Here we have collected materials to help you with technical and technological matters. Please keep in mind that technology evolves constantly and some programs/sites might look different for you.
There are different versions of Minecraft. Here we categorize them based on game version and device. When purchasing the licenses, consider what suits your needs best: Which devices will you play mostly on? Do you want to play with people outside of your school or not?
For playing Minecraft you need a Microsoft account. It is recommended to have specific project accounts for this. Creating a Microsoft account is simple, the easiest way is to create a new Outlook email at https://outlook.live.com/mail/about/index_en.html.
Follow the instructions to create the account, which will be in the form of firstname.lastname[at]outlook.com. You shouldn’t use real people’s names, however, but rather use some general words (e.g. names of plants or animals) or fictional names.
The creation process includes proving you’re not a robot by receiving a security code. This code will be sent to another email or a phone. There is a limit to how many security codes you can receive in a day. Keep this in mind if you need a lot of accounts; create them over a longer time period or have more email addresses/phone numbers at your disposal.
Tips
- Make a list (e.g. an Excel sheet) of all the account names and passwords for easier management. Store this list in a very secure place!
- When you need to give any account information to learners, give them only the information of one account. Note to yourself who has which account’s information in case of misuse or problems.
- When you give the account information to learners, remind them also of the rules of proper behaviour:
- Don’t share the world address, nor any account information that you have/get with any outsiders.
- Behave responsibly by taking your school rules and regulations into account. Don’t destroy buildings built by other participants. Don’t disturb, harm or grief others or their building work. Don’t spam the in-game text chat.
- Don’t use offending or insulting language.
- Report any rule violations to your teacher or the project personnel.
- We are here to learn and grow together so make the experience enjoyable for everybody involved.
- After finishing project work, it’s recommended to change the passwords of the accounts for data security reasons.
- Have a backup account for yourself only, whose information you don’t share with the learners. Use this backup account as security info for the other accounts. This way you’ll be able to access the other accounts even if you don’t know their passwords (in case of, for example, misuse or losing the account information list).
If you’re unsure whether an account has already a game license or not, you can check it at https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/login. Login with the account information and you will be directed to the account’s profile page.
The profile page will list the different Minecraft games. The ones your account doesn’t own have a “Buy Now” button under them, whereas the ones you have have a “Learn More” button. In the context of this project we’re interested only in the first two: Java and Bedrock Edition. If they are showing a “Learn More” button, that means they have been purchased on the account and you can move on to installing the game. Otherwise, see the part “Buying a Minecraft license”.
There are more than one ways of buying Minecraft: Microsoft Store, the official Minecraft website or even a physical store. Depending which method you choose, it will either add the game directly to your account or give you a gift code that you must redeem yourself.
Important: when you buy the game/redeem the code, it will be bound to the corresponding Microsoft account you’re logged in on! Always make sure you have the correct account when making purchases/redeeming codes.
Below is presented how to buy the game for a PC from Microsoft Store. More information about buying Minecraft for a PC on Minecraft’s official site.
After completing the purchase, you will be prompted to download and install the Minecraft Launcher. The game works also without installing the launcher, but you can install it if you wish. Follow the instructions onscreen or jump to the next section of this guide “Installing Minecraft”.
If you want to buy another Minecraft version, i.e. mobile version for tablets, the principle is the same. Instead of Microsoft Store, visit your device’s store marketplace (App store, Google Play store etc.), find Minecraft and buy it. More information about buying Minecraft mobile version on Minecraft’s official site.
If you are planning to buy the mobile version of Minecraft somewhere else than the store marketplace (such as a physical game store), make sure you are buying the mobile version and not the PC version!
For PCs
After the game has been added to your account, the next step is to download and install the game. You will be prompted to download a separate launcher program after you buy the game. You can download the launcher if you want, but in some cases there have been problems with the Minecraft launcher program.
Below are instructions how to download the game for Windows through the Xbox app, since having the app installed is also required for the game to work properly. This way you don’t need to install the launcher program. Note that this applies only for Windows, for other operating systems see below the images.
Find the Xbox app from your computer or from Microsoft Store. If you don’t have the app installed, find it from the Store and install it.
If you have a Mac/Linux computer, the Bedrock version of Minecraft won’t work. You’ll have to use the Java version, which requires installing the separate launcher program. Go to the Minecraft official website: https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/download and search the correct download link for you. Click the link and the download will start automatically. Open the file after it has been downloaded and follow the instructions of the program. At some point you will be asked to log in. Choose Microsoft account and log in with the project account.
Afterwards you should have this screen:
Choose Java Edition and install it. After installing the game is ready to play.
For mobile devices
For mobile devices (smartphone, tablet, Chromebook) you don’t need a separate launcher program. Go to your store marketplace, find Minecraft and install it. If it asks you to buy the game, check that you’re logged in on the correct account.
When opening the game (in Bedrock) for the first time, it will suggest creating a private tutorial world first where you can familiarize yourself with the controls. When you’re ready to continue, the next step is to connect to the project server.
You should note, however, that often there are access restrictions in school networks for security reasons. Since the game server isn’t hosted in the school’s local network, you might not be able to connect to it. To fix this, you should contact your IT department and ask them to allow access to the server. They will need the server’s address, port number and possibly other information related to your school’s network. This other information they should guide you how to find. You can, of course, first try to access the server yourself; should you get in with no problems, there is no need to contact the IT department.
The server’s address: vm1250.kaj.pouta.csc.fi
The port number: 19132 (Bedrock), 25565 (Java)
Joining a server with Bedrock:
Start the game. Once the game opens, you can try playing first in a private tutorial world. Afterwards, sign in with the project account if you aren’t already signed in. From the starting page you can change the language by clicking Settings and then Language. When you’re ready, click Play.
When you are connecting to the server, the given default port numbers are correct and don’t need to be changed (regardless of the game version you’re using).
Joining a server with Java:
Start the game. Once the game opens, sign in with the project account if you aren’t already signed in. From the starting page you can change the language by clicking Options and then Language. When you’re ready, click Multiplayer.
Moving to different sub-worlds inside the game happens through warp codes, which are simple code lines written in the game text chat. These codes are managed and distributed by the server admin(s).
Minecraft allows the players to communicate via text in the game. If you are collaborating with another school/class it is strongly recommended to use a separate platform for voice communication, many of which also offer text communication. Some schools offer already communication services for all learners, such as Microsoft or Zoom. You can also ask your school for recommendations or possibilities to acquire paid licenses.
Here are listed some possible communication platforms:
- Microsoft Teams
- Since playing Minecraft already requires having a Microsoft account, you can also use Microsoft’s other products with it.
- You can join a call even without an account as a guest.
- With the free account plan, you can host a call for max. 60 minutes. The limit is based on the host’s account, meaning if you need longer meetings, you need at least 1 account with a paid plan.
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams
- Zoom
- Similarly to Microsoft Teams, you can join without an account.
- Hosting a call requires an account, with the free plan you can host a call for max. 40 minutes.
- https://www.zoom.com/en
- Mumble
- A free, open-source software with simple voice and text chat functions.
- Requires hosting a server (or joining a public server).
- https://www.mumble.info/
- Jitsi
- A free, open-source software offering many of the same functionalities as Teams/Zoom.
- Starting a meeting requires the host to log in via Facebook, Google or GitHub.
- No time limit on calls, possibility for hosting on your own server.
- https://jitsi.org/
- Signal
- A free and secure messaging application similar to WhatsApp.
- Requires a phone number to activate.
- https://signal.org/
For communication outside of school, learners may use programs such as Discord or WhatsApp, but due to e.g. privacy and data security reasons, it’s not recommendable and might not be possible to use these in class.
Issue (Windows): Bedrock version doesn’t work but Java does (code: Bat)
Open the Xbox app. Click the account name in the upper left corner and choose Settings.
Issue (Windows): When logging in to the Microsoft account, the computer asks for a PIN code
Enter your personal pin code for logging in to the computer; what you would use i.e. when starting the computer.
Issue (Windows): Access is denied (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80070005 or issue: We werent able to install the app (80070005)
- Try the following:
Open the Xbox app. Click the account name in the upper left corner and choose Settings.
2. If this doesn’t help, try the following:
1. Don’t share the world address, nor any account information that you have/get with any outsiders.
2. Behave responsibly while taking your school rules and regulations into account. Don’t destroy buildings built by other participants. Don’t disturb, harm or grief others or their building work. Don’t spam the in-game text chat.
3. Don’t use offending or insulting language.
4. Report any rule violations to your teacher or the project personnel.
5. We are here to learn and grow together so make the experience enjoyable for everybody involved.
The computer version of Minecraft is played using the keyboard and mouse. You can change the control buttons inside the game’s settings, the default controls are presented below.
Once inside the game, use the W, A, S, D buttons to move and the mouse to look around. Press the space key to jump.
By pressing E, you can open your inventory. When you find a material, it will be added automatically to the lowermost row on the screen. This row is called the hotbar, and you can go through its contents using the number keys or the mouse scroll. When playing, you can access the materials in this row quickly without opening the inventory again. If your hotbar is full when you pick something up, new materials will be added to the upper inventory space, and you will need to open the inventory to access them.
You can destroy blocks with the left-side button on your mouse, and place blocks, use machines or talk to NPCs (non-player-characters) using the right-side button. When holding a block in your hand, you can drop it to the ground with Q, for example for others to pick it up. To collect a block from the ground, just walk towards it.
Open the text chat with T and press Enter to send your messages.
In some worlds you are also able to fly. To activate flight mode, press the jumping button (space key) two times quickly. By holding the space key after this, you can rise higher. Going lower happens from holding the shift key. Quickly pressing the space key twice will deactivate the flight mode. If a world has water and you fall in, holding the space key will also let you swim upwards.
You can take screenshots in the game many ways. In the game settings you can configure a specific button to take screenshots, which are then saved on your computer (location varies based on the device). In Bedrock version there is also a built-in feature for screenshots.
1. Press Esc to pause the game. Click the camera logo in the lower left corner. To see your screenshots, click Profile.
2. From your profile overview, click Screenshot gallery.
3. After clicking on a screenshot in the gallery, you have the option to share it outside of the game.
Author: Elina Hongisto
Licensed under: CC-BY-NC 4.0
For the SERASUM: For a better tomorrow adventure
Note: Luanti was previously known as Minetest. References to Minetest in earlier materials now refer to Luanti.
To participate in the SERASUM learning adventure using Luanti, you need the following:
*Data Privacy Notice
All accounts are created and managed according to GDPR-compliant procedures. Personal data is not collected if accounts are created anonymously according to the terms of use and if users do not share any personal data in the chat. In SERASUM, the accounts are created using the assumed identities of the participants and the “agents” are asked not to share any information on their real identity.
Note: you can also use Luanti via the BLOCKALOT server for learning adventures other than SERASUM by creating a new BLOCKALOTSpace and choosing one of the templates, which include an empty world.
Devices
Luanti can be used on different platforms. However, for the best learning experience, we recommend using a PC or laptop.
| Device Type | Notes |
| Windows PC | ✅ Recommended |
| macOS | ✅ Compatible |
| Linux | ✅ Compatible |
| Android tablet/smartphone | ⚠️ Possible (Beta client) |
| iOS | ❌ Not currently supported |
| Chromebooks | ⚠️ Not officially supported – workarounds possible via Linux mode |
Recommended Equipment
- Mouse (better than touchpad)
- Headset with microphone (for voice chat via Mumble)
- Keyboard (for full feature access)
Download Luanti from the official site: https://www.luanti.org/downloads/
Select the appropriate version for your device.
Video tutorials
How to install Minetest and start the training world (Windows):
https://youtu.be/eMT-BgnZ1a8
How to install Minetest and start the training world (Mac):
https://youtu.be/kS7_nAqpsUo
After you have installed the game, the next step is to connect to the project server.
- Launch the Luanti client.
- Enter the server address and login credentials (provided by your learning facilitator).
3. Join the SERASUM world.
Video tutorial (How to enter the secret SERASUM training world): https://youtu.be/ZHbIZT7lxuI
Luanti has an in-game text chat. You can open it by pressing T on your keyboard. It is used for short written communication during gameplay.
For voice chat, the project uses Mumble (or Mumla on Android devices)
Download Mumble from the official site: https://www.mumble.info/downloads/
After you have installed the voice chat client, the next step is to connect to the project server.
- Launch the Luanti client.
- Click on the ‘Join Game’ tab and enter the server address and login credentials (provided by your learning facilitator).
Tutorials: How to set up and use Mumble / Mumla
iOs: https://youtu.be/NCAq-XdBPOs
Android: https://youtu.be/9KRwJUG7tu0
PC: https://youtu.be/-DrtjncxVkA
How to use Mumble: https://youtu.be/jzuPIoQ8BYo
How to install your own Mumble server (guide for teachers): https://youtu.be/x-2xEhbSjEM
| Problem | Solution |
| Can’t connect to the server | Check internet connection. Double check whether the address and port are written correctly – there must not be any extra spaces or leading numbers. Ask IT to whitelist the server address and port. |
| Luanti won’t launch | Make sure your device meets the requirements. Try reinstalling the app. |
| Message ‘You’ll need a new app to open this ms – gamingoverlay’ when launching Luanti | The Game Bar is often not installed on school devices. Click anywhere in the Luanti window to discard the message |
| Can’t change to different window or app (f.ex. Mumble) | Luanti keeps the mouse centered on the crosshairs. Press the ESC key to pause the game and then switch to a different window or app. |
| Can’t hear or speak in Mumble | Check audio device settings and permissions. Use a headset and check whether there is a dedicated mute button on your headset. |
The agent handbook (https://www.next.blockalot.de/s/serasum-agent-handbook) provides the following rules:
There is more information on how to ensure proper conduct in the Officer Handbook (see Important materials).
The main controls in Luanti are
- W, A, S, D = Move
- Mouse = Look around
- Left Mouse button = Mine / Collect
- Right Mouse button = Build / Interact
- I = Open inventory
- T = Open chat
More information and useful advice for the first 15 minutes of Luanti can be found here (currently in German): https://www.next.blockalot.de/s/blockalot-unterstufe
The SERASUM: For a better tomorrow materials consist of:
- The Officer handbook
- The Agent handbook
- Mission descriptions and tasks (6 missions in total)
The Officer handbook
The Officer handbook contains everything you need to know about the SERASUM: For a better tomorrow adventure.
The Agent handbook
The learners also have a handbook of their own, the Agent handbook, which will help them during their adventure.
The Missions
In addition to the handbooks, you’ll find detailed descriptions and guide materials for the different adventure missions, such as tutorial videos and task examples.
Important
The materials for the SERASUM adventure might be updated later, after the project’s end, but the newest versions can be downloaded from https://www.next.blockalot.de/s/downloadserasum
Author: Landesmedienzentrum
Baden-Württemberg
Licensed under: CC BY-SA 4.0