Minecraft Java: Game Design 101
Build, playtest, and share your own Minecraft minigames with the Recess community!
Hosted by 1 expert guide
In this hands-on course, you will design and build custom Minecraft minigame maps using custom datapacks designed by your teacher. You will create levels for games like parkour, PvP kits, and puzzles, then test them on a custom server with features that track stats and playtime.
Your creations will be played and tested by other members of the Recess community, giving you the chance to receive feedback and make improvements.
No coding knowledge is required — this is experience is focused on building and designing in game. This is a great way to start your journey into Minecraft game development.
Who is this for?
Intermediate to advanced Minecraft Java Edition players ages 10 and up, especially those interested in game design and map making.
🧱 What You'll Learn:
- Game Design Basics: How to make a minigame fun, fair, and replayable
- Level Layout & Flow: Build maps that guide players and keep them engaged
- Theme & Aesthetics: Create immersive worlds that fit your game’s vibe
- Playtesting & Feedback: Test with real players, refine, and iterate like a pro
Meet Zayin
Hi, I'm Zayin, a Java Realms mapmaker who has been shaping Minecraft experiences for over 10 years. I have created everything from minigames to adventure maps and I am excited to help you create Minecraft’s next big hit.
Before your first session:
- Make sure you have Minecraft Java Edition
- Complete this challenge where you describe what a level for your minigame would look like
If you have questions, add me as a friend and send me a message.
Course Prerequisites
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Meet the guides
Expert guides leading this course
Course updates
Updates from guides of this course
Jul 10 @ 5:43 PM
Blocking out the Level
**** worked on laying out the entire size of his points based Survival Games arena. First he used the worldborder to restrict the size to 700x700 blocks, centered on where players first spawn in. Then he blocked off a couple sections for specific biomes....
Aug 21 @ 5:54 PM
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Aug 28 @ 5:46 PM
2 New Maps
Today, **** worked on creating 2 new maps.
The first one was a Kit PVP arena based in a Nether Fortress. By leveraging pre-existing structures, you can develop a playable arena in record time! You also came up with the idea of having a secret unlockable per arena, ...
Jul 17 @ 5:45 PM
Level Progression
Nice work today ****!
Today in Minecraft Level Design, we had a discussion about how a player can progress throughout the level, mostly thinking about how they can upgrade their items.
One of the things you worked on was a villager based shop system. The tri...
Sep 4 @ 5:47 PM
Design Restraints
Today, **** showcased another couple chunks of his massive minigame project. I'm excited to playtest it with a bunch of people!
After that, we test ran some of the parkours **** created since last week, and we looked at some of the potential issues that could...
2 days ago
Today in Game Design 101, we wanted to test ourselves by expanding our skill set.
**** worked on his new parkour: The Temple of Temperature. The main thing he wanted to practice was working on theming and building skills. I really liked his idea of making the cooler water part...
Jul 3 @ 5:43 PM
Level Design Ideas
Today **** and I brainstormed the type of game ** wants to make.
The idea is that it's going to be kind of like a mix between survival (or hunger) games and a points-based free for all. Players will traverse the map and collect weapons, armor, and food to fi...
Aug 14 @ 5:54 PM
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Jul 24 @ 5:40 PM
Chest Layout in the Trial Chamber
**** worked on setting up the chests inside the trial chamber. Now, you can loot several trial chamber keys, and spend them at the villager ** created last week.
We also worked on setting up the base datapack for gameplay, so soon we can test ...
