Description:
Minecraft is a very popular open world sandbox game created by Markus "Notch" Persson who also started up a company called Mojang. As of right now, Mojang, now owned by Microsoft, maintains the game. The game has no end goal. There are bosses, but once again, there are no main end goal. You could build, craft, explore, the possibilities are endless in the game.
My Unique Experience with Minecraft:
Interestingly, my first ever exposure to Minecraft wasn't on the web, nor through a friend. It was from Cartoon Network.
During the 2010's, when Cartoon Network was in a quirky era, they aired a cartoon called MAD. Yes, that MAD. Based off the magazine, it was essentially Robot Chicken for a younger audience. There was a segment that aired on MAD called "Criminal Minecraft" that parodies Criminal Minds and Minecraft.
Yes, this was my first exposure to Minecraft, but at the time, I didn't know what it was parodying, or what Minecraft even was!
Years later, long after this parody segment was aired, and a little bit after my family and I got our first computer with Internet access, I discovered Minecraft. I discovered it around 2013 or so, when Bedrock Edition was known as Pocket Edition and Legacy Console existed. Can't recall how I discovered it though.
At that time, I had a tablet, so I spent my time playing Pocket Edition more than Java Edition until I got my own laptop that can actually do more and wouldn't overheat. Then I started to play Java Edition, although I didn't brought the game at that time, so I ended up just playing older versions and downloaded a dubious launcher that allowed me to play newer versions.
Around that same time, just a little bit after playing Java Edition, I just stopped playing. It was around 2016, 2017, give or take that I just stopped playing. Then near the end of my first laptop's lifespan, I started to get back into Minecraft, and this was around before COVID-19 occurred. I believe it was in 2019, 2020 that I started to play Minecraft more. A friend of mine let me borrow an account until I could buy the game, and I had lots of fun playing Minecraft once again. Eventually I brought the full game, and I kept on playing ever since.
I still have my account to this day, albeit it has migrated to a Microsoft account. I still play because I find it to be fun, it's basically Virtual LEGO (despite LEGO Worlds existing) and I enjoy LEGO. I also enjoy the freedom the game gives me as well. I play it on my gaming laptop now, with mods and shaders.
Java or Bedrock?
At this point in time, there are two main versions of Minecraft:
Java Edition, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Bedrock Edition, available on Windows (via Microsoft Store), consoles and smartphones/tablets.
Which one is right for you?
If you want to play Minecraft with free community content (mods/texture packs/shaders) as well as better support on redstone mechanics, then go for Java. If you want to play Minecraft smoothly and don't care much for community content and/or redstone mechanics, then go for Bedrock. Either way, if you play just the base game, then you get good parity between Java and Bedrock, that is if you only care about the base game.
There is also Legacy Console versions that you can play. They will not get any updates, however. Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch editions also have Bedrock Edition as well.
As for me? I prefer to play Java Edition, and is one of the main reasons for me to save up and get a Steam Deck, so that I can play Java Edition on the go.