Games

When did Minecraft come out? See the biggest updates

BBG News

Eager to learn more about the background of Minecraft? Unravel details on its release date, its transformation from Classic to version 1.0, and the distinctive elements that catapulted it to become the globe’s top-selling video game.

Have you ever pondered about where it all started for Minecraft, after you’ve discovered your first diamonds, constructed your ideal base, and perhaps defeated the Ender Dragon on several occasions?

Hard to believe, but Minecraft began as a humble indie creation by Markus “Notch” Persson back in 2009. No Creepers, no Redstone, not even survival mode – just blocks waiting for your creativity to shape them. It’s astounding to reflect on how much it has grown since then. Each update brought something new, carving the massive, imaginative sandbox we now cherish.

In this walkthrough, we’ll reminisce about the origins and trace the growth of Minecraft over its six most significant upgrades. For those who are avid fans, get ready to deepen your understanding of Minecraft!

When did Minecraft come out?

Initially, a preliminary version of Minecraft, named Minecraft Classic, was unveiled on May 17, 2009. However, this wasn’t the complete game as we know it today. Instead, it served as a trial for the creative mode, lacking survival, crafting, and danger elements. The fully-fledged version, Minecraft 1.0, made its grand entrance at MineCon on November 18, 2011, marking the time when the game started to take shape seriously.

Most players consider 2011 the true beginning of Minecraft as we know it today.

Minecraft Version Timeline

  • May. 17, 2009 – The very first public version (called Minecraft Classic)
  • Jun. 28, 2010 – The Alpha version was released.
  • Dec. 20, 2010 – The game entered its Beta phase.
  • Nov. 18, 2011 – The full version (Minecraft 1.0) launched at MineCon 2011

What was Minecraft Classic like?

In the year 2009, Minecraft Classic had a very minimalist design. It allowed you to place and destroy blocks, but that was about all it offered. You wouldn’t find any monsters, health bars, or crafting features. Instead, it provided a serene, block-based environment for constructing structures.

Here’s what was missing in Classic:

  • No Survival Mode – Players couldn’t take damage, lose health or die
  • No health or damage – No threats, just building
  • No hostile mobs – No enemies existed yet to attack you at night
  • No animals – The game didn’t include any creatures
  • No crafting system – You couldn’t create tools or items at all!

Instead of being a complete game, it functioned more like a digital building kit, similar to LEGOs. Yet, it ignited something massive. Feel free to experiment with Minecraft Classic directly within your web browser.

What was new in Minecraft 1.0?

From now on, things get thrilling! The debut of Minecraft 1.0 introduced a host of groundbreaking features. For the first time ever, players were able to “complete” the game by venturing to The End and vanquishing the Ender Dragon.

This version also introduced:

  • Enchanting
  • Potion brewing
  • The hunger bar
  • Animal breeding
  • Better Nether Fortresses

In the initial version of Minecraft 1.0, not only were fortresses upgraded, but players found themselves venturing into risky territories to obtain necessary resources. Additionally, a hunger bar was introduced, transforming the food system so that regular consumption became essential for maintaining health rather than instant healing. This update also incorporated an impressive array of 301 new blocks and items including the bow and arrow, bedrock, diamond and gold armor and weapons, not forgetting obsidian!

How Minecraft has changed over the years

Starting from version 1.0, Minecraft has expanded in all dimensions – figuratively and literally speaking. It’s not just about digging into the depths of caves or scaling the heights of mountains; every upgrade introduces fresh terrains for adventurers to discover, construct upon, or endure.

The Adventure Update – Minecraft 1.0 (2011)

Upon its release, Minecraft 1.0 offered players a tangible objective: vanquishing the Ender Dragon within The End dimension. Additionally, it incorporated enchanting, brewing potions, animal breeding, and the hunger meter. This update imbued the game with a sense of completion and significantly expanded the tasks available in survival mode, making Minecraft feel more like a comprehensive adventure for the first time.

The Redstone Update – Minecraft 1.5 (2013)

The 1.5 update of Minecraft significantly enhanced the utility of redstone by introducing features such as hoppers, droppers, and daylight sensors. These additions allowed players to construct functional machines like farms, doors, traps, and various other intricate structures. This update was particularly beneficial for creative players who enjoyed designing intelligent systems and innovative creations within their game worlds.

The Update Aquatic – Minecraft 1.13 (2018)

Prior to this recent upgrade, the oceans were lackluster and barren. However, with the introduction of The Update Aquatic, the underwater world has been transformed by the addition of coral reefs, dolphins, shipwrecks, and even the trident weapon. Swimming through these waters now feels more fluid, and the new underwater adversaries add an element of excitement to exploration. As a result, the oceans have become one of the most captivating places to venture.

The Nether Update – Minecraft 1.16 (2020)

The Nether Update significantly transformed the Nether into an exciting location for exploration. It introduced new landscapes such as crimson forests, provided opportunities for trading with piglins, and introduced Netherite – a material more robust than diamond. Previously, the Nether was known to be frightening and barren, but now it teems with intriguing locations and valuable treasures.

The Caves & Cliffs Update – Minecraft 1.18 (2021)

In this installment, we moved into the second phase of the Caves & Cliffs update, which brought about a significant overhaul to the game’s world creation process. It ushered in taller mountain peaks, delved deeper into caves, and unveiled two fresh underground ecosystems – Lush Caves and Dripstone Caves. The range and depth of the world have been expanded, making exploration more thrilling than ever before.

The Trails & Tales Update – Minecraft 1.20 (2023)

As a devoted enthusiast, I’d say this Trails & Tales Update was all about fun, creativity, and weaving tales! It introduced camels into the game, as well as a breathtaking cherry blossom biome. Plus, there’s archaeology now, where you hunt for hidden treasures such as pottery. And guess what? You can now personalize your armor with trimmings to flaunt your unique style! Essentially, this update invited us to delve deeper, uncover secrets, and make our world truly our own.

Who created Minecraft?

Back in 2009, the game known as Minecraft was developed single-handedly by Swedish creator Markus “Notch” Persson. After crafting it himself, he made it available on the internet. The game soon gained immense popularity.

From the thrill of watching it blossom, I, a devoted fan, witnessed Notch’s creation of Mojang to continue its evolution. In the year 2014, he parted ways with Mojang (alongside Minecraft) for a staggering $2.5 billion sale to Microsoft. Since then, under Microsoft’s ownership, Mojang has been tirelessly maintaining the game, introducing updates, innovative features, and expanding an even more vibrant community.

Impressive stats

Here are some fascinating facts about Minecraft, a sandbox game that’s shattered numerous records throughout its journey.

Throughout its lifespan, Minecraft has smashed multiple records. Let me share with you a few captivating statistics about this incredible sandbox game.

  • Over 300 million copies sold (as of October 2023), making Minecraft the best-selling video game in history!
  • Over 200 million monthly active players – proving the game’s ability to remain relevant to a new generation of gamers
  • 55 million daily active players – A ridiculous figure even compared to the biggest multiplayer games that average around 1 million such as Counter-Strike 2 on Steam.

Beyond being the highest-grossing game ever, Minecraft remains incredibly popular and widely played at this moment.

Why Minecraft is still so popular today?

Minecraft remains widely appealing due to its versatility; each player experiences it uniquely. While one might construct sprawling metropolises, another may delve into subterranean caverns, and a third could simply enjoy leisurely times with companions in creative settings. There’s no prescribed method for gameplay.

It continually evolves in exciting ways. Mojang frequently releases updates, the community designs mods and maps, and an endless stream of new players are discovering it. Regardless of age, from 10 to 40, Minecraft can be whatever you imagine – and that’s what makes it so remarkable.

Read More

2025-03-23 04:41

Previous post I Think I Hate Myself
Next post Cocaine Crash: Amanda Mealing’s Dark Descent