Celine Cooper, Nederland.  If you have or know a kid aged 6-18, you’ve probably heard about the popular online game, Minecraft. When I say popular, I am talking about total worldwide popularity, as in the 8th most popular online game in the world right now. I’m talking about kids in Eastern Hungary (where I taught English from 2013-14) talking about nothing but Minecraft for the whole year, playing it with friends and people around the world, creating Halloween costumes based off of Minecraft characters, and learning words like “axe,” “shield,” and “gold ingots” in English, in an effort to explain the game to me.

According to the Minecraft website, 21,040,389 people have bought the game, and in the last 254 hours (as of 10/5), another 8,701 people have signed up. So what is this game all about, and why is it so popular?

Minecraft is a game where players can create their own worlds. It allows players the option to share their world with their friends, family, or other players online, all over the planet.

There are two different ways to play Minecraft, and each allows for a different Minecraft experience. In “Peaceful”, or “Creative” mode, a player can explore and build at their leisure, without any threats or danger. However, if the player is looking for some excitement, they may choose to play in “Survival” mode where they will have to defend their worlds, characters, and structures from the myriad of monsters, zombies, and other scary creatures that come out at night and attempt to attack them. For survival mode, a good tool and weapon inventory is a must. Players can craft tools and other survival essentials by mining and exploring for resources in their worlds.

A huge part of Minecraft’s appeal is its creative nature. Players can literally construct the world they live in, one block at a time, and do so with their friends and, in some cases, family. Minecraft has received praise for teaching players values such as a cost-benefit analysis of when, where, and why to use certain tools and resources. It can also help kids build fun and friendly online relationships, potentially with other players from around the world.

Of course, like anything, Minecraft has its potential downsides. What happens when kids become obsessed with or addicted to the game? What if a “friend” in multiplayer mode destroys something they have worked hard to create? What if the player doesn’t have the complex fine motor skills, spatial awareness, planning, or memory skills to effectively play the game? These are real concerns for both the players and their parents to deal with, and there is plenty of online support for parents whose kids love the game.

For better or for worse, Minecraft isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. To facilitate friendly, communal Minecraft playing, the Nederland Community Library will host a weekly Minecraft club on Saturday mornings, starting Saturday, October 17th from 8:00 AM-10:00 AM. Players are suggested to bring their own device to play on, but if they do not have one, they are welcome to sign up to use any of the Library’s ten patron computers. Additionally, if a player does not have her/his own account, the Library has purchased a number of accounts kids can use for free. The Minecraft Club is suggested for players aged 8 and up.

Light snacks will be provided, and players can join at anytime during the allotted time. For questions regarding the club, or to sign up for a computer, call 303-258-1101 or stop by the Library.

Celine Cooper is the Children’s Services Coordinator at the Nederland Community Library. When she isn’t empowering young people through literature and education, you may find her reading books, or enjoying the outdoors. Sometimes both at the same time.