{{Short description|2011 video game}} {{About|the video game|the franchise|Minecraft (franchise){{!}}''Minecraft'' (franchise)|other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{pp|small=yes}} {{Infobox video game | image = Minecraft game logo 2023.png <!-- Do not replace with cover art without discussing on talk page, see edit history and fair use rationale. --> | caption = Logo used since 2021 | developer = {{Unbulleted list| |Mojang Studios{{efn|The original versions of the game for consoles (known as "legacy console" editions) were developed by 4J Studios. Additional studios responsible for helping develop specific versions of the game include Xbox Game Studios Advanced Technology Group and SkyBox Labs for the ''Bedrock Edition'', Other Ocean Interactive for the version on New Nintendo 3DS, and NetEase for the localized version released in mainland China.}} }} | publisher = {{Unbulleted list| | Mojang Studios{{efn|The PlayStation 3 version was published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, while the localized version of the game in mainland China is published by NetEase.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}}} }} | designer = {{Unbulleted list| | Markus Persson{{efn|Left Mojang Studios in 2014}} | Jens Bergensten }} | artist = {{Unbulleted list| | Markus Toivonen | Jasper Boerstra | Kristoffer Zetterstrand }} | composer = C418{{efn|With later contributions from Lena Raine, Kumi Tanioka, Aaron Cherof, and Amos Roddy. Gareth Coker created music for the game's console ports.}} <!-- Per Template:Infobox video game, only composers who significantly contributed to the game's soundtrack should be included in the infobox. C418 is the only composer with music in every release of the game, while the others are recentist and have not contributed as much music. See also: WP:Recentism. --> | series = ''Minecraft'' | platforms = {{Collapsible list | title = {{Nobold|Linux<br />macOS<br />Windows}} | Android | iOS | iPadOS | Xbox 360 | Raspberry Pi | Windows Phone | PlayStation 3 | Fire OS | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | PlayStation Vita | Wii U | tvOS | Nintendo Switch | New Nintendo 3DS | ChromeOS | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X/S }} | released = {{Collapsible list | title = {{nobold|18 November 2011}} | '''Linux''', '''Mac OS X''', '''Windows''' | {{Video game release||17 May 2009}} (public alpha){{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, following many developmental phases over the next two years, was fully released 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>}} | '''Android''' | {{Video game release||7 October 2011}} (public alpha){{efn|Minecraft's ''Pocket Edition'' was released in Alpha on 7 October 2011. Its full release with version 1.0.0 was on 19 December 2016.<ref name=Finally>{{Cite web|url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/ender-update-finally-here|title=The Ender Update is finally here|first=Owen|last=Jones|work=minecraft.net|date=19 December 2016|access-date=20 July 2025}}</ref>}} | '''iOS''' | {{Video game release||17 November 2011}} (public alpha) | '''Linux''', '''Mac OS X''', '''Windows''' | {{Video game release|WW|<!-- Don't change this to May 2009; this is the full release date; read the Development section -->18 November 2011}} | '''Xbox 360''' | {{Video game release|WW|9 May 2012}} | '''Raspberry Pi''' | {{Video game release|WW|11 February 2013}} | '''PlayStation 3''' | {{Video game release|NA|17 December 2013|EU|18 December 2013}} | '''Fire OS''' | {{Video game release||2 April 2014}} (public alpha) | '''PlayStation 4''' | {{Video game release|WW|4 September 2014}} | '''Xbox One''' | {{Video game release|WW|5 September 2014}} | '''PlayStation Vita''' | {{Video game release|NA|14 October 2014|EU|15 October 2014}} | '''Windows Phone''' | {{Video game release||10 December 2014}} (public alpha) | '''Windows 10''' | {{Video game release||29 July 2015}} (public alpha){{efn|Minecraft's ''Windows 10 Edition'', based on the mobile ''Pocket Edition'', was released in Alpha on 29 July 2015. Its full release with version 1.0.0 was on 19 December 2016.<ref name=Finally />}} | '''Wii U''' | {{Video game release|WW|17 December 2015}} | '''Android''', '''iOS''', '''Windows 10''', '''Fire OS''', '''Windows Phone''', '''tvOS''', '''Fire TV''' | {{Video game release|WW|19 December 2016}} | '''Nintendo Switch''' | {{Video game release|NA|11 May 2017|PAL|12 May 2017}} | '''New Nintendo 3DS''' | {{Video game release|WW|13 September 2017}} | '''ChromeOS''' | {{Video game release|WW|8 June 2023}} | '''PlayStation 5''' | {{Video game release|WW|22 October 2024{{Efn|A native version for PlayStation 5 was released as part of a game update on 22 October 2024. The game previously used the PlayStation 4's native version.}}}} | '''Xbox Series X/S''' | {{Video game release|WW|17 June 2025{{Efn|A native version for Xbox Series X/S was released as part of a game update on 17 June 2025. The game previously used the Xbox One's native version.}}}} }} | genre = Sandbox, survival | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | engine = LWJGL (''Java Edition'') }} '''''Minecraft''''' is a sandbox game developed and published by the Swedish company Mojang Studios. Following its initial public alpha release as an early access title in 2009, it was formally released in November 2011 for personal computers. The game has since been ported to numerous platforms, including mobile devices and various video game consoles.
In ''Minecraft'', players explore a procedurally generated world with virtually infinite terrain made up of three-dimensional blocks represented as voxels. They can discover and extract raw materials, craft tools and items, build structures, fight hostile mobs, and cooperate with or compete against other players in multiplayer. In addition, the game's large community offers a wide variety of user-generated content, such as modifications, servers, player skins, texture packs, and custom maps, which add new game mechanics and possibilities.
Originally created by Markus "Notch" Persson using the Java programming language, Jens "Jeb" Bergensten was handed control over the game's development following its full release. In November 2014, Mojang and the ''Minecraft'' intellectual property were purchased by Microsoft for {{US dollar|2.5}}{{nbsp}}billion; Xbox Game Studios hold the publishing rights for the ''Bedrock Edition'', the unified cross-platform version which evolved from the ''Pocket Edition'' codebase{{Efn|Alongside the ''Pocket Edition'' for which it was originally developed, this codebase was also used for the ''Windows 10 Edition'', ''Gear VR Edition'', and ''Fire TV Edition'', all of which were rebranded as ''Bedrock Edition'' following the "Better Together Update" released in 2017.}} and replaced the legacy console versions. ''Bedrock'' is updated concurrently with Mojang's original ''Java Edition'', although with numerous, generally small, differences.
''Minecraft'' is the best-selling video game of all time{{Efn|Some sources consider ''Tetris'' to be the best-selling video game by combining the sales of all of its different versions while others exclude it because they consider it a video game series rather than a stand-alone video game;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=2023-10-16 |title=Minecraft becomes first video game to hit 300m sales |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67105983 |access-date=2026-03-24 |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB |quote=For this reason, Tetris is usually considered a series, whereas Minecraft is the same game whether it is played on Nintendo Switch or mobile.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nguyen |first=Britney |date=2023-10-16 |title=Minecraft Just Surpassed 300 Million Sales—Here’s The Only Video Game Still Beating It |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/britneynguyen/2023/10/16/minecraft-just-surpassed-300-million-sales-heres-the-only-video-game-still-beating-it/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251222090913/https://www.forbes.com/sites/britneynguyen/2023/10/16/minecraft-just-surpassed-300-million-sales-heres-the-only-video-game-still-beating-it/ |archive-date=22 December 2025 |access-date=2026-03-24 |work=Forbes |language=en |quote=Because there have been several versions of Tetris since it was released in 1984, it is considered by some to be a series instead of one video game like Minecraft. |url-status=live }}</ref> see List of best-selling video games for more information.}} with over 350 million copies sold. It has received critical acclaim, winning several awards and being cited as one of the best video games of all time. Social media, parodies, adaptations, merchandise, and the annual Minecon conventions have played prominent roles in popularizing it. The wider ''Minecraft'' franchise includes several spin-off games, such as ''Minecraft: Story Mode'', ''Minecraft Dungeons'', and ''Minecraft Legends''. A film adaptation, titled ''A Minecraft Movie'', was released in 2025 and is the third highest-grossing video game film of all time. {{TOC limit|limit=3}}
== Gameplay == ''Minecraft'' is a three-dimensional sandbox video game that has no required goals to accomplish, giving 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> The game features an optional 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> Gameplay is in the first-person perspective by default, but players have the option of third-person perspectives (back and front).<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, referred to as blocks—representing various materials, such as dirt, stone, ores, logs, water, and lava. The core gameplay revolves around picking up and placing these objects. These blocks are arranged in a voxel grid, while players can move freely around the world. Players can break, or ''mine'', blocks and then place them elsewhere, enabling them to build structures.<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> Very few blocks are affected by gravity, instead maintaining their voxel position in the air.<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>
Players can craft a wide variety of items, such as armor, which mitigates damage from attacks; weapons (such as swords or bows and arrows), which allow monsters and animals to be killed more easily; and tools (such as pickaxes or shovels), which break certain types of blocks more quickly. Some items have multiple tiers depending on the material used to craft them, with higher-tier items being more effective and durable. They may also freely craft helpful blocks—such as furnaces which can cook food and smelt ores,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=15 September 2017 |title=Block of the Week: Furnace |url=https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/block-week-furnace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223406/https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/block-week-furnace |archive-date=2 August 2018 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> and torches that produce light—or exchange items with villagers (NPCs) through trading emeralds for different goods and vice versa.<ref name="Trading update">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=6 July 2012 |title=Gaming Minecraft update combines single and multiplayer, adds trading and tripwires |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/minecraft-update |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123141217/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-07/06/minecraft-update |archive-date=23 January 2013 |access-date=21 November 2012 |magazine=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 |url=https://www.dummies.com/programming/programming-games/minecraft/using-the-minecraft-inventory-and-crafting-grid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204072407/https://www.dummies.com/programming/programming-games/minecraft/using-the-minecraft-inventory-and-crafting-grid/ |archive-date=4 February 2021 |access-date=11 August 2020 |work=dummies |language=en}}</ref> The in-game time system follows a day and night cycle, with one full cycle lasting for 20 real-time minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maillot |first=Anastasia |date=30 May 2021 |title=Minecraft: Everything You Need To Know About The Daylight Cycle |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-daylight-cycle-guide/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114162835/https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-daylight-cycle-guide/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game also contains a material called redstone, which can be used to make primitive mechanical devices, electrical circuits, and logic gates, allowing for the construction of many complex systems.<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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Katie |last=Wickens |date=8 September 2022 |title=Someone crafted a redstone PC in Minecraft to play Minecraft inside Minecraft |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraftception-redstone-pc-chungus/ |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=2 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202053949/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraftception-redstone-pc-chungus/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Multiple image | direction = horizontal | image1 = Minecraft Zombie.png | alt1 = A zombie chasing the player. | image2 = Minecraft Spider.png | alt2 = A spider. | image3 = Minecraft Enderman.png | alt3 = An enderman. | image4 = Minecraft Creeper (Crop).png | alt4 = A creeper. | image5 = Minecraft Skeleton.png | alt5 = A skeleton aiming its bow at the player. | total_width = 400 | header = | footer = Some of ''Minecraft''{{'s}} monsters, displayed from left to right: a zombie, a spider, an enderman, a creeper, and a skeleton. All can spawn in the Overworld. }} thumb|Alex and Steve as they appear in the "Caves and Cliffs: Part II" update trailer New players are given a randomly selected default character skin out of nine possibilities, including 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 |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-date=28 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428175512/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/27/8503863/minecraft-female-default-character |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Reporter |first1=CJ Wheeler Former News |last2=Wheeler |first2=C. J. |date=30 November 2022 |title=Minecraft Bedrock Edition now has seven more default skins |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-bedrock-edition-now-has-seven-more-default-skins |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102050842/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-bedrock-edition-now-has-seven-more-default-skins |url-status=live }}</ref> but are able to create and upload their own skins.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Quach |first=Michael |date=7 October 2010 |title=How to edit your skin in Minecraft |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/how-to-edit-your-skin-in-minecraft/ |magazine=PC Gamer |language=en-US |access-date=19 March 2020 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616112500/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-to-edit-your-skin-in-minecraft/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Players encounter various mobs (short for mobile entities) including animals, villagers, and hostile creatures.<ref name="Update May 2012">{{Cite web |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=24 May 2012 |title=Minecraft update snapshot includes trading, currency, new item and sandstone stairs |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/05/24/minecraft-update-snapshot-includes-trading-currency-new-item-and-sandstone-stairs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203114023/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/05/24/minecraft-update-snapshot-includes-trading-currency-new-item-and-sandstone-stairs/ |archive-date=3 February 2013 |access-date=2 January 2013 |publisher=Future plc |magazine=PC Gamer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Luis Joshua |last2=Hammill |first2=Dan |last3=Heaney |first3=Samuel |last4=+39.9k |title=All Minecraft Mobs - Minecraft Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/minecraft/All_Minecraft_Mobs |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=IGN |date=26 August 2011 |language=en |archive-date=7 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107140354/https://www.ign.com/wikis/minecraft/All_Minecraft_Mobs |url-status=live }}</ref> Passive mobs, such as cows, pigs, and chickens, spawn during the daytime and can be hunted for food and crafting materials, while hostile mobs—including large spiders, witches, skeletons, and zombies—spawn during nighttime or in dark places such as caves.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last1=Stay |first1=Jesse |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jf_9BQAAQBAJ&q=Minecraft+For+Dummies |title=Minecraft For Dummies |last2=Stay |first2=Thomas |last3=Cordeiro |first3=Jacob |date=20 January 2015 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-118-96823-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Talley |first=Trevor |url=https://archive.org/details/minecrafter20adv0000tall/mode/2up?q=hostile |title=Minecrafter 2.0 advanced |date=2014 |publisher=Chicago, Illinois : Triumph Books |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-60078-998-4}}</ref> Some hostile mobs, such as zombies and skeletons, burn under the sun if they have no headgear and are not standing in water.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=Megan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PzGCDwAAQBAJ |title=The Big Book of Hacks for Minecrafters: The Biggest Unofficial Guide to Tips and Tricks That Other Guides Won't Teach You |date=3 November 2015 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-63450-952-7 |language=en}}</ref> Other creatures unique to ''Minecraft'' include the creeper (an exploding creature that sneaks up on the player) and the enderman (a creature with the ability to teleport as well as pick up and place blocks).<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>
=== Generation === The ''Minecraft'' environment is procedurally generated as players explore it using a map seed that is randomly chosen 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> Divided into biomes representing different environments with unique resources and structures,<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> worlds are designed to be effectively infinite in traditional gameplay, though technical limits on the player have existed throughout development, both intentionally and not.<ref name="Infinite Worlds" />
Implementation of horizontally infinite generation initially resulted in a glitch termed the "Far Lands" at over 12 million blocks away from the world center, where terrain generated as wall-like, fissured patterns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGlynn |first=Anthony |date=10 April 2021 |title=One Minecraft player's ten-year journey to the Far Lands |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/far-lands-or-bust |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> The Far Lands and associated glitches were considered the effective edge of the world until they were resolved, with the current horizontal limit instead being a special impassable barrier called the world border, located 30 million blocks away.<ref name="Infinite Worlds">{{Cite web |last=Guthrie |first=Robert |date=17 August 2016 |title=Minecraft's 'Infinite World' Versus No Man's Sky's 'Infinite World' |url=https://kotaku.com/minecraft-s-infinite-world-versus-no-man-s-skys-infi-1785395707 |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Peel |first=Jeremy |date=7 February 2013 |title=Just how big is a Minecraft world? Big, as it turns out. |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/just-how-big-minecraft-world-big-it-turns-out |website=PCGamesN}}</ref> Vertical space is comparatively limited, with an unbreakable bedrock layer at the bottom and a building limit several hundred blocks into the sky.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bains |first=Jai Singh |date=1 December 2021 |title=Minecraft height limit: how high can you build in Minecraft 1.18? |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-height-limit |access-date=2025-09-25 |work=Rock Paper Shotgun |language=en}}</ref>
====Dimensions==== ''Minecraft'' features three independent dimensions accessible through portals and providing alternate game environments. The Overworld is the starting dimension and represents the real world, with a terrestrial surface setting including plains, mountains, forests, oceans, caves, and small sources of lava.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /><ref name="Eurogamer" />
[[File:Screenshot from the Minecraft Nether.png|thumb|Flowing lava in the Nether]] The Nether is a hell-like underworld dimension accessed via an obsidian portal and composed mainly of lava.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lees |first=Gina |date=23 June 2023 |title=Minecraft Nether portal dimensions and calculator |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/nether-portal-dimensions |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=28 September 2019 |title=Minecraft's Nether is adding two new biomes |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/nether-biomes |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> Mobs that populate the Nether include shrieking, fireball-shooting ghasts,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis |first=Tom |date=22 December 2010 |title=The Minecraft Experiment, day 17: A Ghast |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-minecraft-experiment-day-17-a-ghast/ |access-date=2025-09-25 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> alongside anthropomorphic pigs called piglins and their zombified counterparts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=28 September 2019 |title=Minecraft is introducing new Piglins to the Nether |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/piglins |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> Piglins in particular have a bartering system, where players can give them gold ingots and receive items in return.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marshall|first=Cass|date=1 July 2020|title=Everybody loves Minecraft's new Piglin, the rudest new NPCs|website=Polygon|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21310370/minecraft-nether-update-piglin-fan-reaction-trading-gold-looting|access-date=22 September 2023|archive-date=3 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003222747/https://www.polygon.com/2020/7/1/21310370/minecraft-nether-update-piglin-fan-reaction-trading-gold-looting|url-status=live}}</ref> Structures known as Nether Fortresses generate in the Nether, containing mobs such as wither skeletons and blazes, which can drop blaze rods needed to access the End dimension.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zalace |first=Jacqueline |date=28 August 2021 |title=Minecraft: How To Find And Conquer A Nether Fortress |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-find-conquer-nether-fortress-guide/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref> The player can also choose to build an optional boss mob known as the Wither, using skulls obtained from wither skeletons and soul sand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lees |first=Gina |date=1 February 2023 |title=Minecraft wither: how to spawn and defeat the wither boss |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/wither-skeleton-skull-boss |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref>
thumb|The Ender Dragon flying around towers in the End The End can be reached through an end portal, consisting of twelve end portal frames. End portals are found in underground structures in the Overworld known as strongholds. To find strongholds, players must craft eyes of ender using an ender pearl and blaze powder. Eyes of ender can then be thrown, traveling in the direction of the stronghold. Once the player reaches the stronghold, they can place eyes of ender into each portal frame to activate the end portal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2011 |title=The End - Minecraft Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/minecraft/The_End |access-date=19 February 2025 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The dimension consists of islands floating in a dark, bottomless void. A boss enemy 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=22 May 2014 |title=''Minecraft'': The Most Creative Game Ever Made |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-game-that-conquered-the-world/361615/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010808/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-game-that-conquered-the-world/361615/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which takes about nine minutes to scroll past,<ref name="litchfield">{{cite web |last1=Litchfield |first1=Ted |title=The writer of ''Minecraft''<span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'s</span> ending poem wants to 'liberate it from the corporate economy' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-writer-of-minecrafts-ending-poem-wants-to-liberate-it-from-the-corporate-economy/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=2 May 2023 |language=en |date=12 December 2022 |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211223315/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-writer-of-minecrafts-ending-poem-wants-to-liberate-it-from-the-corporate-economy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is the game's only narrative text,<ref name="moloney">{{cite news |last1=Moloney |first1=Eoghan |title=Irishman who wrote ''Minecraft''<span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'s</span> revered 'End Poem' gives words away for free after declining to sign over rights to Microsoft |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irishman-who-wrote-minecrafts-revered-end-poem-gives-words-away-for-free-after-declining-to-sign-over-rights-to-microsoft/42206699.html |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=Irish Independent |date=8 December 2022 |language=en |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010807/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irishman-who-wrote-minecrafts-revered-end-poem-gives-words-away-for-free-after-declining-to-sign-over-rights-to-microsoft/42206699.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the only text of significant length directed at the player.<ref name="anthony">{{Cite journal |last=Anthony |first=Jason |date=2015 |title=Current Key Perspectives in Video Gaming and Religion |url=https://media.suub.uni-bremen.de/bitstream/elib/3156/1/00104919-1.pdf |journal=Gamevironments |publisher=University of Bremen |issue=3 |pages=7–15 |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502010810/https://media.suub.uni-bremen.de/bitstream/elib/3156/1/00104919-1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>{{rp|pp=10–12}} At the conclusion of the credits, the player is teleported back to their respawn point and may continue the game indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plafke |first=James |date=26 December 2012 |title=How to find the Ender Portal in Minecraft |url=https://www.geek.com/games/how-to-find-the-ender-portal-in-minecraft-1533760/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118175047/https://www.geek.com/games/how-to-find-the-ender-portal-in-minecraft-1533760/ |archive-date=18 November 2018 |access-date=21 September 2017 |website=Geek.com}}</ref>
=== Game modes === ==== Survival mode ==== [[File:Minecraft Beta 1.8.1 – Crafting a Wooden Sword.png|thumb|The crafting menu in ''Minecraft'', showing the crafting recipe of a wooden sword as well as some other blocks and items in the player's inventory|alt=The player attempting to make a wooden sword by placing the required materials into the crafting grid, a 3x3 block of item spaces hovering over the standard inventory, which is filled with other items.]]
In Survival mode, players have to gather natural resources such as wood and stone found in the environment in order to craft certain blocks and items.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> Depending on the difficulty, monsters spawn in darker areas outside a certain radius of the character, requiring players to build a shelter in order to survive at night.<ref name="Beginner's guide" /> The mode also has a health bar which is depleted by attacks from mobs, falls, drowning, falling into lava, suffocation, starvation, and other events. Players also have a hunger bar, which must be periodically refilled by eating food in-game unless the player is playing on peaceful difficulty.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Julia |date=20 August 2020 |title=How to regain health in Minecraft |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/20/21373772/how-to-regain-health-hp-food-potions |access-date=26 July 2021 |website=Polygon |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726120127/https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/20/21373772/how-to-regain-health-hp-food-potions |url-status=live }}</ref> If the hunger bar is at 3 units or lower, the player can no longer sprint, and if it is empty, the player starves. Health replenishes when players have a full hunger bar or continuously on peaceful.<ref name=":8" />
Upon losing all health, players die. The 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 changed by sleeping in a bed or using a respawn anchor.<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><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Ford |date=30 June 2020 |title=Minecraft Respawn Anchor: How to get one and set your spawn point in the Nether |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-respawn-anchor/ |access-date=10 August 2020 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122110123/https://www.gamesradar.com/minecraft-respawn-anchor/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Dropped items can be recovered if players can reach them before they despawn after 5 minutes. Players may acquire experience points (commonly referred to as "xp" or "exp") by killing mobs and other players, mining, smelting ores, animal breeding, and cooking food.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fillery |first=Jake |date=3 February 2023 |title=Minecraft: 8 Best Ways To Get XP |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-best-ways-earn-xp/ |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> Experience can then be spent on enchanting tools, armor and weapons. Enchanted items are generally more powerful, last longer, or have other special effects.<ref name=":11" />
The game features two more game modes based on Survival, known as Hardcore mode and Adventure mode. Hardcore mode plays identically to Survival mode, but with the game's difficulty setting locked to "Hard" and with permadeath, forcing them to delete the world or explore it as a spectator after dying.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Senior |first=Tom |date=23 September 2011 |title=Minecraft hardcore mode teased. When you die, the world dies with you |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/23/minecraft-hardcore-mode-teased-when-you-die-the-world-dies-with-you/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004093330/http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/09/23/minecraft-hardcore-mode-teased-when-you-die-the-world-dies-with-you/ |archive-date=4 October 2012 |access-date=25 September 2012 |magazine=PC Gamer}}</ref> Adventure mode was added to the game in a post-launch update,<ref name="RPS - 1.3aug">{{cite web |last1=Co-Founder |first1=John Walker |last2=Walker |first2=John |date=August 2012 |title=Minecraft Updates To 1.3 With Adventure Mode, Trading |url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/08/01/minecraft-updates-with-adventure-mode/ |access-date=4 January 2013 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun}}</ref> and prevents the player from directly modifying the game's world. It was designed primarily for use in custom maps, allowing map designers to let players experience it as intended.<ref name="RPS - 1.3aug" /><ref name="Gallegos" />
==== Creative mode ==== In Creative mode, players have access to an infinite number of all resources and items in the game through the inventory menu and can place or mine them instantly.<ref name="Creative Mode">{{Cite web |last=Steinlage |first=Tate |date=26 September 2012 |title=Creative Mode coming to Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/2012/09/26/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130519125126/http://www.gamezone.com/news/2012/09/26/creative-mode-coming-to-minecraft-xbox-360-edition |archive-date=19 May 2013 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=GameZone |publisher=GameZone Online}}</ref> Players can toggle the ability to fly freely around the game world at will, and their characters usually do not take any damage nor are affected by hunger.<ref name="Creative Mode 2">{{Cite web |last=Haley |first=Sebastian |date=5 September 2012 |title=Creative Mode 'weeks away' for Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/09/05/creative-mode-weeks-away-for-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118033545/http://venturebeat.com/2012/09/05/creative-mode-weeks-away-for-minecraft-xbox-360-edition/ |archive-date=18 November 2012 |access-date=1 December 2012 |website=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" />
=== Multiplayer === {{Main|Minecraft server|l1 = ''Minecraft'' server}}
Multiplayer in ''Minecraft'' enables multiple players to interact and communicate with each other on a single world. It is available through direct game-to-game multiplayer, local area network (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 server by making a realm, using a host provider, hosting one themselves or connect directly to another player's game via Xbox Live, PlayStation Network or Nintendo Switch Online. Single-player worlds have LAN 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 addresses 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 |archive-date=15 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022409/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/hypixel-studios-reveals-hytale-1203089201/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="riotgames">{{Cite news |last=Jarvey |first=Natalie |date=13 December 2018 |title=Riot Games Leads Investment in Hypixel Game Studio |work=The Hollywood Reporter |department=Tech |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |access-date=14 December 2018 |archive-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181221000646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/riot-games-leads-investment-hypixel-game-studio-1168889 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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>
==== ''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}}</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 |archive-date=19 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719142423/http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/minecraft-realms-subscription-service-families-will-bring-more-money-game-itself |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike a standard server, only invited players can join Realms servers, and these servers do not use server addresses. ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' Realms server owners can invite up to twenty people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at a time. ''Minecraft'' Realms server owners can invite up to 3,000 people to play on their server, with up to ten players online at one time.<ref name="Minecraft Realms">{{Cite web |date=31 July 2017 |title=Minecraft Realms |url=https://minecraft.net/realms/ |access-date=8 March 2018 |website=Minecraft.net |archive-date=23 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323043639/https://minecraft.net/realms |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Minecraft: Java Edition'' Realms servers do not support user-made plugins, but players can play custom ''Minecraft'' maps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Owen |date=24 October 2014 |title=Realms is packed with awesome maps |url=https://www.mojang.com/2014/10/realms-is-packed-with-awesome-maps/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710014841/https://mojang.com/2014/10/realms-is-packed-with-awesome-maps/ |archive-date=10 July 2019 |access-date=18 September 2017 |website=mojang.com}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' ''Bedrock'' Realms servers support user-made add-ons, resource packs, behavior packs, and custom ''Minecraft'' maps.<ref name="Minecraft Realms" /> At Electronic Entertainment Expo 2016, support for cross-platform play between Windows 10, iOS, and 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}}</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 |archive-date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810150645/https://minecraft.net/en-us/article/beta-test-better-together |url-status=live }}</ref> Nintendo Switch support for Realms was released in July 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2018 |title=Minecraft's Aquatic Update Phase Two Gets Wet And Wild Today On Switch |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/07/minecrafts_aquatic_update_phase_two_gets_wet_and_wild_today_on_switch |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=12 February 2019 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922123236/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/07/minecrafts_aquatic_update_phase_two_gets_wet_and_wild_today_on_switch |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Modification === {{further|Minecraft modding|l1=''Minecraft'' modding}} thumb|A smeltery within the mod ''Tinkers' Construct'' The ''modding community'' consists of fans, users and third-party programmers. Using a variety of application program interfaces that have arisen over time, they have produced a wide variety of downloadable content for ''Minecraft'', such as modifications, texture packs and custom maps. Modifications of the ''Minecraft'' code, called ''mods'', add a variety of gameplay changes, ranging from new blocks, items, and mobs to entire arrays of mechanisms.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=8 May 2012 |title=The 10 Best Minecraft Mods |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/05/08/the-10-best-minecraft-mods/ |url-status=live |magazine=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-maps, waypoints, and durability counters, to ones that add to the game elements from other video games and media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2024 |title=The 56 best Minecraft mods September 2024 |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/twenty-best-minecraft-mods |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref> While a variety of mod frameworks were independently developed by reverse engineering the code, Mojang has also enhanced vanilla ''Minecraft'' with official frameworks for modification, allowing the production of community-created resource packs, which alter certain game elements including textures and sounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dyer |first=Mitch |date=4 July 2013 |title=Minecraft 1.6 'Horse Update' Launching in July |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/25/minecraft-16-horse-update-launching-in-july |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708124020/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/25/minecraft-16-horse-update-launching-in-july |archive-date=8 July 2013 |publisher=IGN}}</ref> Players can also create their own "maps" (custom world save files) that often contain specific rules, challenges, puzzles and quests, and share them for others to play.<ref name="Savage 2012">{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Phil |title=The 25 best Minecraft custom maps |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/20/the-25-best-minecraft-custom-maps/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023211322/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/10/20/the-25-best-minecraft-custom-maps/ |archive-date=23 October 2012 |access-date=28 October 2012 |publisher=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 achievements, dimensions, functions, loot tables, predicates, recipes, structures, tags, and world generation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Nathan |date=25 October 2017 |title=Minecraft Snapshot 17w43b |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-17w43a |access-date=19 July 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |language=en-US |archive-date=19 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719235854/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-17w43a |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Östergård |first=Adrian |date=8 July 2020 |title=Minecraft Snapshot 20w28a |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-20w28a |access-date=19 July 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |language=en-US |archive-date=19 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719235857/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-snapshot-20w28a |url-status=live }}</ref>
The ''Xbox 360 Edition'' supported 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=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 exclusively for the ''Wii U Edition'' worldwide on 17 May 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=9 May 2016 |title=Super Mario is coming to Minecraft |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/9/11604492/super-mario-new-content-minecraft-wii-u-nintendo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509123452/http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/9/11604492/super-mario-new-content-minecraft-wii-u-nintendo |archive-date=9 May 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=The Verge}}</ref> and later bundled free with the ''Nintendo Switch Edition'' at launch. Another based on ''Fallout'' was released on consoles that December,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Marsh |date=15 December 2016 |title=Fallout Mash-up Pack Incoming! |url=https://minecraft.net/en/article/fallout-mash-pack-incoming |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217135954/https://minecraft.net/en/article/fallout-mash-pack-incoming |archive-date=17 December 2016 |access-date=15 December 2016 |website=Minecraft}}</ref> and for Windows and Mobile in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Marsh |title=Fallout Mash-Up now on Pocket and Win 10 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/fallout-mash-now-pocket-and-win-10 |website=Minecraft.net |publisher=Mojang |access-date=10 September 2025}}</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 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 |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 run only when the image containing the skin itself was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=19 April 2018 |title='Minecraft' Developer Issues Fix for Skins Virus |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907125202/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-virus-skins-fix-1202761270/ |archive-date=7 September 2018 |access-date=3 April 2021 |website=Variety |publisher=Variety Media}}</ref>
==== Marketplace ==== thumb|Minecraft Marketplace logo In June 2017, Mojang released the "1.1 Discovery Update" to the ''Pocket Edition'' of the game, which later became the ''Bedrock Edition''.<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 introduced the "Marketplace", a catalogue of purchasable user-generated content intended to give ''Minecraft'' creators "another way to make a living from the game".<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> Various skins, maps, texture packs and add-ons from different creators can be bought with "Minecoins", a digital currency that is purchased with real money.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morton |first=Lauren |date=20 February 2024 |title=Minecraft just launched add-ons, which are mods, not to be confused with the previous add-ons that were also mods, and won't replace mods for Minecraft Java |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-just-launched-add-ons-which-are-mods-not-to-be-confused-with-the-previous-add-ons-that-were-also-mods-and-wont-replace-mods-for-minecraft-java/ |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, users can access specific content with a subscription service titled "Marketplace Pass".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=15 March 2024 |title=Minecraft expands its subscription drive with the Marketplace Pass |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-expands-its-subscription-drive-with-the-marketplace-pass |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2024 |title=Minecraft introduces new season pass for in-game Marketplace |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/minecraft-introduces-new-season-pass-for-in-game-marketplace |access-date=8 June 2025 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2024 |title=Minecraft Now Has a Subscription Service |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/minecraft-now-has-a-subscription-service |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> Alongside content from independent creators, the Marketplace also houses items published by Mojang and Microsoft themselves,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Jennifer |date=9 March 2025 |title=Did Mojang spoil its own movie with this Minecraft add-on? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/did-mojang-spoil-its-own-movie-with-this-minecraft-add-on |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2025 |title=Minecraft - Official 'A Minecraft Movie' DLC Trailer |url=https://za.ign.com/minecraft-game/207535/video/minecraft-official-a-minecraft-movie-dlc-trailer |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=IGN Africa |language=en-za}}</ref> as well as official collaborations between ''Minecraft'' and other intellectual properties.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 April 2025 |title=Minecraft celebrates Star Wars Day with Marketplace discounts and R2-D2 freebie |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/star-wars-day-marketplace-discount-free-item |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhowmick |first=Aritra |date=22 January 2025 |title=Minecraft x Hello Kitty DLC Launched with New Items, Quests, and More |url=https://in.ign.com/minecraft/223113/news/minecraft-x-hello-kitty-dlc-launched-with-new-items-quests-and-more |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=IGN India |language=en-in}}</ref> By 2022, the Marketplace had over 1.7 billion content downloads, generating over $500 million in revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=6 June 2022 |title=Lessons from Minecraft Marketplace |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/lessons-from-minecraft-marketplace |access-date=8 June 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>
== Development == {{Multiple image | total_width = 400 | image1 = GDC 2016 awards 16-20 42 56-01-7D2 0739 (cropped).jpg | image2 = Jeb at PAX Prime 2012 (cropped).jpg | caption2 = Minecraft lead designer and creative director Jens "Jeb" Bergensten in 2012 | caption1 = Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson at the GDC in 2016 }}
Before creating ''Minecraft'', Markus "Notch" Persson was a game developer at King, where he worked until March 2009. At King, he primarily developed browser games and learned several programming languages. During his free time, he prototyped his own games, often drawing inspiration from other titles, and was an active participant on the TIGSource forums for independent developers.<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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118102229/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/changing-the-game |archive-date=18 November 2018 |access-date=7 May 2020 |magazine=Wired}}</ref>
One such project was "RubyDung", a base-building game inspired by ''Dwarf Fortress'', but with an isometric, three-dimensional perspective similar to ''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> Among the features in ''RubyDung'' that he explored was a first-person view similar to ''Dungeon Keeper'', though he ultimately discarded this idea, feeling the graphics were too pixelated at the time.<ref name="rubydung">{{Cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |date=30 October 2009 |title=The origins of Minecraft |url=https://minecraftshader.com/the-origins-of-minecraft/ |url-status=live |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 2025 |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=dead |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, while continuing to work 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=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503013353/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySRgVo1X_18 |archive-date=3 May 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2026 |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> ''Infiniminer'', a block-based open-ended mining game first released in April 2009, inspired Persson's vision for ''RubyDung''{{'}}s future direction.<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 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 first public alpha build of ''Minecraft'' was released on 17 May 2009 on TIGSource.<ref name=":4">{{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> On 2 December 2011, Persson stepped down from development, handing the project's lead to Jens "Jeb" Bergensten.<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 15 September 2014, Microsoft, the developer behind the Microsoft Windows operating system and Xbox video game console, announced a $2.5 billion acquisition of Mojang, which included the ''Minecraft'' intellectual property.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |last2=Hern |first2=Alex |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft sold: Microsoft buys Mojang for $2.5bn |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/microsoft-buys-minecraft-creator-mojang-for-25bn |access-date=9 August 2020 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929140935/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/sep/15/microsoft-buys-minecraft-creator-mojang-for-25bn |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft to join Microsoft |url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/09/15/minecraft-join-microsoft/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=The Official Microsoft Blog |language=en-US |archive-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527233735/https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2014/09/15/minecraft-join-microsoft/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Persson had suggested the deal on Twitter, asking a corporation to buy his stake in the game after receiving criticism for enforcing terms in the game's end-user license agreement (EULA), which had been in place for the past three years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=24 June 2014 |title=Minecraft: how a change to the rules is tearing the community apart |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |access-date=1 January 2021 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715224605/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogart |first=Nicole |date=15 September 2014 |title=Updated: September 15, 2014 8:35 pm Microsoft acquires 'Minecraft' maker for $2.5 billion |url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1563546/microsoft-acquires-minecraft-maker-for-2-5-billion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082220/http://globalnews.ca/news/1563546/microsoft-acquires-minecraft-maker-for-2-5-billion/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 |access-date=2 May 2015 |publisher=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="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><ref name="MicrosoftMinecraft1">{{Cite web |last=Peckham |first=Matt |date=15 September 2014 |title=Minecraft Is Now Part of Microsoft, and It Only Cost $2.5 Billion |url=https://time.com/3377886/microsoft-buys-mojang/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915180920/http://time.com/3377886/microsoft-buys-mojang/ |archive-date=15 September 2014 |access-date=15 September 2014 |magazine=Time}}</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 |publisher=Vox Media}}</ref>
On 16 April 2020, a ''Bedrock Edition''-exclusive beta version of ''Minecraft'', called ''Minecraft RTX'', was released by Nvidia. It introduced physically-based rendering, real-time path tracing,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leadbetter |first=Richard |date=22 August 2019 |title=Hands on with Minecraft RTX - the most astonishing ray tracing demo yet? |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/digitalfoundry-2019-hands-on-with-minecraft-rtx-path-tracing |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Eurogamer |language=en}}</ref> and DLSS for RTX-enabled 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.' |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602123859/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/04/the-minecraft-ray-tracing-guide-how-does-it-work-can-you-actually-play-it/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The public release was made available on 8 December 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lilly |first=Paul |date=8 December 2020 |title=Minecraft with RTX launches out of beta with a built-in benchmark scene |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-with-rtx-launches-out-of-beta-with-a-built-in-benchmark-scene/ |access-date=8 December 2020 |publisher=PC Gamer |archive-date=25 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225054419/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-with-rtx-launches-out-of-beta-with-a-built-in-benchmark-scene/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Path tracing can only be enabled in supported worlds, which can be downloaded for free via the in-game ''Minecraft'' Marketplace, with a texture pack from Nvidia's website,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Hefford |first=Hayden |date=29 September 2021 |title=Minecraft: how to enable RTX ray tracing |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-ray-tracing |access-date=5 July 2024 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en}}</ref> or with compatible third-party texture packs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lennox |first=Jesse |date=12 March 2024 |title=How to Enable Ray Tracing in Minecraft for Better Graphics |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/how-to-turn-on-ray-tracing-in-minecraft/ |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}}</ref> It cannot be enabled by default with any texture pack on any world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiappetta |first=Marco |date=16 April 2020 |title=Minecraft With RTX May Be Ray Tracing's Killer App |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcochiappetta/2020/04/16/minecraft-with-rtx-may-be-ray-tracings-killer-app/ |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Initially, ''Minecraft RTX'' was affected by many bugs, display errors, and instability issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Matt |date=16 April 2020 |title=List of Minecraft RTX ray tracing known bugs and launch issues |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-rtx-ray-tracing-beta-bugs-issues |access-date=5 July 2024 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zachary |first=Boddy |date=14 September 2020 |title=Minecraft with RTX gets 1.16.30.53 beta, fixes a few bugs and improves stability |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-rtx-gets-1163053-beta-fixes-few-bugs-and-improves-stability |access-date=24 August 2024 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref> On 22 March 2025, a new visual mode called Vibrant Visuals, an optional graphical overhaul similar to ''Minecraft RTX'', was announced. It promises modern rendering features—such as dynamic shadows, screen space reflections, volumetric fog, and bloom—without the need of RTX-capable hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardy |first=Simon |date=22 March 2025 |title=Minecraft's 'Vibrant Visuals' Upgrade the Start of a New 'Graphical Journey' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/minecrafts-vibrant-visuals-upgrade-the-start-of-a-new-graphical-journey |access-date=13 April 2025 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft's Vibrant Visuals Update Is A Massive Step Forward For The 15-Year-Old Game |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecrafts-vibrant-visuals-update-is-a-massive-step-forward-for-the-14-year-old-game/1100-6530266/ |access-date=13 April 2025 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=24 March 2025 |title=Minecraft is getting vibrant with its visuals |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/634690/minecraft-vibrant-visuals-update-minecraft-live |access-date=13 April 2025 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> Vibrant Visuals was released as a part of the ''Chase the Skies'' update on 17 June 2025 for ''Bedrock Edition'' and is planned to release on ''Java Edition'' at a later date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=17 June 2025 |title=Minecraft Vibrant Visuals Update Finally Gives Mojang's Game a Long-Awaited Visual Overhaul — but Only on Compatible Devices |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/minecraft-vibrant-visuals-update-finally-gives-mojangs-game-a-long-awaited-visual-overhaul-but-only-on-compatible-devices |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Will |date=17 June 2025 |title=Two of Minecraft's biggest updates ever just dropped, and they totally change the game |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/chase-the-skies-vibrant-visuals-out-now |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marnell |first=Blair |title=Minecraft's New Update Lets Players Go Flying And Adds Vibrant Visuals |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecrafts-new-update-lets-players-go-flying-and-adds-vibrant-visuals/1100-6532480/ |access-date=18 June 2025 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |quote=Vibrant Visuals will eventually roll out for Minecraft: Java Edition in the future.}}</ref>
=== Editions === ==== ''Java Edition'' ==== {{Main|Development of Minecraft: Java Edition|l1 = Development of ''Minecraft: Java Edition''}}
{{Timeline of release years |title=''Java Edition'' major update release timeline |subtitle=Pre-release years in red |range1=2009–2010 |range2=2011–TBA |range1_color=red |range2_color=green |2009a=Pre-Classic |2009b=Classic |2009c=Survival Test |2009d=Indev |2010b=Infdev |2010c=Alpha |2010d=Alpha v1.2.0 - v1.2.6: "Halloween Update" |2010e=Beta |2011a=Beta |2011b=Beta 1.8: "Adventure Update" |2011c=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" |2023a=1.20: "Trails & Tales" |2023b=1.20.3: "Bats and Pots"{{Efn|Retroactively named after the release of "Armoured Paws"}} |2024a=1.20.5: "Armoured Paws" |2024b=1.21: "Tricky Trials" |2024c=1.21.2: "Bundles of Bravery" |2024d=1.21.4: "The Garden Awakens" |2025a=1.21.5: "Spring to Life" |2025b=1.21.6: "Chase the Skies" |2025c=1.21.9: "The Copper Age" |2025d=1.21.11: "Mounts of Mayhem" |2026a=26.1: "Tiny Takeover"|2026b=26.2: "Chaos Cubed"}}
''Minecraft'' originated in May 2009 when Persson developed the first known versions of the game, then called ''Cave Game'', featuring a world composed of grass and cobblestone blocks that could be placed and removed.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=Heaney|first=Samuel|date=2023-04-16|title=The History and Evolution of Minecraft|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-history-and-evolution-of-minecraft|access-date=2025-09-29|website=IGN|language=en}}</ref> The game was renamed ''Minecraft'' following its publication on the TIGSource forums,<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |last=Smith|first=Graham|date=2012-02-06|title=The first moments of Minecraft|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-first-moments-of-minecraft/|access-date=2025-09-29|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref> and Persson continued updating it based on community feedback in a phase later referred to as ''Classic'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hillier|first=Brenna|date=2014-09-01|title=Happy birthday to Minecraft's Creepers!|url=https://www.vg247.com/minecraft-creepers-happy-birthday|access-date=2025-10-01|website=VG247|language=en}}</ref> during which multiplayer capabilities and a survival mode featuring hostile monsters were introduced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gesualdi|first=Vito|date=2011-11-16|title=Notch Calls Minecraft's Creepers "a Mistake"|url=https://www.gamezone.com/news/notch-calls-minecraft-s-creepers-a-mistake|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114060942/https://www.gamezone.com/news/notch-calls-minecraft-s-creepers-a-mistake|archive-date=2012-01-14|access-date=2025-10-01|website=www.gamezone.com|language=en}}</ref> Ambient music composed by C418 was also added during the ''Classic'' phase.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-05-17|title=Q&A: C418's Minecraft - Volume Alpha Soundtrack - Indie Games Plus|url=https://indiegamesplus.com/2011/05/c418_minecraft_volume_alpha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804183944/https://indiegamesplus.com/2011/05/c418_minecraft_volume_alpha|archive-date=2019-08-04|access-date=2025-10-10|work=Indie Games Plus|language=en-US}}</ref> The game entered the Indev phase on 23 December 2009, inheriting features from a branch of ''Classic'' called Survival Test and introducing paintings by artist Kristoffer Zetterstrand,<ref>{{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=dead|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><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gould|first=Elie|date=2024-03-12|title=The original artist behind Minecraft's pixel art recalls Notch asking them to help out on his 'weird indie hobby game'|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/the-original-artist-behind-minecrafts-pixel-art-recalls-notch-asking-them-to-help-out-on-his-weird-indie-hobby-game/|access-date=2025-10-06|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref> before Persson began a new development branch called ''Infdev'' on 27 February 2010 to experiment with infinite worlds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Here, try some infinite maps|url=http://notch.tumblr.com/post/415398931/here-try-some-infinite-maps|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427012038/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/415398931/here-try-some-infinite-maps|archive-date=2014-04-27|access-date=2025-10-01|website=notch.tumblr.com}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' entered the Alpha phase on 30 June 2010,<ref>{{Cite news |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|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=2020-11-11|access-date=2025-10-01|work=The Word of Notch}}</ref> during which updates were frequent and spontaneous,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen|first=Zack|date=2021-06-26|title=Minecraft Alpha 1.1.1, An Extremely Rare Version, Was Finally Found After 10+ Years Of Searching|url=https://kotaku.com/minecraft-alpha-1-1-1-an-extremely-rare-version-was-f-1847179654|access-date=2025-10-05|website=Kotaku|language=en-US}}</ref> and redstone—a material capable of transmitting signals to alter the state of various blocks—was introduced.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ganapati|first=Priya|title=Geeky Gamers Build Working Computers out of Virtual Blocks|url=https://www.wired.com/2010/10/virtual-computers/|url-access=subscription|access-date=2025-10-10|magazine=Wired|language=en-US|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> Alpha v1.2.0, released on 30 October 2010, added biomes and the Nether.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis|first=Tom|date=2010-10-29|title=Minecraft Halloween Update hands-on|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-halloween-update-hands-on/|access-date=2025-09-29|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis|first=Tom|date=2010-10-10|title=A clearer look at Minecraft's new hell dimension|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/a-clearer-look-at-minecrafts-new-hell-dimension/|access-date=2025-09-29|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref>
''Minecraft'' entered the Beta phase on 20 December 2010,<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Reilly|first=Jim|date=2011-01-12|title=Minecraft Sales Pass One Million|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/12/minecraft-sales-pass-one-million|access-date=2025-09-29|website=IGN|language=en}}</ref> with Beta 1.0 introducing throwable eggs and leaf decay.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Senior|first=Tom|date=2010-12-21|title=Minecraft is now in beta, leaf decay is back, "you can now throw eggs"|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-is-now-in-beta-leaf-decay-is-back-you-can-now-throw-eggs/|access-date=2025-09-29|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref> Beta 1.8, released on 14 September 2011 and titled the Adventure Update, reworked world generation by adding new biomes, structures, and terrain features including ravines, and overhauled player movement and combat by introducing sprinting, critical hits, and a hunger bar that replaced direct food healing. Beta 1.8 also added creative mode.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McElroy|first=Griffin|date=2011-08-30|title=Minecraft Adventure Update preview: It's a start|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-08-30-minecraft-adventure-update-preview.html|access-date=2025-09-28|website=Engadget|language=en-US}}</ref> The first full release, version 1.0.0,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Paul |date=2011-11-19 |title=Minecraft 1.0 released |url=https://www.theverge.com/2011/11/18/2572381/minecraft-1-0-available |access-date=2026-03-12 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> was officially released on 18 November 2011,<ref name=":14" /> adding several changes, including the End and the Ender Dragon.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Francis|first=Tom|date=2011-09-27|title=Minecraft 1.9 pre-release impressions|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-1-9-pre-release-impressions/|access-date=2025-09-29|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref> Version 1.3, released on 1 August 2012, introduced villager trading and emerald currency,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horsey|first=Julian|date=2012-08-02|title=Minecraft 1.3.1 Update Adds Trading, Tripwires And More|url=https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/minecraft-1-3-1-update-adds-trading-tripwires-and-more-02-08-2012/|access-date=2025-10-10|website=Geeky Gadgets|language=en-US}}</ref> and notably merged the single-player and multiplayer codebases.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkar|first=Samit|date=2012-07-05|title='Minecraft' 1.3 combines single-player and multiplayer|url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/7/5/3138869/minecraft-1-3-combines-single-player-and-multiplayer/|access-date=2025-10-10|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref> Version 1.8, the Bountiful Update released on 2 September 2014, was followed by a period with no major updates until February 2016 due to Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang AB and Persson's departure from the company.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Morrison|first=Angus|date=2016-02-29|title=Minecraft 1.9, the Combat Update, is live|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-19-the-combat-update-is-live/|access-date=2025-10-03|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref>
The Combat Update, version 1.9, released on 29 February 2016,<ref name=":32" /> introduced a weapon cooldown system, dual wielding, a shield item, and an expansion of the End dimension including end cities and equippable elytra for aerial gliding.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morrison|first=Angus|date=2016-02-29|title=Minecraft update 1.9 has completely changed combat|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/minecraft-update-1-9-has-completely-changed-combat|access-date=2025-10-03|work=Eurogamer.net|language=en}}</ref> Version 1.13, the Update Aquatic released on 18 July 2018, overhauled oceans by adding biomes, coral reefs, shipwrecks, fish as living mobs, and new underwater creatures including the Drowned.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wade|first=Jessie|date=2018-07-10|title=Minecraft Launches Update Aquatic Phase Two|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/07/10/minecraft-launches-update-aquatic-phase-two|access-date=2025-10-04|website=IGN|language=en}}</ref> The Caves & Cliffs update was split into two parts,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=2021-04-14|title=Mojang cuts Minecraft Caves & Cliffs in two, delays half of it until the end of the year|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/mojang-cuts-minecraft-caves-and-cliffs-in-two-delays-half-of-it-until-the-end-of-the-year/|access-date=2025-10-05|work=PC Gamer|language=en}}</ref> released in June and November 2021 respectively,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz|first=Ana|date=2021-06-25|title=Axolotls are the real star of the latest Minecraft update|url=https://www.polygon.com/22549102/minecraft-axolotls-caves-and-cliffs-update/|access-date=2025-10-05|website=Polygon|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite news |last=Amenabar|first=Teddy|date=2021-11-17|title=The world of 'Minecraft' is getting taller (and deeper) with its latest update|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/11/17/minecraft-update-release-date/|access-date=2025-10-05|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> with Part I introducing new mobs and materials including copper blocks that oxidize over time,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crowley|first=Nate|date=2020-11-10|title=Let's hear it for copper, Minecraft's best new block|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/lets-hear-it-for-copper-minecrafts-best-new-block|access-date=2025-10-05|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en}}</ref> and Part II increasing the world height from 256 to 384 blocks and reworking terrain generation with expanded caves and taller mountains.<ref name=":15" /> Version 1.20, Trails & Tales, released on 7 June 2023 and introduced archaeology,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster|first=Andrew|date=2022-10-15|title=The biggest news from Minecraft Live 2022|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/15/23404391/minecraft-live-2022-news-announcements|access-date=2025-10-06|website=The Verge|language=en-US}}</ref> allowing players to excavate items from the ground using a brush.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doke|first=Shunal|date=2023-05-30|title=Minecraft's Trails and Tales Update Gets June 7 Release Date|url=https://gamingbolt.com/minecrafts-trails-and-tales-update-is-gets-june-7-release-date|access-date=2025-10-06|website=GamingBolt|language=en-US}}</ref> In September 2023, Mojang announced a shift from major annual updates to more frequently released game drops,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Evans-Thirlwell|first=Edwin|date=2024-09-11|title=Minecraft's new faster update schedule will probably fill modders with both despair and nostalgia|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecrafts-new-faster-update-schedule-will-probably-fill-modders-with-both-despair-and-nostalgia|access-date=2025-10-10|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en}}</ref> with drops under this process adding features including trial chamber dungeons in version 1.21,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambourne|first=Aidan|date=2024-06-13|title=How to get and use ominous bottles in Minecraft Tricky Trials|url=https://primagames.com/gaming/how-to-get-and-use-ominous-bottles-in-minecraft-tricky-trials|access-date=2025-10-06|website=Prima Games|language=en-US}}</ref> bundle inventory items in version 1.21.2,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mills|first=Kiera|date=2024-09-30|title=Minecraft Bundles Of Bravery update|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-bundles-of-bravery-explained|access-date=2025-10-07|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en}}</ref> and the pale garden biome with a new hostile mob called the Creaking in version 1.21.4.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mills|first=Kiera|date=2024-10-01|title=Minecraft Pale Garden biome explained|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/minecraft-pale-garden-biome|access-date=2025-10-07|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|language=en}}</ref>
{{Anchor|Pocket Edition|MC:PE|MCPE}}
{{Anchor|Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition|14=PS4|23=Nintendo Switch|22=Nintendo Switch Edition|21=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition|20=Wii U|19=Wii U Edition|18=Minecraft: Wii U Edition|17=PSV|16=Minecraft: PSV Edition|15=Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition|13=Minecraft: PS4 Edition|Xbox 360 Edition|12=Minecraft: PlayStaion 4 Edition|11=PS3|10=PS3 Edition|9=Minecraft: PS3 Edition|8=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition|7=Xbox One|6=Xbox One Edition|5=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition|4=360|Xbox 360|24=Minecraft: Nintendo 3DS Edition|25=Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition}} ==== ''Legacy Console Edition''<span class="anchor" id="Home console versions"></span> ==== The console versions of ''Minecraft'' debuted with the Xbox 360 edition, developed by 4J Studios and released on 9 May 2012.<ref name="xboxpress2">{{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="xboxreleasedate2">{{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> Announced as part of the Xbox Live ''Arcade NEXT'' promotion,<ref name="xboxreleasedate2" /> this version introduced a redesigned crafting system, a new control interface, in-game tutorials, split-screen multiplayer, and online play via 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> Unlike the PC version, its worlds were finite, bordered by invisible walls. The Xbox 360 version evolved from an outdated PC port to a Java-equivalent edition before it was discontinued.<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> The Xbox One version launched on 5 September 2014, featuring larger worlds and support for more players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Ravi |date=3 September 2014 |title=Minecraft: Xbox One Edition Releasing on September 5th |url=https://gamingbolt.com/minecraft-xbox-one-edition-releasing-on-september-5th |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=GamingBolt |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' expanded to PlayStation platforms with PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 editions released on 17 December 2013 and 4 September 2014, respectively.<ref name="PS42">{{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> Originally planned as a PS4 launch title, it was delayed before its eventual release.<ref name="ps4_launch2">{{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="gamespot12">{{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 PlayStation Vita version followed in October 2014.<ref name="vita_launch2">{{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 editions were developed by 4J Studios.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Partis |first1=Danielle |date=27 October 2022 |title=4J Studios on its pivot into publishing |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-on-its-pivot-into-publishing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102151322/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/4j-studios-on-its-pivot-into-publishing |archive-date=2 November 2023 |access-date=8 October 2023 |work=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>
Nintendo platforms received ''Minecraft: Wii U Edition'' on 17 December 2015, with a physical release in North America on 17 June 2016<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> and in Europe on 30 June.<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> The Nintendo Switch version launched via the eShop on 11 May 2017.<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>
On 18 December 2018, the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, and Wii U versions of ''Minecraft'' received their final update, which disabled world transfers to newer versions. Following their discontinuation, the editions 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> The ''Legacy Console Editions''{{Apostrophe}} source code was leaked on 4chan in 2026,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-02 |title=Huge Minecraft leak exposes old console edition versions |url=https://www.dexerto.com/minecraft/huge-minecraft-leak-exposes-old-console-edition-versions-3326961/ |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref> revealing unused structures and world types.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hales |first=Adam |date=2026-03-03 |title=Minecraft’s PS3 source code just leaked with a look at scrapped features |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-ps3-source-code-leak-floating-islands-early-villager-houses |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref>
==== ''Pocket Edition'' and ''Bedrock Edition'' ==== In August 2011, ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' was released as an early alpha for the Xperia Play via the Android Market, later expanding to other Android devices on 8 October 2011.<ref name="MobileGamas2">{{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=dead |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="MobileKotaku2">{{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=dead |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> The iOS version followed 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 Phones 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> Unlike ''Java Edition'', ''Pocket Edition'' initially focused on ''Minecraft''{{'s}} creative building and basic survival elements but lacked many features of the PC version.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyes |first=Emma |date=16 August 2011 |title=Minecraft Pocket Edition Now Available |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/16/minecraft-pocket-edition-now-available |access-date=12 October 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> Bergensten confirmed on Twitter that the ''Pocket Edition'' was written in C++ rather than Java, as iOS does not support Java.<ref name="PE_C++2">{{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>
On 10 December 2014, a port of ''Pocket Edition'' was released for Windows Phone 8.1.<ref name="engadget-wpmc2">{{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 July 2015, a port of the ''Pocket Edition'' to Windows 10 was released as the ''Windows 10 Edition'', with full crossplay to other ''Pocket'' versions. In January 2017, Microsoft announced that it would no longer maintain the Windows Phone versions of ''Pocket Edition''.<ref name="ars-mcw10discontinued2">{{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 27 October 2016, Apple announced that ''Minecraft'' would be released for the fourth-generation Apple TV.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=October 27, 2016 |title=Here's Everything New Coming to the Apple TV |url=https://time.com/4548115/apple-tv-updates-minecraft/ |magazine=Time |access-date=May 11, 2026}}</ref> The game, titled ''Minecraft: Apple TV Edition'', was released on 19 December 2016<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2016 |title=Apple TV Edition Released |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/apple-tv-edition-released |access-date=11 May 2026 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref>. On 24 September 2018, Mojang announced that updates for the Apple TV version would end due to its small player base.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Zac |date=9 October 2018 |title=Microsoft has ended support for Minecraft for Apple TV over lack of interest |url=https://www.idownloadblog.com/2018/10/09/microsoft-killing-minecraft-for-apple-tv/ |access-date=11 May 2026 |website=iDownloadBlog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=October 11, 2018 |title=Minecraft’s Apple TV version is dead because nobody played it |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/11/17962728/minecraft-apple-tv-version-dead-microsoft |website=The Verge |access-date=May 11, 2026}}</ref>
Also on 19 December 2016, ''Minecraft: Fire TV Edition'' was released for Amazon Fire TV devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft: Fire TV Edition |url=https://www.igdb.com/games/minecraft-fire-tv-edition |access-date=11 May 2026 |website=IGDB}}</ref> Like the Apple TV version, it was designed for television play using a controller or remote.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft: Fire TV Edition |url=https://lutris.net/games/minecraft-fire-tv-edition/ |access-date=11 May 2026 |website=Lutris}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon Fire TV games include Minecraft, Asphalt 8, Sev Zero [Update: It's 'not a game console'] |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-04-02-amazon-fire-tv-games-include-minecraft-asphalt-8.html |access-date=11 May 2026 |website=Engadget}}</ref> As of June 2021, Minecraft is no longer supported on Fire TV Gen 1 and Fire TV Gen 2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Important news regarding Minecraft on Android and FireTV |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/important-news-regarding-minecraft-android-and-firetv |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928065933/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/important-news-regarding-minecraft-android-and-firetv |url-status=dead |archive-date=2021-09-28 |access-date=11 May 2026 |website=Minecraft}}</ref>
During a Nintendo Direct presentation on 13 September 2017, Nintendo announced that ''Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition,'' based on the ''Pocket Edition,''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brian |date=14 September 2017 |title=Minecraft: New 3DS Edition details - local multiplayer to be added later, made by Other Ocean, more |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/minecraft-new-3ds-edition-details-local-multiplayer-to-be-added-later-made-by-other-ocean-more/ |access-date=8 November 2024 |website=Nintendo Everything |language=en}}</ref> would be available for download immediately after the livestream, and a physical copy available on a later date. The game is compatible only with the New Nintendo 3DS or New Nintendo 2DS XL systems and does not work with the original 3DS or 2DS systems.<ref name="New3DS2">{{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/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914034352/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-3ds-version-of-minecraft-announced-release-dat/1100-6453329/ |archive-date=14 September 2017 |access-date=13 September 2017 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> This version received its final update on 15 January 2019 and was subsequently discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franzese |first=Tomas |date=15 January 2019 |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Receives its Final Update Only Two Years After Launch |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-final-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312185723/https://www.dualshockers.com/minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-final-update/ |archive-date=12 March 2023 |access-date=12 March 2023 |website=DualShockers |language=en}}</ref>
On 20 September 2017, the ''Better Together Update'' merged the ''Windows 10 Edition'', ''Xbox One Edition'', and ''Pocket Edition'' into the unified ''Bedrock Edition'', enabling cross-play between these versions.<ref name=":122">{{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><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Gilyadov |first=Alex |date=20 September 2017 |title=Minecraft's Better Together Update Is Here |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/20/minecrafts-better-together-update-is-here |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Corden |first1=Jez |last2=Brown |first2=Matt |date=31 July 2017 |title=Minecraft's 'Better Together' Xbox and Windows beta is rolling out, this is what you need to know |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecrafts-better-together-beta-xbox-windows |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref> ''Bedrock Edition'' was later released for Nintendo Switch<ref name=":02" /> and PlayStation 4, with the latter receiving the update in December 2019, allowing cross-platform play for users with a free Xbox Live account.<ref name="ps4 bedrock2">{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=9 December 2019 |title=Finally, PlayStation gets cross-platform Minecraft tomorrow |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-finally-playstation-gets-cross-platform-minecraft-tomorrow |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209170647/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-09-finally-playstation-gets-cross-platform-minecraft-tomorrow |archive-date=9 December 2019 |access-date=9 December 2019 |work=Eurogamer}}</ref> The ''Bedrock Edition'' released a native version for PlayStation 5 on 22 October 2024,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=9 September 2024 |title=Minecraft ditching single summer update for more regular releases, PS5 version incoming |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/minecraft-ditching-single-summer-update-for-more-regular-releases-ps5-version-incoming |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref> while the Xbox Series X/S version launched on 17 June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=17 June 2025 |title=Minecraft Vibrant Visuals Update Finally Gives Mojang's Game a Long-Awaited Visual Overhaul — but Only on Compatible Devices |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/minecraft-vibrant-visuals-update-finally-gives-mojangs-game-a-long-awaited-visual-overhaul-but-only-on-compatible-devices |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
==== Other versions ==== {{Anchor|Education Edition}} ===== ''Minecraft Education'' ===== An educational version of ''Minecraft'', designed for use in schools, launched on 1 November 2016.<ref name=":142">{{Cite web |last=September 2016 |first=Darren Allan 22 |date=22 September 2016 |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612115459/http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-education-edition-starts-schooling-students-on-november-1-1329192 |archive-date=12 June 2023 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref> It is available on Android, ChromeOS, iPadOS, iOS, MacOS, and Windows.<ref name=":222">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft: Education Edition Is Now Available On Chromebooks |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-education-edition-is-now-available-on-ch/1100-6480894/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203012425/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-education-edition-is-now-available-on-ch/1100-6480894/ |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> 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 |date=8 August 2019 |title='Minecraft: Education Edition' arrives on iPad in September |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-20-minecraft-education-edition-arrives-ipad-september.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205183733/https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-20-minecraft-education-edition-arrives-ipad-september.html |archive-date=5 December 2022 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=Engadget}}</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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531143435/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-04-11-jd-com-purchases-rights-to-minecraft-education-edition-in-china |archive-date=31 May 2022 |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=":222" />
{{Anchor|Minecraft: China}} ===== ''China Edition'' ===== On 20 May 2016, ''China Edition'' (also known as ''My World'') was announced as a localized edition for China, where it was released under a licensing agreement between NetEase and Mojang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilhelm |first=Parker |date=20 May 2016 |title=Minecraft is finally coming to China, but it's not the version you know |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-is-finally-coming-to-china-but-it-s-not-the-version-you-know-1321862 |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=TechRadar |language=en |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610203106/https://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/minecraft-is-finally-coming-to-china-but-it-s-not-the-version-you-know-1321862 |url-status=live }}</ref> The PC edition was released for public testing on 8 August 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:欢迎回家!《我的世界》中国版PC Java版今日开测 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/08/08/25510_704938.html |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415013709/http://mc.163.com/news/2017/08/08/25510_704938.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The iOS version was released on 15 September 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:《我的世界》手游今日App Store独家首发 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/09/15/25510_712984.html |access-date=21 March 2019 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610203404/http://mc.163.com/news/2017/09/15/25510_712984.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and the Android version was released on 12 October 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:《我的世界》中国版全平台公测今日开启 |url=http://mc.163.com/news/2017/10/12/25510_717885.html |access-date=12 October 2017 |website=mc.163.com |language=zh |archive-date=15 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415013708/http://mc.163.com/news/2017/10/12/25510_717885.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The PC edition is based on the original ''Java Edition'', while the iOS and Android mobile versions are based on the ''Bedrock Edition''. The edition is free-to-play and had over 700 million registered accounts by September 2023.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=28 September 2023 |title=共同探索无限未来, 2023开发者大会圆满落幕! |url=https://mc.163.com/m/news/20230928/29175_1112811.html |website=The official site of Minecraft: China Edition}}</ref>
{{Anchor|Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition|Windows 10 Edition|Windows 10|Minecraft 4K|}} ===== ''Minecraft for Windows'' ===== This version of ''Bedrock Edition'' is exclusive to Microsoft's Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. The beta release for Windows 10 launched on the Windows Store on 29 July 2015.<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 |publisher=Vox Media}}</ref> After nearly a year and a half in beta, Microsoft fully released the version on 19 December 2016. Called the "Ender Update", this release implemented new features to this version of ''Minecraft'' like world templates and add-on packs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Kit |date=20 December 2016 |title=Minecraft 1.0 release for Windows 10 and Pocket Editions brings Add-On Packages and World Templates |url=https://www.onmsft.com/news/minecraft-1-0-release-for-windows-10-and-pocket-editions-brings-add-on-packages-and-world-templates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420200634/https://www.onmsft.com/news/minecraft-1-0-release-for-windows-10-and-pocket-editions-brings-add-on-packages-and-world-templates |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=25 December 2021 |website=OnMSFT.com }}</ref> On 7 June 2022, the ''Java'' and ''Bedrock Editions'' of ''Minecraft'' were merged into a single bundle for purchase on Windows; those who owned one version would automatically gain access to the other version. Both game versions would otherwise remain separate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/java-and-bedrock-edition |title=Minecraft Java and Bedrock editions are no more... separately |first=Chris |last=Capel |date=5 June 2022 |access-date=5 June 2022 |work=PCGamesN |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605135728/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/java-and-bedrock-edition |url-status=live }}</ref>
===== <span class="anchor" id="Minecraft: Pi Edition"></span><span class="anchor" id="Raspberry Pi"></span> ''Pi Edition'' ===== A version of ''Minecraft'' for the Raspberry Pi single board computer was released in alpha on February 11 2013.<ref name="engadget-release">{{cite web |last=Fingas |first=Jon |title=Minecraft Pi Edition ready to download, offers pint-size play on a pint-size PC |website=Engadget |date=2013-02-11 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-02-11-minecraft-pi-edition-ready-to-download.html |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref> It shares many similarities with ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' Alpha v0.6.1, upon which it is based. The only available game mode is Creative Mode; Survival Mode is disabled, and there is no crafting or smelting system. A distinguishing feature of ''Pi Edition'' compared to standard ''Pocket Edition'' is its built-in application programming interface (API). The API allows players and developers to interact with and control the in-game environment through externally written programs, supporting languages including Python.<ref name="raspi-userguide" >{{cite book |last1=Halfacree |first1=Gareth |last2=Upton |first2=Eben |title=Raspberry Pi User Guide |edition=3rd |publisher=Wiley |year=2014 |isbn=978-1-118-92167-8 |chapter=Minecraft Pi Edition}}</ref><ref name="raspi-minecraft-docs">{{cite web |title=Updates to Minecraft Documentation |website=Raspberry Pi |date=2014-09-18 |url=https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/updates-to-minecraft-documentation/ |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref><ref name="raspi-python">{{cite web |title=Build a house in Minecraft using Python |website=Raspberry Pi |date=2021-09-19 |url=https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/build-minecraft-house-using-python/ |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref> This feature made ''Pi Edition'' particularly attractive for educational use, enabling teachers and students to write code that directly manipulates the ''Minecraft'' world in real time. ''Pi Edition'' never received any subsequent updates after its initial release. Despite this, it was included by default in installations of Raspberry Pi OS for several years before eventually being dropped from the platform.<ref name="raspi-announce">{{cite web |last=Upton |first=Eben |title=New Raspbian and NOOBS releases |website=Raspberry Pi Blog |date=2014-09-15 |url=https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/new-raspbian-and-noobs-releases/ |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref> Although it has been officially discontinued, it remains available as a free download from the official ''Minecraft'' website.<ref name="engadget-release" />
=== Variants === {{Main|Minecraft (franchise)|l1 = ''Minecraft'' (franchise)}}
Around 2011, prior to ''Minecraft''{{'}}s full release, Mojang collaborated with the Lego Group to create a Lego brick-based ''Minecraft'' game 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 worked on an early version called "Project Rex Kwon Do", named after the character of the same name from the film ''Napoleon Dynamite''. Although Lego approved the project and Mojang assigned two developers for six months, it was canceled due to the Lego Group's demands, according to Mojang's Daniel Kaplan. Lego considered buying Mojang to complete the game, but when Microsoft offered over $2 billion for the company, Lego stepped back, unsure of ''Minecraft''{{'s}} potential.<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 |archive-date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209155302/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-lego-minecraft-videogame-brickcraft-that-was-greenlit-and-why-it-never-happened/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 26 June 2025, a build of ''Brickcraft'' dated 28 June 2012 was published on a community archive website Omniarchive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=27 June 2025 |title=13 years ago, Mojang canceled its Lego Minecraft game amid frustrations with the toy company's brand restrictions - now the original prototype has been found and preserved online |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/survival/13-years-ago-mojang-canceled-its-lego-minecraft-game-amid-frustrations-with-the-toy-companys-brand-restrictions-now-the-original-prototype-has-been-found-and-preserved-online/ |access-date=29 June 2025 |website=GamesRadar+}}</ref>
==== Virtual reality ==== Initially, Markus Persson planned to support the Oculus Rift with a ''Minecraft'' port. However, after Facebook acquired Oculus in 2013, he abruptly canceled the plans, stating, "Facebook creeps me out."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Webster |first1=Andrew |title='Minecraft' creator cancels Oculus Rift version following Facebook acquisition |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/25/5547626/minecraft-oculus-vr-cancelled |website=The Verge |access-date=14 September 2017 |date=25 March 2014 |archive-date=10 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510054553/https://www.theverge.com/2014/3/25/5547626/minecraft-oculus-vr-cancelled |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, a community-made mod, ''Minecraft VR'', added VR support for ''Java Edition'', followed by Vivecraft for HTC Vive.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone">{{cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=15 August 2016 |title=Minecraft VR mod shuts down as Microsoft adds official Rift support |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/08/minecraft-vr-mod-shuts-down-as-microsoft-adds-official-rift-support/ |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 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> Later that year, Microsoft introduced official Oculus Rift support for ''Windows 10 Edition'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=15 August 2016 |title=Minecraft now works with the Oculus Rift |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/minecraft-now-works-with-the-oculus-rift/ |access-date=10 March 2025 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |archive-date=12 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312222253/https://venturebeat.com/games/minecraft-now-works-with-the-oculus-rift/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> leading to the discontinuation of the ''Minecraft VR'' mod due to trademark complaints. Vivecraft was endorsed by ''Minecraft VR'' contributors for its Rift support.<ref name="ars-minecriftgone" /> Also available is a 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 |access-date=6 October 2017 |archive-date=7 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007021352/https://www.engadget.com/2016/04/27/minecraft-gear-vr-edition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Windows Mixed Reality support was added in 2017. On 7 September 2020, Mojang Studios announced that the PlayStation 4 Bedrock version would receive PlayStation VR support later that month.<ref name="PSVR">{{cite web |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/07/minecraft-adds-ps-vr-support-this-month/ |title=Minecraft adds PS VR support this month |date=7 September 2020 |access-date=8 September 2020 |publisher=PlayStation |archive-date=28 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928093258/https://blog.playstation.com/2020/09/07/minecraft-adds-ps-vr-support-this-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2024, the ''Minecraft'' team announced they would no longer support PlayStation VR, which received its final update in March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dinsdale |first=Ryan |date=19 September 2024 |title=Minecraft Dropping PlayStation VR Support Next Year |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/minecraft-dropping-playstation-vr-support-next-year# |access-date=28 September 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
== Music and sound design == {{Main|Music of Minecraft|l1 = Music of ''Minecraft''}}
[[File:Daniel_Rosenfeld.jpg|alt=Daniel "C418" Rosenfield|''Minecraft'' music composer and sound designer Daniel "C418" Rosenfeld in 2011|thumb]] ''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> To create the sound effects for the game, Rosenfeld made extensive use of Foley techniques. On learning the processes for the game, he remarked, "Foley's an interesting thing, and I had to learn its subtleties. Early on, I wasn't that knowledgeable about it. It's a whole trial-and-error process. You just make a sound and eventually you go, 'Oh my God, that's it! Get the microphone!' There's no set way of doing anything at all."<ref name="FACT2">{{Cite magazine |date=5 September 2015 |title=Can You Dig It: FACT meets Minecraft composer C418 |url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/09/05/minecraft-c418-interview/ |access-date=21 March 2018 |magazine=Fact |archive-date=30 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630161810/http://www.factmag.com/2015/09/05/minecraft-c418-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="redbull">{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Todd L |date=21 August 2015 |title=Interview: Minecraft's Soundtrack Composer C418 |url=https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/08/c418-interview |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=Red Bull Music Academy |language=en |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402013327/https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2015/08/c418-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He reminisced on creating the in-game sound for grass blocks, stating "It turns out that to make grass sounds you don't actually walk on grass and record it, because grass sounds like nothing. What you want to do is get a VHS, break it apart, and just lightly touch the tape." According to Rosenfeld, his favorite sound to design for the game was the hisses of spiders. He elaborates, "I like the spiders. Recording that was a whole day of me researching what a spider sounds like. Turns out, there are spiders that make little screeching sounds, so I think I got this recording of a fire hose, put it in a sampler, and just pitched it around until it sounded like a weird spider was talking to you."<ref name="FACT2" />
Many of the sound design decisions by Rosenfeld were done accidentally or spontaneously. The creeper notably lacks any specific noises apart from a loud fuse-like sound when about to explode; Rosenfeld later recalled "That was just a complete accident by Markus and me{{sic}}. We just put in a placeholder sound of burning a matchstick. It seemed to work hilariously well, so we kept it."<ref name="TheGuardian">{{Cite web |last=Keith |first=Stuart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |title=How Daniel Rosenfeld wrote Minecraft's music |date=7 November 2014 |website=The Guardian |access-date=28 February 2024 |archive-date=6 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106014049/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |url-status=live }}</ref> On other sounds, such as those of the zombie, Rosenfeld remarked, "I actually never wanted the zombies so scary. I intentionally made them sound comical. It's nice to hear that they work so well [...]."<ref name="TheGuardian" /> Rosenfeld remarked that the sound engine was "terrible" to work with, remembering "If you had two song files at once, it [the game engine] would actually crash. There were so many more weird glitches like that the guys never really fixed because they were too busy with the actual game and not the sound engine."<ref name="redbull"/>
The background music in ''Minecraft'' consists of instrumental ambient music.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2015 |title=Minecraft's Composer Explains Why the Music Is 'So Weird' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/minecrafts-composer-explains-why-the-music-is-so-weird/ |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=Vice |language=en |archive-date=16 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416160218/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d73q5a/minecrafts-composer-explains-why-the-music-is-so-weird |url-status=live }}</ref> To compose the music of ''Minecraft'', Rosenfeld used the package from Ableton Live, along with several additional plug-ins. Speaking on them, Rosenfeld said "They can be pretty much everything from an effect to an entire orchestra. Additionally, I've got some synthesizers that are attached to the computer. Like a Moog Voyager, Dave Smith Prophet 08 and a Virus TI."<ref name="TheGuardian" /> On 4 March 2011, Rosenfeld released a soundtrack titled ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha''; it includes most of the tracks featured in ''Minecraft'', as well as other music not featured in the game.<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=dead |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 included the music that was added in a 2013 "Music Update" for the game.<ref name="TheGuardian" /><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> 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> On 14 August 2020, Ghostly released ''Volume Beta'' on CD and vinyl, with alternate color LPs and lenticular cover pressings released in limited quantities.<ref>{{Citation |title=C418 – Minecraft Volume Beta |date=14 August 2020 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/15791461-C418-Minecraft-Volume-Beta |language=en |access-date=23 September 2022 |archive-date=23 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923114746/https://www.discogs.com/release/15791461-C418-Minecraft-Volume-Beta |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghostly |date=18 June 2020 |title=Announcing the first-ever pressing of C418's Minecraft Volume Beta... |url=https://twitter.com/ghostly/status/1273261013782138880 |access-date=23 September 2022 |website=Twitter |language=en |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721081941/https://twitter.com/ghostly/status/1273261013782138880 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The final update Rosenfeld worked on was 2018's 1.13 Update Aquatic. His music remained the only music in the game until 2020's "Nether Update", introducing pieces from Lena Raine. Since then, other composers have made contributions, including Kumi Tanioka, Samuel Åberg, Aaron Cherof, and Amos Roddy, with Raine remaining as the new primary composer. Ownership of all music besides Rosenfeld's independently released albums has been retained by Microsoft, with their label publishing all of the other artists' releases. Gareth Coker also composed some of the music for the game's mini games from the Legacy Console editions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiborgh |first1=Thomas |title=The Sound of Scary |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-sound-scary |website=Minecraft.net |date=9 April 2020 |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004191505/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-sound-scary |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecrafts-nether-update-will-have-music-from-cele/1100-6475797/ |title=Minecraft's Nether Update Will Have Music From Celeste Composer |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=8 April 2020 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |access-date=8 April 2020 |archive-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408232854/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecrafts-nether-update-will-have-music-from-cele/1100-6475797/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="116release">{{Cite web |last=Landin |first=Per |date=17 June 2020 |title=The Nether Update has a date! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-nether-update-has-date- |access-date=17 June 2020 |website=Minecraft.net |archive-date=17 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617180330/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-nether-update-has-date- |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Leston |first1=Ryan |title='Minecraft' just added some new music |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/minecraft-just-added-some-new-music-3075321 |website=NME |access-date=28 March 2022 |date=20 October 2021 |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020201018/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/minecraft-just-added-some-new-music-3075321 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Rosenfeld had stated his intent to create a third album of music for the game in a 2015 interview with ''Fact'',<ref name="FACT2" /> and confirmed its existence in a 2017 tweet, stating that his work on the record as of then had tallied up to be longer than the previous two albums combined, which in total clocks in at over 3 hours and 18 minutes.<ref name="TwitterConfirmMusic">{{Cite tweet|number=829667788897783809|user=C418|title=I'm still far from done, but I tallied up a few numbers, and the third Minecraft soundtrack is gonna be longer than Alpha and Beta combined.|author=Daniel Rosenfeld|date=9 February 2017|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> However, due to licensing issues with Microsoft, the third volume has since not seen release. On 8 January 2021, Rosenfeld was asked in an interview with Anthony Fantano whether or not there was still a third volume of his music intended for release. Rosenfeld responded, saying, "I have something—I consider it finished—but things have become complicated, especially as ''Minecraft'' is now a big property, so I don't know."<ref name=Fantano-Third-Volume>{{Cite interview |last=Rosenfeld |first=Daniel |interviewer=Anthony Fantano |title=10 Years of the Minecraft Soundtrack {{pipe}} C418 INTERVIEW |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mn47MqhbFY |work=The Needle Drop |date=8 January 2021 |author-link=C418 |via=YouTube |time=31:40 |access-date=21 February 2024 |archive-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421231151/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mn47MqhbFY |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Reception == === Critics === {{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 |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=https://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=https://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) 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 |archive-date=10 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710014717/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(iOS) 7.5/10<ref name="MC Pocket" /><br />(X360) 8.5/10<ref name="IGN Xbox">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/09/minecraft-xbox-360-review |title=Minecraft (Xbox 360 Edition) |website=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 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309062512/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/07/minecraft-switch-edition-review |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(3DS) 6.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/20/minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-review |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Review |website=IGN |date=21 September 2017 |language=en |access-date=10 May 2025 |archive-date=2 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402221428/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/20/minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-review |url-status=live }}</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) 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 |archive-date=12 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212133204/https://toucharcade.com/2011/11/18/minecraft-pocket-edition-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(Version 0.12) 5/5<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/10/01/minecraft-pocket-edition-version-0-12-review |title='Minecraft – Pocket Edition Version 0.12' Review – You've Come A Long Way, Stevie |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=1 October 2015 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=20 September 2018 |archive-date=20 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920235009/https://toucharcade.com/2015/10/01/minecraft-pocket-edition-version-0-12-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | NLife = (WII U) 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu-eshop/minecraft_wii_u_edition/reviews |title=Minecraft: Wii U Edition |website=Nintendo Life |date=5 February 2016 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922080238/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/wiiu-eshop/minecraft_wii_u_edition/reviews |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(3DS) 6.6/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/new-3ds/minecraft_new_nintendo_3ds_edition/reviews |title=Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition |website=Nintendo Life |date=30 August 2018 |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203035313/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/new-3ds/minecraft_new_nintendo_3ds_edition/reviews |url-status=live }}</ref><br />(NS) 8.2/10<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/minecraft |title=Minecraft (Switch) |website=Nintendo Life |language=en |access-date=1 June 2020 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315042653/https://www.nintendolife.com/games/nintendo-switch/minecraft |url-status=live }}</ref> }} ''Minecraft'' has received critical acclaim, with praise for 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 |date=28 July 2010 |access-date=28 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705053419/http://www.teamfortress.com/post.php?id=4130&p=1 |archive-date=5 July 2011}}</ref> Critics have expressed enjoyment in ''Minecraft''{{'s}} complex crafting system, commenting that it is an important aspect of the game's open-ended gameplay.<ref name="GS review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-review/1900-6346734/ |title=Minecraft Review |website=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" />
A review of the alpha version, by Scott Munro of the ''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 |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 ''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 |date=17 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918055932/http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/9/17/ |archive-date=18 September 2010}}</ref> The Xbox 360 version was generally received positively by critics, but did not receive as much praise as the PC version. Although reviewers were disappointed by the lack of features such as mod support and content from the PC version, they acclaimed the port's addition of a tutorial and in-game tips and crafting recipes, saying that they make the game more user-friendly.<ref name="IGN Xbox" /> The ''Xbox One Edition'' was one of the best received ports, being praised for its relatively large worlds.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Albert |first1=Brian |title=Minecraft PS4 and Xbox One Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |website=Imagine Games Network |date=6 September 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=22 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922054507/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/06/minecraft-ps4-and-xbox-one-review |url-status=live }}</ref>
The ''PlayStation 3 Edition'' also received generally favorable reviews, being compared to the ''Xbox 360 Edition'' and praised for its well-adapted controls.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woolsey |first1=Cameron |title=Minecraft: PlayStation 3 Edition Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-playstation-3-edition-review/1900-6415767/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=21 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721155812/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/minecraft-playstation-3-edition-review/1900-6415767/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The PlayStation 4 edition was the best received port to date, being praised for having 36 times larger worlds than the PlayStation 3 edition and described as nearly identical to the Xbox One edition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nunes |first1=Timothy |title=Minecraft PS4 Review: A creator's and Creeper's playground |url=https://www.psu.com/reviews/minecraft-ps4-review-a-creators-and-creepers-playground/ |website=Play Station Universe |date=16 September 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628223646/https://www.psu.com/reviews/minecraft-ps4-review-a-creators-and-creepers-playground/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1" /> The ''PlayStation Vita Edition'' received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for its technical limitations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=Minecraft: PS Vita Edition Review |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psvita/minecraft_ps_vita_edition |website=Push Square |date=24 October 2014 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=21 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521115916/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psvita/minecraft_ps_vita_edition |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Wii U version received generally positive reviews from critics but was noted for a lack of GamePad integration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Minuz |first1=Allesandra |title=Minecraft – Review |url=https://it.ign.com/minecraft/105970/review/minecraft-wii-u-edition-la-recensione |website=Imagine Games Network Italy |date=24 December 2015 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618132135/https://it.ign.com/minecraft/105970/review/minecraft-wii-u-edition-la-recensione |url-status=live }}</ref> The 3DS version received mixed reviews, being criticized for its high price, technical issues, and lack of cross-platform play.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sean |first1=Anthony |title=Minecraft on the go, again!, Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition Review |url=https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/minecraft-on-the-go-again-minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-review/ |website=Gaming Trend |date=21 September 2017 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630200259/https://gamingtrend.com/feature/reviews/minecraft-on-the-go-again-minecraft-new-nintendo-3ds-edition-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Nintendo Switch Edition'' received fairly positive reviews from critics, being praised, like other modern ports, for its relatively larger worlds.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandt |first1=Oliver |title=Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (eShop) Review |url=https://www.vooks.net/minecraft-nintendo-switch-edition-review/ |website=Vooks |date=30 May 2017 |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704050916/https://www.vooks.net/minecraft-nintendo-switch-edition-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' 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=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" />
=== Sales === ''Minecraft'' surpassed over a million purchases less than a month after entering its beta phase in early 2011,<ref name="usercount12012011">{{cite web |url=http://www.minecraft.net/stats.jsp |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |publisher=Mojang |title=''Minecraft'' – Statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114032123/http://www.minecraft.net/stats.jsp |archive-date=14 January 2011 |access-date=13 January 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="usercountblog">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/12/minecraft-sales-pass-one-million |title=Minecraft Sales Pass One Million |first=Jim |last=Reilly |website=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> despite having no publisher backing or commercial advertisement except through word of mouth<ref name="noads">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/why-minecraft-is-so-damn-popular-5724989 |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 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 the alpha version had generated 800,000 sales and the beta version over one million, producing approximately €23 million (US$33 million) in revenue.<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=dead |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> Prior to the game's full release in November 2011, the beta had accumulated more than 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 sold over five million copies on PC,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Ben |date=2012-03-23 |title=Minecraft racks up $80 million in sales, rivals Angry Birds |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/mojang-racks-up-usd80-million-in-sales-rivals-angry-birds |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref> making it the sixth best-selling PC game of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ku |first=Andrew |date=2012-03-21 |title=The Top 15 Best-Selling PC Games Of All Time |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/picturestory/587-best-selling-game-list.html |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=Tom's Hardware |language=en}}</ref> Eight months later, in November 2012, PC sales had risen to over eight million copies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=2012-11-13 |title=Minecraft PC Sales Cross 8 Million |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/13/minecraft-pc-sales-cross-8-million |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> PC sales reached 10 million in April 2013,<ref>{{Cite web |last=LeJacq |first=Yannick |date=2013-04-05 |title='Minecraft' reaches 10 million sales on PC, hints horses |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/minecraft-reaches-10-million-sales-pc-hints-horses-flna1B9238946 |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> and the following month, ''Pocket Edition'' sales independently reached 10 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Te |first=Zorine |title=Minecraft: Pocket Edition sales reach 10 million |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-pocket-edition-sales-reach-10-million/1100-6407847/ |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> As of 26 February 2014, the PC version had sold 14.3 million copies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |title=Minecraft passes 100 million registered users, 14.3 million sales on PC |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-passes-100-million-registered-users-14-3-million-sales-on-pc/1100-6417972/ |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> By October 2014, PC sales had surpassed 17 million, at which point ''Minecraft'' became 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> In April 2019, PC sales reached 30 million copies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2019-04-03 |title=Minecraft on PC surpasses 30m sales |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/minecraft-on-pc-surpasses-30m-sales |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref>
The Xbox 360 version became profitable on its first day of release in 2012, breaking Xbox Live sales records with 400,000 players online simultaneously.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://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 one week of its appearance on the Xbox Live Marketplace, the Xbox 360 version had sold one 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> In December 2012, ''GameSpot'' reported that the Xbox version had sold 4.48 million copies since its debut on Xbox Live Arcade in May 2012, bringing total cross-platform sales at that time to 17.5 million.<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> For the full year 2012, ''Minecraft'' ranked as the most purchased title on Xbox Live Arcade and the fourth most played title on Xbox Live by average unique users 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 4 April 2014, the Xbox 360 version had 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> ''Minecraft'' contributed $63 million to Microsoft's total first-party revenue in the second quarter of 2015.<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> The PlayStation 3 Edition sold one million copies within five weeks of release.<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=dead |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 PlayStation Vita version's launch produced a 79% increase in overall ''Minecraft'' sales, outselling both the PS3 and PS4 debut releases and becoming the largest ''Minecraft'' launch on a PlayStation platform.<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> Within the first two months of its Japanese release, the PS Vita version sold 100,000 digital copies, as reported 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 had been sold across all PlayStation platforms in Japan, with primary school children representing a notable portion of PS Vita purchasers.<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 PS Vita version had 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> Separately, ''Minecraft: Pocket Edition'' reached 21 million in total 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> and the free-to-play Minecraft China version had accumulated over 700 million registered accounts by September 2023.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=April 2021 |title=Minecraft Franchise Fact Sheet |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Minecraft-Franchise-Fact-Sheet_April-2021.pdf |access-date=27 October 2021 |website=news.xbox.com |archive-date=9 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809155838/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/04/Minecraft-Franchise-Fact-Sheet_April-2021.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 25 February 2014, the game reached 100 million registered users across all platforms.<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> In June 2016, total cross-platform sales reached 100 million units,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2016-06-02 |title=Minecraft sales top 100 million |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/6/2/11838036/minecraft-sales-100-million |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> and by October 2018 that figure had grown to 154 million copies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=2019-04-04 |title=Minecraft tops 30 million sales on PC |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/minecraft-tops-30-million-sales-on-pc/ |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2019, on the tenth anniversary of the game's release, total sales surpassed 176 million copies, making ''Minecraft'' the best-selling video game of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Madan |first=Asher |date=2019-05-18 |title=Minecraft (likely) becomes the best-selling game of all time on its 10th birthday |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-becomes-best-selling-game-all-time-its-10th-birthday |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref> By 2023, total sales had exceeded 300 million copies,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boddy |first=Zachary |date=15 October 2023 |title=Minecraft crosses 300 million copies sold as it prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-crosses-300-million-copies-sold-as-it-prepares-to-celebrate-its-15th-anniversary |access-date=15 October 2023 |website=Windows Central |language=en |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015182946/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/minecraft/minecraft-crosses-300-million-copies-sold-as-it-prepares-to-celebrate-its-15th-anniversary |url-status=live }}</ref> and as of April 2025, the figure stood at over 350 million.<ref>{{cite book |author=Mojang AB |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |title=Minecraft Annual 2026 |date=2025 |publisher=Farshore | isbn=978-0-00-868220-0 |access-date=5 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405083536/https://books.google.com/books/about/Minecraft_Annual_2026.html?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |archive-date=5 April 2025 |url-status=live |via=Google Books}}</ref> In January 2020, ''Minecraft'' was reported to be the best-selling new intellectual property of the 2010s in the United Kingdom by units, though Destiny surpassed it in that market by revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parijat |first=Shubhankar |title=Minecraft and Destiny Were the Best-Selling New IP in UK This Decade |url=https://gamingbolt.com/minecraft-and-destiny-were-the-best-selling-new-ip-in-uk-this-decade |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=GamingBolt |language=en-US}}</ref> By September 2019, all versions of the game combined had over 112 million monthly active players.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fingas |first1=Jon |title='Minecraft' now has 112 million monthly players |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/15/minecraft-112-million-monthly-players/ |website=Engadget |date=16 September 2019 |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-date=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916062326/https://www.engadget.com/2019/09/15/minecraft-112-million-monthly-players/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2020, on the game's eleventh anniversary, Mojang announced that ''Minecraft'' had surpassed 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 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518192410/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/18/21262045/minecraft-sales-monthly-players-statistics-youtube |url-status=live }}</ref> By April 2021, the monthly active user count had risen further to 140 million.<ref name=":9">{{cite web |title=Minecraft Reached 140 Million Monthly Users And Generated Over $350 Million To Date |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-reached-140-million-monthly-users-and-generated-over-350-million-to-date/1100-6490962/ |access-date=9 September 2021 |work=GameSpot |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213054/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/minecraft-reached-140-million-monthly-users-and-generated-over-350-million-to-date/1100-6490962/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-microsoft-fy21-q3-report |title=Minecraft now has nearly 140 million monthly active users and over 1 billion mod and add-on downloads |work=Windows Central |date=27 April 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=9 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609151429/https://www.windowscentral.com/minecraft-microsoft-fy21-q3-report |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Awards === 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 selected ''Minecraft'' as their choice for Best Downloadable Game of 2010,<ref name="GGaward">{{cite episode |title=GG Awards 2010: Best Downloadable Game |series=Good Game |credits=Bendixsen, Stephanie; 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> ''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=dead |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=dead |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> ''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=https://kotaku.com/game-developers-choice-online-awards-honor-rift-minecr-5849209 |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=dead |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 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 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 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> During the 16th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated the Xbox 360 version of ''Minecraft'' for "Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2013&idGameAwardType=129 |title=2013 Awards Category Details Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> ''Minecraft Console Edition'' won the award for TIGA Game Of The Year in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/07/minecraft-forza-horizon-2-tiga-awards/ |title=Minecraft console takes out TIGA game of the year award |date=7 November 2014 |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |website=VG247 |access-date=14 February 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226083405/http://www.vg247.com/2014/11/07/minecraft-forza-horizon-2-tiga-awards/ |archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> In 2015, the game placed 6th on ''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's The 50 Best Video Games of All Time list.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 50 Best Video Games of All Time |url=https://time.com/4458554/best-video-games-all-time/ |magazine=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>
''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 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 |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 Streamer Awards in 2021.<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,<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 and 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> At the Golden Joystick Awards 2025, it won the Still Playing Award - PC and Console.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=2025-11-20 |title=All Of The Winners At The Golden Joystick Awards 2025 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/golden-joystick-awards-2025-all-winners/ |access-date=2025-11-22 |website=TheGamer |language=en}}</ref>
=== Controversies === ''Minecraft'' has been subject to several notable controversies. In June 2014, Mojang announced that it would begin enforcing the portion of ''Minecraft''{{'}}s end-user license agreement (EULA) which prohibits servers from giving in-game advantages to players in exchange for donations or payments. Spokesperson Owen Hill stated that servers could still require players to pay a fee to access the server and could sell in-game cosmetic items. The change was supported by Persson, citing emails he received from parents of children who had spent hundreds of dollars on servers. The ''Minecraft'' community and server owners protested, arguing that the EULA's terms were more broad than Mojang was claiming, that the crackdown would force smaller servers to shut down for financial reasons, and that Mojang was suppressing competition for its own ''Minecraft Realms'' subscription service.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 June 2014 |title=Minecraft: how a change to the rules is tearing the community apart |website=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=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715224605/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jun/24/minecraft-how-a-change-to-the-rules-is-tearing-the-community-apart |archive-date=15 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marinconz |first=Steve |date=16 June 2014 |title=Mojang Is Trying To Kill Pay-To-Win On ''Minecraft'' Servers |url=https://kotaku.com/mojang-is-trying-to-kill-pay-to-win-on-minecraft-server-1591663994 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220164546/https://kotaku.com/mojang-is-trying-to-kill-pay-to-win-on-minecraft-server-1591663994 |archive-date=20 December 2014 |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> The controversy contributed to Notch's decision to sell Mojang.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-29205368|title=Minecraft creator on Microsoft deal: 'It's about my sanity'|date=15 September 2014|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
In 2020, Mojang announced an eventual change to the ''Java Edition'' to require a login from a Microsoft account rather than a Mojang account, the latter of which would be sunsetted. This also required ''Java Edition'' players to create Xbox network Gamertags. Mojang defended the move to Microsoft accounts by saying that improved security could be offered, including two-factor authentication, blocking cyberbullies in chat, and improved parental controls. The community responded with intense backlash, citing various technical difficulties encountered in the process and how account migration would be mandatory, even for those who do not play on servers. As of 10 March 2022, Microsoft required that all players migrate in order to maintain 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=10 February 2022 |title=Microsoft Gives Minecraft: Java Edition Players A Deadline To Migrate Accounts |url=https://www.slashgear.com/764466/microsoft-gives-minecraft-java-edition-players-a-deadline-to-migrate-accounts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715032421/https://www.slashgear.com/764466/microsoft-gives-minecraft-java-edition-players-a-deadline-to-migrate-accounts/ |archive-date=15 July 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=SlashGear }}</ref> Mojang announced a deadline of 19 September 2023 for account migration, after which all legacy Mojang accounts became inaccessible and unable to be migrated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mojang Account migration completed |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/account-migration-last-call |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919182110/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/account-migration-last-call |archive-date=19 September 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref>
{{Anchor|saveminecraft}} In June 2022, Mojang added a player-reporting feature in ''Java Edition''. Players could report other players on multiplayer servers for sending messages prohibited by the Xbox Live Code of Conduct; report categories included profane language,{{Efn|Microsoft in later builds has since excluded the profane language category from the player reporting feature.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}}} substance abuse, hate speech, threats of violence, and nudity. If a player was found to be in violation of Xbox Community Standards, they would be banned from all servers for a specific period of time or permanently. The update containing the report feature (1.19.1) was released on 27 July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedberg |first=Mikael |date=27 July 2022 |title=Minecraft Java Edition 1.19.1 |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901221701/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-java-edition-1-19-1 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |work=Minecraft |publisher=Mojang Studios}}</ref> Mojang received substantial backlash and protest from community members, one of the most common complaints being that banned players would be forbidden from joining any server, even private ones. Others took issue to what they saw as Microsoft increasing control over its player base and exercising censorship,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=24 June 2022 |title=Microsoft will start banning players from all private Minecraft servers |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/microsoft-will-start-banning-players-from-all-private-minecraft-servers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808125630/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/06/microsoft-will-start-banning-players-from-all-private-minecraft-servers/ |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=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> leading some to start a hashtag #saveminecraft and dub the version "1.19.84", a reference to the dystopian 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/minecraft-players-say-1984-patch-turns-game-into-totalitarian-dystopia/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813043857/https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy777m/minecraft-players-say-1984-patch-turns-game-into-totalitarian-dystopia |archive-date=13 August 2022 |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=Vice |date=August 2022 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title="Save Minecraft" Trends on Twitter as Fans Protest Controversial Update |url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/minecraft-update-1-19-save-twitter/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920035357/https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/minecraft-update-1-19-save-twitter/ |archive-date=20 September 2022 |access-date=30 August 2022 |website=GAMING |date=28 July 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
==== Mob Vote ==== The "Mob Vote" was an online event organized by Mojang in which the ''Minecraft'' community voted between three original mob concepts; initially, the winning mob was to be implemented in a future update, while the losing mobs were scrapped, though after the first mob vote this was changed, and losing mobs would now have a chance to come to the game in the future. The first Mob Vote was held during Minecon Earth 2017 and became an annual event starting with Minecraft Live 2020. The Mob Vote was often criticized for forcing players to choose one mob instead of implementing all three, causing divisions and flaming within the community, and potentially allowing internet bots and ''Minecraft'' content creators with large fanbases to conduct vote brigading.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=10 October 2023 |title=Minecraft players go full propaganda mode as petition demanding the end of the 'mob vote' draws 300,000 signatures in just a few days |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-players-go-full-propaganda-mode-as-petition-demanding-the-end-of-the-mob-vote-draws-300000-signatures-in-just-a-few-days/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Currier |first=Sarah |title=After a proposed boycott, Minecraft mob vote faces more controversy in wake of rigging accusations |url=https://iowastatedaily.com/283322/limelight/after-a-proposed-boycott-minecraft-mob-vote-faces-even-more-controversy-in-wake-of-rigging-accusations-iowa-state-university-sarah-currier/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=Iowa State Daily}}</ref> The Mob Vote was also blamed for a perceived lack of new content added to ''Minecraft'' since Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang in 2014.<ref name=":7" />
The 2023 Mob Vote featured three passive mobs—the crab, the penguin, and the armadillo—with voting scheduled to start on 13 October.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sophie |first=Austine |date=13 September 2023 |title=MINECRAFT LIVE IS BACK |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-live-2023-announcement |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Martin |date=8 October 2023 |title=Minecraft's 2023 Mob Vote Explained |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-2023-mob-vote-explained/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> In response, a Change.org petition was created on 6 October, demanding that Mojang eliminate the Mob Vote and instead implement all three mobs going forward. The petition received approximately 445,000 signatures by 13 October<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Savannah |date=17 October 2023 |title=Minecraft players boycott the Mob Vote |url=https://umlconnector.com/2023/10/minecraft-players-boycott-the-mob-vote/ |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=The UMass Lowell Connector |language=en-US}}</ref> and was joined by calls to boycott the Mob Vote, as well as a partially tongue-in-cheek "revolutionary" propaganda campaign in which sympathizers created anti-Mojang and pro-boycott posters in the vein of real 20th century propaganda posters.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Cooper |date=9 October 2023 |title=Petition to End the Minecraft Mob Vote is Blowing Up |url=https://gamerant.com/minecraft-mob-vote-2023-petition-boycott/ |access-date=28 June 2023 |website=Game Rant}}</ref> Mojang did not release an official response to the boycott, and the Mob Vote otherwise proceeded normally, with the armadillo winning the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Austin |first=Sophie |date=15 October 2023 |title=Minecraft Live 2023: The Recap! |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/minecraft-live-2023--the-recap- |access-date=27 July 2024 |website=Minecraft.net}}</ref> In September 2024, as part of a blog post detailing their future plans for ''Minecraft''{{'}}s development, Mojang announced the Mob Vote would be retired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Ryan |date=9 September 2024 |title=The future of Minecraft's development |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/the-future-of-minecrafts-development |access-date=9 September 2024 |website=Minecraft}}</ref>
{{anchor|Popular culture and social media}} == Cultural impact == In September 2019, ''The Guardian'' classified ''Minecraft'' as the best video game of the 21st century to date,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/sep/19/50-best-video-games-of-the-21st-century |title=The 50 best video games of the 21st century |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |last2=MacDonald |first2=Keza |date=19 September 2019 |work=The Guardian |access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref> and in November 2019, ''Polygon'' called it 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/2019/11/7/20952214/minecraft-most-important-game-of-the-decade-2010 |title=Why Minecraft is the most important game of the decade |date=7 November 2019 |work=Polygon |access-date=9 November 2019 |archive-date=9 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109012513/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2019/11/7/20952214/minecraft-most-important-game-of-the-decade-2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 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> ''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 name="GSAprilsales" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goslin |first=Austen |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Early access changed everything about games |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/11/13/20961896/decade-of-early-access-minecraft-star-citizen-fortnite/ |access-date=April 2, 2026 |website=Polygon.com |language=en}}</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=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/design-success-means-knowing-what-to-do-with-feedback |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>[[File:CaptainSparklez Minecon 2016 1.jpg|left|thumb|220x220px|Jordan Maron (known professionally as "CaptainSparklez") is known for his musical ''Minecraft'' parodies of popular songs.]] Social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Reddit have played a significant role in popularizing ''Minecraft''.<ref name="Social media">{{cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2010/10/01/minecraft-social-media/ |title=Minecraft: How Social Media Spawned a Gaming Sensation |website=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 Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania 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 |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, 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>
Some popular commentators have received employment at Machinima, a now-defunct gaming video company that owned 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 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> Another well-known YouTube personality is Jordan Maron, known online as CaptainSparklez, who has also created many ''Minecraft'' music parodies, including "Revenge", a parody of Usher's "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love". ''Minecraft''{{'}}s popularity on YouTube was described by ''Polygon'' as quietly dominant, although in 2019, thanks in part to PewDiePie's playthroughs of the game, ''Minecraft'' experienced a visible uptick in popularity on the platform.<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 |date=1 August 2019 |access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref> Longer-running series include ''Far Lands or Bust'', dedicated to reaching the obsolete "Far Lands" glitch by foot on an older version of the game.<ref name="FLoB">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/a-journey-to-the-end-of-the-world-of-minecraft |title=A Journey to the End of the World (of Minecraft) |last1=Parkin |first1=Simon |date=23 January 2014 |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=30 November 2014}}</ref> YouTube announced on 14 December 2021 that the total amount of ''Minecraft''-related views on the website had exceeded one trillion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/minecraft-crosses-1-trillion-views-on-youtube-most-popular-game-ever-on-platform/ |title=Minecraft crosses 1 trillion views on YouTube, most popular game ever on platform |first=Ian |last=Sherr |date=14 December 2021 |access-date=14 December 2021 |work=CNet}}</ref>
''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=23 October 2022 |website=www.teamfortress.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2011 |title=Only One Man In The World Owns TF2's "Top Notch" Hat |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/only-one-man-in-the-world-owns-tf2s-top-notch-hat/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201020420/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/only-one-man-in-the-world-owns-tf2s-top-notch-hat/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2011 |access-date=23 October 2022 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> ''Borderlands 2'', ''Choplifter HD'', ''Super Meat Boy'', ''The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'', ''The Binding of Isaac'', ''The Stanley Parable'', and ''FTL: Faster Than Light''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dean |first=Paul |title=Creeping up on you: The best Minecraft references in video games |url=http://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/creeping-you-best-minecraft-references-video-games |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> ''Minecraft'' is officially represented in downloadable content for the crossover fighter ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', with Steve as a playable character with a moveset including references to building, crafting, and redstone, alongside an Overworld-themed stage.<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 seventeenth season of the animated television series ''South Park''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |url=https://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> In 2025, ''A Minecraft Movie'' was released. It generated $313 million in the box office in the first week, a record-breaking opening for a video game adaptation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=6 April 2025 |title='A Minecraft Movie' Shatters Box Office Expectations With Record-Breaking $163 Million Opening Weekend |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/box-office/minecraft-movie-box-office-record-breaking-opening-weekend-1236361020/ |access-date=23 May 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Minecraft'' has been noted as a cultural touchstone for Generation Z, as many of the generation's members played the game at a young age.<ref>[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pixels-paychecks-minecraft-launching-gen-173116302.html From Pixels To Paychecks: How Minecraft Is Launching Gen Z's Careers]</ref> ''Minecraft'' speedrunning is widely practiced despite the game's unpredictable procedural generation. The most popular category, Random-Seed Glitchless, tasks players with defeating the Ender Dragon as quickly as possible starting from a new world spawn. Some speedrunners employ a combination of mods, external programs, and debug menus to optimize their runs, while others compete under conditions closer to the default game, prioritizing consistency over the use of such tools.<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>
=== Real-world applications === thumb|204x204px|A yarn ''Minecraft'' sheepIn a 2011 Minecon panel, a Swedish developer raised the possibility of using Minecraft to redesign public buildings and parks, arguing that rendering within the game was more accessible to community members and made it easier to envision the functionality of proposed structures.<ref name=salon /> The following year, Cody Sumter, a member of the Human Dynamics group at the MIT Media Lab, remarked that developer Notch had effectively introduced forty million people to the functional logic of a computer-aided design (CAD) program. Various software tools were developed to allow designs created within ''Minecraft'' to be output through professional 3D printers as well as personal devices 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>
Also in 2012, Mojang launched the Block by Block project in partnership with UN Habitat, with the aim of recreating real-world environments inside the game so that residents could participate in designing changes to their own neighborhoods by modifying representations of their communities directly.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Yeomans |first=Matthew |date=2012-12-11 |title=Minecraft Block by Block: Gaming for sustainability |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/minecraft-block-by-block-gaming |access-date=2026-03-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</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> Mojang's managing director, Carl Manneh, described the game as the "perfect" tool for facilitating this process and said that the three-year partnership was intended to support UN Habitat's Sustainable Urban Development Network in upgrading 300 public spaces by 2016. Mojang engaged the Minecraft building community FyreUK to assist in rendering the relevant environments, and the first pilot project was launched in Kibera, one of Nairobi's informal settlements.<ref name=":0" /><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>
In April 2014, the Danish Geodata Agency used its own geodata to generate a full-scale representation of Denmark within ''Minecraft''.<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> The project was feasible in part because Denmark ranks among the flattest countries in the world, with its highest point standing at 171 meters and its elevation span placing it 30th smallest globally. At the time the project was completed, the default vertical limit in ''Minecraft'' was approximately 192 meters above in-game sea level, which was sufficient to accommodate Denmark's terrain.<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> The non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders took advantage of ''Minecraft''{{'}}s accessibility in regions where other internet resources are censored, establishing an open server to host what it called the Uncensored Library. The library functions as an in-game repository of journalism produced by writers from countries including Egypt, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, among them figures who have been censored or 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 housing the repository was constructed over approximately 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>
=== Education === thumb|''Minecraft'' being played in an educational setting
''Minecraft'' has been used in educational settings<ref name="Minecraft In Education" /> through initiatives such as MinecraftEdu, founded in 2011 to make the game affordable and accessible for schools in collaboration with Mojang. MinecraftEdu provided features allowing teachers to monitor student progress, including screenshot submissions as evidence of lesson completion,<ref name="pcgamer edu 2019" /> and by 2012 reported that approximately 250,000 students worldwide had access to the platform.<ref name="MCEdu" /> Mojang also developed ''Minecraft: Education Edition'' with pre-built lesson plans for up to 30 students in a closed environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Jennifer |date=10 September 2025 |title=How to play Minecraft for free |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/how-to-play-minecraft-for-free |access-date=22 September 2025 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref>
Educators have used ''Minecraft'' to teach subjects such as history, language arts, and science through custom-built environments, including reconstructions of historical landmarks<ref name="MCEdu">{{cite magazine |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/09/21/minecraftedu-teaches-students-through-virtual-world-building/ |title=MinecraftEdu Teaches Students Through Virtual World-Building |magazine=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> and large-scale models of biological structures such as animal cells.<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> The introduction of redstone blocks enabled the construction of functional virtual machines<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/man-builds-computer-inside-computer-game-5650027 |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 as a hard drive and an 8-bit computer.<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 |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><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> Mods have been created to use these mechanics for teaching programming.<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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005104234/https://www.wired.com/2014/08/learntomod/ |archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref> In 2014, the British Museum announced a project to reproduce its building and exhibits in ''Minecraft'' in collaboration with 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 Code.org have offered ''Minecraft''-based tutorials and activities designed to teach programming, reporting by 2018 that more than 85 million children had used their resources.<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>
In 2025, the Musée de Minéralogie in Paris held a temporary exhibition titled "Minerals in Minecraft".<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 April 2025 |title=« Les minéraux dans Minecraft » : à Paris, une exposition plonge dans l'univers du célèbre jeu |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/culture/arts/expositions/les-mineraux-dans-minecraft-a-paris-une-exposition-plonge-dans-lunivers-du-celebre-jeu-3e2c4d46-13b6-11f0-9356-94421bcf210a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415205853/https://www.ouest-france.fr/culture/arts/expositions/les-mineraux-dans-minecraft-a-paris-une-exposition-plonge-dans-lunivers-du-celebre-jeu-3e2c4d46-13b6-11f0-9356-94421bcf210a |archive-date=15 April 2025 |access-date=9 June 2025 |work=Ouest-France.fr |language=fr-FR |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2026, Russian technology company Yandex launched a ''Minecraft'' server called "The Last Block" ({{Langx|ru|Последний блок}}) designed to train middle school students for the Basic State Exam and high school students for the Unified State Exam. The server incorporates Alice AI as an assistant to help students prepare. Due to Mojang Studios discontinuing the sale of ''Minecraft'' in Russia since 2022, the website provides a pirated launcher.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Пискун |first=Роман |date=2026-04-30 |title=«Яндекс» запустил в Minecraft образовательный проект с «Алисой AI» — «Последний блок» |url=https://rozetked.me/news/45845-yandeks-zapustil-v-minecraft-obrazovatel-nyy-proekt-s-alisoy-ai-posledniy-blok |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=Rozetked.me |language=ru}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Романов |first=Михаил |date=2026-04-30 |title=«Алиса AI» поможет школьникам подготовиться к ЕГЭ и ОГЭ в Minecraft — «Яндекс» запустил образовательный проект «Последний блок» |url=https://3dnews.ru/1140933/alisa-ai-pomoget-shkolnikam-podgotovitsya-k-ege-i-oge-v-minecraft-yandeks-zapustil-obrazovatelniy-proekt-posledniy-blok |access-date=2026-05-04 |website=3DNews - Daily Digital Digest |language=ru}}</ref>
=== Clones === Following the surge in ''Minecraft''{{'}}s popularity from 2010 onward, numerous other games were characterized as "clones" of it, whether due to direct inspiration or superficial visual similarity. Named examples include ''Ace of Spades'', ''CastleMiner'', ''FortressCraft'', ''Terraria'',<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 ''Luanti'', formerly known as ''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'', acknowledged that his 2D game's low-resolution pixel art too closely resembled ''Minecraft''{{'}}s aesthetic, resulting in what he described as "some resistance" from fans.<ref name=FramptonPostMort>{{cite web |author=Frampton, David |title=Postmortem: The Blockheads |date=12 October 2013 |publisher=Gamasutra |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/postmortem-the-blockheads |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 adaptation of ''Minecraft''{{'}}s alpha version for the Nintendo DS, titled ''DScraft'', was also released and noted for its fidelity to the original given the console's technical constraints.<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> Following Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang, several developers announced clone titles specifically targeting Nintendo's consoles, which were at the time the only major platforms not to have received an official ''Minecraft'' release;<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 titles included ''UCraft'' by 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'' by 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'' by 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> ''Cube Creator 3D'' by 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'' by 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> Those concerns ultimately proved unfounded, as official ''Minecraft'' releases on Nintendo platforms eventually resumed.<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">{{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>
Markus Persson developed a separate 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> In 2025, Persson used a poll on his X account to signal he was considering a spiritual successor to ''Minecraft'', subsequently clarifying he was "100% serious" and had effectively announced ''Minecraft'' 2,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=4 January 2025 |title=Minecraft creator Notch says that he 'basically announced minecraft 2' with a Twitter poll and a commitment to making a spiritual successor |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/minecraft-creator-notch-says-that-he-basically-announced-minecraft-2-with-a-twitter-poll-and-a-commitment-to-making-a-spiritual-successor/ |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> though he cancelled the plans within days after consulting his team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/sorry-everyone-minecraft-2-is-cancelled-and-it-might-be-our-fault/|title=Sorry everyone, Minecraft 2 is cancelled, and it might be our fault|author1=Andy Chalk|work=PC Gamer |date=10 January 2025|via=www.pcgamer.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/minecraft/notch-cancels-the-minecraft-2-he-announced-days-prior-because-spiritual-successors-are-always-kinda-sad-nostalgia-dumps/|title=Notch cancels the "Minecraft 2" he announced days prior because spiritual successors are "always kinda sad nostalgia dumps"|author1=Kaan Serin|date=10 January 2025|website=GamesRadar+}}</ref> In November 2024, artificial intelligence companies Decart and Etched released ''Oasis'', an AI-generated recreation of ''Minecraft'' presented as a proof of concept, in which every element is generated in real time without stored world data, producing hallucinations such as items and blocks appearing that had not previously been present.<ref>{{Cite web |title=This AI-generated version of Minecraft may represent the future of real-time video generation |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/10/31/1106461/this-ai-generated-minecraft-may-represent-the-future-of-real-time-video-generation/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en}}</ref> In January 2026, indie developer Unomelon announced that its voxel sandbox game ''Allumeria'' would be playable during that year's Steam Next Fest; on 10 February, Mojang issued a DMCA takedown of the game through Valve, alleging copyright infringement, though the takedown was later withdrawn.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Withdraws Copyright Claim Against Indie Dev Over Minecraft Allegations |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-withdraws-copyright-claim-against-indie-dev-over-minecraft-allegations/1100-6538103/ |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-10 |title=Microsoft issues DMCA takedown on indie Minecraft-like, forcing it off Steam |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/survival-crafting/i-genuinely-do-not-know-what-to-do-says-developer-of-minecraft-like-allumeria-after-microsoft-issues-a-dmca-takedown-forcing-it-off-steam/ |access-date=2026-02-14 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>
=== Minecon and related events === {{Main|Minecraft Live}}
Minecon was an annual official fan convention dedicated to ''Minecraft''. The first full 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=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203113607/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/well-whaddaya-know-minecon-is-sold-out/ |archive-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> The event coincided with the official launch of ''Minecraft'' and included 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 "Minecon Earth" livestreams on minecraft.net and YouTube instead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=2017-08-08 |title=MineCon ditches real world expo in favour of a livestream |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/minecon-ditches-real-world-expo-in-favour-of-a-livestream |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=Eurogamer |language=en}}</ref> These livestreams, later rebranded to "Minecraft Live", included the mob/biome votes, and announcements of new game updates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wales |first=Matt |date=2017-11-16 |title=Fans can decide Minecraft's newest mob during the MineCon Earth livestream this weekend |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fans-can-decide-minecrafts-newest-mob-during-the-minecon-earth-livestream-this-weekend |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mejia |first=Ozzie |date=2018-09-17 |title=MineCon Earth 2018 allows viewers to vote for next biome update |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/107327/minecon-earth-2018-allows-viewers-to-vote-for-next-biome-update |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=Shacknews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=2018-09-29 |title=Next Major ‘Minecraft’ Update Populates Villages, Then Attacks Them |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/minecraft-village-and-pillage-update-1202961643/ |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2025, "Minecraft Live" became a biannual event as part of ''Minecraft''{{'s}} changing update schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chandler |first=Sam |date=2025-09-26 |title=Watch the Minecraft Live 2025 livestream here |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/146118/watch-minecraft-live-2025-here |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=Shacknews |language=en}}</ref>
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
=== Further reading === * {{cite book |first=Colin |last=Gallagher |date=2014 |title=Minecraft in the Classroom: Ideas, Inspiration, and Student Projects for Teachers |location=Berkeley, CA |publisher=Peachpit Press |isbn=978-0-13-385801-3 |ref=none}} * {{cite book |first=Nate |last=Garrelts |author-link=Nate Garrelts |title=Understanding Minecraft: Essays on Play, Community and Possibilities |date=2014 |publisher=McFarland & Company |location=Jefferson, NC |isbn=978-0-7864-7974-0 |ref=none}} * {{cite book |first=Daniel |last=Goldberg |date=2013 |title=Minecraft: The Unlikely Tale of Markus "Notch" Persson and the Game That Changed Everything |location=New York |publisher=Seven Stories Press |isbn=978-1-60980-537-1 |title-link=Minecraft: The Unlikely Tale of Markus "Notch" Persson and the Game That Changed Everything |ref=none}}
== External links == * {{Official website}} * [https://minecraft.wiki/ Minecraft Wiki] – an unofficial encyclopedia documenting the game * [https://classic.minecraft.net/ Minecraft Classic] – a remake version based on an old version of ''Minecraft'' {{Spoken Wikipedia|date=20 April 2025|En-Minecraft-article.ogg}}
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