Not to be confused with Java Edition Infdev or Minecraft Indev.
Release Information:
- Starting Version: 0.31 (December 23, 2009)
- Latest Version: February 23, 2010
- Paid: €9.95 at original release; free through the launcher
Overview
Java Edition Indev, short for “in development,” represents the third phase of Minecraft’s development cycle, following Survival Test. It was one of the earliest phases where versions were released publicly, marking Indev as the first paid edition of Minecraft. Indev was eventually replaced by Infdev, which introduced infinite map generation.
Indev introduced significant gameplay changes, including:
- A more complex lighting system than Classic.
- Support for MD3 mob models, exemplified by Rana, Beast Boy, Steve, and Black Steve.
- Enhanced tools, crafting, and survival mechanics, moving gameplay closer to modern Minecraft.
- Limited maps with configurable size, shape, and type.
Players had to save their worlds manually and reload them after death, a system later replaced by automatic saving and respawning.
The last update for Indev was on February 23, 2010, after which development shifted to Infdev, offering maps without boundaries. Indev remained accessible online until September 2010, when it was removed, leaving no official way to play these versions today.
Features Added Compared to Survival Test
Blocks and Items:
- Torch – Provides light.
- Fire – Can be placed for hazards or lighting.
- Water & Lava Spawners – Generates liquid blocks.
- Chest – Stores items.
- Diamond Ore & Diamond Block – Precious resources.
- Gear & Crafting Table – Core mechanics for crafting.
- Farmland, Seeds, Wheat, Bread – Farming and food system.
- Furnace & Lit Furnace – Smelting and cooking.
- Armor Sets – Leather, Studded, Chainmail, Iron, Gold, Diamond.
- Weapons & Tools – Swords, axes, pickaxes, shovels, hoes (all materials).
- Bow & Quiver – Ranged combat.
- Consumables – Apple, raw/cooked porkchop, mushroom stew.
- Miscellaneous – Flint, gunpowder, string, sticks, decorative paintings.
Gameplay and Mechanics:
- Dynamic Lighting – Realistic lighting across maps.
- Day-Night Cycle – Complete sun and moon movement.
- Third-Person View – Toggle with F5.
- Isometric Screenshots – Captured with F7.
- Map Customization – Select map themes, types, and shapes.
- Stackable Items – Players can hold multiple stacks.
- Fullscreen Mode – Enhanced viewing.
- Firing Arrows – Requires a bow.
- Smelting & Crafting – Furnaces, torches, and fire support.
- Updated Mobs – Improved AI and difficulty scaling.
- New Title Screen & Sounds – Enhanced immersion.
- Temporary Mobs – Rana, Beast Boy, Black Steve, Steve (only in early Indev).
Versions
Indev had many iterations, including 0.30 and 0.31, with multiple builds from December 23, 2009, to February 23, 2010. Some notable versions:
- 0.31 20091223-1459
- 0.31 20100110
- 0.31 20100223
(For the full list, see Java Edition version history § Indev.)
Trivia
- Indev is the only development phase of Minecraft where no official launcher versions exist.
- Attempting to play Indev today may cause crashes or errors unless modifications are applied.
- Some early Indev worlds feature Rana as a placeholder character in inventory screens.
- Characters’ arms sway in first-person when in inventory or crafting interfaces.
- Players outside map boundaries are pushed back (except in certain versions).
- Indev still retains sounds, unlike Infdev, as Infdev resources were removed.
- Indev used a NES-inspired color palette (“cube_nes.png”).
- Some glitches existed, such as punching sheep dropping magenta cloth instead of gray.
- About 46% of all Indev versions are lost, though small communities work to preserve them.
- “Hell” world theme features low lighting, easier mob spawns, and lava surrounding the world.