Considered by many gamers to be the best sandbox game in history, Minecraft has experienced an unprecedented level of longevity. Between the survival aspects, creative crafting, and Redstone creations, Minecraft has plenty of content for a wide range of gamers.
However, Minecraft's accessibilty has been used by many more than just the gaming crowd. For example, Minecraft has an Education Edition that has allowed teachers and students to connect through the game. With the correct preparation, classes can be taught through the game due to the communication and interactivity possible within.
Along the same lines as this Education Edition, one South Korean university decided to hold their freshman entrance ceremony in Minecraft. Yeungnam University decided that, due to COVID-19 restrictions, they would still hold a ceremony for incoming freshmen, but to avoid any problems it would be done in the game. This is not a strange occurrence, as in the past a Japanese elementary school hosted graduation in Minecraft. One senior who helped to build the area for the ceremony said that, though many students were unable to attend, for those that could the ceremony was a huge success.
The clip displayed pieces of the ceremony, beginning with a large auditorium full of Minecraft characters. Notably, many of the characters had unique skins, seeming to suggest many of the students had already played before. The clip then transitioned between different events. One showed students gathered around a pole throwing objects at a color-changing object at the top. Another event saw students potentially playing a guessing game where, if they guessed wrong, the platform beneath them would disappear. An overhead view displayed much of the university's structures having been replicated in-game. The clip ended with a firework celebration in front of the main building, showing students looking up to the sky and jumping around.
While player creations like a massive Minecraft medieval city are always awe-inspiring, they are the expected product of the game. However, when a university decides to use Minecraft as a medium for their ceremonies, it is a truly amazing moment where reality and gaming combine to bring people together. Not only that, but clearly the university put a lot of effort into the event, as the area seemed to mirror university grounds and the games created were certainly not created by novices. It stands to reason that Minecraft veterans either volunteered to help or were asked to contribute, as the finished product was an amazing ceremony that many are now able to admire.
Much like how Minecraft Education Edition celebrated International Women's Day, Yeungnam University decided to come up with a creative way to bring its students together. While many gamers consider Minecraft the greatest sandbox game ever, schools and universities have at times viewed it as the perfect solution to bring their students together.
Minecraft is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.