Minecraft is a sandbox indie game publicly released to PC in May 2009, but only as a development alpha version. After gradual updates the full version was released in November 2011. The game has inspired many styles of art and fashion such as music,videos,fan based websites and recently its own line of clothing,plush toys and accessories. The original game was released for PC but has stretched its itself onto Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Apple's ipod/ipad.
PC Gamer also provided a high rating for Minecraft. This website is a good place to take research from. As the website is used all around the world for gaming fans to read tips/full length reviews/cheats/walkthroughs and other gaming information on new and popular mainstream games.
PC Gamer awarded Minecraft a 96/100
http://www.pcgamer.com/uk/review/minecraft-review/
IGN also gave 2 high ratings for the game, this website is a good website for ratings as the website provides their own rating based on their opinion and they also show a community rating which is developed by fans and members of the website. This allows a variation in ratings to show it is not a bias decision. The website is also effective for ratings as they can be nominated for titles such as 'editors award' and Minecraft has been awarded this. The ratings are shown below.
Gamer Profile
The PEGI website gave the age rating 7 for Minecraft on each console. Stating 'The content of the game is suitable for persons aged 7 and over only. It contains: Non realistic looking violence towards fantasy characters - pictures or sounds likely to be scary to young children - non realistic looking violence towards characters although human are not very detailed.
I think PEGI gave this game a 7 due to the sound effects in game and mild unrealistic violence which is fair enough, although i dont think the violence is realistic enough to create fear for younger children. I agree with the sound effects being scary for children but other than that the game in my opinion should be a rating of 3. As the game is easy to control and understand.
I think PEGI gave this game a 7 due to the sound effects in game and mild unrealistic violence which is fair enough, although i dont think the violence is realistic enough to create fear for younger children. I agree with the sound effects being scary for children but other than that the game in my opinion should be a rating of 3. As the game is easy to control and understand.
Although this website highlights children around the age of 7 especially younger may not be suited for this game, a New York Times piece on Minecraft quotes studies from silicon valley research projects suggesting hand eye coordination,memory and problem solving skills are improved. ''Minecraft extends kids spatial reasoning skills,construction skills and understanding of planning'' Said Eric Klopfer, a professor and director of the Massachusetts Institute of the Teachers Education programme. ''In many ways its like the digital lego'' There is also a clip on youtube of young children in schools playing the game as part of their learning programme, this shows the impact of the game on children aswell as older males/females as the internet is compiled with videos/walkthroughs/tutorials and a large range of minecraft videos put together by all types of people. The link to children playing in school is below, and highlights the interest children have in this game both girls and boys, and the creativity coming from them.
Age&Gender
Due to the open world sandbox theme, and how creative/original the game can be, any age or gender can play the game with interest and at the same time having fun. After reading up on the official Minecraft forums, i have found that the majority of people who play minecraft are male's aged between 10-25. This age of people are predicted to play the game 1-3 hours a day, possibly more on weekends. But this varies with age, as younger people/children may have more time to play. This information was put together by a number of members of the minecraft forums site. Found here - http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1075969-3-minecraft-questions/
The male audience would be interested in this game more due to the hunting,building and survival modes of the game, as all these aspects of the game attract men. Use of items in game such as TNT,swords,axes,crossbows will also attract men/boys to play this game. The default character is also male.
This doesn't mean girls wouldn't be interested in the game, as the game is very creative anything can be constructed, so players can build their own world how they like based on their interests etc. With this possible, minecraft is fun for everyone. Both male and female. There is also texture packs available to download which change the colours of the game and add additional blocks that are more suited towards different types of people, for example there is a pack named 'cutecraft' which would attract girls to use and make the game more interesting for them as shown below.
Minecraft is also a very mild violent game, there is no strong language or nudity. This shows it is suitable for all ages especially children and teenagers. Any violence within the game is unrealistic and cartooned.
Is Minecraft mainstream?
Minecraft has become hugely popular all across the world, so far the game has sold 14,081,590 copies and that is only the PC/Mac version. Not including tablets/ipods/xbox and playstation. Another reason how Minecraft is mainstream is the fact it has been released on a number of consoles. Minecraft has also become so widespread that the game has its own games convention named 'minecon' which has ran for the past 3 years in Washington state,las vegas and paris. Minecraft merchandise can also be found almost everywhere. As seen below.
The internet is crammed with fan made videos including tutorials/walkthroughs/interviews and general gameplay. This shows how widely popular minecraft really is. As said earlier the clip showing minecraft being used in schools also shows how much of an impact the game has had on the gaming community in general. Minecraft has sold 14 million copies, the same amount as World Of Warcraft. Although WOW was released in 2004, minecraft was released in 2009. Proving Minecraft has been a major success. Minecraft is also on par with World Of Warcraft for the 3rd best selling PC game of all time. The game is also undergoing regular updates to improve the game still, Minecraft is growing larger every day. This is also evidence the game is suitable to all ages and gender.
Who are typical gamers?
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/03/06/the-surprising-truth-about-stereotypes-of-online-gamers/
Stereotypically, a gamer is looked at as young adults,teenagers typically male who are lazy,slothful,without motivation and spend all their time playing video games. They are also typically unattractive, probably overweight and in poor health. Gaming — like all things in life — should be done in moderation. But most people who play video games don’t fit the stereotype of someone who plays a video game.
Focus Group
Ryan,Josh & Alex
What did you think of the game?
Ryan and Alex thought the game was very creative and enjoyable. As there is plenty of things to do. You could spend hours playing the game without getting bored. It seems Minecraft is not repetitive as you are under control of what you do and how you play. Where as Josh thought the game was not very exciting. He thought the graphics brought the game down, this is due to the simpleness of Minecraft.
How did the game make you feel?
Ryan thought minecraft had a sense of peacefulness to it. He said due to small amounts of violence and intensity you could play the game while relaxing or in leisure time. Alex said the game made you more creative and eager to create new things within the game. Josh agreed but said he could become bored quickly.
What did you think of the violence in-game?
Ryan,Alex and Josh all said the violence in the game is very mellow and weak compared to alot of games out at the moment. They all agreed saying anybody could play Minecraft without feeling uncomfortable as there is no blood or gore.
What do you think the average age range is?
Each person thought the average range would be between 5-17. Saying that the game would attract younger children and teenagers most as they could spend hours playing. Where as adults may not have as much time on their hands. Josh said that the game could be too childish for adults to play. Where as Alex said the game could be open to anybody as you can play however you like and that creates interest for anybody. Ryan agreed with Alex, also saying children should be encouraged to play as it could increase levels of creativity.
Overall Minecraft is a creative game that can be widespread through different audiences,ages,genders etc and still be enjoyed. The rating the game has received is fair and valid and all ratings seem positive and in a good light. I think Minecraft is also a useful tool for children to increase levels of creativity and a suitable game to play due to minuscule violence and the lighthearted narrative/gamemodes. An overall good game.
