Media Minecraft Homework

1) Why might autistic children be attracted to minecraft? 
Autistic children or children who suffer with similar disabilities may enjoy minecraft as it 
teaches basic skills, it also has a simplicity to it as there is no specific rules or game play you must follow. The game allows you to free rome and also be creative and let you use your imagination as you get to build things. The game is also basic, meaning it consist of blocks and the graphics are not broad.  

2) Which features are included in the education version of minecraft and how useful do you think they might be as an educational tool? 
Some features that are included are that teachers can set up classroom servers and students can build scale models of their own towns, they can also learn about geography, agriculture, architecture and physics. This allows children to be more creative and learn about shapes and maths as they are having to think carefully during the game.  

3) Why does Bergensten suggest have copycat versions of minecraft been less successful?
He suggested some have failed because of the simple purity of Mojang's version. He implies copycats add a lot of visual information whereas Minecraft is cartoony as you get to fill the world with your own creativity. 

4) What is meant by "modding community"?
 Modding community is an alteration that changes some aspect of a video game, such as how it looks or behaves. For example in minecraft users can alter and share their own designs and texture maps, items, creatures and also create their own stories. 

5) How important is the sense of ownership cited by Bergensten for the audience for minecraft?
The sense of ownership of minecraft is "vital" especially because children believe its their game, they make up their own rules, they make up their own structures and designs. They feel empowered by feeling independant and in charge

6) How has minecraft extended its brand beyond gaming and into its products?
Minecraft have extended it brand by creating merchandise by working with toy manufacturers to make various action figures, playsets and official books. They also created the educational version of the game. They also have clothing and global conventions.