Minecraft

[pensmama87]

What is it? I gather that it’s geared toward the younger set. Some of the kids I’ve watched seem obsessed with it. I don’t know that I’d let my kid play, I’m just curious.

 

[Melodeonist]

Minecraft is a very innocent game, where you have two game-modes.

One game-mode is called Survival, where you need to eat to survive, and you also need to fend off monsters at night, and in dark caves. You have to mine/collect blocks to build things, and you also need to grow/farm/hunt resources for food/related.

The other game-mode is called Creative, where you have infinite blocks, and you get to make things. You do not need to worry about monsters, and you don’t need to eat. You are invincible in Creative mode.

I used to play Minecraft quite a bit several years ago. I recommend it.

One thing I will warn you about is Multiplayer. In multiplayer, you can encounter all sorts of folks, some are not exactly who you would want young children to be hanging out with. Of course, you don’t need to play multiplayer. The game is both singleplayer, and multiplayer.

Only thing that’s bad about video games (this applies to all video games) is that they waste your day when you could be doing productive things. However, if you have free time, and don’t mind wasting a few minutes/hours, then it’s no problem.

 

[Sunlight]

I bought the download for my son. I read great reviews that it encourages building, imagination and creativity. I also read it helps with real world skills

There is a peaceful mode and a survival mode. I put the peaceful mode on for him. He seems to really enjoy it.

He doesn’t know how to really work it yet, Im not sure if he might be too young for it.
But he’s happy with it.

here is some information about it.

deangroom.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/8-ways-minecraft-works-on-your-brain/
2machines.com/183040/

 

[Burt_Macklin]

The game is pretty harmless. My two boys use it to build houses and castles together and then defend them against “monsters” the youngest girl has a digital sheep farm that she’s created and tends to. There are multiple ways to play the game, you can play it like a game of house or as a survival fantasy game.

They also enjoy watching videos of the game made by a fellow that goes by the name of Stampy Cat. Go watch a few of stampy cat’s videos if you want to get a good idea of how the game is played.

 

[KnitNut]

People of all ages play Minecraft. Some families play all together in a private “world” they keep on their local home network. Some families play on family-friendly servers, where content/chat is heavily moderated. Some classrooms are using Minecraft in their lessons. Some homeschooling families also use Minecraft, including participating in online Minecraft-based classes on all sorts of subjects (and across the age-span).

Minecraft is a “sandbox” game, in that the player lands in his/her own “world” and sets about playing (mining, crafting, problem solving, etc)…each new world is different. Worlds can be saved for revisiting. Like a sandbox, the play is limited only by the player’s ability and imagination.

Many YouTubers maintain Minecraft “how-to” videos explaining how to get started, sample builds/objectives, etc.

Minecraft can be a useful vehicle to spark programming interest - it’s written in Java, and many kids become interested in modifying the code to create their own objects, blocks, etc. The “redstone” aspect of Minecraft is based on digital logic and electronics concepts, so children from a young age are exposed to these concepts in a play setting, a good way to secure their interest (and teach them stuff when they least expect it).

The usual cons of video gaming can apply as well - time sink, potential addiction, inappropriate servers online - so a parent needs to become informed and keep an eye on the situation…and have clear boundaries and expectations for the kids’ online activity.

Minecraft, once downloaded, does not require a constant Internet connection, though updates come out regularly & require further downloading. Server play requires a connection. Minecraft is available on gaming platforms, for PC, and in a “smaller” version for tablets and phones. The PC and gaming platform “worlds” can not be swapped between platforms. The gaming/PC platform “worlds” can’t, to the best of my recollection, be swapped, either.

My family enjoys Minecraft (individually and as a group, spanning ages 6 through college through mid 50s).

 

[JackVk]

The short version: it’s virtual Legos.

 

[pensmama87]

People of all ages play Minecraft. Some families play all together in a private “world” they keep on their local home network. Some families play on family-friendly servers, where content/chat is heavily moderated. Some classrooms are using Minecraft in their lessons. Some homeschooling families also use Minecraft, including participating in online Minecraft-based classes on all sorts of subjects (and across the age-span).

Minecraft is a “sandbox” game, in that the player lands in his/her own “world” and sets about playing (mining, crafting, problem solving, etc)…each new world is different. Worlds can be saved for revisiting. Like a sandbox, the play is limited only by the player’s ability and imagination.

Many YouTubers maintain Minecraft “how-to” videos explaining how to get started, sample builds/objectives, etc.

Minecraft can be a useful vehicle to spark programming interest - it’s written in Java, and many kids become interested in modifying the code to create their own objects, blocks, etc. The “redstone” aspect of Minecraft is based on digital logic and electronics concepts, so children from a young age are exposed to these concepts in a play setting, a good way to secure their interest (and teach them stuff when they least expect it).

The usual cons of video gaming can apply as well - time sink, potential addiction, inappropriate servers online - so a parent needs to become informed and keep an eye on the situation…and have clear boundaries and expectations for the kids’ online activity.

Minecraft, once downloaded, does not require a constant Internet connection, though updates come out regularly & require further downloading. Server play requires a connection. Minecraft is available on gaming platforms, for PC, and in a “smaller” version for tablets and phones. The PC and gaming platform “worlds” can not be swapped between platforms. The gaming/PC platform “worlds” can’t, to the best of my recollection, be swapped, either.

My family enjoys Minecraft (individually and as a group, spanning ages 6 through college through mid 50s).

Thanks for the info. My concern was mostly about the bolded - the kids I know who are into it are super, super, super into it, to the exclusion of enjoying just about any other activity. That made me nervous even though I didn’t know much about what was actually involved in playing.

With my oldest in preschool now and starting kindergarten next year, he has started to have interests beyond what we steer him to. It’s good to know that this is mostly harmless and potentially beneficial, though he does tend towards an obsessive personality so if he does want to play I will probably have to be very careful with it.

I’d just rather know first if I can.

 

[Rhubarb]

The short version: it’s virtual Legos.

^^

 

[7_Sorrows]

my grandson has been playing for 2 1/2 years. he is 9 now. the only thing I didn’t like is they can kill the animals.

 

[Kithrus]

What is it?

It is a digital ‘lego’ or building block simulator with survival elements.

I gather that it’s geared toward the younger set.

I’ll excuse your ignorance on gaming culture and respond that there are no overly advanced themes you may fear as an adult giving a game to a child. Its building blocks on your computer to put it simply. Occasionally you will be asked to defeat monsters and defend local villages from those same monsters who on death disappear in a puff of smoke and drop an item you can use for crafting instead of violent blood splatter.

I wouldnt say its just for kids because… have you googled the complex creations people made on that game? Failing that have you seen the life size lego creations people make complete with moving parts?

youtube.com/watch?v=AUJ8UmtaUOc

Some of the kids I’ve watched seem obsessed with it.

Everyone has a hobby and if you watched the video I linked you then you should understand the fascination.

I don’t know that I’d let my kid play, I’m just curious.

Its by far one of the cleanest, mind exercising and fun game you can give to a kid. As someone who makes video games I feel insulted by the mentality behind your question and statements. It may not win you over to my way of thinking but you really need to be told how narrow minded you are acting.

 

[pensmama87]

As a parent I have a natural suspicion about exposing my children to media I’m not familiar with. In this day and age I hardly think that’s a character flaw.

The only people I know who like it are children. That’s why I assumed it was for children.

 

[pnewton]

Try it yourself, if you have doubts, but it is very safe and inane. If you do not play with others online (some of that is safe, some may involve profane chat), then there is nothing morally troubling about the game. It is a sandbox and no more immoral than an actual sandbox.

 

[NM505StKate]

MC is a great game. So many mods for it please so many ways to play.

 

[Kithrus]

As a parent I have a natural suspicion about exposing my children to media I’m not familiar with.

That goes without saying but…

In this day and age I hardly think that’s a character flaw.

It’s not the concept its the mentality and attitude you put forward in your post I have an issue with.

“I don’t know that I’d let my kid play, I’m just curious.”

Reads off as " I’m high doubtful of something I don’t understand so I’m going to make sweeping generizations because I’ve made up my mind already."

The only people I know who like it are children. That’s why I assumed it was for children.

At the risk of sounding like an *** I’m going to point to that age old axiom about what happens when you assume.

Have a stellar day!

 

[pensmama87]

That goes without saying but…

It’s not the concept its the mentality and attitude you put forward in your post I have an issue with.

“I don’t know that I’d let my kid play, I’m just curious.”

Reads off as " I’m high doubtful of something I don’t understand so I’m going to make sweeping generizations because I’ve made up my mind already."

At the risk of sounding like an *** I’m going to point to that age old axiom about what happens when you assume.

Have a stellar day!

You’re right about how it makes you sound.

Good grief.