Minecraft and Age of Empires are two of the best-selling and most widely reviewed education games of the last decade.
Sales figures place Minecraft sales in second place behind Tetris as the best-selling game of all time,
Age of Empires is one of the most influential educational games of the past decade.
Minecraft and Age of Empires are two of the most successful and popular educational video games over the past decade. Kids, parents, and teachers agree on these games' ability to teach world-building, creativity, planning, problem-solving, strategy, and other critical thinking concepts.
Sales figures place Minecraft sales in second place behind Tetris as the best-selling game of all time,
Age of Empires is one of the most influential educational games of the past decade.
Minecraft and Age of Empires are two of the most successful and popular educational video games over the past decade. Kids, parents, and teachers agree on these games' ability to teach world-building, creativity, planning, problem-solving, strategy, and other critical thinking concepts.
MINECRAFT
WHAT IS IT?
Minecraft was originally published in 2011 and is a game that allows players to build 3-D worlds from textured and colored cubes. Some more common activities designed to be completed within the created worlds are gathering resources, exploring, and planning. The Minecraft universe has been described by some as 'online Legos' and involves creating what could be called dioramas as worlds in the game, complete with different terrains and environments.
The game can be played individually or in multi-player mode.
WHAT IS IT?
Minecraft was originally published in 2011 and is a game that allows players to build 3-D worlds from textured and colored cubes. Some more common activities designed to be completed within the created worlds are gathering resources, exploring, and planning. The Minecraft universe has been described by some as 'online Legos' and involves creating what could be called dioramas as worlds in the game, complete with different terrains and environments.
The game can be played individually or in multi-player mode.
DEVELOPERS & SALES
Microsoft acquired Minecraft from Mojang in 2014 and it continued on its rise in popularity among tweens and teens with the release of follow-up editions. In January 2018, Minecraft sales were at an all-time high because of the 144 million units being sold across multiple platforms (PC, consoles, tablets, and phones). Sales figures place Minecraft sales in second place behind Tetris as the best-selling game of all time.
Microsoft acquired Minecraft from Mojang in 2014 and it continued on its rise in popularity among tweens and teens with the release of follow-up editions. In January 2018, Minecraft sales were at an all-time high because of the 144 million units being sold across multiple platforms (PC, consoles, tablets, and phones). Sales figures place Minecraft sales in second place behind Tetris as the best-selling game of all time.
SUCCESS FACTORS
Gaming insiders attribute Minecraft's meteoric rise in popularity to the fact that users can create anything. There are no set rules in the game, making building a roller coaster in the middle of a chicken coop in the center of a city of skyscrapers a reality.
The game does feature an online multiplayer option which allows users to have their friends work with them on resource gathering, building, and planning.
Gaming insiders attribute Minecraft's meteoric rise in popularity to the fact that users can create anything. There are no set rules in the game, making building a roller coaster in the middle of a chicken coop in the center of a city of skyscrapers a reality.
The game does feature an online multiplayer option which allows users to have their friends work with them on resource gathering, building, and planning.
USER REVIEWS
Minecraft has a total of 893 user reviews at Common Sense Media. Overall, users rate the franchise as a 4 out 5 stars.
Minecraft has a total of 893 user reviews at Common Sense Media. Overall, users rate the franchise as a 4 out 5 stars.
A sampling of the reviews:
"Complex, entertaining, addictive game is just plain fun." (14-year old reviewer)
"Complex, entertaining, addictive game is just plain fun." (14-year old reviewer)
"Good for 13+ ?!?! You're out of your mind! Perfect for Everyone!" (14-year old reviewer)
"Minecraft is a very, very amazing game that lets kids explore the aspects of architecture." (14-year-old reviewer)
"This might be hard to believe, but I played this game when I was really young (like 4 or 5) I actually learned how to spell from this game, and now I'm in the honors program. (not even kidding) " (12-year-old reviewer)
PARENT REVIEWS
Parents have used Common Sense Media to review Minecraft over 193 times and gave it the same 4 out of 5-star rating as their kids. The majority of parents have chosen to add to their reviews and A+ rating for the educational value of this game.
Parents have used Common Sense Media to review Minecraft over 193 times and gave it the same 4 out of 5-star rating as their kids. The majority of parents have chosen to add to their reviews and A+ rating for the educational value of this game.
A sampling of Reviews:
"This excellent independent title is a wonderful educational opportunity for tweens and teens, with the ability to build and construct it fosters creative thinking and problem-solving. All positive." (3-star parent review)
"This excellent independent title is a wonderful educational opportunity for tweens and teens, with the ability to build and construct it fosters creative thinking and problem-solving. All positive." (3-star parent review)
"For the budding urban planner or engineer. Builds creativity; very addictive but at least they aren't killing anything. " (5-star rating from the parent of a 12-year old)
"It’s the most educational game on the Internet. You can build anything you want. " (parent and third-grade teacher review).
TEACHER REVIEWS
Classroom educators across the globe have welcomed not only their students playing Minecraft at home, but many teachers have integrated the critical thinking skills of the game into their real-world classes with the Minecraft Education Edition.
Teachers praise the game's ability to foster both social and emotional learning (SEL). "In the context of K–12 education, SEL is the process through which students acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy
for others,
establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions". Research from Getting Smart illustrates that students who have the chance to experience a sense of autonomy (because of Minecraft's lack of rules), competence, and relatedness, children then are more prepared to listen (first) before reacting to contrasting or parallel viewpoints or approaches to a problem. Technology is not seen as a hindrance, rather a tool to help build relationships in and out of the classroom as the build the walls of their homes along the city streets they created.
Classroom educators across the globe have welcomed not only their students playing Minecraft at home, but many teachers have integrated the critical thinking skills of the game into their real-world classes with the Minecraft Education Edition.
Teachers praise the game's ability to foster both social and emotional learning (SEL). "In the context of K–12 education, SEL is the process through which students acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy
for others,
establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions". Research from Getting Smart illustrates that students who have the chance to experience a sense of autonomy (because of Minecraft's lack of rules), competence, and relatedness, children then are more prepared to listen (first) before reacting to contrasting or parallel viewpoints or approaches to a problem. Technology is not seen as a hindrance, rather a tool to help build relationships in and out of the classroom as the build the walls of their homes along the city streets they created.
BENEFITS
The users and players of the Minecraft franchise of games develop their problem-solving skills, improve teamwork, learn design skills, and even learn basic programming boosting their computer literacy.
Project-Based Learning (PBL) proponents see the parallel between their principles and of game-based learning. Both approaches give students (of all ages) tools to work toward a common and defined objective while navigating obstacles and digesting feedback. Rody Boonchouyof the Buck Institute for Education says, "When playing Minecraft, students must have a level of coordination and cooperation in order to accomplish shared objectives. They’re negotiating with one another, strategizing about resources and next moves, and delegating responsibilities. It’s really quite remarkable to see".
Minecraft is popular among both tween and teen girls and boys which helps to bridge the STEM gap sometimes seen in teen girls. In one of the STEM-focused lesson plans included with the Education Edition, students work together to design and build a dam to solve a city's water problem. The lessons seamlessly blend engineering and science through design and critical thinking while building math concepts both simple and complex.
RISKS
The potential risks associated with Minecraft include worries of online play in multiplayer mode (there are options to disable chat and/or limit the scope of the IP for each world) and exposure to some violence (there is no blood in the game, but players can hit or kill animals or others in multiplayer mode). Parents note that their biggest complaint is that popular YouTube tutorial videos of the game use bad language or the creators of those videos make inappropriate comments.
INDUSTRY REVIEWS
Minecraft has been well-preserved in both the gaming and computer worlds. Good Game named it the 2010 Best Downloadable Game. The 2010 Indie Games saw Minecraft named Game of the Year by Rock, Paper, Scissors. Game City awarded its Innovation Award to Minecraft in 2011, and Minecraft was named Game of the Year by Tiga in 2014.
FRANCHISE TITLES RELEASED
There are Windows, macOS and Linux versions of Minecraft, Minecraft for PC, Minecraft Classic, Minecraft 4K, and the Education Edition.
Console versions for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo have been released in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and in 2017.
Minecraft Pocket Edition was released for Android and iOS users in 2011, with updated in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
The users and players of the Minecraft franchise of games develop their problem-solving skills, improve teamwork, learn design skills, and even learn basic programming boosting their computer literacy.
Project-Based Learning (PBL) proponents see the parallel between their principles and of game-based learning. Both approaches give students (of all ages) tools to work toward a common and defined objective while navigating obstacles and digesting feedback. Rody Boonchouyof the Buck Institute for Education says, "When playing Minecraft, students must have a level of coordination and cooperation in order to accomplish shared objectives. They’re negotiating with one another, strategizing about resources and next moves, and delegating responsibilities. It’s really quite remarkable to see".
Minecraft is popular among both tween and teen girls and boys which helps to bridge the STEM gap sometimes seen in teen girls. In one of the STEM-focused lesson plans included with the Education Edition, students work together to design and build a dam to solve a city's water problem. The lessons seamlessly blend engineering and science through design and critical thinking while building math concepts both simple and complex.
RISKS
The potential risks associated with Minecraft include worries of online play in multiplayer mode (there are options to disable chat and/or limit the scope of the IP for each world) and exposure to some violence (there is no blood in the game, but players can hit or kill animals or others in multiplayer mode). Parents note that their biggest complaint is that popular YouTube tutorial videos of the game use bad language or the creators of those videos make inappropriate comments.
INDUSTRY REVIEWS
Minecraft has been well-preserved in both the gaming and computer worlds. Good Game named it the 2010 Best Downloadable Game. The 2010 Indie Games saw Minecraft named Game of the Year by Rock, Paper, Scissors. Game City awarded its Innovation Award to Minecraft in 2011, and Minecraft was named Game of the Year by Tiga in 2014.
FRANCHISE TITLES RELEASED
There are Windows, macOS and Linux versions of Minecraft, Minecraft for PC, Minecraft Classic, Minecraft 4K, and the Education Edition.
Console versions for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo have been released in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and in 2017.
Minecraft Pocket Edition was released for Android and iOS users in 2011, with updated in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
AGE OF EMPIRES
WHAT IS IT?
Though originally conceived as a PC game in the late 1990s (which could exclude it from this research), Age of Empires has experienced a renaissance in recent years due to its popularity, the quality of gameplay, as well as in its educational foundation making it a clear choice to be included as a successful case study spanning the last ten years. The franchise consists of historical real-time strategy (RTS) games focusing on several time periods in world history.
Some of the locations, subjects, and time periods covered within the gameplay are: Asia, Africa and Europe from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, the Roman Empire, a voyage of kings through the Middle Ages, the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the early modern period when Europe was colonizing the Americas, and versions set in Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythology.
Based on historical events and powered by proprietary Artificial Intelligence, Age of Empires is credited by IGN as being one of the most influential educational games of the past decade.
WHAT IS IT?
Though originally conceived as a PC game in the late 1990s (which could exclude it from this research), Age of Empires has experienced a renaissance in recent years due to its popularity, the quality of gameplay, as well as in its educational foundation making it a clear choice to be included as a successful case study spanning the last ten years. The franchise consists of historical real-time strategy (RTS) games focusing on several time periods in world history.
Some of the locations, subjects, and time periods covered within the gameplay are: Asia, Africa and Europe from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, the Roman Empire, a voyage of kings through the Middle Ages, the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the early modern period when Europe was colonizing the Americas, and versions set in Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythology.
Based on historical events and powered by proprietary Artificial Intelligence, Age of Empires is credited by IGN as being one of the most influential educational games of the past decade.
DEVELOPER & SALES
Age of Empires has been developed by multiple well-known players in the RTS gaming scope, including, Ensemble Studios, Big Huge Games, Robot Entertainment, Relic Entertainment, Hidden Path Entertainment, and is currently published by Microsoft Studios. AoE has sold over 9.5 million units worldwide across multiple platforms and is Microsoft's best-selling PC game in history.
Age of Empires has been developed by multiple well-known players in the RTS gaming scope, including, Ensemble Studios, Big Huge Games, Robot Entertainment, Relic Entertainment, Hidden Path Entertainment, and is currently published by Microsoft Studios. AoE has sold over 9.5 million units worldwide across multiple platforms and is Microsoft's best-selling PC game in history.
SUCCESS FACTORS
Overall, the RTS gaming model is waning. There are a few standouts, like Starcraft and Company of Heroes, but the rejuvenation of Age of Empires can be attributed in part to its inclusion on the Steam platform and its staying power. The original version of the game was beloved and still is the best-selling PC game of all time, so the latest versions (available across several platforms) are allowing players, both new and old, to experience history like never before.
The game's strong online community is its backbone and its slower-than-typical gameplay is the game's hallmark. Players (single and multiplayer) begin by expanding a civilian population, building a military to protect them, expanding the civilians to support the military. Over time a player's empire grows, but unlike in other RTS games, AoE skirmishes can last for hours because players have more control and more consequential options to consider.
Overall, the RTS gaming model is waning. There are a few standouts, like Starcraft and Company of Heroes, but the rejuvenation of Age of Empires can be attributed in part to its inclusion on the Steam platform and its staying power. The original version of the game was beloved and still is the best-selling PC game of all time, so the latest versions (available across several platforms) are allowing players, both new and old, to experience history like never before.
The game's strong online community is its backbone and its slower-than-typical gameplay is the game's hallmark. Players (single and multiplayer) begin by expanding a civilian population, building a military to protect them, expanding the civilians to support the military. Over time a player's empire grows, but unlike in other RTS games, AoE skirmishes can last for hours because players have more control and more consequential options to consider.
USER REVIEWS
The entire AoE franchise of versions released since 2005 has hundreds of positive user reviews on Common Sense Media. Most teen users rate the game as an A+ in terms of its educational value.
A sampling of Reviews:
"I sleep through my world history class and I have an A because this game pretty much told me everything that happened. You also learn interesting things like Attila the Hun was not interested in wealth." (15-year old reviewer)
"Excellent game, and educational, too. I actually won my school geography bee because I played this game. Serious. It really teaches medieval history well." (14-year old reviewer)
"It's a great game- I definitely learned a lot of history in the process of playing. You can fight battles that actually happened, and before you begin them you are told the background and how the event came about." (16-year old reviewer)
The entire AoE franchise of versions released since 2005 has hundreds of positive user reviews on Common Sense Media. Most teen users rate the game as an A+ in terms of its educational value.
A sampling of Reviews:
"I sleep through my world history class and I have an A because this game pretty much told me everything that happened. You also learn interesting things like Attila the Hun was not interested in wealth." (15-year old reviewer)
"Excellent game, and educational, too. I actually won my school geography bee because I played this game. Serious. It really teaches medieval history well." (14-year old reviewer)
"It's a great game- I definitely learned a lot of history in the process of playing. You can fight battles that actually happened, and before you begin them you are told the background and how the event came about." (16-year old reviewer)
PARENT REVIEWS
Parents are not quite as overwhelmed as their teens about Age of Empires. Their Common Sense Media reviews rate the game as 4 out of 5 stars but do note its strong educational component.
Parents are not quite as overwhelmed as their teens about Age of Empires. Their Common Sense Media reviews rate the game as 4 out of 5 stars but do note its strong educational component.
A sampling of Reviews:
"Provokes curiosity about history, various civilizations." (parent review)
"Also brings economics into the picture and teaches the importance of having both a military as well as an economy to support it, for "an army marches on its stomach, or so the old saying goes.' (parent review)
"This game simulates historic battles and characters, such as Joan of Arc, Ghengis Kahn, and Henry V very accurately. I personally never knew how a trebuchet worked until I played this game." (parent review)
"Provokes curiosity about history, various civilizations." (parent review)
"Also brings economics into the picture and teaches the importance of having both a military as well as an economy to support it, for "an army marches on its stomach, or so the old saying goes.' (parent review)
"This game simulates historic battles and characters, such as Joan of Arc, Ghengis Kahn, and Henry V very accurately. I personally never knew how a trebuchet worked until I played this game." (parent review)
TEACHER REVIEWS
The classroom value of this game is cited not only by the teachers of teens but also university scholars. The University of Amsterdam and Washington State University both integrate Age of Empires into their history curricula. James Gee, professor of education at the University of Wisconsin, "recognized as a pioneer in the study of computer games as educational tools notes that people learn best when they are entertained, can connect intellect with emotion, and when they can immediately assess the outcomes of their decisions." Dr. Henry Jenkins, the director of the MIT Comparative Media Studies department states that "games foster student interaction, sometimes leading to ad hoc learning groups that build on the strongest talents of their members."
A University of Illinois research study illustrates Age of Empires as an important tool in teaching world history at both the high school and college/university levels. The player or team of players takes on the persona of an all-knowing ruler at odds with an opposing polites in the gameplay. The polites are identified as real historical factions like the British, or the Aztecs; they can sometimes be mythological factions like in Ancient Greece. The design of the game tries to recreate the "actual geographic and environmental features found in real life."
The classroom value of this game is cited not only by the teachers of teens but also university scholars. The University of Amsterdam and Washington State University both integrate Age of Empires into their history curricula. James Gee, professor of education at the University of Wisconsin, "recognized as a pioneer in the study of computer games as educational tools notes that people learn best when they are entertained, can connect intellect with emotion, and when they can immediately assess the outcomes of their decisions." Dr. Henry Jenkins, the director of the MIT Comparative Media Studies department states that "games foster student interaction, sometimes leading to ad hoc learning groups that build on the strongest talents of their members."
A University of Illinois research study illustrates Age of Empires as an important tool in teaching world history at both the high school and college/university levels. The player or team of players takes on the persona of an all-knowing ruler at odds with an opposing polites in the gameplay. The polites are identified as real historical factions like the British, or the Aztecs; they can sometimes be mythological factions like in Ancient Greece. The design of the game tries to recreate the "actual geographic and environmental features found in real life."
BENEFITS
The University of Illinois study presents, as one of its key findings, the idea that AoE helps to eliminate a telescopic understanding of world history. "Students often believe that history is predetermined; there is no alternative outcome to a historical event than the one that occurred. By playing (these games), students learn to recognize the contingent nature of history.
Other critical thinking concepts Age of Empires helps to foster are: the ability to find and train the right people for a job (the game's villagers are the key to a successful economy), balancing an offense and a defense, and the value of a win but also a lesson not to make excuses for failure.
The University of Illinois study presents, as one of its key findings, the idea that AoE helps to eliminate a telescopic understanding of world history. "Students often believe that history is predetermined; there is no alternative outcome to a historical event than the one that occurred. By playing (these games), students learn to recognize the contingent nature of history.
Other critical thinking concepts Age of Empires helps to foster are: the ability to find and train the right people for a job (the game's villagers are the key to a successful economy), balancing an offense and a defense, and the value of a win but also a lesson not to make excuses for failure.
RISKS
The potential risks associated with Age of Empires include worries of online play in multiplayer mode and exposure to a higher degree of blood and violence.
The potential risks associated with Age of Empires include worries of online play in multiplayer mode and exposure to a higher degree of blood and violence.
INDUSTRY REVIEWS
Age of Empires is widely praised for its redevelopment of the franchise. WCCF Tech calls AoE "one its favorite franchises ever".
Age of Empires is widely praised for its redevelopment of the franchise. WCCF Tech calls AoE "one its favorite franchises ever".
FRANCHISE RELEASE DATES
Microsoft published versions of Age of Empires in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and in 2018.
Microsoft published versions of Age of Empires in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and in 2018.
CONCLUSION
After reviewing data across multiple sources including industry and education experts, sales data, users, parents, we are confident in the case study data presented for both Minecraft's and Age of Empires' educational game offerings.
After reviewing data across multiple sources including industry and education experts, sales data, users, parents, we are confident in the case study data presented for both Minecraft's and Age of Empires' educational game offerings.