Minecraft is the critically acclaimed gaming franchise that allows players to build and craft in how they see fit. All of this is thanks to the player avatar, which allows them to interact with the world in the first place. Although the character avatar is customizable, its unique starting appearance allows them to be immortalized into actual characters like Steve or Alex.
Nonetheless, there are some interesting facts both incredibly obvious and not so obvious that would be essential for those wanting to know the avatar. Especially as the series only continues to grow. As such, here are 10 crucial facts that fans and newcomers should know about the player avatar in Minecraft.
10 You Start Off With Two Default Skins
When the player first starts their journey into the world of Minecraft, they get the choice between playing two default skins. That being the classic Steve and Alex. Steve is a miner while Alex is an adventurer.
Of course, these default skins only apply if the player doesn't put in their own custom skins. Over time, as many players know, they are able to play virtually a vast variety of skins. Including different versions of Alex and Steve specifically. However, considering the creative freedom players have, it goes to show the vast appeal of these characters.
9 Players Are Able To Craft Anything Around Their World Like it's Their Playground
One of the most important game mechanics that is available for the player avatar is the ability to craft the world how they see fit. From utilizing the resources that they are able to grab, the player is able to create things from houses to suits of armor. Through the players' imagination, many have created things that are just simply gorgeous to look at and are incredibly impressive to boot such as entire towns and houses.
8 Steve And Alex Are In A Relationship
A fun little lore fact about the Player's avatars is that they are actually in a relationship. According to a July–August 2016 issue of Lego Club Magazine, it was stated that Steve is Alex's boyfriend. As mentioned a little earlier, it is detailed that Steve is a miner as well as a builder and alchemist. Alex is also an explorer as mentioned before but also loves to explore and do hunting. Which is generally what players have to do in Minecraft anyways.
7 Steve Used To Have A Beard (It Came Back)
For some reason, Steve's model lost his beard which made him quite recognizable. In spite of the character's beard being present in merchandise, the recent versions of Minecraft have it where the character has no beard at all. Although players can still get the bearded version via Minecraft.net. However, recently, the character got his original design back through Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Which is quite interesting to note.
6 The Hostile Mob's Use The Avatar Models
The player's avatar is designed specifically the way it is for a reason. As its supposed to be fairly generic, it is only fair that the models would be reused for the NPC models. As a result, whenever the models get hostile and fight against the avatar, it is like fighting against over a dozen of the same model. Although that being said, there are certain things that make the NPC's different from the Avatar, such as the lack of building.
5 The Player's Legs Not Lining Up To The Torso Is Intentional
One of the most memorable things about Minecraft is the actual movement of the player model. It really made everything feel true to the world the avatars lived in, especially when put in the third person as it has this stiff yet charming effect to it.
Of course, this is because the legs don't line up properly to the torso, although that was intentional. As this is to prevent z-fighting when the avatar is wearing armor which is a fun touch.
4 The Name Of Steve Was More Of A Joke
Originally the player avatar never had a name. After all, it was intended for the character to be nameless to better fit the archetype that they are avatars of the player. However, when Persson was asked what the name of the character was, he jokingly stated that the male character was named "Steve?" which eventually stuck. Although this could also be a reference to an old test mob of an NPC model who is also named Steve.
3 Minecraft Steve Made Cameos In A Variety Of Different Video Games
One of the coolest things about Minecraft is the fact that its influence can be felt across all of video game media. A notable example is how the character of Minecraft Steve appeared in games such as Borderlands 2. Another notable example is in the Saint Rows franchise. Considering how distinctly different and far more graphic the games are, it is quite surprising to see something like Minecraft be in there. But nonetheless, it shows how profound the character and the game as a whole is.
2 The Creators Avatar Has A Special Quirk
Markus Persson is the original creator of Minecraft and as a result, this means that his avatar has a particular quirk that no other one has. Although it isn't the skin that's being talked about, but rather what the avatar actually drops when it dies within the world.
Whenever the creators' avatar dies, it offers a golden apple. An enchanted golden apple is one of the rarest items in the entire game, granting the player a variety of benefits when used. In the Bedrock version of the game, the item can heal over five hearts.
1 Steve And Alex Have Representation In Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Recently, Steve and Alex have officially made their mark in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. A sheer testament to the status that these characters have become to not just the industry but all of gaming in general. These characters being embodied almost perfectly.
These characters have been thankfully recreated almost exactly like their original game. Although they have been recreated in a way that fits the parameters of the game, they are creative fighters that are capable of disposing of the competition.