Minecraft, a 2011 sandbox game by Mojang Studios, was created by Markus "Notch" Persson using Java. Its first public version came in 2009, with the full release in 2011. Microsoft acquired Mojang in 2014 for $2.5 billion. By 2024, Minecraft became the best-selling video game ever, with 300 million copies sold and 170 million monthly active players. It’s available on numerous platforms and supports both solo and multiplayer gameplay.
Players explore a procedurally generated 3D world made of blocks, gathering resources to craft tools, build, and survive. Key modes include Survival (resource management) and Creative (unlimited resources). Additional modes like Hardcore and Adventure add variations. The game also features mobs, such as animals and hostile creatures like zombies and creepers.
Minecraft includes the Overworld, Nether, and End dimensions. The Nether is a lava-filled underworld with unique mobs and resources, while the End hosts the Ender Dragon boss and floating islands with loot.
Players can connect via LAN, servers, or Minecraft Realms, Mojang's private server hosting service. Realms offer simpler multiplayer setup with limited slots but don’t support plugins for the Java edition.
Minecraft is celebrated as a groundbreaking game with educational uses in chemistry, coding, and design. Its community creates mods, custom maps, and servers. Spin-offs include Minecraft Dungeons and the upcoming live-action movie set for 2025.
Minecraft was created by Markus "Notch" Persson, who developed it as a side project inspired by games like Dwarf Fortress and Infiniminer. The game debuted on 17 May 2009, with frequent updates adding new features like tools and mobs. In 2011, after the game's popularity surged, a full version was released, marking the "Adventure Update." Microsoft acquired Mojang and the Minecraft IP in 2014 for $2.5 billion after Persson suggested selling his share due to community backlash over the EULA. Development continued under Jens "Jeb" Bergensten, with regular updates enhancing gameplay. Major milestones include the introduction of Minecraft RTX for advanced graphics and the differentiation between the Java and Bedrock Editions in 2017.
Minecraft's growth was primarily driven by word of mouth, surpassing one million sales within its beta phase in 2011. By 2019, it became the best-selling video game of all time, selling 180 million copies across platforms. By 2023, this number exceeded 300 million. The Xbox 360 version set sales records, and other platforms, like the PS Vita, saw significant success, especially in Japan. The game has also achieved over 140 million monthly active players as of 2021, demonstrating its sustained popularity.
Minecraft has received numerous accolades since its release. It was named Game of the Year by multiple outlets in 2010 and won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the 2011 Independent Games Festival. It also received awards for innovation and design at the Game Developers Choice Awards. Over the years, it has earned honors like Favorite Video Game at the Kids' Choice Awards and Still Playing at the Golden Joystick Awards, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.
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