Introduced 4 mechanics · Minecraft 1
Minecraft
A uniform grid of removable matter, sold unfinished, generating forever — the most generative world model yet.
Mechanics this game introduced
These are recorded as first appearing here. Each links to a full history of where the idea went next.
Physics & Simulation · 2009
Editable Voxel Terrain
Editable voxel terrain models the world as a uniform grid of blocks that can each be removed or placed, making landsca…
Origin: Minecraft
World Systems · 2009
Free-Form Base Building
Free-form base building lets players raise permanent structures of their own design inside the play space, turning a l…
Origin: Minecraft
Procedural Generation · 2009
Infinite Chunked World
An infinite chunked world generates terrain in fixed blocks as the player approaches, loading and unloading them conti…
Origin: Minecraft
Economy & Business Model · 2009
Paid Early Access Development
Paid early access sells an unfinished game to players who fund and test it, with development continuing in public and …
Origin: Minecraft
Mechanics it built on
Ideas Minecraft inherited rather than invented — each traceable back through the ontology to a root.