games

• Game mechanics dictate what is true in the game world, and imply things about the real world.
• Several Minecraft mechanics support colonialist myths which help justify past and present colonial domination.³

Accumulating Blocks

• Ore is finite, but can always find more by moving on.
• No large-scale consequences of extraction.
  • Reinforces myth that ‘natural resources’ are plentiful and extracting them is harmless.
• Mass extraction is made easy due to enormous inventory.

Terrain and Exploration

• Most generated terrain is uninhabited.
  • Reinforces myth of the ‘wild/empty frontier.’
• Villagers don’t use land outside of their small villages.
• Maps position player as discoverer.
  • Reinforces myth of Western ‘discovery’ of Indigenous territories as creation of new knowledge.

Monsters and Illagers

• Intelligent, but unconditionally attack player on sight.
• Implies some creatures are inherently/irredeemably evil.
  • Reinforces myth that morality/behavior is biologically determined, and justifies aggression as self-defense.

Villagers

• No combat, building, or crafting ability (despite living in constructed dwellings).
• Not shown as builders of advanced ruins like shipwrecks.
  • Reinforces myth that Natives had no technology.
• Depend on player for defense against monsters.
  • Ironically, monsters are only attracted by player.
  • Sets up player as “savior,” villagers as beneficiaries.
  • Reinforces myth that Natives were helpless and therefore benefited from colonialism.

Advancements

• Tutorial & achievement system rewards certain actions.
  • Incentivizes colonialist activities (even killing villagers).
• Provides an overarching narrative of progress.