If your children are anything like mine, then Minecraft is a part of their game collection.  Minecraft has grown from just a PC game to one that you can download to almost any platform (is not available for Playstation 4, Vita and Xbox One- but coming soon).    In our house, we have the two PC versions, the Xbox 360 and an Android pocket version.  Our kids have played this game since the beta version and have increased awareness among their friends prompting my cousin and my friend to purchase this unknowing game for their children.   Ya, I have answered many questions concerning this game to my children’s friends.  All four the kids play and they play together frequently. Minecraft started out strictly PC/Mac in 2009.   Mincraft has no specific goals but there are achievements that you can complete.  There are different materials to gather- coal, iron, wood, and stones- that are used to build houses, weapons, and torches plus the worlds are infinite.  In the beginning, you needed shelter and weapons for nighttime crawlers such as zombies, spiders, ect.  The game has expanded to include player vs. player- but it is not necessary. The game’s graphics are “old school” (like the first Nintendo) but requires a decent video card to run. (https://help.mojang.com/customer/portal/articles/325948-minecraft-system-requirements) The game has expanded and now there are different MODS (modifications)- such as the Iron Man Mod that turns your character into Iron Man and a Hunger Games Mod.  (http://www.minecraftdl.com/the-hunger-games-mod/)   Minecraft is one of the top games- Game Informer rated it 9.25 for the Xbox 360 edition (http://www.gameinformer.com/games/minecraft_xbox_360_edition/b/pc/default.aspx) While the Android market has it listed as the third most popular paid downloaded game (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37798/Top_Android_Game_Apps_Minecraft_Pocket_Edition_Ranks_High_In_Debut_Week.php).   IGN.com (http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/24/minecraft-review) gave the game an overall rating of a 9.  Metacritic rated 93 out of 100 and 7.4 out of 10 (http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/minecraft); while Gamestop rated the game an 8.7 out of 10 (http://www.gamespot.com/minecraft/).     Minecraft does not advertise but has grossed 322.4 million in the last year.  When it first released the Xbox 360 version in May 2013, it sold over 11 million copies.  The Playstation 3 was released in December of 2013 and by January- sold over 1 million copies.  All due to word of mouth-   (http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/20/5531046/minecraft-mojang-profits-doubled-2013).   This game is an interesting game where kids of all ages get into playing- downloading free modifications, all versions, getting their friends involved and making YouTube videos.  These YouTube videos are averaging about a million a year- (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpIMqWkIs2E) for the most popular videos.  My kids are all about watching these videos- getting ideas and tips.  My friend’s sons watch the videos more than playing the game.   Overall, it is a cool game that has commanded a place among many children’s gaming collections.  The game is not bad- without Mods- there is no nudity and low violence (unless you play player vs. player).  Go and try this game- it seems simple but becomes very addicting.  If playing is not your thing but you want to know more about it- then go to YouTube and watch the millions (80,900,000) of videos on how to play Minecraft. (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=minecraft).