MASTER THE UNIVERSE

Stuart Dredge tells the blockbusting story of the computer game Minecraft, and discovers how its creators put the power to create epic worlds at your fingertips.

- Stuart Dredge

In 2009, Swedish games developer Markus "Notch" Persson posted on an internet forum about a new game he was working on. He called it "Cave Game" and Notch wanted people to try it out and tell him what they thought. Although the game only included grass and cobblestone blocks, it was the first-ever version of Minecraft. From this quiet beginning, a massive success story began.

From its official release in November 2011, Minecraft was a hit, and its popularity has lasted.

Minecraft has sold more than 300 million copies across consoles, PCs and mobile devices. It has also spawned spin-off games, including Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends, and has been made into Lego kits, plushies, pyjamas and even remote-controlled flying Ghasts. This April, the first official Minecraft film will be hitting cinemas around the UK.

No limits

Minecraft is what's known as a sandbox game. This means that instead of following a set path or storyline, you can play creatively at your own pace. In this instance, the game gives you the power to build epic worlds out of blocks.

In Creative Mode, you can build with infinite blocks, while not having to worry about being killed or hurt by mobs (monsters). There are no limits set by the game's programming, beyond the basic physics that is coded into the Minecraft universe.

Survival Mode does have goals - to collect resources and fight (or avoid) mobs, and eventually reach "The End" to defeat the game's "Ender dragon" boss.