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 usual guidance given is a fresh change, one which probably contributed to the success of the game. Players may feel a feeling of reward as they discover and learn themselves, without the game showing them how to do everything. In fact, the game has been used in education in an "education version" which aims to teach young children basic physics and knowledge: "Minecraft is now being used in schools all over the world. The company released an education version".

Minecraft is one game where modding has been encouraged and accepted, and a whole sub-culture has been built around modifying the code of the game. Normally a player would find themselves restricted by the game's guidelines and boundaries as the producer does not want players going into the code and modifying it. Mojang "has embraced hobbyists and hackers" which makes a departure from the usual play-by-the-rules idea. 

Recently, Minecraft has been acquired by Microsoft for $2.5 billion. This huge sum of money shows just how valuable the game from humble beginnings has become. However, many players and fans are not happy with this move, as they feel the game will be influenced negatively by such a large company. Many fans prefer the idea that Minecraft is an indie game produced by a small company who listen and care about their fans. Although, Minecraft is still developed by Mojang, and so far all the changes made have been for the better. The number of players is still increasing all the time and the game shows no sign of slowing the updates or changes. Overall, Minecraft has become a much more complex game since its launch, while still keeping the simplistic looks and mechanics that made it so popular in the first place.