It's like a virtual LEGO set that promises endless potential, but the natural limitations of mobile devices means that Pocket Edition isn't quite able to build on its bold promises. You wander through an open world made up of charmingly pixelated blocks, mining for materials and then using them to construct whatever your heart desires.
The core fundamentals of the Minecraft experience are all in place here.
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And while Pocket Edition can't quite hold its own with the console or PC versions in terms of the size of its setting and the scope of options available to players, it's still a well made sandbox game that can get the job done for gamers on the go. This might present a screentime challenge for parents.Minecraft Pocket Edition takes the creative playground and pixelated aesthetics of the popular toolbox game and shrinks it down to suit the needs of mobile players. Its content isn’t too concerning (other than some scary zombies), but kids seem to want to play for hours and hours. Screen time Concerns – finally, kids tend to become extremely addicted to this game. Common Sense Media has compiled links for 12 family-friendly Minecraft channels on YouTube here. The problem is that far too many Minecraft channels on YouTube contain inappropriate content, language or both. Parents just need to be careful there.Ĭareful with YouTube – we find that many kids like to watch YouTube videos of other people’s Minecraft worlds. Like anything where humans get involved, there are some websites that promote skins that are very inappropriate.
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Players can download “skins” online to put on Steve to dress him up in an endless number of outfits.
Who’s this Steve Guy? “Steve” is the first-person player used by Minecrafters. Online games are known to be popular arenas for sexual predators to groom kids and teens. The risk of running into another player with bad intent was minimal when networks were limited to the same Wi-Fi signal, but with the ability to now play with strangers, parents must be much more vigilant if they allow use of the “Multiplayer” app. Stranger Danger – There is now an app called “Multiplayer for Minecraft PE” which allows players to enjoy online play against other Minecrafters without being on the same Wi-Fi signal. You can read more about it in this blog post from our friends at Protect Young Minds, but Mojang has never sanctioned X-rated content. Here’s a GREAT, 2-minute video from Common Sense Media with the “Top 10 things parents need to know”. Players can link up with other players using the same Wi-Fi signal in a local area network.
The creative mode is great for beginners, with the focus on building, while “survival” mode is where Steve is hunted by scary creatures, including zombies, creepers, and must kill them in order to survive (minimal blood). The Mode Matters – The Pocket Edition has a “creative” and “survival” mode. What Parents Need to Know about Minecraft: The game can be used on PC’s, gaming systems (e.g., XBOX) and smart devices with the “pocket edition.” It has its own vocabulary that parents will want to be familiar with, so read this glossary.ĪPP Store rating: 9+ (Apple App Store) and 10+ (Google Play) Using low-tech graphic and a no-frills character named “Steve” who is sometimes pursued by zombies, Minecraft has created a juggernaut. The premise is simple – build things with blocks. Description: Minecraft is an insanely popular game with tween and middle school boys and girls.