GAME/SHOW: Why Hasn’t There Been Another Minecraft?

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If Minecraft is so huge, why hasn’t it inspired other games? The people at PBS-funded webseries, GAME/SHOW discusses this topic in their latest episode.

The overwhelming success of Minecraft undoubtedly surprised a lot of people given it’s lo-fi graphics, fully open environment and goal-less play. Yet, it has sold 33 million copies, and it’s not just individual players who love it: it’s in schools, and even the United Nations.

The game’s distinct qualities have made it a massive hit and critical darling, so you’d think it would have spawned tons of imitators. But it hasn’t and we wondered why? Maybe the reason is that Minecraft isn’t just a new game, but an actual paradigm-shifting invention. Is this the case?

In August of 2013, PBS kicked off a brand new weekly web series called GAME/SHOW, hosted by gamer and reporter Jamin Warren. The show provides relevant commentary on the current state of the video game industry in the same style as other PBS-funded web series such as Idea Channel.

You can follow GAME/SHOW on Twitter at @pbsgameshow or on Facebook. If you have suggestions, ideas or feedback about the program, send them to [email protected].

Check out Game/Show’s take on Minecraft and its lack of imitators right here:

Photo by Andrew Beeston.

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