Is Minecraft Esports?
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Is Minecraft Esports? It’s a question that has been asked a lot lately. With the game’s popularity skyrocketing, it’s no wonder people are wondering if it could be a viable option for professional gamers. While there is no official word from Mojang or Microsoft yet, we thought we’d take a look at the potential for Minecraft as an esport.
Introduction
esports is a form of competition using video games. Most commonly, esports takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players. Although organized online and offline competitions have long been a part of video game culture, these were largely between amateurs until the late 2000s, when participation by professional gamers and spectatorship in these events saw a large surge in popularity.
What is Minecraft?
Minecraft is a sandbox video game that was released in 2011. The game has no specific goals and allows players to build whatever they want. Minecraft has become one of the most popular games in the world and has over 112 million active players. The game has also been used in educational settings and has been used to teach programming and game design.
Gameplay
Minecraft is a 3D sandbox game that has no specific goals to accomplish, allowing players a large amount of freedom in choosing how to play the game. However, there is an achievement system. Gameplay by default is first person, but players have the option to play in third person mode. The core gameplay revolves around breaking and placing blocks. The game world is composed of rough 3D objects—mainly cubes—arranged in a fixed grid pattern and representing different materials, such as dirt, stone, various ores, water, lava, trees, treasure chests, mob spawners, and wooden planks. While players can move freely across the world, objects can only be placed or removed if the player is standing within range of the object’s space. Players can gather these material blocks and place them elsewhere giving them the ability to construct things.
History
Minecraft is a construction-based game that first gained popularity in 2009. The game is set in a virtual world made up of cubes, where players can build structures and objects using various resources they mine. Although there is no specific goal or end to the game, players can advance through different levels by completing tasks or building certain structures.
The Rise of Minecraft
Popularity
It’s no secret that Minecraft is one of the most popular video games in the world, enjoyed by players of all ages. But what many people don’t know is that Minecraft has also become a major force in the world of esports.
Over the past few years, professional Minecraft tournaments have been held all over the world, with players competing for large cash prizes. And while Minecraft may never be as big as traditional esports like Counter-Strike or League of Legends, it has still managed to carve out a place for itself in the competitive gaming scene.
So why is Minecraft so popular among esports fans? Part of it has to do with the fact that Minecraft is such a unique game. It’s not like traditional first-person shooters or real-time strategy games where matches are decided by split-second reflexes or strategic planning. Instead, success in Minecraft requires creativity, resourcefulness and innovation.
This has led to some amazing moments in professional Minecraft tournaments, like when player MumboJumbo built an enormous working computer inside of the game or when player Baj build an entire city using only redstone (a type of in-game wiring). These kinds of moments are what makeMinecraft such an exciting spectator sport.
Another reason for Minecraft’s popularity is its accessibility. The game can be played on nearly any kind of computer or console, making it easy for viewers to follow along at home. And because Minecraft is such a simple game, new players can jump right in without having to learn complicated rules or controls.
So whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gamer, there’s something for everyone in the world of Minecraft esports.
Competitive Scene
Despite its blocky graphics, Minecraft has a very competitive scene with many professional players, teams, and tournaments. While it is not an “esport” in the traditional sense, it is becoming increasingly popular as a spectator sport, with some estimates suggesting that it has upwards of 30 million viewers.
While most competitive Minecraft events are relatively small, there are some major tournaments that attract top players from all over the world. The most prestigious event is the annual MineCon convention, which features a $250,000 invitational tournament. Other notable tournaments include the Wonder Festival in Tokyo and the Block Breaker Tournament Series in South Korea.
Conclusion
The jury is still out on whether or not Minecraft is a viable esports title. While it has all the necessary components to be one – a large community, multiple tournaments and competitions, and a dedicated following – it lacks the popularity of other games in the genre. Only time will tell if Minecraft can make a big splash in the world of competitive gaming.