Anyone wishing to explore the Reiche Zeche research and teaching mine can do so digitally and, in doing so, become part of a research team at the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg. This is made possible by the new Minecraft-based online game “Countdown Freiberg”, which the university has now launched.
Unlike traditional sandbox worlds in Minecraft, “Countdown Freiberg” tells a coherent story. At its heart is a mysterious crystal that threatens Freiberg. Only through cooperation, curiosity and wise decisions can the mystery be solved. Across a total of 13 quests, players explore digital recreations of real-life locations in Freiberg, including the Reiche Zeche and Freudenstein Castle with the terra mineralia. Along the way, they interact with characters and repeatedly encounter scientific concepts. Adventure, science, cooperation and a touch of chaos go hand in hand.
The idea behind it: complex issues relating to raw materials, the circular economy and sustainable technologies are translated into an interactive gaming world. The focus is on global challenges such as the management of finite resources.
“With ‘Countdown Freiberg’, we’re bringing science into young people’s everyday lives – to the places where they play, discover and make decisions,” says Rector Prof. Dr Jutta Emes. “Our aim is to communicate issues for the future in such a way that they are understood and actively shaped.”
Rector Prof. Dr. Jutta Emes
A new approach for new target groups
With “Countdown Freiberg”, the TU Bergakademie Freiberg is breaking new ground. Whilst Minecraft is already used sporadically in education, projects featuring an original storyline, professional quest design and scientific content are still rare in a university context. The university is deliberately pursuing a supra-regional approach: supported by the reach of well-known Minecraft content creators, the game aims to attract nationwide attention and inspire new target groups to engage with research, innovation and higher education.
The initiative is aimed at young people aged 14 and over and is also suitable for use in the classroom. Accompanying teaching materials help teachers to integrate the game into various subjects. The game can be played on a PC, smartphone or tablet with a Minecraft licence. Access is via a server address.
“Countdown Freiberg” was developed by the Central Transfer Office at TU Bergakademie Freiberg as part of the 4transfer programme, in collaboration with the agency NORDSONNE IDENTITY, as a non-commercial educational and science communication project. The project is funded by the federal-state initiative “Innovative University”. There is no connection to Mojang Studios or Microsoft.
