A few weeks ago I was invited again by a library to host a Minecraft workshop. This time it was library De Poort in Berchem, when you walk by you would never guess there is a large moderen library behind the old facade.

When I arrived there where already a few kids waiting and of course I got the regular list of questions. After all how is it possible that the old man knows more then them about Minecraft. After answering a few of the questions it’s time for my questions, do you use command blocks? do you use barrier blocks? Have you ever used mods? then they start to realise that the old man does know more then them about Minecraft.

As usual I started with a presentation explaining everything about Minecraft from blocks to programming with Minecraft. After the presentation it was time to log into the pc’s and accounts provided by the library.

At every session I encounter the same problems, lie-fi and the computer locale setting, this is a nasty one. Sometimes the computers are prevented to do changes without an admin which results in having a querty keyboard instead of an azerty and this will change the controls settings of the game.

Some advice, when you give a introduction session let the payers play in their own world. Otherwise they got distracted, start to break things or obstruct other players. Let them get used to Minecraft first before you add them to a shared world.

The kids started right away, there was no theme only their imagination. I saw floating houses, a building with a swimming pool on the roof, a nice build wooden shack, there was even a very big base beneath the ground with an hidden entrance. But because the entrance was very well hidden I could not find it back to shoot some footage.

It was a nice session, the kids learned some stuff even the library staff had a nice time playing with the kids. Therefor I would like to thank library De Poort for being openminded and see the benefit of educational gaming and the City of Antwerp for supporting these initiatives.