Gameplay


 * For a beginner's tutorial see: Tutorials/Beginner's guide

Gameplay in Minecraft consists mainly of adding and destroying blocks on a map surrounded by water on all sides. There are several different types of blocks, some of which perform special functions like spreading or falling down because of gravity.

With these blocks, players create large constructions such as castles, roads, buildings and skywalks, along with forms of artwork. A chessboard or giant picture rarely goes amiss on a server. Not only have users designed buildings, art, and caves, but also mini-sports. Using the current in-game features, users have put them to clever use. An example of a Minecraft sport is Spleef.

Notch has added a Survival mode, and is planning on adding Adventure mode and other modes to give Minecraft more gameplay. Minecraft is currently considered purely a sandbox construction game. Users who have bought the game have access to the in-development version, currently known as Alpha. Alpha was previously known as Indev and Infdev. This version can and has contained bugs, but features the most recent work on Minecraft, including dynamic lighting, crafting, farming, new blocks, and a more configurable map generator.

Only Classic and an early test of Survival mode are available to all players; Alpha is available for those who have bought the game. In the future, there will be multiple other modes and expansion packs.

Main game modes when the game will be finished
According to this post, the following modes should be anticipated:
 * Creative - You can build anything for free, and there’s no health bar, and no inventory.
 * Survival - There’s a health bar, an inventory, and you need to gather resources to be able to build and craft.
 * Adventure (older Dungeons and Levers) - There’s a health bar and an inventory, but you can’t destroy or place blocks, you can only use items.