Minecraft

Minecraft is a sandbox construction game written in Java by Markus Persson of Mojang AB. The game is still under development; the current client version is Beta, and the current server version is Beta. The first release was in May 2009. The full version of Minecraft will be released on 11/11/11. Gameplay involves players creating and destroying various types of blocks in a three dimensional environment. The player takes an avatar that can destroy or create blocks, forming fantastic structures, creations and artwork. Players can work in single-player maps or on multiplayer servers.

The latest version of Minecraft (beta) is currently available to players for €14.95 (~$20). Once purchased, the game can be played in a web browser or a downloadable client. It is also possible to buy Gift Cards to give Minecraft to other people. A Gift Card is the same price as buying it for yourself. Minecraft Classic is available to play for free. Classic is a pure sandbox game, with unlimited blocks and no hazards, whereas Beta requires the player to collect resources themselves, has mobs, health and damage, and craftable items. Minecraft Classic and Minecraft Beta are available at http://www.minecraft.net/. Classic must be played in browser, but Beta can be played in browser, or downloaded.

Release History

 * Classic (17 May 2009)
 * Indev (23 December 2009)
 * Infdev (27 February 2010)
 * Alpha (28 June 2010)
 * Beta (20 December 2010)

Creation
Notch got the idea for Minecraft after playing Infiniminer with other members of the TIG Source forums in 2009. Other influences include Dwarf Fortress and Notch's own previous project, RubyDung.

When he first started working on Minecraft, Notch had planned for it to just be a small project.

When Notch uploaded the first YouTube video of Minecraft on May 13, 2009, he had not yet decided on a name, and simply referred to it as a "cave game". The name "Minecraft: Order of the Stone" (a reference to Order of the Stick, a web comic and "one of the best things on the internet") was announced the next day, and then shortly after, it was shortened to "Minecraft" as it was much simpler and some people might have thought it was Order of the Stick. The game was finally released for an "early private singleplayer alpha" on May 16, 2009, followed by the public release of 0.0.11a the next day and mention on IndieGames.com the day after that.

Milestones and awards
Minecraft was first made available for sale during June 2009 and has since sold about two million copies. It has also won numerous awards including:
 * PC Gamer's Game of the Year
 * 2010 Indie of the Year
 * GDC's Best Debut Game, Best Downloadable Game, and the Innovation Award
 * IGF's Grand Prize and Audience Award.