Recommended for ages 9+
Minecraft is a sandbox game – a game with no objective other than to have fun (and survive) – where players create their own worlds by mining and digging resources for themselves. With both multiplayer and single player options, Minecrafters can play with other friends or on their own.
Players have limited time to get their resources and initial shelters built; monsters called Creepers (right) come out at “night” and damage property and individuals alike. Other monsters, including spiders, skeletons and zombies cause varying degrees of damage to property and/or players.
Players can modify their game by downloading modifications (mods for short) that provide them with extra weapons, unlimited resources, surface textures and additional characters. Some mods are not comptabile with others, but there are lists that keep players informed about these incompatibilities.
Minecraft is a great game for kids. It affords them the creativity to build worlds to their liking and gives them the tools to continue creating, expanding and altering their worlds. By playing alone, they can interact with other Minecrafters, or by playing by themselves, they can avoid any potential problems with “friends” who think destroying other people’s worlds is fun. It is a game of imagination and creation that continues to grow and expand, bringing new ideas and capabilities to kids. With an “old school” 8-bit appearance, there are no sleek graphics or mind-blowing special effects, and yet the game is very popular because of the ability to develop and adjust entire landscapes and stretch their creative muscles.
There is a wealth of information available for anyone interested in learning Minecraft, including the Minecraft Wiki, available in ten different languages including Spanish, French, Russian and Korean. Templates exist for other languages if a user is willing to put the work in to build them. Billing itself as “the ultimate resource” , the wiki offers help on gameplay, crafting, modifications and more. WikiMinecraft is a fan-based site that offers video tutorials and screen shots to guide new crafters.
One family creates their own Minecraft video podcast, Minecraft Family Adventures, available on YouTube.
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