Table of Contents
Who this is for: Minecraft fans curious about the game’s origins and gaming history enthusiasts.
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Cave Game: The True Beginning
The very first Minecraft version was called “Cave Game” and was released on May 10, 2009. This wasn’t even called Minecraft yet – creator Markus “Notch” Persson initially named his project Cave Game when he first shared it publicly on the TIGSource forums.
From Cave Game to Minecraft Classic
Cave Game was incredibly basic compared to today’s Minecraft. Players could only place and break two types of blocks: grass and cobblestone. There were no creatures, no crafting system, and no survival elements. You simply had an infinite world where you could build basic structures.
Within just a week, on May 17, 2009, Notch renamed the game to “Minecraft” and released what became known as Minecraft Classic. This version introduced the iconic creeper mob and began adding the gameplay elements that would define the franchise.
Key Milestones in Early Development
The evolution from Cave Game happened remarkably quickly:
- May 10, 2009: Cave Game released with basic block placement
- May 17, 2009: Renamed to Minecraft, added mobs
- May 2009: Minecraft Classic became freely playable in browsers
- December 2009: Minecraft Alpha introduced survival mode
What Made Cave Game Special
Despite its simplicity, Cave Game captured something magical. The core concept of breaking and placing blocks in a 3D world was revolutionary for its time. Players immediately understood the creative potential, even with just two block types available.
The game’s minimalist graphics and intuitive controls made it accessible to anyone, while the infinite world size sparked imagination. This foundation would grow into one of the most successful games ever created.
If you’re curious about Minecraft’s incredible journey from those humble beginnings, you’ll find plenty of creative building opportunities in modern versions of the game.
TL;DR
The first Minecraft version was “Cave Game,” released May 10, 2009, featuring only grass and cobblestone blocks before becoming Minecraft Classic a week later.
