When Jens Bergensten first saw Minecraft 15 years ago, he was captivated by its limited yet engaging version. Little did he know that this game would become the best-selling video game in history, played by millions worldwide.
Jens Bergensten, lead developer on Minecraft since 2011, came to Australia as part of the game’s 15th-anniversary celebrations.
Bergensten's journey with Minecraft began when he joined Mojang as a back-end developer, just as the game started gaining traction with 700,000 copies sold. Despite initial plans to move on to other projects, Minecraft continued to grow exponentially, leading Bergensten to take charge of its design and development.
The Creative Power of Minecraft
Key to Minecraft's success is its unique creativity, allowing players to build and create in a world of endless possibilities. The social aspect of the game, with multiplayer options and community modifications, has further fueled its popularity over the years.
The 2009 version of the game is fairly sparse and is now free to play in browsers as
Despite being a decade-old game, Minecraft continues to attract new generations of players, thanks to its timeless graphics and emergent creativity. The game's influence on the gaming industry is undeniable, paving the way for other popular titles like Fortnite and Roblox.
Community and Financial Impact
The game can be greatly expanded using community-made mods, skins, objects, and adventures, which are sold for real money and have made hundreds of millions of dollars for approved creators.
With various spin-off versions and educational offerings like Minecraft Education, the game continues to evolve while staying true to its core values of open creativity. Bergensten emphasizes the importance of maintaining Minecraft's essence while expanding its features to meet player demands.
As Minecraft celebrates its 15th anniversary, it remains a cultural phenomenon, inspiring creativity, collaboration, and endless exploration for players of all ages.
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