Minecraft is a video game in which players create and break apart various kinds of blocks in three-dimensional worlds. The game’s two main modes are Survival and Creative. In Survival, players must find their own building supplies and food. They also interact with blocklike mobs, or moving creatures. (Creepers and zombies are some of the dangerous ones.) In Creative, players are given supplies and do not have to eat to survive. They also can break all kinds of blocks immediately.
The purpose of the game is simply to build and explore (and survive).
You can play by yourself or you can play online with others. The smartphone and tablet versions offer multi-player options through WiFi networks. Players can connect to thousands of Minecraft online games (servers), some of which involve battling other players.