Here's a comprehensive summary of the Minecraft article:

Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios and first publicly released in 2009 by creator Markus "Notch" Persson, is a groundbreaking sandbox game where players explore and build within an expansive, procedurally generated 3D world made of blocks. Its core gameplay offers immense creative freedom, allowing players to discover materials, craft tools and structures, and engage in activities ranging from fighting hostile mobs to cooperating in multiplayer. Following its formal release on 18 November 2011, Minecraft rapidly became the best-selling video game of all time, with over 350 million copies sold. The game was famously acquired by Microsoft in 2014 for US$2.5 billion, and continues to be updated across various platforms. Beyond its commercial success, Minecraft has solidified its legacy as a cultural touchstone for Generation Z, is utilized in educational settings, and thrives on a vast community that continuously expands its possibilities through user-generated content and spin-off games.