Minecraft captivates Corridor kids

If you've glanced over the shoulder of any child playing on an iPad lately, you may have witnessed the phenomenon that is “Minecraft.”

You also may have been surprised to see that the game doesn't entice kids with fancy graphics, violent challenges or catchy music.

“Minecraft” was originally developed by Swedish programmer Markus “Notch” Persson and later developed and published by Mojang in 2009.

It's been within the last year, though, that the game has had increasingly more kids glued to their computer or smartpad screens.

“Minecraft” is a construction game. Players build with textured cubes in a virtual 3-D space.

There is no goal or trick to winning the game. With what is essentially rudimentary software programming, players can choose to operate in creative mode - meaning they build with an unlimited amount of resources - or in survival mode, acquiring resources to stay healthy.

“It reminds me of the video games of the '80s that I loved to play,” says Mary Locher of Cedar Rapids whose son, Max, is a big “Minecraft” fan.

Max, 12, started playing “Minecraft” a year ago after a friend told him about the game.

He says he enjoys building homes of out “cool materials” but realizes that he is learning, too.

“I learn strategy,” he says. “I have to ration my food out and I learn how to survive in the wild.”

His advice to other kids: don't waste food and stay away from “creepers,” which appear in survival mode and attempt to harm players.

Originally a PC game, kids can also now play on tablets, iPads, smartphones and most recently on Xbox 360s.

They also can interact in virtual spaces with other players through “Minecraft” servers.

This is one screen-based obsession that parents don't seem to mind, though.

“I love how excited he gets to show me what he has done on the game,” Locher says. “It's a nice way to stay connected in his life.”

Michelle Dorrance's 8-year-old twins, John and Caden, play in creative mode.

They “build places where we have been - church, school, nature centers, even a Hampton Inn we stayed at,” says Dorrance of Cedar Rapids. “And they are very protective of the islands they create.”

As a parent and an elementary school teacher, Dorrance appreciates that kids are learning while they build.

“It's very mathematically challenging. And it just blows my mind the different architectural structures they will come up with,” she says.

The interest in “Minecraft” is coming to life in other ways too.

Max Locher created a “Minecraft”-like sword out of foam core, bringing the “Minecraft” off the screen and into the real world. A quick Google search results in multiple YouTube videos showing how other “Minecraft” enthusiasts are creating outside the game.

Kids are requesting “Minecraft” themed birthday parties. LEGO makes a “Minecraft”-inspired set.

It's inspiring face-to-face interaction as well. The Iowa City Public Library held a “Minecraft” Meet Up in May. The library rented a “Minecraft” server and advertised open computer time.

Brian Visser, teen librarian at the Iowa City Public Library, says he didn't know a lot about “Minecraft” before organizing the event. He saw the program, which was modeled after something similar at an Ann Arbor, Mich. library, as a way to reach out to younger library patrons and give them an chance to interact with other players.

“We ... wanted to provide something that teens were interested in and the reaction has been very positive,” he says. “It is wonderful to see teens working together and having fun with the game. The kids were wondering when the next meet up would be so that is a good sign.”

The program, which meets again in September, is free and open to seventh to 12th-graders.

Of course, too much screentime is always a concern.

“He can play for hours,” Locher says of her son.

“I have to pull him away for breaks. But I do feel better about this game. ‘Minecraft' seems more purposeful than other games we own because there is strategy and not just a bunch of killing. I feel like there are some learning and logical thought processes developed.”

Max even used “Minecraft” for a school project this past school year.

While Dorrance, a teacher at Johnson School of the Arts, has not yet used the program in her classroom, she sees how “Minecraft” would have many educational benefits.

“Families are busy and it takes a lot of time to build the Brooklyn Bridge out of Popsicle sticks,” she says.

“And, really, when it comes down to it, those were the parent's projects. But with ‘Minecraft' the kids really could do it, they could take ownership.”