Minecraft Full Marks Answer (Example)

How has technological change affected media production, distribution and circulation in the gaming industry? Refer to Minecraft to support your answer.

Minecraft is a sandbox video game which was released in 2011 to PC when the video game industry was becoming increasingly focusing on multi-platform, a response to the rise of gaming on a range of devices, other than PC which saw game developers choose not only release their games PC but on other platforms such as Xbox and PlayStation and latterly mobile devices. Digitally convergent media platforms also opened up opportunities for games distributors to reach a wider audience of non-traditional gamers who game on media devices such as phones and tablets. This saw Minecraft became a multi-platform game aimed not just at PC gamers but those who own smartphones, home-consoles such as the Xbox and PlayStation and handheld devices[JO1] .

Digitally convergent media platforms had a significant impact on the distribution of Minecraft and its promotion to an audience due to the original version of Minecraft which was released in 2011 was exclusively available to PC users only because Mojang had coded the game using Java, a computer software only compatible with PC. However, due to Minecraft being written using Java Mojang couldn’t just port the Java version of the game on console so easy because the computer software (Java) was incompatible with the home-based consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PS3 and mobile devices which ran iOS and Android meaning Minecraft was only available on one single platform. This made Mojang turn to 4J Studios who worked in conjunction with Mojang to rewrite Minecraft for home-based consoles such as the Xbox 360 which was released in 2012, and for the PS3 which was released a year later in 2013 it was also released Minecraft on iOS and latterly Android which using a different programming language is compatible. This meant Minecraft was now available on multiple platforms for nearly everyone who owned mobile device to play as it wasn't only exclusive to PC or consoles no more, meaning anyone with a portable device such as a mobile phone or tablet could play Minecraft opening the opportunity for Mojang to reach a wider audience of non-traditional gamers who game on media devices such as phones and tablets. [JO2]

However, when cross platform was becoming increasing popular amongst the gaming industry with games such as Rocket League introducing the feature so although Minecraft was available on multiple platforms such as the original Java PC version and all other isolated versions of Minecraft developed by 4J Studios on consoles and mobile devices with “Edition” names, such as Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, Minecraft: PS3 Edition meant players were still unable to play together because Mojang did not have the money or resources to completely re-write the game again on all platforms so players could play together as they had already spent a lot of money helping 4J Studio's port the game to console and mobile devices. Although this quickly changed, when Microsoft bought Minecraft and Mojang in 2014. As the Bedrock Edition was only available on PC which had the support to allow cross-play between platforms, Microsoft started to re-write the entire code of the game again on iOS, Xbox, PlayStation allowing cross-platform multiplayer in September 2017 by releasing the “Better Together Update”, first between mobile, Xbox One and Windows 10 editions, then adding Nintendo Switch in June 2018 before finally releasing cross-platform support for PlayStation players. This allowed users from different platforms to play together, connecting communities and making it possible for non-traditional gamers who game on portable devices (such as mobile phones and tablets) to be able to play with players on PC and console reaching a wider audience of gamers who want to play with users who have PC or console but only have a portable device, allowing Minecraft to maximize profits.

In addition, with the advancements of new technologies in the gaming industry, Virtual Reality became significantly important and a top priority to Microsoft when they acquired the game in 2014 for $2.5 bn. As VR was becoming increasingly popular in the gaming industry and in demand by consumers wanting to try it, Microsoft was quick to synergies with the well-known VR brand called Oculus which worked together with Microsoft to create a version of the game which worked using a Virtual Reality headset. Oculus originally began helping Microsoft develop a VR update of the game which worked with Minecraft Java Edition on PC and Windows 10 Edition which although aren’t officially released and completely polished are still available to play following the instructions on Minecraft’s website. An official release date of when the complete and polished VR edition of the game is available is yet to be stated by Mojang and Oculus. Microsoft also worked with PlayStation to release a Minecraft VR update to the game which is free if you already own Minecraft on the PlayStation store using PlayStations VR headset and controllers to control your play in game and navigate the world which you would normally do using a controller but in virtual reality like you were actually inside the game. The VR version of the game is targeted to reach a wider audience of gamers seeking escapism and wanting to try out the latest technology in the gaming industry.

Furthermore, when Minecraft was initially released in 2011, social media and video sharing websites were taking advantage of web 2.0 which allowed users to not only consume media from websites but it also allowed users to interact with media such as being able to give it a rating by being able to like or dislike and give your opinion by being able to leave a comment. YouTube, Twitch, Twitter and Forums such as reddit are just a few examples of social media and video sharing websites which have taken advantage of web 2.0. These social media and video sharing sites such as YouTube and Twitch have given Minecraft free exposure and have helped grow the game to where it is to today. The continuing amount of fan media made across social media platforms and dedicated fan sites and blogs means that there is an active community of gamers who share a common interest linked to Minecraft. These websites and changes in new technology with the introduction of web 2.0 have allowed Minecraft to receive what is known as earned media which is created by players of Minecraft who liked the game enough and decided to upload it to online video sharing websites such as YouTube or live stream the game on live streaming services such as Twitch which other people would then see and view and buy the game if they liked it depending on the media they watched. This earned media marketed the game with no cost for Minecraft for free showcasing the people who play the game are not just the players they are the contributors, the marketeers, and the developers of the game. This helped to take the game from having a niche audience to a mass audience in only a short amount of time with help from YouTubers such as DanTDM and many others who produced 100’s of Minecraft videos, receiving millions of views and subscribers essentially marketing the game for Minecraft without receiving anything from them helping the game reach more people.

[JO1]Fantastic macro opening

[JO2]Very strong – good explanation, and excellent A01.

Macro / Micro / Terminology