Minecraft: Institutions and Audiences
How is Minecraft different to other video games? When Minecraft was first introduced into the world of videogames, it was a complete deviation from any other game. First released with no financial backing or advertising, it took a while before many people took notice of the game, however 9 years later it has become the most downloaded PC game ever. Recently acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the game's future. Keith Stuart from the Guardian describes Minecraft as " a digital version of Lego", therefore setting it apart from other videogames. The simplistic nature of Minecraft enables anyone to understand and play the game, much like Lego. Other games nowadays are much more complex, with mechanics that only apply to that game. Another way it differs from other games is how you are introduced into the game; "There’s no story, no mission, just you and a world of possibilities." This wild departure from the...