Get Minecraft for Free
Minecraft is a wildly popular game for PC (and Xbox 360) that allows you to create anything you want out of blocks, and explore other people's creations. Read the steps below to learn how to play Minecraft for free.
Contents
Steps
Get the Demo
- Learn about the demo. The downloadable version of the Minecraft demo was released a few years ago, and is somewhat out of date. On the other hand, it's very easy to get. The browser demo is available at the official Minecraft website, and is somewhat more up to date, but requires registration.
- Download the demo. Visit PC Gamer Magazine online at this address and click the link near the bottom of the article that reads “Download the Minecraft demo (4MB) here.”
- Once the demo has downloaded, double-click on the installer to open it and set up the program.
- Run the program to play!
- This version of Minecraft has a full-featured single player mode, but each world locks after 90 minutes and won't let you create anything more. You can start a new world as many times as you wish.
- Play the demo online. If you'd prefer to play Mojang's (the company that sells Minecraft) latest version of the demo, you'll have to play it online.
- Visit Mojang's registration page and fill out the required information.
- Verify your e-mail address by reading the message Mojang sends you and clicking the link in the message.
- Go to the Minecraft demo page to play!
- If the game does not appear, your Java plugin may be out of date. Update it to fix the problem.
- This demo has the same restriction on world building as the downloadable demo.
Play Minecraft Classic
- Learn about Minecraft Classic. Minecraft Classic is an old version of Minecraft that is officially free to play. It has not been officially supported for several years and has fewer and different features than modern Minecraft.
- Play Minecraft Classic online. Visit this page on the official Minecraft site to play Minecraft Classic.
- There are no restrictions on Minecraft Classic. It's simply a smaller and older version of the current game. On 29/11/2015 (29th November 2015), Minecraft classic was taken down from minecraft.net, meaning it was unplayable.
Find Giveaways
- Identify legitimate websites.
- Nothing is free. If the website is promising you an access code for no or very little work (especially if it involves downloading something) it’s probably a scam.
- Set up a separate email account.
- Entering for online contests is a great way to get tons of spam sent to your inbox.
- Subscribe to any official Mojang or well-trafficked fan sites you can find.
- Remember, there are occasional giveaways, but only a few people will win any given contest.
Play a Different Version
- Rent the Xbox 360 version of the game from Redbox.
- If you want to play with your friends, try only playing on weekends, and trading off who rents the game. You can have 4 players split screen with 1 copy of the game.
Tips
- You can still get a virus from only visiting a website. If a website looks sketchy, leave immediately.
- There are other methods of getting Minecraft for free, such as torrents. However, downloading cracked versions of Minecraft is illegal in most countries, and cracked versions of games often are vectors for malware that may harm your computer or compromise your security and privacy.
- If you were to get an illegally downloaded version of Minecraft, remember to buy it when you have the money. That way the developers can continue to update the game!
- Most giveaways occur on message boards when somebody gains access to a few extra accounts, or a Youtube Let's Play series promoting their series.
Related Articles
- Get a Date on Minecraft
