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A deceptively simple yet addictive game with an annoying online community.

Summary

Minecraft is an independently produced sandbox game written in Java in which players build things using cubes of various materials, either obtained by digging or from an infinite supply, depending on the mode in which they are playing. It can be played in single- or multi-player versions and has quickly become one of the most popular games available on the internet.

Modes

There are two different modes available at this time, both available in single- and multi-player varieties:

Creative

The original version of Minecraft. Emphasis is on building things and there are no mobs to interfere with construction. It has been likened to virtual LEGO. Can be played for free on the website.

Survival

Players start with no items and no materials and have until sunset to collect what they can and build a shelter. After the sun has gone down, various monsters emerge and attempt to kill the player or destroy his inhabitance. These monsters can be killed for rare materials, used to create more powerful weapons or useful items. There is no goal aside from successful continued existence. Playing Survival Mode requires purchasing an account.

Mobs

In the survival modes, there are several creatures other than the player that roam the game, and are either neutral or hostile. Most drop items of some use when killed.

Cows, pigs, chickens, and sheep

Appearing in daytime, these four animals provide meat and materials for players to use in creating armor or food. Their AI is decidedly lacking and you'll often find them drowning in small bodies of water.

Zombies

The simplest of the monsters, Zombies shuffle towards the player and attack close-range. They are susceptible to fire and metal tools and weapons.

Spiders

Spiders are short and wide, allowing them to crawl into spaces that are only one block high. However, they can only pass through openings two blocks wide. They move much more quickly than the other monsters and can survive during the day(during which they are passive until attacked). At times one might find a skeleton riding them. Drop zero to two string when killed

Skeletons

Skeletons are armed with bows and arrows, and will shoot at the player on sight. Due to AI failings, they will attempt to get close to the player and become inaccurate.

Creepers

An icon of Minecraft and the source of much frustration. The Creepers remain silent until near the player, at which time they admit a sharp hiss and explode. The explosion can be lethal and destroys a large area around the Creeper. These attacks often result in the destruction of buildings, or rampant lava/water flows.

Zombie Pigmen

Zombie Pigmen congregate in the "nether," and are not hostile unless engaged. After the introduction of the weather feature in Minecraft, pigs now transform into Zombie Pigmen if struck by lightening.

Ghasts

Ghasts are floating creatures which appear in the "nether" and shoot fireballs at the player and other mobs.

Slimes

You will never see a Slime. Slimes spawn deep underground.

Wolves

Wolves are neutral mobs, but can be tamed. Throwing them bones will spark the magical appearance of a red collar around their neck, and they will proceed to follow you everywhere and kill mobs for you. If you find a neutral wolf and hit it, it will kill you.

Online community

Minecraft has an extensive online community which is often criticized for being immature, relatively illiterate, and obsessive. The official Minecraft forums are shunned by the more savvy users, who discuss the game elsewhere, such as on /v/ or Something Awful. Members of the Minecraft forums and Minecraft players in general are frequently labeled aspies, due to the nature of the gameplay and how well it meshes with symptoms of Asperger's syndrome.

Redstone Naming

In July 2010, Notch added a new type of block to the game that would allow players to construct simple circuits. Unfortunately, he decided to leave the block nameless to see what the community came up with. Initial discussion favoured the name "Cuprite", however /v/ decided a more fitting name would be Aspergite. This led to an edit war on the Minecraft Wiki before Notch announced that the official name was now Redstone.

Origins

Minecraft's creator, Notch, has worked on other games (including "Wurm Online") but quit his job to pursue independent development. The first release was written in a week before going public, being inspired by other games such as Dwarf Fortress.

Current status

The game is in continuous development. The current stable version is Beta 1.5. In September 2010, Notch announced that he would be hiring additional staff to work with on Minecraft and new projects.

On December 20, 2010, the game entered the beta stage of development. Notch announced that the game would be moved out of beta on November 11, 2011 - the same release date as Skyrim.

Facts

Images

A castle constructed in Minecraft.	Creeper Advice dog variant.	Ssssssss...	Final Fantasy's iconic Black Mage.
Creepers take whatever they want.	It would be a shame, indeed!	A criticism of Minecraft and bug-to-content percentages.	A criticism about Notch and taking a day off.
Quack quack! (a modded duck)	Notch and the Mojang staff busy on the latest updates.	You begin the game by punching trees.	deadmau5's Minecraft stage show.
Minecraft block distribution (for hyper-nerds only!)

Videos

Related Pages

Dwarf Fortress

Wurm Online

Garry's Mod

/v/

Roblox

External Links

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