What is Minecraft?

Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows you to explore and create. It can be used to build amazing structures and epic adventures or simply to reshape the world around you.

Minecraft was first released in 2009 by Markus “Notch” Persson and is developed by Mojang Studios, which was purchased by Microsoft in 2014. Minecraft is available on a variety of platforms including computers, smartphones, tablets and video game consoles. The game has sold over 238 million copies and is one of the best-selling video games of all time.

The gameplay of minecraft is based on blocks that can be broken, crafted and then placed to reshape the environment around you. These can be stacked to form structures or combined to create large environments. It is often compared to virtual Lego, but it has much more depth than that simple analogy suggests. Minecraft is played in a multiplayer mode, which allows players to work collaboratively on projects. It also includes single-player modes that can be enjoyed alone.

While there is no set objective to the game, it can be a very rewarding experience. Many children enjoy playing in creative mode, where they can use blocks to express their imagination and reshape the world around them. Others enjoy playing in survival mode, where they can collect resources and fight hostile monsters that appear at night. Minecraft is also very popular with gamers who use the free’mods’ that allow them to expand and modify the gameplay of the game.

Some of these mods can add new characters, weapons and even a new game mode. It is important for parents to monitor their child’s gaming activities and ensure that they are not accessing inappropriate mods. There is a’report’ function within the game that can be accessed through the main menu and this can be used to report users who are behaving in an inappropriate manner, such as bullying or harassing others or posting offensive material.

Minecraft has a PEGI rating of 7 and an ESBR rating of Everyone 10+, meaning that it can be enjoyed by children over the age of 10. There is no violence or graphic content in the game and graphics are cartoon like. However, the game can be played on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube, which means that there is potential for children to come across bad language or inappropriate content in these contexts.

Minecraft is available to buy on PC, Mac, Android and PlayStation 4 for a price that varies by platform. Some versions of the game include a ‘deluxe’ edition that includes all the downloadable mods and skins that are available for the title. The game is also frequently accompanied by YouTube tutorials, which can contain inappropriate language and behaviour, so parents should monitor their children’s viewing habits when they play Minecraft on any device. This is particularly important when they are using their mobile phone or tablet to play Minecraft. Some platforms also allow you to limit the amount of time that your child can spend on the app or website.