Minecraftbegan with incredibly humble origins, but has since exploded into the one of thebiggest gaming phenomenon of all time. For the last 11 years, the game has united people of all ages in the pursuit of exploration, adventure, creativity, and more, and it seems that it will continue to do so for some time. Since its initial release in 2009, this game has seen nothing but growth in both its own features and scope as well as its audience, and now the game is bigger than ever before. According to Mojang, the company will only grow stronger as time goes on.
For those unaware,Minecraftreleased on September 17th, 2009 and has since seen countless updates, spin offs, and amazing fan creations. In celebration of this, Mojang has decided to rebrand, with a new logo, visual identity, and name. Mojang Studios is now the united front of both offices (there is one in Stockholm, Sweden as well as Redmond, Washington) and will feature a fresh logo representing this newfound cohesion in the company. The team at Mojang Studios feel as though this has been an incredible year for the company despite setbacks caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, and hopes to continue going strong.
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Minecraft Then and Now
Back in 2009,Minecraftwas essentially made by one person. Many currentMinecraftenthusiasts may not even recognize a lot about the game, such as the outdated cobblestone texture or the complete lack of recognizable mobs. Before long, franchise staples like the Creeper were added to the game, and things started looking more like they do today. In the early years of the game, other features such as cows, The Nether, and more were still being worked out and added slowly, a far cry from thecurrent versions ofMinecraftwhich even support ray tracing.
Now, in 2020,Minecraftis bigger than ever before, with over70 different unique biomesfor players to explore and conquer, around 50 different types of mobs and counting, and numerous updates focused on expanding existing mechanics such as the Village and Pillage update or the Aquatic update, there is undoubtedly a lot to do in the game. That said,Minecraft’s staple is and always has been its player base, whose creativity and passion has kept the game alive and imbued it with a longevity not found in many other places. All of these updates and additions are there simply to give players more tools and techniques to make their creative ideas a reality and to provide more challenges.
Minecraft in the Time of Coronavirus
The Coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented change in the lives of everyone, with many stuck at home struggling financially while other, essential employees work despite the risk. Naturally, Mojang Studios looked to see what it could to do alleviate stress, and Helen Chiang, the Studio Head, has highlighted some great accomplishments.Minecraftreleased an Education Edition, which contained tools and information to make homeschooling children easier, which is free until the end of June. Beyond this, the freeBlockdown maphelps teach players about effective social distancing and responsible self isolation practices.
Of course, as with all thingsMinecraft, the community has made several strides in this department as well, with some amazing creations and events being put together in support of other players. Players have recreated their own universities inMinecraftand held graduation ceremonies at them, others have used the virtual platform as a way for children to celebrate their birthdays with their friends. All of this is in addition to the regular levels of creativity found in the game, with insane undertakings happening daily. One group of players is evenrecreating the entirety of the planet Earth in the gamewith the help of mods and plugins.
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Minecraft Spin-Offs
Aside from toy lines and other merchandising,Minecrafthas also been treated to several spin offs. Starting withMinecraft Story Modein 2015, this endeavor provided a story to what is usually a completely sandbox experience. Despite its simplicity, many were fond of the game. Beyond this,Minecraft Earthreleased last year, providing Mojang Studio’s take on the augmented reality genre of games likePokemon GO. These titles have provided players with new ways to engage with the world ofMinecraftwhile still maintaining the core values of the game.
Now, in just 8 short days, the latest spin off,Minecraft Dungeonswill release. This ambitious title is set to combine elements of story fromMinecraft Story Mode, exploration fromMinecraft Earth, and of course the general aesthetic and family friendly vibe ofMinecraftinto what is shaping up to be anenjoyable dungeon crawler experience. Though this is the latest, there is bound to be more spin off titles in the future, and the originalMinecraftitself is still being updated as well, with the Nether update coming later this Summer and providing new biomes, enemies, and added depth toMinecraft’s sinister dimension.
11 Years of Growth
AndMinecraftis still growing. Mojang Studios reports a massive increase of 25% in newMinecraftplayers joining the community just last month, showing that the game is still on the upswing even after 11 years. Beyond this, there was a yet more amazing 40% spike of Multiplayer sessions, further proving thatMinecraftis being used as a platform to socializein times when doing so in person is either dangerous or impossible. More than likely, these patterns of growth will continue even after the Coronavirus pandemic is over.
Many players can conjure up countless positive experiences and memories of things that took place withinMinecraft. Adventures with friends, hilarious deaths, amazing builds and projects, all of these things are what make upMinecraft’s legacy. For those wishing to celebrateMinecraft’s 11th anniversary, the best way to do so is to simply play it. Beyond this, withMinecraft Dungeonsreleasing in less than 2 weeks, there are even more ways to enjoyMinecraftwith friends and family coming soon.
Minecraftis available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
