Steve (Minecraft)

{{Infobox character

| designer =

| portrayer = Jack Black (A Minecraft Movie)

| franchise = Minecraft

| image = Steve (Minecraft).png

| caption = Official promotional art for Steve

| firstgame = Minecraft (2011)

| alt = A voxel-like man with a light-blue shirt, purple pants, gray shoes, and brown hair walks to the left with a pickaxe in his right hand.

| species = Human

| lbl21 = Related

| data21 = Alex (feminine counterpart)

}}

Steve is a player character from the 2011 sandbox video game Minecraft. Created by Swedish video game developer Markus "Notch" Persson and introduced in the original 2009 Java-based version, Steve is the first and the original default skin available for players of contemporary versions of Minecraft. Steve lacks an official backstory as he is intended to be a customizable player avatar as opposed to being a predefined character. His feminine counterpart, Alex, was introduced in August 2014 for Java PC versions of Minecraft, with the other seven debuting in the Java edition of the game in October 2022. Depending on the version of Minecraft, players have a choice of defaulting to either Steve or any other variant skins when creating a new account. However, the skin is easy to change from the game itself or website.

Steve became a widely recognized character in the video game industry following the critical and commercial success of the Minecraft franchise. Considered by critics as a mascot for the Minecraft intellectual property, his likeness has appeared in advertising and merchandise, including apparel and collectible items. In October 2020, Steve was added as a playable character to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where he is commonly ranked as the game's best character and has sparked controversy due to his imbalanced power, leading to him being frequently banned from several tournaments for the game. He was portrayed by Jack Black in the film adaptation A Minecraft Movie, released in April 2025. Steve's design has additionally been used in unofficial media, such as the "Herobrine" creepypasta.

Concept and design

File:GDC 2016 awards 16-20 42 56-01-7D2 0739 (cropped).jpg, the original developer of Minecraft and creator of Steve, in 2016]]

Steve was designed by game creator Markus Persson for Minecraft. He is a human character with a blocky appearance, which is consistent with the aesthetic and art style of the game. His design consists of a light blue top, a pair of blue trousers, and shoes,{{cite web |last=Coles |first=Jason |date=December 24, 2020 |title=Everything you need to know about Steve in Minecraft |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-steve-skin-herobrine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224080130/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-steve-skin-herobrine/ |archive-date=December 24, 2020 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |work=PC Gamer}} while his face is sometimes adorned with a goatee. In the console editions, Steve is presented in different outfits, such as a tuxedo, a prison jumpsuit, and a kilt.{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=2015-04-27 |title=Minecraft adds free female avatar to console versions |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/04/minecraft-adds-free-female-avatar-to-console-versions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207184550/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/04/minecraft-adds-free-female-avatar-to-console-versions/ |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=Ars Technica}}{{Efn|name=editions|A distinction is made between the differences of the two different editions of Minecraft. This article refers to the game on consoles and smartphones where customization of skins is limited to skins that exist in the virtual store. This is in contrast with the Windows, Linux, and Macintosh versions where skins are completely customizable, as users may upload image files to Mojang.}} While the name Steve originated as a joke due to Persson thinking it was "generic", the name was adopted by the community and became official in the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft. In spite of his masculine name and features, Steve's gender was never meant to be specific. In 2012, Persson explained that Minecraft{{'s}} blocky graphics reinforced the "[traditionally] masculine" aesthetic of the game.{{cite web |last=Persson |first=Markus |author-link=Markus Persson |date=July 28, 2012 |title=Gender in Minecraft |url=https://notch.tumblr.com/post/28188312756 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728170757/http://notch.tumblr.com/post/28188312756/gender-in-minecraft |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=tumblr}} He emphasized that Minecraft was designed to be an inclusive game where "gender doesn't exist" and that the character model was supposed to be a genderless human being.{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen |date=July 28, 2012 |title='Minecraft Guy' Isn't Supposed to Be a Guy—or a Girl, Says Game's Creator |url=https://kotaku.com/minecraft-guy-isnt-supposed-to-be-a-guy-or-a-girl-says-5929849 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |website=Kotaku |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713134853/https://kotaku.com/minecraft-guy-isnt-supposed-to-be-a-guy-or-a-girl-says-5929849 |url-status=live }} Admitting that limiting the gender options to just male would insinuate that Minecraft was a "boy game only", Persson said he once attempted to create a proper female character in Minecraft but said the final results had been "extremely sexist." To keep the game gender-neutral, Steve's goatee was removed in 2009 but has since been readded to his character.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2022-08-22 |title=Minecraft Steve regrows beard after more than a decade |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/minecraft-steve-regrows-beard-after-more-than-a-decade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023140008/https://www.eurogamer.net/minecraft-steve-regrows-beard-after-more-than-a-decade |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-23 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en-gb}}

File:Minecraft Defaults Skins.png

Alex, another complimentary default skin for all players, was added on 22 August 2014, to the Java Edition.{{cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=April 27, 2015 |title=You can finally choose to play as a girl in Minecraft |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/27/8503863/minecraft-female-default-character |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428175512/https://www.theverge.com/2015/4/27/8503863/minecraft-female-default-character |archive-date=April 28, 2015 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |website=The Verge}}{{cite web |last=Bergensten |first=Jens |author-link=Jens Bergensten |date=August 22, 2014 |title=Minecraft 1.8 Pre-release – The Bountiful Update |url=https://www.mojang.com/2014/08/minecraft-1-8-pre-release-the-bountiful-update/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822113047/https://www.mojang.com/2014/08/minecraft-1-8-pre-release-the-bountiful-update/ |archive-date=August 22, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=Mojang}} The character was added to the console and mobile versions at a later date. Alex's character model is similar to Steve's but with a more feminine appearance: her orange hair is tied into a ponytail, and she has narrower arms.*{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Owen |date=April 27, 2015 |title=New skins! Achievements! Music! |url=https://mojang.com/2015/04/new-skins-achievements-music/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427183642/https://mojang.com/2015/04/new-skins-achievements-music/ |archive-date=April 27, 2015 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |website=mojang.com}}{{cite news |last=Chalk |first=Andu |date=July 17, 2014 |title=Minecraft developer says narrower arms provide a more feminine look |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-developer-says-narrower-arms-provide-a-more-feminine-look/ |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=June 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611041204/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-developer-says-narrower-arms-provide-a-more-feminine-look/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Messina |first=Lynn |date=October 2, 2015 |title=Dear Minecraft Villagers: I'm Worried About You. |url=https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/dear-minecraft-villagers-im-worried-about-you/ |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=New York Times |quote=Recently, they added the first default female character. All human beings are no longer automatically a stubble-hewn male guy named Steve. |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418044853/https://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/dear-minecraft-villagers-im-worried-about-you/ |url-status=live }} Commenting on Minecraft{{'s}} campaign for better gender representation compared to other video games, Helen Chiang, the Microsoft studio head responsible for the Minecraft franchise, explained in a 2018 interview that it is important for her company to use the Minecraft brand as a tool to subvert gender stereotypes. By presenting Alex and Steve with similar abilities or qualities, Chiang said it would reinforce the studio's stance on gender equality.{{cite web |last=Fessler |first=Leah |date=August 2, 2018 |title=Minecraft's head says American employees should get a gap year like they do in Sweden |url=https://qz.com/work/1346078/minecrafts-helen-chiang-says-us-employees-should-get-a-gap-year/ |access-date=September 26, 2021 |website=Quartz |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803161241/https://qz.com/work/1346078/minecrafts-helen-chiang-says-us-employees-should-get-a-gap-year/ |url-status=live }} In 2014, an update to Minecraft added the ability for skins to have multiple layers, which allowed for more detail.{{Cite news |date=2014-09-02 |title=Minecraft's latest PC update has taken nearly a year to develop |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/minecrafts-latest-pc-update-has-taken-nearly-a-year-to-develop |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207184550/https://www.eurogamer.net/minecrafts-latest-pc-update-has-taken-nearly-a-year-to-develop |url-status=live }}

In August 2022, an update implemented redesigns for Steve and Alex, using multiple layers and more texturing. Steve's redesign restored his goatee, which had been removed thirteen years prior. In October of the same year, seven default skins were added to Minecraft using the existing Steve and Alex character models to increase diversity within the game's community. These skins were named Noor, Sunny, Ari, Zuri, Makena, Kai, and Efe.{{Cite news |date=2022-10-24 |title=Minecraft skins get seven more inclusive options |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/skins-default-options |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726083258/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/skins-default-options |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |access-date=2023-07-26 |work=PCGamesN}}

Description

= Character overview =

Steve is one of nine default character skins that are available to new players of Minecraft.{{sfn|Goldberg|Larsson|2013}}{{cite journal |last=Smolčec |first=Marijana |date=August 2014 |title=Using Minecraft for Learning English |url=https://tesl-ej.org/pdf/ej70/int.pdf |journal=The Electronic Journal for English as a Second Language |volume=18 |page=9 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |archive-date=January 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122000036/http://www.tesl-ej.org/pdf/ej70/int.pdf |url-status=live }} A skin is the appearance of the player's avatar that represents the player in the game world, which can be changed, altered, or replaced by the player. Players are allowed multiple options to change the visual appearance of their player character's skin.{{Citation|last1=Lane|first1=H. Chad|title=Playing With Virtual Blocks: Minecraft as a Learning Environment for Practice and Research|date=2017|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318448771|work=Cognitive Development in Digital Contexts|pages=145–166|publisher=Elsevier|doi=10.1016/b978-0-12-809481-5.00007-9|isbn=978-0-12-809481-5|access-date=September 26, 2021|last2=Yi|first2=Sherry}}{{cite web |title=Minecraft: Java Edition Skins |url=https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/4408894664461-Minecraft-Java-Edition-Skins |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508155011/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/4408894664461-Minecraft-Java-Edition-Skins |archive-date=May 8, 2022 |access-date=September 25, 2021 |website=Minecraft Help Center}}

Prior to Alex's introduction, Steve was the only official skin available to players on the PC and mobile editions of the game, though players of the PC version could use skins they have designed themselves or found online. On the original console editions of the game, up to eight male variants of Steve were also offered, none of them female, in addition to a greater variety of characters that could be purchased from bundles.{{cite news |last=Harwell |first=Drew |date=April 27, 2015 |title=Minecraft is finally fixing its huge gender problem |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/04/27/minecraft-is-finally-fixing-its-huge-gender-problem/ |access-date=September 26, 2021 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111143325/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/04/27/minecraft-is-finally-fixing-its-huge-gender-problem/ |url-status=live }}{{Efn||name=editions}} Like Steve, Alex initially could not be selected in these console versions, and the skin chosen is randomly assigned whenever players start a new game. As of 2022, Steve, Alex, and the other seven default skins can be manually selected in all versions of the game, either via an in-game menu or in the game launcher, depending on the version of Minecraft being played.{{Cite web |last=Witman |first=Emma |last2=Antonelli |first2=William |date=June 10, 2022 |title=How to change your character's skin in Minecraft to give them a different appearance |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-change-skin-in-minecraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023141406/https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-change-skin-in-minecraft |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |access-date=October 23, 2022 |website=Business Insider}}

= ''A Minecraft Movie'' =

File:Steve in A Minecraft Movie.png

Steve appeared in the film adaptation of the game, A Minecraft Movie (2025), wherein he was portrayed in live action by American actor Jack Black.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2024-01-02 |title=Jack Black Levels Up For 'Minecraft' At Warner Bros – The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/minecraft-jack-black-1235693816/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102190644/https://deadline.com/2024/01/minecraft-jack-black-1235693816/ |archive-date=January 2, 2024 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} Originally, Black was intended to play as a talking pig, before the then-director felt that a host was needed for the other characters present in the film.{{Cite web |last=Briscuso |first=Lex |date=2025-03-20 |title=Jack Black Was Originally Going to Play a Talking Pig In The Minecraft Movie |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/jack-black-was-originally-going-to-play-a-talking-pig-in-the-minecraft-movie |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=IGN |language=en}} He was also the actor who was the most invested into the game. During production, the crew set up private Minecraft servers for everyone to play on; Black played over 100 hours of the game on those servers, more than anyone else, before he was cast as Steve. Following the original intent for Steve to be a default character that anyone can modify, the film's depiction of Steve is Jack Black's own interpretation of Steve.{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |last2=Stephan |first2=Katcy |date=2025-03-19 |title=Crafting a Blockbuster: How 'A Minecraft Movie' Brought the Wacky, Cubic Video Game to Life |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/a-minecraft-movie-game-microsoft-1236341672/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

In the film, Steve was a struggling doorknob salesman who comes into contact with a mysterious object and is transported to the "Overworld"—a magical world made out of blocks and the main setting for the film.{{Cite web |last=Ouellette |first=Jennifer |date=2024-11-20 |title=Minecraft Movie trailer explores the origins of Steve |url=https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/11/block-zombies-are-on-the-attack-in-minecraft-movie-trailer/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Life |first=Nintendo |date=2024-11-20 |title=New Minecraft Movie Trailer Digs Into Steve's Backstory |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/11/new-minecraft-movie-trailer-digs-into-steves-backstory |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} From there, he becomes the leader for the other main characters of the film. In addition, Black performed an original song in the movie based on Steve's character, titled "I Feel Alive".{{Cite web |last=Butcher |first=Sophie |date=2025-03-20 |title=Jack Black shares original song 'I Feel Alive' from 'Minecraft' movie |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/jack-black-shares-original-song-i-feel-alive-from-minecraft-movie-3847951 |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

= Other appearances =

Both Steve and Alex are skins in Minecraft Dungeons, with Steve being the most popular skin among players.{{Cite tweet |number=1536787640426450944 |user=dungeonsgame |title=The Dungeons 2nd Anniversary Event is quickly approaching its finale, so we've gathered and compiled the latest stats from your adventures in the Overworld, Nether, and End. Feast your eyes upon our history and enjoy! |author=Minecraft Dungeons |date=14 June 2022 |access-date=23 October 2022}} Outside of the Minecraft series, Steve appears as a playable character in the PC version of Super Meat Boy, in which he is referred to as "Mr. Minecraft".{{cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Ben |date=December 2, 2010 |title=Mr. Minecraft is a god in Super Meat Boy |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-12-02-mr-minecraft-is-a-god-in-super-meat-boy.html |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=Engadget |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417074313/https://www.engadget.com/2010-12-02-mr-minecraft-is-a-god-in-super-meat-boy.html |url-status=live }} Steve also appears a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, wherein Alex and some enemies from Minecraft are featured as alternate costumes.{{cite web |last=Faulkner |first=Cameron |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Steve and Alex from Minecraft are coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on October 13th |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/1/21495481/steve-minecraft-super-smash-bros-ultimate-nintendo-switch-fighter-pass-vol-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428142255/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/1/21495481/steve-minecraft-super-smash-bros-ultimate-nintendo-switch-fighter-pass-vol-2 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |website=The Verge}} Cosmetics based on Steve's head appear in Hybrid.{{cite web |last=Groen |first=Andrew |date=July 17, 2012 |title=Minecraft helmets to appear in 5th Cell's Summer of Arcade title, Hybrid |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/5th-cells-hybrid-offers-minecraft-helmets-level-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417003915/https://www.gamesradar.com/5th-cells-hybrid-offers-minecraft-helmets-level-20/ |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2021 |website=GamesRadar}}

Reception

= Cultural impact =

Critics believe Steve has achieved a level of cultural impact and viral recognition outside of the character's origin as a baseline for new players of Minecraft. He has been considered the face of the franchise in promotional and advertising materials; some commentators consider Steve to be the closest character Minecraft has to a protagonist or main character.{{sfn|Goldberg|Larsson|2013}} This is in spite of the fact that his existence is not asserted by way of an official backstory or in-game dialogue unlike most other video game characters.{{cite book |editor=Jaime Banks |editor2=Robert Mejia |editor3=Aubrie Adams |title=100 Greatest Video Game Characters |date=June 23, 2017 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield, 2017 |pages=184–186 |isbn=978-1-59582-768-5}} Steve has been considered one of the most iconic video game characters by the publication staff of Glixel and GamesRadar+,{{cite web |date=November 23, 2016 |title=50 Most Iconic Video Game Characters of the 21st Century |url=http://www.glixel.com/news/lists/50-most-iconic-video-game-characters-of-the-21st-century-w449203/steve-w449259 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123084532/http://www.glixel.com/news/lists/50-most-iconic-video-game-characters-of-the-21st-century-w449203/steve-w449259 |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |website=Glixel}}{{cite web |last=Weber |first=Rachel |date=November 8, 2021 |title=50 iconic video game characters |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-game-characters/ |website=gamesradar |access-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130073904/https://www.gamesradar.com/best-game-characters/ |url-status=live }} with the latter considering Steve to be the "enduring symbol" of Minecraft and his character model as one of the most recognizable silhouettes in video game culture. In 2024, a poll conducted by BAFTA with around 4,000 respondents named Steve as the thirteenth most iconic video-game character of all time.{{Cite news |author=Ollie Reynolds|title=Random: BAFTA's 'Iconic Game Characters' Poll Has Us Scratching Our Heads|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/random-baftas-iconic-game-characters-poll-has-us-scratching-our-heads |work=Nintendo Life |date=April 3, 2024|accessdate=April 8, 2024}}

Steve has been the subject of multiple fan theories spread across Internet communities.{{cite web |last=Rundle |first=Michael |date=January 19, 2015 |title=This Theory Might Change The Way You Think About 'Minecraft' |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/19/minecraft-backstory-theory_n_6500852.html |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=HuffPost UK |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417003917/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/19/minecraft-backstory-theory_n_6500852.html |url-status=live }} One theory alleged that Steve is based on Tommy Vercetti, the protagonist of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, due to the physical resemblance between the characters. It relied on a 2009 Tumblr post by Persson about Minecraft{{'s}} development progress, where he confirmed that he used designs inspired by the Grand Theft Auto games. In 2020, Persson responded on social media and denied any connections between both characters, though he stated he had a subconscious connection due to him being a fan of Vice City.{{Cite web |last=Coulson |first=Josh |date=2020-10-25 |title=Was Minecraft's Steve Really Inspired By Tommy From GTA Vice City? |url=https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-steve-tommy-vice-city/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524184725/https://www.thegamer.com/minecraft-steve-tommy-vice-city/ |url-status=live }} In 2010, Herobrine, a creepypasta that is a derivative design of Steve with white, solid eyes, was created on 4chan, gaining prominence amongst the Minecraft community and becoming an internet meme, being featured in some official artwork for the game as well.{{cite news |last=Morton |first=Lauren |date=February 1, 2021 |title=The story of Herobrine, Minecraft's decade-old creepypasta mystery |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-herobrine-story-creepypasta-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918181415/https://www.pcgamer.com/minecraft-herobrine-story-creepypasta-explained/ |archive-date=September 18, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |work=PC Gamer}} Conversely, the portrayal of Steve by Jack Black in A Minecraft Movie became the subject of memes as well due to its live-action depiction.{{Cite web |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=September 7, 2024 |title=The 'Minecraft' Movie Trailer Blows Past 1 Million Dislikes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/09/07/the-minecraft-movie-trailer-blows-past-1-million-dislikes/ |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

= ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' =

The announcement and introduction of Minecraft-themed downloadable content (DLC) for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which is primarily represented by Steve, was received positively from critics and players.{{cite web |title=Ranking Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's New Character Introductions Over The Last 5 Years |url=https://kotaku.com/ranking-super-smash-bros-ultimates-new-character-intro-1848247989/slides/5 |access-date=April 16, 2022 |website=Kotaku |date=December 20, 2021 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428142255/https://kotaku.com/ranking-super-smash-bros-ultimates-new-character-intro-1848247989/slides/5 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=October 14, 2020 |title=Minecraft's Steve is one of the zaniest Smash Ultimate additions yet, but by God it works |url=https://www.destructoid.com/minecrafts-steve-is-one-of-the-zaniest-smash-ultimate-additions-yet-but-by-god-it-works/ |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Destructoid |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417003915/https://www.destructoid.com/minecrafts-steve-is-one-of-the-zaniest-smash-ultimate-additions-yet-but-by-god-it-works/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=October 14, 2020 |title=You can't beat Minecraft Steve's Smash Bros. victory screen |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/14/21515823/super-smash-bros-ultimate-minecraft-dlc-steve-alex-enderman-zombie-victory-screen-poses |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Polygon |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522142909/https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/14/21515823/super-smash-bros-ultimate-minecraft-dlc-steve-alex-enderman-zombie-victory-screen-poses |url-status=live }} Some commentators suggested that much of the excitement was due to the character's unprecedented inclusion into Ultimate; after the reveal, social media website Twitter struggled with posts generated in response.{{cite web |author=Gabe Gurwin |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/twitter-crashes-and-reacts-to-super-smash-bros-ultimates-minecraft-steve-reveal/1100-6482817/ |title=Twitter Crashes And Reacts To Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Minecraft Steve Reveal |date=October 3, 2020 |website=GameSpot |access-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414074621/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/twitter-crashes-and-reacts-to-super-smash-bros-ultimates-minecraft-steve-reveal/1100-6482817/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=October 2, 2020 |title=The Internet Thinks Minecraft in Smash Bros. Crashed Twitter |url=https://sea.ign.com/news/164435/the-internet-thinks-minecraft-in-smash-bros-crashed-twitter |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=IGN Southeast Asia |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417003915/https://sea.ign.com/news/164435/the-internet-thinks-minecraft-in-smash-bros-crashed-twitter |url-status=live }} Ultimate{{'}}s director Masahiro Sakurai tweeted "Perhaps Twitter has fallen ...?" once Twitter's services came back online.{{Cite web |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |date=October 1, 2020 |title=もしかして、Twitter落ちましたね……? |trans-title=Perhaps Twitter has fallen? |url=https://twitter.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/1311671639650652160 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101105734/https://twitter.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/1311671639650652160 |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Twitter |language=ja}} Patricia Hernandez of Polygon and Nadia Fox of US Gamer noticed a suggestive animation featured at the character's win screen, which generated more publicity surrounding the character's imminent debut in Ultimate.{{cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=October 21, 2020 |title=Smash Bros. patches out Minecraft Steve's meat |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/21/21527893/minecraft-smash-bros-ultimate-steve-meat-victory-screen-patch-update |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=Polygon |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428031951/https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/21/21527893/minecraft-smash-bros-ultimate-steve-meat-victory-screen-patch-update |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/unlike-arbys-minecrafts-steve-no-longer-has-the-meat |title=Unlike Arby's, Minecraft's Steve No Longer Has the Meat |work=USGamer |last=Oxford |first=Nadia |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507004356/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/unlike-arbys-minecrafts-steve-no-longer-has-the-meat |url-status=dead }}

In his review of the Steve DLC for Ultimate, Mitchell Saltzman of IGN described Steve as one of the most complex fighters ever introduced in the game in terms of gameplay mechanics and highlighted the ways developers incorporated the resource collection and item crafting mechanics of Minecraft into Steve's moveset.{{cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Saltzman |date=October 16, 2022 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC Review – Minecraft Steve |url=https://sea.ign.com/review/165019/super-smash-bros-ultimate-dlc-review-minecraft-steve |access-date=October 11, 2021 |website=IGN Southeast Asia |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428192303/https://sea.ign.com/review/165019/super-smash-bros-ultimate-dlc-review-minecraft-steve |url-status=live }} Kotaku staff were divided over the iteration of Steve in Ultimate. Ian Walker considered Steve as one of the most exciting characters to play in Ultimate after observing an event where a player used Steve's construction capabilities.{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Ian |date=July 20, 2020 |title=Smash Player Effs Up Opponent |url=https://kotaku.com/smash-player-effs-up-opponent-1847332620 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Kotaku |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417003915/https://kotaku.com/smash-player-effs-up-opponent-1847332620 |url-status=live }} Ari Notis took a less favorable view and called him the strangest character he had ever played, describing the visual and gameplay dissonances he observed from the implementation of Steve in Ultimate.{{cite web |last=Notis |first=Ari |date=October 14, 2020 |title=Minecraft's Steve Is Super Weird In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://kotaku.com/minecrafts-steve-is-super-weird-in-super-smash-bros-ul-1845372517 |access-date=April 14, 2022 |website=Kotaku |archive-date=April 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417003916/https://kotaku.com/minecrafts-steve-is-super-weird-in-super-smash-bros-ul-1845372517 |url-status=live }}

Since Steve's addition, the character has been regarded as overpowered within the game's competitive community, who have cited Steve's unorthodox playstyle and rapid rise in high placements at competitions. In February 2023, a tier list created by several professional Ultimate players considered Steve the best character in the game.{{Cite web |last=Pabriga |first=Cedric |date=2023-02-28 |title=Minecraft Steve is on the verge of becoming Smash Ultimate's first character ban |url=https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/minecraft-steve-is-on-the-verge-of-becoming-smash-ultimates-first-character-ban |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302091359/https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/minecraft-steve-is-on-the-verge-of-becoming-smash-ultimates-first-character-ban |url-status=live }} Players began advocating for Steve to be banned from tournaments, fearing the character's dominance could negatively affect viewership similarly to the influence Bayonetta had on Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Some opposed the ban, stating that effective counterplay had yet to be developed.{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=Riley |date=2022-07-11 |title=Why Competitive Smash Ultimate Players Want to Ban Minecraft's Steve |url=https://www.cbr.com/smash-ultimate-competitive-ban-minecraft-steve-nintendo/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=CBR |language=en-US |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014040455/https://www.cbr.com/smash-ultimate-competitive-ban-minecraft-steve-nintendo/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Varnson |first=Fletcher |date=2022-07-06 |title=Smash Bros. Ultimate: Pros & Cons Of Banning Steve |url=https://screenrant.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-ban-steve-pros-cons/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014040454/https://screenrant.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-ban-steve-pros-cons/ |url-status=live }} As more players selected the character and had raised their win rates increased, calls for a ban intensified.{{Cite web |last=Gwilliam |first=Michael |date=June 20, 2022 |title=Smash Ultimate pros demand Steve ban after 15-year-old Acola wins major |url=https://www.dexerto.com/smash/smash-ultimate-pros-demand-steve-ban-after-15-year-old-acola-wins-major-1851710/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014040458/https://www.dexerto.com/smash/smash-ultimate-pros-demand-steve-ban-after-15-year-old-acola-wins-major-1851710/ |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Winslow |first=Levi |date=2022-08-15 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Competitive Community Really Hates Steve From Minecraft |url=https://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-minecraft-ban-steve-sora-onin-1849413171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014040454/https://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-minecraft-ban-steve-sora-onin-1849413171 |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=2022-08-15 |title=Steve from Minecraft was the big winner at Super Smash Con 2022 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/steve-super-smash-con-2022-big-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013115912/https://www.destructoid.com/steve-super-smash-con-2022-big-winners/ |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Destructoid |language=en-CA}} By March 2023, Steve was banned in several tournaments due to the discovery of a new technique that removes the consequences from opponent attacks, effectively allowing Steve to immediately retaliate. This method is known as the "Phantom MLG."{{cite web |last1=Shepard |first1=Kenneth |title=Long-Hated Steve From Minecraft Is Being Banned In Competitive Smash Bros. |url=https://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-tournament-ban-steve-minecraft-glitch-1850185818 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |access-date=14 March 2023 |date=3 March 2023 |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305111259/https://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-tournament-ban-steve-minecraft-glitch-1850185818 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-03-07 |title=Why Minecraft Steve Is Causing Drama in the Super Smash Bros. Community |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/super-smash-bros-ultimate-steve-mains |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208004758/https://www.ign.com/articles/super-smash-bros-ultimate-steve-mains |url-status=live }}

= Analysis =

In an entry from the 2017 publication 100 Greatest Video Game Characters, Chris Bailey explained that the sparse knowledge on Steve shows how video game avatars are being perceived in relation to player identity; the character embodies and conducts the spirit of freedom and customization inherent to sandbox games. He elaborated that Steve exemplifies the "centrality" of relatable avatars in affording players their own creative agency in and around video games; while other games allow a certain level of customization, Steve embodies this possibility more than most by allowing users to change the entire surface of the body beyond changing between pre-defined hairstyles or skin colors. This process is visible through the proliferation of online communities set up to share user-generated adapted skins.

While Persson asserted that Steve's gender is non-binary, Bailey took the view that it is "initially difficult" to account for the inclusion of an avatar with an "evidently gendered name". Nevertheless, Bailey observed that Minecraft{{'s}} player communities have embraced the game's openness due to their enthusiasm in customizing their avatars' appearances. This is achieved through the process of overlaying a new skin over Steve. Similarly, H. Chad Lane said the concept of skins in Minecraft, with Steve and Alex as starting points for the player to create their avatar, can act as a reflection of the player's identity and self-perceptions, regardless of whether it is similar to or in contrast to the real world.

Notes

References

External links

[https://minecraft.wiki/w/Steve Steve] on Minecraft Wiki
[https://namemc.com/skin/63455d7069b397c2 Steve's entry on NameMC]—a searchable skin database

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