It’s tough to understand why an eight-year-old boy is so obsessed with Minecraft as he plays intensely on his tablet under a bunk bed. His six-year-old brother, Fife, also enjoys the game, but their mom, Hester, describes Innis as “off-the-chart bonkers” about it.
Innis’s room in their home in Bromley, southeast London, is a testament to his love for Minecraft. Among the hamster, books, and homework lies an array of Minecraft-themed items—posters, a water bottle, pencil cases, sticker books, T-shirts, and Lego kits.
Innis discovered Minecraft through YouTube, a platform bursting with Minecraft-related content. By May 2024, videos about the game had racked up an incredible 1.5 trillion views. Notable YouTubers like Stampylonghead and DanTDM have built huge followings, with 28 billion views between them. Innis mentions he was inspired by PrestonPlayz and Craftee, saying the game looked amazing when he watched them play.
One recent video showed PrestonPlayz exploring hidden rooms in a blocky mansion, with his energetic commentary capturing the excitement of young viewers. This enthusiasm is what contributes to the game’s popularity, being a “sandbox” game that lets players create their own worlds. For over 15 years, countless players, especially children, have built and explored in this blocky universe, creating shelters from creatures like skeletons and zombies, and trading resources. Players can experience adventures alone or online with friends.
The beauty of Minecraft is that it doesn’t require players to “finish” it. While defeating the Ender Dragon is a goal, the game allows for limitless creativity and exploration. A review described it as a game about nothing, where anything is possible within its vast emptiness.
Excitingly for fans, a live-action film titled “A Minecraft Movie” is scheduled to hit theaters in the UK next month, just in time for Easter. It features actors Jason Momoa and Jack Black, following four unique characters in a cubic wonderland. A Netflix adaptation is also in the pipeline, and an immersive Minecraft experience is set to open concurrently in London. Additionally, plans for multiple Minecraft theme parks are in progress for both the UK and the US.
Minecraft continues to thrive, with over 300 million copies sold by the end of 2023, priced around £6.99 for the iPad version. It saw about 60 million players on a peak day recently. The game has even found its way into classrooms with Minecraft Education, designed to introduce learning through gameplay.
Ryan Cooper, the head of Minecraft at Microsoft, notes that the game’s appeal is global, even reaching unique places like the Vatican. He believes that as they continue to develop new content, fans will always crave more Minecraft experiences.
Today, many young players claim they become so absorbed in the game that even their dreams take place in its pixelated landscape. Innis recalls one dream where he faced a giant dirt monster.
While my gaming past is rooted in classics like Doom, it’s clear that Minecraft has transformed into something extraordinary, praised for its engaging design and immense popularity.
Minecraft was created by Markus Persson, affectionately known as “Notch.” He began working on it in 2009 after being inspired by games that encouraged exploration. By 2010, he had released a beta version. The game quickly took off, gaining popularity for its open-world gameplay and unique experiences.
Initially, some observers were skeptical about its potential. However, with the introduction of updates and the launch on consoles like the Xbox 360 in 2012, Minecraft’s sales skyrocketed. Today, additional features such as downloadable content and add-ons help artists and creators engage with the game.
As we return to see Innis and Fife, they take a break from screens to play outside. Their father, Dan, feels that while the boys enjoy nature, Minecraft tends to dominate their time. He believes it’s a step up from the violent games he played as a child, describing it as relatively educational, though Hester has her doubts, citing the boys’ chaotic gameplay.
Innis has even participated in Minecraft-themed clubs at school and had a party centered around the game, complete with a Minecraft cake. After a quick change, the boys rush back to their tablets, absorbed once again in their beloved world of Minecraft.