The Story of Minecraft (Documentary)

Name: The Story of Minecraft (Documentary)
Uploaded: 2021-09-25T23:30:09.000Z
Duration: 3 h 40 min 54 s

Minecraft: The Journey to Success

This section provides an introduction to Minecraft and explores the early life of its creator, Marcus Pearson.

The Birth of Minecraft

Minecraft is a highly popular video game that generates hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Marcus Pearson, the creator of Minecraft, was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1979.

He grew up in a small town called Edspen with a population of under 4,000 people.

At the age of seven, Marcus moved back to Stockholm and was introduced to coding.

The Commodore 128 and Programming Passion

Marcus's father purchased a Commodore 128 computer when he was seven years old.

Subscribing to computer magazines allowed Marcus to learn programming by entering program listings into his computer.

At the age of eight, he created his first text adventure game.

Playing games on the Commodore 128 system further fueled his passion for programming.

Challenges and Escapes

Despite being a good student, Marcus found school difficult after moving to Stockholm. He turned to coding as an escape.

Spending hours in front of the computer became an outlet for him during troubled times at home.

His parents divorced when he was around 12 years old, and his father faced personal struggles with substance abuse.

Marcus failed to finish high school but continued learning programming through online courses.

From Web Developer to Game Developer

After working as a web developer, Marcus co-created the game "Wurm Online" in 2003.

He left the project and started using the name "Mojang Specifications" for his future endeavors.

Marcus joined Midas Player (later known as King.com), where he met Jacob Porzer, another game developer.

Building a Brighter Future

Marcus and Jacob began plotting their own games while working at Midas Player.

They found success with indie game websites and laid the foundation for Marcus's future projects.

The summary provided covers the first 6 minutes and 28 seconds of the transcript.

Marcus Pearson and Jacob Porzer's Barred from Making Games

This section discusses how Marcus Pearson and Jacob Porzer were barred from making games in their free time, leading to Marcus leaving Midas Player in 2009. It also mentions Pearson's new programming job at J Album, where he was allowed to work on his own games.

Marcus Leaves Midas Player

Marcus left Midas Player in 2009 after developing 25 to 30 games for the company.

The reason for his departure was being barred from making games in his free time.

New Programming Job at J Album

Pearson got a new programming job at J Album, an online photo sharing service.

Unlike at Midas Player, he was allowed to work on his own games during his off hours.

Development of Personal Projects

During his off hours, Pearson started working on personal projects that would later influence Minecraft.

One of these projects was a zombie game with a graphics engine similar to GTA Chinatown Wars.

He also worked on a base building game called Ruby Dung, inspired by Dwarf Fortress.

Influence of Infiniminer

Another game called Infiniminer, released in April 2009 by ZacTronic, played a significant role in inspiring Minecraft.

Infiniminer was an open-source multiplayer block-based sandbox building and digging game.

It quickly gained popularity and had players competing or building structures.

Infiniminer and its Impact

This section explores the game Infiniminer and its impact on Marcus' vision for Minecraft. It discusses the gameplay mechanics, the discontinuation of development by ZacTronic due to source leaks, and how Marcus saw the potential for improvement.

Gameplay Mechanics of Infiniminer

Infiniminer was a multiplayer game where players could choose different classes and mine for minerals.

The goal was to locate and excavate precious materials, earning points for the team.

However, players found more enjoyment in building structures rather than competing.

Discontinuation of Development

ZacTronic discontinued development on Infiniminer due to a major source leak that allowed unauthorized modifications.

Hackers started using modified clients to cheat on servers, leading to multiple communities with different versions of the game.

Marcus' Inspiration from Infiniminer

When Marcus played Infiniminer, he realized it was the type of game he wanted to create.

He saw potential but also recognized flaws in the gameplay mechanics and graphics.

Inspired by Infiniminer, Marcus began working on his own version called Cave Game.

Cave Game and its Evolution into Minecraft

This section focuses on Marcus' development of Cave Game, which eventually evolved into Minecraft. It discusses his use of assets from previous projects, positive responses to a tech test video, and his decision to pursue further development.

Development of Cave Game

Using art and code from previous projects like Ruby Dung, Marcus created a clone of Infiniminer called Cave Game.

It took him about a week to develop this initial version.

Positive Response to Tech Test Video

Marcus uploaded a video showcasing the tech test of Cave Game and received positive feedback.

The frame rate and performance impressed him, motivating him to continue development.

Evolution into Minecraft

Inspired by the potential he saw in Cave Game, Marcus decided to expand upon it further.

He reused some assets from Ruby Dung in early builds of Minecraft, such as grass and cobblestone block textures.

Conclusion

This markdown file provides a summary of the transcript, highlighting key points related to Marcus Pearson's journey from Midas Player to the development of Minecraft. It covers his departure from Midas Player, his work on personal projects, the influence of Infiniminer, and the evolution of Cave Game into Minecraft. The timestamps provided allow for easy reference to specific parts of the transcript for further study or analysis.

Creating the Zombie Game Prototype

This section discusses the development of a 3D texture mapper for a zombie game prototype, which had a graphics engine similar to GTA China Wars. The prototype was called Zombietown and the player models from this prototype were later added into Marcus' new game.

Marcus created a 3D texture mapper for a zombie game prototype.

The prototype had a graphics engine similar to GTA China Wars.

The prototype was called Zombietown and was uploaded to Marcus' YouTube channel.

Marcus liked the player models from Zombietown and added them into his new game.

Porting Player Models to OpenGL

In this section, Marcus explains how he realized that he already had cool-looking player models from the Zombietown prototype. He spent time porting these models to OpenGL and incorporated them into his new game, Cave Game.

Marcus realized he already had cool-looking player models from the Zombietown prototype.

He spent time porting these models to OpenGL.

The player models from Zombietown were then added into Cave Game.

Minecraft: Order of the Stone

This section discusses how the title of Cave Game was changed to Minecraft: Order of the Stone based on a suggestion by Paul Orez (Rinku Hero), a New Jersey-based game developer and member of the Independent Games Wiki. The name Minecraft was chosen because it sounded like "Order of the Stick" and also referenced the real-time strategy game StarCraft.

Paul Orez suggested changing the title of Cave Game during an Airnet Relay Chat with Marcus.

The new suggested title was Minecraft: Order of the Stone.

The name Minecraft was chosen because it sounded like "Order of the Stick" and referenced the game StarCraft.

Release of Minecraft

This section discusses the release of Minecraft as an unfinished piece of software for private testing among TAG IRC members in May 2009. The game was later released to the public on TIGSource forums and went through several updates based on user feedback.

Marcus completed the base program of Minecraft over a weekend in early May 2009.

An unfinished version of Minecraft was privately tested among TAG IRC members on May 16, 2009.

On May 17, 2009, Minecraft was released to the public on TIGSource forums.

The first version of Minecraft was more of a source tool than a game.

Marcus received feedback from users and updated the game based on their suggestions.

Classic Version and Early Updates

This section discusses the release of the classic version of Minecraft, which lacked many features compared to the current version. Marcus continued to update the game based on user feedback during different developmental phases.

The classic version of Minecraft was released commercially on June 13, 2009.

It did not support many main staples and lacked crafting and inventory systems.

Users could create using basic blocks but had limited options.

Marcus received feedback from users and implemented new features into subsequent versions.

Developmental Phases: Survival Test, Indev, Infdev

This section covers the developmental phases of Minecraft between September 2009 and June 2010. These phases included Survival Test, Indev, and Infdev. Each phase introduced new features and improvements based on user feedback.

The first developmental phase was Survival Test, which focused on testing out survival mode.

In Survival Test, players could find red mushrooms as food but they would hurt when eaten.

Seven new mobs were added: creepers, zombies, skeletons, spiders, pigs, sheep, and giants.

Giants were never officially implemented due to being overpowered.

The creation of creepers was a result of a coding error with the pig model.

Hayden Scott Baron's Contributions

This section discusses the contributions of Hayden Scott Baron (Doc) to Minecraft. Doc created player models and a logo for the game.

Marcus received around 30 applications from artists and chose to work with Hayden Scott Baron (Doc).

Doc created player models that were less square and blocky than the original models.

Doc also created a logo for Minecraft that captured the style and feel of the game.

Conclusion

This summary provides an overview of the development process of Minecraft, including the creation of prototypes, porting player models, changing the title to Minecraft: Order of the Stone, early releases and updates, developmental phases introducing new features based on user feedback, and contributions by artist Hayden Scott Baron.

Early Life and Introduction to Music

This section provides information about Daniel Rosenfeld, also known as C418, and his early life and introduction to music.

Daniel Rosenfeld's Background

Daniel Rosenfeld, better known as C418, is a German musician, producer, and sound engineer.

He was born and grew up in East Germany in 1989.

In the early 2000s, he learned to create music using early versions of Schism Tracker and Ableton Live.

His brother Harry introduced him to music composition through Ableton Live.

Music Releases on Bandcamp

After being introduced to music production by his brother, Daniel started releasing music on Bandcamp.

He composed music mainly for indie films and indie games like Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac.

Danny Baranowsky, an American electronic musician composer, suggested that he release his music on Bandcamp.

From 2007 to 2009, Daniel occasionally uploaded music to Bandcamp as a hobby.

Introduction to Game Development

Around the same time as his involvement with music production, Daniel became interested in game development and audio.

He joined an indie game development forum called TIGSource where he got involved with numerous smaller games and developers.

It was through TIGSource that Daniel became acquainted with Marcus Pearson (Notch), the creator of Minecraft.

Daniel was responsible for the sound effects and music in Minecraft.

Challenges with Sound Engine in Minecraft

This section discusses the challenges faced by Daniel Rosenfeld while working on the sound effects and music for Minecraft due to limitations of the game's sound engine.

Limitations of the Sound Engine

The sound engine in Minecraft's early Java version was not very powerful.

Creating sound effects and music required a creative approach due to the limitations of the engine.

The sound engine could only play looping sound files for two seconds before starting over.

The engine had a limit of 20 sound channels, which posed challenges when multiple sounds needed to be played simultaneously.

Issues with Sound Placement

Minecraft's sound placement system had limitations as well.

In the game, players could hear sounds even if there were walls between them and the source of the sound.

Implementing accurate sound placement would require significant computing and processing power, which was not feasible at that time.

In-Dev Phase and New Features

This section covers the in-dev phase of Minecraft's development and introduces new features added during this period.

Release of In-Dev Version 0.31

Marcus Pearson received a request to let the community try out new features he was implementing.

In-dev version 0.31 was released to the public on minecraft.net.

The in-dev version was available only to people who had purchased the game.

New Features Added

In-dev version 0.31 introduced a more complex and realistic lighting scheme compared to classic mode.

It also included support for MD3 mod models, demonstrated by Rana, an MD3 model created by Hayden.

End Dev Phase and Map Creation

This section discusses the end dev phase of Minecraft's development and focuses on map creation during this period.

Introduction of End Dev House

During end dev phase, players were greeted with a newly added title screen and options to create or load maps.

When creating a map, players had to assign characteristics such as type, shape, size, and theme.

End Dev House Structure

An end dev house was a seven-block-wide, seven-block-long structure with a four-block height.

It had a two-block hole for the player to enter and exit, along with torches inside.

The house was formed around the player's spawn point and contained chests filled with TNT and a full stack of every type of block and item.

Addition of Main Staples

Several main staples were added during this phase, including inventory, diamonds, decorative paintings, farming, and day-night cycles.

Minecraft's Growing Popularity

This section highlights the growing popularity of Minecraft and significant milestones reached during its development.

Increasing Popularity

Minecraft started gaining more attention through word-of-mouth on forums.

The game was being talked about more frequently, leading to increased popularity day by day.

Over 100,000 Registered Users

On January 13th, 2010, Marcus announced that Minecraft had surpassed 100,000 registered users.

The game was growing at a surprising rate.

Transition to Infinite Development (Infdev)

This section discusses the transition from end dev phase to infinite development (infdev) phase in Minecraft's development.

Departure of Hayden Scott-Baron

On February 5th, 2010, Hayden Scott-Baron (Doc) departed from Minecraft due to work-related issues and animation problems.

Marcus explains in a Tumblr post that he decided to move forward on his own due to difficulties with animations loading into the game.

Introduction of Infdev Phase

The infdev phase involved rewriting the game's code to allow for infinite terrain generation instead of finite maps.

The goal was to catch up an infinite terrain version with the content available in end dev phase.

New Features Added During Infdev

Minecarts, 3D clouds, buckets, signs, ladders, doors, and more craftable items were added during the infdev phase.

Unlike end dev, the infdev version was not free and reportedly cost $10.

Conclusion

This section concludes the summary of the transcript, highlighting the success of Minecraft's early development stages.

Financial Success

Charging for the infdev version proved to be a good idea as Minecraft quickly generated enough revenue.

Marcus was able to take time off from his day job to focus on Minecraft's development.

Minecraft Alpha Release

This section discusses the release of Minecraft Alpha and the new features added during this phase.

Minecraft Alpha Features

During the alpha phase, Minecraft was updated frequently with bug fixes, tweaks, and major additions.

Major additions included biomes (snowy and icy terrains), boats, cows, slimes, chickens, redstone circuits, a difficulty toggle, and the Nether dimension.

The Nether dimension featured rugged terrain, fire seas, lava columns, unique ores, and new mobs like ghasts and zombie pigmen.

These new features provided players with more incentive to play and explore different ways to enjoy the game.

Survival Mode in Alpha

This section focuses on survival mode in Minecraft Alpha and the introduction of survival multiplayer.

Survival Mode

In Minecraft Alpha, survival mode was the only playable game mode.

Players could mine resources, build structures, fight mobs, and survive in a challenging environment.

Survival Multiplayer

On August 4th of 2010, survival multiplayer was introduced in Minecraft Alpha.

Initially, players had to manually find server IPs to connect to multiplayer games.

Marcus' Plans for Minecraft Development

This section discusses Marcus' plans for developing Minecraft further and his interest in starting his own company.

Expansion Plans

Marcus expressed interest in hiring additional programmers and an artist to help him build Minecraft into something bigger.

He wanted to set up a small development studio in Stockholm with employees dedicated to improving the game's website and community features.

Marcus' Trip and Job Offer

Marcus mentioned a trip to the Northwestern USA to meet his idols and potentially explore job opportunities.

During this trip, he visited Valve's offices in Bellevue, Washington.

Marcus was offered a dream job at Valve after meeting Gabe Newell, but he decided to turn it down.

He wanted to focus on creating his own game company rather than working for someone else.

Minecraft Con and Herobrine Hoax

This section covers the first Minecraft convention and the popular hoax surrounding Herobrine.

Minecraft Con 2010

Marcus held the first Minecraft convention, called "Minecraft Con 2010," which attracted over 50 people.

Fans had the opportunity to ask questions and interact with Marcus, showing the growing dedicated following of the game.

Herobrine Hoax

Herobrine was a popular creepypasta character in the Minecraft community.

It started with an image posted on 4chan boards, claiming encounters with Herobrine in-game.

The character gained more attention when streamer Copeland photoshopped Herobrine into screenshots during a livestream.

Marcus confirmed that Herobrine was a hoax, but it didn't stop fans from creating theories about its origin and nature.

Conclusion

This summary provides an overview of key points from the transcript. It covers the release of Minecraft Alpha, survival mode and multiplayer, Marcus' plans for development, his decision to turn down a job offer from Valve, and highlights from Minecraft Con 2010 as well as the popular Herobrine hoax.

Making Minecraft and Creating Mojang

This section discusses the formation of Mojang, the company behind Minecraft, and the key individuals involved in its creation.

Formation of Mojang

Jacob received a Skype call from Bellevue Notch, who expressed interest in hiring him. However, Jacob was more interested in starting his own business.

Marcus returned home from his trip to the US and decided it was time to start their own gaming company.

Marcus and Jacob incorporated Mojang, with Marcus continuing to work on Minecraft while Porzer developed another project for the company.

They hired Daniel Kaplan as a business developer to manage the business side of things.

Jens Bergensten was hired as a back-end developer for the new game they were working on.

Minecraft Beta Release

This section covers the fifth and final development stage of Minecraft before its official release as beta version. It also highlights some of the new features added during this stage.

Minecraft Beta Release

Minecraft entered its fifth development stage before its official release as beta version on December 20th, 2010.

The game saw a 50% price increase with this release.

New features added with the beta release included a new logo and launcher, achievements and statistics, server-side inventory, rain and snow, structures like strongholds and villages, new mobs like squid and enderman, health mechanics using hunger and sprinting,

mechanisms like sticky pistons and trap doors, melons and pumpkins, maps beds for skipping nights,

wool dies shears, creative mode (infinite resources for building without survival elements).

Expansion of Mojang

This section focuses on the expansion of Mojang after the beta release of Minecraft.

Expansion of Mojang

In January, Tobias Möstam was hired as Mojang's front-end web developer, followed by Carl Manneh as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Marcus and Jacob realized they needed administrative help and found Carl to be a perfect fit for the role.

Within 10 days of hiring Tobias and Carl, Minecraft surpassed 1 million in sales.

Minecraft grew virally from the online community, with players creating video tutorials, dedicated YouTube channels, forums, and podcasts based on the game.

Minecraft became more than just a game; it became a platform.

Minecraft's Early Success

This section highlights the early success of Minecraft in terms of sales and community growth.

Early Success of Minecraft

By the end of 2010, Minecraft had sold approximately 20,000 downloads.

In its first year, Minecraft was selling that many downloads in a day.

Minecraft achieved this success without spending any money on marketing.

The game grew virally through online communities and word-of-mouth recommendations.

The community around Minecraft continued to grow with players realizing that it was not just a game but also a platform.

The transcript does not provide timestamps beyond this point.

Minecraft History and Minecon Minecraft History and Minecon

This section provides an overview of the development of Minecraft, including the creation of a new game called Scrolls by Mojang. It also discusses the controversy surrounding the name "Scrolls" and its similarity to Bethesda's "The Elder Scrolls." Additionally, it covers the release of Minecraft Pocket Edition and Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition, as well as the hiring of new employees at Mojang.

Development of Scrolls Game

Scrolls: Mojang's new gaming project alongside Minecraft.

Strategy digital collectible card game combining elements from trading card games and traditional board games.

Received a 15-page letter from Bethesda Softworks threatening a lawsuit due to the similarity between "Scrolls" and "The Elder Scrolls."

Marcus had already been warned by Bethesda's lawyers about this problem before.

Bethesda suggested a compromise where no words would be used before "Scrolls."

Release of Minecraft Pocket Edition

Minecraft Pocket Edition: A new way to play Minecraft on mobile devices.

Initially launched exclusively for Xperia Play on Google Play in August 2011.

Later released for Android devices on October 7th, 2011, and iOS devices on November 17th, 2011.

Developed in C++ programming language due to incompatibility with Java-based framework.

Release of Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition

Minecraft Xbox 360 Edition: Announcement made at E3 in 2011.

Developed by Scotland-based developer 4J Studios using C++ programming language.

Expanded availability of Minecraft to console players.

Hiring New Employees at Mojang

Hired an artist named Henrik Peterson as the first employee.

Lydia Winters, Mojang's first female staff member, was hired as a community builder and brand director.

Lydia's journey to working for Mojang involved photography and video blogging.

Minecraft's popularity led to the hiring of more employees at Mojang.

Minecon History Minecon History

This section focuses on the history of Minecon, an annual convention for Minecraft fans. It highlights the growth of Minecon from its early days to a large-scale event with various activities and attendees from around the world.

Early Minecon Events

First Minecon had only 50 attendees.

Second Minecon featured events such as spleef tournament, building competition, and obstacle course race.

Signature wall signed by 167 people, including Marcus Pearson (the creator).

Minecon 2011

Minecon 2011: Held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on November 18th, 2011.

Keynote speeches from members of the Minecraft community.

Building contests, breakout classes on different Minecraft topics, costume contests, exhibits, and meeting Minecraft personalities.

Attendance of 4,500 people from 24 nations.

Kickoff party and "End to the Nether" party with Deadmau5.

Leadership Transition

Marcus Pearson stepped down from his lead developer role during Minecon 2011.

Jens Bergensten took over as the lead developer for Minecraft.

Conclusion

The transcript provides insights into the development of Minecraft and its expansion onto different platforms. It also highlights the controversies faced by Mojang regarding their game Scrolls. Additionally, it covers the growth of Minecon as an annual convention for Minecraft enthusiasts.

Minecraft's Official Release and New Features

This section discusses the official release of Minecraft and the new features added to the game.

Minecraft's Official Release

Minecraft was moved out of beta and released as the full version.

The official release included new staples of the game such as status effects, brewing potions, chanting, animal breeding, mushroom island biome, mooshrooms, snow golems, magma cubes, blazes, music discs, strongholds with loot chests, villagers, and the end dimension inhabited by endermen and the ender dragon.

The main island in the end consists of several large islands made of end stone floating above an endless black void.

Blocks found on the main island include obsidian (healing pillars), bedrock (tower tops), and ender crystals (float above pillars to heal the dragon).

Defeating the ender dragon marks completion of the game.

Price Change and Staff Expansion

With the official release, Minecraft's price changed to $26.95.

Jens Bergenson became lead programmer for Minecraft.

John Kagstrom joined as an AI programmer.

Nathan Adams (Dinnerbone) created plugins for servers.

Warren Liu and Eric Bros also joined Mojang to aid in server software development.

Introduction of Bucket Team

Nathan Adams started Bucket project for multiplayer plugin creation.

Mojang acquired Bucket from Curse as part of hiring agreement.

Bucket team members included Warren Liu and Eric Bros.

Modding APIs and Plugins

APIs were developed to allow third-party developers to add their own code through plugins.

Plugins are installed on server side without modifying game files.

Growth of Minecraft Player Base and Minecon

This section highlights the growth of Minecraft's player base and the annual event, Minecon.

Staff Expansion and Minecraft Legos

As the player base grew, Mojang continued to expand its staff.

Minecraft was announced to have its own Lego set released in June 2012.

Xbox 360 version of Minecraft was released on May 9th, 2012.

New Features and Minecon 2012

New features added in updates during 2012 included zombie sieges, jungle biomes, iron golems, ocelots, trading, adventure mode, generated jungle and desert pyramids, ender chests, desert villages, and emeralds.

Minecon 2012 was held in Disneyland Paris on November 24th and 25th with approximately 4500 attendees.

Continued Growth and Success of Minecraft

This section discusses the continued growth and success of Minecraft.

Revenue and Wealth Distribution

Estimated revenue for Minecraft in 2012 was $211 million with gross profits of $101 million to $150 million.

Marcus Pearson distributed a $3 million group bonus to the team.

Conclusion of Another Year

The year ended with Minecraft's popularity continuing to grow.

The world did not end as predicted for December 21st, 2012.

Minecraft Updates: Redstone Update and Minecraft 2.0

This section discusses the release of two major updates for Minecraft: the Redstone Update and Minecraft 2.0.

Redstone Update (1.5)

The Redstone Update was released in March, adding new redstone-related blocks, a decorative block called quartz, a scoreboard system, a new texture pack format, and lighting engine optimization.

Timestamp:

Minecraft 2.0

On April 1st, 2013, Mojang released Minecraft 2.0 as an April Fool's joke. It was advertised as a new game they had been working on for two years.

The update included nonsensical changes such as new blocks like "ethoslabs" and coal blocks that did not exist at the time.

New mobs were introduced, including horses and ponies with different textures, diamond chickens that could lay diamonds or lapis lazuli, redstone bugs resembling silverfish but with a redstone shade, and a friendly pink wither boss.

Timestamp:

Milestones and Expansions

This section covers milestones reached by Minecraft in terms of sales and expansions to different platforms.

Sales Milestones

At this point in time (April 2013), Minecraft had surpassed 10 million sales on PC, making it the best-selling PC game of all time.

Timestamp:

Expansion to Xbox One

In June 2013 at E3, Microsoft announced that Minecraft Xbox One Edition would be developed for the Xbox One console.

Timestamp:

Horse Update and PlayStation Versions

The Horse Update (Java Edition 1.6.1) was released, introducing horses, leads, coal blocks, carpets, new commands, resource packs, hay bales, horse armor, donkeys, mules, and a new launcher.

In August 2013, it was announced that Minecraft would be playable on PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation 4 (PS4), and PlayStation Vita.

Timestamp:

Updates: "The Update That Changed the World" and Minecon

This section discusses the release of the "Update That Changed the World" and highlights from Minecon.

"The Update That Changed the World" (Java Edition 1.7.2)

Released in October 2013, this update added stained glass, packed ice, new biomes (mesa, savannah, sunflower plains, etc.), generated structures, flowers,

better networking features,

new commands,

and more.

Timestamp:

Minecon 2013

Minecon took place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on November 2nd and 3rd.

Attendance reached around 7,500 people.

New employee announcements were made during the convention:

Ryan Holtz joined Mojang to work on the rendering engine of Minecraft.

Michael Stoick joined Mojang as well; he is known for founding the Mod Coder Pack used for creating mods in Minecraft.

Timestamp:

Expansions to PlayStation Platforms and Minecraft Realms Beta

This section covers the release of Minecraft on PlayStation platforms and the introduction of Minecraft Realms Beta.

PlayStation Release and Minecraft Realms Beta

On December 17th, 2013, Minecraft was officially released on PlayStation 3 (PS3).

Two days later, Mojang released Minecraft Realms Beta, a subscription-based server hosting service that allows players to create and manage their own private servers.

Timestamp:

The transcript does not provide timestamps for the remaining content.

Minecraft Changes and Marcus' Struggles

This section discusses the changes happening in Minecraft in 2014 and the struggles faced by Marcus, the creator of Minecraft.

Changes to Minecraft (1:00)

In 2014, Minecraft saw several updates and releases, including the worldwide release of Realms and Minecraft Pocket Edition on Amazon Fire TV.

On September 2nd, 2014, Minecraft released the 1.8 update, also known as the Bountiful Update. This update introduced new blocks like diorite, andesite, granite, banners, mutton dropped from sheep, rabbits, endermites, armor stands, underwater enemies (guardians), and boss (elder guardians).

Two days later, Minecraft was released on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles.

A month later on October 14th, it was released for PlayStation Vita.

Marcus' Struggles

Despite his success with Minecraft's popularity growing worldwide, Marcus (Notch) started to struggle with the spotlight on him.

He received mean comments online and felt exhausted from the pressure of being the owner of such a popular game.

Marcus expressed his frustrations on Twitter but didn't expect how one tweet would change everything.

The Tweet that Changed Everything

On June 16th, 2014, Marcus tweeted about wanting to sell his share of Mojang to move on with his life due to receiving hate for trying to do the right thing.

Microsoft, Electronic Arts (EA), and Activision Blizzard showed interest in buying Marcus' share.

Ultimately Microsoft was chosen by Mojang due to their previous partnerships and willingness to work with Mojang's founders.

The sale allowed Marcus to have a clean break from the company, and there would be no layoffs for the Mojang team.

Microsoft's Acquisition of Mojang

This section discusses the acquisition of Mojang by Microsoft and the reasons behind it.

Acquisition Process

After Marcus' tweet, interested parties like Microsoft, EA, and Activision contacted Mojang's CEO Carl Mana.

Talks with Activision didn't progress, and details about EA are undisclosed.

Potential buyers who did gameplay in a way Mojang didn't like were rolled out.

Ultimately, Microsoft was chosen due to their previous partnerships and other factors like a possible tax dodge.

Benefits of the Acquisition

The three founders of Mojang wanted a clean break from the company, which Microsoft agreed to.

With Microsoft's massive staff consolidation following the purchase of Nokia, there would be no layoffs for the Mojang team.

Microsoft saw gaming as a significant investment opportunity and called it the single biggest digital life category measured in both time and money spent in a mobile-first world.

Official Announcement

On September 15th, 2014, it was officially announced that Microsoft would acquire Mojang and Minecraft from its three founders.

Marcus Persson's Journey to Success

This section discusses Marcus Persson's path to becoming a billionaire and his decision to sell Minecraft.

Marcus's Achievements and Freedom

Marcus Persson, from a small town in Sweden, achieved the remarkable feat of making a billion dollars.

Despite facing personal tragedies such as his father's passing and divorce, he managed to create a successful sandbox game called Minecraft.

Selling Minecraft was a blessing for Marcus as it not only brought him financial wealth but also the freedom to pursue his own interests and creations.

He stepped down from Minecraft development and decided to focus on small prototypes and interesting challenges.

Disconnect with Fans and Importance of Sanity

Marcus realized that he didn't have the connection with his fans that he thought he had after watching a video about another game developer's experience.

He didn't want to be responsible for something huge that he didn't understand or want to work on.

Marcus emphasized that it was not about the money but about maintaining his sanity.

Love for Fans and Transition

Despite wanting out, Marcus expressed his love for all the fans who made Minecraft what it had become.

The sale of Minecraft meant that Microsoft now owned it, but in a bigger sense, it still belonged to all the fans.

In November 2014, all three founders of Mojang left the company after selling Minecraft.

Reactions to the Departure

This section explores how different groups reacted to the departure of Marcus Persson and Mojang's founders.

Fan Base Reaction

The fan base took the news of Marcus's departure relatively well. Many understood his choice and wished him well.

They appreciated his explanation and expressed support for him taking care of himself.

Mojang Staff Reaction

Mojang's staff had a harder time comprehending the departure of their former boss and founders.

While they received a bonus from the deal, many felt disappointed and empty upon hearing the news.

Integration with Microsoft

After the departure of the founders, Mojang's integration with Microsoft was minimal.

Microsoft provided financial and technical support while allowing Mojang to operate independently.

Minecraft's Future under Microsoft

This section discusses how Minecraft continued to develop under Microsoft's ownership and their plans for the game.

Minecraft Updates

Despite the departure of Marcus Persson and Mojang's founders, Minecraft continued to receive updates without hesitation.

A new update, Minecraft Java Edition 1.8.1, was released in November 2014 with bug fixes.

Collaboration with Telltale Games

Mojang announced a collaboration with Telltale Games to create a new spin-off game called Minecraft Story Mode.

The game would be an episodic narrative-driven experience set in the Minecraft universe.

Microsoft's Plans for Minecraft

With Microsoft now owning Minecraft, they had plans to expand its use on devices like HoloLens, their mixed reality device.

The acquisition of Minecraft was influenced by its potential compatibility with HoloLens.

Marcus Persson's Wealth and Continued Development

This section highlights Marcus Persson's extravagant purchase and ongoing development of Minecraft under Microsoft.

Marcus's Mansion Purchase

Marcus showed off his newfound wealth by purchasing a luxurious mansion worth $70 million in Beverly Hills.

The mansion has impressive features such as 15 bathrooms and eight bedrooms.

Ongoing Development under Microsoft

Despite Marcus's departure, Mojang (now owned by Microsoft) continued to develop Minecraft.

Microsoft had plans to integrate Minecraft with their HoloLens device and explore new possibilities for the game.

Minecon and Future Plans

This section discusses the return of Minecon and speculates on Microsoft's future plans for Minecraft.

Return of Minecon

After a year of absence, Minecon made a comeback, generating significant excitement among fans.

The convention was held in 2015, but further details were not provided in the transcript.

Microsoft's Future Plans

As of the end of 2014, it remained uncertain what Microsoft's long-term plans were for Minecraft.

There was speculation about whether they could make Minecraft even bigger or potentially tarnish its reputation.

Minecraft News and Minecraft Story Mode

This section discusses the exciting news surrounding Minecraft, including the announcement of a spin-off game called Minecraft Story Mode and a featured film. It also mentions the addition of Thomas Gimbreziere to the Mojang staff and the release of the first episode of Minecraft Story Mode.

Exciting News for Minecraft

Mojang and Telltale Games reveal the trailer for Minecraft Story Mode, a spin-off game.

Announcement of a Minecraft featured film directed by Rob McElhenney.

Minecraft is closing in on 100 million copies sold.

Thomas Gimbreziere joins Mojang as a game developer.

Release of Minecraft Story Mode

The first episode, "The Order of the Stone," is released for PlayStation, PC, Xbox, iOS, Android, and Fire OS.

Wii U version of Minecraft is released on December 17th.

Challenges for Marcus Persson

Marcus Persson (creator of Minecraft) begins to struggle with his personal life despite financial success.

He vents about his feelings on Twitter regarding his newfound lifestyle and lack of challenges.

Struggles and Venting

This section focuses on Marcus Persson's struggles with his personal life after selling Minecraft. It highlights his tweets expressing frustration with being blamed for things that weren't his fault and how this affected his relationship with former employees at Mojang.

Struggles of Success

Marcus Persson starts to struggle with his new lifestyle after selling Minecraft.

Lack of challenges leads to boredom and dissatisfaction.

He feels misunderstood by others who blame him for various issues.

Venting About Former Employees

Marcus vents about how former employees at Mojang now dislike him after selling the company.

This venting foreshadows future events that will strain the relationship between Minecraft, its creator, and the buyer.

Minecraft Education Edition and More Updates

This section discusses the announcement of Minecraft Education Edition, an educational version of Minecraft designed for classroom use. It also mentions updates to Minecraft Story Mode and Minecraft Java Edition.

Minecraft Education Edition

Announcement of Minecraft Education Edition, an educational version of Minecraft for classroom use.

Lesson plans available for various subjects and age groups.

Educators can upload their own lesson plans for others to use.

Updates to Minecraft Story Mode

Release of Minecraft Story Mode on Wii U.

Telltale Games plans to release three new episodes in the series.

Update to Minecraft Java Edition

Release of Minecraft Java Edition 1.9, the Combat Update.

Revamped combat system with timed attacks, dual wielding, spectral and tipped arrows, shields.

The End is revamped with updated boss fight sequence and additional islands with new features.

Virtual Reality and Expansion into China

This section highlights the release of a virtual reality adaptation of Minecraft Pocket Edition for Samsung Gear VR. It also discusses Mojang's partnership with Netease Incorporated to bring Minecraft to China.

Virtual Reality Adaptation

Release of a virtual reality adaptation of Minecraft Pocket Edition for Samsung Gear VR.

Expansion into China

Partnership between Mojang and Netease Incorporated to bring Chinese versions of games like World of Warcraft, Starcraft 2, Overwatch, and now Minecraft.

Availability in restrictive countries expands reach.

Achievement of selling 100 million copies reached on June 2nd.

Minecraft History and Expansion

This section covers the expansion of Minecraft, including new hires at Mojang, Minecon 2016, and the release of Minecraft Education Edition.

Mojang's Expansion

Agnes Larson was hired as a game developer for Minecraft after earning a master's degree in applied physics and electrical engineering.

Mojang continued to expand its team by hiring Maria Lemon as a game developer and Marianna Graham as an animator modeler and texture artist.

The year 2016 ended strong for Mojang with the release of Minecraft Education Edition on November 1st.

Minecon 2016

Minecon 2016 took place in Anaheim, California with an estimated 12,000 attendees.

During this convention, Minecraft's first book "Minecraft: The Island" was announced for a mid-2017 release.

Minecraft's Growth

Despite being under Microsoft's ownership for two years, Minecraft's growth has not slowed down.

The game continued to expand its reach with releases in China where video games are heavily restricted.

Minecraft Updates and Marketplace

This section highlights updates to Minecraft in 2017, including new console releases, the introduction of the marketplace, and major updates to Java Edition.

Console Releases

In 2017, Minecraft was released on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS consoles.

The spin-off game "Minecraft Story Mode" also released new episodes starting in July.

Introduction of Marketplace

The marketplace was introduced as an in-game store where players could purchase skins, textures, and worlds created by community creators.

Players could access these items by spending minecoins or tokens on PlayStation 4.

Major Updates to Java Edition

Java Edition received the World of Color update (1.12) which introduced a more vibrant color palette, new crafting system, and various additions like glazed terracotta and parrots.

The update also replaced achievements with a customizable advancement system and introduced a new command system called functions.

Minecraft Books and New Staff Members

This section covers the release of "Minecraft: The Island" book, as well as the addition of new staff members at Mojang.

"Minecraft: The Island" Book

"Minecraft: The Island" was released on July 18th, 2017, written by Max Brooks.

Max Brooks clarified that he was not writing "the Minecraft book," but rather a book set in the Minecraft universe.

New Staff Members at Mojang

Giorgi Gavichev was hired as a game developer known for his work on modded models and addressing technical issues.

Bartosz Bach joined as a game developer with a master's degree in computer science and previous experience at Microscopalite and Nokia.

Minecon Earth 2017

This section focuses on Minecon Earth 2017, an interactive live stream event where viewers had the opportunity to vote for a new mob to be added to the game.

Minecon Earth 2017

Minecon Earth 2017 took place on November 18th as a 90-minute interactive live stream hosted by Lydia Winters and Will Arnett.

Viewers had the chance to vote for one out of four mobs to be added to the game.

Mob Voting Options

The four available mobs were Mob A (The Barnacle), Mob B (The Monster of the Ocean Depths), Mob C (The Hovering Inferno), and Mob D (The Iceologer).

Viewers could vote via a Twitter poll, and the winning mob would be implemented into the game.

The summary has been provided in English as requested.

Mob Voting and Controversies

This section discusses the mob voting process in Minecraft and controversies surrounding Marcus Pearson, the creator of Minecraft.

Mob Voting Options

Viewers were given three options to vote for a new mob:

Mob B: Flying monsters were not present in the overworld at that time.

Mob C (The Great Hunger): A lizard-like creature that camouflages itself, consumes mobs and items, and has an appetite for enchanting powers.

Mob D (The Wildfire): A blaze-like mob with shield-like body parts that spawns with groups of blazes and attacks with a dangerous shockwave.

Elimination and Winner

After the voting process, Mabe lost the vote after 30 minutes.

After another 20 minutes, Mob B was declared the winner, eliminating Mob C.

Mob B was set to be released in Minecraft Java Edition 1.13 update in 2018.

Controversies Surrounding Marcus Pearson

In 2017, Marcus Pearson faced criticism for expressing political and social opinions on Twitter.

He referred to feminism as a social disease and made controversial statements about Zoe Quinn, a video game developer.

Pearson also faced backlash for supporting heterosexual pride day and making violent suggestions towards opponents.

Despite these controversies, Minecraft continued to thrive financially.

Milestones and Updates in 2018

This section highlights significant milestones achieved by Minecraft in 2018 along with updates introduced during this period.

Milestones

On January 19th, Minecraft reached 74 million active players and had sold a total of 144 million copies.

It was estimated that Minecraft earned half a billion dollars in revenue during this year.

Java Edition 1.13: The Aquatic Update

Released on July 18th, 2018, Java Edition 1.13 focused on ocean content and technical features.

New blocks, items, mobs (dolphins, drowned fish, phantoms, turtles), biomes, and generated structures were added.

Water transparency and color changes based on biomes were introduced.

Minecon Earth 2018

Minecon Earth 2018 was live-streamed for an hour and a half on September 29th, 2018.

Viewers had the opportunity to vote for one of three biomes to be added: Taiga, Savannah, or Desert.

The Taiga biome won the vote and its features would be added in a future update.

Lanterns Development

Lanterns were initially discussed by Marcus Pearson in 2010 but faced community backlash.

In November 2018, Agnes Larson tweeted an image of a lantern in Minecraft, indicating their return to development.

Minecraft's Popularity and Challenges

This section explores Minecraft's continued popularity in terms of user-generated content and revenue while acknowledging potential challenges ahead.

Minecraft's Popularity

In 2018 alone, around 311,000 user-generated Minecraft YouTube videos accumulated a total of 45.1 billion views.

Minecraft remained popular among YouTubers, podcasters, modders, bloggers, etc., solidifying its position as a leading game.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its success in revenue and popularity during this period,

Marcus Pearson faced controversies that alienated him from parts of the community.

While smooth sailing seemed likely for Minecraft at the time,

challenges awaited in the future.

Controversies and Microsoft's Response

This section discusses the controversies surrounding Marcus Persson (Notch), the creator of Minecraft, and Microsoft's response to his controversial statements.

Notch's Controversial Statements

In March 2019, Marcus endorsed a conspiracy theory and made derogatory comments about transgender women on Twitter.

His tweets received mixed reactions from his followers.

These controversies led to the creation of the Hatsune Miku Minecraft internet meme.

Microsoft's Reaction

Microsoft, as the owner of Minecraft, was concerned about Notch's controversial statements.

They wanted to avoid a PR nightmare and distance themselves from him.

In April 2019, references to Notch were silently removed from Minecraft's menu in an update.

However, his name still appears in the credits.

Speculation and Fallout

While Microsoft did not specify an exact reason for removing Notch's references, many concluded it was due to his controversial tweets.

Notch was not invited to play a part in Minecraft's 10-year anniversary celebration.

Microsoft stated that his views do not reflect those of Microsoft or Mojang (the creator of Minecraft).

This decision shocked many as Notch was still seen as the face of the game he created.

Lessons Learned and Updates

This section highlights lessons learned from Notch's situation and provides updates on Minecraft in 2019.

Lessons Learned

Game developers need to be mindful that their words can have consequences for their games, communities, and companies.

While they are free to express their opinions, they also represent their creations and should be careful with their words.

Updates in 2019

Java Edition 1.14 Update - Village & Pillage

Released in April 2019, this update focused on villages and introduced new illagers known as pillagers.

Village architectures were redesigned to match the biomes they are located in.

Many new blocks and mobs were added, along with revamps to the crafting system.

Minecraft's 10-Year Anniversary

Notch's absence from the 10-year anniversary celebration was a shock to many.

Mojang released a browser version of Minecraft Classic to commemorate the occasion.

An anniversary map with puzzles created using command blocks and game features was also released.

Sales Milestone and Future Projects

In May 2019, Minecraft reached a milestone of selling 176 million copies, becoming the best-selling video game of all time.

The Minecraft movie underwent a change of directors in 2019.

Another spin-off called Minecraft Earth, an augmented reality mobile game, was announced and released.

Conclusion and Achievements

This section concludes the transcript by discussing Minecraft's success, upcoming projects, and achievements in 2019.

Minecraft's Success

After ten years since its humble beginnings, Minecraft became the most successful game ever created.

It surpassed iconic games like Tetris, Super Mario Bros., Pokemon Red/Blue/Green/Yellow, Grand Theft Auto V, and Pac-Man in sales.

Movie Update and Spin-off Game

In 2019, it was announced that there would be a change of directors for the Minecraft movie.

A spin-off game called Minecraft Earth was released. It capitalized on the popularity of augmented reality games like Pokemon Go.

Closing Remarks

The transcript ends by highlighting how Marcus (Notch) chose not to comment on his removal from Minecraft and took a mature approach by remaining silent.

Despite his absence, Minecraft continued to thrive with updates and new projects.

Minecraft's journey from a simple game to a global phenomenon showcased the power of creativity and community in the gaming industry.

The Final Minecon Event and Minecon Live 2019

This section discusses the final Minecon event and the Minecon Live 2019 live stream.

The Final Minecon Event

The final Minecon event took place in 2019.

Future events would not be called Minecon, but more details will be provided later.

Minecon Live 2019

Minecon Live 2019 was a live stream that occurred on September 28, 2019.

It featured various hosts and panels, including Minecraft developers and community panels.

Viewers could vote for one of three biomes to be updated in the next major update.

The Badlands biome won the vote and would be added first, followed by the Swamp and Mountains biomes at later dates.

Minecraft Updates in 2019

This section covers the updates released for Minecraft in 2019.

Minecraft Java Edition 1.15 - Buzzy Bees Update

In December 2019, Minecraft Java Edition version 1.15 was released.

This update introduced bees, beehives, honey bottles, honeycombs, bug fixes, performance improvements, and features from Bedrock Edition.

Minecraft's Success in 2020

This section highlights important events for Minecraft in 2020.

A Challenging Year - COVID19 Pandemic Impact

The year 2020 brought unexpected challenges due to the COVID19 pandemic.

Many plans were disrupted, people faced health issues, businesses closed down, and jobs were lost.

Changes for Mojang Studios

On May 17th, Mojang changed its name to Mojang Studios and refreshed the Minecraft logo.

Minecraft Dungeons Release

On May 26th, Minecraft Dungeons, an action role-playing dungeon crawler game, was released.

It offered a different Minecraft experience with new weapons, items, and cooperative gameplay.

Minecraft Java Edition 1.16 - Nether Update

In June 2020, Minecraft Java Edition version 1.16 was released.

This update revamped the Nether biome with new biomes, mobs (Piglin, Hoglin, Zoglin, Strider), blocks (Blackstone), and netherrite equipment.

Minecraft in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Minecon Live 2020

This section discusses Minecraft's inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Minecon Live 2020.

Steve, Alex, Zombie, and Enderman in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

On October 1st, Steve, Alex, Zombie, and Enderman from Minecraft were announced as playable fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Minecon Live 2020

On October 3rd of 2020, Minecon Live 2020 took place as a live event streamed on various platforms.

Due to the COVID19 pandemic, the planned real-world event called Minecraft Festival was postponed until 2022.

Viewers had the opportunity to vote for a new mob to be added to the game from options such as Moo Bloom,

Iceologer,and Glow Squid.

Study Notes

The final Minecon event took place in 2019 before future events were renamed.

Minecon Live 2019 featured hosts and panels discussing updates and community topics.

The Badlands biome won the vote for the next major update followed by Swamp and Mountains biomes.

In December 2019, Minecraft Java Edition 1.15 introduced bees and bug fixes.

Despite the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, Minecraft continued to thrive.

Mojang Studios changed its name and refreshed the Minecraft logo in May 2020.

Minecraft Dungeons was released as an action role-playing game with cooperative gameplay.

The Nether Update (Minecraft Java Edition 1.16) revamped the Nether biome with new features.

Minecraft characters were added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Minecon Live 2020 took place virtually with a mob voting event.

Sources

YouTube Transcript

Minecraft in 2021

This section discusses the current state of Minecraft in 2021, including the shutdown of Minecraft Earth and the release of the Caves and Cliffs update.

Minecraft Earth Shutdown and Caves and Cliffs Update

Minecraft Earth, an augmented reality spin-off game, was announced to be shut down on June 30th, 2021.

Despite the shutdown, fans were excited about the upcoming Caves and Cliffs update.

The Caves and Cliffs update was initially planned as a single release but later split into two parts due to content complexity.

Part 1 of the update introduced new features such as amethyst geodes, copper ore, goats, and axolotls.

Part 2 is expected to include revamped mountains and cave generation, lush caves, dripstone caves, increased world height, and a new mob called the warden.

Future Updates and Events

This section highlights future updates for Minecraft in 2021 and mentions an upcoming event called "Minecraft Live."

Upcoming Updates

An announcement trailer revealed that there will be a "Minecraft Live" event on October 16th.

Fans will have the opportunity to vote for a new mob to be added to Minecraft during this event.

Success of Minecraft

This section discusses the success of Minecraft over the years in terms of sales, revenue, and awards.

Sales and Revenue

Minecraft has sold over 200 million copies, making it the most sold video game of all time.

From 2012 to 2020, Minecraft generated an estimated $3 billion in revenue.

Awards and Honors

Minecraft has received numerous awards, including Best Downloadable Game and Best Indie Game in 2010.

It won the Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival in 2011 and was named Game of the Year by PC Gamer UK.

Minecraft was also featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's "Art of Video Games" exhibit in 2012.

Minecraft's Impact

This section reflects on the impact of Minecraft on its creators, staff members, and fans.

Enduring Success

Despite changes over time, Minecraft remains successful and impactful.

The game has expanded with new features and continues to engage players in various ways.

The transcript is already in English.

Minecraft: A Sandbox Game

In this section, the speaker introduces Minecraft as a sandbox game where players have the freedom to create their own experiences. The speaker shares personal experiences and highlights the versatility of Minecraft.

Discovering Minecraft

The speaker first discovered Minecraft by watching Peanut Butter Gamer's hardcore series.

Initially, the focus was on beating the game, but later realized there is much more to explore and create in Minecraft.

Endless Possibilities

Minecraft offers hundreds or even thousands of hours of content due to its simple style and modding capabilities.

The game is versatile and has been used to create various things like working cell phones, a version of Pokemon Red, and even a quad-core redstone computer.

Personal Ownership

Unlike most games, Minecraft truly belongs to the player. When you start the game, the world you create becomes yours.

It allows players to experience and create their own magic, making it unique and different from other top-selling games.

Beyond a Game

Minecraft is not just a game; it's a tool, a piece of art, a community, and an escape from reality.

Players have the freedom to shape their own stories and experiences within the game.

Lasting Impact

No matter how bored or tired one may feel, Minecraft will always be there as an escape into a world of one's own creation.

It holds a special place in gaming history with millions of players cherishing their memories and experiences in the game.

Conclusion

In this final section, the speaker concludes by expressing gratitude for watching and emphasizes that Minecraft belongs to the players, offering endless possibilities and a special place in gaming history.

Please note that the timestamps provided are approximate and may not be exact.