Minecraft: Story Mode

***Minecraft: Story Mode*** is an episodic video game released in 2015. Due to the shutdown of Telltale Games on June 25, 2019, it is no longer available on most consoles.

## History 
*Minecraft: Story Mode* is an episodic, narrative-driven video game based on the world of *Minecraft*, developed by Telltale Games in collaboration with Mojang. Unlike the traditional *Minecraft* sandbox experience, where players build and explore without a specific goal, *Minecraft: Story Mode* offers a structured storyline with character development, decision-making, and adventure elements. The game is notable for merging the open-world, blocky aesthetic of *Minecraft* with a cinematic, interactive narrative, appealing to both fans of *Minecraft* and those who enjoy story-driven games.

### Development 
The idea of creating a story-driven experience set in the *Minecraft* universe was first revealed by Telltale Games in 2015. Telltale was known for its success with episodic titles like *The Walking Dead*, *The Wolf Among Us*, and *Tales from the Borderlands*, games where players' choices shaped the narrative. The partnership with Mojang to create *Minecraft: Story Mode* marked a new venture into the *Minecraft* universe, which had already achieved massive success with its open-world gameplay. Mojang, the Swedish developer behind *Minecraft*, saw potential in expanding the *Minecraft* brand into a more structured, narrative-driven format, and Telltale’s reputation for creating emotionally engaging stories made them a perfect fit.

The first season of *Minecraft: Story Mode* debuted on October 13, 2015. It was released episodically, with a total of five episodes that followed the story of a group of characters as they set off on an adventure to save the world of *Minecraft* from a great threat. The game featured both familiar and new characters, including the protagonist Jesse, who players could customize as either male or female. Jesse and their friends embark on a quest to find the “Order of the Stone,” a legendary group of heroes who once defeated the dangerous Ender Dragon. Along the way, they must contend with betrayals, rivalries, and a powerful villain known as the Wither Storm, all while solving puzzles, completing challenges, and making choices that affect the outcome of the story.

### The plot of *Minecraft: Story Mode* 
The core story of *Minecraft: Story Mode* revolves around Jesse and their friends, who are members of a group of adventurers known as the "New Order of the Stone." The game opens with Jesse participating in a local *Minecraft* building competition with their friends Axel, Olivia, and Petra. However, the competition quickly turns into a larger adventure when Jesse and their friends are thrust into a quest to stop a powerful force known as the Wither Storm, a monstrous creature that threatens the world.

As the story unfolds, the group is joined by new characters, such as Reuben, Jesse’s pet pig, and several members of the original Order of the Stone, including the warrior Gabriel, the mage Ellegaard, and the architect Magnus. The first season of *Minecraft: Story Mode* explores the themes of teamwork, bravery, and friendship, as Jesse and their friends face increasingly dangerous challenges. Along the way, players make critical decisions that influence the story, leading to different outcomes depending on their choices.

The ultimate goal of the story is to stop the Wither Storm, which is the result of a failed experiment involving the manipulation of “withers,” a dangerous and unstable creature in *Minecraft*. In the finale of the season, Jesse and their friends face the Wither Storm in a dramatic battle, using their knowledge of the world and their skills to destroy the monster and save the world.

### The legacy of *Minecraft: Story Mode* and subsequent seasons 
The success of *Minecraft: Story Mode* led to the development of additional content and a second season, which was released in 2017. The second season introduced new characters and plotlines, with Jesse and their friends facing new challenges and exploring new realms, such as the mysterious "Underworld." In this season, Jesse is confronted with a new enemy, the mysterious and malevolent figure known as "The Admin," who seeks to control the world of *Minecraft*. As in the first season, players’ choices once again shaped the direction of the story, adding replayability and encouraging players to experience different outcomes.

Despite its popularity, *Minecraft: Story Mode* was eventually canceled due to the closure of Telltale Games in 2018, a devastating blow to the gaming industry that affected the completion of many of their projects. However, the first two seasons of *Minecraft: Story Mode* remain a beloved part of the *Minecraft* franchise, with a strong following of fans who appreciate its unique blend of storytelling and *Minecraft* mechanics.

In addition to the main episodes, *Minecraft: Story Mode* also received special "bonus episodes" and was made available on a variety of platforms, including PC, consoles, and mobile devices. The game’s success led to the development of a spin-off game, *Minecraft: Story Mode – The Complete Adventure*, which bundled all episodes into one package for players who wanted to experience the full narrative from start to finish.

### Impact and conclusion 
*Minecraft: Story Mode* made a significant impact on both the *Minecraft* and adventure game genres. It demonstrated that the *Minecraft* universe, which was originally built around creativity and exploration, could also serve as a rich setting for storytelling. By incorporating Telltale's signature narrative style, the game allowed players to experience a more structured adventure in a world known for its freedom and limitless possibilities. For many players, *Minecraft: Story Mode* was their introduction to the power of choice-driven narratives in video games.

Though the game was discontinued after its second season, its legacy endures. The character of Jesse, for instance, remains a fan-favorite, and the *Minecraft* community continues to celebrate the game's contributions to the larger *Minecraft* franchise. Whether through fan art, online discussions, or replays of the episodes, *Minecraft: Story Mode* holds a special place in the hearts of many players.

In conclusion, *Minecraft: Story Mode* is a testament to the adaptability of the *Minecraft* universe and the potential for new forms of storytelling within video games. By combining the sandbox world of *Minecraft* with a compelling narrative and memorable characters, Telltale Games and Mojang created an adventure that captured the imagination of players and contributed to the evolution of *Minecraft* as a global cultural phenomenon. Despite its eventual cancellation, *Minecraft: Story Mode* remains a key part of the franchise’s history and continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

## Related pages 
* *Minecraft*
* *Minecraft Legends*

## References