University of East Anglia Recreated on Minecraft during Lockdown
University of East Anglia recreated in Minecraft during lockdown
Published
22 May 2020
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In response to the Covid-19 lockdown, students have rebuilt their campus.
Sophie Johnston, a University of East Anglia (UEA) fresher, was 19 when she began looking through planning applications to recreate the grounds using video game Minecraft.
She was assisted by her three housemates Rebecca Bystry, 20, Tom Greensted, 19, and Matthew Wright, 19.
The "campus" has been visited by more than 200 students. It is in the process of being constructed.
Ms. Johnston said that she agrees that universities are missing the social aspect that allows people to meet and to know one another from different backgrounds.
"The server has allowed us to keep in contact with each others, and also get to know people we would never meet in real life, which has been good for all of us mentally during lockdown."
Students have developed locations such as the Ziggurat accommodation and main square LCR music venue or UEA(su) and the library at the Norwich-based university.
The four students, who act as admins for the server all have different roles with Ms Johnston and Ms Bystry, building the structures, and Mr Wright answering player questions via text chats and voice calls together with Mr Greensted, who has taught himself coding as well as being in charge of troubleshooting.
The Minecraft creative mode allowed for unlimited access to Minecraft materials, which meant that the campus was designed by students.
With the assistance of other players, they are working on the interiors for some buildings.
Ms Johnston said that "Since our first year hasn't been in some of the buildings, it's been necessary to use the help from other staff, students, and alumni who've donated photos to help us. There has been lots of recalling!"
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