I don't grok Minecraft!

A few months back, a young boy asked me to install a new game on his Nabi 2 Tablet. This game was called Minecraft. I had heard of this game in passing at work. Something about being able to "set up a server", the "sandbox environment", "kids love it" and then I tuned out. That young boy? Turns out he is my son and he REALLY wanted it and it was only few dollars for this version. The game's reviews looked positive and it is a game about building and not destroying.

If you are unfamiliar with Minecraft it basically involves breaking and mining blocks and then building and crafting items with them. Players can then design structures for protection or just to see what they can create. The biggest criticism about the game I ever got before downloading it was about the blocky "old school" graphics.

This looked suitable for my elementary aged son. I downloaded the game and installed it onto his trusty Android based Nabi 2. Overjoyed, he ran off with his tablet and started in immediately. That was a few months ago. Now, just in case the Nabi's battery has gone kaput, we now have the iVersion and the XBox version. All this just so we can be fully Minecraft redundant. That's right, there is 99.999% Minecraft uptime at this household. Due to some limitations with the Pocket editions and our want of experimentation we also now have the "full" version on the PC in his room. When not playing the electronic version, he pretends to play the game with his Lego's. Nearly every other waking moment he watches YouTube videos about Minecraft for inspiration on what to build while playing the game. He even looks for Minecraft exploits! Last week he wanted Star Wars texture mods!

My name is Mark. I may have lost my son to Minecraft. 

I wonder if my parents felt the same way when I found Star Wars or Mario? I have tried to play this game and I just can not sit still long enough to get into it. My son really wants me to set up a server so we can play together. I am not so sure. Mario? I rule! Bring it on Bowser! Zelda? The same! Give me the Master Sword and let's go save the Princess! I can never get the controls right. And this recipe stuff? Ungh... Let's just go win!

But then this game isn't about winning. It is about building and using your resources wisely and creating things. That is what makes it so fun. I guess I am just too competitive.

Verdict: I highly recommend Minecraft for children as young as seven years old. My son enjoys playing it every day. I can see how it might help build problem solving skills and foster creativity and, when played on a server, teamwork.

Minecraft for PC is available at https://mojang.com/

Minecraft Pocket Edition is available on Apple iTunes for the iPad and for Android devices at Amazon here:

Minecraft for the XBox is available at Amazon (play via XBox Live) here:

I will make every attempt to grok it so my son and I can create worlds unknown to any before!