Minecraft 101 – Parent Explainer

January 2, 2023

Minecraft, which was released in 2011, has been a cultural phenomenon and is still very popular ten years later. It is loved by a whole generation of gamers and bridges the age gap between older and younger gamers.

It is a hugely popular game, but many people might be curious about the real reason behind it. It can be difficult to find out the core of Minecraft with so much information available in the media.

This guide will help you, as a parent, understand everything you need to know about Minecraft.

- What is Minecraft?- How do you play Minecraft?
What do I need to buy in order to play Minecraft?
- Can You Play Minecraft Across Devices?
- Which Minecraft Modes Are Available?
What is a Minecraft Server?
- What Age is Appropriate for Minecraft?
What settings should I know to keep my child safe on Minecraft?
A Guide To Minecraft Jargon

What is Minecraft?

Minecraft was released in 2011 by Mojang, a Swedish video game studio. It's a game that emphasizes procedurally generated worlds and ultimate creativity. The game can be procedurally generated so that players can create an entirely random and unique world.

Players create the world by exploring it. It is unlike any other world. Minecraft has many game modes and a multitude of activities.

Minecraft also allows multiplayer play. This means that you can have multiple people exploring and creating in the same world.

How do you play Minecraft?

Minecraft has fairly standard controls. To move around the world, players can switch between third- and first-person perspectives. To build and use blocks and other items, players will need to collect them.

You can get items depending on the mode you're playing. However, all modes offer an inventory that allows players to store their possessions on your virtual person. Gamers can use their characters to run, jump, stealthily, and perform all kinds of actions while searching for items.

What do I need to buy in order to play Minecraft?

You will need to purchase Minecraft. The game can be purchased in physical stores and online as a digital code. Minecraft is currently available for PC, Mac and Android. Wii U, Apple, New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch.

This means that Minecraft can be played on any modern gaming device. There is no difference between purchasing the game online or physically.

Some physical releases include extra content, such as skins for players. You can purchase additional content through Minecraft with real money. You can buy pre-made maps, skins and game modes to use in Minecraft.

These extra purchases are completely optional, but once you have purchased the base game, there is nothing you need to get going.

Can You Play Minecraft Across Devices?

Yes! You can absolutely play Minecraft across multiple devices. Minecraft Java edition is the only version that isn't cross-platform compatible. It is one of two Minecraft versions available on PC.

All versions of the game are compatible. This means that players can connect to the same world from different devices and have hours of fun playing together. Your children can play the same game in the world with a friend or family member at home.

It is important to note that Minecraft must be purchased on each device before you can play it. Minecraft is an affordable game. The price of Minecraft will vary depending on the console it is purchased.

What Minecraft modes can you play?

There's three main Minecraft modes you can play. They are survival, creative, or adventure. Each mode has its own unique features, but they are all worth exploring.

Survival mode works exactly as it sounds. To survive the night and thrive in their world, players will be spawned in random worlds.

To survive, players must fight monsters that appear in the dark and feed their hunger. Gamers will need to explore the environment and find materials to build shelters, tools, and food.

You can change the difficulty or other settings, and you can also remove monsters from the game, if you wish. This is especially useful for younger gamers to avoid getting frustrated.

Creative mode allows players to access every item in the game as well as invincibility, and the ability to fly. This mode allows players to create whatever they want and build to their hearts' content.

Adventure mode is very similar to survival, but more restrictive. To destroy certain blocks, players will need the right tools. In survival mode, players can gather wood from trees using their hands. To cut down trees in adventure mode, players will require an axe.

Adventure mode is for gamers who are looking to play story-driven adventure maps. These maps can be downloaded from the internet or purchased in-game.

What is a Minecraft Server?

Minecraft servers are large multiplayer hubs that allow players to communicate with each other and play together. To join a Minecraft server, you will need an internet connection.

Servers that allow players to survive together in major survival and creative realms are available. Servers with different features let players play minigames and role play together.

Minecraft Java edition has thousands of servers you can join online by searching for the code. There are a few servers on Minecraft Bedrock that you can join via the server menu in-game.

As a parent, I should warn you that Minecraft servers allow chat functions and players to type and build whatever they like. This means that some servers allow players to swear or create suggestive or other raunchy builds.

There are however, family-friendly Minecraft servers that adhere to strict rules. These servers can be found online at the many Minecraft server listing websites.

What Age is Best for Minecraft?

The ESRB has rated Minecraft E for everyone. Although it has fantasy violence and weaponry, both are quite funny. You will hear a sound when you attack monsters and other enemies.

Additionally, players who take damage to their screen will see a flashing red for a second. There is no blood, or anything at all gory when players die. Minecraft violence is essentially the same as kids playing outside with toy guns.

The game is suitable for children of all ages. The game can get a little complicated in survival mode, and when you navigate through the menus in creativity mode. Minecraft is recommended for players aged nine and above.

However, younger children can still play it depending on their maturity. I've heard of children who started Minecraft as young as five years old and still had a lot of fun.

What settings should I know to keep my child safe on Minecraft?

Minecraft doesn't have any content that isn't suitable for children so there aren't any settings you can use to make Minecraft safer.

Online play can be disabled through your child's console if you are concerned. The method you use to do this will depend on the console you're using, but you can usually find them under parental settings within the console's settings menu.

A Guide To Minecraft Jargon

The jargon of Minecraft can be a bit confusing, especially for parents who aren't familiar with the language.

Minecraft's vocabulary has become more mainstream as the game becomes more popular. Here's a quick guide to Minecraft terminology.

Creeper

Creepers are enemies that can explode if players approach them. Creepers are known for their destructive abilities and can easily destroy a player's build in just seconds.

Mob is the catch-all term used to describe enemies in Minecraft. It stands for mobile and was originally used to describe enemies who could move around the globe. It was quickly shortened to mob and became a common phrase among players.

Spawn

Spawning simply means to appear in the context of spawning into new Minecraft worlds. Enemies will spawn in the dark or at night, and animals will spawn if there are no players around.

One-Hit

One-hit is a term used in player versus game modes. It means that an enemy must be hit only once before they are defeated. It is often used when a player is talking with a teammate and is defeated during a battle.

To encourage others to attack them, players will say that an enemy can be one-hit. One-hit can be applied to both mobs and real enemies.

The Nether

Players can access the Nether by creating a portal in their Minecraft World. The Nether allows players to access new areas and fight new foes in order to obtain special resources.

Minecraft is just as relevant today, ten years after it was released. It is a fan-favorite video game and that's not surprising. It is unlike any other game that allows players to unleash their creativity and work together towards achieving different goals.

Minecraft is very popular with younger children, so many parents want to learn more about it. This guide will teach you everything you need to get into Minecraft with your child.