Microsoft launching Minecraft: Education Edition for classroom learning

Microsoft has acquired MinecraftEdu, a company that develops a tweaked version of Minecraft -- specially designed for classroom learning. In addition, the Redmond giant will also launch the Minecraft: Education Edition for classroom learning this summer.

Its essentially an open-world game where the core gameplay invloves breaking and placing blocks. There are slight differences among Minecradt and MinecraftEDU, though the core concpet remains the same. (Pixabay)

Microsoft has acquired MinecraftEdu, a company that develops a tweaked version of Minecraft -- specially designed for classroom learning. In addition, the Redmond giant will also launch the Minecraft: Education Edition for classroom learning this summer. Minecraft: Education Edition will be available free for charge existing customers of MinecraftEdu for a year, which was originally created back in 2011 by Joel Levin. Since its release, the game has evolved into a major teaching aid used by educators across the globe to teach subjects ranging from science to art.

This marks the first official Minecraft edition specially created for classroom learning, which will also be supported by an education focussed community at the official Minecraft site. It'll be a place where users can connect, share their experiences and get tips to maximise the game's full potential into their teaching.

"One of the reasons Minecraft fits so well in the classroom is because it's a common, creative playground. We've seen that Minecraft transcends the differences in teaching and learning styles and education systems around the world. It's an open space where people can come together and build a lesson around nearly anything," ," Vu Bui, Mojang's chief operating officer, said in a statement.

Minecraft: Education Edition is expected to arrive this summer though pricing details haven't been announced yet.

The game was originally created by Swedish programmer Markus Notch Persson which was later developed and published by Mojang. Its essentially an open-world game where the core gameplay involves breaking and placing blocks. There are slight differences among Minecraft and MinecraftEDU, though the core concept remains the same.