Minecraft is a game that has only recently been released as a full version, Minecraft 1.0.0, and has spent a very long time in production through an alpha and a beta testing stage. Finally, since it is now fully released I thought I would do a piece on it. This is designed for people new to Minecraft or dedicated miners.

When you start a new game you have the option of either Survival, Creative and Hardcore.

Survival works on the basic principles that you need to survive. To do this you must mine, farm and gather resources. Many "How to survive the first night" video tutorials are available throughout Youtube so I would recommend if your new to watch some tutorial videos before attempting it for the first time.

Creative is how the name suggests. In your inventory you have a selection of every type of item and block within reason. With an unlimited amount of these combined with invincibility and the ability to fly, the only limitation to things you can build is your own imagination.

Hardcore is the newest gamemode added to the mix. Its the same as survival only the difficulty is locked on the hardest setting and once you die your world gets deleted. Alot of fun for any miner wanting a challenge.

Once in the game, for new people they will just think its just a bunch overly pixelated lego, but once you take out that first block and make something, that my friend is when the horizon shows its true self and the next thing you know its 4am, there's 2 empty bottles of coke next to you and you have a friggen awesome house! complete with its own internal mine and wheat farm out the back.

Along with the single player options you also have the multiplayer for anyone wanting to play with friends. A simple network can be set up through Logmein Hamachi and tutorials are available for this but be prepared for people connecting to you to get lag if not done so correctly. I myself have run a server in the past through a remote location in America but have recently given up on it due to the level of difficulty loading plugins and writing permissions remotely.

I am now touring the local AUS servers and have come across a few good ones. The one I am currently playing now is called Lucky 13. Their IP is 119.17.161.162:1111 and any further details can be found at Lucky13aus.freeforums.org. The servers admins are extremely helpful and it offers a large scale area in order for you and your friends to build a base completely lag free.

Minecraft is a total day burner and you could easily find yourself sitting there for hours on end just building. I know im addicted the question is how long before you are.

Look for me on Lucky13,

Pv7Ramirez.