how to support your child's minecraft play

How to support your child’s Minecraft play

7:00-8:00pmPatrick pcollins1@gmail.com

Minecraft Overview

Minecraft Overview

Survival Mode Creative Mode

Minecraft Survival Mode• Survive• Gather/Create New things (makes it easier

to survive)• After 10 hours of play you might have

earned 10% of possible resources.

A typical starting screen. Dropped in a world with no guidance.

Days last 10 minutes. Nights last 10 minutes. Most deadly creatures come out at night.

Caves have lots of resources, but are spooky to explore.

Survival Mode

Caves have lots of resources, but are spooky to explore.

The Minecraft Wiki• A necessary

resource.• Go back and forward

to figure out how to create things.

http://minecraft.gamepedia.com/

Youtube• Youtube has

– An idea generator– Teacher– Fun

• Turn on Youtube’s Restricted Mode! Some video creators have potty mouths.

Minecraft Overview

Survival Mode Creative Mode

Minecraft Creative Mode• You can fly.• All bad guys (mobs) are peaceful.• Unlimited resources.• Main goal is to create and express

yourself.

Minecraft Editions• Minecraft Regular - PC & Mac Edition

– Most feature complete• Minecraft Pocket Edition (iOS, Android)

– Limited. No modding, some servers.• Console Edition (e.g. Xbox, PS3)

– Limited. No modding. No servers.

Minecraft Servers

Local Servers Internet / Public Servers

Minecraft Realms

“Don’t pour lava on your sister’s house”

Local Servers• Make them agree rules. Most likely:

– Don’t break each others stuff– Don’t steal each other’s stuff.

• It’s very simple to setup

Tips for a safe Minecraft Internet• Many Minecraft websites have a lot of ads.• Use Chrome and Install Adblock Plus.• Make sure Youtube is in Restricted/Safe Mode. Check it

regularly.• Tell them they’re not allowed to install programs without you

being there. That means, no .exe (on PC) and no .dmg (on Mac).

• Never use their real names on public servers. They’re not allowed to chat to strangers.

Minecraft Servers

Local Servers Internet / Public Servers

Minecraft Realms

Some Safe Servers• MinePlex (us.mineplex.com)

Woooooo! We hit 43,000 players and broke the world record for most users online a Minecraft PC server!

• HyPixel (mc.hypixel.net)• MCMagic - https://mcmagic.us/

An amazing Disneyland replica

• Minecraft RealmsFor a private server where your kids can invite friends, use Mojang’s own “Minecraft Realms”

Some Great ResourcesLearn Tips - http://minemum.com/Find Servers - http://minecraftservers.org/Get your own server - https://minecraft.net/realmsMinecraft for Dummies - http://www.amazon.com/Minecraft-For-Dummies-Jacob-Cordeiro/dp/1118537149

SkinsCustomize your character www.minecraftskins.net

Google minecraft skins

They’re all free

Mods• Mods are written by Indie programmers (kids?)• Some good starter mods: Optifine, Xaero’s Minimap, Malisis

Doors, Instant Structures Mod• Get them at planetminecraft.com• You’re installing foreign software on your computer• Be careful of accidentally clicking on ads• You need to know how to install files into a directory• Probably too advanced for <12yo• ¼ mods just won’t work anymore

ContactPatrick pcollins1@gmail.com

This presentation atPiedmont Makers Website

http://www.piedmontmakers.org/