Find out more about the Museum of London's Minecraft Great Fire 1666 project, and how to download, install and play the game.
What is Minecraft?
Minecraft is a ‘sandbox’ video game that can be played across a number of platforms for a one-off payment. It's called a sandbox game because it allows users to play around, explore and create what they want. The creative and building aspect of Minecraft allows players to build 3D constructions using textured cubes. The virtual landscapes in which building or game play takes place are often referred to as ‘maps’ because of their simulation of geographic areas.
To date Minecraft has sold over 100 million copies and is one of the most popular video games in history. It's used by players of all ages, and is becoming increasingly popular within education as an engaging learning platform.
More information on Minecraft can be found at https://minecraft.net/en/.
What is Great Fire 1666 for Minecraft?
Great Fire 1666 is a set of 3 Minecraft ‘maps’ that tell the story of the Great Fire of London. Great Fire 1666 maps are available for free to existing players of Minecraft on PC or Mac.
Minecraft ‘maps’ are virtual environments or games created in Minecraft, often by players themselves, and made available for others to download and play.
How do I play Great Fire 1666?
Great Fire 1666 maps are available for free to players of Minecraft on PC or Mac. Each of the maps can be downloaded as individual zip files by clicking the links on the individual game pages:
Pre-fire London map (available 29 July 2016)
Fire of London map (available 2 September 2016)
After the Fire of London map (available 31 March 2017)
How do I install the Great Fire 1666 map in Minecraft?
Once you have downloaded the Great Fire 1666 zip file (containing an individual map), to play, follow these instructions:
What are the system requirements?
Great Fire 1666 maps were created in Minecraft version 1.10.2 To play Great Fire 1666 via your Minecraft account you will need the latest version of Minecraft.
Is Minecraft safe to play for all age groups?
Mojang, creators of Minecraft, recommend the game for players aged 13+, mainly owing to the one-off payment required to download the game. However, many younger children will enjoy playing Minecraft and Mojang offers guidance to parents for account users under 13.