Quarantine: it isn’t any fun, is it? Unfortunately, from time to time, there are no people that we can connect with. Yet, this doesn’t mean there’s total isolation. Although many NHS students are using this time to catch up with work and relax during this worrisome pandemic, many are finding new ways to connect through video games.

A very popular, well-known game that’s being played today is the sandbox game known as Minecraft. As many people know this game well, or are familiar with it, there are some aspects that are unknown to the new players that join that make this game incredibly enjoyable. Minecraft is a multiplayer platform that can be found on Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Mobile Pocket Edition, Windows: Bedrock Edition, and Windows Java Edition. Each platform runs near the same as each other, but most cannot cross platforms. 

Crossing platforms essentially means if you happen to play on a laptop you cannot play with someone on XBox, and the same applies with Xbox players trying to play with PS3 or PS4 players. Windows 10: Bedrock Edition is the only exception to cross-platform interaction, discluding the inability of being able to play with the PS4 and PS3 platforms.

Minecraft is a sandbox game that was developed by Mojang, it’s creator being known as Markus “Notch” Persson. A sandbox game is a game in which the player can freely explore and approach objectives without any rigid structure like there are in so-called story games. The game generally costs around $27 for all platforms. 

The game can be played in singleplayer and multiplayer. Singleplayer gives the player more of an option to choose what game mode they can play in, the two-game modes being creative and survival. Creative mode enables the player to build anything their heart desires with a click of a button as well as fly around the world. 

Survival mode, in a singleplayer world, has the ultimate goal of reaching what is known as the “End” where you fight the Ender Dragon. This takes many steps from going down into deep caves near lava to get diamonds to going to the nether realm where you can be one block away from stepping off a ledge, making you have to start all over again.

Multiplayer, on servers, is most often in survival mode where you play for fun and sometimes have factions and other made up groupings to have fun.

Upcoming sophomore, Sheridan Wynne, has had the sandbox game for around 8 years and has enjoyed her experience thus far. Some players who have played for around this time and longer can be known as “Minecraft veterans.” Wynne expresses, “I have played for most of my elementary and middle school life...I play on my computer mostly, but occasionally I play on my phone when I don’t have my computer around.” 

Minecraft is mostly considered a relaxing game but can be very frustrating at times. Wynne assures new players, “Newcomers should know not to get frustrated playing survival for the first time. It takes a little to get used to and it is helpful to watch some YouTubers play it.” 

Although this quarantine physically distances everyone, Wynne is not afraid to think of the positives, especially with games like Minecraft to connect everyone; “Minecraft is a great way to connect with your friends during the quarantine. You can play mini-games with them, start a survival world, build huge castles or cities, and a lot more all while practicing social distancing.”

Minecraft is a great way to have fun and social distance all at the same time. Not to mention that this game is not only popular among the younger students in Norwood but older students as well.

Current senior, Matthew Sullivan, has played Minecraft for around 6 years. Sullivan describes his experiences on this game as, “enjoyable for the most part” also explaining that “the purpose [of Minecraft] is bringing out the creativity everyone has in the different ways to play the game.” Sullivan plays more commonly on the PC platform; Java Edition. 

He explains that the sandbox game is fun “because [you are] able to play with friends and [developers are] constantly adding new things.” Sullivan has a different take for new players joining the game, as he expresses, “it’s just a casual game and it's supposed to be about having fun.” 

Minecraft is an interesting game that is worth the time to experience with friends and other players in the community. So have fun playing! Oh, and make sure not to dig straight down in survival.