The Minecraft logo symbolizes the ability to create a complex cubic world based on many logical circuits – a visualization of today’s most popular computer game. The pixel identity demonstrates the non-linearity of the gameplay and the graphics features, which provides recognizability.
Minecraft : Brand overview
Founded: | 2009 |
Founder: | Mojang |
Meaning and History
From May 10 to May 15, 2009, the video game was called the Cave Game, which was reflected in its logo. Then the authors renamed their “brainchild” and, at the same time, decided to change the brand name to a more appropriate one.
Hayden Scott-Baron, nicknamed Dock, proposed the first version. A professional illustrator at the time worked as a game designer with Markus Persson. But his version was immediately rejected: the owner of Mojang AB did not like the four-color Minecraft sign with rounded galloping letters. Therefore, Dock left the team, and Markus himself came up with a prototype of the modern logo.
What is Minecraft?
Minecraft is a popular development from Mojang Studios, an indie game with non-linear gameplay. Its first version appeared in 2009; later, it was updated and adapted for different platforms.
2009 – 2011
On May 15, 2009, a logo with distinctive graphics appeared. The word “Minecraft” is lined with gray paving stones, which are used in the game world as a building material. The letters consist of separate square segments and have an uneven texture. The inscription is located at a slight angle in the horizontal plane. Because of the black shadows, it seems that it hangs in space.
2011 – 2015
When launching the game on MineCon, Mojang AB created a second brand name. It was introduced in beta 1.4. This option is not much different from the previous one. Designers removed the shadows but left a black color on the inner edges. Also, they enhanced the three-dimensional effect, making the letters shorter and thicker.
Another change affected the texture. Now the word is not lined with square paving stones but is carved from several cobblestones, which are covered with cracks on all sides. Also noteworthy is the stylization of the letter “A.” Inside it is the face of the most famous Minecraft monster – Creeper. Marcus Persson created this creature by chance when he tried to construct a pig.
Also, the current emblem had several additional versions. They were developed specifically for the Java Edition and Bedrock Edition. All options differed in minor details.
2013 – 2021
In 2013, designers modernized the art style and made the logo more “pixelated.” To do this, they leveled the edges, circled all parts of the word with bold black contours, and blurred the cracks. Nothing else has changed: the colors, shapes, and proportions have remained the same. The famous Creeper, as before, is immortalized in the letter “A.”
Initially, this logo was used only for the Xbox 360 Edition as a side version of the original graphic sign. It became the main one only in 2015. This happened after Microsoft bought Mojang AB along with Minecraft.
2021 – today
Based on the type of location of the inscription in the Minecraft logo, the designers returned the 2011-2015 version. At the same time, they removed most of the edging shadows, keeping them only in the intra-letter space. The developers replaced the texture of the cracks with straight lines to make the signs look like bricks. The metallic hue is also gone. Instead, a classic gray color appeared.
Font and Colors
The recognizable Minecraft emblem appears in the game and promotional materials. This is a stylized inscription, consisting of numerous block-cubes used as building materials in the fictional universe. Three-dimensional letters “lie” on the plane at a slight angle. Their surface is covered with uneven cracks, making it seem that they are carved out of stone.
The Minecraft logo makers designed the design from scratch. Standard fonts did not guide them: the word looks more like a picture than an inscription. The letters’ characteristic features are great height (in 3D space), right angles, and no serifs.
To simulate the cobblestone texture, the artists used several shades of gray for the main surface and black for shadows, cracks, and outlines. This combination matches the color of the building blocks in the game.
Minecraft color codes
Raisin Black | Hex color: | #252326 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 37 35 38 | |
CMYK: | 3 8 0 85 | |
Pantone: | PMS Neutral Black C |
Pale Silver | Hex color: | #c7b8b5 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 199 184 181 | |
CMYK: | 0 8 9 22 | |
Pantone: | PMS 406 C |
Black | Hex color: | #000000 |
---|---|---|
RGB: | 0 0 0 | |
CMYK: | 0 0 0 100 | |
Pantone: | PMS Process Black C |
What was the first logo of Minecraft?
The first Minecraft logo had the same structure as the modern one. It contained a fallen inscription, which consisted of separate blocks. But unlike the current version, the game’s name was laid out with gray paving stones. The letter A had a standard design, without stylization to resemble the creature’s face.
Why did Minecraft change its logo?
The logo in use today was created for the Xbox 360 Edition. It became the main graphic icon for Minecraft when Microsoft acquired the rights to this video game series and its developer Mojang AB. That is, the design update marked the transition to another owner.