The document discusses how technology has impacted the production of Minecraft. It was originally created using the Java programming language, which allowed for easy creation of modifications (mods) by players and sharing across platforms like Windows, Mac OSX and Linux. This bottom-up approach helped Minecraft creators expand the game's interests and keep current players engaged. The document also discusses how the "Better Together" update brings all Minecraft platforms together, allowing for cross-play between Xbox, mobile, Windows 10 and Nintendo Switch players.

1. Technology
TECHNOLOGY IMPACTING
PRODUCTION

2. Technology
The spread of computer technology has allowed for a
more ‘bottom up’ approach- audiences can shape
production, and can directly feedback to producers. This
helps to allow Minecraft creators to keep expanding the
game to interest more customers and keep their current
ones hooked. Top-down and bottom-up are both
strategies of information processing and knowledge
ordering, used in a variety of fields including software,
humanistic and scientific theories and management and
organization. In practice, they can be seen as a style of
thinking, teaching, or leadership.

3. The programming language Minecraft was originally created in, Java, makes
this approach easier as it allows for players to easily create modifications
(“mods”).
A programming language is a formal language that specifies a set of
instructions that can be used to produce various kinds of output.
Programming languages generally consist of instructions for a computer.
Java is a general-purpose computer-programming language that is
concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as
few implementation dependencies as possible
Java is considered as the perfect language for the developers and
programmers to learn.
Minecraft modding is one of the most popular features introduced into
the community. There are many different kinds of mods

4. Java also allowed for the game to be easily shared across platforms – it
could run on Mac OSX, windows and linux.
Minecraft has been available on tons of different devices in the past.
Now, Microsoft is finally bringing all those platforms together with the
“Better Together” update, which is rolling out today for Xbox One,
mobile devices, and Windows 10 PCs.
The biggest advantage to creating a single version of Minecraft across
all these platforms is that cross-play will be possible between
Minecraft games. This means that you’ll be able to play Minecraft on
your PC with a friend playing on an Xbox, while your buddy joins in
from their Android phone. Microsoft is calling this the first time a
game has offered cross-play across all these platforms, and with the
addition of the Nintendo Switch to the mix, Minecraft could be one of
the first true platform-agnostic titles, which is an incredible thing.

5. Java is “open source” software- meaning the code is
freely shared (rather than sold) and programmes are
encouraged to modify it and share their results, thus
collectively evolving the language.
Open source software is software with source code that
anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. And being
written in Java enables it to run on a variety of platforms,
including Linux. Minecraft tinkerers out there who would
love to be able to get under the hood and play around
with the source code themselves. Unfortunately, the
source is not available to the general public.