Minecraft

What happened

Created by Markus Persson and released in full by the studio Mojang in 2011, Minecraft dropped players into an open world of blocks to mine, build, and survive with almost no set goals. Its simple graphics and boundless creativity made it a global phenomenon.

Why it matters

Minecraft became the best-selling video game of all time, embraced by players of every age and widely used in classrooms — a symbol of gaming as a creative, open-ended medium.

Sources

• The Strong National Museum of Play. Minecraft · Reputable source