This children’s article, Minecraft: The best-selling video game ever, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children build vocabulary, learn about video games and digital creativity, and discover why Minecraft is so popular around the world. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates fun and informative news articles for English learners.
A blocky beginning
In 2009, a Swedish programmer named Markus Persson, also known as Notch, created a new video game. It had no big story, no fancy graphics, and no famous characters. The game was made of blocks, and all players could do was place them or break them. The game was called Minecraft.
When it was launched in 2011, Minecraft was only available on computers, whereas now many people enjoy playing it on their phones and tablets. In 2014, Microsoft bought the game for $2.5 billion.
Today, Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, with over 300 million copies sold.
How to play Minecraft
In Minecraft, everything is made of square blocks. Players can explore, build, dig, craft tools, and survive in different worlds.
There are different ways to play:
- Survival Mode: Players gather resources, fight monsters, and stay alive.
- Creative Mode: Players get unlimited blocks and can build anything they want.
- Adventure Mode: Players explore worlds made by others.
There’s no one way to win. The fun comes from building, learning, and using your imagination.
Why is Minecraft so popular?
Minecraft is popular because it’s simple to learn and has endless possibilities. You can build castles, create roller coasters, make farms, explore caves, and so many other things too. Some kids even recreate whole cities!
It’s also a safe and creative space. There are no fixed rules, so players can learn at their own speed. Teachers use Minecraft in schools to help students learn math, science, and even history.
A global community
Millions of people around the world play Minecraft. Some build amazing worlds and share them online. Others make videos showing how to play or giving tips.
There are also special Minecraft events like Minecraft Live, where new updates are announced. Fans vote for new animals and features to be added to the game.
Players can also join and play with others online, solving puzzles, exploring maps, or building whole worlds together.
Read more about Minecraft on the official website
Article vocabulary list
- Programmer – A person who writes computer code
- Officially – In a way that is accepted as true or final
- Survive – To stay alive in difficult conditions
- Resources – Useful things like wood or stone that you collect in a game
- Creative – Using your imagination to make something new
- Possibilities – Things that can happen or be done
- Update – A new version of something with improvements or changes
- Feature – A part of something that is interesting or useful
- Server – A computer that lets many people play together online
- Note blocks – Special blocks in Minecraft that can make music
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
1. Who created Minecraft?
A) Steve Jobs
B) Markus Persson
C) Elon Musk
Answer: B) Markus Persson
2. What is Minecraft made of?
A) Circles
B) Triangles
C) Blocks
Answer: C) Blocks
3. 3. When was Minecraft officially released?
A) 2005
B) 2011
C) 2018
Answer: B) 2011
4. Which company bought Minecraft in 2014?
A) Apple
B) Nintendo
C) Microsoft
Answer: C) Microsoft
5. What is one popular mode in Minecraft?
A) Flying Mode
B) Survival Mode
C) Battle Mode
Answer: B) Survival Mode
6. What is the name of Minecraft’s final boss?
A) Zombie King
B) Ender Dragon
C) Creeper Lord
Answer: B) Ender Dragon
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
