UC Berkeley students recreated more than 100 buildings on their 'Minecraft' campus 'Blockeley' — take a tour of the virtual university

Mary MeisenzahlJun 3, 2020, 20:05 IST

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus.Gretchen Knell

UC Berkeley students recreated their campus on "Minecraft" after COVID-19 ended their semester early.
Events including graduations and weddings have been moved online to "Minecraft," "Animal Crossing," and other online games since the coronavirus spread throughout the world.
College commencements around the country were canceled, and students have been recreating them online.

A typical graduation wasn't possible this year at UC Berkeley, but students came up with a solution. They recreated their entire campus in painstaking detail, and held commencement in the virtual world, "Blockeley."

Mid-semester, colleges across the US switched to remote learning and sent students home. Since then, other schools like the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and Brown have also been built on "Minecraft."

The block-building game "Minecraft," which Microsoft bought in 2014 for $2.5 billion, has been one of the most popular games worldwide over the last 10 years. As of September, it had a staggering 112 million active players every month, a number that has reportedly grown to 145 million.

Here's what the "Minecraft" campus looks like.

The virtual Berkeley campus is known as Blockeley.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Students started the project on March 15, two days after in-person classes were canceled.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

By March 19, creators posted in UC Berkeley Facebook groups asking for help.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

In mid-April, the project really gained traction, builders told Business Insider.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

At first, there were fewer than five people building in the "Minecraft" server most of the time.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

By April 16, there were between five and 20 people building at all times of the day.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

In a period of five days, students built more than 30 buildings.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

The Campanile clock tower was one of the most recognizable buildings.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

The clock tower is visible around campus as one of the tallest buildings.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Students recreated other recognizable and important pieces of campus...

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

...like the East Asian Library,

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

And Memorial Stadium.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Memorial Stadium is where the college's football team, the California Golden Bears, play.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

It would have also been the location of commencement, as it is every year.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Builders put together the stadium in "Minecraft" in just three days.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

To recognize the day, even if students couldn't attend in person, UC Berkeley lit up blue and gold lights for students to see on social media.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

On the day of commencement, they adhered closely to what a typical graduation day would look like.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Organizers created a Facebook event and invited classmates to the virtual graduation on May 16.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Students could make "Minecraft" accounts to attend and explore their virtual campus.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

"Pomp and Circumstance" was played.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Graduates could even jump and symbolize throwing their caps.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Vice Chancellor for Administration Marc Fisher was in the game to give an address to the graduates.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Graduates received their diplomas,

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

The whole thing was streamed on Twitch for non "Minecraft" players to watch.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Later that day, the two-day virtual Blockeley Music Festival kicked off in the server.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

More than 40 artists performed, including Lil B and DJ Soda.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

All proceeds from the event went towards an economic relief fund for restaurant employees affected by COVID-19.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Exploring the virtual campus, students found that even minor details and Easter eggs were present in the game.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Beloved buildings, like iHouse, had not just accurate exteriors but also faithfully recreated interiors.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

The project was the result of two months of work by more than 100 students and alumni.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Even the small Kiwibot used for deliveries on campus was included in Blockeley.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

UC Berkeley students are apparently big fans of these little robots — when one caught on fire in 2018, students held a candlelight vigil.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Falcon chicks at the Campanile also made the cut...

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

...as did a llama on Memorial Glade, a nod to the therapy llamas sometimes brought in to help ease student stress.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

100 buildings were recreated in "Minecraft" for this project.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Like on other "Minecraft" campuses, the attention to detail on certain buildings and areas show what students care about.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

For example, boba shops were also recreated.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Even small details, like banners celebrating "150 years of women at Berkeley" made it to the finished product.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

No detail was too inconsequential to leave out, even Berkeley's foggy weather.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Campus buses also made appearances around the server.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

After commencement, other groups organized their own gatherings in "Minecraft."

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Engineering graduates had a celebration with commentary from the dean and personal slides for each graduate.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Blockeley

Student-athletes had their own virtual ceremony as well.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Now, even returning to campus in the fall is in question.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

University of California President Janet Napolitano said a decision hasn't been made yet, but UCs will probably operate in a hybrid fashion in the fall.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

Until then, students at least have a version of campus they can visit.

UC Berkeley Blockeley campus. Gretchen Knell

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UC Berkeley students recreated more than 100 buildings on their 'Minecraft' campus 'Blockeley' — take a tour of the virtual university

The virtual Berkeley campus is known as Blockeley.

Students started the project on March 15, two days after in-person classes were canceled.

By March 19, creators posted in UC Berkeley Facebook groups asking for help.

In mid-April, the project really gained traction, builders told Business Insider.

At first, there were fewer than five people building in the "Minecraft" server most of the time.

By April 16, there were between five and 20 people building at all times of the day.

In a period of five days, students built more than 30 buildings.

The Campanile clock tower was one of the most recognizable buildings.

The clock tower is visible around campus as one of the tallest buildings.

Students recreated other recognizable and important pieces of campus...

...like the East Asian Library,

And Memorial Stadium.

Memorial Stadium is where the college's football team, the California Golden Bears, play.

It would have also been the location of commencement, as it is every year.

Builders put together the stadium in "Minecraft" in just three days.

To recognize the day, even if students couldn't attend in person, UC Berkeley lit up blue and gold lights for students to see on social media.

On the day of commencement, they adhered closely to what a typical graduation day would look like.

Organizers created a Facebook event and invited classmates to the virtual graduation on May 16.

Students could make "Minecraft" accounts to attend and explore their virtual campus.

"Pomp and Circumstance" was played.

Graduates could even jump and symbolize throwing their caps.

Vice Chancellor for Administration Marc Fisher was in the game to give an address to the graduates.

Graduates received their diplomas,

The whole thing was streamed on Twitch for non "Minecraft" players to watch.

Later that day, the two-day virtual Blockeley Music Festival kicked off in the server.

More than 40 artists performed, including Lil B and DJ Soda.

All proceeds from the event went towards an economic relief fund for restaurant employees affected by COVID-19.

Exploring the virtual campus, students found that even minor details and Easter eggs were present in the game.

Beloved buildings, like iHouse, had not just accurate exteriors but also faithfully recreated interiors.

The project was the result of two months of work by more than 100 students and alumni.

Even the small Kiwibot used for deliveries on campus was included in Blockeley.

UC Berkeley students are apparently big fans of these little robots — when one caught on fire in 2018, students held a candlelight vigil.

Falcon chicks at the Campanile also made the cut...

...as did a llama on Memorial Glade, a nod to the therapy llamas sometimes brought in to help ease student stress.

100 buildings were recreated in "Minecraft" for this project.

Like on other "Minecraft" campuses, the attention to detail on certain buildings and areas show what students care about.

For example, boba shops were also recreated.

Even small details, like banners celebrating "150 years of women at Berkeley" made it to the finished product.

No detail was too inconsequential to leave out, even Berkeley's foggy weather.

Campus buses also made appearances around the server.

After commencement, other groups organized their own gatherings in "Minecraft."

Engineering graduates had a celebration with commentary from the dean and personal slides for each graduate.

Student-athletes had their own virtual ceremony as well.

Now, even returning to campus in the fall is in question.

University of California President Janet Napolitano said a decision hasn't been made yet, but UCs will probably operate in a hybrid fashion in the fall.

Until then, students at least have a version of campus they can visit.