Private Alpha is the earliest released phase of Java Edition Classic, sometimes called Minecraft Alpha. It should not be confused with the later Java Edition Alpha.
These builds were privately released for testing to select users via IRC, and were not intended for the public. This phase comes after Pre-Classic and before Early Classic.
The game mode during this period was creative singleplayer only, with a very limited selection of blocks, no inventory, and no hotbar.
Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting version | mc-161607 (May 16, 2009) |
| Latest version | 0.0.10a (May 17, 2009) |
| Paid | No |
This phase was designed solely for early testing and experimentation.
Additions & Features
- Font – A custom Minecraft font was implemented.
- Mouse – Y-axis movement could now be swapped.
- Caves – Randomly generated cave systems were introduced.
- GUI – In-game version number appeared at the top-left corner, including FPS and chunk update information.
- Building mode swapping – Right-clicking now toggled between placing and destroying blocks. Selecting a block displayed a white overlay on all sides for clarity.
Trivia
- The in-game version number did not appear until version 0.0.2a.
- These versions were distributed privately via IRC channels.
- Minecraft Alpha testing required users on Windows, macOS, and Linux, as noted in IRC logs.
References
- “Early private singleplayer alpha coming very soon” – The Word of Notch, May 16, 2009 (archived).
- “TigIRC logs” – Archive.org, May 16, 2009, UTC–4: “(12:07:06) notch: minecraft alpha is available. I need someone on windows, someone on mac and someone on linux!”