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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 20h

Today, another screenshot shows an update to the debug menu with a pie chart to view performance, useful for modders and more technical players. #minecraft

A player standing in a plains biome with the debug menu open. In addition to the usual coordinates, seed, and other info, a large pie chart takes up the right side of the screen, displaying how many resources different aspects of Minecraft are taking up.
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/pie-charts#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Today, the enchantment table's menu is shown, featuring strange inscriptions that look like gibberish, but are quickly deciphered as being the "standard galactic alphabet" from the Commander Keen video games. Hidden messages show that experience levels will be spent to use the table. #minecraft

A screenshot of the enchantment table menu in development. 3 buttons are present with messages in the standard galactic alphabet, which looks like an alien script. Green numbers are on the buttons, and the highest number button is unlit. The messages have been deciphered to read "Well played internets you are good" "These names will be random and confusing" and "each spell costs experience levels"
https://imgur.com/xDOQA

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Today, new dev screenshots show 2 new blocks bringing magic to Minecraft: The enchantment table and the brewing stand. The former will allow players to power up items with spells - but without knowledge of what will happen! The latter will presumably be used in making potions. #minecraft

An enchantment table in a development version of Minecraft. It looks similar to its final form, but is primarily composed of cobblestone, not obsidian.
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/enchantment-table#imagebox

A brewing stand, which looks similar to its final form but has no base. It's on a mushroom in the sky for some reason.
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/brewing-stand#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Today, Beta 1.9's 2nd prerelease is released, adding animal breeding, hardcore mode, 9 more music discs, tool repairing, and a potion system, which turned out to make it to this update after all, albeit not fully functionally. #minecraft

A player feeding a snow golem wheat, something possible in this version
https://minecraft.wiki/w/Java_Edition_Beta_1.9_Prerelease_2

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Today, a view is given of the Hardcore mode death screen, revealing that players will be forced to pull the trigger on their world should they die in this mode. #minecraft

The hardcore mode death screen, which has a button to delete the world. Note the version is listed as "Minecraft Beta 1.9 Beta 2"
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/hardcore-mode-death-screen#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Today, Bethesda's parent company Zenimax officially files suit against Mojang in the "Scrolls" naming dispute. There will be no out-of-court arbitration for the companies, via Quake deathmatch or otherwise. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Today, the MineCon 2011 Cloak poll concludes after 25k votes. The winner is Cloak 2, the red Creeper face, with a 42% plurality! The yellow pickaxe came in 2nd with 33%, followed by 3, 5, and 4 taking just 3%. web.archive.org/web/20111011... #minecraft

Steve in a cave holding TNT. He wears the cloak/cape with a creeper face on a red background. https://web.archive.org/web/20111008024252/http://mojang.com/

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Today, as a shared screenshot shows, animal breeding is being added to Minecraft. Confirmed as an adventure update feature a while ago, it did not make it into Beta 1.8, leading to rapid depopulation of farm animals. Floated as an idea for breeding is all mobs laying/hatching from eggs. #minecraft

A massive flock of sheep, a few of which have heart particles floating above them. The version is Minecraft Beta 1.9 Prerelease 2

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Today, Jens confirms via Twitter that while Minecraft will have an "end game" by release, this does not mean it will be the *end* of Minecraft. Rather, it's more like "winning" at Minecraft. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today, a new game mode is announced: Hardcore. As explained in the world creation menu, the world will be deleted when you die. Other changes coming soon include nerfed fire damage and the iconic "Score: &e0" holdover from way back in Survival Test being fixed to "Score: 0".

A button in the world creation menu reading "Hardcore: ON" "World is deleted upon death".
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/hardcore-mode#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Today, Beta 1.9 gets a prerelease! Just like the Beta 1.8 prereleases, it's distributed via minecraft.net for dedicated enough Minecrafters to playtest. The fruits of the last week of labor include what's been shown in screenshots, plus brand-new "Blazes" and "Testificates". #minecraft

A Minecraft villager in a village, with a name floating above it as if it were a player. It says "TESTIFICATE"
https://minecraft.wiki/w/Java_Edition_Beta_1.9_Prerelease#/media/File:NPCprerel.png

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Today, a new mob is announced for Beta 1.9: snowmen! These friendly new mobs will spread snow wherever they go, perish in biomes that are too hot, and attack mobs for you... with snowballs... which do 0 damage. It's the thought that counts. They'll also be "craftable", somehow. #minecraft

A blocky snowman in Minecraft in a forest at night. Snow is spread about where it's been. Note the lack of a pumpkin head.
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/snowmen#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Today, a quickly-deleted tweet says something about a Minecon cloak that was apparently supposed to still be a secret... In other news, endermen will have their block carrying nerfed in the next update. Apparently it was a "horrible idea" to let mobs run off with parts of players' houses. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Today, another screenshot of the Nether structure is revealed, showing a large complex of bridges and what appear to be fences made from the new block. Perhaps this is where the difficult new mob Jens has been working on will reside? #minecraft #imagebox

An aerial view of a Nether Fortress in development. No interior section is visible, just a collection of the outer bridges in a large open area of the Nether.
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/new-nether-screenshot-spoiler-warning

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today, after many community complaints, the state of Mojang's support is addressed. Despite the studio being founded in part to divide up labor to address non-gamemaking tasks, support has not been ideal. Currently, they're working on a way to let external people come in and help out. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today, user SimonPdv uploads a video showcasing a massive build made by their build team "Gods of Minecraft". If the music is anything to judge by, then the build was likely inspired by The Lord of the Rings. #minecraft

youtu.be

The Path of Destiny [HD]

YouTube video by SimonPdv

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Today, two big new teasers are shown on Twitter, revealing a dark Nether structure and a creepy mushroom-cow hybrid in what looks to be a mushroom biome. #minecraft

An image of the Nether. Obscured by the darkness is a tall bridge with the end near the viewer broken off. It's composed of a dark brick block
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/netherthing#imagebox

A cow with red mushrooms on its back and a bright red coloring stands amid purple "grass" and mushrooms both small and huge
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/suddenly#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Today, Beta 1.8.1 is released, fixing a crash... and inadvertently extending the players' reach somehow. Work is already beginning on the 2nd part of the Adventure Update, which promises to be just as big. Currently in development are snowy biomes, Nether content, and an armor rework. #minecraft

A snowy screenshot of a huge floating island
https://imgur.com/5Gsyy?full

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Today, following the longest wait between updates in Minecraft's history, Beta 1.8 is released! Between the teasers, PAX demo, and pre-releases, the contents are no surprise to the community, and the features themselves are sometimes incomplete, but the update is still transformative. #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft Adventure Update 1.8 has been released!!!!

YouTube video by Lydia

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Today, "Beta 1.8 Pre-release 2 ;)" is released publicly via jar upload to minecraft.net, gaining the distinction of the first Minecraft version with an winky face in its name. This version was cooked up to help fix bugs in the imminently-releasing, long-awaited Beta 1.8 #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Today, Mojang gets back to work on Minecraft with the start of the new week. Thanks to all the bug reports, the final version of 1.8 will be more bug-free than if the prerelease had not leaked, according to Jens. Daniel Kaplan actually floats the idea of "leaking" all future updates! #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Today, user CraftedMovie uploads a non-exhaustive retrospective video on Minecraft's version history since Indev. The game has come a long way over the past 2 years, and the full release is fast approaching. #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft Evolution

YouTube video by CraftedMovie

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Today, Minecrafters enjoy the first weekend of Beta 1.8's (pre-)release, including user EditZP, who sums the update up in 60 seconds. #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft Beta 1.8 in 60 Seconds (Endermen, New Biomes, XP Points) *Pre-Release*

YouTube video by EditZP

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Today, Mojang gives tacit approval to the Beta 1.8 Pre-release leak by recompiling it to fix a few bugs and remove a few debug keys, as well as by hosting a download on minecraft.net in order to make it a bit safer for public consumption. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Today, in the latest episode of the almost-but-not-quite-out-yet saga of Beta 1.8, it is... Pre-released? In need of man-hours, Jeb had enlisted a select few Minecrafters for bugtesting. Evidently, one of them has leaked their build. For Jeb's part, he mostly feels "less stressed up now". #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Today, after recently delaying Beta 1.8 to next week due to not enough man-hours for testing, Jeb says his guess for release is next Monday, the 12th. He then "takes cover" and solicits for a bodyguard - as best as you can on Twitter, anyways. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Today, the trailer for Minecraft Beta 1.8 is released! The hotly-anticipated update is almost playable by the eager fanbase. #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft 1.8 trailer

YouTube video by Minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Today, a version of Beta 1.8 is virtually packed up and sent to Hat Films for another one of their update trailers. The video itself does not release, but the behind-the-scenes does. According to Mojang, it'll be out "this week", despite secret project Rex Kwon Do starting. #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft 1.8 Official Trailer - Behind the Scenes

YouTube video by Hat Films

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Today, user Noobcrew shares their Minecraft map on the Minecraft Forum: Skyblock. The map is as simple as it gets, a survival challenge with just some blocks, a tree, and chest available to the player in a world stripped down to the void. www.minecraftforum.net/forums/mappi... #minecraft

The original Skyblock 1.0 map in Beta 1.7.3.

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Today, more 1.8 content is released by Mojang. The swamp biome (present only as a flat placeholder biome in the PAX build) is shown, although it looks more like a "happy grove". Feedback is taken as to how to make it swampier. The Enderman texture file is also released. #minecraft

The Swamp biome in Minecraft. Oak trees with lots of leaves and vines are present in a very flat biome with lots of shallow water features. Sand, mushroom, and sugar cane for the shore. Notably, there are no lily pads, and the grass is a very saturated green, making the environment seem more cheery than anything
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/swamp-biome#imagebox

The Enderman texture file against a white background. The eyes are actually white, not transparent
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/enderman-skin#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Today, not one, not two, but three images (and a video) are shown off as Mojang puts the finishing touches on Beta 1.8. Sprinting no longer fades over the course of a few seconds, and allows for gaps of 4 blocks to be traversed. #minecraft

youtu.be

Length of Sprint Jump in Minecraft Beta 1.8

YouTube video by Minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Today, the winner of the MineCon Ultimate Fan Experience raffle is announced as one Joseph Larson. Included is a hotel room, VIP seats, and lunch with Mojang. For the rest of the community, discounted rates and a larger age range than usual for Vegas are available for a limited time. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Today, Mojang calls for indie game devs to come to MineCon to show off their own games, in an effort to spread the love in the indie community. In other news, ThinkGeek drops a "Vitruvian Minecraft" T-Shirt. A version with genitals was drafted, but ultimately (and thankfully) scrapped. #minecraft

A low quality picture of a beige T-shirt with Steve on it in the pose of Leonardo Da Vinci's "Virtuvian Man" artwork. This was the best quality I could find, I guess this shirt is really obscure now.
https://web.archive.org/web/20110924015601/http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/gaming/ea52#tabs

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Today, Team Mojang returns to Sweden to bring the Beta 1.8 to fans ASAP after giving them a very tempting preview. En route home, CEO Carl Manneh forgets to change his meal from the celery and salad that was selected for him as a prank for the round-trip intercontinental flight. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Today, a public answer is given to a question asked on PAX: Why no Steam? Despite the high esteem Mojang holds Valve and their digital distribution platform in, Minecraft will not be coming to Steam on account of the limitations on selling in-game content and dividing the community. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Today, the 3rd and final ends with griefers taking off with all of Mojang's booth's pieces! Of course, the "griefing" was sanctioned by Mojang, giving out the parts of the booth they could not take with them. Lydia Winters recorded the following video showcasing the booth during PAX: #minecraft

youtu.be

Mojang PAX Booth

YouTube video by Lydia

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Today, PAX continues as the Minecraft community pieces together the information learned from the demo, ranging from near-final versions of what's been teased to surprise features. Some highlights include a new title screen, a fancy new lighting system, and the return of creative mode. #minecraft

An image of all the new items revealed unto the community by creative mode in the demo. Most have been previously seen, but there are a few surprises, like Rotten Flesh, melons, and a green plant theorized to be moss.
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/new-18-items-and-blocks#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Today, PAX Prime 2011 begins! On the the 6th floor, Mojang has a booth set up by Elin, Lydia, Vu, and some volunteers, where Minecrafters are getting their first look at Beta 1.8, part 1 of The Adventure Update. #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft 1.8 HD Adventure Update Gameplay From PAX 2011

YouTube video by OmniTechNews

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Today, after some live bugfixing on the PAX floor, the Beta 1.8 demo is finalized for the start of the convention tomorrow. Attendees will have the chance to play the demo at Mojang's booth, getting a sneak peak of Minecraft's biggest update to date. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Today, parts of Mojang take the opportunity to visit Microsoft while they're in Seattle. Besides posing with some cardboard cutouts, they partake in some "vauge" meetings that may or may not have something to do with the upcoming Xbox 360 version of Minecraft. #minecraft

The OG Mojang team (more or less) with the OG Microsoft team (in cardboard form)
https://imgur.com/mojang-meets-original-microsoft-team-fAMY8

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Today, Team Mojang jets off from Stockholm to Seattle! Upon arrival, they either succumb to jet lag in their beds or use copious amounts of caffeine to get PCGamer a Beta 1.8 demo. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Today, a mysterious new section of minecraft.net is added, with a simplistic movie maker featuring 2 sock puppets patterned to resemble Minecraft pigs. Users can write their own "script" and have the sock puppets act it out. One such "movie" is featured below: #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft - Pigtale The Minecraft Cake

YouTube video by Sajn LaserThrinhy

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Today, Jeb confirms that neither baby animals nor volcanoes have been added to the Adventure Update yet, one of the few traits both share. #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Today, YouTuber CaptainSparklez uploads "Revenge", a Minecraft parody of "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love" by Usher. The music video was created entirely with 3D animation, unlike the mostly in-game footage of CaptainSparklez and co.'s previous parody, "TNT". #minecraft

youtu.be

"Revenge" - A Minecraft Parody of Usher's DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (Music Video)

YouTube video by CaptainSparklez

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Today, another Adventure Update teaser shows rivers amongst a landscape that's starting to look significantly changed. Beta 1.8 promises more defined water features than the current shallow lakes dotting the world, but they're not fully realistic - these rivers are always at sea level. #minecraft

A wide river going through a mountainous, wooded landscape. A giant red mushroom is visible at the water's edge
https://www.moddb.com/games/minecraft/images/river-test-with-forced-high-height-contrast#imagebox

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Today, Mojang proposes an unorthodox solution to the Zenimax/Bethesda legal dispute with Mojang: Trial by (video game) combat. More specifically, a Quake 3v3 between Bethesda and Mojang's best, with the name of Scrolls at stake. Despite impending legal action, this offer is "serious". #minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Today, Minecraft – Pocket Edition is released for the Xperia Play, as v0.1.0alpha! The first version of Minecraft developed separately from the main game, this is a stripped-down version resembling Classic to fit inside Sony's new gaming phone, which the game is exclusive to for now. #minecraft

youtu.be

Minecraft -- Pocket Edition Available on Xperia PLAY

YouTube video by Minecraft

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Today, Mojang announces an auction of a limited edition Minecraft Xperia Play. Citing past Ebay appearances by other special items in the past, they figured they'd get ahead of the curve with this one. #minecraft

An image of the special Xperia Play phone, with a Minecraft grass block case and background.
https://www.talkandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/MineCraftXperiaPlay.jpg

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15 Years Ago in Minecraft @15yearsinminecraft.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Today, Minecraft wins Best European Indie Game from the European Games Awards. It also got 2nd for game design and 3rd in all other categories it was nominated for in the European-specific competition. (browser game, online game, and game in general). Mojang placed 3rd for best studio. #minecraft

The placings for best european indie game 2011. Minecraft won with 43% of the vote. Behind are Amnesia, Snuggle Truck, Ilomilo, and Ineterstellar marines.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130411103141im_/http://www.european-games-award.com/images/stories/gewinner/best_european_indie_game.jpg

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