Java Edition Alpha

Alpha is the fourth phase in the Development Cycle of Minecraft replacing Infdev. There was only one type of Game Mode playable in this version, which was Survival.

During the Alpha phase, Minecraft was updated very frequently, due to Notch working full-time on the Minecraft project since 29th May 2010 and having a small company made later. Bug fixes and tweaks could happen throughout the week, appearing on the game's development blog, with major additions and changes appearing in 'Seecret' Friday updates, leaving the game's players to discover the included new features.

On 11th December 2010, Notch announced that the game would enter the Beta stage of development on 20th December, at which point the price would increase to €14.95.

Features
With the release of Alpha, the following features were added on top of Infdev's base: For full changes, see Alpha version history.
 * Survival Multiplayer Mode (SMP). Currently, the only way to connect to a server is to find out the IP of it to connect.
 * The Nether - A realm accessible with Portals that contains blocks and mobs (i.e. Ghast and Zombie Pigmen as of yet) not found in the normal world, and allows for fast travel.
 * Biomes - Different environments that differ as location/chunk/temperature changes.
 * The addition of Redstone circuits, a logical I/O system including switches.
 * The following items from the Halloween Update: Netherrack, Glowstone, Soul Sand, Pumpkins, and the Jack-O-Lantern.
 * Improved AI pathfinding and spawning.
 * New sounds for caves and mobs.
 * The addition of Snowy and Icy terrain, plus craftable snow blocks.
 * The addition of Boats.
 * Cow, slime, and chicken mobs.
 * New music.
 * More paintings.
 * Current Height: 128 from bottom to top.
 * Press F1 to remove the inventory display and the player's arm (the HUD, or Heads Up Display).
 * While holding down F1, press F2 to take a screenshot. The images are saved in .minecraft\screenshots.
 * Difficulty toggle.