The Mojang and Microsoft game, which virtualizes the ceremony, had already held other events such as job interviews.
The spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has confined millions of citizens to their homes. As the crisis progresses, governments deepen their measures to avoid contagion, so many events have had to be canceled. The same has happened in Japanese schools, where a group of children was unable to celebrate their graduation ceremony, which was to take place in March. In this situation, they have made the decision to go ahead. Although yes, virtually in Minecraft, the popular video game developed by Mojang.
Sora News has shared a small video in which a father can be seen asking a Japanese boy about his activity. "It's interesting, isn't it?" Says the boy, laughing. The same website publishes a tweet that represents another conversation: "We have decided to celebrate the graduation ceremony together," the children say. "Hey? Amazing! They have determined on their own to do the ceremony! ”
As you can see in the tweet, the design of the ceremonial hall consists of a red “T” shaped carpet that reaches some stairs, where each student goes up to receive their virtual diploma. In the background, a panel that reads "summer". At the bottom, the chairs for the characters who will be spectators of the events.
一日 中 オ ン ラ イ ン で 集 ま っ て ゲ ー ム を や っ て 笑 い 転 げ て い る。 楽 し そ う で 良 い ね ぇ。 pic.twitter.com/sYqoJ1zYaj
– 柏 原 周 平 (@backyennew) March 14, 2020
Minecraft and its other uses
Minecraft has been used to go beyond its playful component. A Japanese company used the Mojang video game for its employee selection process, which was done through the video game. In this way, the candidates were informed about all the particularities of the job. In addition, Microsoft itself, which is reforming its headquarters in Redmond, made available to employees the designs of the works, built using Minecraft blocks.
More recent is the Reporters Without Borders campaign, which to reinforce its commitment to the International Day against Censorship on the Internet, made the decision to create a virtual library that houses some books banned by the governments of countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia or Vietman.