Microsoft is aware that Minecraft can get kids into programming, and is betting on that strategy again this year. The Minecraft Hour of Code Designer tutorial teaches children 6 years and older to make a simple game. It was developed by Microsoft and Code.org. The Designer utilizes a drag-and drop interface to show familiar code concepts, including object-oriented programming and loops, while letting your imagination play around in Minecraft's amorphous world. You can make chickens that drop gold and set rules that are as sensible or ludicrous as you'd like.

The tutorial is available right now in 10 languages and it will be available in 50 languages by the time Computer Science Education Week kicks on the 5th of December. Hanma's blog Of course, the tutorial won't be as easy as learning the programming language. Microsoft and Code.org hope this will show youngsters the importance of programming languages and help them start the path to a career in computer science.