Minecraft

Minecraft is a sandbox construction game written in Java by Markus Persson of Mojang AB. The game is still under development and is currently in beta. The first release was in May 2009. 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. 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.

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. 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 over a million copies. It has 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.