I’ve been playing Minecraft for over half my life, here’s why I’ll never stop

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Originally published on May 15, 2024.

15 years ago today, Minecraft was introduced to the world for the very first time. This means that when it initially came out in 2009, it was around the age of Final Fantasy 6, which is quite a throwback! Can you believe it? Well, I’m 24 now, and that implies that Minecraft has been around for more than half my life. Depending on your age, this might not seem too startling, but let me tell you, the GLHF team was positively petrified!

Back then, I found myself right smack in the middle of Minecraft’s meteoric rise to fame, and let me tell you, this blocky game took over my world like no other! As we celebrate a significant milestone, I can’t help but look back and ponder – it might just be the game that left the deepest imprint on my life.

I’ve encountered influential works of media that have shaped my perspectives significantly. As a child, watching Doctor Who sparked my affection for intricate storylines and richly developed characters. More recently, immersing myself in the Xenoblade Chronicles series has provided me with a more positive and hopeful outlook on life and the people around me. Assessing Minecraft’s impact is trickier because its effects aren’t as straightforward or apparent as those from other media.

In essence, there are two main aspects of Minecraft. The first is the game itself, while the second is the broader cultural phenomenon that has emerged around it. For myself, this second aspect primarily materialized through YouTube. This was not only due to the abundance of Minecraft content on every gaming channel but also because it sparked my curiosity and encouraged me to delve deeper into the online world than I ever had before.

In the days before social media fully took over, I was more of an online lurker than a participant. However, my entry into this vast, ever-evolving digital realm was through YouTube’s Minecraft content. It may seem embarrassing now, but those cheesy Minecraft pop song covers were my stepping stones to discovering young talents like Bo Burnham making music in their bedrooms, or creators like Tomska crafting hilarious sketches with friends.

It struck me that not only did I possess creative ideas yearning for expression, but I found it remarkably straightforward to find means to express them. What I truly needed was an environment where I could employ the tools at my disposal to construct anything my mind’s eye could envision. Essentially, I longed for a digital realm – call it a video game if you will – where I could effortlessly translate the pictures in my head onto the screen. Alas, such a game remains elusive…

Oh yeah, Minecraft.

In an unusual partnership, Minecraft propelled me into a realm that allowed me to unleash my inner creativity. This game served as both the catalyst and the canvas for my creative expression. Whether I was building alone or with friends, it always felt rewarding. Admittedly, at 12 years old, I was far from a master builder, but those early experiences were crucial in shaping me.

Exploring the world of Minecraft drew me further into the realm of gaming, revealing to me a universe beyond the popular titles on mainstream consoles. Their creativity inspired my curiosity about indie games like FTL and Towerfall, which are now among my favorites. As a result, they significantly influence my perspective as a game critic today.

After all these years, the views and feelings about Minecraft have become deeply rooted within me, yet I find myself continually drawn back to it. It might be weeks, even months, where I don’t touch the game, but eventually, its magnetic pull brings me back. And when I return, I become utterly immersed for hours on end. There are a few factors that keep me hooked.

Initially, it’s important to note that Minecraft hasn’t faded away. Instead, it has continued to thrive and appeal to new generations. The game remains a hub for creativity, with an endless stream of innovators, content creators, and enthusiasts joining the community, constantly introducing fresh concepts and genres in Minecraft. While Let’s Plays still exist for those who prefer them, there is now an abundance of more sophisticated content such as civilization simulations and competitive events like the Minecraft Championships that keep the game feeling vibrant and engaging as ever.

In addition, one advantage of having such an extensive community active for fifteen years is the abundance of user-created content, particularly mods, which ensures there’s always something fresh and exciting to explore in the game. While the original game occasionally introduces armadillos and new wolf skins, these updates are limited compared to the transformations I can give Minecraft with a bit of modification.

Over the past few years, I’ve been frequently enjoying the Vault Hunters modpack, transforming Minecraft into an immersive roguelike dungeon crawler. It offers intricate gear customization, resource accumulation, and character advancement that rivals Diablo series in depth. On a more relaxed note, I’ve also savored the experiences offered by modpacks like BigChadGuys, which may not sound it based on its name, but combines elements of Stardew Valley, Pokémon, and Minecraft to create a soothing, engaging gameplay experience.

I’ve only mentioned two out of hundreds of modifications, but playing vanilla Minecraft with friends is always enjoyable regardless. Minecraft has become an enduring part of my life, and I think it will continue to be in some fashion or another. The game means something unique to me now compared to a decade ago, yet it remains a creative space I can visit whenever I want to build something, even a simple cabin in the woods – I’ve improved significantly as a builder since being 12, I assure you.

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2025-04-29 14:46