Homwork : Meet the blockheads (Questions)

Guardian article:


1:According to the writer why autistic children such as his son might be attracted to Mine craft?

Autistic children are more likely to be attracted to Mine craft firstly, because it has become a way in which parents can communicate with their autistic children. Secondly, Mine craft becomes a topic of discussion between parents and children, it allows the child to expand their vocabulary in a simple way. Thirdly, the game decreases fear and anxiousness in the autistic child e.g. an autistic child making a plan of the school he is about to join , making him comfortable with the real setting of the school. Therefore, Mine craft attracts autistic children as it allows them to establish simple relationships not only with their family members, but also friends and teachers.

 

2: Which features are included in the education version of Mine craft and how useful do you think they might be as an educational tool?

The education version in Mine craft allows teachers to set up a classroom server, where students can build scale models of their own towns. This leads to children learning about various subjects such as geography, agriculture, architecture and physics. I think that this version is quite useful as it allows students to learn through visuals, particularly beneficial for autistic children as they have difficulties learning and developing their vocabulary. The education version makes tasks in class very straight forward for all children, allowing everyone to enjoy and participate fully in lessons.

 

3: Why, does Bergsten suggest have copycat versions of Mine craft been less successful?

Clone versions of the game have been unsuccessful as they tend to add a lot more visual information, resulting in Mine craft losing its simplicity. It also limits the child’s imagination whereas the original version of the game allows the player to fill their world with their imagination and creativeness. The children need to ‘feel it’s their game’, they must have that sense of ownership for it to be successful, according to Bergsten.

 

4: What is meant by the ‘modding’ (modify) community?

The modding community refers to the highly customised versions that can be added to Mine craft. It allows players to download various files to Mine craft and have a version of the game in which it is set e.g. space, middle earth. Minecraft designs and shares its own texture maps, items, creatures , making them available online for players to purchase.

 

5:How important is the ‘sense of ownership’ cited by Bergsten , for the audience of Minecraft?

The ‘sense of ownership’ is vital in Minecraft. It allows the player to have complete control over their game, their world. This means that the player can do whatever they wish to their world, there are no limits and no restrictions that exist for them. Players make their own rules , own instructions , own structures , own ways to interact with others. The sense of ownership makes them the rules of their game and their world, which is a very significant part of Mine craft.


6: How has mine craft extended its brand beyond gaming into other products?
Various products are available , merchandise. A movie is being made based on Mine craft.