaku.com/5849209/game-developers-choice-online-awards-honor-rift-minecraft-and-everquest |archive-date=20 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html |title=Game Developers Choice Awards |publisher=Gamechoiceawards.com |access-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127063748/http://www.gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html |archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref> It also won [[GameCity]]'s video game arts award.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15509330 |title=''Minecraft'' awarded GameCity videogame arts prize |date=29 October 2011 |access-date=25 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214054940/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15509330 |archive-date=14 December 2012 |work=BBC News |last1=Kelion |first1=Leo}}</ref> On 5 May 2011, ''Minecraft'' was selected as one of the 80 games that would be displayed at the [[Smithsonian American Art Museum]] as part of [[The Art of Video Games]] exhibit that opened on 16 March 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/#!5799017/the-smithsonian-has-picked-the-games-of-its-art-of-video-games-exhibit |title=The Smithsonian Has Picked the Games of Its Art of Video Games Exhibit |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |date=5 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106085901/http://kotaku.com/ |archive-date=6 November 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/ |title=The Art of Video Games |publisher=[[Smithsonian American Art Museum]] |access-date=23 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110015838/http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/ |archive-date=10 January 2011}}</ref> At the 2011 [[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=16 November 2011 |url=http://www.spike.com/press/2011/11/16/spike-announces-first-video-game-hall-of-fame-award-and-complete-list-of-vga-nominees/ |access-date=2 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921091444/http://www.spike.com/press/2011/11/16/spike-announces-first-video-game-hall-of-fame-award-and-complete-list-of-vga-nominees/ |archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref><ref name="spike – pc">{{cite press release |title=SPIKE TV ANNOUNCES 2011 "VIDEO GAME AWARDS" WINNERS |publisher=[[Spike TV]] |date=10 December 2011 |url=http://www.spike.com/press/2011/12/10/spike-tv-announces-2011-%E2%80%9Cvideo-game-awards%E2%80%9D-winners/ |access-date=2 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927112411/http://www.spike.com/press/2011/12/10/spike-tv-announces-2011-%E2%80%9Cvideo-game-awards%E2%80%9D-winners/ |archive-date=27 September 2013}}</ref> In 2012, at the [[British Academy Games Awards|British Academy Video Games Awards]], ''Minecraft'' was nominated in the GAME Award of 2011 category and Persson received The Special Award.<ref name="bafta">{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/nominees-winners-2012,2892,BA.html |title=Video Games Awards Winners & Nominees in 2012 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |date=12 February 2012 |access-date=30 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307203408/http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/nominees-winners-2012,2892,BA.html |archive-date=7 March 2012}}</ref> In 2012, ''Minecraft'' XBLA was awarded a [[Golden Joystick Awards|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/ |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=5 November 2012 |date=26 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031142158/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/374469/gja-minecraft-xbla-awarded-best-downloadable-game/ |archive-date=31 October 2012}}</ref> and a [[The Independent Game 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 |website=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=5 November 2012 |date=2 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509110339/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/news/a435365/tiga-games-industry-awards-2012-winners-revealed-dear-esther-wins-big.html |archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref> In 2013, it was nominated as the family game of the year at the British Academy Video Games Awards.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/feb/12/bafta-video-game-awards-nominations-2013 |title=Bafta Video Game Awards 2013 – nominees announced |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 February 2013 |access-date=1 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026045239/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/feb/12/bafta-video-game-awards-nominations-2013 |archive-date=26 October 2014 |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith}}</ref> ''Minecraft Console Edition'' won the award for TIGA Game Of The Year in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/07/minecraft-forza-horizon-2-tiga-awards/ |title=Minecraft console takes out TIGA game of the year award |date=7 November 2014 |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |website=VG247 |access-date=14 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226083405/http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/07/minecraft-forza-horizon-2-tiga-awards/ |archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> In 2015, the game placed 6th on ''[[Eurogamer#Subsidiaries|USgamer]]''{{'s}} The 15 Best Games Since 2000 list.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Mike |title=The 15 Best Games Since 2000, Number 6: Minecraft |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-6-minecraft |website=USgamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=4 August 2015 |date=3 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804142519/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-6-minecraft |archive-date=4 August 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, ''Minecraft'' placed 6th on [[Time (magazine)|Time]]'s The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Video Games of All Time |url=http://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=19 September 2016 |date=23 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826010703/http://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/ |archive-date=26 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Minecraft Sales Data.png|thumb|right|''Minecraft'' sales data, up to December, 2015.]]
{{Main|Edition}}
===''Java Edition''===
{{main|Java Edition}}
The original platform for ''Minecraft'', running on Windows, macOS, and Linux and started through the ''[[Minecraft Launcher]]''. The game was initially released for an "early private singleplayer alpha" on May 17, 2009, followed by several development stages (notably Classic, Indev, Infdev, Alpha, Beta) with the game finally being released on November 18, 2011. The ''Java Edition'' has seen many significant updates since its official release.
''Minecraft'' was nominated for the [[2013 Kids' Choice Awards]] for Favorite App, but lost to ''[[Temple Run]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Amy |date=24 March 2013 |title=Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2013: Winners in full |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a468014/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2013-winners-in-full/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817213139/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a468014/nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2013-winners-in-full/ |archive-date=17 August 2020 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref> It was nominated for the [[2014 Kids' Choice Awards]] for Favorite Video Game, but lost to ''[[Just Dance 2014]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards: The Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/kids-choice-awards-2014-winners-692089/ |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=29 March 2014 |first1=Aaron |last1=Couch |first2=Arlene |last2=Washington |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401021126/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/kids-choice-awards-2014-winners-692089/ |archive-date=1 April 2022 }}</ref> The game later won the award for the Most Addicting Game at the [[2015 Kids' Choice Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2015 |title=Full List: Winners, 2015 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/88278-nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2015-winners-full-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510221835/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/88278-nickelodeon-kids-choice-awards-2015-winners-full-list/ |archive-date=10 May 2022 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[Rappler]]}}</ref> In addition, the ''Java Edition'' was nominated for "Favorite Video Game" at the [[2018 Kids' Choice Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2018 |title=Kids' Choice Awards: Complete List of Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/kids-choice-awards-complete-list-winners-2018-1089562 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513082453/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/kids-choice-awards-complete-list-winners-2018-1089562 |archive-date=13 May 2018 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> while the game itself won the "Still Playing" award at the [[Golden Joystick Awards#2019|2019 Golden Joystick Awards]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/Golden-Joystick-awards-2019-winners/ |title=Here's every winner from this year's Golden Joystick Awards, including the Ultimate Game of the Year |author=GamesRadar staff |date=15 November 2019 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref> as well as the "Favorite Video Game" award at the [[2020 Kids' Choice Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gennis |first=Sadie |date=3 May 2020 |title=Kids Choice Awards 2020: Full Winners List |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/kids-choice-awards-2020-full-winners-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221133810/https://www.tvguide.com/news/kids-choice-awards-2020-full-winners-list/ |archive-date=21 February 2021 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' also won "Stream Game of the Year" at inaugural [[The Streamer Awards|Streamer Awards]] in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gamerant.com/the-streamer-awards-full-winners-list/ |title=The Streamer Awards Full Winners List |access-date=21 March 2022 |publisher=GameRant |date=13 March 2022}}</ref> The game later garnered a [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award]] nomination for Favorite Video Game in [[2021 Kids' Choice Awards|2021]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=13 March 2021 |title=2021 Kids' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314025743/https://www.etonline.com/2021-kids-choice-awards-the-complete-winners-list-161949 |archive-date=14 March 2021 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[Entertainment Tonight]]}}</ref> and won the same category in [[2022 Kids' Choice Awards|2022]] and [[2023 Kids' Choice Awards|2023]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=9 April 2022 |title=Kids' Choice Awards: ''Spider-Man: No Way Home'' Wins Big; Dr. Jill Biden Speaks |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-2022-winners-list-1235127819/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427034819/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-2022-winners-list-1235127819/ |archive-date=27 April 2022 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |date=4 March 2023 |title=''Wednesday'', ''Sonic the Hedgehog 2'', Taylor Swift, Harry Styles Among Winners at 2023 Kids' Choice Awards |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-winners-jenna-ortega-taylor-swift-harry-styles-1235341096/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305024337/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kids-choice-awards-winners-jenna-ortega-taylor-swift-harry-styles-1235341096/ |archive-date=5 March 2023 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
===''Bedrock Edition''===
{{main|Bedrock Edition}}
[[File:Pocket.jpg|thumb|right|Notch with ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition''.]]
The '''''Bedrock Edition''''' (also known as the '''Bedrock Platform''', '''Bedrock Codebase''' or '''Bedrock Engine''') refers to the multi-platform family of editions of ''Minecraft'' developed by [[Mojang Studios]] and {{w|Xbox Game Studios}}. Prior to this term, as the engine originated with ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'', this entire product family has been referred to using as "''Pocket Edition''", "MCPE" or "Pocket/Windows 10 Edition".
=== Controversies ===
'''''Minecraft''''', with no subtitle, is the title of all ''Bedrock'' editions of ''Minecraft''. Before the [[Better Together Update]], it had different subtitles on different platforms including {{el|pe}} (for all mobile platforms), [[Legacy Console Edition|''Console Edition'']], {{el|Windows 10}}, {{el|Gear VR}}, and {{el|Fire TV}}.
==== 2014 EULA changes ====
''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' was initially launched exclusively for the {{w|Sony Ericsson Xperia Play|Xperia PLAY}} on Google Play<ref>https://play.google.com/details?id=com.mojang.minecraftpe</ref> for US$6.99 on August 16, 2011. It was later released for other {{w|Android (operating system)|Android}} devices on October 7, 2011,<ref>{{tweet|kappische|122246496941899776}}</ref> and {{w|iOS}} on November 17, 2011.<ref>https://appleinformer.org/2011/11/minecraft-pocket-edition-for-ios-now-available-for-download</ref> On September 13, 2012, the ''Pocket Edition'' was made available for purchase on the Amazon Appstore. The {{w|Windows Phone}} version was released on the Windows Phone Store on December 10, 2014,<ref>https://windowscentral.com/minecraft-pocket-edition-comes-windows-phone</ref> for which the [[Pocket Edition 1.0.0]] release and newer are available only for Windows 10 Phone and newer. Since then, four adaptations of ''Pocket Edition'' have been released; for [[Windows 10 Edition|Windows 10]] on July 29, 2015, the [[Gear VR Edition|Gear VR]] on April 27, 2016, [[Apple TV Edition|tvOS]] on December 19, 2016, and the [[Fire TV Edition|Fire TV]] on December 19, 2016.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150704220210/https://mojang.com/2015/07/announcing-minecraft-windows-10-edition-beta/ Announcing: ''Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition Beta''] - Mojang.com; July 4, 2015</ref><ref>https://oculus.com/blog/minecraft-now-available-on-oculus-for-gear-vr</ref><ref>https://minecraft.net/article/apple-tv-edition-released</ref><ref>https://amzn.com/dp/B01NCJDPER</ref> As of September 24, 2018, the {{el|Apple TV}} has been discontinued.
Microsoft and Mojang announced in 2014 that it would be changing the ''Minecraft'' [[end-user license agreement]] (EULA) to prohibit servers from accepting donations or payments in exchange for the donating or paying players receiving in-game advantages on such server, essentially banning servers from enacting "[[Free-to-play|pay-to-win]]" (PTW) servers. Mojang spokesperson Owen Hill provided examples of what it would and would not allow, saying company would allow for pay-to-play servers in which a player is required to pay a fee to access the server, or for cosmetic enhancements (such as in-game costumes or pets), but that Mojang would be cracking down on paying to obtain powerful swords or potions (providing a competitive advantage to the player versus other players). The new crackdowns were supported by Persson, citing him receiving multiple emails from parents of children who had spent hundreds of dollars on servers. The ''Minecraft'' community and server owners, however, heavily despised the new change in enforcement and protested en masse, which included comparing Mojang to monolithic video game publishers like [[Electronic Arts]] and [[Activision]], gaming companies often criticized online for their highly restrictive digital rights management and user license agreements. Many argued that the crackdown would force smaller servers to close their doors, and some blamed the crackdown on Mojang attempting to suppress competition for its own ''Minecraft Realms'' subscription service.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-06-24 |title=Minecraft: how a change to the rules is tearing the community apart |website=[[The Guardian]] |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |access-date=2022-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715224605/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |archive-date=15 July 2022}}</ref>
==== Account migration ====
===Legacy Console Edition===
In 2020, Mojang Studios revealed that it would begin the process of requiring that [[Microsoft account]]s be used in order to log into the ''Java Edition'' of the game, and that older Mojang Studios accounts would be sunsetted. The move to Microsoft accounts also required ''Java Edition'' players to create [[Xbox network]] Gamertags. Mojang Studios defended the move to Microsoft accounts by saying that improved security could be offered, which included Java accounts being able to use [[Multi-factor authentication|two factor authentication]], players could block cyberbullies in chat, and improve parental controls. The community responded with intense backlash against this announcement, particularly taking issue to the various technical difficulties encountered in the process and how account migration would be mandatory, even for those who do not play on servers. As of March 10, 2022, Microsoft required that all players migrate in order to access the ''Java Edition'' of ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coles |first=Jason |date=14 March 2022 |title=Microsoft's Minecraft migration meets a mixed response |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/account-migration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715032422/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/account-migration |archive-date=15 July 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=[[PCGamesN]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rich |first=Rob |date=2022-02-10 |title=Microsoft Gives Minecraft: Java Edition Players A Deadline To Migrate Accounts |url=https://www.slashgear.com/764466/microsoft-gives-minecraft-java-edition-players-a-deadline-to-migrate-accounts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715032421/https://www.slashgear.com/764466/microsoft-gives-minecraft-java-edition-players-a-deadline-to-migrate-accounts/ |archive-date=15 July 2022 |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=SlashGear.com}}</ref> A deadline of September 19, 2023 was announced to complete account migration, after which all legacy Mojang accounts became inaccessible and unable to be migrated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |title=Mojang Account migration completed |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/account-migration-last-call |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919182110/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/account-migration-last-call |archive-date=19 September 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref>
{{main|Legacy Console Edition}}
Legacy Console Edition refers to the editions of ''Minecraft'' for consoles that are developed and updated by [[4J Studios]].
{{Anchor|saveminecraft}}
The Legacy Console Edition was initially announced for the {{w|Xbox 360}} on June 7, 2011, during {{w|E3 2011}}. {{el|360}} released digitally on May 9, 2012 followed by a physical release on June 4, 2013. The game was later released on additional platforms as {{el|ps3}} on December 17, 2013, {{el|ps4}} on September 4, 2014, {{el|xb1}} on September 5, 2014, {{el|psv}} on October 14, 2014, {{el|wii}} on December 17, 2015, and {{el|ns}} on May 11, 2017. As of December 10, 2019, no further feature updates have been released for these versions, and the newest available update depends on the platform. The most recent update on {{el|xb1}} and {{el|ns}} is the [[World of Color Update]], while {{el|360}}, {{el|ps3}}, {{el|psv}}, and {{el|wii}} have access to [[Update Aquatic]]. {{el|ps4}} is the most up-to-date version with [[Village & Pillage]].
==== ''Java Edition'' chat reporting ====
===''Minecraft Education''===
In June 2022, Microsoft and Mojang Studios announced it would be releasing a player reporting feature in all future builds of ''Java Edition''. In earlier development builds, players could report other players on multiplayer servers for sending messages that are prohibited by the Xbox Live Code of Conduct; report categories included profane language, substance abuse, hate speech, threats of violence, and nudity, though Microsoft in later builds has since excluded the profane language category from the player reporting feature. If a player was found to be in violation of Xbox Community Standards, the player would be banned from all servers for a specific period of time or permanently. The update containing the report feature (1.19.1) was released on 27 July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedberg |first=Mikael |date=2022-07-27 |title=Minecraft Java Edition 1.19.1 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901221701/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |work=Minecraft |publisher=Mojang Studios}}</ref>
{{main|Minecraft Education}}
''Minecraft Education'' is an educational version of ''Minecraft'' specifically designed for classroom use. It is developed by Mojang Studios and Xbox Game Studios and contains features that make ''Minecraft'' easy to use in a classroom setting. The full game was released on November 1, 2016.
Microsoft and Mojang Studios received substantial backlash and protest from community members, one of the most common complaints being that banned players would be forbidden from joining any server, even private ones. Others took issue to what they saw as Microsoft increasing control over its player base and exercising censorship,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=2022-06-24 |title=Microsoft will start banning players from all private Minecraft servers |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/microsoft-will-start-banning-players-from-all-private-minecraft-servers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808125630/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/microsoft-will-start-banning-players-from-all-private-minecraft-servers/ |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=2022-07-15 |website=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellingham |first=Hope |date=23 June 2022 |title=The new Minecraft update can totally ban you from all online play |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-1191-pre-release/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220917084703/https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-1191-pre-release/ |archive-date=17 September 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=[[GamesRadar+]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quick |first=Will |date=22 June 2022 |title=Online Minecraft Bans Will Be Able To Block You From Private Servers |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/online-minecraft-bans-now-block-you-from-personal-servers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731111427/https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/online-minecraft-bans-now-block-you-from-personal-servers |archive-date=31 July 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=TechRaptor}}</ref> sparking some to dub the version "1.19.84", in reference to the novel ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gronich |first=Sara |title='Minecraft' Players Say '1984' Patch Turns Game Into Totalitarian Dystopia |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy777m/minecraft-players-say-1984-patch-turns-game-into-totalitarian-dystopia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813043857/https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy777m/minecraft-players-say-1984-patch-turns-game-into-totalitarian-dystopia |archive-date=13 August 2022 |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |date=August 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Save Minecraft" Trends on Twitter as Fans Protest Controversial Update |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/minecraft-update-1-19-save-twitter/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920035357/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/minecraft-update-1-19-save-twitter/ |archive-date=20 September 2022 |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=GAMING |language=en}}</ref>
===''New Nintendo 3DS Edition''===
{{main|New Nintendo 3DS Edition}}
''Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition'' was released on September 13, 2017 for the New Nintendo 3DS/2DS systems. It is a unique port developed by [[Other Ocean Interactive]]. Multiplayer is limited to local play. This edition was discontinued on January 15, 2019.
{{anchor|Popular culture and social media}}
===Other===
There are a number of other versions of ''Minecraft''. {{el|4k}} is a simple version of ''Minecraft'' in the style of other "4k" Java games (everything is packaged in 4 kibibytes) that Notch has entered in contests. [[Pi Edition|''Minecraft: Pi Edition'']] was a free ported version of the [[Pocket Edition version history#0.5.0|0.5.0 version]] of {{el|pe}} for the {{w|Raspberry Pi}},<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121127035644/http://www.mojang.com/2012/11/minecraft-is-coming-to-the-raspberry-pi/ Minecraft is coming to Raspberry Pi!] - Mojang.com; November 24, 2012</ref> which was intended as an educational tool for novice programmers. It allowed users to manipulate the game code and supported multiple programming languages; however, it was discontinued in January 2016. [[China Edition|''Minecraft: China Edition'']] is a localized version of ''Minecraft'' for mainland China.
{{-}}
== Cultural impact ==
===Edition comparison===
In September 2019, ''[[The Guardian]]'' classified ''Minecraft'' as the best video game of (the first two decades of) the 21st century,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/sep/19/50-best-video-games-of-the-21st-century |title=The 50 best video games of the 21st century |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |last2=MacDonald |first2=Keza |date=19 September 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref> and in November 2019
''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' called the game the "most important game of the decade" in its 2010s "decade in review".<ref>{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Charlie |url=https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/11/7/20952214/minecraft-most-important-game-of-the-decade-2010 |title=Why Minecraft is the most important game of the decade |date=7 November 2019 |work=Polygon |access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref> In December 2019, ''[[Forbes]]'' gave ''Minecraft'' a special mention in a list of the best video games of the 2010s, stating that the game is "without a doubt one of the most important games of the last ten years."<ref name="forbes">{{cite web |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2020/12/31/the-best---and-most-important---video-games-of-the-decade-20102019/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101040036/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2020/12/31/the-best---and-most-important---video-games-of-the-decade-20102019/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 January 2020 |title=The Best — And Most Important — Video Games Of The Decade |last=Kain |first=Erikmine |date=31 December 2019 |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=2 January 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, ''Minecraft'' was inducted into the [[World Video Game Hall of Fame]].<ref name=":6">{{cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-inducted-into-the-world-video-game-hall-of-fame/ |title=Minecraft inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame |first=Malindy |last=Hetfeld |work=PC Gamer |date=19 June 2020 |access-date=20 June 2020}}</ref>
!Edition
!Price ({{w|United States dollar|USD}})
!Developer
!Platforms
!Buy
!Trial/Download
!Input methods
!Account type
!Skin changes
!Support
!Notes
|-
!{{JE}}
|$29.99 – $39.99
|[[Mojang Studios]]
|{{w|Microsoft Windows|Windows}}, {{w|macOS}}, and {{w|Linux}}
|[https://minecraft.net/store/minecraft-java-bedrock-edition-pc minecraft.net] and [https://xbox.com/games/store/-/9NXP44L49SHJ Microsoft Store]
|[https://minecraft.net/free-trial minecraft.net]
|Keyboard and mouse
|Legacy ''Minecraft'', Mojang, and Microsoft
|Free, user-created
|[https://help.minecraft.net ''Minecraft'' Help Center]
|The original version of ''Minecraft''. Access to occasional test updates known as [[Java Edition version history/Development versions|snapshots]].
|-
!{{BE}}
|$6.99 – $39.99
|[[Mojang Studios]]<br />{{w|Xbox Game Studios}}<br />[[4J Studios]]<br />[[SkyBox Labs]]
| {{w|Microsoft Windows|Windows}}, {{w|ChromeOS}}, {{w|Android (operating system)|Android}}, {{w|iOS}}, {{w|iPadOS}}, {{w|Amazon Fire|Fire}}, {{w|Xbox One}}/{{w|Xbox Series X and Series S|Series X|S}}, {{w|Nintendo Switch}}, {{w|PlayStation 4|PS4}}, {{w|PlayStation VR|PS VR}}, & {{w|PlayStation 5|PS5}}
|[https://minecraft.net/store/minecraft-java-bedrock-edition-pc minecraft.net], Microsoft ([https://xbox.com/games/store/-/9NXP44L49SHJ Windows] & [https://xbox.com/games/store/-/9MVXMVT8ZKWC Xbox]), [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mojang.minecraftpe Google], [https://geo.itunes.apple.com/app/479516143 Apple], [[Bedrock Edition/Fire store pages|Amazon]], [[Bedrock Edition/Nintendo Switch store pages|Nintendo]], and [https://playstation.com/games/minecraft PlayStation] stores
|[https://xbox.com/games/store/-/9NBLGGH2JHXJ Microsoft] (Windows only), [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mojang.minecrafttrialpe Google], and [https://playstation.com/games/minecraft PlayStation] stores
|Keyboard & mouse, gamepad, and touchscreen
|Microsoft (for achievements and servers), Nintendo (for online play), and Sony (for online play)
|Free, user-created, via in-app purchase, or via Xbox network
|[https://help.minecraft.net ''Minecraft'' Help Center] [https://support.xbox.com/help/games-apps/game-titles/minecraft-info Xbox Support]
|Cross-platform local server multiplayer. Windows, ChromeOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, & Xbox users have access to occasional test updates known as [[Bedrock Edition version history/Development versions|betas/previews]].
|-
!{{el|ee}}
|$5.04 – $12 per user per year
|[[Mojang Studios]]<br />{{w|Xbox Game Studios}}<br />[[4J Studios]]
''Minecraft'' is recognized as one of the first successful games to use an [[early access]] model to draw in sales prior to its full release version to help fund development.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/33961/Minecraft_Draws_Over_33_Million_In_Revenue_From_18M_Paying_Customers.php |title=Minecraft Draws Over $33 Million In Revenue From 1.8M Paying Customers |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=6 April 2011 |access-date=16 October 2013 |first=Kyle |last=Orland}}</ref> As ''Minecraft'' helped to bolster indie game development in the early 2010s, it also helped to popularize the use of the early access model in indie game development.<ref name="gamasutra">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/40103/Design_success_means_knowing_what_to_do_with_feedback.php |title=Design success means knowing what to do with feedback |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=6 February 2012 |access-date=16 October 2013 |first=Soren |last=Johnson}}</ref>
==Game customization==
[[File:Jordan Maron headshot 2018.jpg|left|thumb|175x175px|[[Jordan Maron]] (known professionally as "CaptainSparklez") is known for his musical ''Minecraft'' parodies of hit songs.]]
===Add-ons===
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 |website=[[Mashable]] |publisher=Mashable Inc. |date=1 October 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |last=Silverman |first=Matt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230080505/http://mashable.com/2010/10/01/minecraft-social-media/ |archive-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> Research conducted by the [[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/articles/mining-data-from-minecraft/1100-6331569/ |title=Mining data from Minecraft |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=28 August 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |last=Tong |first=Sophia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204023302/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mining-data-from-minecraft/1100-6331569/ |archive-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> In 2010, ''Minecraft''-related videos began to gain influence on YouTube, often made by commentators. The videos usually contain screen-capture footage of the game and voice-overs.<ref name="salon">{{cite web |title=Inside the geeky, revolutionary world of "Minecraft" |url=http://www.salon.com/2011/12/06/inside_the_geeky_revolutionary_world_of_minecraft/singleton/ |website=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |publisher=Salon Media Group |first=Rob |last=Spillman |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=23 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117145332/http://www.salon.com/2011/12/06/inside_the_geeky_revolutionary_world_of_minecraft/singleton/ |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> Common coverage in the videos includes creations made by players, [[Strategy guide|walkthroughs]] of various tasks, and parodies of works in popular culture. By May 2012, over four million ''Minecraft''-related YouTube videos had been uploaded.<ref name="Merchandise sales">{{cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=24 March 2012 |title=Minecraft hits $80M in sales with over 5M paid downloads |url=http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/24/minecraft-hits-80m-in-sales-with-over-5m-paid-downloads/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326175441/http://www.vg247.com/2012/03/24/minecraft-hits-80m-in-sales-with-over-5m-paid-downloads/ |archive-date=26 March 2012 |access-date=11 November 2012 |website=[[VG247]]}}</ref> The game would go on to be a prominent fixture within YouTube's gaming scene during the entire 2010s; in 2014, it was the second-most searched term on the entire platform.<ref name="Alexander2019" /> By 2018, it was still YouTube's biggest game globally.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/18/17873772/youtube-biggest-top-game-minecraft-fortnite |title=Fortnite is not the biggest game on YouTube this year |work=[[The Verge]] |date=18 September 2018 |access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref>
{{main|Add-on}}
'''Add-ons'''{{only|be}} are the first step toward bringing customization to all editions of ''Minecraft'' and are officially supported by [[Mojang Studios]]/''Minecraft''. They currently allow players to transform the look of their worlds, change the behavior of mobs, and add entities, items and blocks, structures, functions and biomes.
Some popular commentators have received employment at [[Machinima, Inc.|Machinima]], a gaming video company that owns a highly watched entertainment channel on YouTube.<ref name="salon" /> [[The Yogscast]] is a British company that regularly produces ''Minecraft'' videos; their YouTube channel has attained billions of views, and their panel at [[Minecon#2011|Minecon 2011]] had the highest attendance.<ref name="salon" /><ref name="bbc tycoons">{{cite news |title=The TV tycoons you may have missed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18768443 |access-date=10 July 2012 |first=Rory |last=Cellan-Jones |date=10 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805071240/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18768443 |archive-date=5 August 2012 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Other well-known YouTube personalities include [[Jordan Maron]], who has created many ''Minecraft'' [[parody|parodies]], including "Minecraft Style", a parody of the internationally successful single "[[Gangnam Style]]" by South Korean rapper [[Psy]].<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 |website=[[NBC News]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal]] |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012 |last=Benedetti |first=Winda |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140610202513/http://sys03-public.nbcnews.com/technology/dig-minecraft-style-gangnam-style-parody-1C6601764 |archive-date=10 June 2014}}</ref> ''Minecraft''{{'}}s popularity on YouTube was described by ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' as quietly dominant, although in 2019, thanks in part to [[PewDiePie]]'s playthroughs of the game, ''Minecraft'' experienced a visible uptick in popularity on the platform.<ref name="Alexander2019">{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/7/20756845/minecraft-pewdiepie-youtube-resurgence-trend-creators-monetization |title=Minecraft's recent surge on YouTube proves that the 'PewDiePie Effect' is still real |work=[[The Verge]] |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref><ref name="Hernandez2019">{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/1/20727946/minecraft-youtube-popularity-memes-pewdiepie-grandayy-keemstar-minecraft-monday |title=Minecraft is having a big comeback in 2019 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref> YouTube later announced that on 14 December 2021 that the total amount of ''Minecraft''-related views exceeded one trillion since the game's inception in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/minecraft-crosses-1-trillion-views-on-youtube-most-popular-game-ever-on-platform/ |title=Minecraft crosses 1 trillion views on YouTube, most popular game ever on platform |first=Ian |last=Sherr |date=14 December 2021 |access-date=14 December 2021 |work=[[CNet]]}}</ref>
===Behavior packs===
'''Behavior packs'''{{only|be}} change how vanilla mobs and fogs behave. They are still in development, and will soon also be able to modify how blocks and items work{{citation needed}}.
''Minecraft'' has been referenced by other video games, such as ''[[Torchlight II]]'', ''[[Team Fortress 2]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team Fortress 2 |url=https://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4130 |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=www.teamfortress.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-27 |title=Only One Man In The World Owns TF2's "Top Notch" Hat |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/only-one-man-in-the-world-owns-tf2s-top-notch-hat/ |access-date=2022-10-23 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> ''[[Borderlands 2]]'', ''[[Choplifter HD]]'', ''[[Super Meat Boy]]'', ''[[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]]'', ''[[The Binding of Isaac (video game)|The Binding of Isaac]]'', ''[[The Stanley Parable]]'', ''[[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 |website=PCGamesN |date=24 September 2012 |publisher=Network N |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101121747/http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/creeping-you-best-minecraft-references-video-games |archive-date=1 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How The Stanley Parable goes down the rabbit hole of other games |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/81714/the-stanley-parable-creator-says-walkthrough-would-kill-the-magic |website=Shacknews |date=23 October 2013 |access-date=21 September 2017}}</ref> and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', the lattermost of which features a downloadable character and stage based on ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Next DLC Fighters Are Minecraft Characters |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/super-smash-bros-ultimates-next-dlc-fighter-is-minecrafts-steve |first=Joe |last=Skrebels |date=1 October 2020 |access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> It was also referenced by electronic music artist [[deadmau5]] in his performances.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |title=Deadmau5 References Minecraft in New Show |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/11/deadmau5-references-minecraft-in-new-show |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110181644/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/11/deadmau5-references-minecraft-in-new-show |archive-date=10 November 2012 |date=11 August 2011}}</ref> The game is also referenced heavily in "[[Informative Murder Porn]]", the second episode of the [[South Park (season 17)|seventeenth season]] of the animated television series ''[[South Park]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |url=http://kotaku.com/this-weeks-south-park-is-all-about-minecraft-1427305010 |title=This Week's South Park Is All About ''Minecraft'' |date=30 September 2013 |access-date=1 October 2013 |website=Kotaku |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930203114/http://kotaku.com/this-weeks-south-park-is-all-about-minecraft-1427305010 |archive-date=30 September 2013}}</ref>
===Resource packs===
{{Main|Resource pack}}
The game officially supports changing most of its various textures, sounds, and texts through '''resource packs'''. Resource packs must contain a certain structure of files and folders placed in the <samp>[[.minecraft]]/resourcepacks</samp> folder. Installed resource packs, as well as the folder in which resource packs are placed, can be accessed in the options menu. The extent to which the resources are changed is dependent on how many files are contained in the resource pack.
=== Applications ===
===Data packs===
The possible applications of ''Minecraft'' have been discussed extensively, especially in the fields of [[computer-aided design]] (CAD) and education. In a panel at Minecon 2011, a Swedish developer discussed the possibility of using the game to redesign public buildings and parks, stating that rendering using ''Minecraft'' was much more user-friendly for the community, making it easier to envision the functionality of new buildings and parks.<ref name=salon /> In 2012, a member of the [[Human dynamics|Human Dynamics]] group at the [[MIT Media Lab]], Cody Sumter, said: "Notch hasn't just built a game. He's tricked 40 million people into learning to use a CAD program." Various software has been developed to allow virtual designs to be printed using professional [[3D printing|3D printers]] or personal printers such as [[MakerBot]] and [[RepRap]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cheshire |first=Tom |title=Want to learn computer-aided design (CAD)? Play Minecraft |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/11/play/minecrafted |magazine=[[Wired UK]] |access-date=23 November 2012 |date=22 November 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127171214/http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2012/11/play/minecrafted |archive-date=27 November 2012}}</ref>
{{Main|Data pack}}
Data packs{{only|je}} provide a way for players to further customize vanilla worlds in a similar way to resource packs. Unlike resource packs, which modify the game's resources, data packs can be used to override or add new advancements, functions, loot tables, structures, recipes and tags without any code modification.
In September 2012, Mojang began the ''[[Block by Block (program)|Block by Block]]'' project in cooperation with [[United Nations Human Settlements Programme|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 |website=[[ReadWrite]] |publisher=[[SAY Media]] |access-date=21 November 2012 |date=6 September 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124095401/http://readwrite.com/2012/09/06/minecraft-partners-with-united-nations-for-urban-planning |archive-date=24 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About Block By Block |url=https://www.blockbyblock.org/about |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915002207/https://www.blockbyblock.org/about |archive-date=15 September 2022 |access-date=9 September 2022 |website=Block by Block}}</ref> The project allows young people who live in those environments to participate in designing the changes they would like to see. Using ''Minecraft'', the community has helped reconstruct the areas of concern, and citizens are invited to enter the ''Minecraft'' servers and modify their own neighborhood. Carl Manneh, Mojang's managing director, called the game "the perfect tool to facilitate this process", adding "The three-year partnership will support UN-Habitat's Sustainable Urban Development Network to upgrade 300 public spaces by 2016." Mojang signed ''Minecraft'' building community, ''FyreUK'', to help render the environments into ''Minecraft''. The first pilot project began in [[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>{{Cite web |title=The Block by Block Playbook: Using Minecraft as a participatory design tool in urban design and governance {{!}} UN-Habitat |url=https://unhabitat.org/the-block-by-block-playbook-using-minecraft-as-a-participatory-design-tool-in-urban-design-and |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915003142/https://unhabitat.org/the-block-by-block-playbook-using-minecraft-as-a-participatory-design-tool-in-urban-design-and |archive-date=2022-09-15 |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=unhabitat.org}}</ref><ref name="blockbyblock">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/05/minecraft-un-block-by-block-project-to-help-young-people-redesign-their-neighbourhoods/ |title=Minecraft UN Block By Block project to help young people redesign their neighbourhoods |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=5 September 2012 |first=Tom |last=Senior |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907235734/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/05/minecraft-un-block-by-block-project-to-help-young-people-redesign-their-neighbourhoods/ |archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref>
===Skins===
{{main|Skin}}
Skin refers to the texture that is placed onto a player model or mob.
The skin is divided into areas that act as the surface area of the character (for example, the front head area, left leg area, etc.). A skin allows only solid color; transparency is not allowed on the skin file except on the second layer, which is transparent by default; playing offline, pixels can be left free resulting in "holes" in the skin. The second layer can be used to give the character glasses, hats, or other accessories. Players can also change the arm size to be slim or normal. The slim variant is 3 pixels wide while the normal variant is 4 pixels wide.
{{in|je}}, there are no special features in the skins. This version has only the features listed in the first part of this section.
In April 2014, the [[Danish Geodata Agency]] generated all of Denmark in fullscale in ''Minecraft'' based on their own [[Geographic data and information|geodata]].<ref name="DenmarkInMinecraft">{{cite press release |url=http://gst.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2014/apr/geodatastyrelsen-giver-de-unge-hele-danmark-i-3d/ |title=Geodatastyrelsen giver de unge hele Danmark i 3D |trans-title=The Geodata Agency gives the youth whole Denmark in 3D |publisher=The Danish Geodata Agency |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=25 April 2014 |language=da |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426235902/http://gst.dk/nyheder/nyhedsarkiv/2014/apr/geodatastyrelsen-giver-de-unge-hele-danmark-i-3d/ |archive-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> This is possible because Denmark is [[List of elevation extremes by country|one of the flattest countries]] with the highest point at {{convert|171|m|||}} (ranking as the country with the 30th smallest elevation span), where the limit in default ''Minecraft'' is around {{convert|192|m|||}} above in-game sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-guide-how-find-and-mine-diamond-gold-and-other-rare-ores |title=Minecraft for beginners: How to find diamond, gold, and other rare ores in |last=Boddy |first=Zachary |date=4 January 2020 |website=Windows Central |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-cheats/ |title=Minecraft commands and cheats: all the console commands you need for crafty success |last=Wilson |first=Iain |date=23 March 2020 |website=GamesRadar |language=en |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref>
====''Bedrock Edition''====
{{in|be}}, there are many more types of skin customization. [[Player]]s can add 3D custom hair, eyes, mouths, arms, legs and more. Players can also change the size of a character. Players can also get many different accessories for the skin. However, the player cannot do this with a custom skin, only with an in-game skin. Players can also buy accessories and skins. Having a skin that is smaller than normal or larger does not affect the hitbox size, but can still give an advantage in multiplayer servers because it can be harder to see them. Some of the skins also do not show their armor or hand-held [[item]]s.
Taking advantage of the game's accessibility where other websites are censored, the non-governmental organization [[Reporters Without Borders]] has used an open ''Minecraft'' server to create [[the Uncensored Library]], a repository within the game of journalism by authors from countries (including Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam) who have been censored and arrested, such as [[Jamal Khashoggi]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-03-13-reporters-without-borders-builds-censorship-free-zone-in-minecraft |title=Reporters Without Borders builds censorship-free zone in Minecraft |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=14 March 2020 |newspaper=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]}}</ref> The neoclassical virtual building was created over about 250 hours by an international team of 24 people.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Gerken |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51883247 |title=Minecraft 'loophole' library of banned journalism |work=BBC News |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>
===Capes===
{{main|Cape}}
Capes are an uncommon vanity item that can be equipped on a player's back. {{in|be}}, players start with a cape that is not equipped by default and some skins come with capes.
Despite its unpredictable nature, ''Minecraft'' has become a popular game for [[speedrunning]], where players time themselves from being dropped into a new world to reaching The End and defeating the Ender Dragon boss. Some speedrunners use a combination of mods, external programs, and debug menus, while other runners play the game in a more vanilla or more consistency-oriented way.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maillot |first=Anastasia |date=27 March 2021 |title=Minecraft: How To See The Debug Screen (And What It's Useful For) |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-debug-screen-keybinds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615150253/https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-debug-screen-keybinds/ |archive-date=15 June 2022 |access-date=15 June 2022 |website=The Gamer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/speedrun-world-record |title=A glimpse into the unpredictable world of Minecraft speedrunning |first=Jack |last=Yarwood |date=12 September 2020 |access-date=5 March 2021 |work=[[PCGamesN]]}}</ref>
Capes also flail around when the player runs. When the player equips elytra, the texture of the elytra changes to an equipped cape.
==== Education ====
===Unofficial mods===
[[File:Minecraft in school.jpg|thumb|247x247px|''Minecraft'' being played in an educational setting]]
{{disclaimer|section}}
''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]] |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=25 November 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012 |last=Walton |first=Mark |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010082122/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-in-education-how-video-games-are-teaching-kids/1100-6400549/ |archive-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> In 2011, an educational organization named MinecraftEdu was formed with the goal of introducing ''Minecraft'' into schools. The group works with Mojang to make the game affordable and accessible to schools. The version of ''Minecraft'' through MinecraftEdu includes unique features to allow teachers to monitor the students' progress within the virtual world, such as receiving screenshots from students to show completion of a lesson.<ref name="pcgamer edu 2019" /> In September 2012, MinecraftEdu said that approximately 250,000 students around the world have access to ''Minecraft'' through the company.<ref name="MCEdu" /> A wide variety of educational activities involving the game have been developed to teach students various subjects, including history, language arts and science. For an example, one teacher built a world consisting of various historical landmarks for students to learn and explore.<ref name="MCEdu">{{cite magazine |url=http://techland.time.com/2012/09/21/minecraftedu-teaches-students-through-virtual-world-building/ |title=MinecraftEdu Teaches Students Through Virtual World-Building |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=9 December 2012 |last=Waxman |first=Olivia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023101431/http://techland.time.com/2012/09/21/minecraftedu-teaches-students-through-virtual-world-building/ |archive-date=23 October 2012}}</ref> Another teacher created a large-scale representation of an animal [[Cell (biology)|cell]] within ''Minecraft'' that student could explore and learn how cell functions work.<ref name="pcgamer edu 2019">{{cite web |last=MacGregor |first=Jody |date=22 August 2019 |title=How teachers are using Minecraft in the classroom |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-teachers-are-using-minecraft-in-the-classroom/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706043232/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-teachers-are-using-minecraft-in-the-classroom/ |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=22 August 2014 |work=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref> [[Great Ormond Street Hospital]] has been recreated in ''Minecraft'', and it proposed that patients can use it to virtually explore the hospital before they visit it in real life.<ref>{{cite news |title=GOSH looks to DRIVE healthcare technology forward |url=https://www.digitalhealth.net/2018/10/gosh-drive-healthcare-technology/ |access-date=11 October 2018 |publisher=Digital Health |date=11 October 2018}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' may also prove as an innovation in computer-aided design.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connell |first1=Kim |title=Minecraft Architecture: What Architects Can Learn From a Video Game |url=https://www.autodesk.com/redshift/minecraft-architecture |website=RedShift |date=2 February 2016 |access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' offers an outlet of collaboration in design and could have an impact on the industry.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=French |last2=Stone |last3=Nysetvold |last4=Hepworth |last5=Red |first1=David |first2=Brett |first3=Thomas |first4=Ammon |first5=Edward |title=Collaborative Design Principles From Minecraft With Applications to Multi-User CAD." Volume 1A: Codes and Standards |url=https://proceedings.asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/proceeding.aspx?articleid=2090490 |website=asmedigitalcollection |date=13 January 2015 |publisher=American Society of Mechanical Engineers |doi=10.1115/DETC2014-35279 |access-date=3 March 2019}}</ref>
{{main|Mods}}
''Minecraft'' can be modified by replacing or adding Java class files to <samp>[[minecraft.jar]]</samp> {{in|je}}. This method of making custom modifications is not supported by Mojang as it can break the game if the mod is outdated, defective, or in conflict with another mod. Some such modifications impressed Notch or Jeb sufficiently that they were added to the game and the authors were credited under Additional Programming. Some examples of mods being implemented into the main game include Hippoplatimus' [[Piston]] Mod and horses from Dr. Zhark's Mo' Creatures mod were added in [[Beta 1.7]] and [[Java Edition 1.6.1|1.6.1]] respectively.
With the introduction of redstone blocks to represent electrical circuits, users have been able to build functional virtual computers within ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5650027/man-builds-computer-inside-computer-game |title=Man Builds Computer Inside Computer Game |first=Mike |last=Fahey |date=28 September 2016 |access-date=6 December 2016 |website=[[Kotaku]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220075116/http://kotaku.com/5650027/man-builds-computer-inside-computer-game |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> Such virtual creations include a working [[Hard disk drive|hard drive]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/man-builds-working-hard-drive-inside-minecraft/ |title=Man Builds Working Hard Drive Inside Minecraft |first=Klint |last=Finley |date=21 August 2014 |access-date=6 December 2016 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220084221/https://www.wired.com/2014/08/man-builds-working-hard-drive-inside-minecraft/ |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> an 8-bit virtual computer,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://boingboing.net/2010/11/12/working-8-bit-cpu-in.html |title=Working 8-bit CPU in Minecraft |first=Cory |last=Doctorow |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=6 December 2016 |website=[[Boing Boing]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220120358/http://boingboing.net/2010/11/12/working-8-bit-cpu-in.html |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> and even a smaller-scale version of ''Minecraft'' that is playable and able to be built completely in survival mode with no external modifications.<ref>{{Citation |title=I made Minecraft in Minecraft with redstone! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BP7DhHTU-I |language=en |access-date=2022-10-12}}</ref> In at least one instance, a mod has been created to use this feature to teach younger players how to program within a language set by a virtual computer within a ''Minecraft'' world.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2014/08/learntomod/ |title=New Minecraft Mod Teaches You Code as You Play |first=Klint |last=Finley |date=18 August 2014 |access-date=3 October 2016 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005104234/https://www.wired.com/2014/08/learntomod/ |archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref>
===Third-party programs===
{{disclaimer|section}}
{{main|Programs and editors}}
There are many programs designed for ''Minecraft''. These include 3D map editors and viewers, game modifiers, various informational programs (such as crafting recipes) and server wrappers, and other specialty programs. As with mods, these too are not supported by Mojang.
Another computational mechanic in ''Minecraft'' is the command block, a block that is only accessible in creative mode and can alter game logic. It has been used to create emulators for the [[Atari 2600]] (including one by YouTube personality [[SethBling]])<ref>{{Citation |title=Atari 2600 Emulator in Minecraft |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nViIUfDMJg |language=en |access-date=2022-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=1fps Atari 2600 Emulator in Vanilla Minecraft 1.13 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq7T5_xH24M |language=en |access-date=2022-10-12}}</ref> and the [[Game Boy Advance]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Pokémon Red INSIDE Minecraft — An Interview with the Creator, "Mr. Squishy'" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-U96W89Z90 |language=en |access-date=2022-10-12}}</ref>
==Reception==
{{w|Metacritic}} ranked ''Minecraft'' as one of the best video games of the 2010s,<ref>https://metacritic.com/feature/best-videogames-of-the-decade-2010s</ref> and Video Game Canon ranks ''Minecraft'' as one of the best games of all time.<ref>https://videogamecanon.com</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=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29281051 |last1=Miller |first1=Joe |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=22 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921232006/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29281051 |archive-date=21 September 2014}}</ref> Microsoft and the non-profit organisation [[Code.org]] had teamed up to offer ''Minecraft''-based games, puzzles, and tutorials aimed to help teach children how to program; by March 2018, Microsoft and Code.org reported that more than 85 million children have used their tutorials.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-hour-of-code |title=Minecraft has taught 85 million young people to code |first=Vic |last=Hood |date=5 March 2018 |access-date=5 March 2018 |work=[[PCGamesN]]}}</ref>
Since release ''Minecraft'' has won numerous awards including:
*''{{w|PC Gamer}}'s'' "Game of the Year"<ref>https://pcgamer.com/2010/12/31/pc-gamer-uks-game-of-the-year</ref>
*{{w|Independent Games Festival}}'s Grand Prize and "Audience Award"<ref>https://indiegamesplus.com/2011/01/2011_independent_games_festiva_10</ref>
*''{{w|Good Game (TV program)|Good Game}}'s'' "Best Downloadable Game of 2010"<ref>https://abc.net.au/tv/goodgame/stories/s3085956.htm</ref>
*''{{w|Rock Paper Shotgun}}'s'' "Game of the Year"<ref>https://rockpapershotgun.com/2010/12/24/the-games-of-christmas-%E2%80%9910-day-24</ref>
*{{w|Indie DB}}'s "Indie of the Year", "Most Innovative and Best Singleplayer Indie"<ref>https://indiedb.com/events/2010-indie-of-the-year-awards/winners</ref>
*{{w|Game Developers Choice Awards}}'s "Best Debut Game", "Best Downloadable Game" and "Most Innovative Game Award"<ref>https://gamechoiceawards.com/archive/gdca_11th.html</ref>
=== Clones ===
==References in popular culture==
After the release of ''Minecraft'', other video games were released with various similarities to ''Minecraft'', and some were described as being "[[Video game clone|clones]]". Examples include ''[[Ace of Spades (video game)|Ace of Spades]]'', ''[[CastleMiner]]'', ''CraftWorld'', ''[[FortressCraft]]'', ''[[Terraria]]'', ''BlockWorld 3D'', ''Total Miner'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |title=Living under a blocky shadow: the world of Minecraft clones |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/07/living-under-a-blocky-shadow-the-world-of-minecraft-clones/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=17 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203103830/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/07/living-under-a-blocky-shadow-the-world-of-minecraft-clones/ |archive-date=3 December 2012 |date=27 July 2011}}</ref> and ''[[Minetest]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Saunders |first=Mike |date=November 2017 |title=Minetest |url=https://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2017/204/Minetest |url-status=live |journal=Linux Magazine |issue=204/2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203071242/https://www.linux-magazine.com/Issues/2017/204/Minetest |archive-date=3 February 2021 |access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> David Frampton, designer of ''[[The Blockheads (video game)|The Blockheads]]'', reported that one failure of his 2D game was the "low resolution pixel art" that too closely resembled the art in ''Minecraft'', which resulted in "some resistance" from fans.<ref name=FramptonPostMort>{{cite web |author=Frampton, David |title=Postmortem: The Blockheads |date=12 October 2013 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidFrampton/20131012/202246/Postmortem_The_Blockheads.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124102/http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/DavidFrampton/20131012/202246/Postmortem_The_Blockheads.php |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> A [[Homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] adaptation of the alpha version of ''Minecraft'' for the [[Nintendo DS]], titled ''DScraft'', has been released; it has been noted for its similarity to the original game considering the technical limitations of the system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Mark |title=Hands-on with Minecraft for DS, with homebrew version DScraft |url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/DScraft+(Minecraft+DS)/news.asp?c=32674 |website=Pocket Gamer |date=24 August 2011 |access-date=20 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321083113/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DS/DScraft%20%28Minecraft%20DS%29/news.asp?c=32674 |archive-date=21 March 2017}}</ref> In response to Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang and their ''Minecraft'' IP, various developers announced further clone titles developed specifically for Nintendo's consoles, as they were the only major platforms to not officially receive ''Minecraft'' at the time.<ref name="NLcitesMinecraftWiiURumours">{{cite web |first=Damien |last=McFerran |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/12/rumour_minecraft_is_already_in_development_for_wii_u_gamepad_said_to_be_the_focus |title=Rumour: Minecraft Is Already In Development For Wii U, GamePad Said To Be The Focus |publisher=Nintendo Life |date=24 December 2013 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129014900/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/12/rumour_minecraft_is_already_in_development_for_wii_u_gamepad_said_to_be_the_focus |archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> These clone titles include ''UCraft'' (Nexis Games),<ref name="NLcitesUCraft">{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/nexis_games_is_developing_u_craft_a_minecraft_clone_for_the_eshop |title=Nexis Games is Developing U Craft, a Minecraft Clone, for the eShop |publisher=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=30 September 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110150412/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/nexis_games_is_developing_u_craft_a_minecraft_clone_for_the_eshop |archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref> ''[[Cube Life: Island Survival]]'' ([[Cypronia]]),<ref name="NLcitesCLIS">{{cite web |first=Darren |last=Calvert |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/01/cube_life_island_survival_is_another_minecraft-inspired_title_heading_to_the_wii_u_eshop |title=Cube Life: Island Survival is Another Minecraft-Inspired Title Heading to the Wii U eShop |publisher=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=19 January 2015 |access-date=19 January 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119235034/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/01/cube_life_island_survival_is_another_minecraft-inspired_title_heading_to_the_wii_u_eshop |archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref> ''Discovery'' (Noowanda),<ref name="NLcitesDiscovery">{{cite web |first=Darren |last=Calvert |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/12/prepare_to_get_creative_with_minecraft-inspired_game_discovery_coming_to_wii_u_eshop_soon |title=Prepare to Get Creative With Minecraft-Inspired Game Discovery Coming to Wii U eShop Soon |publisher=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=17 December 2015 |access-date=9 April 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410025511/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/12/prepare_to_get_creative_with_minecraft-inspired_game_discovery_coming_to_wii_u_eshop_soon |archive-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> ''Battleminer'' (Wobbly Tooth Games),<ref name="NLcitesBattleminer">{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/battleminer_screens_show_some_familiar_block_building_on_the_way_to_3ds |title=Battleminer Screens Show Some Familiar Block Building On the Way to 3DS |publisher=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102094010/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/09/battleminer_screens_show_some_familiar_block_building_on_the_way_to_3ds |archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> ''Cube Creator 3D'' (Big John Games),<ref name="NLcitesCubeCreator3D">{{cite web |first=Darren |last=Calvert |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/another_minecraft_clone_cube_creator_3d_coming_to_3ds_eshop |title=Another Minecraft Clone, Cube Creator 3D Coming To 3DS eShop |publisher=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=31 October 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102141601/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/another_minecraft_clone_cube_creator_3d_coming_to_3ds_eshop |archive-date=2 November 2014}}</ref> and ''Stone Shire'' (Finger Gun Games).<ref name="NLcitesStoneShire">{{cite web |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/more_minecraft_mania_looks_set_for_wii_u_with_stone_shire |title=More Minecraft Mania Looks Set for Wii U With Stone Shire |publisher=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=1 October 2014 |access-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106014641/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/10/more_minecraft_mania_looks_set_for_wii_u_with_stone_shire |archive-date=6 November 2014}}</ref> Despite this, the fears of fans were unfounded, with official ''Minecraft'' releases on Nintendo consoles eventually resuming.<ref name="MCV-UK_interview">{{cite web |first=Alex |last=Calvin |url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/mojang-s-block-party-what-is-next-for-minecraft/ |title=Mojang's block party – what is next for Minecraft? |publisher=MCV UK |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=11 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712044341/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/mojang-s-block-party-what-is-next-for-minecraft/ |archive-date=12 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="VergecitesMSMonWiiU">{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Webster |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/26/9207085/minecraft-story-mode-telltale-games-interview |title=Giving Minecraft a story |website=[[The Verge]] |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=27 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827005650/http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/26/9207085/minecraft-story-mode-telltale-games-interview |archive-date=27 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="WiiU" />
Many references have been made in culture in response to the popularity of ''Minecraft'', this includes many [https://knowyourmeme.com/search?q=minecraft memes] and also references in these video games, TV shows, and movies.
Markus Persson made another similar game, ''[[Minicraft]]'', for a [[Ludum Dare]] competition in 2011.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=19 December 2011 |title=Notch makes Minicraft in 48 hours for Ludum Dare |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/notch-makes-minicraft-in-48-hours-for-ludum-dare/ |access-date=11 August 2020 |magazine=PC Gamer |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Video games===
*In ''Super Meat Boy'', [[Player|Steve?]]<ref>{{tweet|notch|6825860292157440}}</ref> is an unlockable character. He is known as Mr. Minecraft in this game.
*In ''Battlefield Heroes'', players could get a [https://web.archive.org/web/20221011170447/https://i.imgur.com//6nB3h.jpg Royal Minecraft T-Shirt] or a [https://web.archive.org/web/20221013044831/https://i.imgur.com/c1pUi.jpg National Minecraft T-Shirt] from the 29th to the 31st of July, 2011.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111005030417/http://mojang.com/2011/07/30/collaboration-with-our-neighbors-battlefield-heroes/ Battlefield Heroes ♥ Minecraft] - Mojang.com; July 30, 2011</ref>
*In ''Team Fortress 2'', there is a hat called [https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Top_Notch Top Notch] that resembles [[Notch]]'s avatar in a [[Blocks|cubic]] form.<ref>[[wordofnotch:13353738451]]</ref> Notch is the only person to have this hat.
*In ''The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'' and ''The Binding of Isaac'', an item called the "Notched Pickaxe" can be found and used, referencing the game's creator Notch and the [[pickaxe]]s that feature prominently in ''Minecraft''.<ref>https://skyrim.gamepedia.com/Notched_Pickaxe</ref><ref>https://bindingofisaacrebirth.gamepedia.com/Notched_Axe</ref>
*In ''The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth'', there is another item called "Mine Crafter" based on [[TNT]]. The item "TNT" in ''Soul Knight'' is also based on ''Minecraft'' TNT.<ref>https://soul-knight.fandom.com/TNT</ref>
*In ''ChopLifter HD'', there is a hidden island with [[Player|Steve]] and [[chicken]]s in the "Operation Charlie Takedown" mission.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=xF4bWOu0Hn0</ref> When he is saved, players unlock an in-game achievement. It should be noted that Steve is called "Blockhead" in this game.
*In the PlayStation 3 game, ''PixelJunk Shooter 2'', there's a small Creeper in the title screen hidden among other enemies native to ''Shooter 2''.<ref>http://archive.beefjack.com/files/2011/03/creeper2.jpg</ref><!-- The Creeper can be seen right in the middle of the screen -->
*In ''Borderlands 2'', there is a hidden section of the game with blocks in the style of ''Minecraft''{{'}}s stone and breakable ore blocks. There are also enemy Creepers in this same area. One of the Creepers also can drop two ''Minecraft'' themed weapons, including a Sniper Rifle which fires projectiles shaped like the arrows featured in ''Minecraft.''<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=1xI4deYmDNQ</ref>
*In ''Torchlight 2'', there is an area called "Notch's Mine." In it are Creepers, that can be killed for loot. There are also hidden swords in the game with the same graphics as swords in ''Minecraft''.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=wlqBPeV8uuw</ref>
*In Patch 1.13 of ''Awesomenauts'', one of the new skins for the character Clunk was added known as Creeper Clunk. It is unlocked by killing a player using the Creeper Clunk skin.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20221012152111/https://imgur.com/a/WzQI3#bm2rLCQ</ref>
* A vehicle card in ''Dusk of D.A.W.N.'' is called "Mine Craft". The description at the bottom says "The Mine Craft is truly top-[[notch]]".<ref>https://reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comments/1kji7a/mine_craft_from_dusk_of_dawn_a_small_tribute</ref> Notch's X picture is hidden on the card.
*One of the many paths in ''The Stanley Parable'' eventually takes the player to a ''Minecraft'' world. The world is removed in Ultra Deluxe, but have a photo in Memory Zone.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=ULxvda_REuQ</ref>
*In ''Plague Inc'', a popular multiplatform game, there is a chance for a message in the news to appear with the headline: "Top notch mine opens in Sweden" and the caption "Miners and crafters look forward to the opening of a new, top notch diamond mine which is expected to revitalize the Swedish economy". This is a reference to the value of diamonds, Notch, Mojang's headquarters in Sweden, and the game itself.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20221011170447/https://i.imgur.com/qKCIxPZ.jpg</ref> Other messages include "Creeper arrested for destruction of virtual property" and "Microsoft saves sheepish miner, rides into sunset", which refers Microsoft's acquisition.
*In [https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/Terraria ''Terraria''], there is a wearable [https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/Creeper_set creeper costume].
*In ''Cookie Clicker'', the name of achievement "Never dig down" is a reference a well-known ''Minecraft'' tip.
*In ''The Henry Stickmin Collection'', there are multiple references to ''Minecraft'' throughout the chapters.
**In the prologue, Breaking the Bank, if the player chooses the "shovel" option, Henry tries to get inside the bank by digging under the walls, but hits and ignites a gas main; the failure message is "Never dig straight down.", a well-known ''Minecraft'' tip.
**In chapter 2, Stealing the Diamond, if the player selects the "sneak in" option and then the "pickaxe", Henry begins to mine the wall of the museum the diamond is in, only for a creeper to come up behind him and explode. Henry survives, however, and the explosion gave the entrance that Henry needed.
**In chapter 5, Completing the Mission, there are multiple references to ''Minecraft'' throughout the routes.
***If the player launches with the "Government Supported Private Investigator" and "Convict Allies" ending, and then selects the "jetpack" option, the player can select the "build" option, in which Henry begins building a bridge out of dirt blocks from the building he is standing on to the Toppat rocket. However, Henry runs out of dirt blocks and accidentally walks off the edge, and falls to his death, dropping a stick, steak and leather boots, with the fail message saying "You died!", similar to the ''Minecraft'' death screen.
***If the player launches with the "Pure Blooded Thief" and "Presumed Dead" ending, and then selects the "Stop" option, then does nothing, then selects the "Spiked Wheels" and "Hammer (Left)" options, Henry attempting to "mine" glass in a similar manner to ''Minecraft'', but he is shot down. Additionally, if player selects "Hammer (Right)" then does nothing, Henry's rocket runs out of fuel and falls back to the ground, with the fail message saying "Return to Sender", may related with the ''Minecraft'' achievement.
***If the player launches with the "Government Supported Private Investigator" and "Ghost Inmate" ending, and then selects the "Magic Hat" and "Free Transform" options, the player can select the "Leafmöde" option, and a diamond block can be seen near the painting and a diamond helmet can be seen somewhere.
*In ''Epic Battle Fantasy 4'' there is dialogue in the Crystal Cave that alludes to ''Minecraft''.<ref>http://epicbattlefantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Crystal_Golem</ref> A snowman in Whitefall Town is in the form of a Creeper. In the expansion and the Steam version, you will encounter the Diamond Golem. Matt would like to use this to make a diamond sword.<ref>http://epicbattlefantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Diamond_Golem</ref>
*In ''The Talos Principle'', there is a hidden easter egg room that contains various well-known blocks from games, including the grass block from ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{ytl|YfrJ4T21cbg}}</ref>
*In ''Life is Strange 2'' one of the characters plays ''Minecraft''. There are also other references to ''Minecraft'' throughout the game.<ref>https://life-is-strange.fandom.com/References_(Season_2)</ref>
*In ''There Is No Game : Wrong Dimension'', there is a RPG Dimension called ''Legend of the Secret'' and its Free2Play variant ''Legend of the Secret: Ultimate Clicker V.I.P. Edition Deluxe 4.2 Free'' with lootboxes that contain parody ads. One of those ads is ''Ninecraft'' with [[C418]]-like BGM, and player can break the title, get nine puzzle pieces and combine them in a 3x3 grid to make a pickaxe useful in gameplay. Game (a narrator-like character) comments on ''Ninecraft'' as "another one of those 'indie games' that's doomed to fail".
*In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'', Steve, Alex, a zombie, and an enderman are featured fighters included in its DLC, as well as themed stages and remixed music.
*In ''Genshin Impact'', the blacksmith in Mondstadt, named 'Wagner', gives the player a quest called "Mine Craft".
*In ''Transformice'', there is a wearable creeper mask, diamond pickaxe, diamond sword, and Moobloom fur.
=== Minecon ===
===TV shows and movies===
{{Main|Minecon}}
*In season 17 of South Park, the 2nd episode depicted a kid teaching ''Minecraft'' to adults.<ref>https://southparkstudios.com/episodes/4sa1hk/south-park-informative-murder-porn-season-17-ep-2</ref>
Minecon is the annual official [[fan convention]] dedicated to ''Minecraft''. The first Minecon was held in November 2011 at the [[Mandalay Bay]] Hotel and Casino in [[Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/well-whaddaya-know-minecon-is-sold-out/ |title=Well Whaddaya Know: MineCon Is Sold Out |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |first=Owen |last=Good |date=31 October 2012 |access-date=11 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203113607/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/well-whaddaya-know-minecon-is-sold-out/ |archive-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The event included the official launch of ''Minecraft''; keynote speeches, including one by Persson; building and costume contests; ''Minecraft''-themed breakout classes; exhibits by leading gaming and ''Minecraft''-related companies; commemorative merchandise; and autograph and picture times with Mojang employees and well-known contributors from the ''Minecraft'' community.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1187399p1.html |title=GameSpy: Tickets for Minecraft Convention, MineCon, Now On Sale — Page 1 |website=[[GameSpy]] |publisher=[[Glu Mobile]] |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203114001/http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/minecraft/1187399p1.html |archive-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, Minecon was held in-person for the last time, with the following years featuring annual livestreams instead.
*In the ''The Walking Deceased'' movie trailer, the ''Minecraft'' zombie sound can be heard at 0:30.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=eEJzl3GX0P8#t=0m28s</ref>
*In season 25 of The Simpsons, the 17th episode had a couch gag known as SimCraft, complete with Bartender Moe as a creeper blowing up the house.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=XheEGpNegbQ</ref>
*In Season 3 Episode 10 of ''Rick and Morty'', the title characters mention or are seen playing ''Minecraft'' throughout parts of the episode.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwqvG_5iQSQ</ref>
**In Season 4 Episode 3, Rick returns to the game by opening a laptop and saying "Ok now I'm going to play some more ''Minecraft''".
*In {{w|Ready Player One (film)|''Ready Player One}} (Steven Spielberg), the opening scene in the Oasis shows a ''Minecraft'' planet.
*In season 10 of ''Adventure Time'', the episode ''Diamonds and Lemons'' portrays the characters in a ''Minecraft''-like universe.
*A model of a Spider-Man ''Minecraft'' [[skin]] made of {{Wikipedia|Bead#Synthetic_materials|fusible plastic beads}} can be seen in the background in the movie ''[https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/Spider-Man:_No_Way_Home Spider-Man: No Way Home]''.
== Notes ==
==Video==
{{Notelist}}
<jwplayer media-id="9ix6EBF4" />
== References ==
==Gallery==
{{Reflist}}
<gallery>
Mclogo2.svg|''Minecraft''<br />game logo
Minecraft Java & Bedrock Edition for PC logo.png|''Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC'' logo
MC square key art.jpg|''Minecraft'' square key art with old logo.
Minecraft vertical key art.jpg|''Minecraft'' vertical<br />key art
Minecraft Vertical.jpg|''Minecraft'' vertical key art with old logo.
Minecraft horizontal key art.webp|''Minecraft'' horizontal<br />key art
MC key art.jpg|''Minecraft'' horizontal key art without logo 1.
MC key art.png|''Minecraft'' horizontal key art without logo 2.
Minecraft Java & Bedrock Edition for PC square key art.jpg|''Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC'' square<br />key art
Minecraft Java & Bedrock Edition for PC vertical key art.jpg|''Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC'' vertical<br />key art
Minecraft Java & Bedrock Edition for PC horizontal key art.png |''Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC'' horizontal key art
Minecraft Preview square key art.jpg|''Minecraft Preview''<br />square key art
Minecraft Preview vertical key art.jpg|''Minecraft Preview''<br />vertical key art
Minecraft Preview horizontal key art.jpg|''Minecraft Preview'' horizontal key art
</gallery>
=== Further reading ===
===In other media===
* {{cite book |first=Colin |last=Gallagher |date=2014 |title=Minecraft in the Classroom: Ideas, Inspiration, and Student Projects for Teachers |location=Berkeley, CA |publisher=Peachpit Press |isbn=978-0-13-385801-3 |ref=none}}
<gallery>
* {{cite book |first=Nate |last=Garrelts |author-link=Nate Garrelts |title=Understanding Minecraft: Essays on Play, Community and Possibilities |date=2014 |publisher=McFarland & Company |location=Jefferson, NC |isbn=978-0-7864-7974-0 |ref=none}}
Minecraft Twitter logo.jpg|''Minecraft'' X profile image
* {{cite book |first=Daniel |last=Goldberg |date=2013 |title=Minecraft: The Unlikely Tale of Markus "Notch" Persson and the Game That Changed Everything |location=New York |publisher=Seven Stories Press |isbn=978-1-60980-537-1 |title-link=Minecraft: The Unlikely Tale of Markus "Notch" Persson and the Game That Changed Everything |ref=none}}
Minecraft Poster JINX.jpg|An official poster made by [https://jinx.com J!NX].
MC Poster by SamCube.jpg|An official poster made by SamCube.<ref>https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8F008EC1BDE1692A</ref>
MC Poster2 by SamCube.jpg|An official poster made by SamCube.
Minecraft focuses on allowing the player to explore, interact with and modify a dynamically-generated map made of one-cubic-meter-sizedblocks. In addition to blocks, the environment features plants, mobs and items. Some activities in the game include building, mining for ore, fighting hostile mobs and crafting new blocks and tools by gathering various resources found in the game. The game's open-ended model allows players to create structures, creations and artwork on various competitive or collaborative multiplayer servers or their single-player maps. Other features include redstone circuits for logic computations and remote actions, minecarts and tracks, and a mysterious underworld called the Nether. A designated but completely optional goal of the game is to travel to a dimension called the End and defeat the ender dragon.
Template:FakeImageTemplate:JE can be purchased from minecraft.net and Microsoft Store. Gift codes can be bought for others, for the same price as buying the game for oneself. The demo version can be played for free. Java Edition can not run on Windows RT, ChromiumOS/ChromeOS (unless "Linux development environment" is turned on), or on some non-PC devices that use Java, such as a car, a toaster, or an Android device.
Alternatively, Xbox Game Pass for Console provides access to Bedrock Edition on Xbox consoles, PC Game Pass provides access to Java Edition on PC and Bedrock Edition on Windows PCs, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate provides access to Java Edition on PC and Bedrock Edition on Windows PCs and Xbox consoles.
The player is the person that the user controls in the world. When the user starts a game, the player is put in a world, generated from a random or specified seed, with an empty inventory. If the bonus chest option is enabled, a chest filled with basic items generates near the player. The player has a health bar with 10 hearts and can be depleted when they are damaged. Damage to health can be mitigated by armor or the Resistance effect; while health can be restored by keeping the hunger bar full enough or by drinking specific potions. If the difficulty is set to Peaceful, health regenerates on its own.
Each player can have a unique look via 9 default skins, or by creating their own custom skin. A player can change their skin on the profile page of minecraft.net or in the Minecraft Launcher in Java Edition and in the pause or main menus on Bedrock Edition.
The world of Minecraft takes place within a three-dimensional grid of cubes, with each cube being occupied by a certain type of block, not all of which are necessarily cubic. There are different types of blocks; natural blocks such as grass, stone and ores that generate randomly within the world. There are also blocks that players can craft, such as a crafting table and a furnace. Resources can be extracted from blocks by hand or by using tools. Some of these resources are simply blocks in the player's inventory that can be placed elsewhere, while others are used as material to create other blocks or tools. Others yield no practical use whatsoever. Some blocks cannot be broken through normal Survival means, e.g. bedrock, end portal frames, command blocks, nether and end portals, barriers and air.
Mining is one of the main aspects of Minecraft and is done to extract ore and other materials mainly from below the surface of the map. These ores include coal, iron, gold, redstone, diamond, lapis lazuli, copper and emerald. Mining can involve digging a hole from the surface or going down through a cave. Mineshafts and ravines create extra areas that may contain resources, since they are usually rich in ores.
Crafting allows players to create new tools and blocks using items from their inventory. Subsequent versions often contain crafting recipes for new blocks and items. A player can use the 2×2 grid in the inventory or the 3×3 grid provided by a crafting table to craft. Smelting requires a furnace in addition to fuel and processes blocks into a more useful form such as from raw iron into iron ingots, which can then be crafted into iron tools and iron armor.
Brewing creates potions from various ingredients and water using a brewing stand. They are stored in a glass bottle and then consumed by the player or thrown at other mobs to generate a certain effect based on the magical ingredients used to create the potion. Enchanting is also used to upgrade armor, tools or weapons with an enchanting table or anvil. More powerful enchantments can be accessed by gaining experience and placing bookshelves around the enchanting table.
Mobs (short for "mobiles") are the animals and other creatures that inhabit the map. Hostile mobs attack the player while passive mobs do not. Neutral mobs attack when provoked (not all neutral mobs are provoked the same way).
The Overworld contains many passive mobs that may be killed for food or bred with one another; these include:
The End contains the ender dragon, which is the main boss mob in Minecraft and allows the player to exit back to the Overworld when it dies, as well as shulkers, block-like mobs that shoot homing bullets at the player which inflict the Levitation effect. They also drop their shells, allowing the player to craft shulker boxes.
Minecraft multiplayer servers have developed to include their own rules and customs, guided by their administrators and moderators. The term griefer, meaning a player who causes grief, is a typical term on the internet but has taken up its definition on Minecraft servers: a person who destroys or defiles other users' creations on servers.
Griefers are the reason many server administrators make rules, but this has been taken a step further with modifications to the Minecraft server and even plugin-based replacement servers such as Bukkit. Because of these plugin-based servers, new user-created features have shown up in Minecraft. This includes features like money, vehicles, protection, RPG elements and more. These features normally do not require modification to a user's client and can be accessed by using chat commands. With the default controls, the chat screen is brought up by pressing Template:Key.
One popular game on multiplayer servers is Spleef (a play on the word "grief"), a game where the player aims to make another player drop through the floor by destroying blocks beneath the opponent's feet. This is typically played in a designated area and is usually run automatically using server plugins.
Many popular multiplayer servers exist that may contain, PvP arenas, custom minigames or large Survival or Creative worlds.
Multiplayer (Bedrock)
Multiplayer Template:In differs from multiplayer on the Java Edition in that it is centered around a friend system. A player can add friends through the Friends tab in the menu or in the pause screen of a world. A player may invite friends to a world instead of having to pay for a server or realm. Minecraft has featured servers on Bedrock, which means that they are available when opening the game. There are six featured servers: The Hive, CubeCraft, Lifeboat, Mineville, Galaxite, and Pixel Paradise.
Minecraft Realms
Template:MainMinecraft Realms is an official subscription-based server hosting service that allows players to create and manage their own private Minecraft multiplayer worlds. Hosted by Mojang Studios, Realms provides an easy and fast way to create servers and allows the owner to manage them from inside the game, without prior knowledge of the concepts for hosting on the internet. However, Realms are not intended for large public servers, but for groups of friends or as a family server.<ref>Template:Tweet</ref> Private Realms servers are easy to set up and available 24/7 as long as the owner pays for it.
Template:Main
The original platform for Minecraft, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux and started through the Minecraft Launcher. The game was initially released for an "early private singleplayer alpha" on May 17, 2009, followed by several development stages (notably Classic, Indev, Infdev, Alpha, Beta) with the game finally being released on November 18, 2011. The Java Edition has seen many significant updates since its official release.
The Bedrock Edition (also known as the Bedrock Platform, Bedrock Codebase or Bedrock Engine) refers to the multi-platform family of editions of Minecraft developed by Mojang Studios and Xbox Game Studios. Prior to this term, as the engine originated with Minecraft: Pocket Edition, this entire product family has been referred to using as "Pocket Edition", "MCPE" or "Pocket/Windows 10 Edition".
Template:MainMinecraft Education is an educational version of Minecraft specifically designed for classroom use. It is developed by Mojang Studios and Xbox Game Studios and contains features that make Minecraft easy to use in a classroom setting. The full game was released on November 1, 2016.
New Nintendo 3DS Edition
Template:MainMinecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition was released on September 13, 2017 for the New Nintendo 3DS/2DS systems. It is a unique port developed by Other Ocean Interactive. Multiplayer is limited to local play. This edition was discontinued on January 15, 2019.
Other
There are a number of other versions of Minecraft. Template:El is a simple version of Minecraft in the style of other "4k" Java games (everything is packaged in 4 kibibytes) that Notch has entered in contests. Minecraft: Pi Edition was a free ported version of the 0.5.0 version of Template:El for the Raspberry Pi,<ref>Minecraft is coming to Raspberry Pi! - Mojang.com; November 24, 2012</ref> which was intended as an educational tool for novice programmers. It allowed users to manipulate the game code and supported multiple programming languages; however, it was discontinued in January 2016. Minecraft: China Edition is a localized version of Minecraft for mainland China.
Template:-
Cross-platform local server multiplayer. Windows, ChromeOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, & Xbox users have access to occasional test updates known as betas/previews.
Template:MainAdd-onsTemplate:Only are the first step toward bringing customization to all editions of Minecraft and are officially supported by Mojang Studios/Minecraft. They currently allow players to transform the look of their worlds, change the behavior of mobs, and add entities, items and blocks, structures, functions and biomes.
Behavior packs
Behavior packsTemplate:Only change how vanilla mobs and fogs behave. They are still in development, and will soon also be able to modify how blocks and items workTemplate:Citation needed.
Resource packs
Template:Main
The game officially supports changing most of its various textures, sounds, and texts through resource packs. Resource packs must contain a certain structure of files and folders placed in the .minecraft/resourcepacks folder. Installed resource packs, as well as the folder in which resource packs are placed, can be accessed in the options menu. The extent to which the resources are changed is dependent on how many files are contained in the resource pack.
Data packs
Template:Main
Data packsTemplate:Only provide a way for players to further customize vanilla worlds in a similar way to resource packs. Unlike resource packs, which modify the game's resources, data packs can be used to override or add new advancements, functions, loot tables, structures, recipes and tags without any code modification.
Skins
Template:Main
Skin refers to the texture that is placed onto a player model or mob.
The skin is divided into areas that act as the surface area of the character (for example, the front head area, left leg area, etc.). A skin allows only solid color; transparency is not allowed on the skin file except on the second layer, which is transparent by default; playing offline, pixels can be left free resulting in "holes" in the skin. The second layer can be used to give the character glasses, hats, or other accessories. Players can also change the arm size to be slim or normal. The slim variant is 3 pixels wide while the normal variant is 4 pixels wide.
Java Edition
Template:In, there are no special features in the skins. This version has only the features listed in the first part of this section.
Bedrock Edition
Template:In, there are many more types of skin customization. Players can add 3D custom hair, eyes, mouths, arms, legs and more. Players can also change the size of a character. Players can also get many different accessories for the skin. However, the player cannot do this with a custom skin, only with an in-game skin. Players can also buy accessories and skins. Having a skin that is smaller than normal or larger does not affect the hitbox size, but can still give an advantage in multiplayer servers because it can be harder to see them. Some of the skins also do not show their armor or hand-held items.
Capes
Template:Main
Capes are an uncommon vanity item that can be equipped on a player's back. Template:In, players start with a cape that is not equipped by default and some skins come with capes.
Capes also flail around when the player runs. When the player equips elytra, the texture of the elytra changes to an equipped cape.
Unofficial mods
Template:DisclaimerTemplate:MainMinecraft can be modified by replacing or adding Java class files to minecraft.jarTemplate:In. This method of making custom modifications is not supported by Mojang as it can break the game if the mod is outdated, defective, or in conflict with another mod. Some such modifications impressed Notch or Jeb sufficiently that they were added to the game and the authors were credited under Additional Programming. Some examples of mods being implemented into the main game include Hippoplatimus' Piston Mod and horses from Dr. Zhark's Mo' Creatures mod were added in Beta 1.7 and 1.6.1 respectively.
Third-party programs
Template:DisclaimerTemplate:Main
There are many programs designed for Minecraft. These include 3D map editors and viewers, game modifiers, various informational programs (such as crafting recipes) and server wrappers, and other specialty programs. As with mods, these too are not supported by Mojang.
Many references have been made in culture in response to the popularity of Minecraft, this includes many memes and also references in these video games, TV shows, and movies.
Video games
In Super Meat Boy, Steve?<ref>Template:Tweet</ref> is an unlockable character. He is known as Mr. Minecraft in this game.
In Team Fortress 2, there is a hat called Top Notch that resembles Notch's avatar in a cubic form.<ref>wordofnotch:13353738451</ref> Notch is the only person to have this hat.
In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Binding of Isaac, an item called the "Notched Pickaxe" can be found and used, referencing the game's creator Notch and the pickaxes that feature prominently in Minecraft.<ref>https://skyrim.gamepedia.com/Notched_Pickaxe</ref><ref>https://bindingofisaacrebirth.gamepedia.com/Notched_Axe</ref>
In The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth, there is another item called "Mine Crafter" based on TNT. The item "TNT" in Soul Knight is also based on Minecraft TNT.<ref>https://soul-knight.fandom.com/TNT</ref>
In ChopLifter HD, there is a hidden island with Steve and chickens in the "Operation Charlie Takedown" mission.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=xF4bWOu0Hn0</ref> When he is saved, players unlock an in-game achievement. It should be noted that Steve is called "Blockhead" in this game.
In Borderlands 2, there is a hidden section of the game with blocks in the style of MinecraftTemplate:'s stone and breakable ore blocks. There are also enemy Creepers in this same area. One of the Creepers also can drop two Minecraft themed weapons, including a Sniper Rifle which fires projectiles shaped like the arrows featured in Minecraft.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=1xI4deYmDNQ</ref>
In Torchlight 2, there is an area called "Notch's Mine." In it are Creepers, that can be killed for loot. There are also hidden swords in the game with the same graphics as swords in Minecraft.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=wlqBPeV8uuw</ref>
One of the many paths in The Stanley Parable eventually takes the player to a Minecraft world. The world is removed in Ultra Deluxe, but have a photo in Memory Zone.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=ULxvda_REuQ</ref>
In Plague Inc, a popular multiplatform game, there is a chance for a message in the news to appear with the headline: "Top notch mine opens in Sweden" and the caption "Miners and crafters look forward to the opening of a new, top notch diamond mine which is expected to revitalize the Swedish economy". This is a reference to the value of diamonds, Notch, Mojang's headquarters in Sweden, and the game itself.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20221011170447/https://i.imgur.com/qKCIxPZ.jpg</ref> Other messages include "Creeper arrested for destruction of virtual property" and "Microsoft saves sheepish miner, rides into sunset", which refers Microsoft's acquisition.
In Cookie Clicker, the name of achievement "Never dig down" is a reference a well-known Minecraft tip.
In The Henry Stickmin Collection, there are multiple references to Minecraft throughout the chapters.
In the prologue, Breaking the Bank, if the player chooses the "shovel" option, Henry tries to get inside the bank by digging under the walls, but hits and ignites a gas main; the failure message is "Never dig straight down.", a well-known Minecraft tip.
In chapter 2, Stealing the Diamond, if the player selects the "sneak in" option and then the "pickaxe", Henry begins to mine the wall of the museum the diamond is in, only for a creeper to come up behind him and explode. Henry survives, however, and the explosion gave the entrance that Henry needed.
In chapter 5, Completing the Mission, there are multiple references to Minecraft throughout the routes.
If the player launches with the "Government Supported Private Investigator" and "Convict Allies" ending, and then selects the "jetpack" option, the player can select the "build" option, in which Henry begins building a bridge out of dirt blocks from the building he is standing on to the Toppat rocket. However, Henry runs out of dirt blocks and accidentally walks off the edge, and falls to his death, dropping a stick, steak and leather boots, with the fail message saying "You died!", similar to the Minecraft death screen.
If the player launches with the "Pure Blooded Thief" and "Presumed Dead" ending, and then selects the "Stop" option, then does nothing, then selects the "Spiked Wheels" and "Hammer (Left)" options, Henry attempting to "mine" glass in a similar manner to Minecraft, but he is shot down. Additionally, if player selects "Hammer (Right)" then does nothing, Henry's rocket runs out of fuel and falls back to the ground, with the fail message saying "Return to Sender", may related with the Minecraft achievement.
If the player launches with the "Government Supported Private Investigator" and "Ghost Inmate" ending, and then selects the "Magic Hat" and "Free Transform" options, the player can select the "Leafmöde" option, and a diamond block can be seen near the painting and a diamond helmet can be seen somewhere.
In The Talos Principle, there is a hidden easter egg room that contains various well-known blocks from games, including the grass block from Minecraft.<ref>Template:Ytl</ref>
In There Is No Game : Wrong Dimension, there is a RPG Dimension called Legend of the Secret and its Free2Play variant Legend of the Secret: Ultimate Clicker V.I.P. Edition Deluxe 4.2 Free with lootboxes that contain parody ads. One of those ads is Ninecraft with C418-like BGM, and player can break the title, get nine puzzle pieces and combine them in a 3x3 grid to make a pickaxe useful in gameplay. Game (a narrator-like character) comments on Ninecraft as "another one of those 'indie games' that's doomed to fail".
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Steve, Alex, a zombie, and an enderman are featured fighters included in its DLC, as well as themed stages and remixed music.
In Genshin Impact, the blacksmith in Mondstadt, named 'Wagner', gives the player a quest called "Mine Craft".
In Transformice, there is a wearable creeper mask, diamond pickaxe, diamond sword, and Moobloom fur.
In season 25 of The Simpsons, the 17th episode had a couch gag known as SimCraft, complete with Bartender Moe as a creeper blowing up the house.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=XheEGpNegbQ</ref>
In Season 3 Episode 10 of Rick and Morty, the title characters mention or are seen playing Minecraft throughout parts of the episode.<ref>https://youtube.com/watch?v=wwqvG_5iQSQ</ref>
In Season 4 Episode 3, Rick returns to the game by opening a laptop and saying "Ok now I'm going to play some more Minecraft".
In Ready Player One (Steven Spielberg), the opening scene in the Oasis shows a Minecraft planet.
In season 10 of Adventure Time, the episode Diamonds and Lemons portrays the characters in a Minecraft-like universe.