How to Use Minecraft Beyond a Game
Minecraft is a game that allows players to be both creative and strategic as they build, explore, cooperate, solve problems, and play. It’s also a platform that can be used in a variety of ways beyond a mere game; kids as young as 5 are using it to learn about architecture, history, art, and engineering. And it’s not just kids: adults and even teachers are using the game to teach coding skills.
Most of the gameplay revolves around scrounging for materials and building objects. Players trek out into the world, punch trees for wood, craft axes and other equipment from it, and slowly build up an inventory that can be used to build structures like farms and shelters. Those materials can then be crafted into armor and weapons, furniture, and even new blocks.
The basic controls are relatively simple: left click hits whatever you’re pointing at, and right-click opens the inventory. You can then drag items from your inventory to the hotbar and to other parts of the GUI, such as the armor slots and crafting grid. You can also use the E key to open the GUI and view your current progress in the world, allowing you to make quick changes to what’s in progress or what you’re working on.
Combat is pretty simple: swinging a sword or shooting an arrow is the only real option, and there’s no way to dodge or parry with shields. This is especially true in the early stages of the game, where monsters are relatively weak and the best strategy is usually to just run straight ahead and fight them until you’re dead.
Kids are enamored of the game and often want to try everything it has to offer, but it’s important to set some limits. It’s easy to get lost in the game and never see sunlight again. Luckily, the game is designed to be forgiving: you can always respawn on the surface by killing yourself and putting your gear in a chest, which will be resurrected in the spot you put it down at when you die. Just make sure you’ve written down your chest coordinates, or you might be stuck underground for a long time!
One of the most popular ways to use the game is in creative mode, where players can freely build and explore. This can be a great way to get familiar with the game’s huge array of possibilities before diving into a project that you might regret later on. It’s also a good idea to get familiar with the crafting system before beginning any large-scale construction projects, such as monuments or houses.
Minecraft has been used in countless educational and social initiatives, from uncensored libraries to virtual graduation ceremonies and the creation of safe spaces for children with autism. It can be a great way to introduce kids to coding, and there are apps and online classes that can help them learn the basics while they’re having fun.
