This document summarizes the gameplay, development, and value of the indie game Minecraft. It discusses how Minecraft allows for snackable, short play sessions in its sandbox world where players can mine, craft, and build creations. It also describes the author's experience playing on a Minecraft server with other local players, including screenshots of their collaborative projects over time as the world scaled up in size and complexity.

1. Minecraft
a Snackable Indie Sandbox
Drew Davidson

2. a little bit about me

3. Analysis
• Game Design
– Gameplay Mechanics
• Development
– Public Beta
• Literacy & Mastery
– Snackable
– Post-Secret

4. play
• single-player
– new world
– some of day

5. Why?
• In-Depth “Close Reading”
• Critique & Analysis
• Gameplay Experience
• Meaning & Value

6. Full Disclosure
• Playing Game since January
• Minepedia (Wiki)
• One Spoiler (!)
• ETC hosted a Server
– MC Local 700

7. play
• single-player
– more of day

8. Gameplay

9. Narrative

10. Overall Experience
• Mining & Crafting
• Creative & Survival
• Sandbox & Projects
• Snackable & Post-Secret

11. play
• single-player
– finish up day

12. Playing the Game
• World
– Procedural
• Day
– 10
• Sunset
– 1.5
• Night
– 7
• Sunrise
– 1.5

13. play
• single-player
– watch sunset

14. Making the Game
• Notch (Markus Perrson)
– Mojang
• Public Beta
• Community Support
– Minepedia
– Mods
• Pre-Orders

15. play
• single-player
– night

16. The Game
• PC/Mac
• Mine and Craft
– Ramping
• Old School
– Gameplay
– Art
• Inspiration(s)
– Infiniminer
– Dungeon Keeper
– Dwarf Fortress

17. play
• single-player
– finish night

18. Snackable
• Convenient & Easy
• Time
• Complete Play Experience
• Reduce Friction

19. play
• single-player
– watch sunrise

20. Post-Secret
• Spoiler Pop Culture
• Star = Hero
• Digital Distribution
• Player Created Content

21. play
• single-player
– world 1

22. Sandbox
• Exploration
• Creation
• Engagement
• Multi-Player
• Game?
– Survival
– Projects
– Achievements
– Sweat Equity

23. play
• multi-player

24. Minecrafters Local 700
• ETC Server
• since January
– some play before
• Playing together

25. MC Local 700 - January

26. MC Local 700 - April

27. MC Local 700 - Spring

28. MC Local 700 - Scale

29. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

30. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

31. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

32. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

33. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

34. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

35. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

36. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

37. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

38. MC Local 700
• Screenshots
• Flythroughs

39. Literacy & Mastery
• Interpret & Analyze
• Design & Develop
• Gameplay Mechanics
• Value & Meaning
• Teaching & Learning

40. Well Played
• In Both Senses
• Ludic Narrans
• Performance of Play
• http://etc.cmu.edu/etcpress/

41. MC Local 700 Thanks!
• Steve Audia
• Dave Bennett
• Ian Bowie
• Robby Duncan
• Andrew Edwards
• Jerry Fu
• Wai Kay Kong
• Andy Korzik
• Anthony Palma
• Felix Park
• Anton Strenger
• Ross Treyz

42. Thanks!
• Questions?
– drdrew@cmu.edu