Minecraft, a highly acclaimed voxel-based sandbox game initially launched in 2009, offers players the freedom to construct and design virtually anything they envision while also exploring pre-generated worlds. This past week, I had the opportunity to sit down with a seasoned Minecraft player, known by his in-game alias @NotBJeff, for an in-depth conversation about what keeps him engaged after all these years.
Q: How, when, and why did you get started playing minecraft?
A: “I originally started playing Minecraft through my neighbor, who was showing me the game on his iPad. I was 8 at the time, and I started watching Minecraft videos on YouTube because of it which really got me into the game. I fell in love with the game when I first touched it.”
Q: What drives your continued participation in this game?
A: “Minecraft is a sandbox game, leaving the enjoyment of the game up to the player and their creativity. I think my favorite thing about Minecraft is that I never get bored of it. There’s always something new to explore, build and create. I still play Minecraft primarily because I have so many ideas that I’d like to expand upon the game.”
Q: How has Minecraft impacted your life?
A: “Minecraft changed the way I socialize with people, more specifically I started making lots of friends online and it allowed me to get out of my comfort zone socially, even if it’s online. Watching Minecraft videos on YouTube, I became very involved with internet culture and it allowed me to explore new interests online and in person. Minecraft allowed myself to embrace my own creativity as well.”
Q: What is your favorite Minecraft build?
A: “Naming my favorite build in the game is hard, but recently it’s my end portal temple. I created a pyramid-like hole in the ground that spans 100 blocks wide, at the bottom of which is the end portal.”
Q: What is your favorite mob?
A: “My favorite mob is the Enderman because of the allure I had towards it as a kid. It’s just a fun and unique creature that adds personality to the game in my opinion.”
Q: Do you use mods?
A: “I don’t use mods personally, though I believe they are one of the best parts about the game. It sucks that they’re primarily limited to the Java edition of the game where all the great mods are. Mods allow personalization and thousands of different play styles while keeping the game feeling relatively the same. Mods have been an extremely important part of Minecraft’s history and culture. I would argue that Minecraft is as popular as it is today because of mods and how they shaped the community.”
Q: Anything you want us to know?
A: “I listen to Minecraft Volume Alpha and Beta on occasion and sometimes when I go to sleep. C418 has made amazing soundtracks for the game and it is unfortunate that he doesn’t work with Mojang anymore.”
As the interview wrapped up, it became clear why Minecraft continues to captivate @NotBJeff after all these years. The game offers endless possibilities, serving as a platform for creativity, connection, and constant discovery. For @NotBJeff, it’s more than just a pastime-it’s a space where imagination thrives and new experiences are always within reach