Minecraft took the game world by storm and has changed the landscape of gaming. In the world of Minecraft, not only do you get engulfed into the games, you get engrossed in Minecraft YouTube videos, pick up a lingo or two (or three or more!), and just about anything and everything Minecraft. Let’s take a peek at this game that captured the hearts of many everywhere.
Age Guides
Minecraft offers game variations. These are originally designed for kids and are categorized depending on the age of the players. Minecraft offers the following:
- Minecraft
- Minecraft – Pocket Edition
- Minecraft – Story Mode
Age: 8
Compatibility: Linux, Mac, Windows, Xbox 360
Minecraft is basically an open-world game that gives players the opportunity to explore their creativity and resourcefulness. In this game, you can build just about anything, but to do so, you need to learn how to be resourceful by harvesting the materials needed in your environment and then be creative on how to build them. It helps kids develop their creativity and even exposes them to geology and geometry. Players also have the option to work with other kids on larger projects, thus brushing up their teamwork and collaboration skills.
Age: 8
Compatibility: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire
Every game is now on mobile – even Minecraft. This version of Minecraft is specially designed for mobile devices so it’s easily accessible. Like the other versions, players can build basically anything so long as they are able to mine the blocks that they need.
Age: 10
Compatibility: Mac, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iPhone
In this version, Minecraft offers the players the option of playing along a computer-controlled narrative, instead of having an open storyline. This is a sort of a guided exploration in the Minecraft world, without missing out on the usual lessons of teamwork and resourcefulness.
Parents’ (and Newbies’) Guide to Basic Minecraft Jargons
Knowing that there are more than one version of the game, it’s now time to brush up on the jargon being used by the players. There are terms that are used in the Minecraft universe a certain way and it is imperative for you to be familiarized with them so you can easily understand how the game progresses:
- Biomes
- Creative/Survival (Modes)
- Creeper
- Enderman
- Mob
- Mod (Modification)
- Nether
- Pickaxe
- Redstone
- Skin
- Steve
Biomes are regions in the Minecraft universe. This includes forests, mountains, even swamps. They even have the same environmental characteristics as the real-file ecosystems after which they were named, such as having different climates, flourishing flora and fauna, and geographical structures. Players can explore these Biomes once they enter Minecraft.
These are the main modes of playing Minecraft. Creative Mode allows the players to create and destroy structures as they like, and gives you unlimited resources of blocks and free flying. On the other hand, survival mode is where players will need to collect their own resources and build the structures they need to develop. There are also interactions involved as they will be facing mobs, explore the environment, and even eat to be able to survive. Players can pick whichever mode they fancy playing at the moment.
Creepers are the notorious antagonists of the game. As their name suggests, they creep up on a player and explode to derail their progress. Sometimes, these explosions are even deadly to the player. So, beware of the Creeper!
Another antagonist, but relatively less destructive than the creeper, the Enderman enters in pairs and quietly, stealthily picks up some of your blocks at random and removes them. You might think, “Hey, I can work with that,” until their gimmicks dismantle the structures that you are building. Watch out!
Mob is what you call any living creature in Minecraft – people, plants, animals.
Mod or Modification is a player-made modification introduced in the game. However, this needs additional software or downloadable add-ons.
Nether is an extremely inhospitable dimension in Minecraft, with harsh environmental conditions including lavas and seas of flames. In Minecraft Nether, you get to encounter unique mobs that you can only see there, and items in the Overworld (the standard world) that you use work differently there.
The most basic and main tool for any player of Minecraft is the pickaxe. This is used to mine bricks to be used as a building material. Players craft their individual pickaxes and can even be enhanced to improve its use.
Redstone is another raw material that plays an important role in Minecraft. It can be used from potion making powering light bulbs and enhancing pistons. Use wisely!
Skins are personalizations that players can add to their avatar’s – or any other mob’s – individuality and visual flair. You can think of it loosely as “outfits” or “costumes,” and really, it can be anything that you fancy your character to be.
Now, everybody who plays Minecraft knows Steve. Steve is the default playable character, a male wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans with dark hair.
Minecraft’s secret
The mechanics of the game might be simple, but its simplicity is one of its key success propellers. It appealed to many players, not only to the kids who were the original audiences of the game, but even to adults as well! Considering that it has been around since 2009, it’s fair to say that the game is well loved. But really, what is its secret?
Minecraft’s continuous evolution
You can play Minecraft every other day and still encounter something new. The developers behind Minecraft incessantly work to add more upgrades and more dimensions, new mobs that players love and love to hate, and even new biomes to explore! Really, it’s just a gift that keeps on giving. Given Minecraft’s continued evolution, players can expect new things to do with the game.
Appeal that knows no age
You might think that with Minecraft’s mechanics, it’s definitely just the kids who will enjoy it. But yeah, so did the adults, and even more! While its vivid colors attract the kids, it’s the complexity by which you can build the structures and play the game that gravitates the adults into Minecraft. Not to mention its accessibility considering it is compatible with many different platforms.
Conclusion
Minecraft has become a game staple since 2009, and it looks like it’s here to stay. With its continuous upgrade and broad appeal, Minecraft will be patronized continuously. To those who haven’t discovered the world of Minecraft yet, or are just starting up, welcome aboard!
